Calendar of Events

601 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Info: 865-215-8883, www.east-tennessee-history.org

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

Warm weather is here and it's time to GET OUT! The GetOut! series of activities provides fun, recreational experiences to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the natural resources of our area. Activities are scheduled all summer for anyone interested in beginning or continuing biking, hiking, or paddling. A $10 donation to Legacy Parks Foundation is suggested for each activity. Please register by calling (865) 541-4500.
+ Mountain Biking with Appalachian Mountain Bike Club - Meet in the parking lot of Anderson-South Head Start, 4808 Prospect Road. Helmets are required. Check www.knoxvillecycling.com or call 382-6061 for more information.
June 22 Mead's Quarry, 6:30 pm Pre-registration is encouraged, 541-4500.

+ Paddling with River Sports Sponsored by River Sports Outfitters - Paddle trips perfect for novice paddlers or those wanting to discover new areas to get on the water. Boats can be provided, but bring your own snacks, water, and sunscreen. Children 6 and over are welcome, but each child must be accompanied by an adult. All trips begin at 6 pm, weather permitting. Call 523-0066 for information. Pre-registration is necessary to plan for the proper number of boats, 541-4500 or www.legacyparks.org.
May 25 – Governor Ned McWherter/Riverside Landing, 6 pm
June 1 – The Cove at Concord Park, 6 pm
June 15 – Governor Ned McWherter/Riverside Landing, 6 pm

+ Bike Riding with Mast General Store Sponsored by Mast General Store - Morning bike rides in community parks through the month of June. The rides are for recreational riders, high school age and up. Riders should provide their own bike and must wear a helmet. All rides will begin at 8 am, from the parking lot of the following parks. For more information, please call 546-1336. Pre-registration is encouraged, 541-4500.
June 12 – House Mountain, 8 am
June 19 – Holston Hills Park, 8 am
June 26 – South Knoxville, meet at the Sunsphere in World's Fair Park, 8 am

+ Hiking with Missy Kane Sponsored by Thompson Cancer Survival Center - Missy Kane will lead a series of hikes titled Run From the Sun during the month of June. Each hike will begin with warm-ups and health tips, and hikers will receive sunscreen and visors provided by Thompson Cancer Survival Center. Children 6-16 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on paved and natural surfaces. These hikes will take place rain or shine. Pre-registration is encouraged, 541-4500.
June 2 – Georgia Marble, 9 am
June 9 – Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge, 9 am
June 16 – House Mountain, 9 am
June 20 – I C King Park, 5 pm
June 23 – River Bluff Trail, 9 am
June 30 – Hastie Park, 9 am
http://www.legacyparks.org/news.html#news1

The Knoxville Watercolor Society will host a showing of new paintings by its members at the Fountain City Art Center from May 14 to June 11. There will be an opening reception on May 14 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Center. The reception is free and open to the public.

In “Student Exhibits,” Mary Secrist’s students’ watercolors will be on display at the same time as the KWS exhibition, a perfect teamup!

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

An exhibit featuring the work of TVUUC members and friends will be on display at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. This show displays the TVUUC congregation's wide range of artistic talent and is displayed in the entry exhibit hall at TVUUC. The public is encouraged to share the vision and artistic skill of the TVUUC community. Free and open to the public!

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

Many high quality pieces produced in East Tennessee will be on display!

Opening reception May 8, 7-9pm; gallery talk at 6:30 pm.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9AM-5PM; Saturday-Monday, 1-4PM. For information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

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

KAFCC is pleased to announce a First Friday Opening Reception with artist Candy Finley-Brooks. We invite you to join us Friday, May 7 from 5:30-7:30 to meet multi-talented artist Candy Finley-Brooks and view her new solo exhibit of paintings, drawings and ceramic sculpture.

Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center, 1127 Broadway Suite B, Knoxville, TN 37917. For information: 865-523-1401, www.cityofknoxville.org/recreation/arts

The Bijou Theatre hosts a First Friday reception to kick off a two-month exhibit featuring the works of East Tennessee artist Karol Smith. The reception will be held Friday, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the U.S. Cellular Stage at he Bijou Theatre. The general public is invited to participate in this reception and First Friday event. The show will be on display throughout the months of May and June for Bijou patrons and visitors to enjoy when the theater is open for performances. Visit www.KnoxBijou.com for a schedule of upcoming events at the Bijou. The content is oil and watercolor paintings, collages and prints. View more of her works for sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbykarolsmith.

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

Did you know that you can photograph heat and cold energy just as readily as you can light and dark? Photographing temperature is called infrared photography, and if you want to see what it looks like, your chance is coming up very soon. In a cooperative venture between JamesBen: Studio and Gallery Art Center and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, the next in a series of lobby and mezzanine exhibits will feature the “amazing, monumental infrared photographs of J.G. Crowe. This one woman show, entitled “A Different Light”, opens at Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Tusculum Blvd., adjacent to Greeneville High School. A “Meet the Artist” reception at the site of the exhibition is scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd from 1 to 3 PM and the public is cordially invited to attend. “A Different Light” will be open for viewing in the lobby and mezzanine of NPAC between the hours of 9:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and during the evening of NPAC performances.

The images in “A Different Light” present Northeast Tennessee scenes, including the Jefferson City area near J.G.’s home and the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville. During the “Meet the Artist” reception she will be available to remarque postcards of her work suitable for framing. 129 North Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. (423) 787-0195, www.james-ben.com

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.