Calendar of Events

Adapted by Joe Landry
'It's a Wonderful Life' is based on the story, 'The Greatest Gift' by Philip Van Doren Stern

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve

River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

The community center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd #20, is hosting its first-ever esports tournament!

Kids ages 8-14 are invited to participate in a Mario-Kart Tournament from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Play takes place on Nintendo Switches, and everyone will get the chance to play multiple rounds. Cost is $5 per participant; registration will soon be available at townoffarragut.org/register. This is your chance to show off your esports skills at the community center!

Thursday, December 7, 2023, 7-8 PM
Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street

KWG is turning 30 years old and will celebrate at the 2023! Join us for a night of joyful readings. Share your writing or listen to others in a warm and welcoming community.

Free for KWG members. Information: www.KnoxvilleWritersGuild.org

Join us December 7, 2023 at 6:30 PM for an evening of merriment, dinner, and dessert at the Holston Hills Country Club.

6:30 pm Cocktails.
7:30 pm Dinner and Holiday entertainment by Knoxville Opera.
Cash bar, valet parking provided.
Tickets are $90 and available until December 1 at https://knoxvilleopera.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/event.

Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

Blount Mansion Association's Merry and Bright Christmas Soiree, Thursday December 7, 6:00-9:00PM at the Historic Craighead Jackson House, 1000 State Street, Knoxville.

Blount Mansion, 200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-2375, www.blountmansion.org

December 7, 7:00 PM | RSVP Encouraged, but Not Required
https://www.niefnorf.org/unsilent-night-2023

Composed in 1992, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night is a mobile soundscape in which the audience becomes the performer. Each participant plays one of four tracks via an app and a Bluetooth speaker, and the group walks outdoors on a carefully selected route. There is no experience or performance necessary — all you need to do is carry a speaker! The multi-track electronic piece is 45 minutes long, creating unlimited soundscapes and experiences for participants and onlookers as it travels throughout space and time.

7:00 PM
Meet outside Knoxville Convention Center & Sunsphere (location linked)

7:15 PM
Activate composition via Bluetooth speakers and begin walking!

8:00 PM
Composition ends — head to optional social event at Yee-Haw Brewing (location linked)

"WINTER WATERFOWL ON EAST TENNESSEE LAKES”
VIRTUAL PROGRAM Thursday, December 7 at 7:00PM presented by the UT Arboretum Society.

When TVA began the taming of raging Tennessee rivers, they not only created
affordable electricity for the valley, but also created a host of still water lakes where
northern waterfowl can spend their winters. Join UT Arboretum Education Coordinator,
Michelle Campanis and local naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales for this Zoom presentation
"Winter Waterfowl on East Tennessee Lakes" on Thursday, December 7 at 7 p.m.

Stephen Lyn will be talking about coots, grebes and rafts of ducks that include
pintails, gadwalls, wigeons, buffleheads, and mergansers. Winter is on the way and
hopefully you will be able to see some of these amazing birds.

This December First Thursday Nature Supper Club presentation is hosted by the
UT Arboretum Society. The program is free, but registration is required to receive your
Zoom link and the recording. Register at www.utarboretumsociety.org Please contact
Michelle at mcampani@utk.edu for any questions or registration issues.

University of Tennessee Arboretum Society
https://utarboretumsociety.org

At First Baptist Knoxville, 6:30 PM

Please join us for our Winter concert at First Baptist Knoxville! We will be featuring our two choral groups in a free program lasting about 35-45 minutes. We'd love to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/679478430918259/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1161596608100422

JAGGED LITTLE PILL includes eight performances from Dec. 5-10, 2023. Joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, LIFE – everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show – is here in the exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music. Directed by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Pippin, 1776) with a Tony Award®-winning book by Diablo Cody (Juno) and Grammy Award®-winning score, this electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family “vaults the audience to its collective feet.” (The Guardian).

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

December 3-20: Foothills Craft Guild
Open house on Dec 3, 2-4 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tue-Thu 10 AM - 4 PM. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

Come celebrate the holidays at the Tennessean! Join us for a luxury tea service complete with our signature teas along with tier courses of scones, tea sandwiches and holiday desserts. It is an experience that you will treasure for years to come!
Saturday, December 2, 9, and 16 at 1:00 PM at The Tennessean Personal Luxury Hotel,
531 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902.

Advance reservations required.
Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-tea-at-the-tennessean-hotel-tickets

The Nutcracker, a full-length classical ballet, will be presented by the Appalachian Ballet Company in their 52nd season. Live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, beautiful sets and scenery, lavish costumes and accomplished dancers will put you in the holiday mood! Dancing the role of the Sugarplum Fairy will be ABC alum, Laura Morton La Russa, “25 to watch” in Dance Magazine 2021. ABC will be featuring James La Russa as Herr Drosselmeyer and the Arabian Prince. For over 100 years, this classic story has proven to be a favorite, enchanting audiences of all ages. Come see the magic! Show runs 90 minutes with one intermission.

Knoxville Civic Auditorium
December 2, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
December 3, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Clayton Center for the Arts, Ronald & Lynda Nutt Theatre
December 8, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
December 9, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

865-981-8590
https://appalachianballet.org/tickets.html