Calendar of Events

2023 marks the tenth anniversary of Knox Asian Festival, the area’s largest annual Asian cultural exhibition. This year’s festival will take place on August 26, from 11AM to 8PM. The Asian Culture Center of Tennessee (ACCT) is working hard to prepare the biggest and most exciting iteration of the festival to date. In addition to old favorites, this year’s festival will feature a variety of new performances, food vendors, and activities for the whole family.

The festival will begin with a parade of each country’s delegations, which is expected to start at 10:30 AM and will travel from the World’s Fair Park fountains to the amphitheater. For the first time, the festival will feature live sumo wrestling demonstrations, courtesy of US Sumo which supported by Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, TVA and Knox County. There will be two performances throughout the day at the World’s Fair Park amphitheater: one at 2PM and another at 5PM, with opportunities for photos after each performance. Additionally, the Matsuriza taiko drummers from Disney World will be making a return. Other performances throughout the day include traditional dances, instrumental music, and martial arts demonstrations. Performances will occur on the main stage at the amphitheater, as well as smaller stages on the Festival Lawn and Performance Lawn.

Another new feature this year is Songkran, which will be located at the Thai cultural tent on the performance lawn. Songkran (Thai New Year) is usually celebrated in April, and a key component of the festivities is the water fights. Visitors to the Asian Festival this year will be able to take part in water fights in the designated area. Prior registration through the Asian Festival website is encouraged. Check the passport program on our website.

Festival-goers will also be treated to over forty food vendors, as well as dozens of craft vendors. There will also be axe-throwing and other activities for the whole family. Be advised that some vendors may be cash-only, and ATMs will be available throughout the festival grounds. In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment, there will be cooling stations throughout the park, as well as sit-down dining tents. Additionally, ACCT will be selling commemorative water bottles, which can be filled for free with unlimited filtered water at the KUB tent.

www.knoxasianfestival.com

Chris D'Elia brings his Don't Push Me 2023 Tour to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium on August 26.

Chris D'Elia has become one of the most in-demand performers in comedy. His highly successful podcast CONGRATULATIONS WITH CHRIS D'ELIA has been a mainstay on iTunes' comedy podcast charts since its debut in February 2017. He is also a costar on THE KING AND THE STING AND THE WING with Brendan Schaub.

Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: www.knoxvillecoliseum.com

WILL CARTER, Saturday, August 26, at 8:00PM at the Bijou Theatre.

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

River & Rail announces its first concert featuring artists from its Performing Arts Label (PAL) to take place August 26th, 2023. The event is a one-day music festival featuring live performances from 12pm-8pm at the Old City Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased here: https://vivenu.com/event/river-and-rails-performing-arts-label-summer-exp-ny53bw

Time: 12-8pm
Location: 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN

Featured Artists:
1. Shawn Turner, Featuring Pinky Ring
2. Tinca Tinca
3. Chameleous
4. Kijon
5. Rhea Carmon

Says River & Rail Managing Director Kenneth Herring, “We’re so excited to support artists across disciplines, especially when we own and operate such a versatile space in the heart of downtown Knoxville. As actors, we know how hard it is to find affordable rehearsal and performance spaces, and the same is true for singer/songwriters, performing artists, drag queens, poets, and instrumentalists.” Says River and Rail Artistic Director Joshua Peterson, “Performing in restaurants is wonderful for the community, but there is something about a focused space where we are only there for the art. This is exactly what we want to provide.”

More About Performing Arts Label (PAL)
River and Rail’s “Performing Arts Label” is a nascent initiative to provide support for performing artists of all disciplines. One of the biggest challenges for local artists is figuring out where they’re going to play next. PAL provides a professional space for performance, marketing support, and is committed to supporting selected artists for multiple performances. To learn more about this event and River & Rail’s initiative to support local independent artists, please email Managing Director Kenneth Herring: kenneth@riverandrailtheatre.com

Upcoming Sales

Powell Branch: August 26, 10-5
Karns Branch: September 7,9; 10-5
https://www.knoxfriends.org/book-sales/

FIRST LUTHERAN'S GERMANFEST 2023
At 1207 N Broadway, Knoxville, 37917
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

First Lutheran's GermanFest is an annual event hosted by First Lutheran Church and School celebrating German culture, food, and music. Funds raised from the event go to support the Lions of First Lutheran School.
https://www.facebook.com/FirstLutheranGermanFest/

Brew at the Zoo is Back! August 26, 6:30-9:30PM.

Escape to Zoo Knoxville for a special evening of fun with your pals, partners and fellow zoo-lovers ages 21+! Enjoy local suds as you visit your favorite animals and roam 20+ limited-edition dinosaurs. Indulge in one-of-a-kind evening at Zoo Knoxville, where local breweries, food trucks, a zipline and captivating dinosaurs converge to create an unforgettable experience.

Tickets at https://www.brewzooknox.com/

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

Saturday, August 26

Get ready to travel back in time with us as we enjoy delicious food and watch the classic movie "Back to the Future"! At The Tennessean Personal Luxury Hotel, Maker Exchange 710 Clinch Avenue Knoxville, TN 37902

Join us for an unforgettable night of Food and Film - Back to the Future! We're taking you back in time to the 80s with a screening of the classic film Back to the Future and a delicious feast inspired by the era. Get ready to indulge in some of the most iconic dishes from the film. Our talented chefs will put a modern twist on the classics, creating an a la carte culinary experience that will transport you to a different time. Don't miss your chance to relive the 80s in style. Grab your tickets now and get ready for an evening of great food, classic cinema, and good times!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-and-food-back-to-the-future-tickets-666940215137

Are you interested in performing with Marble City Opera this upcoming season? Sign ups for Season 11 Auditions on August 26th are open! There are a limited number of slots, so be sure to contact Kayla Beard with your headshot and resume to secure your time at kayla@marblecityopera.com. Only live auditions will be considered at this time.

We hope to see you there!
Marble City Opera: 865-226-9756, www.marblecityopera.com

Come out our 2nd Annual Vybefest! We will have good music, great food, local vendors.
4 PM - 12 AM at The Relix, 1208 N. Central Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-music-arts-vybefest-festival-tickets-660409692167

8/25 • Evening Paddle
8/26 • Ijams Field Day: Medicinal and Edible Plants
8/27 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga with Hope Irwin
8/27 • Knoxville Opera - Bard in Bloom: A Shakespearean Concert in the Garden
8/30 • Full Moon Forest Bathing Workshop

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

Featuring 1st and 2nd year MFS students at UT School of Art

Hours: Friday 5-7 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM in main gallery of Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: https://gallery1010.utk.edu/