Calendar of Events

By: christopher oscar peña

Transcending 20th-century notions of race and culture, peña’s work succeeds in simultaneously touching our hearts, stimulating our minds, and examining our society. Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang

In this CBT-commissioned World Premiere, Cris returns to a place he once used to know, only to find a world he no longer recognizes. As he connects with a new stranger tasked to show him around town, an unexpected spark challenges all of Cris' preconceived notions. the strangers is a modern day reimagining of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, depicting a contemporary American world thrown into chaos.
This production contains adult content and language.

Carousel 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

Doors at 5:30 PM, Rehearsal at 6:30 PM
At Knoxville Civic Auditorium

AN ICY, BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS SO DESIRABLE THAT MEN CAME BY THE HUNDREDS TO VIE FOR HER LOVE. Desired by all men but wanting none, China’s cold-blooded Princess Turandot has built a wall of riddles around her heart. Despite the deadly consequences of failure, Prince Calàf takes on Turandot’s challenge to match her wit and melt her icy resistance. Certainly the finest opera never completed, Turandot was bereft of its final scene due to Puccini’s untimely death. While it took a mere mortal to finish what this genius composer had started, Turandot remains among the top of the operatic pantheon to this day. Its ravishing score bursts with brilliant choruses and fiendishly difficult arias, including “Nessun dorma,” which Luciano Pavarotti elevated to iconic status. The opera’s music and majesty will be crowned by four sensational artists. Performed in Italian with projected English translations.

Admission to this final dress rehearsal is free to students of all ages. Adult chaperones accompanying them must pay $5 cash at the door. Concessions are closed. Seating is open, and attendees may come and go as they wish. Please be aware of the security policy for the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.

Info from Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, http://www.knoxvilleopera.com

RAIN - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band! For the first time ever, RAIN will bring the historic album to life in its entirety for this psychedelic multimedia spectacular in addition to all your early favorites!

This mind blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Experience the worlds’ most iconic band and come celebrate 50 years of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES.

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

Studio recital

Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. The Natalie Haslam Music Center is located at 1741 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, and the Alumni Memorial Building is located at 1408 Middle Drive on the UT campus. *For individual or small group performances, please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

On February 21, we will be hosting a special free screening of Frederick Wiseman's Ex Libris: The New York Public Library at the Regal Riviera, 510 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Few (if any?) of Wiseman's 42 films have ever screened theatrically in East Tennessee, so we're especially proud of this one. More details to come, but if you want a reminder, like the event on Facebook

"A film about the importance of cultural history and truth (two things deeply under siege these days), Wiseman's epic Ex Libris might make you cry with happiness; it's the good fight being fought. Movies aren't usually a public benefit, much less an essential one. Here's the exception." — Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out

Continuing the lunch series presented by The Hive, join us every other month for Lady Bosses of Knoxville, featuring lunch and a roundtable discussion with women leading the charge in all things K-Town: from the creative sphere and the professional world, to building your brand, local activism, and more. Celebrate the women who are enriching Knoxville and build your community of fellow lady bosses in return!
For the February roundtable, we'll be highlighting 4 women from the activism field: Claudia Caballero of Centro Hispano, Ghada Ayesh of Annoor Academy, Jessica Dean of Clay Halo Farm & Kitchen, and Katie Willocks of Bridge Refugee Services.

Tickets are $20. Register at /www.eventbrite.com/e/lady-bosses-of-knoxville-activism-tickets-42688183506.

Lunch will be catered Brown Bag’s classic menu, which includes baby spinach salad with fresh berries, mandarin oranges and poppyseed dressing, grilled chicken breast, red skin mashed potatoes, rolls and brownies. Tea and water will be provided.

Wed, February 21, 2018, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM at The Hive.
The Hive, 854 N Central St., Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. Information: (865) 282-2018, www.thehiveknox.com.

Curious whether museums come to life after hours? Come find out and enjoy a tasty brew too!

Join Elkmont Exchange and Mabry-Hazen House for the premier of Night at the Museum. Explore he stately 1858 house and extensive original collection of thousands of artifacts from the 1780s until the 1960s in an informal atmosphere. There will be special access to normally closed areas of the museum and typically archived artifacts on display.

Elkmont Exchange generously donated their delicious India Pale Lager those over 21 and a valid ID. Each ticket includes two beverages and any additional drinks are $5. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MUSEUM.

Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-at-the-museum-tickets-42507827055

Hosted by Full Disclosure Comedy and Modern Studio
Wednesday at 8 PM - 9:30 PM
At Modern Studio, 109 W Anderson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917

Full Disclosure Comedy is proud to welcome Tyler Sonnichsen and Sean Simoneau of the "Sonic Simon: Flour to the People" Tour. They will be performing some stand-up and Tyler will be acting as official Armando of the show. If you don't know what an Armando show is, then I guess you have to come find out- right?

Link to their tour: https://tylersonic.com/2018/02/09/sonic-simon-3-0-flour-to-the-people-march-9-14/

We have a full event calendar that grows by the day!

Monday - Singer/songwriter night (open sign-up)
Tuesday - Open mic night (open sign-up)
Wed through Sun - Various Americana/Folk artists from Knoxville and across the country

The Troubadour Roadhouse and Performance Hall located in Bearden, 4705 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Information: 865-851-8650, www.troubadourroadhouse.com
www.facebook.com/troubadourroadhouse

“Ancestors” is a body of work that celebrates the founders of the present. Sean Clark explores a personal narrative of the forerunners that brought him to this very moment. Some of the works in the show are inspired by the legacy of Sammie Nicely and his lifelong friendship with Sean’s father Dr. Robert J Clark. This exhibit is part of the 30th annual From Africa to Appalachia celebration at Rose Center.

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

Stop by to see February's exhibit of Julie Fawn Boisseau-Craig's whimsical ink and watercolor paintings and block print pieces!
Her colorful work, which features many styles, will remind you that spring is just around the corner.

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

Reception Friday, February 16, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.

Alyssa Johnson
There is a power in lines on maps, in three feet of fencing full of holes, in a velvet rope or a cement block. In this power, there are also rules. This wall is okay to climb over—that wall is not. You can paint on that wall, but you cannot touch this one. These are rules Johnson wants to define—to climb into, to push until she meets an edge, to make room for one or two or more people. She hopes to set the groundwork for this delineation by isolating the walls she interacts with daily, to draw them out of their repeated normalcy and question their necessity. There are two sides to every stance—therefore, she uses both realism and abstraction. Abolishing dividers leans toward naivety, yet holding all trust in borders rings with paranoia. Her primary hope is that a wide expression of style will allow for an exploration of both ends of the spectrum, prompting us to locate where our own feet stand in relation to either ignorance or distrust.

In December of 2017, Alyssa graduated from the University of Tennessee’s School of Art with a BFA in Studio Art and a psychology minor. Her past work has been featured in Phoenix Literary Magazine and included in group exhibitions in Tennessee; most recently, she has been displaying in New Jersey. While her focus is primarily on painting and drawing, Alyssa is also serving as studio manager to a local potter in Nashville while still maintaining her own practice in her studio at home.

Brandon McBath
McBath digs for treasure -- the images -- then makes the map to it. He compares this to viewing a cluster of clouds: the mind connects it with an image, and then one sees that image in the clouds. He wants viewers to discover hidden images and be observant of his clouds. He makes large-scale scroll-esque drawings that fill the field of vision from up close or afar. Intuitive gestural lines and ink-pours create a unique matrix or “sky.” Then, as he finds images, he reinforces them and makes them more readily available to the viewer.

Brandon McBath graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2016 with a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in drawing and a minor in art history. He was raised in East Tennessee by Tammy McBath, of Tammy’s Fish and Fried Green Tomatoes, and a loving older brother. After his father’s death in 1997, his mother worked hard to support her two children. During this time, Brandon was highly influenced by the art within television, anime, and video games. This later accompanied his faith in Jesus Christ which has shaped his worldview alongside his church family at Beech Grove Baptist Church. He teaches middle school art at Concord Christian School in Farragut.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery hours: M-Th 10-5, Su 10-1. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org