Calendar of Events

The way Corey Smith sees it, he owes a debt to his fans. And it’s one he is determined to repay with his 10th album, While the Gettin’ Is Good. The project, released on Sugar Hill Records, marks the first time that the singer-songwriter, a wildly popular touring artist who has produced all of his past efforts, has turned over the reins to a bona fide country music producer in Keith Stegall. The result is Smith’s most ambitious record yet, as well as a return on the investment made by the fans who have supported him since his first album in 2003.

“A lot of start-up acts are using fan-funded programs to finance their record. That’s what my whole career has been: Kickstarter before Kickstarter. When my fans show up and buy a ticket and a t-shirt, they’re investing in what I’m doing,” says Corey. “It’s my responsibility to invest it wisely and give them the best album I can. That’s what led me to While the Gettin’ Is Good.”

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

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

We are partnering with the Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature to feature a day of storytelling for visitors and their families. Storytellers will use the museum’s galleries as inspiration. Crafts and activities included.

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: M-Sa 9-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

The Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus invites you to join us our 3rd annual gala, A Little Night Music. The event includes both a silent and live auction again this year, with items donated by Club Leconte, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Regal Entertainment Group, and many other local businesses.

Items up for grabs include: a Disney vacation package; a UT home football package that includes four skybox seats and a football autographed by Coach Jones; a Dollywood package; a dress worn by the late Ella Fitzgerald; and, a $2000 wedding and reception package from Gatlinburg Wedding Center.

This year will offer two types of tickets, Standard and VIP. The Standard $75 ticket includes dinner and entertainment. The limited VIP $125 ticket also includes a pre-event meet-up with free wine and hors d’oevres joining our emcees, Lori Tucker of WATE 6 On Your Side and Dino Cartwright of Local 8 WVLT.

For tickets and more information, go to http://www.knoxgmc.org/events/a-little-night-music or find the Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus page on Facebook.

The choir was founded five years ago with just 15 singers and has now grown to nearly 60 members from across East Tennessee. The volunteer chorus meets for weekly rehearsals and commits to learning and performing the songs from memory. In addition to the large chorus, a smaller ensemble group also performs with the choir and at community events throughout the greater Knoxville area. The Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus believes in the power of Music and Performance Arts. Through live performances and educational programs, the chorus provides quality entertainment by creating opportunities for the artistic minds in our region to exercise, nurture and grow their talents. By cultivating and promoting the musical performing arts, we will improve the quality of life in the East Tennessee area and state of Tennessee. For more information, contact Donald Rickels at 865.777.1664 or via email at marketing@knoxgmc.org.

Saturday, August 26, come nourish your mind and body with this special evening of self-care at Blue Ridge Yoga. Guests will have the opportunity to attend a yoga or meditation class. The fun party follows immediately after with a silent auction, food, massage, essential oils and more. Give yourself some tender loving care and help Cancer Support Community out at the same time.

5:00PM Yoga and Meditation, 6:00PM Food and Party at Blue Ridge Yoga,
623 N Campbell Station Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934.
Tickets $45 at www.yogaknoxvilletn.com

Join US Foods, Bud Light, Knoxville-area restaurants and food trucks and Second Harvest Food Bank for the East Tennessee Food + Spirit Festival and an Evening with Mac McAnally in World’s Fair Park. Sure to be a great night of tasty bites, spirits and music in the heart of Downtown Knoxville, sample delectable food and take a walk down Spirit Alley to sample the tastings of Beach Whiskey, Crown Royal, Dumplin Creek, George Dickel, Old Tennessee Brewing & Distilling, Ole Smoky, Sugarlands Distilling Co. and Thunder Road Distillery. After the sampling, cheer on your favorite local chef in the US Foods Chef Competition and later, sit under the stars on a blanket from home to enjoy hits from the 80’s with local favorite, Smooth Sailor. The evening will end with an acoustic performance by 8-time CMA Musician of the Year and a member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band, Mac McAnally. There will be no better way to spend your last Saturday before the Vols kick off the season!

Gates open: 6 p.m.
Food sampling: 6-8 p.m.
Food trucks will sell food after 8 p.m.
US Foods Chef Competition: 7-8:30 p.m.
Smooth Sailor 7-8:30
Mac McAnally 9-10:30
Spirit Alley open: 6-9:45 p.m.
Bars open: 6-10:00 p.m.

For $45 you will get: food sampling from Knoxville-area restaurants and food trucks, spirit sampling in Spirit Alley, a lively chef competition and two concerts. Tickets are on sale now! To receive $5 off a ticket, visit Q100.3 Country’s website and participating food vendors! Discount available for use August 7-25. https://secondharvestetn.org/event/us-foods-presents-the-east-tennessee-food-spirit-festival/

Ijams already has hummingbirds visiting its feeders in preparation for the seventh annual Wonder of Hummingbirds Festival on Aug. 26! Doors open at 8 a.m., so plan to come early if you want to get an up-close look at a ruby-throated hummingbird and learn about these tiny creatures during banding demonstrations by Mark Armstrong, a certified Master Bander.

Festival Hours: 8 am – 2 pm
Banding Demonstrations: 8 am – 11:30 am*
*Banding is weather dependent, and may end earlier if hummingbirds can’t be captured

http://ijams.org/hummingbird-festival/

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Part of the 2017-18 "Best of Theatre Knoxville Downtown" Season!

By Yasmina Rena. The Tony Award-winning comedy of grown ups behaving badly.

God of Carnage begins as two highly strung couples, Alan and Annette Raleigh and Michael and Veronica Novak, meet for a civil discussion about a playground fight between their sons. The conversation quickly morphs into a laugh-out-loud, train wreck of an afternoon among savages, called "ninety minutes of sustained mayhem" by The New Yorker. The New York Times hailed God of Carnage as a "four-way prize fight" and the Chicago Tribune praised Reza's play, calling it a "savvy and deliciously caustic new comedy."

This must-see received the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, as well as the Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Best Play.

"Elegant, acerbic and entertainingly fueled on pure bile. It's Reza's sharpest work since 'Art'."
—Variety

This production contains strong language.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 North Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

KTC was founded by nationally and internationally recognized Tattoo Artist Danny Fugate and wife Amanda Marie and their crew at Ambition Tattoo to bring a higher level of tattooing to the greater Knoxville area. Taking place at the Downtown Worlds Fair Park Holiday Inn, this event will be held walking distance from Historic Downtown Knoxville, Knoxville Museum of Art, the Sunsphere and much more! KTC will be bringing in artists from all over the country and abroad. This will give all, the chance to get tattooed by some of the best and upcoming tattoo artists in the industry. Attendee's will enjoy sideshows, tattoo contests, unique vendors and media coverage from various industry magazines. This 3 day live tattooing Extravaganza will be something you will not want to miss!

HOURS
FRIDAY 2 - 10
SATURDAY 12 -11
SUNDAY 12 - 7
http://www.knoxvilletattooconvention.com/

In the GEOFFREY A. WOLPERT GALLERY

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

The McClung Museum Store’s annual Summer Sale will be open to the public August 21–31st. Jewelry, books, and toys are just a few of the items that will be discounted. As always, tax is included, and all proceeds from the store sales go to support our free educational programming. Hurry in for back to school savings while supplies last.

The Store is open during regular museum hours:
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00–5:00 p.m

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Opening reception on Fri Sep 15 to announce calendar winners, 6:30-8:00 PM. Free and open to the public.

Featuring FCAC members. Also showing: Judy Brater’s FCAC clay students’ latest works.

Exhibit viewing hours: Tu, Th 9-5; W, F 10-5; Sat 9-1. Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

The live stage play will be performed:
Fri., Aug. 18 at 7 PM, Sat., Aug. 19 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Aug. 19 at 3 PM
Thurs., Aug. 24 at 7 PM, Fri., Aug. 25 at 7 PM, Sat., Aug. 26 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Aug. 19 at 3 PM, Thurs., Aug. 31 at 7 PM, Fri., Sept. 1 at 7 PM, Sat., Sept. 2 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Sept. 3 at 3 PM.

The prospects of the five unmarried Bennet sisters are looking up when Mr. Bingley, a wealthy young bachelor moves into the neighborhood. Young Jane Bennet catches his eye, but her sister Elizabeth clashes with his best friend, Mr. Darcy. Both sisters will have to dodge a wife-hunting Reverend, a soldier with elopement and revenge on his mind, and a Lady who disapproves of them all. Jane Austen’s timeless novel is a delightful coming-of-age comedy for all generations.

The play is performed by 18 talented young actors, from ages 12 to 18. Charlotte Stark plays the unconventional Elizabeth Bennet, and Noah Seaman plays her sparring partner, Mr. Darcy.

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