Calendar of Events

Join us for a morning out as our museum educator leads engaging gallery tours for parents and caregivers and their young ones. Crying and wiggly babies welcome! This month we explore the special exhibit, Embodying Enlightenment: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas.

The event is free, but limited, and all attendees must register to attend online. Registration opens a month in advance and closes the day before the tour. http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/events/stroller-tour-embodying-enlightenment-4/

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

The Nativity Pageant, a professionally directed pantomime drama, combines a cast of over 90, moving narration, realistic sets, authentic costumes, and live animals to create a beautiful and powerful presentation of the Christmas story. Music is provided by a 200 voice choir, accompanied by a 20-member orchestra. The one-hour performance starts in darkness. Please be sure to arrive early to avoid having to find seats in the dark. Children are welcome at the family-friendly performance.

Show Times: Saturday December 12 - 3:00PM
Sunday December 13 - 3:00PM
Monday December 14 - 7:00PM

Ticket Prices: Free Admission

Location: Knoxville Civic Coliseum, The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville, Phone: (865) 579-5323
http://knoxvillecoliseum.com/events/2015-nativity-pageant

Popcorn balls and paper chains… fruits and nuts in their stockings … carols by the fire... a cedar tree cut in the nearby woods- that’s the Christmas most rural Appalachian children knew. And it's the Christmas we recreate each year throughout the Museum village at our special.... Join us as we recreate a meaningful holiday of simpler times. Traditional trees and hand-made decorations, typical of austere pioneer days, transform the Museum’s authentic log buildings.

Wander through the village and marvel at the simple treasures of their settlement days. In the one-room, dirt-floored “Dan'l Boone” cabin, strings of popcorn and cotton bolls circle a dormant tree; Paper chains and other ornaments trim the tree in the Little Tater Valley Schoolhouse. Sweet gum and sycamore balls are strung throughout the Mark Twain Family Cabin, and a traditional silver star tops a native red cedar Christmas tree in the turn-of-the-century Peters Homestead House. Apples, nuts, homemade toys, and oranges fill stockings hung in the cabins. Pick up some stocking stuffers in the Museum Gift and Antique Shop, which features everything from hand-crafted ornaments, locally made muscadine and moonshine jellies, and beautiful pottery, along with baskets, quilts, and plenty of Appalachian specialties. Or just come and enjoy a homemade southern country lunch in front of the warm fireplace. You'll want to make Christmas in Old Appalachia part of your family's annual holiday tradition!

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716 (16 miles north of Knoxville at I-75, exit 122, then one mile east). Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

The Arts & Culture Alliance proudly presents its 2015 Members Show, the largest annual exhibition of local artists in the Greater Knoxville area. The fresh mix of two- and three-dimensional works created within the last two years encompasses a wide variety of media such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, photography, fine craft, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, and more from regional artists who are all individual members of the Arts & Culture Alliance, which serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. Membership is open to all, and information may be found at www.knoxalliance.com/join.html. Most of the works in the 2015 Members Show are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition as holiday gifts.

The exhibition will be on display throughout the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 4, 2015 – January 29, 2016. An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on December 4 from 5:00-9:00 PM.

Gallery hours for the 2015 Members Show are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays, December 6 & 20 and January 3 & 17, 3:30-6:30 PM. Additional special hours are posted at www.theemporiumcenter.com/visit.html. Please note, the Emporium will be closed December 24 – January 1 for the holidays. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

Opening reception Friday, December 4, 6:30-8:30pm

Works by Jessie Van der Laan in conjunction with Rose Center's Holiday Open House. Food, fun, and music!

Hours are 9-5, M-F through December 18. Please call ahead for holiday schedule after Dec. 18.

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

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

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition of recent photographs by Dean Rice of Knoxville at the Emporium Center. These photographs show the faces of Syrian children who now live in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in the desert of Jordan and children who are orphaned living in Amman, Jordan. “We talk often of instability in the Middle East, and today we struggle with balancing our national security interests with our humanitarian desires to help the helpless,” says Dean Rice. “Through these photographs, however, we see the faces that can bring lasting stability, peace, friendship and gratitude.”

Dean Rice is chief of staff to Knox County Tim Burchett and also a member of the national advisory board of the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF). In the spring of 2015, he traveled to Jordan to visit the Zaatari refugee camp and meet with various Syrians in exile. The photographs of children in this exhibition are some of those he met. Rice is a Global Security Fellow with the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Nuclear Security and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information. In 2013, Rice received the Society of Universal Dialogue’s Atlantic Institute "Peace Award" in recognition of his efforts to promote inter-cultural engagement and dialogue. His photographs and paintings have been displayed in multiple exhibitions. A permanent exhibition of his refugee photos is scheduled to open at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC in January, 2016.

The exhibition will be on display in the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 4-23, 2015. An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on December 4 from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and chocolate fondue by the Melting Pot of Knoxville. The First Friday reception features music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day from 5:00-7:00 PM. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays, December 6 & 20, 3:30-6:30 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed December 24 – January 1 for the holidays.

Arts & Culture Alliance at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.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

We're excited to announce as well that we've added glass painting classes! We'll start in December painting some snowman wine glasses but we plan to add other types of glassware to our repertoire so keep a look out for those.

Red Ornament - Imagination Forest - Powell - Dec 2nd - 6 - 9pm
Tennessee Theater at Night - White Fox Beads Studio - Dec 5th - 3 - 6pm
Let It Snow - Mind Yer P's & Q's - Farragut - Dec 8th - 6 - 9pm
Starry Christmas **Cookies and Canvas** - Imagination Forest - Powell - Dec 9th - 6 - 8pm
Be Good For Goodness Sake - Casual Pint Hardin Valley - Dec 14th - 6 - 9pm
Snow Covered Bridge - Original Copper Cellar - Dec 15th - 6 - 9pm
Snowy Night - Green Meadow Country Club - Alcoa - Dec 17th - 6 - 9pm
Snowy Moon Branches **Date Night** - Gibby's Dining & Drinks (inside Holiday Inn) - Dec 21st - 6 - 9pm
Snowman Wine Glasses **SPECIAL EVENT** - Carolina Ale House - Dec 30th - 6 - 9pm

Wine & Canvas: Knoxville, TN, 865-356-9179, http://www.wineandcanvas.com/knoxville-tn.html

Knoxville Zoo is offering “Buy One, Get One Free” admission tickets Dec. 1, 2015, through Feb. 29, 2016, during Kroger BOGO Days.

“It may come as a bit of a surprise to our guests, but winter is a great time to visit the zoo,” said Lisa New, President and CEO of Knoxville Zoo. “We’re lucky to have many days of mild weather, and most of our animals enjoy being out and active on those days. Our red pandas and river otters are especially lively this time of year.” On days when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, some animals will be moved indoors, but visitors can still see many favorites, including elephants, gorillas, penguins, chimpanzees and reptiles, in their indoor viewing areas. A December trip to the zoo may even include a visit with Santa Claus, too, when the Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure indoor play area hosts Santa’s Village. Santa’s Village will offer visits and photo opportunities with Santa as well as holiday-themed crafts Dec. 3 through 6 and 10 through 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day. Half-price admission tickets can be purchased at the zoo ticket window during regular zoo hours and online at knoxvillezoo.org. Discounted admission tickets must be used by Feb. 29, 2016, and cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon.

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

Dec 1 Knoxville Skies, 4:30,
Dec 4 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 5 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 7 Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission
Dec 8 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 11 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 12 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 14 Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission
Dec 15 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 18 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 19 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 21 --(Open for extended hours till 5PM)/ Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission/ WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 22 --Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2 / WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details) / COOKING UP SCIENCE CAMPS -$36/30 (Ages 6-8, 9am to 12pm and 1-4pm, enroll in one or both! see website for details)
Dec 23 --WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 26 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 28 --(Open for extended hours till 5PM)/ Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission/ WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 29 -Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2 / WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details) / CREATE, CRAFT, CODE CAMP-$60/50 9am to 12pm / INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING CAMP -$40/32 1-4pm (Ages 9-13, enroll in one or both! see website for details)
Dec 30 --WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 31 SPECIAL EVENT--Cheer In The New Year At Noon, 10am-4pm, Ticketed Event celebrating a New Years Eve countdown to noon for the whole family!

The Muse Knoxville, 516 N. Beaman Street, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-594-1494, www.themuseknoxville.org