Calendar of Events

All music performances are in the Clayton Performing Arts Center and are free and open to the public.

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

"The World is Ours, Too": Black Women, Global Activism, and the New Black Travel Movement

Speaker: Dr. Tiffany M. Gill, University of Delaware

While the very history of African Americans is centered around forced and voluntary international journeys, the experiences of blacks during World War II, along with significant changes in American politics and culture in the postwar era gave rise to African American international leisure tourism. At the forefront of this development were black women who not only traveled abroad in larger numbers than their male counterparts, but helped to establish the economic infrastructure for an international black travel industry. Just as black women in the early years of the Civil Rights Movement built a travel movement, the early 21st century Black Lives Matter movement has witnessed a similar resurgence. In this iteration, it is Black women of the millennial generation who are at the forefront. Indeed, as public struggles against anti-black violence have increased since 2013, the market share of African Americans in the international travel market has given birth to what the media is widely reporting as the “The New Black Travel Movement.” This talk discusses the ways that this movement is not new at all but a continuation of a phenomenon that began in the 1940s and one that has a great deal to teach us about the tensions between political activism, leisure, and global freedom struggles.

Strong Hall, 101, 1621 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996
https://calendar.utk.edu/event/fleming-morrow_lecture_in_african-american_history#.XlQZCWhKjcs

REMAINING PERFORMANCES (March 13-15) CANCELLED

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" will play in the Clarence Brown Theatre's Carousel Theatre February 26 - March 15, 2020. UT Faculty/Staff receive 20% off ticket prices. UT Students see the previews for FREE and the rest of the performances for $5, excluding Opening Night.

The Pay What You Wish Preview performance, where patrons can name their own price, will be held Wednesday, February 26th. Half of the proceeds from the Pay What You Wish tickets will benefit Friends of Literacy. Behind the Scenes Sunday will take place following the Sunday, March 1st matinee with a panel discussion tied into the themes of "Hamlet" and also the McClung Museum's "Visions of the End" exhibit as part of the College of Arts and Architecture's "Semester of the Apocalypse." A Talk Back with the actors will take place Sunday, March 8th following the matinee. The Open Captioned performance is Sunday, March 15th at 2:00 pm.

In the wake of his father's death, Hamlet finds both his personal and political worlds unimaginably changed. When his father's ghost demands vengeance, Hamlet must decide: submit or resist. Accept or avenge. Live or die.

"Hamlet" was written by Shakespeare sometime between 1599-1602. It is arguably one of his most famous tragedies. The lines from Hamlet's monologue in act three that begin "To be, or not to be..." have been studied and are widely known even amongst those that are otherwise unfamiliar with Shakespeare's work. Even in Shakespeare's own lifetime, "Hamlet" would have been performed multiple times and considered remarkably influential. Its appeal has not lessened over time.

John Sipes (Director) is a Professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Tennessee. Before joining the UT faculty, he was a Director and the Resident Movement Director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for fifteen seasons. Prior to his residency at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, John was a Director and Movement Director for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival for twelve seasons and served as the Festival's Artistic Director for five seasons. Directing credits include productions at the Clarence Brown Theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Milwaukee Rep, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and others.

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

• Wednesday, February 26 at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville (9:30 & 11:00 a.m.)
• Thursday, February 27 in Knoxville at the Tennessee Theatre (9:30 a.m.)

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Aram Demirjian will perform THREE concerts as a part of the KSO’s Education & Community Partnerships offerings. These Very Young People’s Concerts are performed for audiences of young children from Knox County and surrounding counties including Anderson, Blount, Campbell and Loudon. The concert will explore the rhythm section of the orchestra, the percussion section and feature guest artists The West African Drum and Dance Ensemble from Austin East High School. Students will learn about march and waltz rhythms through music from Beethoven to contemporary composer Mason Bates. The concert also features music by many composers of color. The KSO’s Very Young People's Concerts serve over 3,000 students in East Tennessee annually.

Musical highlights include: Wilson’s “Seventy Six Trombones” from The Music Man, W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues March, Rosas’ Sombre las Olas (Over the Waves), Mason Bates’ Warehouse Medicine, Sam Hyken’s Fifth Symphony Remixed and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

Very Young People's Concerts are imaginative concert programs created for students in pre-school through second grades. These concerts are presented for over 3,000 students annually in two venues. The VYPC’s are sponsored by The Boyd Family, The Jay Family, Titanic Museum and Attraction and Connor Concepts.

Visuals: These concerts are attended by school and home schooled groups from Knox and surrounding counties (pre-K through 2nd grade) and are open to the general public.

Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Featuring Pellissippi State Photography students, this exhibit displays different photography techniques and approaches with arresting results.

Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 9 AM - 9 PM. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

SHOW TIMES: Thu: 8:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 pm, Sat: 8:00 pm, Sun: 3:00 pm

by Neil Simon
NOMINEE – 1964 Tony Award for Best Play

Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find – too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job.

After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does.

Paul just doesn’t understand Corie, as she sees it. He’s too staid, too boring, and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous. Running “barefoot in the park” would be a start…

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

The play will be performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM with one Sunday evening show on Sunday, March 8th at 7 PM.

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present Junie B. Jones The Musical JR., a delightful musical adaption from four of the Junie B. Jones series of best-selling books by Barbara Park. This new version is witty and charming with lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie's best friend, Lucille, has found new best friends and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting. Junie B. Jones The Musical JR. is a heartwarming show which follows a tremendously loveable girl as she learns growing up is scary, but it’s also kind of fun.

The play is performed by 21 talented young actors, from ages 8 to 15.

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

Reception: February 23, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tu-Th 9-5, or by appointment. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

Now in its second year, Take Action! Big and Small Ways to Save the Planet is a four-week conservation series that focuses on the many different ways you can have a positive impact on the planet. Classes, workshops and other activities will show you how to conserve natural resources and reduce your carbon footprint. Cleanup events and volunteer workdays will help you care for the place we all call home. This year’s lineup is going to be fun!

February 15 Volunteer Workday: Invasive Plant Removal (Noon-3 p.m.)
February 16 Conservation Conversations: Docuseries and Discussion (2-5 p.m.)
February 21 Parents’ Night Out (6:30-8 p.m.)
February 22 Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
February 25 Sustainable Adulting: Sew It, Don’t Throw it! (6-8 p.m.)
February 29 Fifth Annual Weed Wrangle Knoxville (9 a.m.-Noon)
February 29 Family Hootenanny (6-9 p.m.)
March 7 Outdoor Gear Swap and Bike Collection Event (9 a.m.-Noon)
March 7 Citizen Science Kick-Off (1-5 p.m.)
March 8 Slow Foods Potluck: On the Local Level (5-8 p.m.)
March 10 Sustainable Adulting: Everything You Thought You Knew About Recycling (6-7:30 p.m.)
March 14 Volunteer Workday: Grayson Subaru Preserve (Noon-3 p.m.)
March 15 Ijams Seed Swap (1-4 p.m.)
March 15 Family Pollinator Garden Workshop (1:30- 2:30 p.m.)

Details on each event at https://ijams.org/take-action-big-and-small-ways-to-save-the-planet/

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

In the Galleries
February 8 through March 22, 2020

Artists Reception: Saturday, February 8, from 7 to 9 PM
Gallery Talk: 6:30 PM

The event is free and open to the public.

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

First Friday Reception: February 7, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Step out for love and paint the town crimson. Come and discover gift ideas various members of The Art Market Gallery created in wild and glorious red.

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

Awaken Coffee will host Peyton Tolleson on February 7 from 6-9. Payton is a self-taught, local artist. She works primarily with acrylic paint and enjoys the challenge of painting reflective and translucent subjects with bold contrasts and bright colors. Her Bar Series will be on display for the month of February.

Come join us for some light refreshments, exciting art, and 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, TN 37902. Hours: M-R 7 AM - 9 PM, F 7 AM - 10 PM, Sat 8 AM - 10 PM, Sun 2-8 PM. https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/