Calendar of Events

UT Artist-in-Residence for Spring 2015
On display April 22 - 25, Public Reception April 24, 6-9 PM

The three works on display express my desire to distill and undermine normative expectations about which behaviors and expressions are appropriate for whom. A choreographic example can be found in Presumptuous, an ongoing video series shot in cities around the world which disrupts the codes of urban co-existence by inserting hyper-intimate and often queer interactions into public space.

Agni Agonies, also ongoing, is both an archiving and performance project. The work features scenes from Bollywood genre films in which women are caught in fires. The origin of this scene within Indian culture is the figure of Sita in the Ramayana mythology, who submits to a trial-by-fire to prove her sexual purity. Using appropriated footage and performative interventions, Agni Agonies demonstrates how the various repercussions of this symbolism articulate a cinematic archetype and fascination with the fire.

The exhibition concludes with Recitations not from memory. Shot in Bangalore and featuring untrained actors, this work employs a pointed slippage of identity to translate interviews into unrehearsed speech performances. There is no specific moment of reveal; instead the video presents an imagined reality in which commonplace stories become new in the mouths of those less familiar with telling them.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 11AM - 6PM, Saturday: 10AM - 3PM. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

The final dress rehearsal of Il Trovatore will take place at the Tennessee Theater. Admission is free to Il Trovatore ticket holders and to students of all ages, with accompanying adults paying $5 at the door. Adults without tickets to the Friday or Sunday performance must accompany a student for admittance (be prepared to show student ID if an adult).

April 22 at 6:30PM at the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Knoxville Opera: 865 524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Mize is a son of Tennessee, and a more fitting representative of his state’s rich musical heritage would be hard to find. His critically lauded fingerstyle compositions are fluid and intricate, and their delivery masterful. Bill is a past winner of the National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition at The Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and in 2009, his music appeared in the Ken Burns documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea." Bill will be performing songs from his new CD, ”The Back of Beyond.” Professional storytellers Jan 'n' Cuz Headrick will perform tales from the Smoky Mountains, the local that inspired Mize's new CD.

WDVX's Tennessee Shines Radio Show is performed for a live audience every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Boyd's Jig & Reel musical pub in Knoxville's historic Old City. Hosted by Paige Travis, the show features local, regional and national touring acts, plus poets and authors from the region. The show is broadcast live on WDVX FM and WDVX.com. Admission is $10 at the door, available beginning at 6 p.m. Support for Tennessee Shines comes from Visit Knoxville, Sugarlands Distilling Company, The Tomato Head, Crowne Plaza Knoxville, and Blackhorse Brewery.

WDVX, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-544-1029, www.wdvx.com

Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964
Also: Gente Not Numbers and Border Monster sculptures by Angel Luna

Opening reception Sunday April 19, 1:30pm

This exhibit, created by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Service and presented by Humanities Tennessee, highlights the historical program which imported Latin American agricultural workers to the United States. For a full list of events and exhibits for this celebration, visit www.rosecenter.org. Rose Center has received a generous grant from Humanities Tennessee to support these events.

The Rose Center, 442 West Second North St., Morristown, TN, 37814. Information: 423-581-4330

The Shakespeare classic “The Tempest” is being produced in partnership with Duck Ear Productions. The play is April 17-19 and 24-26. Attendees should prepare to be transported to a faraway island for a tale filled with spirits, monsters, vengeance, young love and sorcery.

Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu

Save the date!

Friday, April 17-18, 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m.
Townsend Auditorium, TWC Campus
Tickets are $10 for Adults, $5 for students and seniors
For more information, please visit: twctheatre.com

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season!

Book and Lyrics by Bertolt Brecht; Music by Kurt Weill; Directed by Calvin MacLean
Clarence Brown Theatre

“The greatest musical of all time.” Newsweek

With a haunting jazz score and biting lyrics, the “haves” clash with the “have-nots” in Brecht’s sharp critique of Capitalism.

This brilliant masterpiece of epic theatre originated the popular songs “The Ballad of Mack the Knife,” “Solomon Song,” and “Pirate Jenny.”

To enhance the audience experience, the CBT will continue, and in some cases expand, several popular programs in 2014-2015. Open captioned productions also will continue in the new season, taking place on the first Sunday matinee of each show. Talk backs, which are informative discussions with the director and cast, will continue to take place following the second Sunday matinee of each show.

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

What: The Town of Farragut and Farragut Arts Council will sponsor the 2015 Farragut Middle School Art Show in April at the Farragut Town Hall. Don't miss this opportunity to marvel at the work of some of Farragut's most talented young artists. A reception to honor the artists and their work will take place on Tuesday, April 14.

When: Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 24 - During regular Town Hall hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reception: Tuesday, April 14 - 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Where: Farragut Town Hall
11408 Municipal Center Drive (across from the Farragut Branch Post Office)

How: The art show and reception are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lauren Cox, special events and program coordinator, at lauren.cox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057.

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 Dogwood Arts, the nationally-recognized Dogwood Trails are a must-see!

Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

Many people consider Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy​ to be one of the world's greatest novels. Published in 1877 against the backdrop of Russian high society and its frequent hypocrisy, Tolstoy explores themes of love, selfishness, family, and how to lead the best possible life.

Often masterpieces such as Anna Karenina can be intimidating. Knox County Public Library is pleased to partner with the University of Tennessee's Department of Modern Languages to present Tuesdays with Tolstoy throughout April to encourage readers to try Tolstoy's classic story of passion. Everyone is invited to read along and join the discussion.

UTK Russian literature student, Erika Knowles, under the guidance of her major professor, Dr. Stephen Blackwell, will facilitate a four-part study of Anna Karenina at Lawson McGhee Library from 6:00-7:30 p.m. starting on Tuesday, April 7 and continuing on April 14, 21, and 28. Each week, participants will read a section of the book, which they will discuss at the Library. Registration is encouraged at http://www.knoxlib.org/Tolstoy.

Tuesdays with Tolstoy is held in conjunction with the UTK's Leo Tolstoy Festival, which takes place April 23-25 . More information is available at http://mfll.utk.edu/tolstoy/. Dr. Blackwell began the Leo Tolstoy Festival as part of a bigger series called the Great Author Festival.

Many copies of Anna Karenina are available for check out at the Knox County Public Library.
Knox County Public Library: 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxlib.org

April 04, 2015 IJAMS BIRDING SERIES: Birding & Breakfast
April 04, 2015 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 04, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 04, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Nature Center
April 04, 2015 URBAN WILDERNESS: Hike the South Loop
April 04, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 05, 2015 VISITOR CENTER CLOSED
April 11, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 11, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Nature Center
April 11, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 11, 2015 SPECIAL EVENT: 26th annual River Rescue
April 18, 2015 PUBLIC PROGRAM: Wagging Walk
April 18, 2015 SPECIAL EVENT: Spring Plant Festival
April 18, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 18, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Nature Center
April 18, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 25, 2015 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 25, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 25, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Nature Center
April 25, 2015 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature

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

Where: Downtown Knoxville and McGhee Tyson Airport
When: April 4, 2014-March 20, 2015
How Much: Free

Art comes in all shapes and sizes. We invite you to experience some of the larger variety with Art in Public Places, an annual event featuring large-scale outdoor sculptures in Knoxville’s downtown public spaces and also at McGhee Tyson Airport. These larger scale pieces are thought provoking and awe-inspiring.

By displaying these works outdoors, we celebrate not only the art of sculpture but Knoxville’s natural beauty during this year-round outdoor exhibition.

The exhibition presently on view, an interesting and inspirational collection of works by sculptors from across the nation, was selected and awarded by noted sculptor Kenneth M. Thompson. Kenneth holds a Master of Liberal Studies in Sculpture from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Siena Heights College, in Adrian, MI. While many of his sculptures are in Ohio and Michigan, Thompson’s work can be seen in other states. He has done 41 pieces of public sculpture across the country. Ken has been making sculpture for over thirty years out of his car-dealership-turned-studio in Blissfield, Michigan. From this facility he operates Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries as well as Midwest Sculpture Initiative, which provides exhibitions that feature outdoor sculpture. Fourteen shows are planned for next year, he says. He also serves or has served on numerous arts-oriented boards.

The Art in Public Places Knoxville program, the 2015-2016 year being its 9th is a featured presentation of Dogwood Arts in partnership with the City of Knoxville Public Art Committee. The 2014-2015 Art in Public Places Knoxville Co-Chairs are Bart Watkins and Jason Brown.

To purchase a sculpture, please call [865] 637.4561.

Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com