Calendar of Events

A Very Special Arts Festival is unique event that celebrates the artistic endeavors of Knox County school-aged students having diverse abilities. The event is not a competition, but an event that provides an opportunity for students with disabilities to share their talents, works of art, and accomplishments with an interested audience. The event includes a wide variety of activities in music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Workshops of “make and take” arts and crafts, demonstrations, exhibits of art work, and performances by individuals with disabilities are all elements of the festival. Students will enjoy numerous local character “walk abouts”, an exhibit from the Knoxville Zoo mobile, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a DJ, and a variety of other activities. The main purpose of the event is to encourage and stimulate feelings of self-worth and to provide opportunities for students with disabilities to get together and express their creative talents in areas where there are no handicaps… the arts! Free admission. At West High School. For more information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Like all events in the Pellissippi State music series, admission is free. However, donations will be accepted at the door for the Pellissippi State Foundation on behalf of the Music Scholarship fund. The college provides plenty of convenient, free parking.

In the Clayton Performing Arts Center on the Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. For additional information, contact Bill Brewer, Pellissippi State’s Music program coordinator, at 865-694-6701, www.pstcc.edu; lwbrewer@pstcc.edu

"Nuclear Power Accidents - How Bad Can They Be?" presented by Ted Rockwell. Meet the author reception and book signing at 5:30 p.m in the AMSE lobby followed by his talk at 6:30 pm in the American Museum of Science and Energy Auditorium.

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

This class will cover a brief history of steampunk, as well as the joy of upcycling and how new things can be made from old. Participants will use various watch parts, gears, wires, rhinestones, etc. to create a one-of-a-kind upcycled necklace to take home.
Instructor: Sarah Brobst
Cost: $30 (all supplies included)
Registration and payment deadline: Monday, April 25

The Farragut Town Hall is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive directly across from the Farragut Branch Post Office. For more information, visit townoffarragut.org or call 966-7057.

Tom Jones' 46-year career has remarkably gone from strength to strength. Along with sustaining his popularity as a live performer and recording artist for more than four decades, he has garnered - at the age of 70 - the best reviews of his career for his recent album, Praise & Blame. Critics across the world are nearly unanimous in their approval and admiration for both the recorded work and the performance of it in concert.

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

Poet Linda Parsons Marion reads from her 3rd poetry collection, Bound

Linda Parsons Marion's third poetry collection, Bound, chronicles the work and fabric of a Tennessee family, from grandparents to parents to daughters to granddaughter. Bound as they are on journeys together and apart, memory seams one generation to the next, redeeming the stumbles of the past and blessing the plenteous future.

Marion's first reading will be at Lawson-McGhee Public Library.
Knoxville Writer’s Guild: 865-330-3606, www.knoxvillewritersguild.org

An auction will be held for all the inventory and equipment inside the historic Regas Restaurant.

Everything from wine cases and antique furniture to chandeliers to restaurant equipment will go to the highest bidder.

Aesop s Fables is a fast paced theatrical production for elementary students. The play teaches about Aesop s life, fables and morals, while presenting several timeless stories. This live interactive program between actors and students complements English/Language Arts, Creative Arts, Theater Arts and Fine Arts curriculum standards. A study guide on Aesop and his stories along with student learning activity sheets are provided to teachers.This popular play is a proven winner with young audiences as Aesop's most beloved animal characters come to life in "The Tortoise and the Hare", "The Dog in the Oxen Manger", "The Lion and the Mouse" and "The Ants and the Grasshoppers". These fun stories will teach your students teamwork, friendship, sharing, kindness, the importance of hard work and other life lessons through the famed wisdom of Aesop.Performance Length: 50 minutes Suitable for Grades: K 5

Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum, 500 Church Ave., Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 544-5399

Art Exhibit/Artist Reception:
"Fun with Garden Scissors" by Nathaniel Galka
Refreshments provided

Red Line Gallery, 11519 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37934. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-6PM. For information: 865-288-0277, www.redlinegallery.net

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 N. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37917. 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 information: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com. For tickets: 865-523-7521, www.KnoxTIX.com

One of the most popular outdoor events in Knoxville, Sundown in the City presented by Regal Entertainment Group, returns to Market Square! For five Thursdays this spring music lovers can enjoy a variety of exciting live musical performances in the heart of downtown Knoxville. Sundown in the City is absolutely free, open to the public and a great way to get your weekend started early.

2011 Headliners:
April 21 — Randy Houser with JC and The Dirty Smokers
May 12 — Better Than Ezra with Johnny Astro & The Big Bang
May 19 — Umphrey's McGee with Zach Deputy
June 2 — Jonny Lang with Megan McCormick
June 16 — Warren Haynes Band with The Black Cadillacs

Free parking is available after 6 p.m. at the Locust Street, Market Square and State Street garages.

Visit SundownintheCity.com or Concertwire.com for more information.
AC Entertainment: 507 S. Gay St, #1100, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-523-2665,

“The Music Man” follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying musical instruments and uniforms for a boy’s band he vows to organize – despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef! His plan to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the town librarian, with chaos ensuing as the townsfolk get wind of his scheme.

Preview for “The Music Man” is Thursday, April 21, followed by Opening Night Friday, April 22, 2011.
UT faculty/staff, senior citizens, children and students receive discounts. For tickets, call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 865-974-5161, Tickets
Unlimited at 865-656-4444 or online at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com.

April 27-29, May 4-6, May 11-13, Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 PM - These performances are part of the Penny Performance program for Knox County students ages 5-18. Visit www.penny4arts.com for more information.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-6011, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com