Calendar of Events

Does the best man always get to the White House? Encore Theatrical Company is inviting audiences to find out when it premieres the second show of its tenth anniversary season, Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man.” This political comedy will open on Friday, April 29 for two weekends only at Walters State Community College in Morristown. The plot of “The Best Man” follows two Presidential candidates in their quest for the White House. William Russell, the ex-Secretary of State, is a wit and scholar with high liberal principles, beloved of the eggheads and suspected by practical politicians. Joseph Cantwell is a ruthless and hard-driving young man, a dirty fighter who will let no scruples stand in the way of his ambitions. And Arthur Hockstader is an ex-President, determined to have the final say in the selection of his party's candidate, and enjoying keeping the candidates guessing whom he will endorse.

“The Best Man” features a cast of 17 actors from around the region. The two presidential candidates are Drew Wilder (making his Encore debut) as Secretary William Russell, along with Bill Conklin as Senator Joseph Cantwell. Performances are scheduled for two weekends only, April 29 through May 8. Evening performances are April 29, 30, May 6, and 7 at 8pm with matinees on May 1, 7, and 8 at 2pm. Tickets are now on sale, and can be purchased online at www.etcplays.org or by calling 423-318-8331.

With quality arts and crafts booths, arts in action, performing arts, culinary arts demonstrations and tastings, and an expanded children’s creation station, several blocks of downtown Knoxville are transformed into a lively street fair for the Dogwood Arts Festival! There will be more than 60 local and regional juried artists exhibiting and selling their original work in mixed media, clay, drawing/pastels, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, painting, photography, sculpture, and wood. In addition to the artist areas in Market Square and Krutch Park extension, enjoy cooking demonstrations, festive food creations, and delicious wine and beer pairings at the Culinary Arts Stage. Live performances all weekend long on the Market Square stage, the Union Avenue pop-up stage, and the Children’s stage. Blooming Boulevard returns to the Dogwood Arts Festival providing unique colorful flower markets filled with live blooming plants, herbs, flowers, and trees.

Join us for a spring celebration of our region’s arts, culture, and natural beauty in the heart of downtown Knoxville!

Times: Friday: 11:00am-9:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am–9:00pm, and Sunday: 11:00am–5:00pm
Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

We’ll be on the Welcome Center patio with a wide variety of plants to choose from, including hydrangeas, native perennials, annuals, shade plants, and herbs & vegetables! On Friday, April 29th, from Noon-5pm, Members and Donors can come out for a first choice of this year’s offerings! On Saturday, April 30th, everyone is welcome 8am-3pm.

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914. Hours: Gardens open daily from dawn to dusk. Information: 865-862-8717, www.knoxgarden.org

Rescheduled from January 22

Sarah Pirkle, Griffin Van & Milly Cavender

The East Tennessee trio The Naughty Knots bring together a blend of country, jazz and blues and old time fiddle tunes that are as homegrown as garden tomatoes. The Naughty Knots can cook up some delicious tunes and serve them to you on a silver platter, with a focus on great songwriting, tight harmonies and solid instrumentation, as they showed in their first CD 12 Song in the Pan.

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

With Delta Moon

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

Renowned folk and country singer/songwriter John Prine returns to Knoxville with Darrell Scott for a night not to be missed!

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

In pioneer Appalachia, farmers sheared their sheep each spring for wool to spin into yarn or fill quilts. The Museum of Appalachia, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, will renew this annual ritual each Spring, trimming the winter’s growth of heavy wool from its flock of sheep. The wooly animals are trimmed by Kentucky native John Cooper, who explains the process to onlookers and demonstrates the use of vintage hand-cranked shears, offering children the hands-on experience that will last a lifetime.

Spinning, weaving, stitching, and quilting demonstrators show how wool was used to make yarn, thread, fabric, and quilt batting in the days before ready-made clothing and superstores. Their demonstrations fulfill the Museum’s mission to preserve the Appalachian culture, educating children on their ancestors' heritage. School groups, home-schooled students, and families are welcome.

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

Free-wheeling Americana trio The Wood Brothers return to the U.S. Cellular Stage on April 29!

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

On April 29th at 5:30 join Tennessee's first cidery, Gypsy Circus Cider Company for the roaming Caravan Tour. Our next stop on the Tour is Knoxville TN for the official Brewhibition kick-off party. This is a FREE event as we start the RESIST PROHIBITION movement. Starting at 5:30 PM at Last Days of Autumn Brewery in Knoxville with entertainment by Knoxville's own, Kukely and the Gypsy Fuego. East Tennessee made local cider by Gypsy Circus Cider Company can be purchased by the glass as well as soft cider (aka apple juice) for kids. Gypsy Circus, Tennessee's Original Cidery.

808 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone:(865) 202-4298, http://gypsycircuscider.com/

Ensemble recital

Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

UT School of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. The Natalie Haslam Music Center is located at 1741 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus. *For individual or small group performances, please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

Studio recital; 19 Undergraduate voice majors performing opera scenes
Friday, April 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Performance Hall #32, Alumni Memorial Bldg. on the UT campus.

UT School of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. *For individual or small group performances, please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

On April 29, 2016, Valor Fights will be promoting an action packed MMA event at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. This special event is a fundraiser for the local chapter of Fighting for Autism.

For more information please visit http://www.valorfights.com.