Calendar of Events

Part of the 10th Anniversary Season of Broadway at the Tennessee Theatre

The 10th anniversary kicks off with KINKY BOOTS, Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Mitchell (LEGALLY BLONDE, HAIRSPRAY) and a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony Award®-winner Harvey Fierstein (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES), KINKY BOOTS is the winner of six Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography.

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

Friday, December 15, 2017 - 7:30pm
Saturday, December 16, 2017 - 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, December 17, 2017 - 3:00pm

One of East Tennessee’s greatest holiday traditions, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra invites you to join Music Director Aram Demirjian and special guests for the annual Clayton Holiday Concert: Music from the Movies. Enjoy all your holiday favorites such as the Hallelujah Chorus Handel's Messiah, and special scores from holiday films including Polar Express, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street and a few surprises.

We will welcome our friends to the stage from the Knoxville Choral Society, GO! Contemporary Dance Works, and Farragut High School Singers. This concert is sponsored by Clayton Bank, Clayton Homes and Clayton Volvo, there will be four chances to see this fantastic concert.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 more! Each concert includes a 30-minute pre-concert chat at 6:30 p.m. with conductor and guest artist, allowing an up-close Q&A session, insights and background to the music, composers and more.

At the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

December 15, 7:30 p.m.
December 16, 2:30 p.m.
December 17, 2:30 p.m.

This homespun tale pieces together a portion of Ingalls family history missing from the beloved “Little House” books — the winter of 1876. Enjoy this tale of gratitude that’s a perfect beginning for the holiday season. Get tickets at: www.pstcc.edu/arts/theatre

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

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas will be presented by The WordPlayers, in collaboration with The Arts at Pellissippi, at Clayton Performing Arts Center, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN. Public performances are Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m, Dec. 16 at 2:30 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.. Tickets are $8-$12 and may be purchased online at www.wordplayers.org, at the door, or by calling 865.539.7529.

A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas is a one-act play with music, based on the beloved series of "Little House on the Prairie" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Playwright, Laurie Brooks, imagines events that occurred when the Ingalls family had to leave Walnut Grove to run a hotel in Iowa. It is a story about hope, perseverance, and family. (Recommended for ages 8+)

The WordPlayers is a 501(c) 3 company of Christian theatre artists based in Knoxville. For school show or other information, please call (865) 539-2490, Email: wordplayers@comcast.net or visit: www.wordplayers.org

DAVE BARNES PRESENTS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Two shows!
VISIT THE WEBSITE
http://www.davebarnes.com

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com, www.ticketmaster.com

December 15, 2017 @ 7:30 pm at the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre, Clayton Center for the Arts.

25th Anniversary Tour of New Miserable Experience

For more than two decades, Gin Blossoms have defined the sound of jangle pop. From their late 80s start as Arizona’s top indie rock outfit, the Tempe-based combo has drawn critical applause and massive popular success for their trademark brand of chiming guitars, introspective lyricism, and irresistible melodies. Gin Blossoms soon unfurled a chain of crossover favorites spanning five different formats, from “Hey Jealousy” and “Until I Fall Away” to “Follow You Down” and the GRAMMY®-nominated “As Long As It Matters,” earning the band sales in excess of 10 million in the US alone.

December 15, 2017 @ 7:30 pm, Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre, Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804.

Clayton Center Box Office
865-981-8590, https://www.claytonartscenter.com/event/gin-blossoms-sale-oct-6/

Join us for our 2nd annual Winter Supper at the Old City Wine Bar on December 15th, 2017 from 7-10 pm. This festive dinner will be prepared by Chef Paul Sellas of Rebel Kitchen. The supper will include some of Beardsley's own produce, sustainably sourced meat from Spring Creek Farm, and a selection of fine wine from the Old City Wine Bar. Limited seating will be available for this special event, so purchase your tickets today!

Old City Wine Bar, 108 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets are $100 (plus service fees).

Proceeds from this dinner will support the farm's mission to address food security issues in Knoxville through produce donations, community gardening, and education opportunities.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1999749630270421/

Christmas Stories with the whole family! At Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville. Come in for hot coffee, sweet desserts. Free Parking. Smoky Mountain Storytellers: Sheri Liles, Jean Davidson, Kathleen Mavournin, Millie Sieber. Suggested Donation $5. Call 865-429-1783, or smokymountaintellers.org.

Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association is a non-profit that has been spinning tales around Knoxville since 1994. Our members are a diverse group. We have told stories all over the world. We enjoy gathering to share what we’ve learned, how to entertain, and mostly, making people laugh.

SHERI LILES’ career as a professional storyteller began as a teacher/naturalist at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Storytelling became a part of nights around the campfire. Her interest in Native American legends and Appalachian folk tales has shaped stories she likes to tell. She’s even written a few of her own. She has degrees in both English and Nursing.

JEAN DAVIDSON moved back home, after living in KY, AL and Middle TN. She is a minister with Presbyterian Church (USA).She is also a TN Naturalist with programs at Ijams and a photographer. She tells stories for congregations and youth groups, and volunteers at Sam Houston Schoolhouse and the GSM Heritage Center.

KATHLEEN MAVOURNIN has been fascinated with fairy tales all her life. She performs at regional festivals and renaissance fairs. She has performed at World Storytelling Day, Tellabrations in Knoxville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. She shares tales with children, youth groups, retired people, women’s groups, and with her grandchildren.

MILLIE SIEBER’s storytelling fascinates both adults and children. Listeners of all ages, from Catoosa County, Georgia to Rochester, New York, in Denmark and in Sweden, respond to her tales with laughter, insights and sometimes–shivers. Whether humorous stories, scary tales, personal narratives, folktales, or stories based on oral history–her listeners say, "Millie Sieber makes stories come alive!"

A monthly class for adults.
Instructors: Gayle Browne-Guided Meditations & Jennifer MacIsaac- Visual Expression

The focus of this class is on taking time out to care for yourself through a practice based in mindfulness and creative self expression. Each month we will focus on a different theme for the class. We will be led in a guided mindfulness style meditation on the theme by an experienced and trained guide. We will then respond with a visual exploration of the same theme. For our purposes a "meditation" is anything we reflect on and "art" is anything we create. There is no need to be experienced in either meditation or art to participate in this class, though experienced participants are always welcome! We are not affiliated with any religion or sect though participants are encouraged to bring their own spirituality to their practice.

Cost for this monthly class is $35 and it is open to both Men and Women.

The Basement Community Art Studio, 105 W. Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-333-5262, http://www.thebasementartstudio.com

Santa Claus is coming to Zoo Knoxville and will be in residence at Santa’s Village this Thursday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 17, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily. Santa Claus will be listening to Christmas wishes and available for photos in the festively decorated Santa’s Village, located in the zoo’s Kids Cove area. Guests will have the option to purchase portraits taken by a professional photographer and can take their own photos.

Complimentary event activities included with general admission are a visit with Santa Claus, reindeer games, holiday crafts and a story time each day at 12:30 p.m. Kids can also write a letter to Santa and they will receive a personal reply from Santa himself in the mail after their visit. For an additional ticket, rides will be available on the “Polar Express” train and kids can opt for a face-painting session for some holiday flair. All activities take place in the enclosed and heated Kids Cove tent for guests’ comfort. Now through February 28, 2018, zoo admission tickets are $5 off during Kroger Discount Days.

Currently, the zoo is open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, https://www.zooknoxville.org

Thursday, December 14th @ 8pm
Friday, December 15th @ 7pm & 9pm
Saturday, December 16th @ 7pm & 9pm

Tickets available at www.circlemoderndance.com; $10/$15 at the door; $5 discount for Friday 9 p.m. performance when buying in advance

At the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN. Bring a pillow as seating is limited.

Circle Modern Dance is proud to present its 26th annual production of Modern Dance Primitive Light, an anticipated solstice celebration of movement and creativity in Knoxville. This unique performance brings together local choreographers, dancers, and musicians for an unforgettable community arts experience. Audiences will enjoy exciting new contemporary dance works accompanied by live music set amidst the warm ambiance of the Historic Laurel Theater. This year’s production features work from Circle company members as well as some of Knoxville’s best guest choreographers.

Live music is always a highlight of the performance. Musical director Nate Barrett creates acoustic arrangements of the music selected by each of the choreographers. Always eclectic, this year’s set ranges from Janis Joplin to Vivaldi. The music is performed by an incredible house band made up of some of Knoxville’s finest musicians.

Circle is pleased to include choreographer Deborah Whelan in its long list of community collaborators. After teaching dance to children at Beaumont Magnet Academy for over 20 years, Debbie has retired and returned to teaching and choreographing with adults. Her piece explores ​our​ ​current political climate and its ​impact on ​ interactions between people. Whelan describes her piece as being about hope; “Hope that matter who we are, or where we come from, we can learn to live together in harmony”

Guest choreographer Harper Addison has performed and created work all around the country with companies in Georgia, Florida, California, and New York. Her piece is inspired by a series of poems by Daniel Ladinsky and explores the theme of loving, appreciating, and communicating with others.

Long-time Circle collaborator and MDPL regular Angela Hill will present a solo to be performed by Circle Core Member Darby O’Connor. Amends is set to a mash-up of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” and the traditional spiritual “Ain’t that Good News.” The piece explores limits, privilege, and virtuosity in performance.

Winter Circle, choreographed by Jennifer Jones, celebrates the creative and healing potential of women working together. The piece is a collaboration between the choreographer and dancers, drawing upon each dancer’s individual background and experience.

Many Circle Modern Dance Core Members will present work, including a piece by Amelia Loehe, performed by identical twins, about a relationship over a lifespan. The dancers weave in and out of unison and individual movement reflecting how two lives connect and re-connect over time. Circle core members Nate Barrett, Callie Minnich, and Darby O’Connor will perform an improvised piece exploring movement and text. Darby O’Connor will also be presenting a piece based on introductions and how people define themselves in their first encounters with one another.

Finally, Circle is excited to present the work of two local companies. Momentum Dance Lab will perform Alive choreographed by Ashley Corey. The Katharine Slowburn Experience, will present work from their November 2017 production The Garden. Modern Dance Primitive Light is a family-friendly show and participates in the Penny 4 Arts program.

For additional Information, please contact Circle Modern Dance at (865) 309-5309 or CircleModernDance@gmail.com.

Thursday, December 7 through Sunday, December 24.
The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph's Baby dares to take the classic story at its word. There really is a pregnant virgin. There are shepherds, angels, foreign dignitaries (a.k.a. wise men), a ratty extra room/stable at an inn, and a maniacal, bloodthirsty dictator whose menacing shadow hangs over everything.

And obviously, it's a comedy. Seriously it is.
The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph's Baby surprises both virgin-believing and non-virgin-believing audiences alike by telling the most over-told story in a sincerely human way that bursts with imagination and wonder.

The Green Room at the Jackson Avenue Terminal in the Old City
211 Jackson Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37902

River & Rail Theatre Company, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com