Calendar of Events

The Refugee King, a new play by Ethan Norman

March 31, April 1 & 2 @ 7:30 PM, April 3 @ 2:30 PM

You know the story. A long time ago, Jesus lived, died, and rose again. We tell it and re-tell it, and for good reason. But to what end? How does it really affect our daily life two thousand years later? The Refugee King is a fresh, vibrant play with music wherein a couple finds themselves in a story – unfolding at a kitchen table like yours – where they must choose to be like Jesus or like everyone else.

The WordPlayers is a 501(c)3 theatre company. The Refugee King is sponsored by Warren & Kathy Payne, Leslie A Hull and Accentuate Communication. Upcoming programming includes Hello, Dolly! at the Bijou Theatre.

Performed at the Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State St., Knoxville. Tickets are $18-$22 on the weekend and March 31 is Pay What You Wish Admission. Tickets are available at www.oldcitypac.com and at the door. For more information, please see www.wordplayers.org or call 865-539-2490.

Facebook: The WordPlayers
Twitter: @wordplayers
Instagram: wordplayers

3/31/22 • 7:00pm

A.J. Croce performs Croce Plays Croce, a special night of music featuring a complete set of classics by his late father Jim Croce, some of his own tunes, and songs that influenced both him and his father.

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information/tickets: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

THE VEGABONDS with THE STEWS
THURSDAY, MARCH 31 • 8PM

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information/tickets: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Beck Welcomes our native daughter, the Honorable Consuelo B. Marshall, Senior District Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
Special Women's History Month
Racial Justice Part XIX
Streaming Live Through YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGbLtpCKjFc

Beck Cultural Exchange Center: 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-6. Information: 865-524-8461, www.beckcenter.net

https://volumes.lib.utk.edu/news/boundless-black-atticus/

Free and open to the public
Boundless: Artist in the Archives with Black Atticus
March 31, 2022 | 6:30pm

Black Atticus – a local artist who has been on the hip-hop scene for over a decade – will perform original hip-hop and spoken word compositions inspired by collections from the University of Tennessee Libraries’ Betsey B. Creekmore and University Archives and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.

Black Atticus musical style is inspired by his Southern roots, and he has been called one of the most heartfelt voices of the Southern hip-hop movement. His performances seamlessly weave the art of storytelling with electric rhyme slaying over moody baselines and drum patterns that keep the whole room involved.

John C. Hodges Library, Lindsay Young Auditorium, 1015 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996

Saxophonist John Sampen and composer/engineer Mark Bunce have traveled all over the world, offering unique master classes and concert presentations for saxophone and the electronic medium. “In Two Worlds” represents their current multi-disciplinary presentation and is designed as an exciting “seamless” musical experience featuring projected visuals, interactive electronics and theatrical activities.

March 31 at 6:00 p.m.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

UT School of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. Venues: Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Boulevard; James R. Cox Auditorium and Performance Hall 32, Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive. Information: 865-974-8935, https://music.utk.edu/events/

Merchant & Gould Concertmaster Series
William Shaub and Friends: Claire de Lune

VENUE
Knoxville Museum of Art

Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 7:00pm
Thursday, March 31, 2022 7:00pm

The Concertmaster Series, featuring the new KSO concertmaster William Shaub and various guest artists, will take place at the Knoxville Museum of Art, located at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Intimate performances held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the KMA’s Ann and Steve Bailey Hall – seating is general admission.

WORKS INCLUDE:
CARLOS SIMON “Loop” for String Trio
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Claire de Lune
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Violin Sonata
ROBERT SCHUMANN Piano Quintet in E flat major

865-291-3310 or https://knoxvillesymphony.com

Celebration of the pieces at a reception on Sunday, April 3 from 2 to 4 PM.

The show is intended to answer the question: “What do you love?” We have asked our members to lend us up to six of their favorite pieces to share with the community to show a range of what speaks to and moves each of the individuals. In essence, it will be curated by the larger group, rather than a single person and, therefore, we are hoping it will be both diverse and dynamic.

There are all sorts of reasons people collect art. In most cases, artwork is displayed in our homes or work spaces, but in others it may not be. Most people buy art because they love the imagery and want to live with it to create a feeling or mood in their living space. The work may echo feelings, emotions, or memories they cherish. They may offer a range of emotions from comforting and soothing to exciting or invigorating. Work may also titillate the imagination, beckon stories, or challenge viewers to define or describe their subject matter. These may inspire ever changing reactions or a sense of renewal and inspire different feelings as one looks at the work over the long term. Some of us own pieces that have familial ties or generational importance. These items may involve references to one’s heritage or aspects from the culture or cultures from which they hail. Still others invest in artwork, hoping it will rise in value and that they will see a large return on that investment. While I concede this happens, I believe these individuals are in the minority. What we choose to love and live with says a lot about each of us—who we are and how we live. For this reason, we are asking our member collectors to select what they would like to show. We want your/their choices to make sure we do not slant the exhibition through a single individual’s filter.

One collector has offered to show a series of 13 Dali works that Dali created as illustrations for Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. The set is delightfully colorful and depicts the chapters of the book. These should be as enchanting to view as the book was to read! We are looking forward to sharing in the joy these pieces will bring to everyone who sees them. Other items that will be exhibited include a piece or pieces that were purchased while traveling. For one of the owners, her work takes them back to that experience, the newness and freedom the trip inspired. In addition it was a new type of work that has inspired her own thinking and creations since. It is those anticipated experiences that prompt us to offer this exhibition. To share these works our members are opening their experiences to others and allowing our viewers to make that journey with them. That communication should be as interesting or thought – provoking as the works themselves.

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

The play will be performed Thursdays and 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 Jackie & Me by Steven Dietz and adapted from the book by Dan Gutman.

Ten-year-old Joey Stoshack is a headstrong young boy with a special talent for time travel. When Joey is assigned to write a report on an African American who has made an important contribution to society, he uses his special ability to go back to Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. He meets one of baseball’s greatest players, Jackie Robinson. Joey plans on writing a prize-winning report, but he doesn’t plan on a trip that will forever change his view of history and his definition of courage.

"[Kids] learn about Jackie Robinson, racial discrimination and restraining one's temper to achieve a larger goal. … The show is truthful, fun and filled with worthy life lessons for kids." -Chicagocritic.com

The play is performed by 14 talented young actors, from ages 9 to 18. Joey will be played by Oak Holden, who is making his KCT debut. He will be joined by Elijah Clemes and DeShayla Foley, who will portray Jackie and Rachel Robinson.

The show is directed by guest director Derrick Washington, Jr. who is a former KCT participant.

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

By Qui Nguyen, Directed by Casey Sams
Carousel Theatre

After the death of her teenage sister Tilly, Agnes discovers an untouched “Dungeons and Dragons” campaign in Tilly’s room. In an effort to connect with her sister one last time, Agnes enters the imaginary “Dungeons and Dragons” world she once mocked. She uncovers levels of her sister that she didn’t know existed in an action-packed adventure filled with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ‘90s pop culture.

The Pay What You Can Preview performance, where patrons can name their own price, will be held Wednesday, March 23rd. Half of the proceeds from PWYW tickets will benefit Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley. Behind the Scenes Sunday will take place following the Sunday, March 27 matinee. A Designer Talk Back will take place Sunday, April 3rd following the matinee. And, an Actor Talk Back will take place following the April 10th 2:00 pm matinee. The Open Captioned performance also is Sunday, April 10th at 2:00 pm.

Free and convenient parking is available in the Upper Parking of McClung Tower Garage (G2) on Volunteer Boulevard. This show addresses themes of bullying and homophobia and contains depictions of violence, mild sexual content, and mild profanity. Those with auditory and visual sensitivities should be aware loud noises, theatrical haze and flashing lights occur at times in this production.

https://clarencebrowntheatre.com/plays/she-kills-monsters/

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist-of-the-Year: Alex Foster
March 21 – May 1, 2022

GEOFFREY A. WOLPERT GALLERY
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, https://www.arrowmont.org/visit/galleries/exhibition-schedule/

Meet the artist Mon Mar 21, 7-9 PM

At Barrelhouse, it’s important to us to support local artists of all kinds, so every six weeks we have a new visual artist on our taproom wall! Meet the artist, Lauren Kelley, and see her bold, colorful paintings as well as have the chance to purchase. https://www.facebook.com/events/s/meet-the-artist-lauren-kelley/698915158144022/
https://www.instagram.com/laurentheabstractartist/

Barrelhouse – Gypsy Circus Cider, 621 Lamar St, Knoxville, TN 37917
https://gypsycircuscider.com/barrelhouse-by-gypsy-circus-knoxville/