Calendar of Events

Bill Landry, voice, host, narrator, and co-producer of The Heartland Series, will be the guest speaker to kick-off the 2013 Sevier County Public Library System (SCPLS) Rel & Wilma Maples History & Genealogy Center 2013 Genealogy Conference: “Stories Granny Told.” Bill will start the conference session on Friday, November 1 at 12:00PM with the topic, “Tying the Stories Granny Told into Research for Family Histories.” The 2013 Genealogy Conference runs from Thursday, October 31 – Saturday, November 2. The Genealogy Conference, “Stories Granny Told,” focuses on how stories and the storytelling craft preserve and honor family histories and support genealogical research.

The “Stories Granny Told” Conference includes a Ghost Tour Pre-conference on Thursday, October 31 at 2:00PM at the new city gazebo on Bruce Street in Sevierville. The Ghost Tour is hosted by Sevier County Historian, Carroll McMahan, and a variety of ghost characters. Seating is very limited and the public is invited and encouraged to bring seating or blankets on which to sit for the stories. In case of inclement weather, the Ghost Tour will be at the King Family Library at the same time.

Other guest speakers include:
· Veta King: Conducting & Preserving Oral Histories
· Ruth Carr Miller: The Story of Aunt Liddy Carr
· Mike Maples: Old Home Places & Other Fascinating Finds in Big Greenbrier, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
· Ted Olson, ETSU – Old Time Smoky Mountain Music
· Smoky Mountain Storytellers Janice Brooks-Headrick, Susan Fulbright and Theresa Williams & Friends

The registration fee for the entire conference will be $30.00. For one day (November 1 or 2), the fee will be $20.00 per person. For complete details on the Sevier County Public Library System Genealogy Conference, please call(865)365.1432 or contact Tim Fisher at tfisher@sevierlibrary.org or Theresa Williams at twilliams@sevierlibrary.org.

Flying Anvil Theatre is betting that Knoxville theatre audiences are ready for something a little... different. Their next production is VENUS IN FUR by David Ives, a play the New York Times called "good, kinky fun." Flying Anvil Theatre's Executive Producer Staci Swedeen says the play is "smart, sexy and laugh-out-loud funny, but also sneaks in some serious ideas about sex, power and gender roles." The show was an off-Broadway sensation in 2010 before moving to Broadway the following year and picking up a Tony nomination for “Best Play.”

VENUS IN FUR opens with a cynical playwright lamenting the lack of talent in the actresses he has auditioned for his new play based on an erotic novel. Ditzy actress Vanda arrives two hours late. Sparks and punch lines fly, but underneath the humor something wicked and dangerous bubbles to surface. It builds to a punch-in-the-gut ending you'll never see coming.
"This play is definitely an adult comic-thriller," says Swedeen, a playwright herself. "The content and language is for mature audiences. But there's also a lot of comedy to be mined in the issue of dominance and submission between the sexes. Sort of 50 Shades of Grey with laughs." Local actors Carolyn Corley and J.D. Sizemore will portray Vanda and the playwright, Thomas. Flying Anvil Theatre Artistic Director Jayne Morgan will direct VENUS IN FUR.

This production marks the first time Flying Anvil Theatre will produce a show in a downtown space currently being renovated by Hatcher Hill at 525 N. Gay Street. The City of Knoxville is giving a facelift to the entire block, with new lighting, curb cuts and trees to match the rest of Gay Street.

VENUS IN FUR will open with a 'pay-what-you-want' preview on October 30, a $20 preview on Halloween ($15 if you come in costume!) and a $35 Gala opening on Friday, November 1st. Other performances are November 2 and 3, November 7-10 and 14-17. Evening shows are at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinee at 2:00. Admission for these performances is $25. Reserve and purchase tickets through KnoxTIX at www.knoxtix.com or by calling 865-523-7521. Tickets are also available at the door.

Flying Anvil Theatre's mission is to present provocative theatre of the highest professional quality by staging plays that entertain, inspire, and engage the audience. For more information go to www.flyinganviltheatre.com

Opening reception Mon, Oct 28, 6:30-7:30 PM
At the Art & Architecture Building, Gallery 103
http://www.brianjobe.com

1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: brian.r.jobe@gmail.com

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is pleased to present Surface: Selections from Arrowmont's Permanent Collection. The exhibition features 62 works by 61 artists of national reputation, and presents an opportunity to see many spectacular art and craft objects rarely on display to the public. The human need for expressing one's self through the making of images and symbols is evident throughout time and has manifested itself in an array of different forms and a plethora of artistic media. Whether applying paint to canvas, ink to paper, thread to fiber, texture to metal or glaze to clay, the adding, resisting, subtracting or a combination of those approaches to a material is the focus of this exhibition. Inspired by three surface forums (clay, fiber, and metals) taking place at Arrowmont in January 2014, these works from our permanent collection represent the different ways artists handle the surface of their chosen medium and express themselves through the objects they create. All art communicates and it all begins with a mark on a surface.

"We chose these particular pieces because of their exploration and manipulation of extremely varied surfaces, and their diversity of materials and content,” says Stefanie Gerber Darr, Arrowmont Gallery Manager. “Curating, conserving and exhibiting Arrowmont’s fantastic—and constantly growing—permanent collection is one of the truly great things the school provides for this region. We are always pleased by these opportunities to share it, and to invite our neighbors and visitors to be enriched by it here with us.”

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

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, a live mystery play for teens and families. The play is performed by 8 of Knoxville’s most talented young actors, from October 25 to November 9, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

Agatha Christie’s name has been synonymous with mystery for the last 90 years. And her masterwork, The Mousetrap, is one of the most enduring plays of all time. Its original production in London’s West End has been playing non-stop since 1952 and recently celebrated its 25,000 performance. The show is also one of the most-produced plays in middle schools and high schools. The Mousetrap also has one of the most surprising twist endings of any mystery play in the history of the theatre.

Giles and Mollie Ralston are embarking on a new business, opening a guest house in the English countryside. But the opening is marred by a sudden snowstorm, which strands the Ralstons in the mansion, along with their five guests. As night falls, the police call and tell the new hotelkeepers that a suspect in a London murder may be one of the strangers seeking shelter there. Detective Sergeant Trotter skis to the mansion on an urgent quest: to unmask the criminal before he or she attempts to kill again.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-599-5284, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com. Reservations: tickets@childrenstheatreknoxville.com

by Anthony Clarvoe
Eddie Fisker is the dubious mastermind of the “gizmo” – an all-in-one hand held device that revolutionizes communication. Sound familiar? Anthony Clarvoe’s CTRL+ALT+DELETE eavesdrops on the hot-wired world of high-pressure scheming and the manipulation that accompanies a breakthrough in technology. The production runs October 24 – November 10, 2013 in the Clarence Brown’s Lab Theatre. Very popular at the Box Office, several performances have already sold out. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for non-UT students and $5 for UT students with ID.
“The play is a satire of the corporate market place. Pitting idealism against the harsh realities of the business world creates a suspenseful and "telling tale" about youthful dreams, ambition, disillusion, and greed in the often cutthroat corporate environment. What ultimately happens in the play offers a glimmer of hope that there is real humanity within the seemingly unforgiving competitive world of big business,” said Director Terry Silver-Alford.

Clarence Brown Theatre / Carousel Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-974-5161, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

By Calhoun's On The River
On Thursday October 24th at 3:00pm, the ‘Pinta’ and ‘The Niña', replicas of Columbus’ Ships, will arrive in Knoxville. The ships will be docked at Calhoun’s Restaurant, 400 Neyland Drive, until their departure early Wednesday morning November 6. The ships open to the general public on Friday October 25.
For more information visit: www.TheNina.com

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris is looking for new members to sell their handmade crafts in the Craft Center shop. Anyone interested in going through the jurying process should pick up a jurying packet at the center and then bring three samples of their work to the center between Monday, October 21 and Friday, November 1 at noon. The jurying will take place on Monday, November 4, and items must be picked up by Thursday, November 12. Each person going through the process must fill out a form and pay a nonrefundable $25 jurying fee. The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is a nonprofit center that has been promoting traditional artists and crafts in the East Tennessee area for over 40 years. The center is located at 2716 Andersonville Highway 61 in Norris, TN, one mile east of I-75 north at Exit 122. For more information, call 865-494-9854, or visit www.appalachianarts.net.

We Just Wanted to Borrow a Van; a Gamma Ray Illustration Society Show
An exhibition of recent artwork in a variety of media, made by Carson-Newman graduate from the early 2000s.
Opening reception: Homecoming Saturday, October 19, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In the Omega Gallery, Warren Art Building, Jefferson City, TN

Deathtrap by Ira Levin is one of the popular successes of recent Broadway history. The play offers a rare and skillful blending of two priceless theatrical ingredients—gasp-inducing thrills and spontaneous laughter. Playwright Ira Levin snares the audience with the devious machinations of a writer of thrillers, Sydney Bruhl, whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths to improve his fortunes. Directed by Margy Ragsdale, the cast includes, John Cherry as the devious Bruhl, Lisa Blair, Eileen Conway, Darin Starr and Chuck Denny. Time Magazine said “ "If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try DEATHTRAP.”

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. If available, tickets will be sold at the door.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown has open seating. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. 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 show time.

Tickets: 865-523-7521; www.KnoxTIX.com. Information: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

The District Gallery is pleased to present a photographic journey through Paris as seen through the lens of photographer Ben Finch. PARIS: A Journey on Film features classic scenes of Paris and modern views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Finch also captures common details of everyday French culture and turns them into memorable images with his timeless aesthetic and traditional film photography.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 11 from 5:30-9 p.m. with pastries by the French Market. The show continues through November 9.

A jewelry show by Adel Chefridi will also open on October 11. Chefridi’s designs emphasize simplicity, wearability, durability, and openness to light and movement. Made with natural gemstones, his elegant pieces have a friendly and peaceful feel that make them wearable every day.

The District Gallery, (865) 200-4452, TheDistrictGallery.com

The East Tennessee Society of the Archaeological Institute of America and the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will begin their annual lecture series on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The first lecture will feature UT professors Erin Darby and Robert Darby, who will talk about their recent archaeological excavations at 'Ayn Gharandal, Jordan.
Robert Darby, a lecturer in art history in the UT School of Art, and Erin Darby, an assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies, direct the 'Ayn Gharandal archaeological project that has uncovered rare new details about an ancient Roman fort in southern Jordan.

The 7:30 to 9 p.m. event will be in the McClung Museum's auditorium.

The lecture series invites scholars from around the world to present the latest archaeological discoveries. It is free and open to the public.

Upcoming lectures this fall include the following:
Nov. 7: "Cultural Interaction and Reaction in the Courtly Art of the Hellenistic World" by Kristen Seaman, Kennesaw State University, Ga.
Nov. 19: "The Neolithic Alepotrypa Cave: Past Findings and Present Research" by Anastasia Papathanasiou, Greek Archaeological Service

The McClung Museum is located at 1327 Circle Park Drive. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available on Circle Park Drive in front of the museum.

For more information about the McClung Museum and its collections and exhibits, visit http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu.