Calendar of Events

Thursday, May 27 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

That was, of course, the motto of our World's Fair, as anyone watching TV in early 1982 would know, and it's also our advice about next week's Zoom. It will be all about the Knoxville International Energy Exposition. Our lead writer, Jack Neely, knew the fair well, as a close Fort Sanders neighbor, and as a nine-month employee for the six-month fair. In recent years, he's learned more about the fair and its import than he knew then. We'll also show some pictures, and offer a virtual tour of the site, to prepare us for next May's 40th anniversary.

Everyone is welcome to join in, as long as you don't mention the "chicken dance."

Register for these online programs at: https://knoxvillehistoryproject.org/events/

"Virginia Woolf’s Hidden Memoir"

Urmila Seshagiri, Associate Professor
Department of English

Thursday, May 27, 2021
7:00 P.M.

Decades after Virginia Woolf’s death, scholars discovered “Sketch of the Past,” the author’s unknown, unfinished, and unpublished memoir. When “Sketch of the Past” was published in 1985, critics hailed it as one of Woolf’s most beautiful and important works. However, the only published version of “Sketch” is error-riddled and inauthentic: editors made hundreds of mistakes as they transcribed and combined Woolf’s incomplete drafts. Professor Seshagiri is preparing a new, accurate edition of “Sketch of the Past” for 21st-century readers, and in this conversation, she will describe her adventures in archives, her new discoveries about how Woolf composed her autobiography, and the complex, exhilarating decisions that editors make when they publish unfinished work.

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When is “continuing education” fun? The answer: always -- with our UTHC series “Conversations & Cocktails”! “Conversations & Cocktails” is a free public lecture and discussion series that showcases the original research done by our distinguished UT arts and humanities faculty. Our monthly get-togethers give you the opportunity to hear about fascinating work in the arts and in fields such as philosophy, history, and literature studies.This year our theme is “Breaking Boundaries,” featuring new, groundbreaking work in five different research fields. Presentations are 30-40 minutes long and are designed for the general public. A spirited question-and-answer discussion follows each presentation. While we usually hold our evening meetings at a restaurant in Knoxville, for the health and safety of our campus and community, we will host our spring 2021 Conversations & Cocktails lectures as webinars on Zoom.
https://uthumanitiesctr.utk.edu/public/cocktails.php

“BIRDABILITY: BECAUSE BIRDING IS FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERY BODY” VIRTUAL PROGRAM PRESENTED ON THURSDAY, MAY 27 AT 7:00 P.M. BY THE UT ARBORETUM SOCIETY AND TENNESSEE CITIZENS FOR WILDERNESS PLANNING

Birding is an activity that can bring so much joy and empowerment to everybody, but not every body is able to go birding easily. Join this UT Arboretum Society and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning virtual program on Thursday, May 27th to learn how those with disabilities can enjoy birding. Birdability Coordinator and Occupational Therapist, Freya McGregor (OTR/L, CIG) will explain how her organization focuses on removing barriers to access for birders with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, intellectual or developmental disabilities (including autism), mental illness, being deaf or hard of hearing and other health concerns. The organization is dedicated to bringing the joy of birding to people with disabilities and other health concerns who aren’t yet birders.

Learn about why this should matter to you even if you don't have an accessibility challenge. She will explain ways to be a more welcoming and inclusive birder, the Birdability Map, how to submit a Birdability Site Review and resources for birders and potential future birders with accessibility challenges. The group firmly believes that birding is for everybody and every body! Learn more and find resources at the non-profit birdability.org.

Birding since childhood, McGregor’s ‘dodgy’ knee often creates an accessibility challenge for her. With a background in blindness and low vision services, she is passionate about enabling all birders and potential future birders to enjoy birding and nature as much as she does. This is a virtual Zoom presentation and registration for this free online event is required. To register go to: www.utarboretumsociety.org and click on the event. The program will be recorded. Please contact Michelle Campanis at mcampani@utk.edu with any questions or registration issues.

We're delighted to have Tiffany Jackson joining us to discuss her latest young adult book, Grown, on Thursday 5/27 at 7 PM. Through partnership with UTK's English Department, we'll also be donating copies to young adults in our community!

Tiffany D. Jackson is the critically acclaimed author of YA novels including the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, the NAACP Image Award-nominated Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and her forthcoming 2020 title GROWN. She received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decade in TV/Film experience. The Brooklyn native is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves, most likely multitasking. https://www.writeinbk.com/

https://www.thebottomknox.com/

Ijams and CAC Beardsley Community Farm invite you to a Take Action! Summer Gardening series! The first workshop, Sustainable Summer Gardening, is next Thursday, May 27, from 6-7 p.m. You’ll learn the basics of growing eco-friendly summer crops, maintenance tips and tricks, and sustainable practices for a healthy landscape and produce. All four classes are FREE and take place at the Farm!

May 27: Sustainable Summer Gardening
June 24: A Guide to Growing Pollinator Plants & Arranging Flowers
July 22: Preserving the Harvest: Fruit Jams & Sauces
Aug. 26: Using the Harvest: Homemade Pasta w/Zucchini & Herbs

https://www.ijams.org/event-details/take-action-sustainable-summer-gardening-with-beardsley-farm

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
1741 Reynolds St, Knoxville, TN 37921

The Bottom is SO excited to be a part of Michelle Williams' Checking In Book Tour! Michelle will sit down for intimate, candid conversations with some amazing personalities and influencers to discuss various topics and themes from her book. Each night promises to be an experience and begins at 7pm EST, lasting for approximately 60 min. VIP tickets includes signed book and meet and greet.

Special guests include: Chloe Bailey, Taraji B. Henson, LeCrae, Ms. Tina Lawson, LeToya Luckett, Dr. Anita Phillips, Darrel Walls, Tamar Braxton, Chandler Moore, DeVon Franklin and Tabitha Brown

For tickets & more info: https://screenz.live/en/workshop/609ad76f4dd830002526a80e

https://www.thebottomknox.com/

A View of the City features more than 20 paintings and works on paper of Knoxville and vicinity by artists from East Tennessee and beyond representing the city and outlying areas during and after the 1940s. This diverse selection offers a complex and compelling portrait of our area over the course of a vital period in its development.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/a-view-of-the-city-knoxville/

More than 20 paintings and works on paper representing the exciting growth in the KMA’s contemporary collection through museum purchases and donations from artists and collectors far and wide.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/undercurrents-recent-acquisitions-of-contemporary-art/

Flying Anvil Theatre welcomes Spring with another original virtual comedy by Artistic Director, Jayne Morgan. Tiny Houses is a sequel to last year’s popular Branching Out and features an all-new, sidesplitting story that follows the original cast a few months after the original play.

Change is coming once again to the bickering siblings Scoop, BP and Arnell, and no one is handling it well. Everyone is feeling stressed by their mother’s rather unnerving virtual memorial service and her bizarre outfit (a most vibrant caftan and turban), which as Arnell says, “makes her look like a reject from RuPaul’s Drag Race.” When the truth behind the festivities and the familial bickering finally comes out, the family must find a new way to both relate with one another and to support each other. “It’s a broad comedy but you’ll probably recognize your own family in the characters.” Morgan says. “The great thing is you don’t have to have seen Branching Out to enjoy Tiny Houses. But we’ll still give you a chance to catch it if you want to before the new one opens.”

Veteran actors David Dwyer, Carol Goans, Vicki Sparks, Aleah Vassell, Jill Henderlight will all reprise their roles from Branching Out. One new character is joining the fray- Dan, BP’s nervous and shy husband will be played by Donald Thorne.

Tiny Houses and Branching Out will both be available for streaming May 21st through May 30th.

A key focus of Flying Anvil Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is to remove barriers between art and audience, particularly with new theatrical works. As such, these on-demand performances can be accessed by paying what you can. $1 (or $1,000?!) can get you virtual access to these not-to-be-missed comedies. Plus, you will be supporting the arts when it is needed the most!

Flying Anvil Theatre will soon announce its re-opening with a new season of in person performances complete with updated safety procedures. To keep up on the latest news, make a donation, or get involved, check out their website at www.flyinganviltheatre.com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @flyinganviltheatre.

You’ll see one young musician after another performing their culminating musical selection for the 2020-2021 school year. Months of hard work, artistry and training come together in one online event. These are unprecedented times. But these unstoppable kids will seize their moment to shine – but not to the usual applause. Instead we encourage you to contribute uplifting online comments during the stream. Bravo to our super Joy of Music School students! www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_vsgcKqyho

Tri-Star Arts is pleased to announce the next exhibition in their gallery at the historic Candoro Marble Building. A two-person show, Elements & Dreams, featuring works by artist Raymond Padrón (Chattanooga, TN) and Sarah Shebaro (Knoxville, TN) will open on Tuesday, May 18, and run through Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Public receptions will be held on Friday, May 21 from 5:00- 8:00 pm and Friday, July 2 from 5:00- 8:00 pm. An in-person artist talk will be held on Friday, July 2 at 3:30 pm.

This exhibition will be open to the public, alongside iconic spaces within the Candoro Marble Building, regularly from Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am until 5:00 pm going forward. Masks and social distancing (6 feet apart) are required. The gallery occupancy is limited to a maximum of 10 persons at a time.

Raymond Padrón is a sculptor and performance-based artist, working in a broad diversity of processes and materials. He uses traditional craft and its relationship to improvisation to explore how we form our identity and beliefs. Born in 1983, he grew up in the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC. In 2005 after receiving his B.A. in sculpture and graphic design from Messiah College in Grantham, PA, he moved south to the city of Chattanooga, TN. In 2011 he received his M.F.A. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has since returned to Chattanooga where he now makes art, exhibits nationally, and teaches.

Sarah Shebaro is a multidisciplinary artist, printmaking instructor, and designer residing in Knoxville, TN. She’s currently a printer and co-owner of Striped Light, a letterpress studio and cultural space that opened in January of 2015. The center of her artistic practice relies on working and teaching in communal creative spaces. She has previously taught at the Pratt Institute (NYC), Manhattan Graphics Center, Southern Oregon University, and the Penland School of Craft.

Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: https://tristararts.org/
Follow Tri-Star Arts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook #TRISTARARTS

A one gallery show that asks artists to select a favorite line or lines of poetry and create a work that illustrates or evokes the same idea or feeling. From well-known poems to those penned by the artist or friends, this exhibition is a treat for the eyes and soul. Poems will be displayed with works!

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