Calendar of Events

The American Enka and the Modern Labor Movement exhibition, curated by Dr. Jennifer E. Brooks, examines the 1950 strike at the American Enka plant in Hamblen County. The plant provided much-needed jobs to the rural workforce of Hamblen and surrounding counties, including Jefferson, Greene, Cocke, and Grainger. The strike began in March 1950, when workers at the at the rayon plant walked out on strike. Before long, the company advertised for replacement workers. Tension built as people from local and surrounding communities appeared at the Enka gates to apply for the jobs to replace the striking workers. In the violence that followed, shots were fired, cars damaged, and a home dynamited. Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning dispatched National Guard troops to restore order. Before its end, the strike became national front-page news and was later the subject of onsite congressional hearings held in Morristown and led by Hubert Humphrey for the Democratic majority.

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

At the Krutch Park Extension in downtown Knoxville.

For information: 865-862-8717, www.knoxgarden.org

Pianist Arturo O’Farrill is a leader in Afro Latin jazz, an exciting genre that originated in the 1940s when artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton began combining the Afro Cuban rhythm section concept with jazz harmonies. This music includes salsa, merengue, songo, son, mambo, bolero, charanga, and cha cha cha and features the entire big band with additional percussion instruments. Mr. O’Farrill brings with him the arrangements of his Afro Latin Jazz Alliance big band, as well as his entire rhythm section: Ruben Rodriguez, bass; Vince Cherico: drums, timbales; Tony Rosa: congas; and Jimmy Delgado: bongos, timbales.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com. Knoxville Jazz Orchestra: 865-573-3226, www.knoxjazz.org

FREE and open to the public.

At the Cox Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Bldg., 1408 Middle Drive on the UT campus. Please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

Wearable Art Fashion Show showcases emerging and established artists creating wearable art of all styles and genres at the DIVA Wearable Art Fashion Show, Lunch, and Sale. The event will take place at the Foundry on the World’s Fair Park.
For more information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci, Mascagni / Leoncavallo
Live HD Opera from the Gran Teatre del Liceu
Encore available immediately after for Emerging LIVE Venues, April 29 for non-live venues

At Carmike Wynnsong 16 Theatres, 200 North Peters Rd, Knoxville, 37923. Information: 865-691-0948, www.operaincinema.com

Bring the whole family out for a day of fun and learning at Ijams. Families will have the chance to look for tadpoles in the pond, search for insects in the meadow, and even do a craft or two! Children over the age of two will be able to participate, although younger siblings are welcome to accompany them. Call Jennifer at 577-4717 ext. 30 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: www.ijams.org

Loggia Gallery. Opening Reception: Wednesday, April 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

A hilarious fantasy based on the book by Astrid Lindgren, which was named by Time Magazine as "one of the 100 most influential books of all time." Pippi's story is about the joy of being unique, which is lucky considering that she lives with a monkey, has super-human strength, and has a mysterious suitcase full of gold.

THE COMPLETE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE is:
Friday, April 15 at 7 PM
Saturday, April 16 at 1 PM and 5 PM
Sunday, April 17 at 3 PM
Thursday, April 21 at 7 PM
Friday, April 22 at 7 PM
Saturday, April 23 at 1 PM and 5 PM
Thursday, April 28 at 7 PM
Friday, April 29 at 7 PM
Saturday, April 30 at 1 PM and 5 PM
and Sunday, May 1 at 3 PM.

Located at 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-599-5284, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com, info@childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

The Athens Community Theater will present the comedy, THE NERD by Larry Shue in the Sue E. Trotter Theater.

THE NERD is directed by Athens Community Theater veteran Bob Roseberry. The show opens with dinner theater on April 14th. Dinner theater doors open at 6:00 PM with a cash bar and all seats are $25 in advance. Other performances at 7:30 PM are on April 15,16,21,22, and 23. There is one matinee on Sunday, April 17 at 2:00 PM. Tickets for all except the dinner performance are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Thursday, April 21 is student night and all students are admitted for $5. Tickets are available by phone at 423-745-8781, on line at www.athensartscouncil.org and at The Arts Center, 320 North White St. in downtown Athens.

Reception April 14, 2011. Central High School is opening their National Art Honor Society Chapter with a reception and show.

213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9AM-5PM; Wednesday & Friday, 10AM-5PM; Saturday, 9AM-1PM. For information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.org

Enjoy the beauty of East Tennessee in spring. Walk, bike, ro drive over 60 miles of trails, open gardens, camera sites, and historic homes. View breathtaking residential landscaping, rainbow-hued flowers and blossoming trees. Lakemoore Hills (Loudon Lake) is the 2011 featured trail.