Calendar of Events

The Black Crowes bring their "Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys" tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Shake Your Money Maker, the Southern rock 'n' blues CD that started it all. Their show will feature approximately three hours of hits, acoustic and electric, leaving fans sated before the band's "indefinite hiatus." Look for their all-acoustic retrospective double disc, Croweology, in stores August 3. 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

This is a free program for Knox County students ages 5-18. Instructor Gordon Fowler will demonstrate/show work and answer questions for the students about his career in art. Students may also tour the Center at no charge.
Advance reservations required? YES
How to obtain admission: Please call the Center at 865-357-2787 or e-mail fcartcenter@knology.net to RSVP for the session; be sure to leave a contact phone number or e-mail. Cut off to RSVP is 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 8. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult; parents and adults are welcome to attend for free. The session will not take place if fewer than ten attendees are confirmed.
Contact: Sylvia Williams, 865-357-2787, fcartcenter@knology.net
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918 | www.fountaincityart.net

Is it a sketch or a play? What's the difference? Is it a matter of length? What makes a 10-minute play a "play" and not a sketch? Join us for a fun and enlightening discussion and help a budding writer as we read Don Kapa's short piece The Love Czar. Bring a friend, bring your ears and enjoy! The reading is free; donations accepted.

319 N. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
865/544-1999, info@theatreknoxville.com, www.theatreknoxville.com

An exhibition of art and fine crafts created by leading national and regional artists, followed by an auction of the work on September 24. Join your friends for an evening filled with original art, fantastic food, and loads of fun. Art Auctions & Cocktail Buffet, Party Attire.

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

Free and open to the public
Opening reception Friday, September 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; artists' talks at 7 p.m.

This exhibit features the art work of Bobbie Crews and photographs of Clay Thurston. Bobbie Crews has been painting professionally since 1993. She earned her BFA in studio art from the UT School of Art, graduating Suma Cum Laude in 2007. Her artwork is widely collected in the U.S. and overseas. Locally her work is exhibited in schools, government buildings, churches, businesses, and private homes. Bobbie teaches art, speaks on art and is a courtroom sketch artist. She is also an activist for women in the form of artwork for education and awareness of domestic violence. A retired physical education teacher with the Oak Ridge schools, Clay Thurston now pursues photography full time. He has traveled extensively in the continental U.S. and Alaska and across the globe photographing the beauty and diversity of the land, its wildlife, and its people. Clay has been an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer for about 35 years. Inspired by his wife and best friend, Bobbie Crews, he now seeks to find the art in an even wider range of subject matter.

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

In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronz school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with a student. A gripping story of suspicion that is less about scandal than about fascinatingly nuanced questions of moral certainty. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play. 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

More details to come!

The Tennessee Valley Fair we know today was born in 1916; however, we can trace its origins back to the earliest years of this century. It began as an idea in the minds of a group of progressive and in some way idealistic Knoxvillians. These men dreamed of making their city the shinning centerpieces of a prosperous and modernized Appalachian. Lead by the regions most enterprising citizens - businessmen, publishers, educators, and others, they conceived the idea of bringing to their city a great exposition, which would serve as a showcase for Knoxville and all of southern Appalachia, drawing national attention to the city's promising start in commerce and industry and to the region's bountiful (but as yet undeveloped) natural and human resources. Thus was born the Appalachian Exposition of 1910. A great deal remains unchanged; however the Midway today offers much of the same of thrills and oddities as it did ninety years earlier, and the Fair's nightly fireworks seem never to lose their appeal to Fair-goers of all ages. Most importantly, whatever the effects of social, economic, and technological change in the world around it, the Fair remains for all East Tennesseans a place to learn, to compete, to have fun, and most of all to build memories.

Tennessee Valley Fair: 865-215-1471, www.tnvalleyfair.org

More than a decade following the joint production of Hamlet, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the Clarence Brown Theatre will join forces once again to present Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus at the Clarence Brown Theatre! Astounded by Mozart’s beautiful music, yet consumed by envy and insecurity, court composer Salieri sets out to destroy the prodigy’s life and career. In a rare and exciting collaboration between the CBT and the KSO, in association with Schaad Companies, this production will be directed by Producing Artistic Director Calvin MacLean and will feature the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Lucas Richman. “What a wonderful collaboration! The musicianship of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the theatricality of the Clarence Brown Theatre bring to life a great play about music and theatre. It will be a thrilling celebration of the KSO's anniversary, with the CBT, for the entire Knoxville community,” says CBT Producing Artistic Director Calvin MacLean. Tickets for this joint production will be available as an add-on to KSO and CBT subscriptions for a special subscriber price of $45 for Opening Night and weekend shows and $35 for weeknight shows. Show dates and times are September 8-10, 14-17 and 19 at 7:30 PM and September 12 and 19 at 2:00 PM. 2010-2011 KSO and CBT subscribers can purchase tickets by calling 865-291-3310 (KSO Box Office) or 865-974-5161 (CBT Box Office). Additional information and tickets: www.knoxvillesymphony.com or www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

“Homecoming”, Marie Merritt’s one woman show, opens to the public in the lobby and mezzanine of Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The exhibit is a celebration of the vibrant work of Marie Merritt in a masterful combination of transparent and opaque oil paints. She is a native of Greene County and draws inspiration from East Tennessee history and that of southern Appalachia, translating their beauty, people, and places into stories told on canvas. Her own memories of her childhood in this county provided the motivation for her to take up painting as an adult. “Marie’s paintings are wonderful oils in a very representational genre with tiny traces of romanticism” says James-Ben Stockton, director of Greeneville’s regional art center. “Her work was so well received at the Capitol Theater last year during the “Civil War Views” exhibit that I’m having a preview event in the gallery from September 1-4.” This preview exhibit of Civil War inspired art
will take place at James-Ben: Studio and Gallery Art Center and include Marie’s open-stock prints and note cards and two original paintings of John Hunt Morgan. The “Thunderbolt of the Confederacy” is also portrayed through cold-cast bronze sculptures from Dell Hughes. Civil War inspired images including portraits of Stonewall Jackson and Nathan Bedford Forrest will also be on hand. Barbara Bible “Jake” Carter’s evocative watercolors depicting Civil War scenes will be included, along with prints from Lynne Olka and Kenneth Hinkle. “Visitors should take special interest in Suzanne Saltzman’s detailed and panoramic action photos of Civil War reenactments,” says Stockton.

September 7, “Homecoming” will open at Niswonger Performing Arts Center. A Meet the Artist event will take place Sunday, September 19th from 12:30 to 3 PM.

James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center, 129 North Main Street, Historic Morgan Square, Greeneville, TN 37743. Information: 423-787-0195, www.james-ben.com

Mary Ruden (photography) will be featured long side Kitty Siegel (jewelry). Mary Ruden's work focuses on exotic butterflies from all over the world.
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/photographers/?inc=details&id=123633

Unarmed Merchants, 129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12-7PM. Information: 865-549-5769, www.unarmedmerchants.com

SEPTEMBER 3-28
A collection of works by local artists:
Michael Underwood, award-winning director, cinematographer and President of Knoxville-based Tantrum Pictures, creates alluring and unconventional fine art photographs which transport, inspire and elevate the viewer. "My goal," says Michael, "is to produce distinctive, memorable, and engaging work--work that isn't afraid to ruffle reality..."

Knoxville painter Kathie Odom's art reflects her life. She leaves the anatomy of her work exposed. In her use of washes and oils, light diffuses and textures emerge, creating interest in her landscapes and quiet scenes. Kathie's compositions are places where the possibility of life exists. Barn. Nest. Field. Dwelling. Bud.
Shed. The vision of Home.

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

The UT Downtown Gallery is proud to present the first in a series of fall exhibitions. Featured will be the art of a current member of the UT School of Art faculty and a former participant in the Visiting Artist in Residence program. This month we are featuring a wall painting/installation by UT Professor David Wilson, who joined the faculty in 1985, and Chicago artist Pamela Fraser, who taught at UT during the fall semester, 1999.

Pamela Fraser will give an Artist Lecture, September 2, at 7:00pm in the Art & Architecture Building, room 109 on the UT campus. Please join us for a First Friday Opening reception with the artists September 3 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

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