Calendar of Events

The Town of Farragut is celebrating the long-awaited installation of the Admiral David Glasgow Farragut bronze statue with a weekend of events ending with a dedication ceremony on Sunday, May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Farragut Town Hall. The bronze, commissioned in the fall of 2007 by the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Farragut Folklife Museum Committee, is believed to be the first bronze of the Town’s namesake, Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, in over 100 years. Farragut, who was born on the riverbank at Stoney Point at Low’s Ferry (off Northshore Dr.) a few miles from Farragut, was the first commissioned rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral of the U.S. Navy and was a Civil War hero. He was the son of George (Jorge) Farragut who emigrated to this country in 1776 from the Island of Minorca, off the east coast of Spain. George Farragut would later serve the colonies gallantly in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

The sculptor is Linda Rankin, a Knox County native renowned for her art in watercolors, bronze and other mediums. Her commissions include many private and corporate collections throughout the country and she is especially well known for her bronze sculptures of world champion horses and their owners. Locally, she was the sculptor of the Guy Smith bust located at the Knoxville Zoo.

The featured speaker at the Sunday event will be Rear Admiral Jay A DeLoach, USN (Ret) who is currently the Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C. Besides an illustrious career in the U.S. Navy, Rear Admiral DeLoach served as an adjunct professor for the Naval War College teaching Maritime Operations and was a senior staff member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board from 1990-2008.

Other Weekend Activities Include:
· Admiral Farragut Special Exhibit – The Museum will be open special hours during this weekend for viewing of an expanded exhibit about Admiral Farragut. In addition to the Museum’s permanent collection, an outstanding selection of additional artifacts will be on loan from Paul DeHaan, Michigan collector. Mr. DeHaan began collecting Civil War artifacts and memorabilia over 30 years ago and quickly refined his search to Admiral Farragut items. Expanded hours will be Friday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, May 2 from 2 to 5 p.m.

· Civil War Encampment – The whole family will enjoy this experience as the reenactors from the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, 8th TN Infantry US and 8th TN Company E demonstrate life on the battle field during the Civil War. Children and adults will enjoy this demonstration which will also include 1860’s era, period correct ladies’ clothing and accessories. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30 and 9 a.m.to 12 noon on Saturday, May 1.

· Civil War Trail Historical Marker Dedication – The Farragut Folklife Museum Committee will dedicate a new Civil War Historical Marker commemorating the Battle of Campbell Station fought on land surrounding the Town Hall in November 16, 1863. The dedication will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 1.

· “The Making of the Admiral Bronze” Presentation – Sculptor Linda White Rankin will present on the over two year process of creating the seven foot bronze statue. Learn about the complete process from the beginning research to the final casting. Program will be held on Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m.

· “David Glasgow Farragut, America’s First Admiral” – Historian and former TVA attorney, Tom Fine, will present a fascinating look at the Admiral’s life and times. Program will be held on Sunday, May 2 at 2:45 p.m.

All programs and events will be held inside or on the grounds of the Farragut Town Hall, located on Municipal Center Drive across from the Farragut Post Office. 11408 Municipal Center Drive, Farragut, TN 37934, 865-966-7057.

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

213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

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

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

Opening night, April 16. Written by Dale Wasserman; Music by Mitch Leigh; Lyrics by Joe Darion. to dream the impossible dream. . . Journey with Cervantes’ knight errant as he rides in a hopeful quest for love and valor amid trying times.

1714 Andy Holt Avenue on the UT Campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.org

Reception April 9, 6:30-8:30 PM
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

The Fountain City Art Guild will be having its annual Spring Show at the Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Avenue in the heart of Fountain City. The Center is located in the old library building next to Fountain City Park just off of Broadway and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 to 1 p.m. The show will run from April 9 until May 7 with reception and awards on Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and light drinks will be served and musical entertainment will be provided by guitarist David Williams. Awards, including Best of Show, First, Second and Third places along with three Honorable Mentions, will be presented at 7:00 p.m. Also appearing in conjunction with the guild Show is artwork by students from Central High, Gresham Middle and Fountain City, Sterchi, Shannondale and Inskip Elementary schools. The public is encouraged to attend this free event.

The Fountain City Art Guild is celebrating its 26th year and currently has over 40 members, most of whom will be represented in this show. It is held in conjunction with the Dogwood Arts Festival “Studio Tours” and will be open on April 25 and 26 for viewing and demonstrations by many of our artists. The Fountain City Art Guild web site is www.fountaincityartguild.com and the web site for the Fountain City Art Center is www.fountaincityart.net

Direct from a highly-acclaimed run on Broadway, the Tony-nominated Soul of Shaolin will premier at the Eastern Shanghai Theater in April. A Chinese martial arts spectacular, Soul of Shaolin features over 30 Chinese performers skilled in the art of Shaolin Kung Fu and tells the touching story of Hui Guang (pronounced “whey gwong”), an orphan boy who is discovered by the legendary monks of the Shaolin Temple and is raised among them. The show debuted at New York's Marquis Theatre in January 2009 as part of the China on Broadway series of productions. It received rave reviews from many American critics, with the New York Post describing the show as "a dazzling display of skill", while the Associated Press called it "astonishing and amazing".

In addition to a spectacular show, the Eastern Shanghai Theater will feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting and a spectacular 198-square foot LED backdrop. According to the show's executive producer, Lizhi Zhao: “The story of Shaolin is timeless and appeals to all audiences, young and old.” People coming to the Smoky Mountains this year may not want to miss limited engagement of Soul of Shaolin.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each night with matinee shows Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. For ticket prices and bookings call 865-453-8888 or visit www.EasternShanghaiTheater.com.

Unarmed Merchants Art Gallery will be featuring encaustic paintings from local artist Neranza Noel Blount. This show will be up for the month of April starting Friday the 2nd. She is interested in patterns in nature including land and atmospheric weather patterns and how they relate to each other. She also collages with found objects and uses her pen & ink renderings and photography images that have been cut, torn, and then fused onto wooden surfaces and painted over with encaustic wax. She started painting in oils at an early age and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee. She has received top awards for her works of art nationally and internationally. Her use of the medium of encaustic came out of her father’s profession as a beekeeper. Her husband has also since become a beekeeper. With her art she wants to help build awareness of the importance of honeybees and how the existence of man depends upon them.

Unarmed Merchants, 129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902. (865) 549-5769; http://unarmedmerchants.com