Calendar of Events

by David Sedaris; adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello; directed by Jeff Stanley. At the Carousel Theatre

“80 solid minutes of legit laughs.” Sun Times

An unemployed, chemically dependent writer takes a job as a “helper elf” at Macy’s Santaland. Hear his tale of drunken Santas, screaming kids, and the un-wonderful insanity of the holidays. Sedaris’ cutting, sardonic wit is on full display in this one man show that is crazy funny! For mature elves only.

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

Santa Claus has come to town and made “Santa’s Village” at Knoxville Zoo his temporary East Tennessee headquarters. The jolly old elf will be available to hear Christmas wishes and pose for holiday photos Thursday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 6 and Thursday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Dec. 13 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day. Guests may bring their own cameras for photos or purchase portraits taken by a professional photographer.

Located indoors at the Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure play area, the halls of Santa’s Village are all decked for the holidays with dozens of trees and thousands of lights. Guests can celebrate the season with special yuletide crafts, creative play and encounters with special animal visitors throughout the day. Santa’s Village is included with general zoo admission. Currently, the zoo is offering buy one, get one free tickets through February 29, 2016 during Kroger BOGO Days.

Knoxville Zoo, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.org

The Appalachian Ballet Company in their 44th season will present the annual holiday tradition - The Nutcracker. The production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The Appalachian Ballet Company will present four public shows and two school matinees (includes K-8 curriculum guide covering common core standards).

December 3 & 4: 10:00 AM - Full length school matinee at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium - $6
December 5 at 7:30PM and December 6 at 2:00PM - Full length public performances at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.
December 11 at 7:30PM and December 12 at 2:00PM - Full length public performances at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville.

For over 100 years, this classic story has proven to be a favorite, enchanting audiences of all ages. Come see the magic with lavish scenery, glorious tutus, soldiers, snowflakes and sugar plums! For more information: 865-982-8463, www.appalachianballet.com

A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody by Ron Bernas is a spoof of and love letter to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and to stage mysteries in general. As the show opens, the Perrys make their traditional New Years resolutions together: Matthew declares to Julia that he wants something more . . . to be able to travel abroad, to play golf every day, to spend more time at his club. Thus, he resolves to kill her by next New Years Eve so he will be free to pursue his heart’s desires. Julia takes his resolution in stride and resolves to still be alive a year later. Their games begin and they let no one stand in their ways as they attempt to keep their resolutions as the year goes by. To liven things up, we add the Perry’s spoiled, dingy daughter Bunny, her bright and forgiving boyfriend Donald, Buttram, the Perry’s longtime butler who harbors a dreadful secret, and Plotnik, a bumbling police detective who tries to figure out “who-done-it” --- that is if something really has been done. Who will succeed in his or her resolution --- and who gets caught in the crossfire? This hilarious comedy has lots of surprises, right up to the end.

At the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville. Foothills Community Players: 865-712-6428, www.foothillscommunityplayers.com

The 11th Annual Santa Mouse Christmas House is sponsored by Blount County Arts and Crafts Guild (a nonprofit organization). The show offers unique, one of a kind handcrafted items made by 50 well known artisans from the area. There will be Christmas gifts and ornaments, holiday home décor, fine art paintings, prints and cards, exceptional one of a kind beaded and sterling jewelry, wood turnings, pottery, clay figurines, handmade soaps and creams, unique gourd creations, wearable and knit items, plus much more. Enter to win a Smoky Mountain Getaway raffle for $1 which includes a two night stay in the Smokies, two tickets to Dollywood and a basket full of gifts from the guild.

Admission and parking for the event are free.
December 3-5, 2015, Thursday and Friday, 10am – 6pm and Saturday, 10am – 3pm.
Maryville College Alumni Gym, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37801.
For more information go online to www.blountartsandcrafts.com.

Join the Blount County Shape Note Singers for a quarterly sing from the New Harp of Columbia.
No experience necessary. All are welcome to participate or listen and loaner books are available.

Thursday, December 3, at 6:30PM.
Asbury Place, Maryville
www.oldharp.org or 865 691 9506 (call to confirm)

Get into the holiday spirit by attending Pellissippi State Community College's hugely popular Holiday Spectacular musical concert, offered in two performances, 6 and 8 p.m.! The Holiday Spectacular is free, and the community is encouraged to attend. Because space is limited, the college is asking that guests arrive 30 minutes before each performance for tickets. Tickets will be issued at the door to the first 495 guests, and having a ticket guarantees a seat.

The Holiday Spectacular, themed "An Appalachian Christmas" this year, takes place in the Clayton Performing Arts Center on the Hardin Valley Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. The concert features the talents of more than 150 Pellissippi State students and faculty in eight different musical and dance ensembles performing classical choral numbers, bluegrass, and jazz.

The Holiday Spectacular is part of The Arts at Pellissippi State, which brings to the community cultural activities ranging from music and theatre to international celebrations, lectures, and the fine arts. While the performance is free, donations are accepted at the door for the Pellissippi State Foundation on behalf of the Music Scholarship fund.

At the Clayton Performing Arts Center, Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

Join us at Fieldhouse Social for free eats and happy hour specials. Then come see The Santaland Diaries for only $15 (special price for Young Professionals). For more info, contact Amanda at amiddle5@utk.edu.

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

This year we are hosting our first ever Christmas Market! Together with other Knoxville businesses, we are bringing a unique holiday shopping experience to the community. Think one-stop-shopping during a night of celebrating Christmas and the magic of the season.

December 3, 7:00-9:00pm.
This event will be open to the public, and there will be no charge for anyone to attend.

Information: Braden’s Lifestyles Furniture, 11105 Turkey Drive, 865-382-8530 or cgrey@bradens.com.

Five Points Up will host their 2nd annual Winter Wonderland event at Hardy Park (2020 MLK Jr. Ave) on Thursday, December 3rd from 6-7:30 pm. The park will be decorated with festive holiday lights! Come out and enjoy free refreshments of hot chocolate and apple cider, along with entertainment from local churches. Vendors from the community will be located in Tabernacle Baptist Church, across the street from the park. I hope to see you there!

Thursday, December 3rd from 6-7:30 pm
Hardy Park, 2020 Martin Luther King Blvd,
Knox County Health Department

sarah.bounse@knoxcounty.org
865-215-5187 office

Members of the Knoxville Writers’ Guild writing groups will share their works and hold a mix and mingle potluck for December’s monthly program. Both current members and those simply curious about joining the guild are encouraged to attend and to bring a covered dish.

The event, which will be open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 at Central United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall, 201 E. Third Ave. CUMC is a new venue for monthly KWG programs, and attendees should enter off of the large parking lot behind the church. A $2 donation is requested at the door. The building is handicapped accessible. About the new venue, KWG president, Donna Kapa, said, "The church can host our general meetings as well as our workshops in a variety of comfortable, hospitable and affordable rooms."

More than 15 writing groups are currently part of the KWG, with genres including poetry, playwriting, literary fiction, crime and mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, prompt writing and creative non-fiction. The guild also features two groups specifically designed for teen writers. A representative from most groups will be available, and writers are encouraged to bring copies of their books to sell in anticipation of the holidays. Sales tables will also be provided for those KWG members not currently part of one of the groups.

Info: www.KnoxvilleWritersGuild.org

A new WDVX live show! The WDVX Six O’clock Swerve with host Wayne Bledsoe, live from Scruffy City Hall in Market Square on Thursdays from 6-7PM. Tickets available at the door for $5.

With Tim Lee 3.

Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com/live-shows-schedule/the-wdvx-six-oclock-swerve/