Calendar of Events

Carlo Aonzo, from Savona, Italy, founded and conducts the Italian Mandolin Academy Orchestra and regularly records, performs and tours all over the world. In 2006, he set up the International Mandolin Academy to promote the Italian mandolin tradition.
Born in Cuba, René Izquierdo is a graduate of Yale University School of Music and a professor of classical guitar at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. As a concert artist, René has performed throughout the world, receiving wide critical acclaim for his performances.

Tickets: $20 adults/$5 students 12 to 18/Children under 12 free with adult admissions. At Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 425 North Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN 37923. Information: http://knoxvilleguitar.org/

Tanasi 1796: Exploring our living history with music, art, and drama on March 25, 2017 at the Clayton Center for the Arts.

In the language of the Cherokee nation, Tanasi means “the gathering of rivers.” Tanasi was a capital of the Cherokee Nation and served as the genesis of the name of our state; Tennessee. Tanasi 1796 is a story of Joseph Black, Cherokee Chief Attakullakulla, and the increasingly oppressive force of King George III, as represented by British Major Patrick Ferguson.

By popular demand, this entertaining and poignant drama returns to the Clayton Center stage for two performances only and features Captain Joseph Black, Cherokee Chief Attakullakulla, and Overmountain militiaman Andrew Evans as they recount the early history of the East Tennessee region including its connection to the French and Indian War, The Trauma at Fort Loudoun, The Battle at Kings Mountain and its impact on the Revolutionary War, and drafting the Tennessee Constitution.

Accompanying the stage performance is live Native American and early American music performed by nationally renown artists, Randy McGinnis and Conny Ottway with stunning visual representations by artists David Wright and Steve Luce.

Fun displays in the lobby.
Authentic 18th Century meal available for purchase beginning on site at 12:30 PM.
March 25 at 2:00 and 7:30PM.
All Proceeds to benefit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Tickets are available at the Clayton Center Box Office M-F 10AM-6PM or by phone or online: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Join us for free a free Family Fun Day featuring activities, crafts, tours, and more.

In partnership with the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and the Young-Williams Animal Shelter, The McClung Museum will offer a family event centered on the responsible care of cats. Additionally, there will be tours of the exhibition Divine Felines, crafts, and story time.

All materials will be provided. The program is free and open to the public. Reservations are not necessary.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Workshops, lectures, master classes, and performances
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. The Natalie Haslam Music Center is located at 1741 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, and the Alumni Memorial Building is located at 1408 Middle Drive on the UT campus. *For individual or small group performances, please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

Traditional Bluegrass

Larry Sparks began his career at the top of the profession when he worked with the Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley during the late 1960s. He formed the Lonesome Ramblers in 1969, and began a recording career that has established him as one of the top names in bluegrass. A number of songs associated with him have become standards, including "John Deere Tractor," "A Face In The Crowd," "I Am The Man Thomas," "Blue Virginia Blues" and "I Just Want To Thank You Lord." The Lonesome Ramblers include D Sparks, Mike Feagan, Jackie Kincaid and Tyler Mullins. His latest album is Vintage.

Tickets (discounts apply to advance purchase, JCA members, students & seniors) available through http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/1118485, 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.

Flicker & Wow Kids! part of the Big Ears Festival, will be 10:30AM, Saturday, March 25, at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Free and open to the general public, this program will be a highlight of Big Ears Festival. Remember the thrill of walking in to school and seeing a 16mm projector set up at the back of the classroom? If not, your parents do. Flicker & Wow Kids! includes five great short films (all approved by Darren Hughes's four- and six-year-old daughters) and will introduce audiences to celluloid, projection, and the history and mechanics of animation.

10:30AM, Saturday, March 25, at the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916.

The Historic Sam Houston Schoolhouse is happy to announce Sam Houston Birthday Celebration on Saturday, March 25, 2017, 11:00am to 3:00pm. The event will showcase East Tennessee culture in 1812. Join us to learn about Sam Houston's life in Maryville. Presentations will include: Sam Houston History, basket making, corn grinding, quilting, historic tools, tatting, and an early pioneer presentation. Visit the schoolhouse and the schoolmarm will demonstrate how Sam Houston taught school. The Sam Houston Museum will be open for tours. Events for the children will include children's story time and crafts. Lunch will be served at a cost of $5 per meal. Admission for the day is free.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse is located at 3650 Old Sam Houston School Road, Maryville, Tennessee. For more information please visit samhoustonhistoricschoolhouse.org.

Every cell in your body has a set of chemical strings called DNA. They contain DNA inherited from many of the ancestors in your family tree. Modern technology permits us to find the portions given to you by your forebears. By correlating this information with your genealogical research, you can trace back to most, if not all, of your ancestors through the past five generations. Comparison of your results with those of others can help you discover unknown cousins who may have valuable genealogical information which lets you expand and enrich your family tree. The test will also estimate your ethnic origins. In a free workshop on March 25, noted genealogist Dr. George K. Schweitzer will explain how this works and how you can use it in family research. A frequent lecturer and the author of 22 books on genealogy, Dr. George K. Schweitzer is a professor of chemistry at the University of Tennessee and member of the ETHS Board of Directors.

The workshop is part of the East Tennessee History Center’s free genealogy courses presented by the East Tennessee Historical Society, Knox County Public Library, McClung Historical Collection, and Knox County Archives. The workshops are free and open to the public. The lecture will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville. For more information on the lecture, exhibitions, or museum hours, call 865-215-8824 or visit the website at www.EastTNHistory.org.

Time for a Story Book Bonanza at Cumberland Estates Goodwill.

Fri, Mar 24, 2017 9:00am
Sun, Mar 26, 2017 5:00pm
Cumberland Estates Goodwill
5705 Western Avenue Knoxville, TN, 37921.
Goodwill Industries-Knoxville: 865-588-8567, www.gwiktn.org

JOIN US IN THE EWING GALLERY!
Friday, March 24, 4-6PM for a soft opening
Friday, March 31, 6-9PM for a closing reception

ANNA WEHRWEIN - TO TURN AROUND THE DRAWING ROOM
CORINNA RAY - WHETSTONE
ABIGAIL LUCIEN - JUICE AISLE
JESSICA GATLIN - HERE, A VIBRATION

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

Nearly 100 Performances by Over 60 Extraordinary Artists! Described as “one of the most quietly earth-shattering, subtly luminous festivals the world over” by the Oxford American, the Big Ears Festival will return to Knoxville’s historic downtown for the weekend of March 23 – 26, 2017, expanding to 4 days and new venues, including two beautiful downtown churches, with nearly 100 performances from over 60 of the world’s most extraordinary musical creators – coming from classical music, jazz, rock, electronica, folk, bluegrass, and beyond. GA and VIP Weekend Passes, along with the newly announced “Premier Weekend Pass,” are on sale now at BigEarsFestival.com. There will be more solo performances, collaborations, permutations and surprises. Plus, there’ll be more musical additions, an extraordinary film program plus installations, exhibitions, talks, discussions, interactive experiences, food, wine, beer and countless surprises to share in the coming weeks. Performances include:

Big Ears Festival Presents ACME: American Contemporary Music Ensemble
Friday, March 24, 2017 at 4:30pm at The Mill & Mine
ACME performs Charlemagne Palestine's iconic minimalist work Strumming Music, plus music by Meredith Monk, Timo Andres and Caroline Shaw.

Big Ears Festival Presents Jóhann Jóhannsson's Drone Mass featuring ACME and Theatre of Voices
Friday, March 24, 2017 at 7pm at The Mill & Mine
Jóhann Jóhannsson is joined by American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Theatre of Voices, and conductor Donato Cabrera to present his 2015 composition Drone Mass.

Big Ears Festival Presents Maya Beiser: 'Uncovered' with Gyan Riley and Glenn Kotche
Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 5pm at Bijou Theatre
"Cello rock star" (Rolling Stone) Maya Beiser performs re-imagined and re-contextualized rock tunes alongside bassist Gyan Riley and drummer Glenn Kotche.

This year's lineup is a rich and diverse musical feast. Dive in! http://www.bigearsfestival.com/

All of our programming at Big Ears is accessible with a Film Programming Pass (only $50 + fees) or with any other festival pass.
http://www.publiccinema.org/bigears/

The Public Cinema exists to share vital works of contemporary international and American cinema—works that might otherwise be unseen or overlooked by Knoxville audiences. Many of the films we screen are discoveries from the festival circuit; some will be Tennessee or regional premieres. Whatever we screen, our only agenda is to create a space for cinema as an art form and to promote discussion among discerning moviegoers. http://www.publiccinema.org/films/