Calendar of Events

The Sundress Academy for the Arts is pleased to announce Poet-Tea Community Reading with The Bottom, featuring Joe Tolbert Jr., Jazmin Witherspoon, Felecia Outsey, a.k.a. "Sistah Felecity Luv," and Asante Knowles. Join us on Saturday, December 9th at Pretentious Beer Co. from 2:00-4:00 PM for Sundress’ special tea blend, a reading, and open mic!

Joe T. is a minister, scholar, writer and cultural organizer whose work is at the intersections of art, culture, spirituality and social justice. He received his B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and completed his M.Div. with a concentration in Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York.

Jazmin Witherspoon is a poet from Saint Louis, MO, though she has spent all her adult life thriving in the mountains of East Tennessee. She received a BS in Communication from the University of Tennessee in 2017. In 2020, she accepted a fellowship with the 5th Woman Poetry Collective. Her poem “Roots of Revolution” was featured in the first issue of Pigeon Parade Quarterly. Jazmin is an MFA candidate in Creative Writing Poetry (‘24). In her free time, Jazmin enjoys reading, singing, and cooking, and she dreams of combining her love of literature and travel into a television show.

Felecia Outsey, a.k.a. "Sistah Felecity Luv," a native of Birmingham, AL and Graduate of Berea College is a Dancer, Instructor, Cultural Organizer, Community and Youth Advocate, and Artist. As Artistic Director of Divine Urban eXpressions Cultural Arts N Dance Productions, she founded the program in 2007 for talented yet underserved youth and young adults in Knoxville, TN. She aims to spread Faith, Hope, and Love in the community through Poetry and Dance alongside all the youth and young adults she serves. She is Motivated to Overcome Violence through Expression and truly believes that Love is the Answer.

Asante Knowles is a UTK grad student, creative artist, poet, musician, and philosopher. He aims to seek truth, find peace, and spread love through artistry. He's the author of ebook titled "10 Dimensions of You" which gives a perspective of how looking at the space within can bring us into the space beyond. How your very essence in entangled with the essence of the universe. In the depths of nothing you are there expanding and growing into everything. Come take a look at this perspective to see where you can go beyond where you have ever been.

https://www.facebook.com/events/367584869181898/

Sat, Dec 9, 2023 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
800 North 4th Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
Ticket Price: $15.00

Wendel Werner and accompaniment will be performing an intimate concert at the Birdhouse on December 9. Join us for an unforgettable night! Your ticket includes snacks, drinks, and beer/wine. Doors open at 7:00 pm. This event is supported by a grant from the TN Arts Commission.

https://www.simpletix.com/e/jazz-night-with-wendel-werner-tickets-150756

By Joseph Robinette
Directed by Caroline King
Performance Dates – December 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13

Public Performances
Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2:30 PM
Sunday Dec. 10 at 2:30 PM

School Matinees
Friday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 AM
Monday, Dec. 11 at 9:30 AM & 12:00 Noon
Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 AM
Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 9.30 AM
At Clayton Performing Arts Center

This dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and end the reign of Aslan.

All the memorable episodes from the story are represented in this exciting dramatization: the temptation of Edmund by the witch, the slaying of the evil wolf by Peter, the witnessing of Aslan’s resurrection by Susan and Lucy, the crowning of the four new rulers of Narnia, and more. The supporting characters are also here: the unicorn, the centaur and other forest animals, along with Father Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and Tumnus the Faun.

This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life.

Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

Join us for a weekend of book giveaways, cookie decorating, and holiday shopping!
The Change Center, 203 Harriet Tubman St, Knoxville, TN 37915, USA

Dec 8, 9 and 11, 2:30 PM – 9:00 PM; Sun Dec 10, 6-9 PM

Bring your friends and family, immerse yourself in the magic of books, and make a difference in the lives of others. The "Give the Gift of Reading Book Fair" is not just an event; it's a celebration of literacy, community, and the joy of giving! In the spirit of community, we are proud to partner with East Tennessee Freedom Schools, The Change Center, and UTK Children & Young Adult Lit Center. By joining forces, we aim to promote literacy, education, and empowerment in our community. Kick off the weekend with a sprinkle of sweetness! On both Friday and Saturday, engage your creative side with our first-come, first-served cookie decorating station. Delight in the art of cookie design as you explore the pages of captivating stories. Throughout the event, we'll be hosting exciting book giveaways to help you experience the magic of gifting and receiving. Attendees have the chance to take home some literary gems and share the love of reading with others.

https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/give-the-gift-of-reading-book-fair-2023-12-08-14-30

Hours: Friday 5-7 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 1 PM

Gallery 1010, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 114, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: https://gallery1010.utk.edu/

Highland Pottery looks forward to welcoming you to our second Holiday Art Sale and Open House in Westwood subdivision, 5912 Westover Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919, on Friday, December 8th, noon until 7:00PM and Saturday, December 9th, 11:00AM-3:00PM.

Functional ceramics, sculptures, mixed media, paintings, cards, wearable art, jewelry and more will be available just in time for the holidays. Need a present for someone special? A gift for the host at your holiday dinner? A nice stoneware cup or mug to to treat yourself to a cup of holiday cheer? The gifts you can buy this season at the sale are all unique and handmade works of art by local artists: Lisa Kurtz, Betsy Heerdt, Melanie Richards, Lynnda Tenpenny, Cynthia Tipton and Cynthia Yeager

A fun way to do your holiday shopping! Enjoy refreshments while you shop! There is no better place to shop! We hope to see you there!

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

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

The Winter Farmers' Market by Nourish Knoxville will be here to spice up your winter starting December 2, outdoors in the heart of downtown Knoxville.

2023 - 2024 Winter Farmers’ Market schedule:
Every Saturday, December 2 - December 23 (10 am - 2 pm)
*** NO MARKETS December 24, 2023 - January 19, 2023 ***
Every Saturday, January 20 - March 30 (10 am - 2 pm)

https://www.nourishknoxville.org/winter-market/

Saturday, December 2, 9 or 16, 1 PM

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! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-tea-at-the-tennessean-hotel-tickets-524559289957

The Tennessean Personal Luxury Hotel
531 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902

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