Calendar of Events

(Ages 18+) Learn how twigs, bark and even SMELL can be used to identify tree species at the Ijams Field Day: Winter Tree ID next Saturday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.! Learn More and Register

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/ijams-river-rescue.

**UPDATE 2/22: POSTPONED, new date TBA

The African American Equity Restoration Task Force, with support from the City of Knoxville Community Empowerment Department, will host an open house on Saturday, Feb. 26, 1-5 p.m. at Vine Middle School, to get feedback from community members regarding issues of equity and disparities experienced by Black residents.

“Since the Task Force’s creation, members have discussed ways to engage directly with community members,” says Director of Community Empowerment Charles F. Lomax, Jr, who serves as City staff support for the Task Force. “This event will provide a family-friendly setting in which attendees can discuss issues of importance to the Task Force. These ideas will be documented for the group to consider as part of its ongoing process of identifying and addressing disparities in Knoxville.”

The open house will provide opportunities for attendees to meet and talk with Task Force members, who represent business, community, financial, education, faith, healthcare, youth and city leaders, as well as share their ideas and experiences regarding issues of equity and disparities in Knoxville. Participants will also help inform how the Task Force prioritizes its efforts to study, review, and identify strategic solutions to improve areas of disparity and disenfranchisement in Knoxville’s Black community.

More details are available at www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/EquityTaskForce. To request language translation services, contact Diversity and Inclusion Officer Tatia M. Harris at tharris@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2831. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at scook@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034 at least 72 hours before the meeting.

DR. BROADWAY PRESENTS: RENT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 | 5PM • FREE EVENT!

Want to learn more about RENT? Join Dr. Broadway at the East Tennessee History Center for an educational behind-the-scenes view of RENT. Whether you've seen this classic show before or the Farewell Tour is your first time, you're invited to attend this free session! No RSVP required.
https://www.instagram.com/drbway

Show tickets (Feb 25-27): https://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/222323?attractionId=2212138

UT School of Art students are joining with students from Tennessee State University and Fisk University for the 2022 juried student exhibition and exchange on the theme Light of Truth.

In an 1892 speech, Ida B. Wells told her audience, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” She lived these words, determinedly and vocally confronting every social inequity she encountered.

Students have responded with artwork that sheds light on truths. As artists they illuminate their surroundings through leadership, activism, community building and sharing perspectives.

The Art Exhibition will take place in Nashville from January 18 to February 12, 2022 and at UT in the Student U from February 25 to March 26, 2022. Student Union, Gallery, 1502 Cumberland Ave. Knoxville, TN 37996
https://art.utk.edu/light-of-truth-2022-juried-student-exhibition-and-exchange/

Rent 25th Anniversary Tour - The Farewell Season of Love - Feb. 25-27 (5 performances)

For a quarter of a century, RENT has inspired us to choose love over fear and to live without regret. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon has become more than a musical–it’s a cultural touchstone and a source of joy and strength for millions. RENT’s 25th Anniversary “Farewell Season of Love” is your FINAL CHANCE to experience this celebrated touring production–so don’t miss it!

https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/broadway-at-the-tennessee/2021-2022-season/

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.ticketmaster.com

“I Can’t Breathe” music by: Leslie Burrs/libretto by: Brandon J. Gibson
***World Premiere***
February 24, 25, & 26 at Beck Cultural Center
7:30pm EST In-person & online

"I Can't Breathe" was inspired by and written in the wake of repeated instances of fatal police brutality perpetrated against African Americans. It tells the stories of six individuals from different walks of life. Lives that are forever changed by innocent interactions with law enforcement gone wrong. It highlights how manners, appearance, education, and not even compliance are enough to protect people of color from a system that too often treats them as inherently dangerous. Six vignettes portray a striking and multi-faceted reflection of the African American experience before coalescing to ask the question, "How many more"?

The Knoxville world premiere is being produced in partnership with the Carpetbag Theatre and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. It features an all-African American creative team comprised of the Carpetbag Theatre, Inc.'s Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan Clark as stage director; as well as Garrett McQueen, Executive Producer/Host of “Trilloquy” as conductor, in addition to composer, Leslie Burrs and librettist/Marble City Opera Managing Director, Brandon J. Gibson.

A consortium of four opera companies including Marble City Opera commissioned the work, and it will be produced separately by each company after the world premiere in Knoxville with Marble City Opera.

Knoxville Partner links:
The Carpetbag Theatre, Inc. (www.CarpetbagTheatre.org)
Beck Cultural Exchange Center (www.BeckCenter.net)

Consortium Companies:
Marble City Opera (www.MarbleCityOpera.com)
Cleveland Opera Theater (www.ClevelandOperaTheater.org)
Opera Columbus (www.OperaColumbus.org)
Pacific Opera Project (www.PacificOperaProject.com)

Additional links:
Composer (www.LeslieBurrs.com)
Librettist (www.BrandonJovanGibson.com)
Conductor (www.GarrettMcqueen.com)

For the latest updates visit: www.MarbleCityOpera.com
Social Media links: FB: facebook.com/MarbleCityOpera
IN: @MarbleCityOpera
TW: @MarbleCityOpera

Ijams Nature Center will host in-person and virtual open houses for families interested in fall 2022 enrollment for the full-time Ijams Nature Preschool and part-time Ijams Nature Play Club.

Virtual open houses are Feb. 22 and 24, March 17, and April 28 from 6-7 p.m. Virtual events will take place via Zoom.

In-person open houses are Feb. 27, March 20, and May 1 from 1-3 p.m. at the Ijams Miller Education Building, 2915 Island Home Ave. In-person events will follow COVID-19 safety protocols, including wearing masks inside the building, to ensure everyone stays safe.

More information and registration is available on the Ijams Calendar of Events at www.Ijams.org/calendar-of-events.

Fall classes start Monday, Aug. 8. The Ijams Nature Preschool meets Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and focuses on child-led, age-appropriate, experiential learning. Children ages 3-5 spend more than 50% of their time outdoors.

The Ijams Nature Play Club follows the same model, but is 100% outdoors. There are two, two-day sessions, Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday. Both sessions meet from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Ijams Nature Preschool and Play Club programs blend traditional education standards with the opportunity to learn about and explore the natural world. Children spend the majority of their time outdoors, where they learn through play, discovery and inquiry. Activities focus on sensory experiences with live animals, natural objects, artifacts and art materials. The programs encourage curiosity, cognitive growth and motor skills through unstructured, child-led outdoor adventures. Children build problem-solving, math and engineering skills through hands-on experiences, and cultivate social skills through group play and opportunities for cooperative learning.

For more information about the Ijams Nature Preschool and Ijams Nature Play Club, visit www.Ijams.org/nature-preschool or www.Ijams.org/nature-play-club. Additional questions may be directed to Abby Branstetter at 865-679-5491, or via email at preschool@ijams.org or playclub@ijams.org.

Tri-Star Arts invites you to the First Friday reception for "From Wonder To Wonder" feat. Carl E. Moore and David Jon Walker (images 1-2 above) and "The Gallery of the Thieves: Recto / Verso" by Andrew Scott Ross (image 3 above) at the historic Candoro Marble Building, Friday, April 1 from 5:00- 8:00pm. (photos: Bruce Cole)

The Tri-Star Arts gallery and studios are located in the historic Candoro Marble Building, 5 minutes from downtown Knoxville at the corner of Maryville Pike and Candora Avenue. Parking spaces are limited and visitors may park along Candora Avenue as needed.

This exhibition is open to the public regularly from Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am until 5:00 pm, alongside iconic spaces within the Candoro Marble Building ~ located in the Vestal neighborhood of Knoxville. (photo: Bruce Cole)

Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Drive, Knoxville, TN 37920. https://tristararts.org/the-gallery

The play will be performed February 18th through the March 6th, Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM and 6 PM.

Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

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

Justin Chance, Cameron Cameron, Tristan Higganbotham
Serendipity Trail
opens February 12, up through March 27

BAD WATER, 320 E. Churchwell Ave, Knoxville, TN. Open during receptions & by appointment. Info: writetobadwater@gmail.com, https://instagram.com/bad__water, or https://badwater.gallery/

Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity, scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating "hysteria" in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. Adjacent to the doctor's laboratory, his young and energetic wife Catherine wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. When a new "hysterical" patient and her husband bring a wet nurse and their own complicated relationship into the doctor's home, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone.

We love this play for its humor, honesty, and magical healing.

*Production contains sexual content and partial nudity.

Preview: Feb. 9
Performances: Feb. 10-13, Feb. 18-20, 24-27

River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

Reception Friday, February 11, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.

What: REFLECTED NARRATIVES
Works by graduate students, faculty and staff from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Printmaking Program. Free and open to the public!

This exhibition presents prints and related works by graduate students, staff and faculty from the University of Tennessee Printmaking Program. The Printmaking Program in the UT School of Art has been ranked among the top graduate programs by US News and World Report for more than 20 years. Courses included intaglio, lithography, relief, monotype, book arts, and screen print. The program encourages students to work with the entire printmaking toolbox, from traditional to digital processes. Emphasize is placed on the importance of making work with processes and materials that inform and develop conceptual ideas.

Our program is enriched by the diversity of backgrounds and educational experiences as reflected in the listing below:
Zoe Brester-Pennings, 2nd Year Graduate Student (BFA, Sonoma State University)
Danqi Cai, 2nd Year Graduate Student, (BFA, Maryland Institute College of Art)
Gino Castellanos, 1st Year Graduate Student (BFA, Florida Atlantic University)
Muriel Condon, 3rd Year Graduate Student (BFA, Montana State University)
Anthony Huang, 1st Year Graduate Student (MFA, Savannah College of Art and Design)
Noah Lagle, 2nd Year Graduate Student (BFA, University of Vermont)
Beauvais Lyons, Professor of Art (MFA, Arizona State University)
Elysia Mann, Printshop Technician (MFA, University of Tennessee)
Althea Murphy-Price, Professor of Art (MFA, Temple University)
Haley Takahashi, 2nd Year Graduate Student (BFA, University of Colorado, Boulder)
Chloe Wack, 1st Year Graduate Student, (BFA, Towson University)
Koichi Yamamoto, Professor of Art (MFA, University of Alberta)

More information about the artists in this exhibition may be found on the UT School of Art website (https://art.utk.edu).

Gallery hours: 10-4 Monday, 10-3 Tuesday and Wednesday. Ring doorbell to enter. Masks required.
Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919