Calendar of Events

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Union Ave Books: A Mountain City in the New South

  • July 19, 2020

Category: Free event, History, heritage and Literature, spoken word, writing

Union Ave Books invites you to attend a virtual book event with Bruce Wheeler to discuss to the 3rd Edition of KNOXVILLE, TN: A MOUNTAIN CITY IN THE NEW SOUTH. Bruce will be joined in conversation by Jesse Mayshark, reporter and co-publisher of Compass (compassknox.com). This free virtual event takes place on July 19th @ 2pm (EDT) on Zoom, please send an RSVP to RSVP@unionavebooks.com to attend. Please include the title of the book KNOXVILLE, TN in the subject line. We will send the zoom link the day of the event.

Pre-Order the book here: https://unionavebooks.indielite.org/book/9781621905790

DESCRIPTION

This third edition of Knoxville, Tennessee: A Mountain City in the New South includes a new preface and a valuable new chapter covering the period from the death of Cas Walker to the end of the administration of Madeline Rogero, Knoxville’s first female mayor.

Wheeler argues that, until very recently, like Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (1925), Knoxvillians had fabricated for themselves a false history, portraying themselves and their city as the almost impotent victims of historical forces that they could neither alter nor control. The result of this myth has been a collective mentality of near-helplessness against the powerful forces of isolation, poverty, and even change itself. But Knoxville’s past is far more complicated than that, for the city contained abundant material goods and human talent that could have been used to propel Knoxville into the ranks of the premier cities of the New South—if those assets had not slipped through the fingers of both the leaders and the populace. In all, Knoxville’s history is the story of colliding forces—country and city, North and South, the poor and the elites as well as the story of colorful figures, including Perez Dickenson, Edward Sanford, George Dempster, Carlene Malone, Bill Haslam, and Madeline Rogero, among many, many more.

While challenges related to public health, income inequality, racism, and the environment remain, Wheeler detects the possibility that the myth Knoxvillians have clung to may finally be fading. Downtown development by vibrant local entrepreneurs, a government more responsive than ever before, and an economy that endured a severe economic downturn only to turn out brighter than expected are all symptoms of a Knoxville that may be ready to take its place in the rising urbanism of twenty-first-century America. https://unionavebooks.indielite.org/

Townsend Artisan Guild: Townsend Visitors Center Exhibition

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

The Guild will be exhibiting their locally created art and gifts at the Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend.

All juried artists are invited to display their work - and the public is invited to come see the work and talk with the artists. The exhibit will be open 9am to 4:45pm each day.

http://townsendartisanguild.com

Momentum Dance Lab: Virtual Auditions

Category: Auditions, Dance, movement and Free event

Welcome to this year's MDL Auditions! The link to the YouTube video with choreographic instructions is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbqxZO4d0Fc

We are looking for dancers age 18+ in Knoxville and the surrounding areas to join our repertoire company.

Momentum Dance Lab is a collaborative of dancers who teach, train, and perform in the East Tennessee community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is passionate about continuing professional quality dance training and providing performance outlets for adults. MDL is run by a Board of Directors and by a democratic ensemble of Core Company Members. Company Members teach classes, create choreography, direct, and produce shows. The Board of Directors and the Company Members together do the work of administration, business development, and planning.

Check out our website for more information about our company: https://www.momentumdancelab.org

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Read through the instructions on YouTube, learn the movement posted, and record your audition video. Fill out the audition form, and submit your video (uploaded through the form), which can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwDlVzpyBvuCkSgIt1AEuHN2Shbc6jvzI7LeFn4B6L0APxTQ/viewform

Once your submission is sent, you should receive an email response from us. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few days, please reach out to us again at momentumdancelab@gmail.com.

The last day to send in submissions is Friday, July 24th. We will respond with our decision by Tuesday, July 30th via email.

Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1560379987454563/

Church Street UMC: Summer Lecture Series

  • July 12, 2020 — August 2, 2020

Category: Free event, History, heritage, Lecture, panel and Science, nature

Church Street is delighted to host its annual Summer Lecture Series, in which scholars from diverse disciplines
connect their research and efforts to our faith and beliefs. These are online events and are free and open to the public. Join us ON ZOOM on Sundays, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2 at 6:30 pm.

Join us: https://bit.ly/lectures20 - Password: 12718.

Lineup of Speakers:

July 12, 6:30 pm: Rev. Dr. Charles Lomax Jr., Director of Community Empowerment, City of Knoxville - "Our Responsibilities as Christians and Voters in the Age of Black Lives Matter"

July 19, 6:30 pm: Dr. Erin Darby, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Dr. Robert Darby, Lecturer in the School of Art, University of TN Knoxville - "Baptizing Soldiers on the Roman Frontier: An Archeological Dig and the Early Christian Church in Jordan”

July 26, 6:30 pm: Rev. Dr. Brent Strawn, Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law, Duke Divinity School - Topic TBA

August 2, 6:30 pm: Dr. Thomas Heffernan, Professor Emeritus of English, University of TN Knoxville - “‘Take up the Cross and Follow Me’: Early Christian Martyrs Die for Their Faith”

https://www.facebook.com/events/561420344553566

Historic Ramsey House: Vintage Baseball**

Category: Festivals, special events, Free event, History, heritage and Kids, family

Join the fun while experiencing America’s game as it was played in 1864. This free public event is enjoying its 7th season and Historic Ramsey House is proud to be a part of this historic reenactment. The players play by 1864 rules, wear period uniforms and our local Knoxville teams bear the names of actual teams that existed in Knoxville during that time. The Knoxville Holstons and Emmett’s Machinists play other vintage league teams from around the state. The league has been in existence for 7 years and has grown from two teams to somewhere close to 15!

Saturday, July 11th Virtual!
6:00 pm: Knoxville Holstons vs Emmett Machinists

Sunday, July 26th
12:00: Farriers vs Knoxville Holstons
2:00: Farriers vs Emmett Machinists

Sunday, August 9th
11:00: Maroons vs Knoxville Holstons
1:00: Distillers vs. Knoxville Holstons
3:00: Distillers vs. Emmett Machinists

A local food truck will be on site to provide you with delicious eats! The 15% of the proceeds from the food truck sales help us to continue to bring this great educational event to our community. We encourage you to support these local food vendors throughout the season. Please bring a lawn chair an umbrella for shade and leave the coolers at home. Thank you!

Historic Ramsey House, 2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org

Knoxville Children's Theatre: Shrek, Jr.

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Category: Kids, family and Theatre

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present a live production of “Shrek The Musical, Jr.” based on the Dreamworks animation motion picture and the book by William Steig. The production was originally produced on Broadway with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesoro.

The live musical will be performed at the Knoxville Convention Center in the Lecture Hall from July 10 through July 26, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM and 7 PM. This production has been moved from KCT’s auditorium to the Knoxville Convention Center to allow for social distancing. Tickets will be limited and masks will be required for entry. Groups and families will be seated distanced from each other.

In a faraway kingdom, the green ogre Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits, runaways who’ve been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wise-cracking donkey to confront Lord Farquaad, he’s handed a task – if he rescues feisty Princess Fiona from the Dragon-guarded tower, his swamp will be returned to him. But a fairy tale wouldn’t be complete without unexpected twists and turns along the way. Shrek is a heartwarming, uplifting story to be enjoyed by all ages. We promise you will leave the theatre with a smile on your face.
The play is performed by 26 talented young actors, from ages 8 to 17. Keegan Spurr plays the title role of Shrek and Natalie Duncan plays Princess Fiona. Lord Farquaad is played by Quintin Rhodes, and Donkey is portrayed by Dale Gross. Alyssa Vogt will portray the Dragon, and Conard Belitz will play Pinocchio. Leeland Robbins and Braelyn Read will portray the younger Princess Fionas and Avert Waller will play Gingy.

The rest of the cast features veterans Sydney Allen, Lydia Baxter, Davis Bowlin, Charlotte Chrimes, Danny Davis, Isabella Francisco, Skylar Justice, Sydney Parman, Celeste Paultre, Pressley Rule, Mary Helen Schow, Graham Sexton, and Eleanor Wood. Ansley Ball, Benny Ramirez, Andrew Sarphie, and Riley Watkins will make their KCT debut with this production.
The show is directed by student intern Jacob Sousley with musical direction by Paul Jones and Deena Seals and choreography by Donya Walker. Elijah Payne is the assistant director and Samantha Owens provides the scenic design with Tanner White as scenic assistant. Alex Montgomery provides the lighting design with Ally Summie and August King as his assistants. KCT veteran Charlotte Stark will design and build the costumes with assistance from Olivia Rhea and Lauren Norton. The properties master for the production is Nico Ellerbusch with assistance by Cooper Delamain. The play’s stage manager is Campbell Ella.

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

Tomato Head: Cityscapes and Organics - Photography by Terri Swaggerty

  • July 6, 2020 — September 7, 2020

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

On exhibition Downtown from July 6-August 2 and at the West location from August 4-September 7

Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

Art Guild at Fairfield Glade: July Workshops & events

Category: Classes, workshops, Exhibitions, visual art and Fine Crafts

Sat Jul 4, 10-12: Flag Dedication
Tue Jul 7, 10-12: Smorgasbord of Art: Mixed Media with Susan Smathers, $20
Tue, Thu, Fri Jul 7, 9 & 10, 1-4: Beginning Drawing with John Anderson, $105
Thu Jul 9, 16, & 23, 9-12: Christmas in July Tole Painting with Cindy Howson, $105
Fri Jul 10, 10-12: Basic ARTiE Training (short for ART in Electronics), free
Tue Jul 14, 10-12: Paint Along with Sam Hill (watercolor demo class), $25
Wed Jul 15, 12-2: Project Discussion, a bi-monthly artwork review session, free
Thu Jul 16, 1-4: Fundamentals of Making Chain Mail Jewelry, with George Gallant, $75
Fri Jul 17, 1-4: Watercolor for Beginners with Vera Bogle, $35
Tue Jul 21, 9-12: Acrylic Bloom Pour, with Cindy Howson, $35
Wed Jul 22, 12-2: Life Drawing is Back! with Dena Whitener, $5
Thu Jul 23, 1-4: Let’s Get Started with Alcohol Inks, with Pam Woodhouse, $35
Fri Jul 24, 1-4: Florals in Acrylics with Jo Anne Hickey, $35
Tue Jul 28, 1-3: Creating a Handmade Journal with Barb Pelak, $25
Fri Jul 31, 5-7: Paint and Wine with Barb Pelak, $25

Art Guild at Fairfield Glade at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, TN 38558. Information: 931-707-7249, www.artguildfairfieldglade.net

Art Market Gallery: Inna Nasonova Knox

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

July Featured Artist: INNA NASONOVA KNOX

Her paintings are energy and time captured on a canvas. Inna Knox’s vibrant colors and skillful use of a palette knife capture life and movement on the street. Her impressionistic oils sweep the viewer in, as if he or she were part of the scene.

Inna Nasonova was well known in St. Petersburg for her elaborate watercolor of The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The magnificent painting was one of her top sellers with tourists. She grew up in Russia, attending the prestigious St. Petersburg Art University in interior design and selling paintings to pay her way through school. She later graduated from fashion design school and worked as a designer and seamstress for well-to-do women. But her path didn't end in Russia. When she immigrated to the U.S. in 2000, she experienced some things for the first time, including working with oils.

Now Inna Nasonova Knox is happily ensconced in her studio in the Knoxville area where she also conducts painting classes. Her famous cathedral, in oil, hangs in the hallway, but she has fallen in love with Knoxville's people and street scenes.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11-6, Sunday 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net and www.Facebook.com/ArtMarketGallery

Honeybee South: "Agri Chromatic" Exhibition by Jessica Borchert

  • July 3, 2020 — July 31, 2020

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Agri Chromatic, an expressive art exhibition by Local Artist Jessica Borchert, explores East TN with a sense of Southern "Pride" through an exhibition at Honeybee South. Borchert has exhibited her art in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and is delighted to open this show in East Tennessee where she grew up. www.JessicaBorchert.com

Come to the opening for First Friday, July 3rd from 4-7 pm. Agri Chromatic will be up for the rest of the month of July at Honeybee South, 700 Sevier Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920

Awaken Coffee: Exhibition by Don Grogan

  • July 3, 2020 — July 31, 2020

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for artist Don Grogan on Friday, July 3 from 6-8 pm. Don’s art is made from reclaimed wood. A piece may contain wood from an old barn, old pallet, or throw away construction materials.

“My goal is to create work that is pleasing to the eye while using materials that typically would be thrown away or burned. Each piece I create is unique. I encourage people to view my pieces closely, touch them, and experience the texture and the character of the wood.”

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

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. (865) 951-0427 or https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity

Knoxville Museum of Art: Sculptural Objects from the KMA Collection

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

This special display inaugurates the KMA’s newly renovated Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer Education Center, a multi-purpose space named in honor of the KMA’s first director of education. We are taking advantage of current COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings to use this event and classroom space to display a diverse selection of sculptural works, many small in scale, from the KMA collection. Some were acquired years ago and have been displayed many times, while others have rarely been shown or were recently acquired. Figurative works by Tennessee artists Bessie Harvey, Richard Jolley, and Red Grooms explore human life in all its struggles, timeless beauty, and satirical moments. Small objects by Henry Moore and John Himmelfarb reflect contrasting approaches to bronze. John Jordan, Jen McCurdy, and Brad Sells each explore the vessel as a sculptural form from distinct vantage points. Together, this selection reflects a broad cross-section of modern and contemporary art from East Tennessee and beyond as expressed in a variety of materials and techniques.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/sculptural-objects-from-the-kma-collection/

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