Calendar of Events

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 42nd Anniversary (1974-2015) Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2015 concerts will be presented in over 280 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his mentor/teacher, the late great tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902). Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect - through William J. Bell - to all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage. Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged (for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, December 22,1974 on "The Rink at Rockefeller Center") by American composer Alec Wilder (died Christmas Eve, 1980). Through Wilder, TUBACHRISTMAS concerts pay grateful tribute to composers who have embraced these noble instruments with solo and ensemble compositions. Depending on the population of any given geographic area, TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract multiples of 100 participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.

On Saturday, December 5, 2015 the melodious sounding tuba/euphonium choir under the direction of Sande MacMorran will perform carols and songs of Christmas. Tuba/sousaphone, euphonium/baritone players of all degrees of ability are invited to participate in this event. This will take place at the Harriman High School James M. Williamson auditorium in Harriman. Registration for participants is 9:30 am, rehearsal is 10:00 am, and the free public concert is at 11:45 am. For more information, call Dr. Joseph Williams at (865) 882-3446.
Please consult: http://www.tubachristmas.com/

Annual Christmas Open Housewith events beginning at 1 P.M. The site will be decorated in a manner as the early 1800’s would have dictated with fresh greenery, pine cones, and candles. The museum and schoolhouse will be open for our guests to tour and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. “School Marm” Marleitta Cooper will be available in the schoolhouse for brief old fashioned classes for all age students. Lynda Rizzardi, President of the Knox County Beekeepers Association, will have a display “All About Bees” and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about bee keeping. Dave Adams will show off his leather working skills of the 1800’s and have several completed items for show. Bill Cabbage, with Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, will provide music during the event. Becca Baker, with the Blount County Public Library, will entertain the children with stories, music and games beginning at 1 P.M. Laura West with LOL Ministry will be our guest speaker at 3 P.M. She will share the story of her adopted daughter Maleka and how she has overcome many challenges in life. Their story will challenge you to look at the opportunities around you where you can powerfully and lovingly affect the lives of others.. Maleka will provide music in the form of song. To learn more about Laura and Maleka please their visit web site at http://lolministryproduction.com/

Santa Claus (more commonly known as Joe Moore) is the author of multiple children's books, the books are illustrated by Mrs. Claus, Mary, will have signed books available for purchase. Santa and Mrs. Claus are trained for special needs children. Visit his web site at http://www.santaclausunplugged.com. Lisa Soland, playwright and adjunct instructor of theatre at Maryville College will be on hand to read her recently published children's book and will have books available to purchase. Santa Claus will be available for visits and photos beginning at 3:30 P.M. Please bring your own camera. A Spanish interpreter will be available to help the children talk with Santa. The Open House is free. The gift shop will offer 20% off all items during this event. Light refreshments will be served.

Historic Sam Houston Schoolhouse, 3650 Old Sam Houston School Road, Maryville. Info: samhoustonsch@aol.com or 865-983-1550.

Ed Roberson Music Recitals in the afternoon; LeGrand Music Studio Holiday Music concert with refreshments in the evening.

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.com

Holidays are here! Mighty Mud is having our Open House and Holiday sale Saturday December 5th from 12-6pm. We hope you come join us for a treat, some good company, and of course the last chance pottery table!

Mighty Mud, 1300 McCalla Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-595-1900, www.mightymudclay.com

The Pretentious Glassware Company invites you to their Inaugural Pretentious Holiday Sale and Glass Extravaganza! Come to downtown Knoxville's only glass-blowing studio to watch some live demonstrations and complete your holiday shopping list. Handmade/Local Ornaments, Vases, Sculpture, Glass Candy Canes, Icicles, and tons of other crazy cool stuff will be available. A limited number of PBGC's beer glasses will also be set aside for this sale, as they tend to sell out online quickly. We will also be doing "Blow Your Own" Ornaments all day, yo!

At the Pretentious Beer Glass Company, 133 S Central St, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
https://www.facebook.com/events/1650671538528900/

Hosted by Retrospect Vintage Store. Happy Holler is going to Deck the Halls and celebrate the holiday season. Join us for a day of shopping, eating, drinking and good cheer! Check this event page for updates on each business and what specials they will be offering. https://www.facebook.com/events/885073968237742/

Saturday, December 5 at Ijams Nature Center.

Peg's Kitchen (9:30am)
If you are heading to Ijams this Saturday morning for a program, hike or simple walkabout, bring your appetite. Each week, Peg's Kitchen features Ijams' favorite chef Peg Beute. The menu varies each month, but is always delicious so come hungry! The fee for breakfast is $7 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). For $10, you can get all you can eat! No pre-registration is required.

Kids Gourd Ornament Class (10am)
Looking for something creative for the kids to do this weekend? Why not come out to Ijams for an amazingly fun class where they will transform home grown gourds into amazing ornaments for your own tree or for gifts. Join local artist, Jackie Hardin, for this fun filled class on December 5th from 10am-Noon where she will teach your children how to make some great holiday ornaments. Cost is $12 per person, or if you have multiple children, $12 for the first kid, $10 for each additional child. Must pre-register. Call 865-577-4717 ex 110 to sign up for the class!

Snowman Gourd Workshop (2pm)
Join us on December 5th for a fun workshop with local artist Jackie Hardin to transform homegrown gourds into wonderful snowmen for the holidays! Learn all the tips for making your snowman last all year round. Cost is $22 per person and all supplies are included for this class. You must pre-register. Call 865-577-4717 ex 110 to sign up for the class.

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

Artist reception: Fri Dec 4, 5-9 PM
Closing reception Friday, January 29, 5-7pm

The UT Downtown Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of editorial cartoons by Knoxville News Sentinel cartoonist Charlie Daniel. The exhibition will feature a large selection of “Rosy’s Diner” cartoons as well as a variety of subjects and themes from the past two decades. Charlie Daniel came to Knoxville in 1958 as the editorial cartoonist for The Knoxville Journal. He moved to the Knoxville News Sentinel in January 1992 and has been the editorial cartoonist here ever since.

Free admission! UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sat 10-3. The gallery will be closed from December 24 - January 2 for the holidays. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

Feast Your Eyes. An ART exhibit ALL about FOOD! Artists reflect on food as it pervades our lives, from the profound to the mundane.

Opening Reception and Awards Night will be held on "FIRST" Friday December 4, 5-9pm. It is suggested that all guests for the reception bring one can of food for donation to a local food bank.

To view the show afterward the regular gallery hours are be 11-7pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 11-3pm Sunday. Please note: we will be open Christmas Eve until 3 PM and closed Christmas Day.

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com

After forty years of painting Knoxville’s cityscapes, Joe Parrott has turned to the architecture of the Mediterranean. With inspiration drawn from recent travels to Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Turkey, he has produced a vivid series of light-drenched, textural oil paintings.

Please join us Friday, December 4 from 5-8 p.m. for an art opening and Holiday Open House. Meet the artist, and experience the brilliant light of the Mediterranean the Impressionists often spoke of. Enjoy holiday cuisine from Holly’s Gourmet’s Market and live music by Michael Whitesides. Joe will also be performing a painting demonstration in the gallery on Saturday, December 5 from 1-4 p.m.

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

Bliss Home is pleased to present Aurora by Knoxville artist Jane Nickels, for December's First Friday. Bliss Home will host an opening reception on Friday, December 4th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary treats from Wild Love Bakehouse will be provided and Jane's art will be featured for the month of December.

Jane grew up in Europe, the USA and Asia attending high school at the United World College Of South East Asia, Singapore. Jane earned her BFA from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, IN. Inspired by international experiences during her formative years, Jane chooses to use pattern and color presented in a non figurative format to filter out cultural bias and the visual experience of region, religion and politics. Patterns and designs found in cultures and the natural world around the globe and crossing multiple eras have been collected and studied, these patterns then are deconstructed and reformed in a foam printing or line drawing process seeking to illustrate a universal aesthetic of pattern and color. Aurora is a series of paintings that invite the viewer to explore optimism, anticipation and the energy of the aurora, of the dawn.

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

Encore will wrap up its 9th season with a “FRA-GIL-E” package just in time for the holidays with “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas; An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. “A Christmas Story The Musical” is the hilarious account of Ralphie's desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. This new Broadway musical is based on the classic 1983 movie, which itself was based on stories by legendary radio humorist Jean Shepherd. With songs both funny and heartfelt by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, and a faithful yet inventive book by Joseph Robinette, “A Christmas Story: The Musical” captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. It's the Christmas present that you'll cherish all holiday long.

Performances are December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19 at 8pm. Matinee performances are December 6, 13, 19, and 20 at 2pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for Seniors, and $12 for Students and Youth.

At Walters State Community College. Encore Theatrical Company: 423-218-8331, www.etcplays.org