Calendar of Events

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee plays October 27 through November 13 in the Carousel Theatre. This delightful new musical is a real time event where ten finalists compete for the chance to go to the national spelling bee in Washington DC. Through the course of the bee we get up close and personal with all the contestants and learn of their dreams and challenges. As participants gradually are eliminated we see the trials and tribulations of adolescence in high comic relief.

The Tony award winning musical was based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New York-based improvisational comedy troupe. It opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran until January 2008. The musical is now produced in theatres across the country to rave reviews!

OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 13 Carousel Theatre.

The Tennessee Stage Company and Shakespeare On The Square invite you to read Shakespeare’s plays with us – out loud!

Once a month we will gather to read one of the plays of William Shakespeare.

IT’S FREE AND FUN!
Readings are at the Lawson McGee Library on the second Saturday of each month. Readings are free and open to the public. Hearing these plays read aloud offers much more insight into the depths of Shakespeare’s work.

We will meet at 2:00 pm. There will be twelve chairs set up and whoever wants to read out loud can choose one of the twelve chairs. There will be additional seating for anyone who wants to read along silently. We will take a fifteen minute break in the middle of each play. Some copies of the play will be available but please bring your own if possible.

Our first reading will be Saturday, October 8, and we’ll start with “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” one of Shakespeare’s very early comedies. Come to the first reading and help plan the rest of the series. We’ll let you tell us what you’d like to hear next.

In observance of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is hosting an exhibition from the Tennessee State Museum, Common People in Uncommon Times: The Civil War in Tennessee. The exhibition focuses on how the war affected the lives of Tennesseans through personal stories of participants whose sagas illustrate a land divided.

The narrative of personal struggle and endurance during the Civil War is presented on 10 graphic panels taken from the State Museum’s collection of photographs and artifacts from the era, as well as from other collections across the state. Each panel portrays a different theme: Confederate leaders, Union leaders, African-Americans, civilian home front, common soldiers, war on the water, reconstruction and commemoration.

Admission to the special exhibition is included in the museum admission price, and free for Heritage Center members. For current hours and admission rates, visit www.gsmheritagecenter.org

Traveling Exhibition: "Common People in Uncommon Times: The Civil War Experience in Tennessee"

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend, TN 37882.
Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday
Closed on Sunday
For Information: 865-448-0044, www.gsmheritagecenter.org

"Windows to Heaven: Treasures from the Museum of Russian Icons, Clifton, MA" brings together historically significant works from the collection, dating from 1590 AD to present day. This spectacular exhibition helps demonstrate how religious structures and organizations are created by civilizations to reflect their own spiritual, social and political needs.

Frank H. McClung Museum, 1327 Circle Park on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN
Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

WDVX Radio and the multi-talented Sean McCollough of The Lonetones and the John Myers Band have teamed up to create "Kidstuff," a fun and educational weekly radio show, airing Saturday mornings at 9:00 A.M. Kidstuff is a show full of high-quality music geared to the young and the young at heart. The show presents live and recorded music and will eventually include a live audience once a month. Listeners will hear traditional music and original music from a variety of genres, cultures, and even music performed by kids themselves.

WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-544-1029, www.wdvx.com

The Market Square Farmers’ Market is a open-air farmers’ market located on Market Square in the heart of downtown Knoxville. Everything at the MSFM is grown or made by the vendor in the East Tennessee region. Products vary by the seasons and include produce, eggs, honey, herbs, free-range meat, bread, baked goods, salsas, coffee and artisan crafts.

Market Square District Association, Market Square | PO Box 2263, Knoxville, TN 37901. Information: 865-405-3135. knoxvillemarketsquare@gmail.com, www.knoxvillemarketsquare.com or www.marketsquarefarmersmarket.org

Now in its fifth year, this world-class exhibition of 25 large-scale sculptures can be viewd in downtown Knoxville and the McGhee Tyson Airport. The 2011 exhibition juror will be John Henry and will feature up to 35 large-scale, outdoor sculptures. The selected sculptures will be exhibited in downtown Knoxville. For more information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

History/Sightseeing, relaxing and enjoyable river cruises. Learn about area Civil War history, see beautiful homes and gardens with narration by the spirit of Sam Clemmons. Learn about early river steamboats that visited Knoxville. 90 minute trips Friday through Sunday at 3:00 and 5:15 plus Friday evening at 7:30. $16 Adult and $14 for children 5-11 with advanced paid reservations to 765-3407.