Calendar of Events

WHAT IS IT? The most fun you will have in rented shoes!

It’s not about the bowling…it’s about the kids! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN’s largest annual fundraiser bringing together more than 900 community members to major bowling parties to raise funds for a great cause. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the perfect way for individuals to make an impact on our community – it only takes a little bit of effort to raise the money that is vital to our program’s success. As a “thank you” for your support and enthusiasm, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN hosts a celebratory party at your local bowling center. No bowling expertise is required, only the willingness to share in our heartfelt and sincere thanks for helping us transform our community.

April 9, 10:00AM-2:00PM at the Oak Ridge Bowling Center.
April 16, 11:00AM-2:00PM, Maryville, Crest Lanes
April 22, 4:00-9:00PM, Strike and Spare, Western Avenue, Knoxville
April 23, 10:00AM-4:00PM, Strike and Spare, Western Avenue, Knoxville

For registration and more information please visit http://www.tennesseebig.org/bowlforkidstoday or contact adamas@tennesseebig.org or Alli Damas at 865-523-9455.

Bikes & Blooms riders will enjoy the colorful displays of our native dogwood tress from your bicycle seat! North and Southbound 8-mile guided rides, led by and leaving from Tennessee Valley Bicycles, allow riders to enjoy Knoxville’s natural beauty the lean, green way.

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

If it’s been a long time since you’ve rock n’ rolled, take the stairway to heaven. Or the stairway to the Civic Auditorium – sure to be filled with a ‘whole lotta love’ as former Zebra lead singer Randy Jackson fronts a rockin’ tribute to Led Zeppelin.

The News Sentinel Pops Series began in 1986 to fulfill a community need for a high-quality evening of classical pop entertainment. Since then, hundreds of guest artists have traveled to Knoxville to perform in this series. The News Sentinel Pops Series has produced record ticket sales and has introduced thousands of people in East Tennessee to the KSO.

At the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915. Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Imagine yourself strolling through a small town in 16th century Italy, bustling with street artists painting their masterpieces along the canals and walkways as you intently watch their craft, savoring a cool Italian Ice on a warm sunny Spring day... Now imagine that you could do just that on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Krutch Park and Market Square!

Dogwood Arts brings back this lost art of street painting in the form of Chalk Walk. As we turn Knoxville’s downtown sidewalks into an infinite canvas for the region’s most talented professional and student artists, bring the family and get some ideas for your child’s next driveway masterpiece – or your own! Our 125 artists will begin working at 8:30 am and conclude by 4:30 pm. We can’t wait to see you at the festival!

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

An evening of inspired, bigger-than-life music making, fine dining, and lively auctions, hosted by the UT School of Music Advisory Board. Contributions raised at this event fund music scholarships.
At Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville, TN 37919

UT School of Music: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu

Guitar legend Robin Trower has been speaking directly to our souls with his heavy, psychedelic blues riffs since the 1960's, and he's headed to the Bijou this spring to speak to us LIVE!

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Jazzspirations Live, one of Knoxville’s best-kept secrets, begins its third year of existence. This live smooth jazz concert series has featured regional and national artists, including Grammy award winning talent, from around the country. Knoxville resident, syndicated radio host and jazz recording artist BRIAN CLAY is the creator and host of the monthly series. Brian performs and invites regional and national artists to join him on the Jazzspirations LIVE stage. He balances marquee headliners and incredibly talented up and coming artists to create one-of-a-kind musical experiences every month in Knoxville.

The newly reopened Red Piano Lounge, 4620 Kingston Pike in Bearden, is the venue for the series this year. The Red Piano offers a comfortable and intimate setting for jazz, with a state of the art sound system designed by the resident sound designer and engineer for UT’s Theater department, Mike Ponder. Red Piano also offers an eclectic tapas menu and your favorite beer, wine and signature cocktails.

The 2016 also lineup includes:
Angelina Sherie (violin virtuoso and vocalist extraordinaire) April 9.
Jeanette Harris (Berklee graduate & touring saxophonist for the late Teena Marie)
May 14
Darren Rahn (Over 25 #1 singles & multiple Grammy nominations as a artist, producer and engineer) June 11
VENUS (2014 Best Female Band – Black Women in Jazz Awards) July 2

For the full lineup, dates, showtimes, tickets and other information, log onto www.smoothjazzknoxville.com.

Let your imagination run wild! Sponsored by the Farragut Arts Council and the Knox County Library Farragut Branch, the ninth annual Farragut Book Fest for Children will be Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Founders Park at Campbell Station located next to the Farragut Branch Library on Campbell Station Road. Event media sponsor is the Farragut Shopper News. This is a featured Town of Farragut event in conjunction with the 2016 Dogwood Arts Festival.

This educational and free event will offer an array of activities throughout the day, from storytelling to book signings to music. The first 400 children will receive a free giveaway. Children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character; a character parade throughout the park will be held at 10:30 a.m. The following local authors will be on hand to meet participants while selling and signing their books: David Boyce, Bonnie Cadotte, Gayle Green, Thelma Hartigan, Charles Haun, Jennifer Madison, and Adele Roberts.

Additionally, the event will include art activities, face painting, cookie decorating and the Ruff Reading Program. New to the program this year will be the Bright Star Touring Theatre (brightstartheatre.com). The group will be delivering two performances: Upcycled Cinderella at 11 a.m. and The Reluctant Dragon at 1 p.m. Free hot dogs, popcorn and lemonade will be available beginning at 11 a.m. while supplies last.

The Farragut Book Fest for Children is free and open to the public. Limited parking will be available at Founders Park at Campbell Station; additional parking will be available at Farragut Assembly of God, located across the street from the park on Campbell Station Road. In case of inclement weather, please call 966-2420 for the status of the event. For more information, contact Special Events and Program Coordinator Lauren Cox at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057.

Join us at Maskapalooza!, the semi-formal fundraiser event for the Oak Ridge Playhouse on April 9, 2016 from 7 to 10 PM. Masks will be available for sale at the door or bring your own. Monetary prizes will be awarded for Best Couple Masks, Funniest Mask, Most Creative Mask, and the Grand Prize mask. It will be an evening of mystery and revelry with a couple of celebrity guests,an auction, delectable heavy hors d' oeuvres provided by Birdwell Catering, a cash bar, and dancing to your favorite tunes. Tickets cost $50 each. Phone 865- 482-9999 for tickets.
April 9, 2016 from 7 to 10 PM.
Event held at Pollard Technology Conference Center, 210 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information and tickets: 865-482-9999, www.orplayhouse.com

Ranky Tanky Children's Show at 11 AM
This humorous, energetic and participatory school/family show springs from Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem’s award-winning family CD, Ranky Tanky. Musically, the show travels through a century of American Roots music, from Georgia Sea Island songs to Texas swing, Nat King Cole, the Funky Meters, Cat Stevens and more; and the band will have kids (and grownups) clapping, singing, dancing, and inventing their own lyrics along the way. The band introduces each instrument on stage (kids are magnetized by Kessel’s 100% recycled drum kit) and underscores that you don’t need fancy equipment to make music — just good friends who are ready to play.

American Spiritual at 7:30 PM
“With infectious camaraderie, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem easily coax audiences to join their” “spine-tingling, rafter-shaking harmonies, clap to roaring fiddle tunes and open their hearts to songs of love and loss. This is American Spiritual — in which big questions are asked, few are answered, much harmony is sung, and a joyful string band is let loose to dispense its good 'medicine'.”

Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall, Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information/tickets: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

First Generation Bluegrass
The Chattanooga based Dismembered Tennesseans, led by champion fiddler Fletcher Bright, was formed in 1945. They have performed country with bluegrass “sung from the heart through the nose.” Regulars at the Laurel Theater, Fletcher is joined by Ed “Doc” Cullis on banjo, bassist and vocalist Laura Walker, multiinstrumentalist Ansley Moses, guitarist and vocalist Bobby Martin, mandolinist Don Cassell, Brian Blaylock on mandolin and dobro, and Fletcher’s son George Bright on flat top guitar.

Tickets $12 (discounts apply to advance purchase, JCA members, students, seniors 65+)
At Jubilee Community Arts, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information/tickets: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org.

Saturday, April 9th, 2016, one Day Workshop exposing dancers to the wonderful world of "Drum SOLOS and rhythms" with Alexia Smith, Mahmoud Reda with Morwenna Assaf. Live drummer and choreography in each class. Get registered now, price is only $85 for 5 hours of instructions!

Alexia and Walid will focus on rhythms used in Middle Eastern Dance by taking you thru steps and combinations across the floor. Alexia will apply these rhythms and combinations to a drum solo choreography.

Also Join Morwenna and Walid as Morwenna presents the Mahmoud Reda Style using Reda Drills to combine with Reda Style Technique, and Reda Style Choreography.
“Mahmoud Reda’s choreography introduced the Egyptians to a new concept in the use of space”

Don't miss out!! This is the first time Mahmoud Reda's style is being taught here in this area!!

April 9th, Broadway Academy of Performing Arts and Event Center
706 N Broadway St, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
Doors open @ 9am
9:30am to 12:00pm – Alexia & Walid
1:00 to 3:30pm – Morwenna & Walid
​Cost: $85.00 in advance | $97.00 at the door​
Can also register on line at http://www.alexia-dance.com/12.html