Calendar of Events

Southern Fried will take place at venues all over the old city and downtown area of Knoxville, TN. The bouts will occur in the art district with late night events in the Old City and Market Square. The Southern Fried Poetry Slam was started by Allan Wolf in 1993 in Asheville, North Carolina. This performance poetry competition, which travels to a different southern city annually, has grown into one of the largest poetry convention in the nation, second only to the Poetry Slam, Inc.'s National Poetry Slam, which started in 1990. Over four days, teams and independent spoken word artists from our Southern Cities will compete head to head on local stages. They prepare for months in order to be on stage for mere minutes. Info: 865-406-1616, rheasunshine@blacksunshine.org, www.southernfried2010.com

Jubilee Community Arts announces a three-day series of workshops focusing on folklore and folk arts, oral history, and the narrative stage, which have been approved for optional in-service credit in the Knox County School system and are free to all East Tennessee educators. Folk arts education specialist Dr. Gregory Hansen will conduct the workshops, made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Advance registration is required.

A folk arts workshop held on the first day is an introductory course on background concepts and theory, which teachers must complete before enrolling in the oral history or narrative stage workshops. The second day will focus on basic necessities for conducting folklife and oral history interviews. Training will encourage the exploration of teachers' and students' communities and the development of listening skills, note taking, researching, and oral and written language arts skills. On the final day participants will learn to interview traditional artists who may visit their classroom.

The Laurel Theater is located at 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org, info@jubileearts.org.

The one and only Diana Ross will be making summer nights red hot with her "MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY" tour. The legendary icon will perform her greatest hits in a multi-city spectacular live show. Ms. Ross will be pulling out all the stops with breathtaking costumes and stage designs, along with a live string and horn section. The must see show kicks off in Boston, MA on May 15, the tour runs thru June 12. Diana Ross has had a profound influence on American popular culture and has become an icon in the entertainment industry. She is an Academy Award nominated actress for her unforgettable role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues, a Tony and Golden Globe winner, a bestselling author, winner of 8 American Music Awards and a recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors. Her reputation as a woman of great style and beauty has put her on the covers of hundreds of magazines. Ms. Ross has sold over 100 million records and recorded 18 #1 hits. Her music became the sound of young America in the 60s soon after she signed with Motown Records in 1961 with The Supremes. She embarked on her extraordinary solo career in 1970, and has not stopped since. Diana Ross sings the soundtrack of our lives, a true music legend.
To get breaking news, latest tour information and exclusive content, become a fan of Diana Ross¹ official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dianaross). Tickets are $109.50 and $81.50, plus applicable service fees.

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

The KJO returns to Jazz Lunch with a set of music honoring some of the great big bands from the history of Jazz. The set will include arrangements from the bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones and Thad Jones. A must see for any fan of big band jazz.

On the first Wednesday of every month at the Square Room in Market Square (next door to Tomato Head). $15 admission includes concert plus a hearty lunch buffet served up by Cafe 4. Knoxville Jazz Orchestra: 865-573-3226, www.knoxjazz.org

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Friday, 10AM-8PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. For information: 865-934-2036, www.knoxart.org

Department of Energy Facilities Public Bus Tour with guide commentary, Monday through Friday, except government holidays (July 5 & 6). Tour participants can register at AMSE beginning at 9 am. Must be U.S. citizen 10 years of age and up. Photo ID required. Seating limited. First come, first served. Off the bus stops include Y-12 New Hope Visitor Center; Spallation Neutron Source Lobby and Graphite Reactor, both at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and K-25 Overlook. No advance reservations. Some restrictions apply.

American Museum of Science & Energy, 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-576-3200, www.amse.org

The first exhibition will spotlight the works of two member artists: clay work by Gray Bearden and paintings by Suzanne Jack. The second exhibit features the works of the following New Members of the gallery: Jewelry: Sylvia Caldwell, Jennifer Lindsay, Cynthia Patrick and Kathy Seely; Clay: Linda Sullivan, Painting/Drawing: Ron Chory, Lillian Clinard and Victoria Simmons. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, June 4 from 5:30-9:00 PM with light refreshments.

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

The PEANUTS strips have made museum visits both nationally and internationally including a monumental exhibit in 1990 at the Louvre in Paris. Forty of Snoopy’s Flying Ace adventures will be on displayed at the American Museum of Science and Energy along with fine art print examples of the Flying Ace by Tom Everhart, the only artist authorized by Charles Schulz to artistically render PEANUTS. A selection of collectibles of unique Flying Ace merchandise and marketing items over the years will also be displayed along with items related to Charles Schulz and the rest of the PEANUTS characters.

American Museum of Science & Energy, 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-576-3200, www.amse.org

Animal Encounter Village invites guests to make some close personal friends on their next visit to the zoo. The zoo's newest addition features daily animal shows and the chance to come face-to-face with some of the zoo's friendly animal ambassadors.

Elephant Excursions: 11:00 AM Wed
Tortoise Time: 11:00 AM Sat
Penguin Party: 1:00 PM Sat
Giraffe Gathering: 2:30 PM Sat & Sun

10 person limit for each session, $20/person (does not include admission). Knoxville Zoo, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. For information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.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

30 beautifully painted rain barrels will be on display until auctioned at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Voting and bidding open on May 23 and end at 12:00 midnight on July 11. www.waterqualityforum.org

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Friday, 10AM-8PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. For information: 865-934-2036, www.knoxart.org