Calendar of Events

Knoxville Children’s Theatre, in partnership with the Clayton Foundation will present a live production of “Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular.” The play will be performed January 13th through the 29th, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

On a dare from her fellow street urchins, 14-year-old Wiggins tries to pickpocket a strange old man. Not only is Wiggins unsuccessful, but the old man, who is actually Sherlock Holmes in disguise, manages to take the gold ring that was in Wiggins’ pocket and leave behind a note directing her where to go to get it back. When Wiggins goes to 221B Baker Street to retrieve the ring, she is shocked to find out how much Holmes knows about her. After Wiggins sees Holmes use the ring to solve a case, Wiggins proposes to work as his assistant. Intrigued by her potential, Holmes agrees to begin training Wiggins on a trial basis. Wiggins and Holmes must learn to trust each other as Wiggins and her group of street urchins help him solve two dangerous mysteries: The Red Headed League and The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. A fun mystery for the entire family.

The play is performed by 18 talented young actors, from ages 9 to 16. KCT veteran Elijah Clemes will portray Sherlock with Xavier Truman playing Dr. Watson and Caroline Alley portraying Wiggins.

The show is directed by KCT Guest Director Sara Venable with assistance by KCT intern Evie Braude.

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

The Primary Players Children’s Theatre Group, Jan. 13 – 15 at the Clayton Center for the Arts.

CATS is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground and is alive with purr-fect felines, including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Skimbleshanks and Grizabella. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one, they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

CATS has been presented in over 30 countries, translated into 16 languages, and seen by more than 73 million people worldwide. The original Broadway cast recording won the Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. Lloyd Webber’s magnificent musical score includes the poignant hit song “Memory,” which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand to Liberace to Barry Manilow.

Directed by John Cherry, Music Direction by Dr. Ken Hawkins and Choreography by Hilary Barrett, CATS features 35 young actors between the ages of 8 to 17.

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

Back in 2020, when we last performed Webs, we took a pause from touring to reimagine and rework it. The show you saw in 2019 and 2020 will not be the same show we're performing, potentially for the final time, this Winter right here in Knoxville, TN at the Old City Performing Arts Center, January 12 - 14. This run of the show features a new round of cast members as well as a weaving of new stories, performances, and acts.

Not only are we excited to present the show in Knoxville with our friends at the OPAC, but we're excited to be taking the show on the road again. From January 6 - 22, we'll be traveling to Raleigh, Durham, Louisville, Athens, and Atlanta to share this work and hopefully spark awareness, healing, and justice-oriented conversations about the fight to end rape culture and sexualized violence.

Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

Early Bird Admission: $18
General Admission: $20
Same Day Admission: $25

https://www.webscircus.com/tickets
www.dfaas.com

If you’re looking for “natural” inspiration, visit the Ijams Hallway Gallery in January to enjoy the work of two local nature photographers, Brooks Clark and Matthew Harris! Brooks’ photos reflect his desire to share his experience and exploration of open spaces. His hope is that these works will inspire others to appreciate the countless remedies of time spent in nature. Matthew’s photos allow you to start a journey in the heart of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina through the eyes of a local traveling photographer.

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

RIDAY, JANUARY 6 - JUNE 19, 2023
The MLK Commission is the largest consortium of MLK events in East Tennessee and we are especially grateful for the support that we receive annually from our friends and partners as well as the entire community. Without question, it is this tremendous support that has allowed our observance to be recognized as one of the nation’s best King commemorations. Please join with us!

Gallery of Arts Tribute -OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2023 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Interfaith Prayer Service - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 12:00 NOON
LOCATION: CHILDREN OF GOD MINISTRIES, 309 Deadrick Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921

Leadership Awards Luncheon - Thursday, January 12, 2023, 12:00pm
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Student Union - Pilot Corporation Ballroom
1502 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916

Community Forum - FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
6:30PM - 8:30PM

MLK Youth Symposium - SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023
8:30AM - 2:00PM
AUSTIN-EAST HIGHSCHOOL, 2800 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AVE

Sunday, January 15 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Night With the Arts Tribute - COX AUDITORIUM - UNIVERSITY OF TN, 1408 Middle Drive, Knoxville TN 37996
The MLK Night with the Arts Original Stage performance along with performances by the MLK Holiday Tribute to create a night filled with multi-faceted artistic expression. It will be a magnificent Celebration of the Arts fit for a “King”! The presentation will include some of our areas most talented singers and performers. The MLK Holiday Choir will be featured and of course the inspiring and uplifting sound.

Memorial Tribute Service - Monday, January 16, 2023, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street, Knoxville TN 37915

Teacher In-Service Training - SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 12:00PM - 2:00PM
SIMPSON PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CENTER, 801 Tipton Avenue, Knoxville TN 37920

MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission Parade will step off at 10:00am at Chilhowee Park and conclude at Dr. Walter E. Hardy Park for a special Beck Juneteenth Memorial Tribute service.

https://www.mlkknoxville.com/2023-mlk-events/

Featuring Steve Olson's first solo photography show!
Reception on Sun Jan 22, 2-4 PM

The Center is the second building on the right when you turn into Rarity Bay. The Center is open Monday thru Friday 9 to 4. It is best to call ahead because the Center often has meetings or events going on: 423-884-3800

150 Rarity Bay Pkwy, Vonore, TN 37885

KAY DARTT + RONDA WRIGHT: CREATING ARTIFACTS OF HOME

Receptions: Friday, January 6, 5-9pm
Friday, February 3, 5-9pm

The UT Downtown Gallery is pleased to present a two-person exhibition of work by Kay Dartt and Ronda Wright.

Dartt’s work fluctuates between functional sculpture, speculative design, and embodied hyperobject. The goal of these objects is to challenge our western philosophies of living that have created an imbalance between the natural, artificial and virtual environments we occupy. By synthesizing biomorphic forms, consumer language and parametric design processes, an aesthetic emerges that invites a critical perspective of our environment. At times these objects can humorous, whimsical or enigmatic.

Kay Dartt is an artist whose practice combines sculpture, engineering, education and community outreach. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Art at Shepherd University, she teaches sculpture courses, engineering courses and manages an interdisciplinary fabrication space called the FASTEnER Lab.

As an artist and activist, Ronda Wright has created the on-going sculptural installation, "Creating Artifacts of Home." Through a series of workshops, participants sculpt small artifacts of home. These workshops started in response to the overwhelming rate of LGBTQ+ homelessness and bullying, the premise of these workshops is that we all have a relation to home; and that iron is an element necessary to sustain life. While sharing experiences, participants sculpt a symbolic artifact that reminds them of home. After being cast in iron, the artifact becomes part of the larger collection of memories that reflect relations of Home. Participants’ artifacts link themselves not as “others” but to others. Wright is the Academic & Professional Development Advisor and Adjunct Assistant Professor for UT's College of Architecture + Design and an alum of UT's School of Art.

The UT Downtown Gallery is a Tennessee Triennial Community Venue. All events are free and open to the public.

UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sa 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, https://downtown.utk.edu

RED Gallery is proud to announce the opening of Highway Flowers, an art exhibition by Summer Small.
The show will open on January 6, 2022, 5:00pm (First Friday) and run through February.

Highway Flowers
And other beautiful things you didn't ask for

Summer Small is a self-taught visual artist from East Tennessee. Her debut show Highway Flowers is her private love letter to modern Appalachia. Through bright color and intense pattern, Summer tells a raw, folksy story about grief, persistence, and ultimately appreciation for those things that are out of our control. Her aim for this show is that it recalls to you a familiar feeling, like a reminder of summertime in the dead of winter. Summer Small, summersmallstudio@gmail.com

RED Gallery, at 130 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN, features local and regional artists. The gallery is located in the historic Jackson Atelier building in Knoxville’s Old City. Gallery owner Robin Easter is proud to provide a unique space for Knoxville to experience and enjoy a broad range of visual arts. To learn more about RED Gallery, email robin@robineaster.com.
865-524-0146 | www.robineaster.com

The show opening will be from 6-8pm on January 6th.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we prefer that masks be worn inside the store. Thank you for helping us stay safe!

Event Page Here: https://shoprala.com/blogs/blog/december-first-friday-with-mike-c-berry

Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 11-5. Information: 865-525-7888, https://shoprala.com or www.instagram.com/ShopRala

First Friday Reception: January 6th, 5:30 – 9:00 pm

January Featured Artists
Lil Clinard, Painting In Conjunction with our Wonderful 3-D Artists

Lil is a self-taught artist with years of experience trying new things. Ever evaluating and evolving her style, Lil’s work bursts with energy with its vibrant colors, constant movement and texture. She likes to experiment, try different mediums & substrates and embraces the new discoveries. “My intent is to transform a scene into something new and stunning that will leave the viewer with feelings of surprise and joy." Her work may be viewed at the Art Market Gallery in downtown Knoxville and at regional exhibits and shows.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net, www.Facebook.com/ArtMarketGallery

A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, January 6, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features live music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner and Friends. Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store.

My art consists of acrylic, mixed media, and watercolor paintings. Art has been my way to connect and reach out to different people from many cultures or backgrounds. In the vast variety of cultures and humankind, we are all still one and we connect through our passions. We strive to find common ground to connect with each other. Art in all its forms has been my common ground to it all. This exhibition theme represents passionate professional dancers and normal people who just enjoy life. It amazes me how people express themselves in different forms, enjoy the beat and music, and translate it into movement. I wanted to represent my vision of life and dance in this form so that viewers may feel the energy and life from these art pieces.

Reem Arnouk has been a professional artist since 2018 and an art instructor at Painting with a Twist Studio since 2019. She is self-taught and has studied Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship with five courses of Art. She was born and raised in Syria and came to the United States in 2013; she has been amazed by the many open doors in the arts. She loves Tennessee for the inspiration of nature that it has. Knoxville, especially, has supported many local artists and makers, and she is thankful to be involved in their maker society. Arnouk has participated in several art shows and markets in the past few years within Knoxville, including First Friday art shows and vendors markets. She was recently sponsored as an emerging artist with Dogwood Arts in the Old City Market and has been commissioned for several live wedding paintings.

The Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday, January 28 only, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Monday, January 16, for the holiday. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, January 6, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features live music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner and Friends. Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store.

Art gives meaning and purpose to life. For me, the creative process is a struggle. I have recently returned to painting after a 20-year hiatus. Art is long. Life is short. Enjoy.

The Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday, January 28 only, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Monday, January 16, for the holiday. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.