Calendar of Events

The fall Porch Sale runs for about two weeks and features outdated stock, seconds, student crafts and unjuried work by members of the Craft Center. It’s a great way to get great deals on handmade crafts. AACC is a nonprofit center that has promoted traditional artists and crafts in the East Tennessee area for 40 years. 865-494-9854; www.appalachianarts.net

Two crooked tailors promise a narcissistic Emperor the finest suit of clothes from a fabric invisible to anyone who is "hopelessly stupid". But what will The Emperor do when he discovers he cannot see the cloth himself? Suitable for all ages.

October 9 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
October 10 at 2:00 PM

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

HoLa Festival is a free cultural event celebrating the diversity of the Latino world and the contributions of Hispanics to the community. It takes place at Knoxville's newly-inaugurated Art District in the 100 and 200 blocks of Gay Street. This event marks the eleventh year for the Hola Festival and brings the excitement a little closer to home: the association's headquarters, known as "CASA HOLA," is housed in the district's Emporium Building. The Hola Festival is a day-long celebration of diversity and a cultural salute to East Tennessee. Known for its educational value and rich mix of music, dance, food, arts and crafts, the Hola Festival also features the unique Parade of Nations. This visual treat highlights the varied and colorful costumes of Spain and Latin America. The Countries and Heritage exhibits give glimpses of their history, art, beauty and bounty, which students can sample as they take a “virtual tour” with their special Hola Festival Passport or Traveling Guide. Our goal is to emphasize the diversity of Latino culture. Only the Hola Festival gives you the opportunity to experience this rich and diverse Hispanic culture in a fun, friendly and educational environment. Come join us! Penny Performance students will receive a free, e-mailed picture with costumed festival performers/participants.
How to obtain admission: Free admission
Contact: Coral Getino, 865-335-3358, holahoralatina@yahoo.com, www.holafestival.org

This is a Penny Performance program for Knox County students ages 5-18. Visit www.penny4arts.com for more information.

Public Raku firing and fundraiser!

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

Old Time String Band

The Fiery Gizzard String Band is based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, on the southeast edge of the Cumberland Plateau, just south of Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Over the last several years they’ve made a name for themselves resurrecting near-forgotten fiddle tunes from their part of the mountains. They’ve brought their spirited renditions of this unique fiddle music to the stage. Bob Townsend plays fiddle, Charlie Higgins is on guitar, and Charlie’s son Tim plays banjo. Bob and Charlie have been working together off and on since the 1970s.

In advance: $10 JCA Members, Students, Seniors • $11 General Advance • $6 Children 12 and under. Fees apply. $12 General Admission at the door.
Jubilee Community Arts, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org. For tickets: 865-523-7521, www.KnoxTIX.com

Monroe Area Council for the Arts (MACA) will present two of Appalachia’s most sought-after and talented singer/songwriters at The Moneta Theatre in historic downtown Sweetwater in October.

Knoxville-based musician Scott Miller, who blends folk and rock with powerful storytelling will appear on The Moneta Stage on Saturday, Oct. 9. Miller will be performing an acoustic solo show. Miller, a native Virginian, moved to Knoxville in 1990 and founded the rock band, The V-Roys, the first band signed to Steve Earle’s E-Squared label. With his band, The Commonwealth, Miller released four albums on the Sugar Hill label. His 2003 album “Upside/Downside” was a No. 1 Americana record. Miller and the Commonwealth spent a year as the house band for the WB Network’s “Blue Collar TV With Jeff Foxworthy.” Miller’s most recent album, on his own label (F.A.Y. Recordings), was “For Crying Out Loud,” released in 2009.

Miller will also lead an audience discussion at the end of his performance where he will answer questions about his life, music, and career. Miller’s performance is supported by funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

MACA’s Moneta Theatre Series is sponsored by Hunter’s Bakery & Café and Hamilton Sound & Recording. Advance tickets for both shows are $12 and may be purchased at Hunter’s Bakery & Café; online at www.monroearts.com; or by calling the MACA office at 423-442-3210. Tickets will be $15 at the door on the night of the performance.

Artistic director, Lisa Hall McKee will present the reprisal of the innovative work, “Angst”, a striking heavy metal ballet which battles good and evil forces while pushing the physical limitation of both ballet and modern dance. Other works will also be featured by choreographers Jill Frere, Denise Njuguna, Leah Pinder, and Laura Shields. Audiences can look forward to a fascinating performance of lighthearted humor, aerial dance and edgy choreography mixed with a high degree of artistic excellence.

At the Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996.
Tickets in advance adult $14, senior/student $12, $10 children 10 and under. At the door: $18 adult, senior/student $15, $12 children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased at www.gocontemporarydance.com or at Studio Arts for dancers 865-539-2475.

The approaching winter doesn’t mean you have to leave your garden. Join Ijams’ green thumb Peg Beute for this workshop on plants that can be started in the fall for next spring or winter harvesting. We’ll also take a walk to the organic garden at the homesite and talk about cold frames. The program is free of charge. To register 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

A juried and judged show. Open to the public. Opening reception on Friday, October 8, 6:30-8:00PM.

213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-5PM; Saturday, 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

Chongqing Culture Week from August 6-12
Shanghai Culture Week from October 8-12
During these two cultural weeks, we invite artists coming all the way from China to perform in the Cirque de Chine show; we also hold a photo exhibition introducing the Chongqing/Shanghi city in the theater; we have some successors of Intangible Cutural Heritage in China do a live show in the theater.

179 Collier Dr, Sevierville, TN 37862. For information: 865-429-1601, www.smokymountainpalace.com

Our festival showcases some 400 musicians featuring authentic Southern Appalachian bluegrass, Gospel, folk and old-time country music continuously playing on 5 stages. Wherever you are on the grounds there will be music nearby. Old-time crafters will entertain and offer their treasures for sale. Demonstrator will show and explain how people lived and worked during pioneer times. As always there will be plenty of tasty Southern vittles to enjoy. Southern hospitality will be in abundance too.

Bring a chair and join the thousands of folks who make their annual pilgrimage to the Museum of Appalachia's Tennessee Fall Homecoming, one of the nation's largest and most authentic old-time mountain, craft, and music festivals.

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716 (16 miles north of Knoxville at I-75, exit 122, then one mile east). Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

This year's conference will equip you with the tools you need to make heritage tourism an economic engine for your community.
Leading tourism professionals from across the Southeast, including Commissioner Susan Whitaker, will share smart strategies.
Learn how to find funding and resources to make heritage tourism work for your community.
Join us for the first annual East TN Preservation Awards & Reception
Call 888-214-3400 for special conference lodging rates.

Info: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org