Calendar of Events

April 09, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 10, 2014 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Stroller Stroll
April 10, 2014 SCIENCE CAFÉ: The Lunar Eclipse
April 11, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Bouldering Hike
April 12, 2014 PUBLIC PROGRAM: Wagging Walk
April 12, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 12, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: South Loop Piece-by-Piece
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 12, 2014 IJAMS GARDENING SERIES: Urban Gardening
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 15, 2014 IJAMS SOCIAL SERIES: Pink Moon Happy Hour
April 16, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 17, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Ijams @ The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
April 19, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Family Drum Circle
April 23, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 24, 2014 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Stroller Stroll
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Spring Native Plant Sale
April 26, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 26, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Ijams @ EarthFest
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Outdoor KnoxFest @ Ijams
April 26, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 27, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Outdoor KnoxFest @ Ijams
April 30, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams

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

Explore more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens, and historic homes as you enjoy a walk, bike ride, or drive.

Most of the Festival’s wide range of arts events, performances, and exhibitions are offered to the public free of charge. Dogwood Arts Festival: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that its newest arena show, Varekai, will perform in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena from April 9-13, 2014 for seven performances only. After 11 years of touring the world under the blue and yellow Big Top, Varekai will begin a new adventure this coming December!

The word Varekai (pronounced ver·ay·’kie) means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. Directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Show Schedule ( April 9 - 13, 2014):
Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 10 at 7:30pm
Friday, April 11 at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 12 at 4:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, April 13 at 1:30pm and 5:00pm

For complete show and ticket information, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/varekai.

By Bellini - details TBA

Free admission to students and Norma ticket holders.

At the Tennessee Theatre, 601 S. Gay Street. Information and tickets: 865-524-0795, www.KnoxvilleOpera.com

At the heart of the Dogwood Arts Festival are the region’s spectacular dogwood trees. The Dogwood Trails showcase this year’s spring spectacle in over 60 miles of breathtaking landscaping, rainbow-hued flowers, and blossoming trees. The scenery is available for touring and photography, compliments of the homeowners.

Experience the Dogwood Trails the lean, green way – take a walk, run, or bike ride and observe nature’s wonders up close. A founding tradition of the Dogwood Arts Festival, the nationally-recognized Dogwood Trails are a must-see!

THE DOGWOOD LUNCHEON, an invitation-only event kicking off the opening of the Dogwood Trails and Open Gardens, will be taking place Wednesday, April 9th.

SEQUOYAH HILLS will be the 2014 featured trail and is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary as a Dogwood Trail!
http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Amanda Ripley is the New York Times bestselling author of "The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got That Way." It's the hottest book in the education world right now. Ms. Ripley is coming for a community-wide presentation about the importance of great schools and how some of the highest performing school districts in the world are achieving them. TICKETS ARE FREE but due to the high demand, reservations will be required. Reserve your seat online at https://kcpl.wufoo.com/forms/rsvp-for-amanda-ripley/ or by calling the Great Schools Partnership at 865-215-4501. For more information, go to www.bethebestknox.com

Multiple copies of the book are available for check out at www.knoxlib.org

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. https://www.facebook.com/events/219230528268255/

19th-century base ball fever is sweeping the state, with two teams recently formed in East Tennessee—the Knoxville Holstons Vintage Base Ball Club and the Dry Town Boys of Roane County. Adam H. Alfrey will discuss the roots of baseball in Knoxville and what “cranks’ will experience if they attend a vintage baseball match—no spittin’, no swearin’, and no gloves! The vintage base ball season will kick off in East Tennessee on Saturday, April 12, at the historic Ramsey House.

Adam H. Alfrey, is the co-captain of the Knoxville Holstons and is a native of Knoxville and a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He currently serves as operations manager and curator of exhibitions for the East Tennessee History Center and is active within the state’s museum community, volunteering with the Tennessee Association of Museums, Humanities Tennessee, and the American Association for State and Local History. Alfey is also the author of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, part of Arcadia Publishing’s popular Postcard History Series.

The program is sponsored by the Harriet Z. Albers Memorial Fund and is free and open to the public. The lecture will begin at noon at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville. Guests are invited to bring a “Brown Bag” lunch and enjoy the lecture. Soft drinks will be available for purchase. For more information on the lecture, exhibitions, or museum hours, call 865-215-8824 or visit the website at www.EastTNHistory.org.

Art in Public Places Knoxville is a monumental installation of large-scale outdoor sculptures by regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. The sculptures enliven downtown Knoxville as well as McGhee Tyson Airport.

Opening Reception: Friday, April 4, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Award Ceremony: Friday, April 4, 5:30 pm

We are honored to announce noted sculptor, Kenneth M. Thompson, as the Juror for the 2014-2015 exhibition!

Most of the Festival's wide range of arts events, performances, and exhibitions are offered to the public free of charge. Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

Civil War Historical river cruises in Knoxville, Tennessee

If you would like a relaxing and entertaining weekend on the river join us aboard TRACE 1. Bring your friends and guests to share this memorable experience with you. Learn the history of the area during the steamboat/Civil War era where you see the Armstrong Locket plantation home, Bleak house, Longstreet's Heights, Armstrong Hill, Fort Dickerson and many others. You will have an annotated map to help visualize the 1863 siege of Knoxville with Confederate and Union positions highlighted.

Your crew will be the 150 year old spirit old Sam Clemmons and Miss Drusilla. Sam has operated steamboats for many years and will entertain with the local Civil War history even if he never did pick a side.

Saturday gourmet sandwich lunch Civil War cruises, 12:00, 90 minutes, $26 adults and $20 children.
Second Sunday gourmet sandwich lunch cruise, 12:00, two hours, $32 adults and $26 children 5 to 11, see more sights.
Friday and Saturday Civil War cruise 3:00 and 5:15, 90 minutes, $18 adults and $14 children on-line or $20 and $16 at the gate
Sunday Civil War cruise 3:00 and 5:15, 90 minutes, $18 adults and $14 children 5 to 11 on-line or $20 and $16 at the gate
Prices above are for advanced on-line reservations.
If you have a copy of our narration booklet with you, you get a $2.00 discount for everyone in your party. You may purchase a copy at the Knoxville Visitor's Center or Knoxville History Center, both on Gay Street.

NavCal River Rides http://navcal.com/navcal/CWHistory.htm. 865-765-3407

Bliss Home is pleased to present Knoxville artist, Jane Nickels, for April's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, April 4th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary Steamboat Sandwiches will be provided and Jane's art will be featured for the month of April.

Jane's April exhibit will feature her Knot Perfect series which consists of paintings that explore a biomorphic interpretation of Celtic knots and overlapping pattern, color and line demanding an emotional response.

“Finally Spring” at the Plateau Arts Center
That is the theme for the annual spring show at the PCAC, and it couldn’t come at a better time! The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade invites you to view and vote on your favorite selection among the new works displayed for the first time at the Plateau Creative Arts Center (PCAC).

Come and view this high quality art presented in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastels, colored pencil, photography, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and fabric. The theme of “Finally Spring” will be displayed starting on April 4. Voting will end on April 18. Ribbons will be awarded to the winners in the categories of People and Animals, Landscape, Floral, Still life, Sculpture and Mixed Media, and Showcase/Jewelry. Ribbon Awards will take place on Friday morning, April 25.

The PCAC is handicapped accessible and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-Sat. Website: www.artguildfairfieldglade.net. Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, TN.