Calendar of Events

The Consulate of the Republic of Poland cordially invites you to the PolandNow 2013 kickoff event to celebrate contemporary Polish culture in Knoxville. PolandNow is a new civic organization created by the Office of the Consul of the Republic of Poland in collaboration with the city of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee. The purpose of PolandNow is to celebrate contemporary Polish culture and enhance relationships and understanding between American and Polish communities. The PolandNow 2013 event will take place on at Market Square starting at 6:30 p.m. It will feature an opening ceremony, a contemporary jazz ensemble, a unique exhibition of contemporary Polish print making, Polish Films with English subtitles and a presentation of Polish beer and vodkas with complimenting appetizers. The highlight of the evening is a one-of-a-kind culinary experience by Poland's only Michelin star rated chef, WojciechAmaro. Chef Amaro has changed the image of Polish cuisine by showing what is possible when classic ingredients are transformed into contemporary cuisine. His approach has earned him
recognition for high quality, mastery of technique, personality and consistency of the food. While the event is free and open to the public, seating for this truly extraordinary culinary event is limited and by reservation only. Please call (865) 935-9680 or go to www.polandnow.org for reservations. The price is $100 per plate and includes four courses and wine. This event is truly unique in presenting contemporary Polish culture, because it shifts the focus from the past to the Poland of now by recognizing that today's Polish culture is based on a positive, free and forward-looking approach to life.

Information: (865) 935-9680 or www.polandnow.org

Open Studio Night: First Friday, May 3rd from 7-10PM.

Light refreshments provided as well as $2 Official Vacuum Shop Studio Beer Coozies for sale!! Proceeds benefit the Vacuum Shop Studios. Studio members include Guen Montgomery, Jessie Van der Laan, Emmy Lingscheit, Brienna Harmening, Allison Pickett, Chelsie Nunn, Kelly Hider and Eleanor Aldrich.

Located at 1326 N. Broadway, Knoxville, 37914.

May 3, 5:30 PM: Shine, Wine & Dine at Arrowmont

This 3rd annual art and wine auction celebrates the first year of Arrowmont’s second century! Cocktails and silent auction at 5:30 PM; dinner and live auction at 6:30 PM. Cost is $100 per guest. Festive, comfortable spring attire encouraged. Featuring artwork by regional and national artists, great wines, and unique event packages. Auction items this year range from recent works by internationally collected regional artists to diamond earrings, from fine craft objects to Ole Smoky’s first barrel of oak barrel-aged whiskey available for purchase. While all objects on the block are special and of substantial value, auction attendees have a reputation for bidding high because they realize their purchase is an investment in Arrowmont’s future.

Information/RSVP: 865-436-5860, jbrown@arrowmont.org, http://www.arrowmont.org/events/details/52-third-annual-arrowmont-art-a-wine-auction

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will perform “Picnic in the Park,” a free family-friendly concert at the Theatre in the Park stage in downtown Maryville. This concert is free and open to the public. Maestro James Fellenbaum conducts Picnic in the Park, with the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra with guest vocalist Daniel Webb. Musical selections include works by Gershwin, Rossini and original composition by our own Lucas Richman. Guest vocalist Daniel Webb will join the Orchestra for Rossini’s “Largo ad Factotum” from The Barber of Seville and “God Bless America.”

Theatre in the Park, downtown Maryville (located on Lamar Alexander Parkway near the Blount County Courthouse). No ticket or reservation is required. This concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. For information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

First Friday at URBhana! May 3, 6-9pm

Join us at URBhana for environmental photographs by artist Mike Naney.
"My interest in photography started at age 8, when my parents gave me a Kodak Brownie Reflex. As an adult a camera has been a constant companion in the outdoors, used to record family memories and document geologic observations. My training in geology and combined passion for earth science and photography draw me to focus on the beauty of earth through the eyes of a scientist. I am inspired both by chance opportunities we have to wander upon scenes of nature's beauty, and using knowledge of nature's workings to capture ephemeral natural beauty. I have the greatest satisfaction from making images that capture the essence of a beautiful scene and let me share my enthusiasm for earth science by illustrating an earth science related concept, principle, or process."

Join us for wine, snacks and breathtaking photography. URBhana's First Friday event is free and open to the public.
For more information please call 865-951-5454 or go to www.URBhana.com.

The month of May will feature master artist Eric Buechel in an exhibit at the Shanks Center for the Arts, Crossville TN, which demonstrates Buechel’s wide variety of artistic accomplishments.

Buechel began at an early age learning to draw and paint from his father who is an artist and model-maker born in Koblenz, Germany. At the young age of 16, Buechel purchased a 19th century engraving which later grew into a substantial collection and began his interest in art conservation. During his high school years, he won several art scholarships and attended DCret School of Art, Plainfield, New Jersey and worked under Dr. Furman Finck, an Official Presidential Portrait Artist in his NYC studio. Continuing to enter professional competitions, Buechel graduated from Broward College, Fort Lauderdale FL, was quickly hired as an illustrator for FLM Graphics, Fairfield, New Jersey and continued to freelance with Sikorsky Aircraft, Curtis Wright Corporation, NASA, Strategic Medical, Communications and several pharmaceutical and advertising companies in New Jersey, Manhattan, and Connecticut.

Buechel opened a Design and Advertising Company called Tec-Art and in 1990 formed a new environmental company, Pioneers e-Waste, which was the first to recycle cathode ray tubes. His company, Advanced Recovery, was the featured story on the front page of the New York Times, followed by National Geographic, the Newark Star-Ledger, Chicago Tribune and Popular Science and other media worldwide for the development and marketing of the process of recycling computer and electronic materials and components. Other development processes continued, and in 2001, he was contracted to clean up 6,000 pallets full of technology equipment after the 911 attack on the World Trade Center. After that project, Buechel sold the company and moved to Tennessee.

In 2006, Buechel opened The Artist Corner and Gallery on Main Street in Crossville, but had to close it after three years when he was diagnosed with 4th stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2011, following treatment and recovery, Buechel began teaching adults and youth painting and art history classes at the Shanks Center of the Arts, Crossville TN. The Buechel exhibit, opening May 2 with a reception from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, will showcase a wide variety of styles and mediums.

Shanks Center for the Arts, 140 North Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM. Information: 931-787-1936, www.shankscenter.org

Waiting delves into the lives of twelve people who share humorous and heart-warming stories about their relationships and whether or not they waited to have sex until they were married.
Adult tickets are $10; Student and Senior tickets are $7

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

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will present an exhibit of recent works by two featured artists for May. Animal artist Victoria Simmons is displaying recent paintings with a focus on bird themes, and furniture-maker Stan Fronczek will show his carefully crafted furniture. Both are Knoxville residents.

A First Friday opening reception for the exhibits is planned for 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 3, with complimentary refreshments and live music by Sunshine Station, a folk and bluegrass band. Many member artists will be on hand to meet and mingle with visitors.

Member owned and operated by more than 60 professional regional artists, the Art Market Gallery is located at 422 South Gay St., next to the Downtown Grill & Brewery, and a few doors away from Mast General Store. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. The gallery is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 865-525-5265, or visit artmarketgallery.net, or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

Knoxville Fashion Week is an art and fashion event with the ultimate goal of creating buzz and giving a relevant outlet to fashion houses, buyers, and culture enthusiasts in Knoxville and beyond. The event coordinators are committed to connecting consumers with products and services that relate to fashion, beauty and luxury. We will showcase incredible Knoxville talent and highlight the rich fashion community that has been thriving in Knoxville in recent years.

General Admission available for each day below!
4-DAY TICKETS: $125.00 – 4 Day General Admission Ticket | $175.00 – 4 Day VIP Pass

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
Kickoff Party for Knoxville Fashion Week! 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. @RUTH’S CHRIS
Accessories Showcase: Alicia Marie and Sunny Fitz
Preview Runway - A glimpse of what’s to come!

THURSDAY, MAY 2
*Space is LIMITED at this Venue – tickets will not be available at the door!*
The Emerging Designer Showcase – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. @LATITUDE 35
Celebrating the Scarecrow Foundation & Derby Week!
Emerging Designers: Charlotte Couture, Southern Grace, Jeni D. Designs, Sunny Bands, Red Cadence, Kayla Dawn

FRIDAY, MAY 3
Knoxville Fashion Week Runway will be 9:00 p.m. @Blackstock
Swimwear, Rock n Roll, and The Men’s Show
Featured Designers: Jenna Colina Swimwear, Vic & Kimchi Designs, Monarch Designs, Kelly Jones of Shadow Oak Maille & Diane Corey of KC Leatherworks – “Steamy Sneek Peak” Steam Punk Show
The Men’s Show: R.I.S.K. & Paulie Gibson

SATURDAY, MAY 4
The Marriott Downtown 501 E Hill Ave Knoxville, TN 37915
Children’s Runway Event – 4:00 p.m. with designs by Heidi Murphy of Keoni, Diane Carter of Snigglefritz, Stephanie Busby of Nastershum and Nancy Crowell of Mazie & Ivie
Teen Runway Event - 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by Southern Grace
The Grand Finale – 8:00 p.m. Sponsored by Salon Visage with designs by: Diana Warner, Sweet Cycle Apparel, Royal Peasantry, Carruth Couture, Isabel Thomas, Anna Victoria, Christian Alana, Drew Dasse, Marc Nelson, Paulie Gibson, Kristi

http://knoxvillefashionweek.com/schedule/

Through the Lens 4: New Directions in Print Photography and Enduring Expressions

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 27 from 7 to 9 PM
Gallery Talk: 6:30 PM with a Special Opportunity!!!

Victoria Kryah will lead two "make and take" sessions to create a "zine" (small, personal magazine) during the opening. Sessions will be held at 7:30 and 8 PM. While materials will be provided, you may elect to bring a few images of your own to personalize your zine. The event is free and open to the public.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9AM-5PM; Saturday-Monday, 1-4PM. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

By James McLure
Laundry and Bourbon: The setting is the front porch of Roy and Elizabeth's home in Maynard, Texas, on a hot summer afternoon. Elizabeth and her friend Hattie are whiling away the time folding laundry, watching TV, sipping bourbon and Coke, and gossiping about the many open secrets which are so much a part of small-town life. They are joined by the self-righteous Amy Lee who, among other tidbits, can't resist blurting out that Roy has been seen around town with another woman. While the ensuing conversation is increasingly edged with bitter humor, from it emerges a sense of Elizabeth's inner strength and her quiet understanding of the turmoil which has beset her husband since his return from Vietnam. He is wild, and he is unfaithful, but he needs her, and she loves him. And she'll be waiting for him when he comes home—no matter what others may say or think.

Lone Star: The play takes place in the cluttered backyard of a small-town Texas bar. Roy, a brawny, macho type who had once been a local high-school hero, is back in town after a hitch in Vietnam and trying to reestablish his position in the community. Joined by his younger brother, Ray (who worships him), Roy sets about consuming a case of beer while regaling Ray with tales of his military and amorous exploits. Apparently Roy cherishes three things above all; his country, his sexy young wife, and his 1959 pink Thunderbird. With the arrival of Cletis, the fatuous, newlywed son of the local hardware store owner, the underpinnings of Roy's world begin to collapse as it gradually comes out that Ray had slept with his brother's wife during his absence and, horror of horrors, has just demolished his cherished Thunderbird. But, despite all, the high good humor of the play never lapses, and all ends as breezily and happily as it began.

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $10 plus fees for Thursday & Sunday performances and $15 plus fees for Friday & Saturday performances. Theatre Knoxville Downtown has open seating. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to pick up your tickets and claim your seats. TKD reserves the right to seat walk-in patrons during the final 15 minutes prior to showtime. For more information on the show, please call Theatre Knoxville Downtown at (865) 544-1999, e-mail info@theatreknoxville.com, or visit www.theatreknoxville.com.

The play is based on the Newberry Medal-winning novel by Patricia MacLachlan. Ashlee Latimer will direct the play.

The play is set in the western United States during the late 19th century. Jacob Witting, a widowed farmer who is still saddened by the death of his wife during childbirth several years earlier, finds that the task of taking care of his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb, is too difficult to handle alone. He writes an ad in the newspaper for a mail-order bride. Sarah, from Maine, answers his ad and travels out to the Western Territories to become his wife and begin to become a mother to the children.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-599-5284, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com. Reservations: tickets@childrenstheatreknoxville.com