Calendar of Events

We are delighted to announce the return of the Foothills Craft Guild for our next full length exhibit. Everyone is invited to attend the opening reception from 6:30 – 8:00 PM on Friday, April 11. The Foothills Exhibit will display a wide variety of skills by about 25 participating artists. Most of the works on display will be for sale. Expect to see pottery, handmade books, jewelry, block prints, weaving, needle felting, spinning, works in wood, photography, and much more! From 10 AM to 4 PM on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the exhibit, at least one artist per day will be on hand to demonstrate his or her craft and to talk to visitors about the show. The Fountain city Art Center is located at 213 Hotel Avenue, 37918, located next to Fountain City Park in the old library building. Our hours are Tuesday – Thursday 9 AM - 5 PM and Friday 9 AM - 5 PM. We are also open on Saturdays from 9 AM - 1 PM when volunteers are available. Call first. Contact information: (865)357-ARTS; fcartcenter@knology.net; www.fountaincityartctr.com.

Artist Reception – Friday, April 11, 5:30-9 p.m.
We are pleased to present this show as a Dogwood Arts Featured Art Exhibit. Kathie Odom leaves the anatomy of her paintings exposed and allows light to diffuse translucently from the first wash to the thicker oils, showing different textures, birthing life. Subtle detailing coupled with loose brush strokes invite the viewer beneath into an aliveness not so apparent on the surface. Almost exclusively Kathie’s compositions are places where the possibility of life exists: barn, nest, field, dwelling, bud, shed…the vision of Home.

The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-4. Information: 865-200-4452, www.TheDistrictGallery.com

By Nancy Gilsenan; Adapted from the novel by Judith Guest (1980 film adaptation won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture)

Conrad Jarrett had an older brother named Buck, and now Buck is gone. What's left of young Conrad's family, with his successful, well-intentioned father and his beautiful, organized and remote mother, is in terrible jeopardy, as is Conrad himself. They are all "ordinary people" and each is fighting a hard battle.

"The anxiety, despair and joy that is common to every human experience … if Conrad and his family are ordinary people, why then so are we all."
— The New York Times

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

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 11 and the members-only preview of our spring store sale. Come enjoy tasty treats from Magpie's and shop the many additions to our store, including new pottery, glass pieces, prints and jewelry by local and regional artists. We also have fabulous new children's toys, games and activities. Drop by from 4:00-6:00PM and check it out. The sale runs through April 19.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture. University of Tennessee, 1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville.

Friday, April 11, 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 13, 2:30 PM

Opera preview hosted by Maestro Salesky begins 45 minutes prior to each performance

A former NFL player will be on stage singing one of the lead roles when the Knoxville Opera Company presents Norma next week. The only two opera companies staging Bellini’s rarely performed gem this year are Knoxville Opera and The Metropolitan Opera in NYC. "The overwhelming passions of three intense characters inspired Vincenzo Bellini’s tragic masterpiece, featuring some of the most ravishing and dramatic music ever composed." said Knoxville Opera Executive Director Brian Salesky.

The opera features Norma’s glorious “Casta diva”, the Druids’ dramatic War Chorus, and the gorgeous Norma – Adalgisa duets. Performing the beautiful, yet incredibly difficult roles in the production are Rochelle Bard (Norma), Ta’u Pupu’a (Pollione), and J’nai Bridges (Adalgisa). Ta’u is no stranger to the spotlight or crowds as he’s a former defensive end for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens whose career ending injury led him to his true passion of music. ”I’m very blessed to have two talents and was encouraged by friends and others from my church to pursue my gift of voice. After the NFL, I packed one suitcase and went on faith (courage came later) to New York where I was fortunate enough to get into Julliard.” said Pupu’a.

The opera’s story is a triangle of forbidden love against the backdrop of war between the Gauls and the Romans in 50 B.C.E. Norma, the Druid Priestess, has betrayed her vows of chastity in liaison with the conquering Roman governor, who is now entangled in an affair with a younger priestess. Unable to protect her people against the Romans and humiliated by her own actions, Norma throws herself into the flames of the sacrificial pyre.

Highlights include:
◊ Norma’s “Casta diva”
◊ the Druids’ War Chorus
◊ Norma – Adalgisa duets
Performed in Italian with projected English translations.

At the Tennessee Theatre, 601 S. Gay Street. Information and tickets: 865-524-0795, http://www.knoxvilleopera.com/schedule/norma/

Free Admission!

Class Registration is open now! Featured artist, Geri Forkner, will offer four classes from introductory nuno felting to emerging electrified fiber art. Geri Forkner is an international, national, and regional instructor in creative fiber arts. Other instructors offer needle felting, knitting, spinning, weaving, kumihimo braiding, temari balls, and dyeing wool and other yarns. Geri@weavingschool.com

Demonstrators and vendors will provide a forum for learning a new art form or continuing your exploration of fiber arts.

An exhibition of Betsy Worden’s Fiber Art from a private collection will be displayed for the first time. Betsy Worden was a watercolor and fiber artist, instructor, Knoxville civic activist, and instrumental in establishing and growing art organizations throughout Tennessee.

Presented by the Townsend Artisan Guild and the Tennessee Valley Handspinners Guild, the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival offers opportunities to explore and learn about the “sheep to shawl” process including carding, spinning, dyeing, weaving, felting, knitting and crochet. Enjoy animal and fiber art demonstrations, classes, and shop at a marketplace for fiber art supplies and finished goods.

For more information: www.smokymountainfiberarts.org or email townsendartisanguild@gmail.com.

KNOXVILLE’S CASA HOLA PRESENTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON MEXICAN “GUEST WORKERS” IN THE US
Hola Knoxville, the local Hispanic organization that promotes communications between Latinos and the people of our community, will host a series of special events during April that focuses on the experiences of bracero workers and their families. The bracero program (bracero means “manual laborer”) which brought millions of Mexican guest workers to the US just after the end of WWII, ended in 1964 under mounting criticism for exploiting Mexican workers and depriving jobs from American workers. Since most Americans know very little about bracero, the nation’s largest experiment with guest workers, these programs provide an understanding that is so especially important in current times. In 1962, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, later to become the United Farm Workers. Under his leadership, farmworkers with allies in other unions, churches and community groups, were able to put enough pressure on politicians to end the bracero program and to work toward improving the conditions of farmworkers. Chavez died in 1993. The bracero program was controversial in its time and braceros experienced exploitation but also opportunity. The program was truly bittersweet and an overlooked chapter in American history.

Four programs will be provided to the public without charge during April that will provide a better understanding of the controversial bracero program.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON CURRENT IMMIGRATION CONCERNS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
A roundtable discussion sponsored by Lincoln Memorial University-Duncan School of Law and Hola Hora Latina will take place on April 11th at 6:30 PM at Casa Hola. Students from LMU-DSOL will offer commentary on a number of contemporary issues and Angel Luna, an artist and art instructor at LMU, will give a presentation on the influence of braceros in his art. The roundtable discussion is open to the public as long as space allows. (Those planning to attend are asked to reserve their space by calling 865 335-3358.)

For further details of these events, go to casahola@holafestival.org or contact 865-335-3358.

Formed in 1984, Diamond Rio features lead singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander, drummer Brian Prout, keyboardist Dan Truman, bassist/harmony Dana Williams and Gene Johnson on mandolin/harmony. The band signed with Arista in the early 90's and embarked on one of the most successful careers in country music. The band has sold over 10 million albums earning three platinum and five gold records and won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year award four times as well as netting two Academy of Country Music Awards in the top Vocal Group of the Year category and thirteen GRAMMY ® nominations.When they debuted in 1991 with the hit “Meet in the Middle,” Diamond Rio became the first group in the history of country music to have a debut single reach No. 1. They continued to place 32 more singles on the Billboard chart, including “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “Norma Jean Riley,” “Beautiful Mess," “Love a Little Stronger," and "One More Day." Tickets are $20-$45.

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

Pellissippi State Community College once again shines a light on the many cultures represented by its student body when the school hosts the Seventh Annual Festival of Cultures Friday, April 11. The Festival of Cultures is 4-8:30 p.m. in the Goins Building of the Hardin Valley Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. The event is free and the community is invited.

“Each year, the Festival of Cultures promotes a wide array of cultural experiences,” said Gayle Wood, director of Access and Diversity, which coordinates the celebration. “We hope each event encourages our students, faculty, and staff members and the community at large to look at the world from a new cultural perspective.” At the Festival of Cultures, attendees will receive a Festival Passport booklet. As they browse cultural booths and exhibits, they’ll receive stickers representing various countries to place in their passports.

Festival of Cultures will include performances by Mawre & Company, a West African dance and drum group; Miyagi Ryu Okinawan Dancers, a Japanese traditional dance group; the Alexia School of Middle Eastern Dance; the Tellico Tappers; Bhangra; the East Tennessee Chinese School dance team; and Pellissippi State’s bluegrass ensemble, Hardin Valley Thunder. An exhibit depicting rangoli floor art, a traditional Indian design, will be on display in the Goins Building Rotunda. The design is created by Pellissippi State student Donna Kaur. Various personal artifact collections of Pellissippi State students with international backgrounds also will be on display. In addition, event attendees can receive henna art tattoos from Knoxville henna artist Kajal Patel.

Children’s activities will include face painting, balloon twisting and other arts and crafts. Stilt-walker “Jake,” from One World Circle, will be on hand. He will read “Abiyoyo,” an African folk tale written by Pete Seeger.

Finally, the Festival of Cultures boasts food tastings from international cuisines representing Canada, China, Germany, Ghana, India, Iraq, Kenya, Moldova, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

The Festival of Cultures is one of the events that make up The Arts at Pellissippi State. The series brings to the community cultural activities ranging from music and theatre to international celebrations, lectures, and the fine arts.

Goins Building College Center, Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

The Shaping of African-American History

The music and cultural experiences we've had culminate as pianist Donald Brown compares the connections and history of jazz with other art forms and looks at how jazz shapes African-American history. The evening features student and faculty artists and a college jazz band. Ends with a performance and mini-lecture by the renowned composer, performer, and educator himself. Light refreshments.

At the Pellissippi Stage Magnolia Avenue campus. Info: 865-694-6400, www.pstcc.edu

The Athens Area Council for the Arts announces “Girls of Country,” a concert featuring local musicians on Friday, April 11 at 7:30 at The Arts Center in Athens.

Five singer-songwriters influenced by both the country and bluegrass genres take the stage in the Sue E. Trotter Theater for an evening of original tunes and popular favorites. The “Girls of Country,” will perform individually with The Arts Center’s house band. The “Girls of Country” are: Courtney Holder, a student at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts who performs her original songs across the southeast; Reily Kennedy, a student at Walker Valley High School and participant in this year’s Distinguished Young Women program; Lindsey Kimball, of the local band September Song, and a veteran performer in AACA concerts and Athens Community Theatre productions; Kinslee Melhorn, a senior cheerleader at Meigs County High School and noted local singer-songwriter; and Savannah Roberts, of the national award-winning duo “Rose Drive,” and no stranger to The Arts Center stage.

The House Blend Concert Series gives stand-out local talent the opportunity to perform in a professional setting and allows the audience to experience an intimate concert in a world-class atmosphere. The series includes at least four concerts annually, two of which are “Open Mics” open to performers to sign up and free to the public. The next event in The House Blend Concert Series is a “Singer Songwriter Night” on Friday May 9 at 7:30 pm at The Arts Center. The show, directed by Art Kimball, features Hendree Harrison, Andrew Kimball, and Wayne Scarbrough in a “writers in the round” coffeehouse-style performance.

Proceeds from The House Blend Concert Series benefit the Athens Area Council for the Arts outreach programming. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and are available at the door. For questions or more information about this or any AACA program contact The Arts Center by phone at 423-745-8781, by email at office@athensartscouncil.org, or in person at 320 North White Street in Athens.

The harmony trio Brother Sun will perform at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on April 11th at 7 p.m. The trio's harmonies, as much as their lyrics, tell what they are about: warm as a campfire, stirring as a gospel church, rousing as a call to arms.

Their latest CD “Some Part of the Truth” and their song “Lady of the Harbor” were named The North American Folk Music Chart’s Album of the Year and Song of the Year for 2013 and both remain on the chart 12 months after the album’s release. Established solo singer/songwriters Joe Jencks, Pat Wictor and Greg Greenway joined forces in 2012. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/606804.