Calendar of Events

Come join the Smoky Mountain Blues Society as they present some of the best known regional Blues Music artists performing on specialty cruises on the Tennessee River. From April through October, blues lovers will convene to celebrate this truly American art-form during a 3 hour Sunday afternoon cruise on the Star of Knoxville Tennessee Riverboat. The Riverboat is located just one-half mile east of Neyland Stadium at 300 Neyland Drive next to Calhoun's. It starts boarding at 3pm for a 4-7pm cruise each month.

5/22 - JAMES ARMSTRONG - Armstrong is now touring the country with his latest CD, Guitar Angels. Born into a musical family in 1957 in Los Angeles, California; James Armstrong had blues music in his blood from the very start. By age 17 James was skipping out of his high school graduation ceremony to go out on tour. James would start making waves on the local California blues circuit by his 20s, becoming the youngest member of Smokey Wilson's band. In the 1980s, James was a founding member of the band Mama Roo and received his first recording contract for Crescendo Records. In the early 90's James got plenty of exposure from his musical influences, including Albert Collins and Doug MacLeod. Shortly after that he was discovered and signed by HighTone Records owner Bruce Bromberg, who found Robert Cray and Joe Louis Walker, Armstrong released Sleeping with a Stranger and Dark Night.

Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website (http://tnriverboat.com/blues-cruises-2/) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $16 in advance and $20 at the door. Each voyage will also have a limited food menu and full bar available. More information at www.smokymountainblues.org.

Historic Ramsey House will be hosting their second Jane Austen Tea at their site. The house will be open for those that wish to tour and grand silent auction items will be up for your review at 1pm, with the seating for the Tea at 2pm. "What a wonderful and unique Mother's Day Gift," said Executive Director, Judy LaRose. "We are welcoming those that want to dress in period clothing and also those that wear their best afternoon party dress. We just want everyone to experience that gentler period of time."

Enjoy the gently sounds of harpist Kari Novilla, 2016 Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto winner.

The proceeds from this event go directly to Ramsey House so that they may continue to present fine educational programming. Advanced reservations are $45.

At Historic Ramsey House, 2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org

On Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 3pm, Mabry-Hazen House will host a traditional tea on Mabry's Hill.

What goes best with tea? A spoonful of gossip, of course. Tea drinking has long been associated with tittle-tattle. And although men drank tea and were not immune from gossip, it was women who have been stuck with the bad rap. Nowhere is this more colorfully demonstrated than in dictionaries of slang compiled in England and America over the last few hundred years. Not only was tea disparagingly referred to as "Scandal Broth" or "Chatter Broth," but women enjoying a cuppa could be called all kinds of unprintable things. Tea drinking, thundered one angry Englishman, was the gateway to the brothel.

Why was tea so stigmatized? And why were tea-drinking women considered loose? Join us for a short Tea Talk, and travel through the inns and alleys and elegant drawing rooms of London to learn about this fascinating chapter in the history of a beverage we love.

Nina Martyris is a freelance journalist who moved to Knoxville from Mumbai in 2009. She writes on books, history and food for several publications including the New Yorker.com, the Economist.com, The Guardian and the Wall Street Journal. Nina also contributes regularly to NPR's Tea Tuesday column, which explores the fascinating social and political history of tea.

Tickets for Tea & Tattle are $40 and may be purchased online by visiting www.mabryhazen.com/tea or calling 865-522-8661. A tour of Mabry-Hazen House will be offered after the tea. The event will take place rain or shine.
Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

Free and open to the public! Kids are welcome. Doors open: 1:30 PM, Film begins: 2:00 PM

The Sandlot, 1993, 101 min - Family / Sport / Comedy, PG - A new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his team in this coming of age movie set in the summer of 1962. Together, they get themselves into many adventures involving rival teams, lifeguards, and a vicious dog. With Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Denis Leary, Karen Allen, James Earl Jones, Marley Shelton.

At The Central Collective, 923 N. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-236-1590, info@thecentralcollective.com, www.thecentralcollective.com

You might be familiar with bagels and lox, or challah bread. But what about shakshuka or mandlebrot? The greater Knoxville community will have a chance to try both of these Jewish foods, and many more, at the first-ever “Knoshville” Jewish Food Festival. (The event’s name is a play on the Yiddish word “nosh,” which means to snack or nibble.)

“Knoshville will bring together every Jewish organization in the Knoxville and Oak Ridge area, in celebration and appreciation of Jewish foods and cuisine. The entire community is invited to attend, nosh with us, and learn about the foods that bring us together,” says Deborah Oleshansky, Executive Director of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance. “It’s going to be very fun, and also very delicious.”

At the Arnstein Jewish Community Center (AJCC), 6800 Deane Hill Drive. Admission is free; minimum food purchase of $10. The entire community is invited to attend and nosh! (RAIN OR SHINE.)

Menu items to include: Bagels and lox (smoked salmon); Shakshuka (Middle Eastern spicy baked egg dish); Bundt cakes; “black and white” cookies; mandlebrot (it’s like biscotti, but better) potato latkes (pancakes); potato knishes (delicious filling covered with dough and baked or fried); matzah ball soup (dumplings in broth); challah (Jewish egg bread). Please note: In respect of kashrut, the kosher Jewish dietary laws and traditions, no meat or poultry items will be available at this event. Dairy, fish and vegetarian items and some gluten-free items will be available.

Knoshville will also feature Israeli dancing, music, and an art gallery. An AJCC pool open house will occur from 1:00PM – 5:00PM; pool use is free to the community. Information: Deborah Oleshansky, 865-690-6343 or doleshansky@jewishknoxville.org or Judith Rosenberg, 865-414-3925 or judith.rosenberg@gmail.com

THIS IS A FEMALE-ONLY EVENT!

Once again, it is time to take it off for a good cause! Round up your lady friends and get painted! 100% of the proceeds go to help local women who are battling cancer. We kindly ask for a $10 donation to participate as a human canvas for this empowering and fun event. No appointments necessary, as painting is first come first served. You are welcome to bring a drink of your choice. We will be painting and partying from 11-6 on Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22! Our cause has an effect and we would love for you to join us!

At Ironwood Studios, 119 Jennings Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1739179829698808/

Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC, invites you to go back to the early Middle Ages (c. 500) and celebrate King Arthur and Camelot at the second annual Tennessee Medieval Faire, situated in Harriman just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. This rugged outdoor festival opens on May 14 and runs the last three weekends in May, including Memorial Day.

Leading the charge is The Royal Joust performed three times a day by the Hanlon-Lees Action Theatre. There will also be sword fighting at the Warriors’ Chess Matches, performed twice daily. Between arena shows, Unicorn and Warhorse Rides will be offered. Rotating on three stages will be professional, interactive, family-friendly shows. Acts returning this year include Aaron Bonk’s “ridiculously dangerous” Fire * Whip * Sword Show; The Jackdaws, previously named Banish Misfortune; Professor DeWitt’s Punch and Judy Puppet Show; Albi Belly Dance; and Aristotle Simplified, aka Einstein Simplified. New acts this year include Topsy Turvy, an acrobatic duo; Feckless Fear Dearg, a Kentucky Celtic band; Tom Smiter--Bizarre Feats of Rhythm and Melody; and Dendarah Middle Eastern Dance with Raks el Anwar. There will be other musicians, interactive folk dancers, fairy tale shows and medieval games. The Royal Players, who roam the Faire and interact with patrons, include the characters of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Merlin. Performance schedules will be posted on the festival website by May 11 and will be available at the Faire.

Enjoy nearly 50 medieval village merchants: Artisans will sell their handcrafted wares made of leather, wood, clay, metal, glass, cloth, etc. Hungry patrons can enjoy delicious medieval fare including turkey legs, gyros, hearty soups, scotch eggs, dragon jerky, fresh fruits and desserts. Hot and cold beverages including beer will also be available.

The Tennessee Medieval Faire will be open on May 14-15, 21-22, 28-29-30; rain or shine. Hours are 10-5 EDT. Ticket prices are $16.95 for ages 13 and up, $8.95 for ages 5 to 12, and will be free for ages 4 and under. Parking is free, and tickets will be available for purchase at the gate with cash or credit. Onsite camping for patrons is not included, but public campgrounds and hotels are nearby. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. For Faire rules, guidelines and more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com or like them on Facebook.

The Tennessee Watercolor Society (TnWS), founded in 1972, has represented the finest artists in the state for 44 years and hosts yearly juried exhibitions and biennial exhibitions. The biennial exhibition showcases 55 watermedia paintings chosen from nearly 200 entries. Juror John T. Salminen is a signature member of numerous art societies such as the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and recipient of more than 220 national and international awards. Prizes for the TnWS Biennial Exhibition total $10,000. A juried collection of 30 paintings from the exhibition will later travel across Tennessee into January 2017 to six locations for public and visual arts outreach, including Memphis, Humboldt, Columbia, Chattanooga, Elizabethton, and Clarksville.

The following artists’ works will be shown:
+ From Region I (Memphis, Clarksville and points far west): Bill Bailey, Angela Broyles, Sandra Carpenter, Ronda K. Coop, Judy Duke, Robert Eoff, Tim Hacker, Larry Hughes, Susan Hyback, Floyd Speck, Mary Spellings, and Tuva Stephens
+ From Region II (Nashville, Franklin, and surrounding areas): Glenna Cook, Abby Eblen, Pam Francis, Vinci Kolodziejski, Frank Lott, Pam Pate, Patricia Patrick, Noriko Register, and John Wilkison
+ From Region III (Chattanooga, Cleveland, Signal Mountain, and surrounding areas): Sandy Boone, Sandy Brown, Phyllis Burkhart-Wilson, Helen Burton, Harriet Chipley, Joan Clark, Leslie Dulin, Marie Spaeder Haas, Jennie Kirkpatrick, Mary Britten Lynch, Effton Mitchell, Denton Ridge, Ann Rutledge, Alan Shuptrine, Sandra Washburn, Lana Wilson, and Patricia Wilson
+ From Region IV (Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Tellico Plains, Tellico Village, Rarity Bay): Kate Aubrey, Claudia Balthrop, Lil Clinard, Thomas Eckert, Loretta Lee Edge, Linda Johnson, Judy Lavoie, Kate McCullough, Susan Miller, Brenda Mills, Max Robinson, Laurie Szilvagyi ,Mary Ann Valvoda, and Ulla Veiro
+ From Region V (Johnson City, Tri-Cities, Bristol): Barbara Wilson Carter, Jim Stagner, and Thomas White
For more information on the Tennessee Watercolor Society, visit http://tnws.org/.

A public reception will take place on Friday, June 3, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition.

This exhibition and others are on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sundays, May 15, June 5 & 19, 3:30-6:30 PM; Friday, May 20, 5-7 PM; and Saturday, May 21, 11 AM - 3 PM. Info: 865-523-7543 or www.knoxalliance.com.

Lew Bolton started performing Jack’s adventures at the Jack Tales Storytelling Theater as trickster-hero Jack, celebrating his 30th season. Adults and youth take part in these interactive tales. Jack Tales are rooted in traditional folk stories from Appalachian settlers. Richard Chase, in a 1943 folk classic, The Jack Tales, published part of our rich cultural heritage. Bolton has also published Smoky Mountain Jack Tales of Winter and Old Christmas for the family to read at home. NEW in 2016, enjoy professional storytelling from the *Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association (info: www.smokymountaintellers.org)

Most events occur on Saturdays and Sundays with occasional performances on Wednesdays and Mondays. See the website for full schedule.

At ABC (Adventure Bound Camping Resort) 4609 US 321, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Supporting Jack Tale Theater since 1987. Info: (865) 436-4434 or www.Smokymountainjacktales.com

Also featuring Selections from the Permanent Collection - featuring International Artists including Henri Matisse, Georges Rouault, Salvador Dali and many others.
And in the Foyer Gallery - A Summer Thing: Summer Class Instructors

Artists Reception: Friday Evening, May 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with Gallery Talk at 5:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends and family!

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center will hold its annual Plant Sale starting Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and running for about 2 weeks during shop hours.

Appalachian Arts Craft Center: 2716 Andersonville Highway, Clinton, TN. Hours: M-Sa 10-6, Su 1-5. Information: 865-494-9854, www.appalachianarts.net

FULL STOP is an elaborate, room-sized installation fabricated entirely of cardboard and ink by New York-based painter Tom Burckhardt. It takes the form of a mythical modern artist’s studio, complete with hundreds of lifelike tools, paint brushes, and other supplies, each painstakingly constructed of cardboard, the details rendered in ink with great attention to the smallest details. Organized by the Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio. Presenting sponsor for FULL STOP: Tom Burckhardt is McCarty, Holsaple, McCarty Architects and Interior Designers.

The public is invited to an exhibition preview reception on Thursday, May 5, 5:30-7:30pm, preceded by a gallery talk by Full Stop artist Tom Burckhardt at 4:30pm. Free and open to the public.

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