Calendar of Events

Zoo Knoxville is offering $5 off admission tickets during Kroger Discount Days, December 1 through February 28, 2018. During Kroger Discount Days, guests can discover why winter is an enjoyable time to visit the zoo. Many animals, including red pandas, river otters, elephants, gorillas, red wolves, lions and tigers, enjoy the cooler temperatures. On days when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, some animals will be moved indoors, but visitors can still see many in their indoor viewing areas. The Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure is a popular indoor area that’s an entertaining stop for creative play during visits as well.

A December trip to the zoo may even include a visit to Santa’s Village, a special holiday encounter and photo opportunity with Santa Claus. Santa’s Village will be open for holiday photos and Christmas wishes December 14 through 17, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day in the heated Kids Cove tent. Discounted 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, 2018, and cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon.

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

Join the McClung Museum for holiday specials, and unique gifts, stocking stuffers, jewelry, handmade artisan items, and more throughout the month of December.

Members and UT students always receive 10% off, and faculty/staff receive a special 10% discount from December 1–25. All proceeds benefit the museum’s free K-12 educational programming.

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

Recent works by Gordon Fowler and Eric Gebhardt will be on display with an opening reception will be held Friday, December 1st at the gallery.

Gordon Fowler says about his work: "I make bowls, platters, and hollow forms from wood using a woodturning lathe. I find the wood on roadsides or friends tell me about a tree they cut down. I get a kick out of “recycling” these logs that would otherwise go to a landfill or a fireplace. Most of my work is twice-turned. That means I cut the logs with a chainsaw, rough turn it, let it dry for at least six months, then turn it again to its final thickness. Making round things is inherent to the lathe, and I’m inspired by the symbolism and symmetry."

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

The District Gallery is pleased to present "Kathie Odom: Home for the Season", a collection of the special scenes and moments captured throughout the artist's many travels. Painted on locations far and wide, Home for the Season searches for the qualities of the one place she holds most dear. "Since my art career takes me to many places across the country, it is so good to be home with friends and family, " says Kathie.

Please join us Friday, December 1, from 5:00-8:00PM for an opening reception and a live artist's talk from Kathie in the gallery. The show will be on display through December 30.

The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-F 10-5:30, Sa 10-4. Information: 865-200-4452, www.TheDistrictGallery.com

Based on the Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The play will be performed December 1 – 17, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; Sundays at 3 PM. Also, a special 7 PM performance will be held on Sunday, December 10.

This hilarious musical play is based on the 2003 comedy film. William “Buddy” Hobbs, a young orphan child, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Years later, Buddy finds out that he’s an ordinary human being and heads off to New York City in search of his father, Walter Hobbs. But Walter, like many New Yorkers, doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. Neither dies Buddy’s brother Michael! Buddy is determined to win over his birth family and help New York City remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The play is performed by 27 talented young actors, from ages 8 to 17.

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

The Knoxville Museum of Art and the Tennessee Art Education Association present the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition. Now in its 12th year, 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.

Students, family, friends, and the public are invited to a reception and awards ceremony Tuesday, December 5 from 6 to 8pm at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The event is free and open to the public.

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. Fewer than a third (349) of the more than 1073 entries in this highly competitive show made it through a rigorous jury process. The best-in-show winner will receive a purchase award of $500, and the artwork will become a permanent part of the collection of Mr. James Dodson, on loan to the Knoxville Museum of Art's Education Collection.

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

Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank, is an outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Knoxville on Market Square. Enjoy skating under Christmas lights and stars while listening to music every night. The ice rink will be closed during inclement weather, please check the Holidays on Ice Facebook page to stay updated, Facebook.com/KnoxvillesHolidaysonIce. For questions about Knoxville's Holidays on Ice please call 865-215-4423.

Admission price includes entry fee, skate rental and unlimited time on ice!

RINK HOURS:
Regular Hours Nov. 24, 2017 - Dec. 17, 2017
Monday thru Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Extended Hours Dec. 18, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018
Monday thru Thursday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Special Holiday Hours Christmas & New Years
Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas Day Closed
December 26: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
New Years Eve 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
New Years Day 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/knoxvilles_holidays_on_ice/

Flying Anvil Theatre skewers holiday stress in The Big F.A.T. Holiday Cabaret opening Friday, Nov 24. ‘Tis the season for food, family, parties and gifts. And let’s face it – also feuds, indigestion, hangovers, busted budgets and weird Uncle Hal who tells those cringe-worthy jokes. Flying Anvil Theatre’s The Big F.A.T. Holiday Cabaret is the perfect antidote for holiday angst!

This comic musical review is full of songs and scenes that take a slightly twisted view of the season. Flying Anvil Artistic Director Jayne Morgan writes and directs, and Carol Z. Shane will musical direct. The show opens the Friday after Thanksgiving to give everyone something to do with those lingering out-of-town relatives.

Morgan says the show acknowledges that the holiday season can often be more frantic than fun. “The end of the year has gotten so intense, with impossible expectations on our schedules and psyches,” she says. “We laugh about that, and things like “Mean Santa” office games, weird holiday gifts and inappropriate relatives.”

Cast members include Emily Helton, Mandi Lawson and Curtis Bower, who previously appeared in The Great American Trailer Park Musical at the theatre. They are joined by Donald Thorne, Jessica Magers-Rankin, Carmen Brown and Brandon Phillips.

The Big F.A.T Holiday Cabaret opens Friday, November 24. Pay What You Can Nights are Wednesday, November 22 (Preview Performance), and Wednesday, November 29. The show runs through December 17 and reopens December 27 – 31 with a special New Year’s Eve performance with reception and champagne after the show.

This show is recommended for adults. Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Road, Knoxville. Information: 865-357-1309, www.flyinganviltheatre.com

By: Charles Dickens; Adapted by: Edward Morgan and Joe Hanreddy

“If you like Christmas, do not humbug this play.” Knoxville News Sentinel

Our spectacular, heart-warming version of Dickens’ classic tale of redemption returns. Filled with traditional carols, stunning costumes, a gorgeous set and memorable characters, it’s guaranteed to enrich the holiday season for you and your family.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-974-5161, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Santa’s Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops and Knoxville-area families are invited to enjoy this magical Christmas village offering free photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games.

Features include rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees. The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers remote control trucks, laser/ foam toy arcade, Lincoln Logs building area and much more. Kids can also spend time at one of the activity tables where they can write a letter to Santa, color and do fun crafts, all for free.

Families can enjoy the wonder of Christmas inside Bass Pro Shops with Santa’s Wonderland through December 24 including free photos with Santa. Guests can schedule their Santa time using the free Bass Pass system. Visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot located at the entrance of Santa’s Wonderland to pick up a time-stamped pass.

Santa’s arrival coincides with Veteran’s Day and the start of a holiday round up program where customers can help support service members, military families and veterans through a donation program. Bass Pro Shops will donate 100 percent of customer contributions to USO Care Packages, which are shipped directly to active service members overseas, and AMVETS.

3629 Outdoor Sportsman Pl, Kodak, TN 37764. For hours and details visit www.BassPro.com/Santa.

White Oak Gallery {inside Magpies} Presents the work of Lesley Eaton
Please visit White Oak Gallery inside Magpies TONIGHT November 3 at 846 Central St from 5-8 pm for First Friday and view work from featured artist & illustrator Lesley Eaton. Artwork by gallery manager Beth Meadows will also be on display. Refreshments provided by Magpies Bakery and With Bear Hands. Work will be on display through December.

ABOUT EATON
"My recent collage work incorporates my peppered paper, large sheets of paper that originally provided a surface to catch all of the spills, splatters, and brush strokes as I painted. The result is a collection of beautiful papers filled with vibrant color and energetic texture. Learn more about Eaton at http://pepperedpaper.wordpress.com.

White Oak Gallery, located inside Magpies Bakery, is generously made available by owner Peg Hambright and managed by Knoxville artist Beth Meadows of With Bear Hands. Meadows' artwork is always on display, and a different Knoxville artist is featured every other month. The public is invited to visit the gallery any time during Magpies' business hours and to consider buying artwork and/or cupcakes while there. For more information, visit withbearhands.com/gallery or contact beth@bethmeadows.com.

"Don't get so busy earning your salt that you forget the sugar."

Pioneer House, home of the original Knoxville Girl t-shirt and letterpress printmaking studio and gallery, will throw open the doors Nov. 3 to welcome five local artists. The Knoxville Girls show and sale brings together five fine women with ties to Knoxville and a flair for fiber, ceramics, letterpress printmaking, encaustic painting and mixed media. You'll love them better than biscuits.

Reception for Artists: 5 p.m.-9 p.m., First Friday, Nov. 3

The artists:
Knoxville native Amanda Humphreys occupies her time teaching pottery classes and making functional, whimsical pottery. Her work is inspired by her love of textures and colors borrowed from old, historic buildings, vintage maps and the 80s and 90s in general. She also revels in classic country music.

Peg Hambright is a former graphic designer and illustrator who has neglected her creative side for the past 25 years while nurturing her little bakery, Magpies. In an attempt to find balance in her life, she's found herself transitioning from food into art by making art that is food. It's a start.

A mixed media artist from Knoxville, Cara Pfennigwerth loves to draw, crochet, garden and try just about anything hands-on. Another favorite art form is relief block print. She draws most of her inspiration from the flora and fauna of East Tennessee and creates as a way to preserve and appreciate the beauty of local wildlife.

Laura Baisden runs a custom letterpress shop called Camp Nevernice in the same historical building that is home to Pioneer House. She crafts custom posters and invitations for clients and hand-carves linoleum illustrations. She has a labor of love in the works: writing and illustrating a children's book.

Julie Belcher is the proprietor of Pioneer House. An Appalachian artist, dedicated handmade advocate and restorer of vintage printing presses from way back, she adds bits of her Southern and mountain heritage to all her works. Letterpress monoprints and small encaustic mixed media are among the new works she has created for this show.

Pioneer House of Letterpress & Vintage, 413 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Info: 865-200-8084, julie@pioneer-house.com, http://www.pioneer-house.com