Calendar of Events

Discover Life In America: All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory captivating illustrations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's ecosystems (plants, animals and micro-organisms) AMSE Lobby

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

A hilarious Tony Award-winning musical tale featuring a quirky yet charming cast of overachievers' vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Six adolescent outsiders in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that the spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. Suitable for mature teens and older.

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway in Historic Jackson Square, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For information and tickets: 865-482-9999, www.orplayhouse.com

Collecting shells has been a pastime of many, young and old, for centuries. It is only when collecting becomes a passion rather than a pastime that the finest examples are sought, and the subject is researched in detail. Such is the case with this collection, one of the country's finest, assembled by local physician Dr. Peter Stimpson. Focusing on six families of marine gastropods - cowries, cones, conchs, harps, volutes, and olives - the collection includes over 1,000 species listed in the "Registry of World Record Size Shells". Dr. Stimpson has made a portion of his collection available for public enjoyment in this exhibition.

1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Mon - Sat: 9:00A to 5:00P, Sun: 1:00P to 5:00P. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

20 award winning photomicrographs. Dynamic images at the intersection of science and art show the beauty and complexity of life as seen through a light microscope. AMSE Lobby

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

In this show, you will see the work of two of Hanson Gallery's most talented artists.
Eleanor Miller captures the essence of creation and life in her ethereal landscape
paintings. Greg Decker's eclectic works give us a peek into a mature artist's world,
translated through luminous landscape and figurative paintings and studies.

First Friday celebration: June 4, 5-8 p.m.

Hanson Fine Art & Craft Gallery, 5607 Kingston Pk, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-5:30PM; Saturday 10AM-5PM. For information: 865-584-6097, www.hansongallery.com

Hand crafted pocket knives, table and kitchen cutlery, men's gifts and accessories. Each of Santa Fe Stoneworks' collectibles is a unique example of the cutler's art - the quintessential marriage of fine steels with gemstone, shell, mammoth bone, or intricate wood marquetry.

First Friday celebration: June 4, 5-8 p.m.

Hanson Fine Art & Craft Gallery, 5607 Kingston Pk, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-5:30PM; Saturday 10AM-5PM. For information: 865-584-6097, www.hansongallery.com

by Emlyn Williams, directed by Barry Wallace
Dan, a bell hop who arrives at the Bramson bungalow, has already murdered one woman and there is little doubt that he will soon murder another: the aged Mrs. Bramson herself. He skillfully insinuates himself into her affections while attempting to seduce her suspicious niece Olivia from exposing his diabolical intentions. And though she professes loathing, Olivia is attracted and fascinated by Dan. Fatally!

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 more information on the show: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

Art and literary enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to see a literary masterpiece come to life through the work of the late world-renowned artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989) in “Dali Illustrates Dante’s Divine Comedy” on display at the UT Downtown Gallery. The exhibition represents Dali’s visual interpretation of Dante’s literary masterpiece The Divine Comedy, chronicling Dante Alighieri’s symbolic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. Salvador Dalí was one of the most well known of the surrealist artists who concentrated on depicting the unconscious and subconscious mind. Dalí labored for nine years to produce a series of 100 watercolors as illustrations to Dante’s classic epic, with each print depicting a verse from the poem. His paintings were reproduced by Jean Estrade of Les Heured Claires and released as a limited edition print suite in honor of the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s birth in 1265. This collection of work was generously donated to the University of Tennessee’s Ewing Gallery by UT alumnus and businessman Gary Johnson.
"I had two objectives in donating this collection to the Ewing Gallery. First,
to provide UT art students with first hand access to one of the greatest works of art by one of the 20th century's greatest artists. The magnitude of Dali's Divine Comedy Suite is difficult to comprehend without the opportunity to personally see the number of pieces, the breadth of the expressions, and the spiritual interpretation of Dante's work. Second, to ensure that a complete collection of the Divine Comedy Suite is preserved for future art students. A great number of the complete suites have been and continue to be sold off as individual pieces, this results in the decline in the availability of complete suites each year." The UT Downtown Gallery will be presenting all 100 prints from this historic series.

UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 11AM - 6PM; Saturday: 10AM - 3PM. For information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

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

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