Calendar of Events

Six O’Clock Serve host, Wayne Bledsoe, has a special relationship with local musicians and has known and written about many of them for decades. The show's relaxed and informed interviews and performances welcome spontaneity. See who's coming up next on the Swerve calendar: https://wdvx.com/calendar/category/six-oclock-swerve/

Live from Barley's in Knoxville's Old City every Thursday, 6-7 PM. Tickets available at the door for $5.

Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria, 200 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com

Declared “the classiest, most diverse festival in the country” by Rolling Stone, the Big Ears Festival is a dynamic, interactive experience that explores connections between musicians and artists, crossing all musical genres while interfacing with film, performance and the visual arts. Named for someone who is capable of discerning and perceptive listening, who has the ability to use the ears as a creative tool or who hears things many may miss, the Big Ears Festival is a weekend of world-class musical performances in beautiful historic theaters, clubs, galleries, and museums, combined with talks and discussions, interactive workshops, installations, exhibitions, film screenings, surprise collaborations and unexpected connections. It celebrates the never-ending adventure of artistic creation and exploration.

Since its 2009 debut, Big Ears has hosted many of the leading composers and performers of our time, from ground breaking classical composers like Philip Glass, Kronos Quartet, Laurie Anderson, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich along with a new generation following in their footsteps such as Nico Muhly, The National’s Bryce Dessner, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood; ensembles such as the Bang on a Can, Ensemble Signal, The Bad Plus, So Percussion, and The Wordless Music Orchestra; leading alternative rock artists like The National, Swans, tUnE-yArDs, The xx, Joanna Newsom, St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend, and The Dirty Projectors; icons like Television, John Cale, and Silver Apples; and countless visionaries such as Pauline Oliveros, Tanya Tagaq, Jon Hassell, Antony & the Johnsons, Fennesz, Tim Hecker, Marc Ribot and My Brightest Diamond who continue to push boundaries and defy convention.

The Big Ears Festival is a weekend of world-class musical performances in beautiful historic theaters, clubs, galleries, and museums, combined with talks and discussions, interactive workshops, installations, exhibitions, film screenings, surprise collaborations and unexpected connections. It celebrates the never-ending adventure of artistic creation and exploration.

Big Ears is proud to be making its return in 2016 for another weekend of visionary music, exploratory art, and southern hospitality March 31 – April 2 in historic downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. http://www.bigearsfestival.com

The Durham-based documentary non-profit Rock Fish Stew is bringing a team to Knoxville to document Big Ears for the third consecutive year. During the 2016 festival, Zach Searcy Projects will feature an installation of Rock Fish Stew's work, including clips of video footage of sound checks and rehearsals from last year's festival, still photographs, and a 6-minute trailer about the project. Rock Fish Stew is documenting this internationally renowned festival amid Knoxville's vital history, culture, and landscape.

ZSP will be open to the public 3.31 - 4.02 from 12pm - 10pm
Hosted by Zach Searcy and Ivan Weiss at ZSP, 317 N. Gay St. Knoxville, TN 37917

Called “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker magazine, the San Francisco based GRAMMY® award winning ensemble Chanticleer celebrates its 38th season. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for their “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from soprano to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz and popular genres, as well as contemporary compositions.

Tickets $10. At the Community Church at Tellico Village, 130 Chota Center, Loudon, TN 37774. Information: 865-458-1516, www.tellicochurch.com

You are cordially invited to a Roast & Toast of Scott Suchomski, Thursday, March 31 at 7:00PM in the Jacob Building of Chilhowee Park. Emcee, Frank Murphy of 93.1 FM, comedy by Einstein Simplified, Sammy Sawyer as Barney Fife and many more hilarious surprises!
Come enjoy a great night of laughter as we gather our extended Tennessee Valley Fair family together for a great cause. Refreshments will be served.
$15 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please RSVP by March 24 at 865 215 1476.

Thursday, March 31 at 7:00PM, Jacob Building, Chilhowie Park, 3301 E. Magnolia Ave.
Tennessee Valley Fair: 865-215-1471, www.tnvalleyfair.org

A CBT-Commissioned World Premiere by Rob Caisley; directed by Calvin MacLean. At the Lab Theatre

“Rob Caisley’s writing is brilliant, witty, and insightful…” New Jersey Stage

Suppose someone is overly generous to you…offering something you couldn’t possibly repay. Do you reject their generosity and risk offending them? Or do you accept the gift and then stew over what might be demanded in return? We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s better to give than to receive.” But what dark secrets may be camouflaged by our human need to share with others? This CBT-commissioned satire ventures into this territory with wit and bite, observing the contemporary anxieties between those with means and those with hopes, dreams and disappointment.

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

Recent works by ceramic artist Lisa Kurtz and photographer Dennis Sabo will be on display March 29, 2016 through April 30 at the Art Market Gallery. An opening reception for the featured artists will begin at 5:30 p.m., April 1; with complimentary refreshments and music performed by Matt Tillery.

Lisa Kurtz has been a functional potter for over 37 years. An award winning ceramic artist, she is a clay professor at Cleveland State in Cleveland, Tn., where she teaches hand building and wheel throwing. After getting her Masters Degree in clay at the University of Louisville, Lisa set up her first studio in the eclectic Highlands neighborhood in Louisville, Ky. and named her business Highland Pottery. She has been an exhibiting member of many professional guilds, boards and galleries. Her work has been featured and is shown in galleries and juried fine arts and craft shows across the US and is in many private collections nationally and internationally. Lisa throws and hand builds her clay pieces and often integrates the two methods to create her functional pottery, sculpture and clay wall art.

Dennis Sabo is an internationally honored photographer specializing in contemporary abstract, landscape, and seascape photography. His award-winning work has appeared in various publications and institutions, among them National Geographic, NOVA, PBS, Canon, Hilton Hotels and the Anthology of Appalachian Photographers. Autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderful time to be in the park and Dennis’s photography has transcended that seasonal experience into a magical fairytale of color, light, textures, and patterns. His interpretation is further refined by his choice of medium and processing; preserving images by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets. These metal prints reveal vibrant colors with breathtaking luminescence while maintaining archival quality.

The Art Market Gallery is a unique gallery in Knoxville because it is owned and operated by more than 60 of the best professional artists in our regional area. It is located at 422 South Gay St. and is conveniently located just a few doors away from Mast General Store and next to Downtown Grill & Brewery. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is wheelchair accessible. Parking is in the abutting garage and on the street and is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. weekdays. For more information call 865-525-5265 or visit artmarketgallery.net or Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

This exhibit incorporates a cross-section of media: drawings, paintings, watercolors, sculptures, ceramics, blacksmithing and 2D and 3D designs, all by Pellissippi State art students.

Pellissippi State Community College students will be featured in the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. Some the artwork on display will be for sale. "The exhibit will include student works from a variety of media: drawing, painting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design and ceramics," said Jennifer Brickey, associate professor in Liberal Arts. "This is my favorite show. It truly represents the work created here during art classes, and it showcases the talent of our students."

The opening reception and awards ceremony for the participating students will be held from 3-5 p.m. March 28. Awards will be announced at 4 p.m. The reception also is open to the community as a chance to meet the artists or purchase artwork.

The Juried Student Art Exhibition is juried by Pellissippi State's art faculty. The grand prize for the show is the "purchase award," in which Pellissippi State purchases a student's piece for the college's permanent collection. The award is worth up to $500. Other awards include $25 gift cards to Jerry's Artarama, given to four runners-up.

The exhibit is free. Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 10-6:30. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

Monday, March 28 - Film Screening: Made You Look
As more of our lives are synced with the cloud, what will become of the tactile objects we hold dear? “Made You Look” is a fast-paced documentary that follows the prospering DIY scene emerging in the UK during this hyper digital age.
Ironwood Studios, 119 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917
Doors open at 6:00 PM, Film begins at 7:30 PM, Admission: $10 - Food Truck will be available.

Tuesday, March 29 - InstaMeetup and Scavenger Hunt
Love Instagram and scavenger hunts? Grab your smart phone and meet us on the stage at Market Square for a scavenger hunt that will move through downtown and the Old City. Prizes for the most items collected!
Market Square Stage, Instructions and start at 6:00 PM, Should last approximately one hour.

Wednesday, March 30 - Workshop Wednesday
+ Letterpress Workshops - Back by popular demand, learn how to letterpress with Bryan Baker! Each participant will take home a unique piece of their own.
Striped Light, 107 Bearden Place, Knoxville, TN 37917
First class: 10:00 AM, Second class: 2:00 PM, Admission: $60 (each)
+ Brush Lettering with Katherine Michalik - Learn the art of brush lettering, and impress your friends on Instagram! Supplies will be provided.
The Hive, 854 N Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
Doors open at 6:00 PM, Workshop begins at 6:30 PM, Admission: $60
+ Design Thinking with Bryan Garvey - Using tenets of Design Thinking, work in teams to ideate and prototype physical solutions to a problem, using only meager supplies available. Working with your hands and against the clock, you will learn the value of doing, as well as the peril of assumptions. You will then return to your own design life ready to slay your next project!
The Central Collective, 923 N Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
Doors open at 6:00 PM, Workshop begins at 6:30 PM, Admission: $35

Thursday, March 31 - PechaKucha
20 Slides–20 Seconds. Grab a beer and watch Knoxville creatives share what makes them tick.
The Crafty Bastard, 6 Emory Place, Knoxville, TN 37917
Doors open at 6:00 PM, Presentations begins at 7:15 PM, Admission: $5, Food Truck will be available.

Knoxville Area Transit has a new photography exhibit which features 23 of its bus operators along with a little story about them. The images are on display in the Community Room at the Knoxville Station.

301 Church Avenue Knoxville, TN 37915. Viewing hours would be Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Information: bbrill@katbus.com or www.katbus.com

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is exhibiting works by Nelson Ziegler – Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage “Artist of the Year.” The Pilgrimage is a five-day event, April 19-23, hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event offers 144 professionally guided walks and presentations held in the Park and Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. The exhibit showcases Ziegler's oil paintings depicting landscapes and familiar locations within the Great Smoky Mountains and wood turned vessels. Nelson’s work is on view March 16 – April 24, 2016 in the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery at Arrowmont. The closing reception is Wednesday, April 20th, 5:30 – 7 pm, during the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Admission is free and the community is encouraged to attend with their friends and family. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Nelson Ziegler is a graduate of The Art Institute of Boston and Northwestern Academy of Watercolor. He has won several awards for painting and woodturning, regionally and nationally including the Gold Medal for watercolor at the American Artists Professional League and Honorable Mention in The Artist’s Magazine annual competition. Nelson’s work has been featured in numerous juried exhibitions in New York including Allied Artists, Salmagundi Club, Knickerbocker Artists, National Arts Club, Hudson Valley Arts Association, Adirondack National Watercolor Exhibition, Faces of America and Academic Artists Association. Other exhibitions include Springfield Arts League, Springfield, MA, Guild of Boston Artists, Copley Society, Boston, MA and North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, MA. For more information about Nelson and his work, visit www.nelsonzieglerstudio.com.

Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

The Town of Farragut Arts Council presents artist Marianne Gansley as the featured artist for March. Located at the Farragut Town Hall, the exhibit highlights jewelry made with a variety of vintage items such as buttons, clock parts, typewriter keys and other vintage pieces.

Gansley began making jewelry 11 years ago after inheriting her French grandmother's button collection. After playing around with these antique pieces, she decided to give them new life by creating wearable art. Her inspiration for these upcycled pieces came from the earth-friendly lifestyle that she has been accustomed to living. Gansley soon found that she could incorporate other vintage objects into different types of jewelry. Gansley's latest work can be viewed on her Facebook page at facebook.com/littlesunshinejewelry.

Each month, the work of an artist or group of artists is featured in specially designed cases on the second floor of the rotunda in the Farragut Town Hall. For more information about this exhibit or to access a Featured Artist of the Month application, please contact Lauren Cox at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057 or visit www.townoffarragut.org/artsandculture.

The Farragut Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive directly across from the Farragut Branch Post Office.