Calendar of Events

Fall into fun at the Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum’s Annual Fall Festival! Join us on our LeConte Meadow, with the brilliant backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains in fall color. The Fall Festival offers something for everyone!

Our annual Fall Festival celebrates the end of the growing season with community dance and music performances, hands-on fall crafts and activities, and many local artists and nonprofits. At Fall Festival, our largest outreach event of the season, we welcome hundreds of local families to the grounds to honor our year of growing together.

October 29th 2023, 1-5pm

https://www.knoxgarden.org/events-all/fall-festival

Sunday, October 29, 2023 // 5:00 PM-6:15 PM
Location: Faith Lutheran Church, 225 Jamestowne Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37934

Join us for the Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir’s first performance of the 2023-2024 season!

Experience the mesmerizing blend of opera and gospel at "Knoxville Opera Goes to Church." Mark your calendars for October 29th, 5 PM, at Faith Lutheran Church where the acclaimed Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir will deliver a concert that resonates with soul and passion. Elevate your spirits with each note and join us for a musical evening that promises to be both uplifting and unforgettable. We look forward to sharing this evening with you!

Tickets: Free - registration required
https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/events/knoxville-opera-goes-to-church
Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/

The Bijou Imagination Series invites our youngest patrons to join us! 2:30 PM

We will present Mermaid Theatre's The Rainbow Fish, a stage adaptation of three children's books written by Marcus Pfister. The Rainbow Fish will enchant even the youngest child with his silver scales and heart of gold in this award-winning book about the beautiful fish who learned to share his most prized possession. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings The Rainbow Fish to life with enchanting puppetry. Winner of The Christopher Award, the Bologna Book Fair Critici in Erba Prize, American Booksellers Association ABBY Winner, and an IRA-CBC Children's Choice title–the sweet message of The Rainbow Fish series has resonated with children, parents, teachers, librarians, and booksellers around the world. We're delighted to share this magic with the children of Knoxville.

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

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. 29: The theatre will offer a special behind-the-scenes Broadway tour where the community can learn the details of executing a Broadway show on the stage from beginning to end. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. and the tour begins at 2 p.m. Space is limited; tickets are available for $40 per person.

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

Grab a friend on Sunday 10/29 & join us for an evening of tea, music, laughter and conversation. Brandi Augustus is a radical storyteller who takes all that she has experienced and transforms her trauma into relatable stories that will have you laughing and reevaluating life. Brandi Augustus is not only a staple entertainer on the East Tennessee arts scenes but she is also a mother, advocate, activist, and community leader.

Tiny Bookshop Concerts are a series of live performances funded in part by the Tennessee Art Commission, this project stands to showcase local talent in an intimately empowering environment! RSVP HERE https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/tiny-bookshop-concert-brandi-augustus

The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: thebottomknox@gmail.com, 865-444-5915 or www.thebottomknox.com/

Sun, Oct 29, 2023 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

When a Teacher Breaks Free is a memoir of what happens when a teacher finds freedom to open the minds of students to their potential. In this piece, the educational system is compared to the Matrix and the teacher is the hero that comes to rescue the students by opening their minds to the possibilities of greatness. Take a journey with RheaSunshine as she tells the story of an unconventional teacher that finds power in self-acceptance and shares her new found knowledge with fellow teachers and students.

https://www.simpletix.com/e/rhea-carmon-when-a-teacher-breaks-free-tickets-145540

DUO MUNDI GEORGE & GULI thrills audiences around the world with their exciting, innovative, diverse, and intimate programming style. They explore music for both one piano four hands and two-piano four hands in the standard and contemporary repertoire as well as commissioning new works by national and international composers. Lauded as “…breathing the same artistic air…” with an adrenaline of communication that captivates audiences of every generation, DUO MUNDI GEORGE & GULI creates beautifully synchronized performances that engage both the eye and ear in a dance of emotions.

October 29, 7:30 p.m.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

UT College of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. In-person events that take place in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall or the James R. Cox Auditorium also have livestream options: https://music.utk.edu/news-events/#calendar. Venues: Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center located at 1741 Volunteer Boulevard; James R. Cox Auditorium and Performance Hall 32, both in the Alumni Memorial Building located at 1408 Middle Drive. Information: 865-974-8935, https://music.utk.edu/events/

Featuring Ascension Parish Choir

Friends of Music and the Arts, a support society for music at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, augments the calendar of liturgical feast-days with concerts and organ recitals throughout the year.

Contact info
(865) 588-0589 or info@knoxvilleascension.org
800 S. Northshore Dr., Knoxville, TN. 37919
https://www.knoxvilleascension.org/boxoffice

In-gallery Guided Meditation; 3:30 p.m. Sessions led by Tammy Kaousias will further immerse you in the exhibition, Drink Up the Moon by Jane Cassidy. Space is limited; register at www.knoxart.org/events

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 on Fri Nov 3, 5-9 PM with artists
Artists also present Sat Nov 4, 1-6 PM. Other gallery hours by appointment: jeanhess@bellsouth.net or ebtaylorhulse@gmail.com

Jean Hess and Emily Taylor demonstrate a committed willingness to experiment, play and take risks in order to enchant and surprise you. Their visual vocabularies are highly personal yet show mutual sympathy: Using at-hand materials: Natural, recycled, damaged, re-worked; Imagery from nature; Floating and layering; Hesitations and back-tracks, erasures and re-thinking. These artist friends each follow threads and throughlines that, over time, demonstrate evidence of continuity and connection.

Jean Hess’ work can be seen in the Knoxville Museum of Art permanent collection and installed in the Knoxville Convention Center, and available at the KMA gift shop. Her studio in Fountain City is open by appointment: jeanhess@bellsouth.net. You will see a wider range of work including 3D box constructions, hanging mobiles of antique trinkets and jewelry, stitched tapestries of vintage and found fabrics, paintings and collages. Her on-line presence: www.jeanhess.com and http://kolajmagazine.com/artistdirectory/jean-hess

Emily Taylor’s studio is located in Bearden. She welcomes you on publicized Open Studio days [together with studio mates] or other times by appointment. Please join the mailing list. You can contact Emily at ebtaylorhulse@gmail.com. Paintings, drawings, constructions, installations, as well as small objects, prints and commissions. Her on-line presence: https://www.facebook.com/emilytaylorpaintings/ and Instagram @emilytaylor9515

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: By appointment, or when the "open" sign is illuminated. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com and www.facebook.com/broadwaystudiosandgallery/

Knoxville Children’s Theatre presents a live production of “Sense & Sensibility.” The play is based on the novel by Jane Austen and is one of the classic novels featured on the reading list for most high schools in the area (including Knox County Schools.) The play will be performed October 27th - November 12th, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

In this adaption of the classic Jane Austen novel “Sense & Sensibility”, two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood find themselves bound by the trials of life and love. When unexpected misfortunes befall their family, the sisters endure passion and heartbreak while navigating the unforgiving social conventions of Regency England. “Sense and Sensibility” is an enthralling tale of romance, resilience, and the undying bond between sisters. The play features many of Austen’s unforgettable characters, including Willoughby, Fanny, Lucy, Edward, Colonel Brandon and more. The play is performed by 14 talented young actors and designed by 10 talented young designers from ages 9 to 17.

The show is directed by Academy Director Emily Helton. Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

The Museum will host a student-focused event; a day to step back in time enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of pioneer Southern Appalachian traditions and old-time demonstrations of the fall harvest season. The event will feature demonstrations from blacksmiths, spinners, weavers, basket makers, sawmillers, sheep shearers, broom makers, beekeepers, and dozens of other artisans. We’ll also have tons of activities, from spelling bees to storytelling.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM each day

2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716
https://wwwmuseumofappalachiaorg.ticketleap.com/fall-heritage-days-2023/