Calendar of Events

Between 2006 and 2009, an international team of historians, archaeologists, and geographers traveled to France to rediscover and document where Fentress County-native Sergeant Alvin C. York made his heroic stand. In the Footsteps of Sergeant York, a traveling exhibition from the Museum of the American Military Experience, showcases this groundbreaking research and allows visitors to retrace the steps of one of America's best-known military heroes.

Through the new interactive exhibit, the East Tennessee Historical Society invites you to step back into the the trenches of WWI, to hear the sounds of war, view clips of the film on York's life, see items from the York home along with other interesting artifacts, and experience the front line that made the man from Pall Mall, Tennessee an international superstar.

In the Footsteps of Sergeant York will be on display in the Rogers-Claussen Feature Gallery at the East Tennessee History Center. The exhibit and corresponding programming is presented in partnership with the Museum of the American Military Experience, Tennessee State Parks, The Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, the University of Tennessee's Center for the Study of War and Society, and the Knox County Public Library.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Flying Anvil Theatre kicks off 2018 season with Mary’s Wedding, an epic love story set during the first world war. Love, hope and survival are the themes in Stephen Massicotte’s play, Mary’s Wedding, the first offering of an eight-show season by Flying Anvil Theatre.

The award-winning play follows Mary and Charlie from their awkward meeting in a barn during a thunderstorm across the prairies of Canada and the horrific battlefields of the first world war. Up and coming playwright Stephen Massicotte spins a breathtaking saga about young lovers who must surrender their fate to the uncertainties of their tumultuous times – a testament to the power of memory and hope that lingers like a remembered dream.

“It’s a simply gorgeous play,” director Jayne Morgan says. “Beautiful, heartbreaking and hopeful, all at the same time. “

The show stars UT students Emily Helton and Parker Jenkins. Lighting design is by Jon Chemay, with soundscapes by Mike Ponder. Steve Krempasky designed the set, which includes a logging sawbuck that doubles as horse. “The actors use this massive piece of logging equipment to simulate riding,” Morgan explains. “There’s something thrilling about it – they really manage to make you believe they are mounted on a draft horse or charging into a battle, saber drawn. It’s wonderful theatrical magic.” Critics have raved about the play, saying it “recalls the grand passion of Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.”

Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Road, Knoxville. Information: 865-357-1309, www.flyinganviltheatre.com

Knoxville Children’s Theatre, with assistance from Gannett Newspapers, will present 14 live performances of the hilarious fairy tale mash-up, “Whatever Happened to Little Red Riding Hood?” The show features Red Riding Hood and Granny, along with Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel, Rumplestilskin, and other characters from the world of The Brothers Grimm.

The live stage play will be performed January 19 through February 4:
Fri., Jan. 19 at 7 PM, Sat., Jan. 20 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Jan. 21 at 3 PM
Thurs., Jan. 26 at 7 PM, Fri., Jan. 27 at 7 PM, Sat., Jan. 28 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Jan. 29 at 3 PM,
Thurs., Feb. 1 at 7 PM, Fri., Feb. 2 at 7 PM, Sat., Feb. 3 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sun., Feb. 4 at 3 PM.

Red Riding Hood was supposed to be at Granny’s at 3 PM, but the little girl never showed up. Granny turns detective and goes on a search. The old lady manages to find half the characters from the world of The Brothers Grimm, including Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and Rumplestilskin. But whatever happened to Little Red Riding Hood?

This funny play features hilarious new takes on some of the world’s most familiar stories. Chock full of puns, sight gags, and jokes, the play is sure to delight fairy tale fans of all ages! The play is performed by 14 talented young actors, from ages 9 to 14. KCT Producing Director Zack Allen directs the production from his own original script. Maryville Junior High student Eric Magee is the stage manager. KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families.

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

DARRELL SCOTT BLUEGRASS BAND FEATURING BRYN DAVIES, SHAD COBB, AND MATT FLINNER

“I look like an insider because of everything I’ve done but I always felt like an outsider,” Darrell Scott says.
“And that’s important to be an outsider.” He’s also a master.

Whether its’ rock, folk, country or blues, Darrell Scott, the 4-time Grammy nominated Nashville songwriter, has written hits all the way from Brad Paisley and the Dixie Chicks to Del McCoury, Sam Bush and Keb Mo; contributing songs to three of 2016’s best albums alone. ’It’s not surprising that Scott wrote nine of the 14 songs on his own new album, “Couchville Sessions,” and less surprising that he wrote three songs with the like-minded Americana artist Hayes Carll on Carll’s magnificent new disc, “Lovers and Leavers,”’ in addition to “1000 Things” from Sarah Jarosz’s award winning “Build Me Up From Bones” album.

What’s more surprising is that Scott came off of a year and a half of touring in Robert Plant’s Band of Joy with a co-write on R&B star Anthony Hamilton’s new recording, “Save Me,” the opening track on “What I’m Feelin.” Over the past two years Darrell has produced, co-written and performed on three songs from Zac Brown’s latest project “Heavy Is the Head,” in addition to producing Jonathan Edwards latest and Malcolm Holcombe’s upcoming 2017 release, “Pretty Little Troubles.” But these partnerships all makes sense: Although they hail from different genres, these artists are master craftsmen at fitting words to notes.

Witness his ability to make just about any instrument talk, listen to his vocals and songwriting to hear him contain every emotion between joy and pain within one verse in his singing and in his pen. Nowadays he’s taking the outsider role even more seriously; after 23 years in Nashville he spent the last year devoting himself to a self-sufficient lifestyle in the country while simultaneously putting together his best album in years. www.darrellscott.com/

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

RB Morris is a poet and songwriter, solo performer and band leader, and a sometimes playwright and actor from Knoxville, Tennessee. He has published books of poetry including Early Fires (Iris Press), Keeping The Bees Employed, and The Mockingbird Poems (Rich Mountain Bound), and music albums including Spies Lies and Burning Eyes, and his most recent solo project Rich Mountain Bound. He wrote and acted in The Man Who Lives Here Is Looney, a one-man play taken from the life and work of James Agee, and was instrumental in founding a park dedicated to Agee in Knoxville. Morris served as the Jack E. Reese Writer-in-Residence at The University of Tennessee from 2004-2008, and was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame in 2009. He currently lives in Knoxville with his wife and daughter.

RB will be joined by his long time musical accompanist Hector Qirko, now of Charleston, South Carolina, a versatile guitarist known for his work with the HQ Band, the Lonesone Coyotes and RB Morris and the Irregulars.

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.

Jeanine Fuller & The Boyz with Brian Clay

Alive After Five is a unique live music series that takes place in the smoke-free, casually elegant setting of the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall in the Knoxville Museum of Art. There is a live band on stage, seating at tables, two cash bars, food from area restaurants, free freshly popped popcorn, and free parking. Audience members can enjoy listening to music, dancing, and browsing the museum’s art galleries. Admission is $15 for general and $10 for museum members and college students with ID. Ages 17 and under are admitted free.

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

An exhibition and reception on Friday, January 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm with a special performance only at 7:00 pm. Bring your umbrella.

A1LabArts @ the Center for Creative Minds, 23 Emory Place, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: www.a1labarts.org

Join the Imagination Library and Knox County Public Library to celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday on January 19 at 10:30 a.m. Seven participating library locations (see list below) will host free story time programs with crafts and cupcakes, and guests can help make Dolly Parton’s 8-foot-long birthday card. The Knox County Imagination Library program will celebrate its own milestone as well: since 2005, the program has mailed out 2.5 million books to Knox County children under the age of five.

To honor East Tennessee’s favorite “Book Lady”, the Library is encouraging all children to sign up for their own library card inspired by Dolly’s love of butterflies. The specially-designed card features the tagline “Reading gives you wings” and will be introduced in conjunction with her birthday celebration on January 19. Children of all ages, including infants, qualify for a children’s card, which has some restrictions. Children must be present to apply and parents must provide identification and address verification in order to receive the special children’s card. All new cards are free for Knox County residents.

When children have their own library card, they are more excited about reading and coming to the library, and they begin to learn responsibility for the items they check out.

Dolly Parton birthday celebrations will be held at the following library locations:
Bearden, 100 Golfclub Road
Burlington, 4614 Asheville Highway
Cedar Bluff, 9045 Cross Park Drive
Fountain City, 5300 Stanton Road
Halls, 4518 E. Emory Road
Lawson McGhee, 500 W. Church Avenue
Powell, 330 W. Emory Road

For more information please visit www.knoxlib.org.

Part of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's 2017-2018 Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series, which marks the KSO’s 82nd season and features new Music Director Aram Demirjian.

What does it mean to be “Bohemian?” This energetic concert is inspired by wandering artists new and old. The KSO will welcome the unique PROJECT Trio, a high-energy ensemble consisting of flute, cello and double bass who spend much time leading workshops and connecting with students via social media. Engaging younger audiences, PROJECT Trio has performed and led workshops for over 350,000 students worldwide, and will lead an educational workshop while in Knoxville. They have also collaborated with American composer Adam Schoenberg, whose piece, Scatter, will be performed on this program, in addition to other alluring music by Bedrich Smetana. This program also includes an arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody by the legendary rock band, Queen, and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

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. Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:30 PM at the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Join us for the opening reception of the Bagwell Center's first 2018 art exhibition: Magic in Folds of Tajtania. Light refreshments will be provided. Tuesday, January 16 at 3 PM - 5 PM

Tatiana Potts is an artist, instructor, printmaker, bookmaker and ceramist. She pulls influence from her travels and her Slovakian heritage. Forever inspired by drawing, she is very much interested in a “world of making.” She constructs, reinvents and combines environments—revealing shadows of the self—using composites of memories, imaginations and architectural structures.

Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 10-6:30. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

"Ebony Imagery XVII" - a Mixed Media Exhibition by African American Artists from Tennessee;
"Travelogue: Colma, California's Religious Stained Glass" - photographs by Nicole Ferrara; and
"Selections from the Permanent Collection" - featuring International Artists including Henri Matisse, Karl Appel, Salvador Dali and many others.

Opening Reception: Sunday Afternoon, January 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Gallery Talk at 4:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends and family!

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

Opening reception on Fri Jan 12, 6:30-8 PM with awards announced at 7 PM. Free and open to the public.

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