Calendar of Events

Knoxville Children’s Theatre, in partnership with The Ritchie Company, will present 11 live performances of the Best Play Tony award-winner, “The Crucible.” This acclaimed drama is one of the most-produced plays in American history.

The live stage play will be performed October 27 through November 12:
Fri., Oct. 27 at 7 PM, Sat., Oct. 28 at 1 PM, Sun., Oct. 29 at 3 PM, Thurs., Nov. 2 at 7 PM, Fri., Nov. 3 at 7 PM, Sat., Nov. 4 at 1 PM, Sun., Nov. 5 at 3 PM, Thurs., Nov. 9 at 7 PM, Fri., Nov. 10 at 7 PM, Sat., Nov. 11 at 1 PM, and Sun., Nov. 12 at 3 PM.

The story focuses upon a young farmer, John Proctor, whose servant-girl Abigail maliciously causes the arrest of the farmer’s wife for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie. But instead of saving his wife, he finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others. This exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem continues KCT’s fall tradition of producing Halloween-themed literary classics for children and families. “The Crucible” is one of the most-produced plays by high schools across the country. The play is performed by 15 talented young actors, from ages 12 to 17.

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

Celebrate Halloween like the Vikings. Take part in the 4 day and 3 night carnival of ceremonial costumes, fire and dance. Behold: Samhain, the Norse/Celtic celebration of the coming of winter. *(Sunday is the family friendly day with traditional crafts, singalongs, games and delicious fall treats with a trick or treat at sunset.) You won't be afraid, (as long as you can remember it is just illusion). What you see, hear, taste and smell is all a recreation of a deep cultural tradition in honor of the Old Norse gods and goddesses.

Program of events: https://www.facebook.com/events/613073292206287/

All festival long (vendors and performers): Body painting, Henna tattoo, Herbal (legal) spritual psychedelic tonics, Ancient-inspired clothing, Leatherwork, Smithwork and coins, Jewelry, Dance, Tarot Readings, Fire performers, Hoop artists, Fire breathers, And much more

Online: $20, https://holdmyticket.com/tickets/259243
At the door (unless sold out): $22

Come to the award-winning Mountain Makins festival October 27-29 in Morristown. The festival supports the preservation of the Rose School building, provides Arts Education for residents of 5 counties, and serves to keep Appalachian history and culture vibrant and alive for generations to come. Festival goers come year after year, from distances far and wide, to immerse themselves in the very best of Appalachian culture, food, music, dance, crafts, artwork, and fun!

The celebration begins with a Preview Party on Friday, October 27. Advance-only tickets for this special event are $25. Guests will be treated to a gourmet buffet and exclusive early-bird shopping. Additionally, Preview guests are admitted to the festival free on both Saturday and Sunday.

All weekend, artisans will exhibit throughout the historic building and the surrounding grounds. Authentic craftspeople, carefully selected through a rigorous jury process, are on hand to demonstrate folk-life skills, giving guests -young and old- a chance to see traditional basket weaving, blacksmithing, apple butter making, broom making, beekeeping, woodturning and other necessities of frontier life in Appalachia. The historic Rose Center and surrounding grounds are filled with high-quality, hand-made pottery, glasswork, jewelry, wood carving, soaps and lotions, fine art, fiber art, folk art, candles, wreaths, soft sculpture, baskets, toys and much, much more.

Visitors can also listen to live bluegrass, newgrass and old time music, “set a spell” in the storytelling tent, enter a drawing for the 2017 Mountain Makins Quilt, see more than a dozen dance groups, talk with local authors, and let their children paint a pumpkin, ride a pony, and more. We look forward to seeing you this year, ...and the next,...and the one after that. It is a fall family tradition that must be experienced to be appreciated.

Festival Hours:
Friday --6:30 PM PREVIEW PARTY (With advance tickets: No tickets sales at the door).
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Saturday -- 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday-- 11 AM - 6 PM
General Admission to the Festival: $5 for Adults; $1 for Children (6-12 years old); 6 and under free!

The Rose Center, 442 West Second North St., Morristown, TN, 37814. Hours: M-F 9-5. Information: 423-581-4330, www.rosecenter.org

Occuring the weekend before Halloween! The food tours on Friday and Saturday run from 2-5pm, start at Visit Knoxville, and are called the "Chef's Table Food Tour", going to 5 different, local restaurants in 3 hours. The Sunday tour called the "Sunday Bountiful Brunch Tour" runs from 1:30-3:30pm, starts at Visit Knoxville also, and goes to 3 different, local restaurants in 2 hours. Each tour those 3 days will be woven in with Hocus Pocus trivia, games, prizes and a whole lotta' fun! The website for people to find out more information is www.EastTNTours.com/Halloween2017. More info: 865-410-TOUR (8687) or Info@EastTNTours.com

Knoxville Opera’s 40th Anniversary Season celebration commences in grand style with a Gala Concert, sponsored by Dr. Sharon Lord, honoring eight new members of the Knoxville Opera Hall of Fame. The event will take place at the Bijou Theatre, location of the company’s first performance on November 3, 1978 (La Traviata starring Mary Costa). The concert will feature opera stars Rochelle Bard, Catherine Daniel, Aaron Short, and Scott Bearden along with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Brian Salesky. Program highlights include Wagner’s exciting Ride of the Valkyries, the extraordinary Confrontation Scene from Mary Queen of Scots, and twelve additional selections including works by Puccini, Rossini, Verdi, Mozart, Bizet, Lehar, Offenbach and others.

“Our 40th Anniversary Gala Concert will offer the “greatest hits” of the opera world – selections from operas so tremendous that we may never see them produced locally,” said Bryan Salesky, Executive Director and Conductor of Knoxville Opera. “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience in person locally these outstanding selections from some of the most famous and followed operas of all time. Opera is one of the most culturally rich art forms but also is incredibly accessible across our community, from Knoxville Opera’s free offerings to ticketed events,” continued Salesky. “Our 40th Anniversary Gala Concert tickets start at $23, making it one of the most affordable live entertainment offerings of the year in Knoxville.”

The Knoxville Opera Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional service and financial support to the company. The eight new Hall of Fame inductees are The Aslan Foundation, Betsey Richards Bush, Dr. Michelle Lanter Brewer, Pilot Flying J, Peggy J. Sood, Dr. Monroe and Sandra Trout, Andrew Wentzel, and Jackie Wilson. Brief profiles of the honorees appear below. They join 32 existing members of the Hall of Fame, begun in 1993. Tickets to the concert and reception may be purchased through Knoxville Opera at (865) 524-0795, ext. 1, or at http://www.knoxvilleopera.com/gala-concert/.

On Friday, October 27, America's preeminent progressive rock band Kansas will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its breakthrough album, "Leftoverture," by performing the album in its entirety for the first time in history. The band also will perform hit songs, deep cuts and new songs from its recent release, "The Prelude Implicit."

Friday, October 27, Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: www.knoxvillecoliseum.com

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 10 a.m.

Spooky surprises await you at Knoxville’s premier Halloween Event: the 7th Annual HearthScares Ball! The Fort will be transformed into a scary landmark for an evening of Halloween costumes and dancing. Come dressed in your most impressive costume! The event includes dancing, frightening finger foods, silent auction, costume contest, and other Halloween hi-jinks! Proceeds benefit preservation at James White’s Fort. Must be 21 or over to attend.

Tickets are on sale now! https://www.jameswhitesfort.org/event/7th-annual-hearthscares-ball/

James White's Fort, 205 E. Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-525-6514, www.jameswhitefort.org

Make plans to attend the 2017 East Tennessee Preservation Conference on October 27. This year, the event will be held on the CDF Alex Haley Farm in Clinton. This is a rare opportunity to experience this legacy site and even stay on the property overnight. We will be introducing two new important preservation topics this year. Please watch our website, www.knoxheritage.org/etpa/conference, for more detailed information as it unfolds.

Knox Heritage, at Historic Westwood, 3425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums over three decades. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of Americana, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. Whether touring as a ‘Duo’ or with his ‘Acoustic Group’ or ‘The Large Band’, Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music. Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award, and was named Texas State Musician. His works, rich and eclectic, are some of the most beloved of any living artist working today.

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

The Devil Makes Three with Scott Biram on Friday, October 27, at 9:00 PM at The Mill and Mine.

"There's a road that goes out of every town. All you've got to do is get on it," Pete Bernhard says. The guitarist/singer and his cohorts in the raw and raucous trio The Devil Makes Three have found their way onto that road numerous times since they first left their picaresque rural hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont. Back then, they had no idea it would lead them to such auspicious destinations as the Newport Folk and Austin City Limits Festivals, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, and on tours with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and Trampled By Turtles. Along the way, they drew numerous accolades from a growing fan base and press alike.

TDM3's travels and travails serve as inspiration for their fourth album and their New West Records debut, I'm a Stranger Here, produced by Buddy Miller and recorded at Dan Auerbach's (Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound in Nashville.

With upright bassist Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean, Bernhard crafted a dozen tunes, part road songs, part heartbreak songs and part barnburners. While most bands are propelled from behind by a drummer, TDM3 builds exuberant rhythms from the inside out, wrapping finger-picked strings and upsurging harmonies around chugging acoustic guitar and bass, plying an ever-growing audience onto its feet to jump, shake and waltz.

Patrons under the age of 18 must be accompainied by a parent or legal gaurdian. This is a standing room only venue.

The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Tickets/information: http://themillandmine.com

The Town of Farragut is having its annual Freaky Friday Fright Nite on October 27, 2017 at Mayor Bob Leonard Park (301 Watt Road) from 5 – 7 PM. Children ages 12 and under and in costume are invited to “trick or treat” on the walk trail while local businesses, community groups and Town of Farragut volunteers hand out treats and provide games with prizes and cookie decorating. This is a free event, but participants are asked to bring items to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House. Visit townoffarragut.org/communityevents for a list of needed items.

Legendary performer John McCutcheon is known for his interpretation on banjo and hammer dulcimer of Appalachian standards as well as for original songs such as the historical ballad “Christmas in the Trenches,” topical songs and children’s material. Early in his musical career he was active in exploring the folklore of East Tennessee, bringing traditional fiddlers, ballad singers, dancers and Old Harp singers to the Laurel Theater and associated venues as the first music director of Jubilee Community Arts. John contributed a chapter to the iconic Cumberland Avenue Revisited anthology edited by Jack Rentfro.

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