Calendar of Events

In the Ijams Visitor Center

COMMA Art Group presents two exhibitions:
Natural Elements: Artworks inspired by and related to Nature
Flights of Fancy: Artworks celebrating Hummingbirds
Reception: 1-3pm, Saturday, August 13, 2022, following the Hummingbird Festival

COMMA Art Group was founded in 2004 by award-winning former and current art teachers who meet weekly to create plein air artwork. Participating artists are: Phyllis Ball, Nancy Campbell, Gay Nell Gray, Judy Jorden, Cheri Jorgenson, Shelley Mangold, Martha Robbins, Caitlin Seidler, Valerie Sigmon, Carol Vinson, Suzanne Wedekind, Owen Weston, and Jackie Spaulding-Wright.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Visitor Center open daily 10-6; grounds and trails open daily from 8 AM - dusk. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Downtown Market Square July 29th
Morningside Park July 30th-31st

The largest cultural heritage and music festival in East Tennessee that celebrates African Culture in Diaspora! Featuring the African World Marketplace!

FRIDAY, JULY 29TH, MARKET SQUARE
Hosted by Sista Zock
12:00 noon - 10pm The Kuumba Marketplace will open the day's event with food and merchandise vendors from all over the world. Relish in the cultural spirit of the African Marketplace with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods.
12:30 - 3:00pm - West African Drum and Dance community Circle - everyone is welcome to participate
3:00pm - 5:00pm - Local talent showcase ,open Mic and spoken word
6:00pm - 7:30pm - Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Village Extravaganza and Indigenous Vibes. Amazing sounds and movements of traditional West African Drum and dance by artists of all ages.
8:00pm - Live Concert: TBA

SATURDAY, JULY 30TH, MORNINGSIDE PARK/ HALEY HERITAGE SQUARE
12:00pm - 10:00pm - Enjoy the African Market Place with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods.
12:30pm -2:30pm - African Drum and Dance community Circle - everyone is welcome to participate
2:00 - 4:00pm - Live entertainment, Inspirational Movement and Youth empowerment
4:30pm - 6:00pm - Local talent showcase ,open Mic and spoken word
6:00pm - 7:30pm Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Village Extravaganza.
8:00pm - 10:00pm - Live Concert - TBA

SUNDAY JULY 31ST, MORNINGSIDE PARK/ HALEY HERITAGE SQUARE
12:00pm - 10:00pm: Kuumba Marketplace opens. with traditional crafts, clothing, and foods.
12:30pm -2:30pm - African Drum and Dance community Circle - everyone is welcome to participate
4:30pm - 6:00pm - Local talent showcase ,open Mic and spoken word
6:00pm - 7:30pm Kuumba Watoto Dance and Drum Village extravaganza.
8:00pm - 10:00pm Live Music and entertainment

https://sites.google.com/site/kuumbafestival/kuumba-festival
https://www.facebook.com/kuumbafestival/
http://www.kuumbafestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kuumbafestival

On Friday nights, movies about some of the best bands of all time will be featured for the Summer of Sound series. Popular Picks will be a staple for Saturday nights. Matinees on Sunday will be all about Family Fun and feature movies that everyone can enjoy. Friday and Saturday night showings will begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to each movie’s start time at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. The full schedule of the Summer Movie Magic series includes:

Summer of Sound
• The Last Waltz – Friday, July 29
• A Hard Day’s Night – Friday, Aug. 5
• The Song Remains the Same – Friday, Aug. 19

Popular Picks
• The Godfather – Saturday, July 30
• The Big Chill – Saturday, Aug. 6
• Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope – Saturday, Aug. 20

Family Fun
• The Sandlot – Sunday, July 31
• Mary Poppins – Sunday, Aug. 7
• The Princess Bride – Sunday, Aug. 21

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12 as well as seniors 65 and older. Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

Workshop Dates: Friday-Sunday 07/29-07/31 @ 6pm to 9pm

Explore the human form in all its intricacies in this 3 day workshop. Fine tune the connection between your eye and hand as you approach figurative clay sculpture anatomically, observing the relationships between muscles and bone, faces and flesh. Whether your goal is to create forms that are more realistic in their dimensions or more surreal, embracing the details of human musculature will empower you to create more dynamic, effective art. Elevate your work with armature, learn how to sculpt weight to add a sense of gravity while effectively countering it. Revel in the details of both craft and the crevices of the human body.

The instructor will discuss how to finish pieces and you will have a piece ready to be bisqued by the end of class.

The instructor will provide a handmade metal and wooden armature that is yours to keep!

Wooden fettling knife, needle tool, rib, and clay will be provided.

Feel free to bring any other tools.

127 Jennings Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-595-1900
mail@mightymud.com
https://classes.mightymud.com/collections/workshops/products/a-surreal-approach-to-the-human-figure

Barrelhouse presents, the Frey Fest! This traditional Norse summer festival is about celebrating fertility god, Frey. Especially his influence upon the harvest of grains and other goods created from the hard work and flourishing of springtime crops. Vikings were particularly excited to celebrate the creation of honey for MEAD! Naturally, we at Gypsy Circus love that!

During the Frey Fest (sometimes called a Freysblot), Norse men and women would present special meads and ales, brewed just for the festival. So, we will too! Barrelmaster Daniel Delph will be offering 10 different meads throughout the weekend!

Other fun activities planned include:
Palm reading session
Smoked turkey leg specials
Live music
More to come!

Don't miss out, stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the Frey Fest!
Follow Barrelhouse on Facebook and Instagram for more events and specials!
https://gypsycircuscider.com/barrelhouse-by-gypsy-circus-knoxville/

This year, Tennessee has not one, but three tax free holidays! They range from clothing and school supplies to groceries and even gun safety equipment. Dates:

July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023: Gun Safes & Safety Equipment
July 29, 2022 – July 31, 2022: Clothing, School Supplies, and Computers
August 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022: Food & Food Ingredients

Qualifying gun safes for the sales tax holiday have locking containers equipped with a padlock, key lock, combination lock or other device to store guns securely. This sales tax holiday runs until June 2023, so there is plenty of time to make your purchases.

The popular clothing, school supplies, and computers sales tax holiday is back in 2022. Any clothing item that is less than $100 qualifies. School supplies like binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pen, pencils, rulers and art supplies are also eligible. Once again, each of those individual items must cost less than $100 per item. Computers, laptops and tablets for personal use are also included in the sales tax holiday as long as they have a purchase price of $1,500 or less. There are some unexpected clothing items that will be tax free including wedding gowns, bowling shirts and more. For a complete list of exempt items, click here. Online purchases for this sales tax holiday will also be tax free although there may be some restrictions.

The new grocery sales tax holiday is welcome especially with the rising cost of food. Best of all, this sales tax holiday will last the entire month of August. A good rule of thumb for this sales tax holiday is if you can find it in a grocery store, it’s included. However, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements and prepared food will not be tax free. Keep in mind that food purchased at a “micro market or vending machine” is subject to sales tax. The state estimates this sales tax holiday will save Tennesseans more than $80 million.

Why do KIDS get to have all the FUN? We’ve had many requests for an ADULT CIRCUS CAMP - so here we go:

DFAAS will host a FULL WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS. You DO NOT NEED ANY SKILLS or circus experience. This intensive weekend will allow you to try things to see what you like. And if you’ve ALREADY GOT CIRCUS SKILLS, but want to try something new, we’ve got you covered!

INVITE a friend and JOIN US for a circus bonding weekend. There will be training, fun, food, + a little showcase at the end where you can invite friends + family.

https://www.dragonflyaerialartsstudio.com/

Fri Jul 29, 6-8 PM
Sat Jul 30, 9-11 AM

Have you ever wanted to learn about the animals in and around the Tennessee River up close? Or get a closer look at Maude's Cave? Join 2 of Ijams Nature Center’s expert guides for a 2-3 hour guided paddle as they share the unique wildlife, history, and scenery of the Tennessee River. This paddle will take participants in search of unique plants, animals, and geologic features along the river as well as introduce them to ongoing conservation efforts aimed at keeping the river healthy.

Materials Participants Should Bring: Comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, water bottle, snacks, weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and a hands-free way to carry everything. Clothes and shoes that dry fast or are ok getting wet are prefered. Kayaks, paddles, and Personal Flotation Devices will be provided; however, participants are welcome to bring their own.

Program Duration: Program distance and length will depend on river conditions and participant ability.

Requirements: Participants must be at least 16 years old to participate. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is also participating in the program. Some Kayaking experience is prefered but all experience levels are welcome, the program will begin with a kayaking review.

Location: This program meets at the boat dock at Ijams River Landing.
No walk-ins will be accepted. Every participant must have a ticket. To purchase your ticket, go to the Ijams Calendar of events to check out all the available dates for these events. Ijams awards full refunds for any cancellations up to 7 days before a program, or if Ijams cancels a program due to inclement weather. Tickets are non-transferable. Tickets: www.ijams.org/calendar-of-events

10th Annual Don Sproles Memorial Evening “WINE AND SHINE”

Tickets are $85 and proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to support the programs of the Volunteer Ministry Center.

The Wine & Shine is an ADULT ONLY event!

Join us for a fun filled evening on Friday July 29th at the Crowne Plaza (Event begins @ 6:00 PM) featuring a tasting and presentation of several premium moonshines through Sugarland’s Distillery as well as a collection of spectacular wines. The evening will also include delicious gourmet food, a live band, and a live and silent auction led by no other than Auctioneer Bear Stephenson that will provide you the opportunity to bid on some of the most fabulous and unique items in Knoxville! VMC is honored once again to have storyteller extraordinaire Sam Venable as the Event Emcee!

The Wine & Shine Event is FUN with a PURPOSE- the purpose being ending and preventing homelessness in Knoxville! VMC’s programs support its two-fold mission of facilitating permanent supportive housing for those who are homeless and providing services to prevent homelessness. VMC operates several programs: The VMC Resource Center, The Bush Family Refuge, Minvilla Manor, Street Outreach, The Foyer and The VMC Dental Clinic. The goal for all clients is housing. Utilizing case management and the ‘Housing First’ approach to ending homelessness, VMC assists individuals into permanent, supportive housing and provides the resources necessary to maintain housing.

https://www.vmcinc.org/vmc-wine-shine

Presented by Bluegill Productions - Friday nights include

July 29 - The Streamliners Swing Orchestra
Yes, The Streamliners are back for the 3rd time at Friday Night Live! at The Concourse, and why not? Everybody loves this 17-member swing band and the classic music they play. With Michael Spirko sharing vocals with Kayley Burton Farmer, The Streamliners Swing Orchestra plays the big band classics of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee, with some Louis Jordan and Louis Prima mixed in for extra fun. The Concourse has a large dance floor that was made to order for this show.

Doors open for this event at 5:30PM, and the show begins at 6:30. Tickets are $13.20 in Advance (including service fee) and $15 at the Door. For Advance tickets - www.concourseknox.com

August 5 - Stacy Mitchhart Band
August 12 - "Pardi Gras!" with Roux Du Bayou Cajun Band

6 PM at Hey Bear Cafe on Middlebrook Pike
9036 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923

Details TBA
Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. Hours: Tu-F 10-2. Information: 865-524-8461, www.beckcenter.net