Calendar of Events

The Tennessee Theatre turns 95 years old on Oct. 1, 2023, and to commemorate the milestone, the Official State Theatre of Tennessee is celebrating throughout the month. Beginning Oct. 1, the public is invited to attend and engage with the theatre through special anniversary events; giveaways; free tours and open houses; a scavenger hunt; and a curated social media campaign that will include historical photos and fun facts. Anniversary events for 95th anniversary celebration include:

• Sunday, Oct. 1: The public is invited to view behind the scenes and learn more about the history of the theatre through free self-guided tours and an open house. The theatre is open to the public from 1-3 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 1: A screening of Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” silent film accompanied by Freddie Brabson on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ will take place at 3 p.m. Viewers will take part in the magical experience of seeing a silent film while the organ provides music and sound effects. The film is free and open to the public, and concessions will be available for sale.

• Monday, Oct. 2: Mighty Musical Monday will feature House Organist Freddie Brabson on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Brabson will be joined by local Knoxville-favorites, the Old City Buskers, as part of the anniversary celebration. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the free event begins at noon. Concessions will be available for purchase or attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch.

While the celebrations commemorate the history of the Tennessee Theatre, the organization also is looking toward the future and encouraging donations to the Tennessee Theatre Youth Arts Alliance education outreach program. The alliance, founded in 2007 by the theatre, Knox County schools and corporate partner Quantum Environmental & Engineering Services, LLC, provides opportunities for the next generation to experience the arts. Donations will help the theatre continue to inspire students through the ticket subsidy program, masterclasses and workshops, the Marquee Awards and other educational programs. To mark the anniversary, a gift of $95 or any amount is encouraged. More activities, tours, stories and surprises will be shared throughout the celebration, and a full list of events is available at www.tennesseetheatre.com/95years

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

Our annual fundraiser! From installing and maintaining unique garden landscapes and restoring the property's historic buildings, to offering dynamic workshops, children's programming, and other special events, the work of the gardens is made entirely possible through the generosity of our community. Please join us for an evening of great music, food and auction in support of the gardens. Purchase tickets today.
https://www.knoxgarden.org/green-thumb-gala

Afrofuturist, artist, educator, graphic designer, and DJ, Stacey Robinson will be having exhibitions at the UT Downtown Gallery, Ewing Gallery, and a 5-day artist residency in Knoxville, during fall of 2023. Robinson’s time in Knoxville will coincide with an intentional Afrofuturist takeover of the galleries with the presentation of his exhibition projects, Black Audacious Freedom Dreams and Black Utopia: Black Distractions & Disruptions in Time Space, to be on view in fall 2023. Infusing downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee campus with Afrofuturistic imagery, Robinson and the galleries will build a critical mass of Black thought and creativity to amplify and center Black voices.

The Ewing Gallery, located in UT’s Art + Architecture Building will present Black Audacious Freedom Dreams by BLACKMAU, a creative collaboration between Stacey “ Blackstar” Robinson and Kamau “DJ Kamaumau” Grantham. This exhibition features a multimedia projection and seven 7-foot banners created using digital collage. These images visually mimic the audio sampling used throughout hip hop musical production and the process of crafting a tight DJ set, which inspire the duo. This work prompts a conversation about Black liberation as a reality not yet fulfilled. By centering Black people within the narrative, BLACKMAU prompts the audience to imagine themselves in the spaces with the subject. Robinson and Grantham reference Black liberation texts with With Black Audacious Freedom Dreams, including Freedom Dreams by Robin D.G. Kelly, and We Want to Do More Than Survive by Bettina L. Love, which they include in a study area and curated library of Black texts in the exhibition.

Concurrent with Black Audacious Freedom Dreams, the UT Downtown Gallery will present Robinson’s new solo project, Black Utopia; Black Distractions & Disruptions in Time Space. This exhibition is a design research project looking at systems of oppression and resistance through black and white logo designs and illustrations that use the emptiness of white gallery walls as the backdrop for extracting Black resistance commentary. The systems examined springboard a burgeoning theory comprised of Black-created systems that can function as a form of Black liberation government in lieu of Black Reparations, justice, and failed integration.

Soul Power
Sunday, October 1, 6-8pm
Listen live! Soul Powerhttps://wutkradio.com/listen-live/

Tune in to 90.3 The Rock to hear Stacey Robinson guest DJ with community activist and Director of Arts and Communications at The Bottom, Ty Murray, aka DJ Ty Dye.

Sunday, October 1, 3:00–6:00 PM
At Fort Dickerson Park, 3000 Fort Dickerson Rd SW, Knoxville, TN 37920

BANDS:
Swingbooty
Sam Adams and Stina Nesbitt

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy an afternoon of swing jazz featuring SWINGBOOTY with special guests Sam Adams and Stan Nesbitt. Loose the shoes and dance, enjoy the international food (Asian, Latin), and take in the live art and flow arts. Spinners and Hoopers, let’s go! We'll even have a massage therapist on hand! Look forward to seeing you there! Entrance to 3000 Fort Dickerson Rd. is on Chapman Hwy and Woodlawn Pike. Drive in a fifth of a mile to the park. $10 adults. Children 13 and under free.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-in-the-park-at-fort-dickerson-park-tickets-712519985457

www.tnriverboat.com or (865) 525-7827

The Smoky Mountain Blues Society will present live music with our final cruise of 2023. This month's performance will feature the CHRIS O'LEARY BAND on the Tennessee Riverboat on Sunday, October 1st at 4 pm - 7 pm.

Chris O'Leary, a proud US Marine, has a musical background that includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of framer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band, The Barnburners. During the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together, they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has also appeared on stage with: Legendary Rolling Stones sideman Bobby Keys, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Steely Dan, Albert Lee, Jamey Johnson, Warren Haynes, Michael Mcdonald and the great James Cotton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry, Hubert Sumlin, and Richie Havens among others.

Check out one of Chris O'Leary Live Videos here: https://youtu.be/NhB69GU6IrQ

Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $20 for members in advance and $25 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827. Members will be receiving discount code by email. Boarding begins at 3:15 pm. Each voyage will also have full bar and limited food menu available onboard to buy.
https://smokymountainblues.org/

Family festivals, musical performances and guest speakers are among the events Pellissippi State Community College has planned for Hispanic Heritage Month – and all are free and open to the public. Themed “Todos Somos Familia” (We Are All Family), Hispanic Heritage Month at the college will celebrate the rich and beautiful complexity of Latino and Hispanic culture at Pellissippi State as well as recognize the importance of the contributions of Latino and Hispanic culture to the local community and the world.

Keynote speakers Karen Ocon-Mora, community schools site coordinator for Knox County, and Megan Barolet-Fogarty, director of youth and family engagement for Centro Hispano de East Tennessee, will kick off the month’s festivities Tuesday, Sept. 19, with an address on “Familia: Relationships and Resilience in Latino Culture.” The event will be held 10:30-11:15 a.m. in the Goins Building Auditorium on Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, and livestreamed on Zoom.

Families have two opportunities to come out to Pellissippi State for festivals including games, activities, food and a screening of the film “Encanto” at sunset: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, on the college’s Hardin Valley Campus and again 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, on Pellissippi State’s Strawberry Plains Campus, 7201 Strawberry Plains Pike

And don’t miss a lively performance by Knoxville’s own Latin jazz band Candela on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the Hardin Valley Campus Courtyard. Candela will play 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

For a full list of Pellissippi State’s activities planned for Hispanic Heritage Month, including concerts and lectures, visit www.pstcc.edu/hispanic-heritage. To request accommodations for any campus event, call 865.694.6411 or email accommodations@pstcc.edu.

Willkommen to Schulz Brau! Oktoberfest is our biggest festival of the year here at our Brewery and Biergarten! Meticulous planning goes into creating this special 3-week celebration of Bavarian culture. We proudly follow Munich traditions to offer our guests an authentic and fun experience. Prost!

Public Event, No Ticket Required
*Ticket Required to Attend Opening Tap Ceremony from 5-9AM on Sep 16
https://knoxvilleoktoberfest.com/

Mountain Jubilee airs Saturdays from 9-10 PM on WUOT 91.9 FM
www.wuot.org

Host Paul Campbell - Latest releases of regional music with historic recordings and highlights of Laurel Theater concerts.

For more upcoming events see www.jubileearts.org

Every Sunday 5-10 pm on WDVX 89.9 FM & 102.9 FM - www.wdvx.com

WDVX presents five hours of traditional music programming, served up by host Don Burggraf produced locally by Jubilee Community Arts.

5:00 pm - Tennessee Country Classics with host Joe Bussard - String bands, blues, and early bluegrass from the 20’s to the 50’s.
6:00 pm - Mountain Jubilee with host Paul Campbell - A rebroadcast, produced with the assistance of WUOT.
7:00 pm - Live at Laurel with host Brent Cantrell - Concerts from our weekly series at the Laurel Theater and from our annual Jubilee Festival.
8:00 pm - Wild Hog in the Woods with host Brent Cantrell - Ballads, blues, and old-time music with a focus on pre-war recordings and field recordings.
8:30 pm - Music of the Cumberland Trail with host Bobby Fulcher - Produced by the Friends of the Cumberland Trail and featuring all things musical associated with the Cumberland Trail.
9:00 pm - The Vinyl Frontier with host Jim Childs - Home-recorded acetate discs, old-time country, jazz, blues, and radio transcriptions, with an emphasis on locally produced recordings.

JCA is dedicated to preserving and nurturing the evolving traditional arts and cultural communities of this Southern Appalachian region. For more upcoming events see www.jubileearts.org