Calendar of Events

By Charles Busch and directed by Jim Richardson. A free wheeling satire of patriotic 1940’s thrillers such as Notorious and Escape, The Lady in Question tells the suspenseful tale of Gertrude Garnet, the most glamorous concert pianist on the international stage. On tour in 1940 Bavaria, her colossal self-absorption is challenged when a handsome American professor engages her aid in rescuing his mother from a Nazi prison. NOTE: This production contains strong language and is not suitable for children.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 N. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $10 plus fees for Thursday & Sunday; $15 plus fees for Friday & Saturday. For information: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com. For tickets: 865-523-7521, www.KnoxTIX.com

Friday, April 23, at 8:00 pm and Sunday, April 25, at 2:30 pm. By Rossini, in Italian with projected English translations. "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro," the most famous quote in all of opera, highlights Rossini's glittering romp about the escapades of Seville's favorite barber, who arranges for Count Almaviva to conquer the beautiful Rosina. The sparkling score and comedy has inspired countless interpreters from Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker to Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire! At the Tennessee Theatre. For more information: 865-524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

In April 2010, over 30 cooking teams from across the country will compete for cash and prizes during Pork Knox Q-Fest, the First Annual Barbecue Championship held at The World's Fair Park in Knoxville, TN. We are a Kansas City BBQ Society Sanctioned BBQ contest. Aside from some of the most mouth-watering barbecue in the Southeast, this two-day event will feature cooking demonstrations, interactive children's activities, barbecue and other food vendors, arts & crafts, clogging, step and square dancing, and live music. One hundred percent of the profits from this festival will benefit the programs and services offered by the disABILITY Resource Center (dRC), one of the area's most respected charities. The dRC is the only disability service agency in the Knoxville community that serves people with all types of disabilities at any age.

Friday, April 23, 12-9 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Information: http://porkknoxqfest.com

Maggie Longmire from LaFollete, Tennessee is a folk singer, blues rocker (member in good standing of the legendary Lonesome Coyotes) and roots music writer of songs with evoking lyrics and haunting melodies. Her performance of "Granddaughters - n Americana Opera", a project of original songs cowritten with her brother John, was a sellout at the Laurel in 2008. Her first solo project Teachers and Travelers was awarded Best Album of the year by Metro Pulse. She will be performing with her band Free Soil Farm. Jubilee Community Arts, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org. For tickets: 865-523-7521, www.KnoxTIX.com

Fun activities in the arts, healthy living, and the environment are scheduled throughout this event. Crafts, physical movement with National Fitness, a Brainmaker puppet show on saftey, a book fair and storytelling, large-size Lego block fun, and healthy snacks. A 10:00 AM performance of interactive music by Rick Kelley. Admission is $6 for both children and adults and includes access to the museum for the entire day.

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, 461 West Outer Dr, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For information: 865-482-1074, www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Bloom, bloom, bloom is the heartbeat of downtown Knoxville when marching bands, decorated floats, helium balloons, clowns and street performers march down Gay Street in celebration of the five decades of Dogwood. Along Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. Information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.

Run through the streets of downtown Knoxville in this family-friendly race. Register at www.ktc.com or at Market Square 5:30 - 8 p.m day of race; Kids Fun Run begins at 6 p.m.; Mile Run begins at 8:30 p.m. After Party with entertainment on Market Square. Information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.

Gallery 1010 is a student-run exhibition space for the University of Tennessee students, faculty, staff and alumni. We strive to offer the university community, and the growing downtown Knoxville gallery district with stimulating visual art experiences by consistently exhibiting innovative, contemporary artwork.

Gallery 1010: 113 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Thursday-Saturday 12-4PM; Opening Reception: Friday 6-9PM. http://sunsite.utk.edu/gallery1010/Site/About_Gallery_1010.html

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will hold its Annual Members Auction, a silent auction of over 40 pieces of original art and fine craft.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-6PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Featuring a broad selection of works - paintings, photographs, drawings, and video - by artists whose chief inspiration stems from the surrounding landscape, whether rural or urban, perceived or imagined. The exhibition examines the many ways artists reference the external environment in constructing scenes marked by instability, ambiguity, deception, or fragmentation. Includes works by Jim Campbell, Patty Chang, Herb Creecy, Robert Van Deventer, Tomory Dodge, Chuck Forsman, Natasha Kissell, Alison Moritsugu, Brian Novatny, Hiraki Sawa, Darren Waterston, Roger Weik, and Charlotta Westergren.

Free admission. Hours: Tues-Thurs 10-5; Fri 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org, info@knoxart.org

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, a sponsor of the 60th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, is showcasing the watercolors, acrylics and drawings of Bob George, winner of the 2009 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Art Contest. Bob George relocated to Sevierville, Tennessee in 2002 after a career in Washington, D.C. as an illustrator, commercial artist and art director. Bob, a native of Key West, Florida, studied at the Ringling School of Art. His artwork has been featured at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, the White House, Pentagon and U.S. Park Service Visitor Centers. Bob’s winning entry, “Bloodroot” was selected as part of a national juried competition and has been used as the Pilgrimage’s promotional image for 2010. Criteria for submission is that the artist’s primary subject included botanically accurate depictions of a spring flowering plant (or plants) native to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “Bob’s skills as an illustrator and a painter are exquisite. It is evident that he has a strong relationship with and has mastered his media. His work brings the beauty and composition of nature to life on paper – the rendering of a simple stone becomes a captivating visual. We are proud to showcase Bob’s range of artworks and encourage you to come and enjoy this wonderful exhibit,” says Karen Green, Gallery Coordinator.

In the Loggia Gallery. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

The Urban Land Scouts are a new scouting group dedicated to helping modern urban people become better stewards of the land where they live. The gallery installation will display information, activities, embroidered patches, and literature associated with the Urban Land Scouts. Gallery visitors will be invited to join the Urban Land Scouts and take home things like plants, seeds, and printed ephemera, depending on their level of experience and interest.

Special Urban Land Scout Events (also at the Gallery; all events are free):
April 16th, Friday, 4:30 pm – Urban Land Walk with ULS founder Katie Ries
April 17th, Saturday, 1-3 pm – Seed Swap, Bring seeds, bags, envelopes and a pen.
April 22nd, Thursday, 4:30 pm – Urban Composting Talk with Knoxville Recycling Coalition
April 29th, Thursday, 4:30 pm – Herb talk with Nickie Bold

106 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902. Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 11 am – 6 pm, Saturday 10 am – 3 pm. Closing reception April 30th, 6-9 pm. Information: 865-673-0802; Katie Ries - katie@urbanlandscouts.com; whoshareswins.com