Calendar of Events

Elizabeth Gould (1804–1840) is best known as the lifelong assistant of her husband John Gould. Together the couple published a series of ornithological texts chronicling thousands of bird species. However, Elizabeth Gould was more than just the assistant to or wife of her husband. Elizabeth’s artistic contributions to ornithology have been chronically underrepresented, though she is responsible for some of the most important illustrations of birds ever published. During her lifetime, she designed and lithographed more than 650 natural history illustrations. This exhibition of more than thirty lithographs and books seeks to bring Elizabeth Gould to the forefront and acknowledge her life’s work and artistic contributions.

The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. As part of the University of Tennessee, we adhere to UTK's COVID19 policies.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-2144

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum August 20-November 7, 2021. Additionally, beginning August 1, the museum will resume full operating hours for the first time since 2020 (Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5pm, Sunday 1-5 pm, closed Mondays).

Under Construction showcases the artistic technique of collage, a dynamic and engaging medium in which materials from different sources are cut, torn, and layered to create new meanings and narratives. Featuring nearly 80 works by more than 30 international artists, this exhibition explores the growth and impact of collage from the 1950s to the present. Although collage gained acclaim in the early 20th-century through the groundbreaking work of artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, it experienced a renaissance (particularly in America) after World War II. Charlotte, North Carolina native Romare Bearden is widely credited with rejuvenating and reinvigorating the technique. The exhibition brings together more than a dozen collages by Bearden. It shows how he inspired subsequent generations of artists, including Radcliffe Bailey, Sam Gilliam, Kojo Griffin, Robert A. Nelson, Man Ray, Kristina Rogers, Tim Rollins and K.O.S., Howardena Pindell, Robert Rauschenberg, and James Rosenquist. As is evident in many of the works in Under Construction, Bearden’s legacy continues to serve as a powerful touchstone for younger artists as they use new ideas, materials, and tools to define the medium’s voice in the Digital Age.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will also host Kolaj LIVE Knoxville. From Friday, November 5th, to Sunday, November 7th, 2021, artists, curators, and writers will gather for a weekend of collage making, slideshows, exhibition visits, and storytelling that deepen our understanding of collage as a medium, a genre, a community, and a 21st-century movement. Additional programming surrounding the exhibition will be available at www.knoxart.org.

Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum is organized by The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1936 as North Carolina’s first art museum, The Mint Museum is a leading, innovative cultural institution and museum of international art and design. With two locations — Mint Museum Randolph in the heart of Eastover and Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts — the Mint boasts one of the largest collections in the Southeast and is committed to engaging and inspiring members of the global community. Visit www.mintmuseum.org.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5pm, Sunday 1-5 pm, closed Mondays. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/under-construction-collage-from-the-mint-museum/

The Odd Couple (female version)

Performances: Aug. 20 – Sep. 12 (Fri/Sat @ 8pm, Sun @ 3pm) plus Thu, Aug 26 @ 8pm

Unger and Madison are at it again! Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is, in Neil Simon's hilarious contemporary comic classic: the female version of The Odd Couple. Instead of the poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constazuela brothers. But the hilarity remains the same. This show will be set in 1985.

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

At World's Fair Exhibition Hall

Easily accessible to Historic Downtown Knoxville, The Old City, Women's Basketball Hall of fame, Knoxville Museum of Art, the Sunsphere and much more all within walking distance! Artists from all over the country will be attending this huge event. That means everyone will have a chance to get tattooed and pierced by some of the best in the industry, as well as the up-and-coming artists. Attendees will also enjoy sideshows, burlesque performances, human suspension, tattoo contests, Body jewelry, unique vendors, and media coverage from various industry magazines. This 3-day live tattooing extravaganza will be something you will not want to miss!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2535420913394582

FRIDAY 6-9 PM at Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum
Tickets: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/_hw65Nd_ohJBSNn2MPsCgw

Put on your favorite Hawaiian shirt and join us for a fun evening of food, music, dancing, and recognition of our 2020 Community Literacy Heroes. We didn’t get to honor them last year, so we’re doing it now.

Tickets are $75 each, includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and one glass of wine or beer. You may purchase tickets through August 10. In accordance with current CDC guidelines, masks will be required in the indoor area during this event, except when eating or drinking.

Proceeds support the Adult Reading, ESL, Reading Mentors, Family Literacy, and GED/HiSET Prep programs at Friends of Literacy. https://www.facebook.com/events/476419246986456

We’re excited to be bringing back our keeper chats, which gives you the opportunity to get to know more about the animals and meet the keepers who care for them. It’s a great way to learn more about the conservation work being done at Zoo Knoxville and learn how you can be part of the mission to save animals from extinction. Currently offered throughout the zoo each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Schedule subject to change.

Explore Keeper Chats: https://www.zooknoxville.org/keeper-chats/

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

Straight from Las Vegas, "Robin: The Ultimate Robin Williams Tribute Experience," will be onstage at The Open Chord beginning Thursday, August 19 through Sunday the 22nd. Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 4 and 8pm and Sunday at 4pm. The show features Legends of Comedy veteran impressionist, Roger Kabler who celebrates the comedic genius of the late Robin Williams.

Roger Kabler is a true renaissance man. Along with being one of the finest comedy impressionists in the country, he is a talented actor and portrait artist. Kabler, also known for his impressions of Robert De Niro and John Travolta, is a multi talented actor with a wide range of experience. He served as the Zima spokesman in national TV commercials and was a regular on the last Carol Burnett series.

He also starred in his own NBC sitcom, "Rhythm and Blues," about a very Caucasian guy who gets hired on an African-American radio station after being mistaken for a black man. In addition, he produced and starred in the award-winning movie, "Who the Hell is Bobby Roos?"

What the critics have said; ..." an astonishing Robin Williams impressionist!"—Daily Variety
"He's the closest thing to Robin Williams that there will ever be."—New York Newsday

Tickets are only $28.50 and are available on-line at PREKINDLE TICKETS
Thursday 8pm: https://www.prekindle.com/event/67548-robin-williams-knoxville
Friday 8pm: https://www.prekindle.com/event/15642-robin-williams-knoxville
Saturday 4pm: https://www.prekindle.com/event/82541-robin-williams-knoxville
Saturday 8pm: https://www.prekindle.com/event/34462-robin-williams-knoxville
Sunday 4pm: https://www.prekindle.com/event/15723-robin-williams-knoxville

or by stopping by THE OPEN CHORD, ALL THINGS MUSIC STORE located at 8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. https://www.openchordmusic.com/

August 18-22
Wed-Sat @ 7:30, Sun @ 2:00

The fight to gain the vote for women was dramatic, fractious, and sometimes violent. Written by two local playwrights, SuffRAGE celebrates Tennessee’s important role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment while acknowledging those who were left out. Opening on the 101th anniversary (because, you know, there was a pandemic on the 100th) of the vote to ratify, this World Premiere honestly examines the complicated history of women’s suffrage. For all audiences.

When the big centennial for the 19th Amendment was cancelled last year due to Covid, Flying Anvil Theatre had to postpone its own original play. But now SuffRAGE: To Give Voice will open on the 101st anniversary of that historic vote, for a limited five-performance run. The play cleverly links the historical event with today’s efforts to make voting more difficult for some.

The cast includes Yolanda Treece, Jennie Lee-Pace, JoAnn Damiani, Arisa Carero-Spencer, Delyn Filer, Emma Wright, and Rachel Bass and is stage managed by Randy Thompson. The play was commissioned by Flying Anvil Theatre and researched and written by Linda Parsons and Jeannette Brown. They took on the challenge of not only celebrating women’s gaining the vote, but acknowledging the Black suffragists who were left behind.

The theatre requires everyone to be vaccinated and wear masks at all times. In addition, only 60 seats are sold for each performance so audience members can distance themselves within the theatre.

Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Road, Knoxville. Information: 865-357-1309, www.flyinganviltheatre.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @flyinganviltheatre

"Island Art" exhibit at Tomato Head - West Knox Gallery Center
Includes about 20 pieces on aluminum, canvas, and fine art paper
https://dan-podsobinski.pixels.com/

Tomato Head, 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

August 17th Class (Learning Series - The Camera) 6PM-8PM - The Camera will teach you all about analog shooting. Topics covered will be: selecting a camera, camera functions, operating in that mysterious "Manual" mode, metering your subject, lens selection, and more. Pricing for this individual class is $60. This class is limited to 3 participants.

August 19th Class (Learning Series - The Negative) 6PM-8PM - The Negative will take you inside The Darkroom where you will learn to load and process your film. Pricing for this individual class is $60. This class is limited to 3 participants.

August 23rd (Learning Series - The Print) 6PM-8PM - The Print will take you inside The Darkroom where you will learn the basics of enlarger use, burning and dodging and developing finished prints. For this class, you must bring your developed film and B&W photo paper. We suggest buying film and paper locally from F32 near West Town Mall. Pricing for this individual class is $60. This class is limited to 3 participants.

The Knoxville Community Darkroom, 127 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Registration at www.theknoxvillecommunitydarkroom.org

The play will be performed Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

Knoxville Children’s Theatre, in partnership with the Clayton Foundation will present a live production of “The Hobbit.” This live stage adaptation of the famous novel by J.R.R. Tolkien is written by Patricia Gray.

Bilbo, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief robber in an attempt to recover an important treasure. It’s the last thing that any sensitive Hobbit would want to do, but great benefit eventually results - not only for Bilbo but for all of the Hobbits who inhabit Middle Earth - and the hearts of those children and adults who continue to enjoy a magical fantasy.

The play is performed by 24 talented young actors, from ages 8 to 16.

The show is directed by recent KCT graduate Quintin Rhodes with Assistant Director Alyssa Vogt.

KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families.

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

We are excited to announce Sarah Moore as our artist for the months of August and September! Her show Yonder features paintings of natural and wild places in East Tennessee. All paintings are one of a kind originals. Please join us for the show opening from 6 to 8pm on Fri Aug 6.

Yonder will be on display August 6th through September 28th. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we prefer that masks be worn inside the store. Thank you for helping us stay safe!

Sarah Moore is a lifelong painter and current Knoxville resident. She earned her M.Arch degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2012, and was a Danforth Scholar for the duration of her study there. Her work has been mentioned in The New York Times and Town & Country Magazine, and her paintings have been collected throughout the United States and internationally. https://sarahmoore.studio/

https://www.facebook.com/events/562100878152027

Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-7888, https://shoprala.com. Instagram: @ShopRala