Calendar of Events

Unique garden goods, live musical performances, workshops, children's activities and more make the UT Gardens' Blooms Days a great destination for the entire family. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate for $6. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Tickets are good for one day only, and the event will be held rain or shine. All proceeds will benefit the UT Gardens. For more information, visit bloomsdays.utk.edu.

UT Gardens, Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Relive a day in the life of the Cherokee - featuring a re-enactment of the signing of the "Treaty of the Holston"; dance demonstrations; food and more! Entry fee.

205 East Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Regular tour schedule: Monday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (April - December); Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (January - March). Information: 865-525-6514, www.jameswhitesfort.org, jameswhitefort@aol.com

Beginning Genealogy

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: Monday-Friday: 9AM-4PM; Saturday: 10AM-4PM; Sunday: 1-5PM. For information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

In 2009, the historic Bijou Theatre marked its 100th birthday with a multi-day celebration dubbed the Jubilee! Festival. This year, the weekend includes the non-profit theater's annual fundraiser, Jubilee 2010, a performance by legendary songwriter and vocalist Emmylou Harris. "This year's Jubilee! picks up where last year's left off," says Bijou board president Larsen Jay. "By adding a star performance by Emmylou Harris, we want to highlight the Bijou as a special and irreplaceable venue for live music." Additional events will be announced in conjunction with Jubilee! 2010, several of which will be free and open to the public. Last year's Jubilee! Festival helped fund the new marquee through the Light up the Bijou campaign. This year's goal is to continue to raise friends and funds for the historic theater in downtown Knoxville. A steadfast supporter of roots music, skilled interpreter of compelling songs, and 12-time Grammy winner, Emmylou Harris has been associated with an array of admiring collaborators including Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, and more. Her contributions to country-rock, the bluegrass revival, folk music, and the Americana movement are widely lauded, and she has carved out a sound that is unmistakably her own. Her latest release is 2008's All I Intended to Be.

VIP ticket packages include priority seating at the concert, a pre-show reception and other exclusive perks. A portion of the VIP price is a tax-deductible donation to the Historic Bijou Theatre Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.knoxbijou.com.

Reserved seat tickets are $251.50 for VIP ticket packages, and $58.50, plus applicable service fees, available beginning Friday, April 23, at 10:00 a.m. via the Tennessee Theatre box office, by phone at 865-656-4444 or online at KnoxBijou.com.

(9- to 14-year-olds) You'll never get lost in the woods if you understand basic orienteering and outdoor survival skills. Join Kara and learn how to use a map, compass and GPS locator. Please call Sheila at 577-4717 ext. 10 to register.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Visitor Center: Monday: by appointment only for tour groups and school trips; Tuesday-Saturday: 9AM-5PM; Sunday: 1-5PM (March 1 - November 30). For information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Reception June 25, 6:30-8:30 PM. Open to all artists and is both juried and judged with 10 or more monetary prizes in 2-D and 3-D categories. This year’s show was judged and juried by Adam Alfrey, Curator of Exhibits for the East TN Historical Society, the McClung Historical Collection, and the Knoxville Public Library.

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

Monteverdi's Roman masterpiece. Adults: $10.00; Students Under 12: $5.00
At the MASPA Theater. Information: 423-351-9013, www.masparts.org

African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. (AAAA); City of Knoxville; Cornerstone Foundation; Knox County Government; Tennessee Arts Commission; Green Mountain Coffee (Sponsors of Kuumba Kamp); Pilot Travel Centers, LLC.; WBIR; Knoxville News Sentinel; WUOT; UT Minority Student Affairs; UT Black Cultural Programming Committee. and area sponsors are delighted to present one of Knoxville's most anticipated and attended events the KUUMBA Festival 2010, June 24 through June 27, 2010 at four premier locations throughout Knoxville: Knoxville Museum of Art, Downtown/Market Square and Chilhowee Park.

KUUMBA (Ki-swahili for "creative") Festival is a multi-event celebration with more than 200 entertainers performing throughout the festival, demonstrations, and service by more than 100 crafts' people and food vendors. (AAAA) Chair says, "This is going to be the best KUUMBA ever and a marvelous time that people will remember for years to come." The KUUMBA Festival is the largest African American Cultural Arts Festival in East Tennessee.

Beginning Thursday, June 24, KUUMBA kicks off at the Knoxville Museum of Art from 5 PM - 9 PM with African Food featuring "A Taste of Africa Buffet;" artist exhibits: silent auction with art work by Bobbi Crews. Featuring performing Artist Chocolate: Christian Comedian, Live Jazz band, Knoxville’s own Kuumba Watoto Drum & Dance Company, Ekpe!: Master Storyteller and Musician. Spoken Word Café featuring Knoxville Poetry Slam. Hosted by Bert Tanner, singer/ storyteller/ performance artist/ Actor: renowned artist of the “Carpetbag Theater”
Admission: $10.00.
Continuing on Friday, June 25, from 11 AM - 2 PM is the Kuumba Youth Arts Extravaganza on Market Square. Also, starting in Downtown Knoxville at 6 PM the JUNKANU Parade on Gay Street and Market Square (features festival participants, the original Free Spirit Stilt Walkers, Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Company, churches, and community groups who strut, drum, and dance), culminates with a live concert on Market Square at 8 PM. Featuring R&B Artist Steph Jones opening for recording Artist Vivian Green!
Saturday, On June 26 at Chilhowee Park gates open at 11 AM until 10 PM enjoy the African Market Place with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods; the World Children's Village; and two entertainment stages featuring local and up and coming Artist, Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Company and the Free Spirit Stilt Walker will precession through the festival. On Saturday at 8pm the main act will perform Recording Artists Ginuwine. Admissions: $5.00 before 5PM; $10.00 after 5PM. children 6yrs. & under FREE.

Ending on Sunday, June 27, gates open at 12 noon until 9 PM relish in the African Market place as the early afternoon brings forth the Gospel with GOSPEL IN THE PARK and the Knoxville Zoological Garden's Petting Zoo (Children's World Village) from 3 PM - 5 PM. Last, the premier artist, The Temptations Revue, a tribute featuring Nate Evans will perform at 7pm. Admissions: $5.00 before 5PM; $10.00 after 5PM; children 6yrs. & under FREE.

Info: http://sites.google.com/site/kuumbafestival/, 865-546-9705, kuumbafestival@myspace.com

Two sessions: Thurs., June 24 & Sat., June 26. Ages: 2- and 3-year-old with adult partner Explore the wonderful world of colors this summer with your young one. Games, crafts and nature-related fun, both indoors and out. Free to members, $10 for non-members. Call Sheila at 577-4717, ext. 10.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Visitor Center: Monday: by appointment only for tour groups and school trips; Tuesday-Saturday: 9AM-5PM; Sunday: 1-5PM (March 1 - November 30). For information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: Monday-Friday: 9AM-4PM; Saturday: 10AM-4PM; Sunday: 1-5PM. For information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

June 18-20, June 25-27. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

The East Tennessee Premier of “Curtains”, the 2007 Tony award-winning musical by Kander and Ebb. Musical direction is by Dr. Angela Batey with stage direction by Edmund Bolt and choreography by Amanda Roberts. With a talented cast of 40 singers and dancers,Tennessee Valley Players proudly presents the East Tennessee premier performance of “Curtains”, the new Broadway musical by the famous team of Kander and Ebb (“Cabaret”and “Chicago”). The musical is a backstage murder mystery and “show within a show” with old fashioned big show numbers enhanced by witty lyrics and dialogue for the large cast of comedic characters to cheerily entertain the audience. Before the mystery is solved, the entire cast become “suspects” in the murder cases that occur in the 2 days , while they frantically attempt to “fix” the show before it goes to Broadway.

At the Clayton Performing Arts Center at Pellissippi State Community College on Hardin Valley Road. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the box office 30 minutes prior to each performance. For more information or large group ticket orders: 865-584-8173, www.tennesseevalleyplayers.org

Dramatized by Joseph Robinette
June 18, 24, 25, 26 @ 7:30 pm and June 19, 23, 26 @ 2:30 pm
All the charm and excitement of L.M. Montgomery's enduring classic is captured
in this dramatization. From Anne's first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy, the play faithfully recreates the memorable events and characters from the brilliant novel. Whether the playgoer is an "old friend" of Anne's or meeting her for the first time, this play will solidify a lasting friendship between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters.

Adults - $10, Students/Seniors - $8, Children Under 12 yrs. - $5, Groups of 10 or more $6 (children under 12 in a group $4) Thursday Tickets: PAY WHAT YOU CAN. Tickets available at the door with cash or check.

Performed at The WordPlayers' Theatre at Middlebrook Christian Ministries, 1540 Robinson Rd. at Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. For information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org