Calendar of Events

Zoo Knoxville celebrates the magic of the season with a special after-hours holiday event. Winter Nights presented by Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union will take place Thursday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. each evening.

Winter Nights will feature thousands of lights throughout the zoo’s East Tennessee Plaza and Boyd Family Asian Trek. Guests can share their Christmas wishes by writing a letter to the North Pole and pose for photos with Santa Claus in the magical, Christmas-tree-filled Santa’s Village. The holiday festivities also include carolers and the chance to meet beloved winter characters Elsa and Anna.

Cookie decorating, festive food and drinks and professional photos with Santa will be available for purchase. Tickets will also be available for rides on the Fuzzy-Go-Round carousel and the Holiday Express Train in Santa’s Village.

General admission tickets are $10 each for ages 4 and up, and children 3 and under get free admission. Zoo Knoxville annual passholders and Circle of Friends members tickets are $8 each for ages 4 and up. Parking is free.

Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the ticket window upon arrival.

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

Circle Modern Dance continues its annual holiday tradition of Modern Dance Primitive Light, a Winter Solstice celebration of the arts December 12-14 at the historic Laurel Theater.

Modern Dance Primitive Light features performance art by area choreographers, dancers, and musicians. Each performance showcases live music, directed and scored by David King, performed by King and other local musicians. Featured choreography includes the work of two of Circle Modern Dance’s original founders, Claire Barrett and Kimberly Matibag. Also included are works from guest artists Intersect Dance Theatre and Momentum Dance Lab.

“Modern Dance Primitive Light has been a favorite holiday tradition of my family since we moved to Knoxville five years ago” said Lydia Alford, co-director of the production. “Each year is special, but this year’s performance has so much artistic variety, there is truly something for everyone to connect with and enjoy!”

Performances will take place Thursday, December 12 at 8:00 PM; Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM; and Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM at the historic Laurel Theater (1538 Laurel Avenue). Tickets are $10 for students/seniors and $15 for general admission seats. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite and may also be purchased at the door. Penny4Arts tickets must be purchased at the door. Info: Lydia Alford, 865-309-5309, circlemoderndance@gmail.com, or http://www.circlemoderndance.com/upcoming-performances/

The KCS and Artistic Director John R. Orr will present a season of masterworks and innovative programs! This concert is FREE!

Thursday, December 12, 2019 | 7:30 PM
At Church Street United Methodist Church

Knoxville Choral Society: 865-312-2440, www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org

PJ MASKS LIVE!
SAVE THE DAY
THURSDAY, DEC 12, 6:00PM

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

Many popular toys have been designed without consideration for special needs or limited abilities. Often these toys require some electronic or physical adapation to be used by children of all ability levels. At Spark, we have years of experience making toys fun for everyone!

Toy tech is a dinner and choral concert for the whole family. There will be arts & crafts as well as other activities for children of all ages. Registered recipients will receive an adapted toy. Every child deserves the chance to play! The Toy Tech holiday party is Spark’s way of ensuring that children who can’t play with their hands still have a toy to play with. Spark depends on your generosity to make Toy Tech happen each year. Please consider donating a toy to make someone’s holiday season brighter. Alternatively, consider donating your time or money so that we can make this event as special as it possibly can be.

At the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Drive
Info: 865-219-0130 or https://www.sparktn.org/events/toy-tech/

Hosted by Church Street United Methodist Church
Thursday at 7:30 PM – 9 PM
At 900 Henley St, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

Join Church Street for an evening of festive song! Beginning at 7:30 pm in the Nave, all are invited to hear the Knoxville Chamber Chorale, Dr. John Orr, director, and the West High School Singers, directed by Drew Carpenter.
https://www.facebook.com/events/418894022347081/

Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Gallery hours: M-R 8:30-5, Fri 8:30-4, Saturdays call ahead. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Celebrating our first season in the new "Old City Performing Arts Center" in downtown Knoxville's Old City! Our 2019-2020 inaugural season will include three productions: The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph's Baby [December 11-22, 2019], Constellations [March 4-15, 2020], and Sweat [April 22-May 3, 2020].

THE UNUSUAL TALE OF MARY & JOSEPH'S BABY: AN ORIGINAL FOLK MUSICAL - DECEMBER 11-15 AND 18-22

Written by Tennessee-based award winning recording artist Don Chaffer and NYC-based playwright Chris Cragin-Day.

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. With a racially diverse cast, a exciting new set, and an emphasis on simple storytelling, The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby surprises virgin-believing and non-virgin-believing audiences alike, engaging this oft-told story with a sincerity and humanity that bursts with imagination and wonder. The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby received its first production at the New York City International Fringe Festival under the direction of River & Rail Co-Founder Amelia Peterson**.

Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State St. Knoxville, TN 37902
https://www.riverandrailtheatre.com/
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/buy-tickets-launch-a-season-river-rail-theatre#/

The Appalachian Ballet Company will present the annual holiday tradition - The Nutcracker in their 48th anniversary season. The production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Two weekends, Two venues!
WHEN: Saturday, December 7th - 7:30 pm & Sunday, December 8th - 3 pm
WHERE : Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Knoxville, TN

WHEN: Friday, December 13th - 7:30 pm & Saturday December 14th - 3 pm
WHERE: Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville, TN

Dancing the role of the Nutcracker Prince for the Knoxville shows will be Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer, Da’Von Doane (dancetheatreofharlem.com). This well-known guest artist will be partnering ballerina Kylie Morton Berry, the Sugarplum Fairy, formerly with North Carolina Dance Theatre. The 13th and 14th of December, Berry will be partnered by Connor Walsh, principal dancer with Houston Ballet. Mr. Walsh has been the principal dancer for Houston Ballet since 2007. (houstonballet.org).

This year’s production will include several new pieces of choreography and feature guests artists Alex Gonzaga and Laura Morton from Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre based in Atlanta as the Snow King and Snow Queen. James La Russa of Staibdance in Atlanta will dance the role of Herr Drosselmeyer bringing an air of magic and mystery.

For over 100 years, this classic story has proven to be a favorite, enchanting audiences of all ages. Come see the magic with lavish scenery, over 215 costumes, dancing soldiers, swirling snow-flakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium or The Clayton Center for the Arts – the first and second weekend of December.

For more information: 865-982-8463, www.appalachianballet.com

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for Austin Bradford Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-9 pm.

Austin's passion is photography and he specializing in landscapes and portraits.

Please join us for some amazing photos, light refreshments and of course great coffee!

Awaken Coffee is a live music venue, espresso bar, craft beer & wine bar and organic restaurant in the heart of downtown. Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

Hours: Mon-Thu 7 AM - 9 PM, Fri 7 AM - 10 PM, Sat 8 AM - 10 PM, Sun 2-8 PM
(865) 951-0427 or https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, December 6 from 5-8 p.m. Meet the artist, explore the gallery’s holiday collections, and enjoy seasonal fare. The show will be on display through January 4.

A moment of quiet can make all the difference. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, we invite you to join us in taking a moment to pause and appreciate the quiet moments in Joe Parrott: Across the Valley. Through an unparalleled depth of experience, Parrott’s richly painted landscapes render our common understanding of light and darkness, high points and low valleys.

Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 10-5:30, Saturday 10-4

The District Gallery & Framery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 200-4452 or www.TheDistrictGallery.com

Reception on Friday at 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Dogwood Arts, 123 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

December First Friday at Dogwood Arts will feature work by Chrysalis, a group of nine local female artisans working in sculpture, painting, woodwork, stone carving, and more! Participating artists include: Kathy Slocum, Lisa Ruttan Wolff, Gay Morton, Sheila Rauen, Linda Peterson, Nan Jacobsohn, Barb Bewernitz, and Pat Culbertson.

The exhibition will be on display in the Dogwood Arts Gallery (123 W Jackson Ave) from Friday, December 6 - Friday, January 3rd. An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 6th from 4:30-8:30PM. (Gallery Closed: December 23rd-27th and January 1st)

Gallery Hours: M-F / 9AM-5PM

CHRYSALIS: Chrysalis is a group of nine women craft-artisans and artists. They first got together in 2006 to exchange creative energies and offer support to each others artistic endeavors. Their name derived from the fact that they had all been dedicated artists and had all experienced interruptions to their flow of creating. In finding each other, they found their work and energy to create reemerging, new ideas blossoming, and a support that also enveloped their personal lives. In 14 years they have lost sisters and found sisters. Some have changed mediums, learned new creative processes to add to their work, or expanded into additional avenues of creating, growing not only as artists but as strong women and steadfast friends. It's a unique group, whose work when gathered together, inspires not only each other, but those that come to see it.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2550089981888289/