Calendar of Events

Instructor: Ann Blomquist, MEd.

How to begin your family search using family, governmental, library, and electronic resources.

Pre-registration is required and begins July 11. Please call (865) 215-8809 to register.

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

The Teen Summer Reading Program “Get in the Game: Read!” will celebrate its conclusion in style at the Blount County Public Library.
This end-of-summer party will include learning a few dances from past decades as Mary Beth Bonneville of Foothills Community Players provides dance instruction for the Charleston, Swing dancing and more.
Dance through the Decades will be held on Saturday, July 23, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Blount County Public Library and is appropriate for teens ages 11 through 18.
There will also be masquerade mask making and a photo booth.
And what’s a party without food? Fancy treats, including Italian sodas, will be provided by The Bookmark Café. So dress your fanciest and come prepared to dance the night away!
In addition, the Grand Prize winner of the Summer Reading program will be announced, so be sure your reading logs have been submitted.

Open to the public, this program is hosted by the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville, where services are an example of your tax dollars at work for you. For further information about library programs or services, call the library at 982-0981 or visit the Web site at www.blountlibrary.org .

Our Place Art Organization Incorporated invites you to their summer art show at the Regas Building. All artwork has been created by individuals with disabilities that participated in the organization's summer arts camp.

Our Place Art Organization Incorporated, is a 501c3 non profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through the arts.

318 N. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-973-7297.

Would you like to learn more about Shakespeare's plays? When they were written? Why they were written? Quirky facts about their stage history and what cool films have been made from the plays? If so, Shakesology is for you!

Shakesology is a 2 ½ hour special event that teaches the history and context of Shakespeare's works. Inspired by a program created at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and led by Shakespeare On The Square dramaturge, Dr. Jennifer Horn, each study session will showcase Shakespeare's story and influences, as well as some of the choices that other productions have made and the background behind the two selections for this year's Shakespeare On The Square productions. Members of the Stage Company's artistic team will also discuss the current productions and their creative process. This weekend we will be highlighting King Lear.

Join us at the Lawson McGhee Library downtown at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 23rd for this engrossing and thought-provoking program. Follow it with dinner downtown and then see a free performance of the featured play.

"One of the key elements of Shakespeare's genius is that his plays are so open to different interpretations" says Dr. Horn. "If you've seen one production, you definitely haven't seen them all." Come find out about the crazy choices that can and have been made in productions of the plays, and prepare to amaze your friends with the trivia you learn.

Lawson McGhee Library downtown at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 23rd
ADMISSION IS FREE

All us lady folk have decided it's time to share our love of vintage with the good folks of Knoxville! This ain't your Momma's sale! We are loaded down with eclectic, unusual, and interesting finds. You don't want to miss this one! A true Pickers Paradise! We'll be open Friday the 22nd from 5pm to 9pm and Saturday the 23rd from 10am to 4pm

At Broadway Academy of Performing Arts and Event Center, 706 N Broadway St, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. Plenty of Free Parking in the back of the Building! https://www.facebook.com/events/1341828175830850/

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present “Legally Blonde: The Musical, Jr.,” a version of the hit Broadway musical specially adapted for children and families, and based on the popular MGM film. The play will be performed July 15 - 31, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; Sundays at 3 PM.

Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm! “Legally Blonde:The Musical, Jr.” follows Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle's high school boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she's not "serious" enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands. As Elle begins outsmarting her peers, she realizes that law may be her natural calling after all. Songs from the junior version include “Serious,” “Bend And Snap,” “Daughter of Delta Nu,” “Chip On My Shoulder,” “Omigod You Guys,” and “Legally Blonde.” The play is performed by 21 talented young actors, from ages 12 to 17. The play is directed by KCT Academy Director Dennis E. Perkins. Paul Jones serves as Musical Director.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents a powerful exhibition by the Central High School National Art Honor Society students to bring awareness of the problem of human trafficking. The exhibition contains 15 artworks created under the instruction of teachers Phyllis Ball and Val Sigmon. The exhibition runs through July 31 and then moves to the Knox County Schools Office at the Andrew Johnson Building.

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 U.S. States. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking). National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

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

The Tennessee Stage Company presents its 26th Anniversary summer Shakespeare Festival, featuring the comedy Merry Wives of Windsor and the tragedy King Lear, alternating Thursday to Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM on the Market Square Stage. Shakespeare on the Square annually features two of the magnificent plays of Williams Shakespeare, comedies, tragedies and histories, rotated nightly outdoors on Market Square in the heart of downtown Knoxville. A blanket or a lawn chair is all you need to view these performances. While we perform with no admission charge for general seating, we do appreciate your donations – we pass a basket nightly and we suggest a $10 donation per person. Special VIP seating is available on the Square for $15. The indoor matinees (Sunday, July 24 & 31, 2:00 PM) at the Scruffy City Hall are $10. One additional performance on July 25 at 6:30 PM takes place at the Blount County Public Library.

Merry Wives of Windsor Features one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most unique characters, the dissolute knight Sir John Falstaff. This play was purportedly written at the command of Queen Elizabeth who demanded that Shakespeare write a play showing “Falstaff in love!” In what may be the original sitcom, Falstaff attempts to court two women at the same time behind their husbands backs, but the fat knight is no match for our fiery heroines who give him his comeuppance. “Let us everyone go home, and laugh this sport o’re by a country fire.”
July 14, 16, 22, 24, 28, 30, Aug. 5, 7, 11, 13 - 7:00 pm nightly outdoors on Market Square

King Lear of Britain, aging and weary from his years of rule decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters and lay down the burden of governing. But when his youngest daughter, Cordelia, does not show the obsequiousness he sought he grows furious and turns his back on her, dividing her portion between his two older daughters, Regan and Goneril. He only slowly realizes - and too late - these two daughters were not sincere in their protestations of undying adoration and that love is found in actions, not in words. “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.”
July 15, 17, 21, 23, 29, 31, Aug. 4, 6, 12, 14 - 7:00 pm nightly outdoors on Market Square

King Lear is directed by Julianna Sanderson and Merry Wives of Windsor is directed by Jennifer Alldredge and Tom Parkhill.

Shakespeare on the Square productions are performed on a rough replica of the new Globe Theatre in London (a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original theater). The plays are presented in the timeless style of Elizabethan theatrical presentations. The Tennessee Stage Company encourages our audiences to spend an evening on the Square: do a little shopping, have a nice dinner, see the play and maybe stop by a pub afterward. All of this and more is available on Market Square nightly. So come early and see the Square! Tennessee Stage Company: 865-546-4280, www.tennesseestage.com

Tevye, an affable dairyman, must cope with the strong wills of his three eldest daughters - each of whom wish to defy tradition and marry for love – while also attempting to maintain his family’s culture and faith as outside influences of Tsarist Russia encroach upon his little village. Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this show is a staple of musical theatre, cutting across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion.

Showtimes
Fri Jul 8, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sat Jul 9, 2016 | 8:00PM
Thu Jul 14, 2016 | 8:00PM
Fri Jul 15, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sat Jul 16, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sun Jul 17, 2016 | 2:00PM
Fri Jul 22, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sat Jul 23, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sun Jul 24, 2016 | 2:00PM

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

Artists from the greater Maryville area are creating artwork to honor our country and show appreciation for the freedom we enjoy because of those who protect us. Stop by Vienna Coffee House and enjoy some wonderful artwork from local artisans!

Customers will have the opportunity from July 2 through July 9 to vote for their favorite artwork.

Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville, TN 37804. Phone: 865-980-8282

"Home" - a Mixed Media Exhibition by Regional Artists and Selections from the Permanent Collection
Featuring International Artists including Henri Matisse, Georges Rouault, Salvador Dali and many others.

Artists Reception: Friday Evening, July 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, 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

Bird Feeder Gallery's thematic focus for July, 1-31 is Diversity: the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.

Opening reception will be the second Friday, July 8th, 6-9 and will also have spoken word/poetry hosted by Rose Porter.
The Birdhouse, Bird Feeder Gallery, 800 N. Fourth Ave. Please check website for open hours. birdhouseknoxville.com.