Calendar of Events

The KSO Merchant & Gould Concertmaster Series continues with its next installment of “Gabriel Lefkowitz & Friends” in two weeks with music of Prokofiev, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky. The concert will take place on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Tickets are just $20 in advance or at the door.

Musical selections include Sergei Prokofiev’s Five Pieces from Cinderella, Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter” Concerto No. 4 in F minor, and the String Sextet in D minor by Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky. This pair of concerts is the second of three installments in the KSO Merchant & Gould Concertmaster Series. 27 year-old Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz chooses the programming himself, and calls upon his KSO colleagues and pianist/ UT Director of Collaborative Piano Kevin Class to accompany him on various selections. Other KSO musicians on the program include Gordon Tsai, Sean Claire, Edward Pulgar and Rachel Loseke, violin; Kathryn Gawne and Eunsoon Corliss, viola; Andy Bryenton and Theodore Kartal, cello; and Steve Benne, bass.

“Each piece performed is an absolute favorite of mine and holds a special place in my heart,” said KSO Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz. “The January performances at the Knoxville Museum of Art will feature three such works. The first is actually a collection of five violin and piano arrangements from Prokofiev's masterpiece Cinderella. The music from this ballet is some of my favorite that has ever been written, and I have fond memories of performing it in its original orchestration in my youth orchestra at age 11, and later conducting it in my baton-waving debut at a summer music festival some 12 years later. Next, I will perform Vivaldi's Winter Concerto from The Four Seasons, accompanied by the largest ensemble we've had on stage yet in this series. The second half of the program will feature an incredible monument of the chamber music repertoire – Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic, ultra-romantic, and exhilarating Sextet entitled Souvenir de Florence. Together these pieces constitute an incredible program that is not to be missed.”

This is the fourth year of the series, and the first year the concerts have been held at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the door, by phone (865-291-3310) or online at www.knoxvillesymhony.com. Seating is general admission.

THE MAJOR OPENING OF THE MLK CELEBRATION IS TRADITIONALLY AN INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE TO BRING PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY FROM ALL FAITHS TOGETHER IN WORSHIP.

THE EVENT: This year’s interfaith service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, where the Reverend Dr. William C. Pender is the Senior Pastor. This very special lunch-hour service will feature leaders from a variety of faith groups to produce a true spirit of interfaith worship. Musical selections will underline the interfaith theme, followed by lunch, offered free of charge.

Please make plans to join us. You may Contact the Interfaith Chair for more information at Interfaith@MLKKnoxville.com.

At First Presbyterian Church Church, 620 State Street, 37902

MLK Commission: PO Box 155, Knoxville, TN 37901-0155, www.mlkknoxville.com

Celebrate The Tennessee Theatre's Re-Opening Anniversary!

You'll also have the opportunity to pick up your reserved book or purchase one in-person on January 14th, where you can join us for the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Grand Re-Opening of the Historic Tennessee Theatre! Taking place Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 7-9 pm and open to the public, come celebrate a decade of unforgettable performances and the release of Jack Neely's forthcoming release. Enjoy Wurlitzer Organ performances, tours, a gallery of historic photos, and more!

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.ticketmaster.com

The five members of Greensky Bluegrass have forged a defiant, powerful sound that, while rooted in classic stringband Americana, extends outwards with a fearless, exploratory zeal. The tension and release between these components – tradition and innovation, prearranged songs and improvisation, acoustic tones and electric volume – is what makes them so thrillingly dynamic, in concert and on record. Experience the dynamism for yourself when they visit the Bijou with The Last Bison!

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Up to 75% off select craft & gifts!

The District Gallery & Framery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919. Phone: (865) 200-4452 | Website: TheDistrictGallery.com | Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday :: 10-5:30, Saturday :: 10-4

This exhibition features the photographic and video work of 19 undergraduate UT alumni and students of Baldwin Lee. Professor Lee retired this year after a 30 year teaching career at UT. During his tenure, Professor Lee introduced countless students to photography. Although he was an inspiration for many, nineteen former students have been invited to participate in this celebratory exhibition titled Compound Lens. From Constance Thalken who studied with Lee in the mid 1980’s, to Jonathan Bagby who graduated from UT in 2009, and to Hei Park who continued to study with Lee until his retirement, all of Compound Lens participants were undergraduate students. All remain active artists who reside and work in different regions of the United States, from New York to California, from Texas to Georgia, and across Tennessee.
Artists featured in Compound Lens are:

Christopher Miner
Matt Ducklo
Constance Thalken
Bradly Dever Treadaway
Wardell Milan
Sarah Martin
Jonathan Bagby
Tuni Chatterji
Cip Contreras
Denny Renshaw
Marlo Pascual
Jack Parker
Phillip Carpenter
Erin Leland
Neely Crihfield Hyde
Banner Gwin
Rebecca Finley
Hei Park
Shelly O'Barr

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new group exhibition featuring seven regional artists opening Friday, January 9, at 5:00 PM in the Balcony of the Emporium Center:

+ Lynn Corsi Bland (Gatlinburg) – Mixed media paintings using collage; www.lynnbland.com

+ Terina Gillette (Knoxville) – Mixed media, pastels, photography of living canvas works; http://terinagillettefinearts.blogspot.com

+ Tony Henson (Kingsport) – Acrylic paintings; www.tonyhensonart.com

+ Beth Meadows (Knoxville) – Mixed media drawings; www.withbearhands.com

+ Emily Shane (Knoxville) – Mixed media works

+ Tony Sobota (Knoxville) – Acrylic paintings, oil paintings and drawing; www.tonysobota.com

+ Jennifer Willard (Knoxville) – Mixed media on fabric

The exhibition will be displayed in the Balcony gallery of the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from January 9-31, 2015, and an opening reception will take place on Friday, January 9, from 5:00-9:00 PM. The reception also features music by the Pea Pickin’ Hearts in the gallery as well as a Jazz Jam Session hosted by Vance Thompson and Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box Theatre.

Gallery hours for are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, January 19, for the holiday. Additional special hours are posted at www.theemporiumcenter.com/visit.html. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission (www.tn.gov/arts), the City of Knoxville (www.cityofknoxville.org), and First Tennessee Foundation (www.firsttennesseefoundation.com).

Arts & Culture Alliance at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM. Information: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com

The Arts & Culture Alliance and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta proudly present a new exhibition entitled “A Narrative of Light and Shadow” featuring the artistry of Taiwan’s female photographers. Three photographers will each present a series of images depicting portraiture, humanitarian concerns, landscape, aboriginal culture, and culture in general: Chang Hsiu-huang presents “Light and shadow”, which displays the interaction of light and shadow and composition in landscape photography; Chien Fu-yu presents “Women’s history”, which includes sensitive, careful portraits of women poets, journalists, artists, pathologists, and entomologists; and Wang Hsiao-chin presents “Mother’s time chart”, which uses the self-portrait to explore the historical implications of creative work, acting both as the photographer and protagonist in her shots.

The exhibition will be on display in the main gallery of the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from January 9-31, 2015, and an opening reception will take place on Friday, January 9, from 5:00-9:00 PM. The First Friday reception also features music by the Pea Pickin’ Hearts in the gallery as well as a Jazz Jam Session hosted by Vance Thompson and Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box Theatre.

Since the 1970s, photography has flourished in concert with Taiwan’s economic development, democratization and the universalization of education so that female photographers have become common. Nothing can stop the flow of time – only photography can crystallize the moment and the surrounding environment into a permanent image. Photography can capture scenes that are inexpressible in language; thus the old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words. With close attention paid during both shooting and arrangement, the series of pictures in “A Narrative of Light and Shadow” are used to create photographic narratives, much as a director might compose a film montage.

Gallery hours for “A Narrative of Light and Shadow” are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, January 19, for the holiday. Additional special hours are posted at www.theemporiumcenter.com/visit.html. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

About the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta
The office offers consular, commercial, informational and cultural services to the six states in the Southeastern United States: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky and commercial services to Florida. Although the U.S. and Taiwan do not have official diplomatic relations, the friendship between the two is long-standing and marked by mutual benefit and cooperation. Under the guidance of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington DC, TECO in Atlanta has developed ever closer ties to our friends in the Southeast. For more information, please visit http://www.taiwanembassy.org/US/ATL.

About the Arts & Culture Alliance
The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission (www.tn.gov/arts), the City of Knoxville (www.cityofknoxville.org), and First Tennessee Foundation (www.firsttennesseefoundation.com).

Arts & Culture Alliance at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM. Information: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com

By Del Shores. Set in a small Texas town, Daddy's Dyin' concerns the reunion of a family gathered to await the imminent death of their patriarch, who has recently suffered a physically as well as mentally disabling stroke. But it is not the story of the impending demise of the father or of the drafting of his will ... it's a story of a rebirth of the spirit of the family unit.

"It's a fast, delicious, easy tale with funny moments, tense moments, touching moments, and characters you care about." – The Hollywood Reporter
"A masterful comedy." – Variety
"A well written piece of mainstream theatre that's consistently funny and occasionally touching." – The Los Angeles Times
"A knockout." – L.A. Weekly

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 North Gay Street, Knoxville. Info: 865-544-1999 or email: info@theatreknoxville.com. www.theatreknoxville.com

The Arts Council of Roane County (ACRC) announced that its 2015 Roane Open Art Show will hold its official opening January 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the O'Brien Art Gallery on the campus of Roane State Community College. In previews since January 8, the exhibit features nearly 20 local artists displaying paintings, sculptures, photographs, pottery, mixed media works, and short films. In a departure from previous ACRC art shows, which ran for just a single weekend, this year’s exhibition will be in place through February 28. Admission is free.

The show will feature short documentary films by Lenoir City filmmaker Jesse Brass, each of which features the work of one artist and provides a glimpse into their passions, motivations, and processes.

The Grand Opening of the show is open to the public. Many of the artists with works on display will be on hand for the event and awards will be presented to the best works in several categories as judged by Roane State Art Department Associate Professor Stacy Jacobs.

Subsequent to the opening, the public is invited to check the Event page of the ACRC website at ArtsCouncilRC.org for gallery hours. Specially scheduled visits can be arranged for groups of five or more by emailing artscouncilofroanecounty@gmail.com at least one week in advance. The ACRC particularly encourages art teachers in Roane County Schools to consider class trips to the gallery.

O’Brien Art Gallery, Roane State Community College, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN, 37748. Information: www.roanestate.edu/art/gallery

Arts Council of Roane County: artscouncilofroanecounty@gmail.com

Eun-Sook Kim of Oak Ridge and Harriet Smith Howell of Rutledge will be featured artists for January in the Art Market Gallery’s historic space at 422 S. Gay St. The opening reception during downtown Knoxville’s traditional date for the First Friday Art Walk will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, with light refreshments and Bluegrass music performed live by Caring Committee.

Kim and Howell share certain attributes. While their styles and interpretations may differ, both are award winning versatile artists who look to nature for inspiration. They teach and conduct art workshops, have exhibited widely, and were juried into this cooperative in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums, a feat accomplished by just a handful of current active members. For this exhibit, Eun-Sook Kim, who also works in clay, will be showing her paintings, and Harriet Howell, who also creates paintings, will show one-of-a-kind silk scarves as wearable art.

Eun-Sook Kim’s primary medium is ceramics, in which she has a MFA from the University of Tennessee, but this former gallery owner in Oak Ridge considers herself a painter first. “Through brushwork, I feel in harmony with nature,“ she says of her Chinese brushstroke watercolor paintings. “Like a speck in the landscape of a classical Chinese painting, I am infinitely small, yet essential in nature. Interweaving different strands from different cultures and countries, my art reflects the multicolored pattern of my life.” Kim’s works have been exhibited and collected regionally, nationally and internationally, particularly in Korea and Japan, where she has had educational collaborations. She is a supporter of the Knoxville Area Korean-American Association.

Harriet Howell, past president and signature member of the Tennessee Watercolor Society, uses color and movement to capture the images and emotional content of nature. “I’ve always loved fabrics, and used to make all of my own clothes,” she says. “Painting on scarves allows me to play with color and natural shapes and then turn the art into something wearable.” Starting with stretched silk, she uses brushes to apply successive layers of fabric dyes. Sometimes, a resist is used or a hand-cut stencil. Other times, the dye is applied wet-in-wet. Finished scarves are then steam set, washed, ironed, and sewn. This former Arrowmont instructor and longtime Howell Graphics owner earned a BFA in watercolor and graphic design from the University of Tennessee.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-6PM, Sunday 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Bliss Home is pleased to present photographer, Phil Savage, for January's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, January 2nd, from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary refreshments will be provided and Phil's art will be featured for the month of January.

Phil Savage was born in Mexico City and is a world-traveler, which has helped him hone his ability to "turn the ordinary into the extraordinary". Phil loves to explore the endless possibilities that photography has to offer, by embracing black and white panoramic photos with hand-tinted touches. Phil's First Friday exhibit aims to challenge viewers to rediscover the beauty and complexities that can be found all around Knoxville.

Bliss Home, 29 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-329-8868, www.shopinbliss.com