Calendar of Events

It’s opening night of Broadway’s newest play, and the wealthy producer is throwing a lavish party at her Manhattan townhouse. Downstairs the celebrities are pouring in, but the real action is upstairs in the bedroom, where a collection of theatre insiders (including the excitable playwright, the unstable director, and the pill-popping leading lady) await the reviews. Toss in an acerbic theatre critic and an insecure TV actor, and you have a hilarious recipe for the narcissism, childishness, and just plain irrationality that infuse the theatre.

Showtimes
Fri Oct 7, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sat Oct 8, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sun Oct 9, 2016 | 2:00PM
Thu Oct 13, 2016 | 8:00PM
Fri Oct 14, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sat Oct 15, 2016 | 8:00PM
Sun Oct 16, 2016 | 2:00PM

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

Save the date for Encore Theatrical Company's upcoming production of “Rock of Ages”
scheduled for October 7-16.
Set in L.A.'s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, “Rock of Ages” tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. “Rock of Ages” takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!

“Rock of Ages” is a rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and many more. This 5 time Tony nominated musical features 28 classic rock tunes including "Don't Stop Believin" "We Built This City," "Here I Go Again," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "I Wanna Know What Love Is" and many more!

Performances are scheduled for October 7-16 at Walters State Community College, located at 500 S. Davy Crockett Parkway in Morristown. For more information, please visit www.etcplays.org or call 423-318-8331.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is exhibiting over 70 silk paintings by 36 national and international artists in two exhibitions. The exhibitions are in conjunction with the Silk Painter International’s (SPIN) biennial conference “Silk in Transition” being held at Arrowmont October 7-15, 2016. Arrowmont invites the public to view the exhibitions and attend the reception. Admission is free.

The SPIN Signature Members Exhibition showcases the work of nine distinguished SPIN members who were invited for inclusion in this exhibit. The exhibit will be on view during the duration of the conference only. Silk Painters International (SPIN) is an international organization of silk artists, painters, practitioners and educators. Their mission is to establish silk painting as a recognized art form by encouraging and promoting the collecting, displaying and production of silk art at the highest level.

In the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

The three-day Tennessee Fall Homecoming is one of the nation's largest and most authentic music and folk festivals.

Each day, all day, musicians perform on five rustic outdoor stages, filling the air with the sounds of traditional mountain, folk, Bluegrass, Gospel, old-time and Americana music throughout the grounds. The weekend includes demonstrations of pioneer skills, a large craft fair with authentic Appalachian artisans, and traditional Southern foods. The Museum offers a picturesque backdrop for this annual festival, with its dozens of historic log buildings, display halls filled with authentic artifacts, and gardens and farm animals surrounded by split-rail fences.

High-profile artists scheduled to appear include 20-year Homecoming veteran, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - an IBMA Hall of Fame Member and 2016 Grammy-Nominated artist; semi-finalists on Season 10 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Mountain Faith; Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo award-winners, Lonesome River Band; and 7-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award-winners, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. Other notable artists set to perform include The Grascals, Flatt Lonesome, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, David Holt & Josh Goforth, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Church Sisters, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Phil Leadbetter, Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, Leroy Troy, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, The Ransom Notes, Bill & the Belles, Flashback, and dozens more! See the full list of artists as booking progresses, get up-to-date festival information, find answers to FAQs, get directions and more on the website.

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

Friday, October 7th at 6 pm Book signing and reading with Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson, authors of the newest Body Farm mystery, Without Mercy

Saturday, October 8th at 2 pm Book signing and reading with former Knoxvillian, Michael Llewellyn, author of The Goat Castle Murder

Saturday, October 8th at 4 pm Book signing and reading with Sarah Lee Blair author of Darkness Shifting: Tides of Darkness Book One

Union Ave Books, 517 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-951-2180, www.unionavebooks.com

Part of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s 2016-2017 Pops Season, which marks the KSO’s 81st season.

50 years ago, the Beach Boys made history with Pet Sounds- a groundbreaking effort that inspired the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper, and was voted second in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Pet Sounds will be faithfully reproduced in its entirety with a second half of the Beach Boys’ greatest hits including “I Get Around” and “Barbara Ann.”

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

WIMZ PRESENTS THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS THE BEATLES REVOLVER

At this past weekend's sold-out The Black Jacket Symphony performance, the band announced they'd be back this fall to perform the beloved The Beatles' album Revolver!

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

Now in their 5th Decade together, the iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band continues to add to their legendary status. With multiple Grammy, IBMA, CMA Awards and nominations, the band's accolades continue to accumulate.

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

Patagonia Vice President Rick Ridgeway will be the featured speaker at the annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks benefiting Legacy Parks Foundation at UT’s Cherokee Farm on Alcoa Highway. The annual luncheon funds the work of Legacy Parks Foundation to preserve open space, expand parks, and improve the overall quality of life and economic vitality of our community. It is the Foundation's only major fundraising event of the year.

Rick Ridgeway is Patagonia’s Vice President of Environmental Affairs where he oversees vanguard environmental and sustainability initiatives. In addition to business, Rick is recognized as a mountaineer and adventurer, making the first American ascent of K2. He has produced and directed several documentary films, written dozens of magazine articles and six books. National Geographic recently honored him with its “Lifetime Achievement in Adventure” award.

Over 1,000 civic leaders attended the Legacy Luncheon last year. Reserved tables for 10 and sponsorships are now available by calling Legacy Parks at 865.525.2585 or signing up online at http://www.legacyparks.org/shop/legacy-luncheon-for-the-parks-2016/

Amy Hand’s new works are an exploration of cognitive emotion. The porcelain surfaces remain tactile, handcrafted; an inlayed pattern punctuates the form. Duality exists throughout in material, thought and action.

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Amy Hand is a native Western New Yorker currently living and working in Knoxville. She received a BA from Houghton College in 2003, and a MFA from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2012, spending additional study time in Cyprus through the Leeds College of Art. She is currently a community art instructor at Mighty Mud, baker at WildLove and Art History instructor at Pellissippi State Community College.

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

Just back from Bolivia and Argentina, Jack will be highlighting songs written in south Knoxville, in particular tunes penned in his home base of Vestal—songs that draw upon workers’ history and agrarian folkways, and current struggles for dignity and justice. Primarily performing original material that has been shaped by working class struggles for justice and land-based hill culture, Jack and his comrades carry forth the legacy of Woody Guthrie and Sarah Ogun Gunning, Leadbelly and Don West, Hazel Dickens and Dorsey Dixon. Jack is joined by Shannon Williams (piano), Knoxvillian/guitarist Samuel Harding, and Morgan County native Tres Daugherte (organ, accordion).

Tickets (discounts apply to advance purchase, JCA members, students & seniors) available through http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/1118485, 1-800-838-3006 ext 1, by mail, and at the door. At the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org.

FIRST FRIDAY ARTIST: AMANDA THOMPSON, BOX OF PEARLS

Amanda Thompson creates unique fine and fashion jewelry in Knoxville, Tennessee. In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month, she will showcase a creative of line of handcrafted wearable art that promotes healing and transformation.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com