Calendar of Events

https://www.facebook.com/events/262716942627322/

Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM
Recurring monthly, last Wednesday of every month, Stammtisch is a German conversation group!

What to Expect: Sprichst du Deutsch? Would you like to practice your German? Join us monthly at the Stammtisch - a friendly get-together to practice your German language skills over authentic beer and food. All levels from beginner to native speakers are welcome! No need to be fluent, just come and practice what you know. *Please locate group by "Stammtisch" Reserved Sign placed on a taproom table - Prost!
Hosted by: Susie Morgan

Sundress Academy for the Arts (SAFTA) is pleased to announce the guests for the May installment of our virtual reading series. This event will take place on May 25, 2022 from 7-8 PM, on Zoom. Participants can access the event at https://tiny.utk.edu/sundress with password “safta”.

Mackenzie Berry is from Louisville, Kentucky. Her poetry has been published in Vinyl, Up the Staircase Quarterly, Hobart, and Blood Orange Review, among others. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the First Wave Program and Goldsmiths, University of London, she is pursuing her MFA in Poetry at Cornell University, where she teaches. Her debut poetry collection is Slack Tongue City, published in April with Sundress Publications. Berry’s poetry collection can be purchased a: https://sundress-publications.square.site/product/slack-tongue-city/163?cs=true&cst=custom

Riham Adly is a flash fiction writer from Giza, Egypt. She is a Pushcart and Best of the Net nominee. In 2013 Riham won the Makan award and In 2020 her flash made it into the Best of the Net anthology. In 2022 she won second prize in the Strands International Flash Fiction Competition. Her fiction has appeared in over 50 online journals. Riham's collection "Love is Make-Believe" was released in Nov 2021 by Clarendon House Publications. She is the first African, Arab woman to have a flash fiction collection published in English. Purchase Adly’s work here: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Make-Believe-Riham-Adly/dp/B09L4SSJ52/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1649251800&refinements=p_27%3ARiham+Adly&s=books&sr=1-1

Cavar is a PhD student, writer, and critically Mad transgender-about-town, and serves as managing editor at Stone of Madness Press and founding editor of swallow::tale press. Cavar's work has appeared in Bitch Magazine, Disability Studies Quarterly, Electric Literature, The Offing, and elsewhere. Their third chapbook, OUT OF MIND & INTO BODY (2022) is available now from Ethel Press. Cavar lives online at www.cavar.club and tweets @cavarsarah. Find Cavar’s most recent collection at this link: https://www.ethelzine.com/shop/out-of-mind-
into-body-by-s-

Margot Douaihy, PhD, is the author of Bandit/Queen: The Runaway Story of Belle Starr (Clemson University Press, 2022) and the forthcoming crime novel Scorched Grace (Gillian Flynn Books, 2023), which is set to be adapted as a premium television series by Stone Village TV.
While this is a free event, donations can be made to the Sundress Academy for the Arts here: https://sundress-publications.square.site/product/donate-to-sundress/107?cs=true

Our community partner for May is Bridge Refugee Services, which is a nonprofit agency operating in Knoxville and Chattanooga committed to providing protection and assistance in refugees’ inspiring journies. You can find more information and links to donate at https://www.bridgerefugees.org/about-us/

Web: www.sundressacademyforthearts.com
Facebook: SundressAcademyfortheArts
Email: safta@sundresspublications.com
Twitter: @SundressPub

Songs and Stories from the Bird and the Book continues its ongoing series of concerts and conversations with another free show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25 with special guest Alton Wolfe. As always, this event offers an opportunity not only to share an intimate listening experience with the artists performing their songs in stripped down settings, but also to learn about the craft and creativity that goes into their music and performance.

The Bird & the Book is located at 1509 E Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN, below Southland Books and Cafe.

Think “The Actor’s Studio,” but geared to musicians.

Afton Wolfe is the essence of Mississippi. Born in McComb, and growing up in Meridian, Hattiesburg, and Greenville, Mississippi, the roots of American music are in his DNA. Mississippi is the birthplace of at least three American art forms: country music, blues music, and rock and roll. Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, while the Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues, and the first rock n’ roll notes ever played according to intelligent music historians, came from Hattiesburg. Additionally, he spent his musically formative years in and around New Orleans, where the humidity of the Mississippi combined with the Cajun seasonings, the jazz, zydeco, creole, and gospel music and his Mississippi roots coalesce to add resonance and depth to his blues/country/rock influences. Check out one of Afton’s video https://youtu.be/EyztosC4RTU

The Bird and the Book is one of Maryville’s newest venues for all kinds of entertainment. With a bar and food service, it’s the ideal place to gather with family and friends to enjoy an evening of informal entertainment.
Phone (865) 984-4847 or go to their website: https://southlandbooksandcafe.com/the-bird-and-the-book

Lee Zimmerman is the host for Songs and Stories from the Bird and the Book, which will take place the first Wednesday of every month from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For more information, become a sponsor or to take part as an artist, please contact Lee Zimmerman by calling 786-863-3160 or via email at lezim@bellsouth.net.

Wed May 25, 6-7:30 PM: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: Made for Knoxville LIVE

We're bringing our #MadeforKnoxville project live and in-person! Join us at River & Rail Theatre Co. for an evening of conversation with a few of Knoxville's finest entrepreneurs, who will speak about their biggest “big pivot moments” that led them to start their own thing – or led them to make a big change as an entrepreneur, artist, and founder. Think a high-energy mix of TED, MOTH, and PechaKucha all rolled into one, with colorful conversations and audience questions throughout the evening. Speakers: Matthew Cummings | Founder of Pretentious Beer + Glass Co.; Eugenia Almeida | Founder of A New Hue; Dr. Angelique Adams | Author, Career Mentor, and Coach; Kandis Troutman | Chief Consulting Officer at The Creative Architect, LLC. Free, registration requested. At River & Rail Theatre Company, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/made-for-knoxville-live-may-2022-tickets-329785115157

On May 21, the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair kicks off with a variety of events across the city. To add to the festivities, we're planning to promote ALL THINGS 80s in Downtown Knoxville. Starting Saturday, May 21 and running for 40 days (through June 29), enjoy 80s-themed menus, music, merchandise, and events. Details coming soon! www.downtownknoxville.org

The sixth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest invites you to go back in time to the Age of Piracy. This outdoor daytime entertainment-oriented festival will be held the last two weekends in May plus Memorial Day at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman--just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. Patrons will be transported to the pirate haven of Barataria, Louisiana, circa 1814.

“Get Yer Pirate On! with pirate Captain Jean Lafitte before the Battle of New Orleans. Enjoy his French hospitality as he entertains British Red Coats, New Orleans’ socialites, pirates of Barataria, and even supernaturals. Escape on a pirate adventure for the whole family,” said Barrie Paulson, VP/Director.

Rotating on several stages will be professional touring and local talent. Pirate music will be brought to you by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, The CrossJacks, Ship Shape (May 21-22), and Kris Colt (May 28-29-30). Interactive danger shows will be performed by The Flaming Ginger and The Lords of Adventure. For the young at heart, there will be the slapstick puppet show, Punch and Judy; Pirattitude by Roane Children’s Theatre; and classical youth musicians with Bravura Music Academy on Saturdays. Interactive costumed street characters will seek to entertain in Kombat Kroquet, Lafitte’s Follies, Secrets of Barataria, and Throw Me A Line. For those who like slightly spooky entertainment, Captain Davy Jones and Calypso will guide those willing on the Trail of Doom (PG)--a pirate version of A Christmas Carol. Entertainment schedules will be available online and at the entrance.

Patrons are encouraged to dress in pirate or Regency era costumes and enter the Costume Contest. All can learn to be a pirate in Pirate School and compete in yard games in Pirate Olympics. Patrons are encouraged to share their talents on stage in the Gong Shows and play characters in classic Fairytales. All are invited to be part of the mid-day parade, where the Bucketeers will be featured on Saturdays. Other free activities will include corn hole, volleyball, the stocks, giant chess, and steel drum. There will also be games to play for a fee, including Sword Master’s Challenge and Adventures by Torchlight. Donations will be encouraged for photos with the mermaids; Captain Redbeard and his pyRAT, Chumley; and goats in the petting zoo.

The merchants of Barataria will be selling their custom wares such as costumes, leather pouches, chainmaille, drinking horns, goat soaps, blacksmith items, gaming accessories, custom wooden signs, and unique jewelry. A variety of food will be available, including Caribbean-styled BBQ, grilled chicken wraps and salads, seafood skewers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, and shaved ice. Beverages will also be available, including water, soda, sweet tea, and beer. Vendors are independent entities and accept cash and credit; and a list of vendors and their wares can be found at www.TNPirateFest.com.

The Tennessee Pirate Fest will be open rain or shine on May 21-22, 28-29-30, from 11am-6pm ET. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. Free parking is provided in rough-cut fields, and handicap parking is available. Entrance tickets can be purchased online now at www.TNPirateFest.com and will be available for purchase on festival days at the ticket house for cash or credit. Entrance ticket prices include all taxes and fees and are $19 for ages 13+, $9 for ages 5 to 12; and admission is free for ages 4 and under. Festival beverage tickets (in $1 increments) are available online, will be available at the gate, or patrons can use exact change. There will be no ATM onsite, so patrons are encouraged to bring cash for purchases, tips, and convenience.

Festival rules include the following: costumes and behavior should be family-friendly, footwear is required, no loaded or sharp weapons, bladed weapons must be sheathed, all weapons must be peace/zip-tied, service animals only, no outside food or drink, enter at your own risk. Festival grounds are primarily grass with small hills. Portable benches will be available at the stages and patrons can bring their own seating. To purchase beer, one must be 21+ years of age with valid photo ID. There will be no onsite public camping; however, motel discounts are available at the Baymont Inn and Travelodge in Harriman (call 865-882-5340 with promo code LKDE). For more information, please visit www.TNPirateFest.com, “like” and “follow” the Tennessee Medieval Faire | Tennessee Pirate Fest on Facebook, or call 865-376-0319.

Initiated by the Ewing’s Director Emeritus Sam Yates over 30 years ago, this exhibition recognizes outstanding students graduating from The University of Tennessee’s School of Art and College of Architecture and Design.
Selected by a School of Art Faculty Scholarship committee, three art students were chosen for this year’s exhibition.

These students are:

Tammy Castany
Jace Hermanto
Thais Lloyd

The College of Architecture and Design participants were selected by the faculty-at-large, and by outside review teams.

Those exhibiting students are:
Marilyn Reish
Kristin Pitts
Riley Doty
Madeleine Smith
Phillip Minton
Raven Carrier

The Honors Exhibition will be open Monday - Friday from 10am - 5pm and Sunday, May 22 from 1-4pm.

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

For artists who work in any medium. We invite artists to interpret this theme as they see it—heavenly, outer space or stellar formations, angels, mythic beings, otherworldly imagery or any others.

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 Knoxville Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, showcases what two important Tennessee cultural organizations are doing to support and empower women artists. Women Artists: Highlights from the Hunter Museum of American Art is on view at the KMA April 22-July 24, 2022, and Currents: Women Artists from the KMA Collection is on view May 13-August 14, 2022. Both exhibitions pay tribute to contemporary women artists represented in each museum’s respective collections.

Since 2000, the Hunter Museum of American Art has prioritized the acquisition of works by women artists from around the United States, who have long lagged behind their male counterparts when it comes to museum-level recognition. Highlights of the Hunter exhibition include an installation by Lesley Dill featuring floor-to-ceiling banners and hand-embroidered text, a silhouette pop-up book by Kara Walker examining the history of American race relations, a textile by Vadis Turner questioning inherited gender roles, and a mixed media installation by Beverly Semmes inspired by composer John Cage’s minimalist music.

Like the Hunter, the Knoxville Museum of Art has actively sought to acquire outstanding works by women for its collection. The selection on view reflects women’s broad technical and aesthetic range found in contemporary art. A mixed media painting on wooden sections by Alison Moritsugu conveys a monumental landscape, expansive yet incomplete. Nancy Rubins elevates graphite drawing into a large sculptural construction apparently shaped by violent forces. British artist Marilène Oliver constructs provocative portraits of her family in the form of acrylic sheets imprinted with digital medical scans. Patty Chang uses water and mirrors to transform her own image taken in a Belgian church into a complex photographic work fragmented by harsh angles and provocative reflections. In her video Joan of Arc, Alex McQuilkin responds to Maria Falconetti’s memorable lead role in the legendary 1928 French silent film by Carl Dreyer and the film’s themes of adolescent desire, faith, and suffering. These and other selected works call overdue attention to women’s significant role in reshaping the contemporary art landscape.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org. Admission and parking are free.

Reception May 13, 6:30-8 PM
Food, fine art & friends! Free and open to public.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefountaincityartguild

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tu 9:30-3:30, W-R 9:30-4:30 or by appointment. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

Visit the Ijams Hallway Gallery in May to view the work of Knoxville native Alex Rifwald! This collection, entitled "Revival," celebrates her return to photography after a 10-year hiatus. After running a commercial photography business, Alex had lost her joy for the medium and put her camera down, but she has rediscovered herself and her love for this art form. You'll be inspired!

https://www.instagram.com/alexbeephoto/

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Opening May 8, 2-4 PM - meet the artist, refreshments
Exhibition hours M-F 9-4

Ted Richards lives in Loudon, TN. www.tedart.com

The Gallery at Rarity Bay Community Activity Center (second building on right as you enter Rarity Bay), 150 Rarity Bay Pkwy, Vonore, TN 37885.