Calendar of Events

Special Public Opening: Friday, April 15, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

In 1929 and again in 1930, Brunswick Records' Vocalion label set up a temporary recording studio at the St. James Hotel in downtown Knoxville and invited locals to come make records. These old-time, jazz, blues, and gospel recordings added Knoxville's voice to American popular music and inspired the next generation of country music stars. In an exciting new exhibition, the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound present a first-time look at the impact of these recordings and the region’s contributions to American popular music. The exhibition features an array of artifacts, videos, sound recordings, and photographs showcasing East Tennessee’s diverse musical heritage. Come to Make Records explores Knoxville’s growth in the early 20th century, the importance of fiddling contests in generating fans and driving record sales, the role of Sterchi Bros. in exposing local talent to a national audience, and examines why Knoxville was selected for the recordings. The exhibit offers a closer look at the St. James Hotel, the site of the Knoxville Sessions, an overview of the local talent that arose from the sessions, and a look at the next generation of artists, such as Chet Atkins and Roy Acuff. The exhibit includes a display demonstrating 130 years of recorded sound from the wax cylinder to the iPod, a re-creation of the St. James Hotel room where the Knoxville Sessions took place, Roy Acuff’s fiddle, Cal Davenport’s banjo, a Bairdola, and an assortment of other instruments. Other artifacts featured are original records from the Knoxville Sessions, a painting by Howard Armstrong, and Carl and Pearl Butler’s performance suits, designed by Nathan Turk. Special video presentations include a film produced by East Tennessee PBS on the Knoxville Sessions, a look at how 78 rpm discs are made, rare footage of Knoxville Sessions artists, and recordings of Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, and Carl and Pearl Butler.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., Julie Belcher from the Pioneer House will display an art exhibition in the Bilo Nelson Auditorium of the East Tennessee History Center with music provided by saw player Robert Maddox. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a program with musical performances by local musicians, including Kelle Jolly, David Balle, saw player Robert Maddox, and the Tennessee Stiff Legs, of songs from the 1929 and 1930 Knoxville Sessions with remarks by Dr. Ted Olson, co-producer and co-author of The Knoxville Sessions box set book. The evening will conclude with a screening of rare film footage of Knoxville sessions artists Uncle Dave Macon, Willie Seivers, and Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong. Relatives and descendants of the musicians that recorded during the Knoxville Sessions will also be acknowledged during the program.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Explore more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens, and camera site sites as you enjoy a walk, bike, or drive the time honored tradition of the Dogwood Trails and Open Gardens. Holston Hills is the 2016 Featured Trail.
For an online version of the Dogwood Trails & Gardens Guide please visit
http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/
Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561

APRIL 15, 16, 22, 23 AT 7:30 P.M. and APRIL 17, 24 AT 2 P.M.

Do good works overcome evil, in the end? This is the ultimate question posed by "Which Side Are You On: The Florence Reece Story," an original play that will have its world premiere at Pellissippi State Community College. The play is written by Pellissippi State's Writer-in-Residence Edward Francisco. It is a fictional retelling of the life of Florence Reece, an American social activist, poet and folksong writer. The daughter and wife of coal miners, she penned the song "Which Side Are You On?" which became a social justice anthem after Pete Seeger recorded the tune in 1940. "Florence Reece began writing this song when she was just 12 years old," Francisco said. "She finished it when she was 31, after hiding under a bed with her seven children to avoid the bullets fired by hired gun thugs working for the mining company. She tore a calendar page off the wall and wrote the lyrics."

That year was 1931, the beginning of the Harlan County War, a decade-long battle between coal miners and union organizers on one side and the coal companies, gun thugs and law enforcement officials on the other. The war included a series of strikes, skirmishes, bombings, executions and the occupation of Harlan County by both state and federal troops. Reece's husband, Sam, a union organizer, died of black lung in 1978. Reece died in Knoxville in 1986. The final scene of the play imagines what may have been some of the final words shared between Sam and Florence, among them: Do good works truly matter? Because so little information exists about Reece's life apart from her contributions during the Harlan County War, Francisco conflated the fictional retelling of Reece's life with experiences from his own grandmother, the daughter of a coal miner herself.

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

April 15-16, 9am-5pm and April 17, 10am-4pm

The 7th annual Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival to be held at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. The event will again offer its popular vendors marketplace; family activities; live animal displays; fiber arts demonstrations; and classes for beginners through advanced fiber enthusiasts. General admission is free, though classes require a fee. In addition, pre-registration for classes is requested and is now open (visit event website, link below.)

Classes are offered for beginning through advanced levels, and include weaving, crocheting, needle felting, nuno felting, rug hooking, twining, yarn dyeing, and much more, including the popular spinning classes by Jennifer Bennett of Harmony Wools Alpacas, Sweetwater, TN. Over forty classes are offered, with new classes added for 2016. Details, including vendor and class lists, and how to register for classes, may be found on the event website, www.smokymountainfiberartsfestival.org.

The featured instructor for 2016 is Geri Forkner. Her mixed media fiber art is defined by lifelong passions to make one of everything and to save materials from the global scrapheap. Visit her website: www.weavingschool.wordpress.com

During the 2016 festival in Townsend, demonstrations will again be available for adults and children to explore the various techniques of working with fibers. The demonstrators will help the beginner identify where to begin, and help resolve questions of the more experienced fiber enthusiast. Scheduled children’s activities include weaving, clay modeling, and llama walks. In addition, many of the fiber arts classes are suitable for ages 12 and above. Russell and Sherry Liles of Liles Acres Organic Farms, Maryville, TN, will return with their llamas, goats, and Angora rabbits. Roger and Rosalyn Fanti and their three children of Saddle Brook Farm, Dandridge, TN will also be back with their sheep and will share the processes of raising the sheep, to shearing. This makes the festival truly a “sheep to shawl” event, showing the entire process from fleece to fiber to threads and yarn, to finished goods.

Questions and inquiries may be addressed by contacting the Townsend Artisan Guild at townsendartisanguild@gmail.com or by calling 865-448-0859. Class registration and further information is available on www.smokymountainfiberartsfestival.org.

Mozart's classic tale of Don Giovanni, where a man's lecherous lifestyle leads him to his own demise when the heavens are called upon for the ultimate revenge.

Friday, April 15, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.

At The Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902. Tickets available at the Tennessee Theatre box office or at www.ticketmaster.com. UT School of Music: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

Musical theatre fun for the entire family! The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge–not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Adults- $15, Students- $10, Kids- $7

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

Our Spring Barn Sale is Friday and Saturday, April 15 from noon, and Saturday, April 16, from 10:00 - 4:00. We host unique vendors with handmade items, art, jewelry, antiques, and more. The event is free to shoppers.

12130 Prater Lane, Knoxville, TN 37922. Info: 865-603-9347, http://riverviewfamilyfarm.com
https://www.facebook.com/RiverViewFamilyFarm

With Kukuly & The Gypsy Fuego

Alive After Five is a unique live music series that takes place in the smoke-free, casually elegant setting of the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall in the Knoxville Museum of Art. There is a live band on stage, seating at tables, two cash bars, food from area restaurants, free freshly popped popcorn, and free parking. Audience members can enjoy listening to music, dancing, and browsing the museum’s art galleries. Admission is $10 for general and $5 for museum members and college students with ID. Ages 17 and under are admitted free. Info: 865-934-2039.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

With Rayna Gellert & Bryn Davies
Naturalized Knoxvillian Scott Miller’s genuine interest and identity with the lore of the South and the Civil War, along with his intelligent and take-noprisoners lyrics, set him apart from other roots rock artists and have propelled him to national and international prominence.

Tickets $20 (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.

What is Artitude? Cancer Support Community’s annual party featuring a silent auction of up-cycled or inspired creations for the home & garden designed by local and regional artists. Benefiting the Cancer Support Community and Dogwood Arts. *Ticket Required.

At the Atrium at Cherokee Mills, 2200 Sutherland Avenue. For more information please contact Beth Hamil at: BHamil@CancerSupportET.org or (865) 546-4661. To learn more visit: www.CancerSupportET.org

R&M Tribute Entertainment returns to Oak Ridge to present Cash & Elvis Tributes at the historical Grove Theater on Friday, April 15 at 7:30 PM. The Grove Theater is located at 123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge, TN. Admission for adults is $15.00, 12-6 years old $5.00 and 5 years and under are FREE. Tickets can be reserved in advance or purchase at the door at 6:15 PM. For reserves seats or more information contact Missy at (865) 684-6082 or tribute.entertainment@yahoo.com. At the conclusion of the show ETA's will be available to sign scarves and to take photos.

Elvis Tribute Artists, Ronnie Miller and Stewart Chapman will be performing a full stage concert style performances to include '50's, '68 comeback, gospel and '70's. Ronnie Miller will also provide a tribute to Johnny Cash.

Ronnie Miller is originally from Knoxville, TN. He is a multi-award winning, country and gospel entertainer, singer, and performer with over 15 years of experience in the music business. Stewart is from Virginia. He has been performing Elvis tributes for the past 3 years.
Levi Elvis (age 5) from Bluff City will also join us. His favorite Elvis song is Jail House Rock.

Friday, April 15 at 7:30 PM, the Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge, TN.
R&M Tribute Entertainment hosts monthly Elvis & Legendary tribute shows at the historical Grove Theater. For additional show dates contact Missy Miller at
(865) 684-6082 or tribute.entertainment@yahoo.com.

Celebrate Architecture week 2016 April 1-April 16.

The Symposium, in partnership with the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design.

Design can be found on the web-pages of Houzz and Pinterest, on reality TV show challenges, and in the aisles of Ikea and Target. Design is all around us. It shapes our daily experiences.
Join us for a lively discussion as our panel of 7 presenters each have 7 minutes to answer one question: What makes a great place? Their answers will no doubt span from the size of the individual home up to the urban fabric and from the historic past to the present day.
Brandon Pace – SandersPace Architecture
Scott Poole – Dean, UT College of Architecture and Design
Marleen Davis – Professor, UT College of Architecture and Design
Gerald Green – Director, Knoxville Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission
Kim Trent – Executive Director, Knox Heritage
Sara Martin – OpenDoor Architecture
Scott West – Scruffy City

Friday, April 15, 2016
6:00pm to 8:00pm
@ The Scruffy City Hall, 32 Market Square, Knoxville, TN
Free and open to the public.

Find out more at archweek.aiaentn.org. Brought to you by the American Institutes of Architects, East Tennessee Chapter.