Calendar of Events

Knoxville Choral Society is proud to present the spring concert of the Knoxville Chamber Chorale, a group of singers auditioned from our ranks that specializes in vocal works for chamber settings. The concert takes place at St. John's Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door; admission is free for donors to the Knoxville Choral Society. Following the concert will be a reception in the church's great hall for all donors and audience members.

The concert will feature a broad selection of sacred and secular works from the Renaissance to the contemporary era, including a setting of James Agee's text "On This Shining Night" by Morten Lauridsen, the rousing African-American spiritual "I Can Tell the World" arranged by Moses Hogan, and a haunting rendition of the Irish favorite "O Danny Boy."

The Knoxville Chamber Chorale is conducted by Bill Brewer and accompanied by Danny Brian. For more information, please visit www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

Dierks Bentley’s kind of country has never been straight-up-the-middle. Instead, the Arizona-native grew up on a potent hybrid of honky-tonk, bluegrass, singer/songwriters, classic country and modern rock & roll, forging his own sound along the way. His newest release, "Feel That Fire", is a 12-song serving of rockers and ballads with a dash of honky tonk and bluegrass. Great performer with serious appeal in a terrific room - tickets for this one will move fast, so get yours early.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

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.

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.

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