Calendar of Events

Saturdays, March 31, April 7, 21 & 28
The cruise will board the Star of Knoxville Riverboat at Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville. Guests can enjoy a delicious lunch on the way to Crescent Bend. Upon arrival guest will have an hour to tour the house and gardens. Coffee and desert will be served on the return trip. Cost is $29.95 per person, or $16.95 for children, plus tax for the Luncheon Cruise and $19.95 per person, or $11.95 for children, plus tax for sightseeing only. Admission price to tour Crescent Bend is included. For more information and to make reservations call the Tennessee Riverboat Company at 865-525-7827.

Crescent Bend House & Gardens, 2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-637-3163, www.crescentbend.com

Proving to be “a true friend and a good writer,” Charlotte, a clever and extraordinary spider, sets out to save the Zuckerman family’s irresistible young pig, Wilbur, from the butcher. Spinning her “miracle” web, she begins masterminds a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important for Charlotte. A beautiful touching story that explores the meanings of true friendship and sacrifice.

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information and tickets: 865-482-9999, www.orplayhouse.com

The Smurfs are Coming to Knoxville Zoo!
Saturday, March 31
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Meet Clumsy Smurf, Smurfette and Papa Smurf at Knoxville Zoo on Saturday, March 31 and pose for a picture or two.

Since 1996, the Civil War Trust has sponsored Park Day, an annual hands-on preservation event to help Civil War battlefields and historic sites take on maintenance projects large and small. Activities will include leaf and brush removal, mulching, dead tree removal, and general spring-cleaning. The Mabry-Hazen House will also be accepting donations towards the exterior restoration of the home, built in 1858. Board members will be on site to inform the public about our mission, history, and preservation initiatives.

The nationwide effort is underwritten with a grant from Historyâ„¢, formerly The History Channel, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a "Take Pride in America" event. Additional information about the event can be obtained by visiting http://www.civilwar.org/aboutus/events/park-day.

Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

ORCBA will perform Khachaturian's one-act ballet Masquerade in two performances at the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium. Also featured is an ORCBA original production of The Ugly Duckling inspired by the short story by Hans Christian Andersen.

Tickets will go on sale in February; tickets for all shows are General Admission.
Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association: 865-898-4637, www.orcba.org

Traditional Ballads
Sheila comes over from Mars Hill, North Carolina. She learned many of her ballads from her great-aunt, Dellie Chandler Norton. Other influences include Cas Wallin, Inez Chandler, Vergie Wallin, Berzilla Wallin, Evelyn Ramsey and Dillard Chandler. Sheila is also an accomplished clawhammer banjo player and a fascinating storyteller. Sheila served as musical advisor and performed in the film Songcatcher and has produced two books and three CDs.

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

The 10th annual April Foolies Talent Show. Last year’s performance was a sellout and raised over $30,000 for three local community agencies; New Hope Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center, United Way Success by Six, and The Gate- Gateway to Independence. Over 1200 people came together to insure that these three agencies are able to continue to provide needed services to children and young adults who reside in our community.

Tickets are on sale now at the Clayton Box Office. $15 General Admission, $30 VIP (show and reception afterwards) cash or check.

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Every year Ijams Nature Center organizes and coordinates River Rescue. Public shorelines along the local rivers plus a few creeks are cleared of litter. You can help! Volunteers are needed. Be a part of this long-standing community event and help clean-up local shorelines. Every spring volunteers pick up tons of trash along a 50-mile section of the Tennessee River. Register today.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Saturday, March 31, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM there will be children's Easter craft stations, visits with the Easter Bunny and Spring Story time at UT Gardens. At 11:00 AM and at 1:00 PM there will be an egg hunt, divided into age groups, in the garden.

Cost is $5 per child (12 and under). Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the event. Advance registration is required. To register contact Derrick Stowall at (865) 974-7151 or dstowall@utk.edu by 5:00PM Thursday March 29.

For more information visit utgardens.tennessee.edu.

Three of the stars of the hit movie “The Smurfs” are planning a visit to Knoxville Zoo! Papa Smurf, Clumsy Smurf and Smurfette will be making a special appearance in
the zoo’s Animal Encounter Village on Saturday, March 31, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Fans will have the chance to meet and pose for photos with Papa Smurf, the wise leader of the Smurfs, the amiable but accident-prone Clumsy Smurf and Smurfette, the sweetheart of the Smurf village. Visitors can take part in some Smurfy activities as well.
The opportunity to meet the Smurfs characters is included with general zoo admission. For more information, visit Knoxville Zoo’s Web site at www.knoxville-zoo.org or call (865) 637-5331.

Open Monday - Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Spring at the Fountain City Art Center kicks off with a reception open to the public, Friday, March 30, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. The reception marks the beginning of the Annual Fountain City Art Guild Spring Show and Sale. The show will be judged by Harriet Howell. Awards will be given out at 7:00 PM.

This show will be on exhibit through April 27, as always no admission fee for the viewing public. Also on exhibit through April 27, artwork by students from the Halls area!

We are also offering art related Field Trips, a new program this year! Link to our website through our FaceBook pages. Our hours are: Tu, Th 9-5; W, F 10-5; Sat, 9-1. We’re located in the old library building next to Fountain City Park at 213 Hotel Avenue 37918; 865.357.2787; fcartcenter@knology.net. The director and volunteer staff would be happy to show you around. We have a new exhibit about every 4 weeks, and we’re here to provide the public with a wide variety of visual art experiences. Pay us a visit!