Calendar of Events

The Market Square Farmers' Market is located in historic Market Square, the site of Knoxville's original Market House. Every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the season the Square is filled with local farmers, gardeners, bakers, and artisans, as well as performers and musicians. The MSFM is producer-only, meaning that everything at the market is grown or made right here in East Tennessee. Runs from May 1 - November 20, 2010, every Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Local produce, live plants, baked goods, herbs, free range meat, artisan crafts, & more!

Chef Challenges from 10:00-noon on May 8, June 12, July 10 (noon-2:00), August 8, September 11, October 9, and November 12.
Market Square District Association, Market Square | PO Box 2263, Knoxville, TN 37901. Information: 865-405-3135. knoxvillemarketsquare@gmail.com, www.knoxvillemarketsquare.com or www.marketsquarefarmersmarket.org

An exhibition of art, films, music & community. During the month of May, 530 Gay Street (beside the French Market on the corner of Clinch and Gay) will be home to several community and cultural events, including: “a struggle”, an exhibition of images and audio from Pardo Calrissian, and the screening of Vagabond Beaumont’s film “Machetero” (Exhibit reception and film screening, Monday May 17th, 5pm – 10pm).

Pardo is a Tennessee documentarian that has spent a decade covering what he calls, “under-reported news and events”. His current exhibition, “a struggle” combines photographs of various popular movements around Mexico, the Caribbean and East Tennessee with related audio interviews.

Contact: Pardo, 423-277-7162, pardo.calrissian@gmail.com. At 530 S. Gay Street (next to French Market), Knoxville, TN 37902.

The Monroe Area Opera presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved comic opera “The Mikado” for two performances on May 1st and 2nd at the Brown Intermediate School Auditorium, 106 Starrett Road in Sweetwater. They will perform the show again on Saturday May 8th at the Athens Arts Center in Athens. “The Mikado” tells the story of a runaway prince and his true love, a topsy-turvy Japanese village, insane legislation, a maniacal Emperor and a jilted woman bent on revenge most foul. It all ends happily of course, and the twists and turns of the plot are hilarious. The music is the centerpiece of the opera, and includes some of the Gilbert & Sullivan’s most enduring popular songs including “Three Little Maids,” “Behold the Lord High Executioner,” “I’ve Got A Little List,” and “Tit-Willow.” The performance features local performers, including the Monroe Consort doing the honors as the Townspeople of Titipu. Grae Taylor is the errant prince, Savannah Roberts his beloved, and Dave Siklosi is the Lord High Executioner. Rick Parker is the Mikado, and Dianne Griffith is the thwarted older woman. Other principals include Josh Gettinger, Kai Bouse, Laura Lawrence and Kristen Brown. Dr. Larry Stein is the Stage Director, Dr. Karel Bouse is the Musical Director and Dr. Douglas Manley is the Accompanist. Tickets are $10/Adults and $5/Students under 18. The performances on Saturday May 1st and Saturday May 8th are at 7:30 pm. The Sunday May 2nd performance is at 3:00 pm. The show runs approximately 2 hours. Call (423) 351-9013 for information or to reserve seats. The Monroe Area Opera is part of the Monroe Area School for the Performing Arts in Sweetwater. The School is a 501 (c) (30 non-profit organization dedicated to arts education and performance, and academic enrichment.

Information: 423-351-9013, www.masparts.org

For the first time in Knoxville, a workshop with INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED DANCE ARTIST, Mohamed Shahin. Mohamed Shahin's career in Egyptian dance began at the age of fourteen. He was trained by the El Kawmia Troupe, Kassan Afifi, Kamal Naim, Hamada Hossam El-Din, Gedawy Ramadan, and, most notably, Mahmoud Reda. Mr. Shahin is an expert on all aspects of Egyptian dance, from folkloric styles to Bellydance. He has taught and performed throughout Egypt and in nearly every continent on earth. Mohamed Shahin will be teaching a workshop on May 1-2 in Knoxville, TN at the Knox Dance Worx Studio. Spaces are limited to guarantee a quality experience for all students.
Knox Dance Worx, 10541 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922. Information: 865-677-6761, www.alexia-dance.com.

With a style best described as a mixture of folk and bluegrass, Jay Clark’s handcrafted lyrics run the gamut of hard living, hard drinking, civil disobedience, and old-time religion. As the son of a Cumberland Presbyterian minister from Winchester, Tennessee, Clark’s devout religious upbringing is apparent in his songwriting. During the the 1990’s Jay helped form the Stringbeans, a hot Knoxville bluegrass band. Jeff Barbra, along with his wife, Sarah Pirkle, were the hosts and producers of the popular WDVX Behind The Barn radio program for almost five years. 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

7:00 PM (sold out!) & 9:00 PM
Kathy Griffin, the self-professed D-lister who's become a mega-watt star on cable (okay, Oprah's not losing sleep - yet) is coming to the Tennessee Theatre. The Emmy award winning comic and flame-throwing commentator, will be performing her own brand of stand-up (celebrity deconstruction with a pinch of pure id). Her fans are legion and enthusiastic to say the least. The show will be taped for presentation as a comedy special on BRAVO - assume all stops will be pulled out for this one.

Historic Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Come celebrate the “136th Run for the Roses” while enjoying a Mint Julep in an official Kentucky Derby souvenir glass and a traditional Derby buffet topped off with “Horse-Churned Ice Cream.” Other activities include Ladies Hat contest, Riverboat Cruise, Visiting with Thoroughbred Race Horses, Antique Carriage Collection Display, “Run for the Roses” Flower Show, Kentucky Derby memorabilia display, Barber Shop Quartet Singers, Live and Silent Auctions, and much more. This event is the annual fundraiser by The Toms Foundation for the continuing maintenance and preservation for Historic Crescent Bend House & Gardens. Please call 865-637-3163 to add your name to the invitation list. You don’t want to miss this one!

Crescent Bend House & Gardens, 2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Tues-Fri 10-4; Sat 10-2; Sun 1-4 (closed Easter Sunday). Admission: $7 adults, $5 students, FREE children 12 and under.

Exploring music's power to heal through performance, personal testimony, and meditative interaction. Featuring soprano Rebekkah Hilgraves, contralto Diane Thornton, pianist Adam Bowles, Lucie Carlson and Rachel Schlafer-Parton, composer James Carlson, therapist Alana Seaton, and others. At TVUUC, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Info: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

As a natural extension of the creative and clever programming at the annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, festival organizers have created the BONNAROO COLLEGE COMEDY TOUR PRESENTED BY U.S. CELLULAR to deliver the best in up-and-coming comedy talent to the college audience. The tour features a rotating cast of Bonnaroo alumni comedians, and the show in Knoxville will feature Pete Holmes, John Mulaney, Michelle Buteau. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show begins at 9:30 p.m. Admission: $5.00 with UT Student ID, $8.00 Advance, and $10.00 Door plus applicable service fees.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com.

Tickets: $15.00 per person. Enjoy the excitement of gaming, desserts, and door prizes... and a lot of fun!

Creative Arts Co-op Visual and Performing Arts Center, 426 Ruritan Road, Harriman, TN. For information: 865-765-1129, www.creativeartsco-op.com

The wildly popular musical telling of the Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors returns to the Playhouse with a new staging. The tuneful parable comes to vibrant life as the story of the boy blessed with prophetic dreams is told in an engaging mix of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll.

227 Broadway in Historic Jackson Square, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For more information, call (865) 482-9999 or visit www.orplayhouse.com

Annual spring concert by area dancers and a delightful concert for the entire family. RSCC Theatre. Tickets are $15 and available in advance through Arts in Motion and at the door. For best seating, buy tickets in advance. For tickets call (865) 376-0295. April 30, May 1, 7 pm; May 2, 2 pm. All performances subject to change. Check website periodically for updated information. Information: 865-882-4567, www.roanestate.edu keyword: theatre.