Calendar of Events

A CO-PRODUCTION WITH THE WORDPLAYERS

DECEMBER 9 AT 7:30 P.M. and DECEMBER 10, 11 AT 2:30 P.M.

The hilarious and endearing tale of rst-grader Junie B. Jones and her adventures with a holiday singalong and Secret Santa gift exchange, based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park.

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

The WordPlayers and The Arts at Pellissippi State present Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, a fun, holiday play on Dec. 9 @ 7:30 PM, Dec. 10 & 11 @ 2:30 PM at Clayton Performing Arts Center, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville. Tickets are $8-$12 and can be purchased online at www.wordplayers.org or at the door. Seating is reserved. For more information, please call 865-539-2490.

Written by Allison Gregory and based on the extremely popular "Junie B. Jones" books by Barbara Park, this fast paced play is filled with over-the-top characters, witty dialogue, and hilarious situations. Come along with Junie B. as she learns to cope with her challenged holiday spirit, struggles to find the right gift, and brightens holiday spirits along the way. With plenty of laughs and life lessons, "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!" is the perfect holiday treat for the entire family.

The performance on Dec. 10 will be a signed for the deaf and hearing impaired. Performances for school groups are on Dec. 12-14. For more information about The WordPlayers, call (865) 539-2490, Email: wordplayers@comcast.net or visit: www.wordplayers.org

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris is hosting an Open House on Friday – Sunday, December 9th -11th. Come by and enjoy refreshments, tour the studios, and see local handcrafted items in the shop. For more information, stop by the Center, located at 2716 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716, call 865-494-9854, or visit www.appalachianarts.net.

THIS DECEMBER, River & Rail Theatre Company will premiere a new original folk musical titled, The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby. Written by Tennessee-based award winning recording artist Don Chaffer and NYC-based playwright Chris Cragin-Day. The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby surprises virgin-believing and non-virgin-believing audiences alike, engaging this this oft-told story with a sincerity and humanity that bursts with imagination and wonder.

Performed at East Jackson Ave in the Old City, 111 East Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. River & Rail Theatre Company, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets & Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

THE HIVE SHOPPE - Please support local artist and makers by shopping with us this Holiday season.

The Hive, 854 N Central St., Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. Information: (865) 282-2018, www.thehiveknox.com

With a variety of local holiday and winter farmers' markets there are so many opportunities to continue eating seasonally, shopping locally, and supporting your local farmers, local artisans, and local craft producers. Grow Oak Ridge will open their new Oak Ridge Winter Farmers Market at St. Mary's School in Anderson County. With a bounty of local farms and producers in attendance, folks in Anderson County and the surrounding areas will have an indoor market to shop every Saturday, 10 AM - 1 PM (closed Dec. 24th & 31st).

https://www.facebook.com/events/1550346168601296/

Popcorn balls and paper chains… fruits and nuts in their stockings … carols by the fire... a cedar tree cut in the nearby woods- that’s the Christmas most rural Appalachian children knew. And it's the Christmas we recreate each year throughout the Museum village at our special.... Join us as we recreate a meaningful holiday of simpler times. Traditional trees and hand-made decorations, typical of austere pioneer days, transform the Museum’s authentic log buildings.

Wander through the village and marvel at the simple treasures of their settlement days. In the one-room, dirt-floored “Dan'l Boone” cabin, strings of popcorn and cotton bolls circle a dormant tree; Paper chains and other ornaments trim the tree in the Little Tater Valley Schoolhouse. Sweet gum and sycamore balls are strung throughout the Mark Twain Family Cabin, and a traditional silver star tops a native red cedar Christmas tree in the turn-of-the-century Peters Homestead House. Apples, nuts, homemade toys, and oranges fill stockings hung in the cabins. Pick up some stocking stuffers in the Museum Gift and Antique Shop, which features everything from hand-crafted ornaments, locally made muscadine and moonshine jellies, and beautiful pottery, along with baskets, quilts, and plenty of Appalachian specialties. Or just come and enjoy a homemade southern country lunch in front of the warm fireplace.

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

Local vendors will line Union and Market with farm-raised holiday decor, baked goods, artisan foods, crafts, and more for Market Square Holiday Market. Enjoy hot beverages and food from local food trucks while you shop for holiday gifts and decor.

Our Farmers’ Market will happen from 11 am – 2 pm in Market Square. Shop for locally grown produce, honey, eggs, dairy, meats, herbs, plants, and more – all grown within 150 miles of Knoxville! Farms will be set up near the stage on Market Square.

http://nourishknoxville.org/events/

Featuring oil paintings of Downtown Knoxville by Inna Nasonova Knox and wood designs by Nelson Ziegler. An opening reception for the featured artists will begin at 5:30 p.m., December 2, during Downtown Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk with complimentary refreshments.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net or www.Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery

4th Annual Uncommon Core - Exhibition & Performance
Opening Dec 2, 6-10 PM with awards at 8 PM

More events at http://ijams.org/events/. Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. The Visitor Center, including exhibits, gift shop, offices and restrooms is open M-Sat 9-5 and Sun 11-5. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

The District Gallery is pleased to present a group exhibition celebrating the city of Knoxville and its importance in the lives and hearts of local artists. Featuring the work of Cinamon Airhart, Mike C. Berry, Gary Dagnan, Connie Gaertner, Kathie Odom, and Joe Parrott, My Knoxville: Interpretations of Home is a personal and compelling collection of landscapes, memories, and city scenes dedicated to the place we’re proud to call home.

Join us First Friday, December 2 from 5-8 p.m. to meet the artists and enjoy a very special evening of festive food from Gourmet’s Market. Experience fine art in the gallery, and enjoy our annual Stocking Stuffers Sale with special offers on handcrafted gifts for the holidays as a part of The District in Bearden’s annual Holiday Open House. Also, don’t miss an exclusive group artists’ demonstration held in the gallery on Saturday, December 3 from 1-4 p.m.

The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-F 10-5:30, Sa 10-4. Information: 865-200-4452, www.TheDistrictGallery.com

Featuring a variety of 2-dimensional artwork that fits within the confines of a gold frame and 3-dimensional work with gold in the piece. A special award will be given for the gaudiest gold frame of all. Entry fee is $5 per piece with a maximum of three pieces.

Opening reception will be held 5-9ish PM, Friday December 2. (First Friday). Cash awards will be presented at 7:00pm.

We will be open Fri. Dec 23 and 24th until 3:00pm.

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Thurs-Sat, 11-7. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com