Calendar of Events

Pueblo pottery of the Southwest is one of the most beautiful and enduring artistic traditions in all of Native North America. It is a tradition rich with history—not only as an expression of cultural identity, but also to serve as a reflection of the relationship between Pueblo peoples and the influences from outside their own community. Today, there are about twenty pueblos with a total population in excess of 50,000. It is a practice flexible enough to adapt as necessary over time, while still adhering to established social norms.

Pottery-making in the American Southwest is a tradition that first emerged about two thousand years ago. Historically, it was a functional art form, passed from generation to generation over the span of centuries by people living in permanent villages known as pueblos. The pottery of each pueblo was unique and distinguished by a variety of characteristics, such as the individual clay source and shape of the vessels and designs, or lack thereof, painted onto the surface. By the latter part of the nineteenth century, these traditions were well established; and as more and more people began to travel and move to the Southwest, pottery production was quickly transformed from a functional art form (used primarily within Pueblo communities) to a highly marketable cultural expression.

Curated by Bill Mercer, this exhibition consists of seventy-four Pueblo Indian pottery vessels and supporting materials, dating from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twenties centuries, illustrating the remarkable variety of pottery created during that very dynamic time of transformation. Some of the vessels in the exhibition are very conservative and adhere to the traditional style of a particular pueblo, while others incorporate innovations specifically designed for the retail market.

It is also during this time period that certain individuals, such as Nampeyo from Hopi and Maria Martinez from San Ildefonso, became recognized for the quality of their work. The exhibition includes outstanding examples of their work as well.

Through this exhibition, drawn exclusively from the rich collections of the Kansas City Museum and Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, visitors will be introduced to the various styles of Pueblo pottery, as well as an understanding of the narrative behind its continued development.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

"Collage as a Strategy for..." an exhibition of work by Jean Hess.
Reception, Friday, September 20, 2013, 6:00-7:30 PM. Artist talk at 6:30 PM.

Jean Hess’s work is influenced by her studies in cultural anthropology as well as in art. She creates obscure and playful collage paintings, combining natural materials and recycled ephemera to reference dream, memory and nostalgia as well as issues of loss, particularly environmental degradation.

Solo shows include the University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Tennessee Arts Commission, University of Alabama – Huntsville, East Tennessee State University, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Maryville College, Association for Visual Arts (Chattanooga), Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (Atlanta) and Savannah College of Art and Design. Hess’s solo show at the Huntsville Museum of Art in 2004 was accompanied by an award-winning catalogue. Her work has been included in juried or curated shows at Hunter Museum of Art (Chattanooga); Knoxville Museum of Art; William King Museum, Abingdon, VA; Huntsville Museum of Art; Evansville Museum of Art, Science and History; Carroll Reese Museum (Johnson City); Clarksville (TN) Museum and Cultural Center; McKinney Avenue Contemporary (Dallas); and University of Texas – Dallas. Hess’s mixed-media collage paintings are in numerous private and public collections, including the Huntsville Museum of Art; Evansville Museum of Arts, Science and History; University of Virginia.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday 9AM-5PM; Friday 9AM-4:30PM; Sunday 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Tennessee’s only tribally owned museum and Fort Loudoun State Historic Area are partnering for the Great Island Festival on September 7-8, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day.

At Sequoyah Birthplace Museum visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to experience Native American food, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations, music and dance. Special demonstrations and displays will include Cherokee life in 1700’s and a Civil War encampment and battle re-enactment. The 22nd Annual Fall Festival’s theme is “175th Anniversary of the Trail of Tears: Remembering the Trail”.The highlight of this year’s festival is flutist Tommy Wildcat who is a member of the Cherokee nation. Special entertainment will be provided by the Warrior Dancers of Ani-Kituhwa the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians official ambassadors, and watch a Cherokee Stickball game. Sunday, Tom Belt, a Cherokee Nation Citizen will be talking with visitors about the Trail of Tears. Authors Bill Landry, of the Heartland Series and Nancy Pafford will be on hand for book signings on both. The Cherokee Historical Society will be performing a special program on the Trail of Tears.

For more information about the festival, contact the museum at 423-884-6246 or Fort Loudoun at 423-884-6217. Admission is $5.00 per person, Children 12 & under are free.

Auditions for Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit
Audition Date/Time- Saturday, Sept. 7 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Place - Chilhowee Club, 223 Clarion Street, Maryville
Performance Dates – October 31 – Nov 3
Director – David Ratliff
Preparation - cold reading from script
Cast - 2 men, 5 women
http://www.foothillscommunityplayers.com/page.asp?p=Auditions

If you’ve never heard of Moon Taxi, you will and here’s what you’ve missed - the five-piece, which was formed in 2006, toured extensively last year in support of their tastemaker-lauded album Cabaret. Their sound, which Relix says “successfully bridges the gap between jam and indie,” has been highly praised by NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Paste Magazine and more. On their newest album release, Mountains Beaches Cities, Moon Taxi honed in on extending their sonic landscape.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Grammy Winning Country and Bluegrass Legend

Fourteen-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs’ career is easily among the most significant in recent country music history. If Skaggs’ burgeoning trophy case full of awards wasn’t already enough evidence of that fact, consider that legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited Skaggs with “single-handedly saving country music.” His life’s path has taken him to various musical genres, from where it all began in bluegrass music, to striking out on new musical journeys, while still leaving his musical roots intact.

Tickets are $25-$45. Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Info: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Enjoy the Art Guild’s first-ever Heritage Festival, a one-day special event scheduled for Saturday, September 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Plateau Creative Arts Center. The PCAC is located at 451 Lakeview Drive (off Peavine Road) in Fairfield Glade.

The Heritage Festival’s international bakery will include homemade breads and other tasty items made from traditional family recipes. Talented artists will offer unique, one-of-a-kind fine-art collectables and gifts including jewelry, painted wine glasses, and more. One of the Guild’s fine-art photographers, Denise Brinkley, will create portrait photos.

Festival entertainment will be provided including clogging dance, dulcimer music, and storytelling. A grilled “Great American Hot Dog” lunch including all the trimmings, choice of chips, and a drink will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come join us for a fun filled day!
For more information about the Heritage Festival, call 931-707-7249 or visit the Plateau Creative Arts Center.

Website: www.artguildfairfieldglade.net.

###

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for an upcoming production of Agatha Christie's classic mystery The Mousetrap on Saturday, September 7. The audition will take place from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM at our theatre at 109 E. Churchwell Avenue. Zack Allen will direct the play, and Randy Thompson will serve as Stage Manager

Auditions are by appointment only. Auditioners may choose from the following appointment times: 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:30 PM. Seven auditioners will be seen at each appointment time; a maximum of 42 auditioners will be seen.

Auditioners should prepare a SHORT one-minute monologue from a play or novel. The monologue should express realistic emotion and a theatrical level of expression.

Rehearsals will begin on or around Sunday, September 15, continuing through Thursday, October 24, 2013. Rehearsals are held Sunday through Thursday evenings. Actors should expect to attend most rehearsals. Actors must also be available for all 11 performances: October 25 through November 9, Thursdays through Sundays. There is no show on Thursday, October 31.

To make an audition appointment: Send an email to Caroline King at caroline@childrenstheatreknoxville.com. No calls for appointments, please.

Include your name, your age, your gender, and which appt. time you prefer. Due to time restrictions, auditioners without an appointment will not be seen. E-mail submissions only for audition info.

The Streamliners Swing Orchestra at The Relix with Devan Jones & The Uptown Stomp
Saturday, September 7 at 7:00pm at Relix.
1208 N Central St Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 474-1017

The Streamliners Swing Orchestra and Devan Jones & The Uptown Stomp will perform at The Relix Variety Theatre on Saturday, September 7, at 7:00 pm. A large dance floor space will be available for the swing dancers in the audience for extra fun!

Formed as a smaller band over 13 years ago years ago by bassist Mischa Goldman and trumpeters Mike Spirko and Thomas Heflin, the Streamliners soon blossomed into the fabulous 17-piece unit that they are today. This swingin’ big band, featuring vocalist Kayley Burton Farmer, plays the classics of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee, with a little Louis Jordan and Louis Prima mixed in for extra fun. Devan Jones & The Uptown Stomp is one of Knoxville's fastest rising old-time jazz and blues bands. This five-member group of young musicians reaches way back in the vault of old musical treasures to get a modern day audience up on the dance floor, swinging to everything from Charlie Christian to Elmore James to Fats Waller to Muddy Waters. Tickets for the show are $15 at the door. The event is for ages 18 and older. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the show begins at 7:00 pm. The Relix Variety Theatre is located at 1208 N. Central Street in Knoxville. For more information, contact the Relix at 865-474-1017.

African American Appalachian Arts, Incorporated (AAAA, Inc.) is hosting an Opening Ceremony for an Artist Exhibition at the Downtown African American Art Gallery. Artist Hawa Ware Johnson native of Liberia West Africa, who now resides in Knoxville, will install a Visual Art Exhibition. The exhibition will be on display in the office of African American Appalachian Arts, Inc., Suite 106 of The Emporium Building, 100 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN, 37902.

Celebrating the Ten Year Anniversary of “First Friday” - Baba Beats & Edutainment will be conducting a Drum Circle/Jam session. Feel free to bring an instrument; some hand instruments will be provided. Djembe Gear drum bags and gear will be for sale and on display. On Friday, October 4th, 2013, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the office of African American Appalachian Arts, Inc., Suite 106, The Emporium Building, 100 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN, 37902. A taste of Liberian cuisine will be available.

African American Appalachian Arts: 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37902. 865-217-6786, kuumbafest@gmail.com

On First Friday September 6th., “2 Many Pixels” photo gallery is proud to present a collection of photographs by photo-journalist and artist CHAD GREENE. This exhibit is a collection of Knoxville portraits, from the traditional family business owners to the fastest women of Knoxville and their motorcycles. The artist will perform a live installation during the opening, taking photographs of the public and hanging these impromptu portraits on the gallery walls. The photographs are all for sale, gallery archival prints, signed and numbered by the artists.
Hope to see you all for the opening on Friday night September 6th., 6pm to 9:30pm. The photos will remain on the walls through the months of September and October.
2 Many Pixels: 130 West Jackson Avenue, Suite 201, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: M-F 10-5, other times by appointment. Information: 917 532 4913 or patrice@2manypixelsphoto.com