Calendar of Events

The silhouettes created for the 2020 summer “Dazzling Dogwoods: A Garden Art Exhibit,” are on display at the UT Gardens, Knoxville. All the pieces will be available for purchase at an auction that will be held in the fall. The auction will be the last phase of an art project designed to promote community participation and artist collaboration as well awareness and support for the UT Gardens.

https://tiny.utk.edu/DazzlingDogwoods

37 local amateur and professional artists creatively interpreted this year’s dogwood theme by painting or embellishing large-scale plywood dogwood silhouettes in two sizes. Artists had the option to create either a large or small form or a pair. The works have been installed throughout the UT Gardens and will be on display throughout the summer. In the fall, these beautiful, one-of-a-kind dogwood silhouettes will be sold to the public at auction.

HoLa Hora Latina Presents a Virtual First Friday Exhibit for the month of June 2020 featuring artist Becky Chaffee

Please view exhibit at www.holahoralatina.org

Artist, Becky Chaffee
During Covid times, Ms. Chaffee has been making masks “to order”, and donating earnings. Last month, she was presented an award for this work from the “Appalachian Community Fund”. “Perfect for Covid Times”, Becky has recently compiled her “music lesson” art to publish a book for music students emphasizing having fun and good practice habits. Profits for the month of June will go to HoLa Hora Latina. See “Have Fun with Your Music” reviews on Amazon including one from Knoxville’s own Fay Adams, TMTA 2016 Music Teacher of the Year.

Becky’s work is a fusion of fun and education. She likes the idea of inspiring children. To accomplish this, she uses brightly colored folk art sprinkled with humor in both illustrations and captions. Sometimes she gets side-tracked with purely humor. Because she loves requests, her subject matter has expanded from the large music collection to science and reading concepts, community, cats and dogs, wild animals, yoga, beer, weddings and holidays. Most of this virtual exhibit is slated for her 2nd Music Book, to be titled “Passion for Practice, a Mindful Music Odyssey”. Her art is mainly created with acrylics on canvas, though she enjoys incorporating mixed media. Her large collection of Music lesson art (cards and prints) come from listening to her children’s classical and jazz violin and piano lessons for many years, then her own flute lessons after her children left for college. (Both her kids, now young adults, currently practice their instruments for their own pleasure.) The science and reading concept cards come naturally as she has engineering degrees from UC Berkeley and Cornell University, and her daughter is Deputy Director of the Los Angeles Reading Partners Program.

Prior to painting, Becky created fabric music purses in the shape of musical instruments, calling her little violin purse, a “Violette”; then adding grand piano, guitar and ukulele purses. Art has become Becky’s soul. Cheerful and brightly colored, it is sold as a book, cards, prints, educational place mats, a coloring book, stickers, purses and pillows. Thru her company, MusicTeacherGifts.com (aka Violettes by Becky), Becky raises funds for music education causes. Becky holds an Annual Youth Composition Competition for ages 10 thru 18 and has distributed $1,000s in funds and prizes to youth. She has just completed her 7th year of the competition.

Becky’s work is sold in the Nashville Symphony, Brevard Music Center and San Francisco Symphony Gift Shops, Legends Gift Store in Nashville, The Maltz Jewish Heritage Museum Gift Shop in Ohio, The Knoxville Visitor Center, Knoxville Soap and Candle and music stores across the country. Send a note of your purchase from the month of June either from Amazon or Becky’s website to casahola@holafestival.org for HoLa Hora Latina to be credited with profits.

Ijams Nature Center has opened the swimming area at Mead's Quarry in phase two of the City/County reopening plan, which went into effect May 26.

River Sports Outfitters (RSO) began offering paddle rentals on the lake Memorial Day weekend. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Rentals will close due to inclement weather and will be announced on the RSO Facebook page at @RiverSportsOutfitters.

The Ijams Outpost, which offers concessions, beer and other items, will mirror RSO hours. Restrooms at the quarry remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Visitor Center restrooms and limited-contact gift shop/concessions purchases continue to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All restrooms will close for short periods at set times each day to allow facilities to be cleaned and sanitized. During those times, the front lobby of the Visitor Center also will be closed.

Navitat is open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are by appointment only.

You are encouraged to wear masks when entering the Visitor Center and while passing other people on the grounds. Ijams remains committed to the health and safety of visitors and staff, and will be evaluating reopening policies, procedures and hours; changes may be implemented at any time. www.Ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.

Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM

While we can't meet in person on Wednesday evening, we'll be hosting a weekly zoom room starting around 8 pm on Wednesdays.

Most nights we'll just be hanging out, and sometimes we'll do something like have a theme or activity night or watch a live stream concert.

To avoid the "Zoom bombing" that's been occurring we won't be posting the link publicly. Message Aliceann Talley or one of the other organizers for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2608912812682374

Zoo Knoxville is reopening to the public on Monday, May 18, with carefully planned protocols to ensure the safety of their guests, staff and animals. The zoo closed to visitors on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with the City of Knoxville and Knox County COVID-19 Reopening Phase 1 plan, Zoo Knoxville is open for passive outdoor use only, which means no indoor areas or interactive experiences like rides and animal encounters can be offered at this time. Playground areas, including the splash pad, will also remain closed in this phase.

To control the number of guests in the zoo daily, advance purchase timed entry tickets are required. Circle of Friends members and annual passholders will continue to receive free admission but will be required to make a reservation online for a timed entry on a specific date.

The zoo has added more than 30 additional hand sanitizing stations throughout zoo grounds and restaurants have modified their ordering and delivery systems to minimize contact.

Zoo Knoxville asks all guests to take the safety of other visitors, zoo staff and the animals seriously by following CDC recommendations:
• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Washing your hands and using hand sanitizer stations throughout the zoo frequently
• Maintaining 6 feet of physical distance between groups
• Using ground markings and directional signs to maintain safe distancing in areas where people may gather
• Staying home if you are sick or in a high risk group

To show appreciation for the outpouring of care and support during the closure, Zoo Knoxville will be offering tickets at a reduced price of $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 4-12 and seniors over 65. Ages 3 and under are free. The zoo will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. beginning May 18, 2020. Tickets and entry times can be purchased and reserved online.

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

An online marketplace – FIVE items by local makers are posted each Monday on The Maker City’s Instagram feed, where viewers can bid for the items from 8 AM – 8 PM. https://www.instagram.com/themakercity/

Old Gray Cemetery located in downtown Knoxville occupies 13 acres of beauty and history. The cemetery was founded in 1850 and dedicated in 1852 when the first 40 lots were sold at public action. Today Old Gray clearly depicts Knoxville’s history and provides an important example of cemetery planning and design during the rural cemetery or garden movement.
The Ella Albers Fountain has been recently restored and serves as the anchor on the main drive and the centerpiece of Old Gray. The original fountain was erected in 1890 by A. J. Albers in memory of his 37-year-old wife. The symbolism of the Victorian fountain is twofold, representing both the respect for the memory of the dead and also offering hope and inspiration to the living. The original fountain was dismantled during World War II and the metal was used in the war effort.
You can stroll or drive through the winding avenues of Old Gray and see the excellent examples of Victorian art and architecture. The cemetery is a mixture of unmarked graves to massive monuments and mausoleums which honor the lives of those buried there.
The massive oaks and hackberry trees are part of a wide variety of trees and vegetation at Old Gray that are living witnesses to the history of Knoxville since before the Civil War at which time this area was an open pasture. Thanks to the vision of those who lived then we can now enjoy the park setting that these trees have created.
You are invited to take a walk back through history and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Old Gray. Our automatic gates currently open at 7 AM and close at 5 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/oldgraycemetery

Old Gray Cemetery, 543 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-522-1424, www.oldgraycemetery.com

We are bringing you even more Real Live Music Videos this month, with new performances posted every Tuesday & Thursday! Check out the release schedule: https://wdvx.com/new-real-live-music-videos-premiere-on-tuesdays-thursdays-in-may/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/wdvxradio

The 30 Days of Real Live Music Challenge concluded in April, and visitors one can watch all 30 videos in a row at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVDeTOdMcmYmKi_ayM0tYvx0zWkNhr6ry.

INVESTIGATE KNOXVILLE’S GREATEST HAUNTS!
Real History | Real Hands-on | Real Investigations | REAL FUN!

Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours is a Hands-On Paranormal Adventure that gives the participant the opportunity to Investigate the Historic and Haunted side of Knoxville TN and Special Event Venues.

The events include the use of Paranormal Investigation Tools and is Host by Famed Paranormal Historian and Master Teacher in the Paranormal Field, J-Adam Smith

PUBLIC TOURS (FRI & SAT - Exception when Briceville Special Events are running.)
PRIVATE TOURS (SUN, MON, & THURS - (Tickets are Sold as Packages. Pricing starts at $200 for Groups up to the size of 6)

Information: 865-377-9677 or www.hauntedknoxville.net

Since the early 1970’s many have known The Birdhouse to be a place where community activists, artists, and neighbors gather together to discuss ideas, share skill, and celebrate each other through artistic expression. Until 2002, the Birdhouse was fondly named “The Neighborhood Center”, a moniker given when the Birdhouse was orginally donated to 4th & Gill in the 1970’s by a realtor who longed to see the neighborhood have a gathering place.

The Birdhouse, 800 N 4th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917. https://www.birdhouseknoxville.com/

We are here to motivate and train our artists to progress and grow as dancers and musicians. The site includes weekly classes, bonus exercises and materials.

https://www.facebook.com/angelafloydschools

Jam sessions offered throughout the week at various locations, for beginners and experienced alike! Check https://etnba.org/events for locations and times

The East Tennessee Bluegrass Association strives to promote and advance traditional bluegrass music through education, outreach and community for all generations. Support and aid other groups which advocate bluegrass music and to foster a multi-generational community to learn and grow musically.