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

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

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

A version of the hit Broadway musical, specially adapted for children and families. The original Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award-winner, Stephen Schwartz, and it took the world by storm. Boasting a score with chart topping songs, Godspell JR. is a sensation that continues to touch audiences.

A group of disciples help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus' life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

COMPLETE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Friday 12/2 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/3 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/4 at 3 PM, Thursday 12/8 at 7 PM, Friday 12/9 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/10 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/11 at 3 PM, Thursday 12/15 at 7 PM, Friday 12/16 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/17 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/18 at 3 PM

The show will be directed and choreographed by Dennis E. Perkins, with musical direction by Paul Jones. Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

The world’s favorite nanny flies into Morristown this holiday season as Encore Theatrical Company completes the 10th anniversary season with “Mary Poppins” December 2-18. This magical musical is practically perfect for families and all ages. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's “Mary Poppins" delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances.

Young Jane and Michael Banks have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. The ensemble is made up of a talented mix of actors, singers and dancers from all over the region. The production is directed by Micah-Shane Brewer, music directed by Laura Ritter, choreographed by Kody Storm Rowe, and stage managed by Amy Webb.

“Mary Poppins” will perform for three weekends with evening performances on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8:00 p.m. and matinee performances on December 4, 11, 17 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. Performances will be held in the William H. Inman Humanities Complex located on the Morristown campus of Walters State Community College at 500 S. Davy Crockett Parkway in Morristown. For tickets, please visit www.etcplays.org or call 423-318-8331.

Zoo Knoxville is offering “Buy One, Get One Free” admission tickets during Kroger BOGO Days, December 1 through February 28, 2017.

During Kroger BOGO Days, the zoo encourages guests to discover why this is the perfect time to see animals, including red pandas, river otters, elephants, gorillas, red wolves, lions and tigers, actively enjoying the cooler weather. On days when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, some animals will be moved indoors, but visitors can still see many animals in their indoor viewing areas. The Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure is a popular indoor play area that’s an entertaining stop for creative play during winter visits as well.

Buy one, get one free tickets can be purchased at the zoo ticket window during regular zoo hours and online at zooknoxville.org. Discounted admission tickets must be used by Feb. 28, 2017, and cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon.

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

Students, family, friends, and the public are invited to a reception and awards ceremony Tuesday, December 6, 6-8 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

The Knoxville Museum of Art and the Tennessee Art Education Association celebrates the 11th anniversary of the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition Friday. The exhibition offers middle and high school students from around East Tennessee the opportunity to participate in a juried exhibition and to display their talents and be honored for their accomplishments in a professional art museum environment. The East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition is open to students in grades 6-12, attending public, private, or home schools in 32 counties across East Tennessee. Since 2005, the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition has presented the work of nearly 3,000 students who have competed for a total of $7 million in scholarships made available to eligible juniors and seniors by colleges and universities from around the nation.

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