Calendar of Events

Monday, December 11, 2023

TVUUC Gallery: Carole Quinn and Megan Wolfkill

  • December 10, 2023 — February 7, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Free and open to the public
When: Reception Friday, January 12, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Artists’ talk at 6:30 p.m.
Show: December 10, 2023 – February 7, 2024
Gallery hours: 9:30-4:30 Monday through Thursday, 10-12:30 Sunday
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

Carol Quinn has painted and exhibited for decades, mostly in the Southeast and in New York City. She began as a watercolorist painting mostly nature and then moved into various mixed media, larger creations, and more abstraction in design. Her work is mainly from experimentation with the mediums and from a passion for exploring color and textures. Her degrees are in Human Ecology from the University of Tennessee. She has been a member of Art Market Gallery since 2018.

Megan Wolfkill explores the nature of queerness as a fractured amalgamation of experiences, expectations, and personal truths. Her paintings tap into her sense of touch and include experimentation with two-sided paintings, mirroring, and iridescent and reflective materials. Wolfkill is pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Painting + Drawing at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, and will graduate in May 2024. She is a finalist in the 2024 Miami University Yeck Young Painters Competition, and recently presented at SECAC in Richmond, VA. Megan has had artwork in numerous juried exhibitions across four states and in many online galleries.

The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville

  • December 9, 2023 — December 11, 2023

Category: Festivals, special events, Free event and Kids, family

Free / General Admission
At Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave, Knoxville TN 37915

Times: Saturday December 9 @ 3:00, Sunday December 10 @ 3:00, and Monday December 11 @ 7:00. Doors will open 1 hour prior to show time.

"Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas - for its meaning never ends."

Come join us for the 55th annual Nativity Pageant of Knoxville. The floor of the Civic Coliseum will become the towns of Nazareth and Bethlehem as we reenact the birth story of Jesus Christ in a 1 hour production featuring a 150 voice choir, a 150 member cast, a full orchestra, and a stable of live animals. Bring the entire family to celebrate together as we remind ourselves how the Prince of Peace entered this world. www.knoxvillenativity.com

The WordPlayers: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Category: Kids, family and Theatre

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

The Bottom: Give the Gift of Reading Book Fair

  • December 8, 2023 — December 11, 2023

Category: Festivals, special events, Free event, Kids, family and Literature, spoken word, writing

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

River & Rail Theatre Company: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Category: Kids, family and Theatre

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 Tennessean Hotel Holiday Teas

  • December 2, 2023 — December 16, 2023
  • 1:00PM

Category: Culinary arts, food and Festivals, special events

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

Lilienthal Gallery: Flow: Mastering a Brushstroke

  • December 1, 2023 — February 28, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

OPENING NIGHT
December 1, 5 - 9 pm

Lilienthal Gallery cordially invites you to the opening of Flow: Mastering a Brushstroke, which contemplates the meditative dance through which the energetic flow of creativity is transmitted by poetic forms of ink and motion.

ARTIST TALK at 6:30 pm
German artist Sigrid Artmann will discuss her calligraphic process of Absolute Writing, a practice which delves into the intuition of body-soul connection.

DRESS CODE - Minimalistic composition of black and white.

Launching an exclusive, limited-edition brew by Crafty Bastard featuring the work of Sigrid Artmann.

Flow is the synthesis between action and awareness— a state by which all else falls away in favor of the fullest moment of subjective creativity.

CURATED BY ILANA LILIENTHAL AND KELLY FERGUSON
PRESENTING ARTWORKS BY SIGRID ARTMANN, GUO HAI-JIANG, AND ANTHONY HUANG

23 Emory Place
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
https://lilienthalgallery.com/flow/

Rala: Works by Brian Pittman

  • December 1, 2023 — January 31, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

The opening reception will be from 6-8pm December 1st. Brian, aka "The Cathedral Guy", creates highly detailed work that is recognizable throughout Knoxville. An architect by trade, he designs each cathedral, castle, floor plan, and rose window from his imagination. Brian's work will remain on display from December 1st - January 31st.

https://shoprala.com/collections/brian-pittman-original-art
https://www.facebook.com/events/1720889741656518

Tri-Star Arts: Greetings From Vestal III

  • December 1, 2023 — January 27, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

FRIDAY, DEC. 1, 5:00—8:00 pm
TRI-STAR ARTS RECEPTION feat. Tri-Star Arts resident studio artists Rachel Sevier Dallery, Casey Field, Lisa Flanary, Risa Hricovsky, and Ashley Pace
MAIN GALLERY
Friday, December 1, 2023 (5-8pm) and will run through Saturday, January 27, 2024. Curator: Brian R. Jobe.

Hop by Gabrielle Barnhart (Knoxville, TN)
PROJECT SPACE
opens Friday, December 1, 2023 (5-8pm) and will run through Saturday, January 15, 2024. This show is located within the unique architectural space of a narrow wooden stairwell.

The Lottery by Melissa Catanese (Pittsburgh, PA)
curated / organized by Mauro Antonio Barreto (Nashville, TN)
CARRIAGE HOUSE
Friday, December 1, 2023 (curator in attendance). One night only.

Root by Jason Sheridan Brown (Knoxville, TN)
GROUNDS
on view through Tuesday, December 31, 2024

The Tri-Star Arts Gallery and Studios are located in the historic Candoro Marble Building, 5 minutes from downtown Knoxville at the corner of Maryville Pike and Candora Avenue.
4450 Candora Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920
This exhibition is open to the public regularly from Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am until 5:00 pm, alongside iconic spaces within the Candoro Marble Building — located in the Vestal neighborhood of Knoxville. Photo: Bruce Cole.
https://tristararts.org/visit

Bennett: Epicurean by Denise Stewart-Sanabria

  • December 1, 2023 — December 29, 2023

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Join us in The Gallery this December as we celebrate new work by Denise Stewart-Sanabria in her exhibit Epicurean Indulgences. The exhibit opens on December 1 and runs through December 29.

We will kick off the exhibit with a Champagne Open House on Saturday, December 2nd from 11–4, with meet the artist from 12–3. Stop by!

Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-Sa 10-5:30; Sundays in December 1-5. Information: 865-584-6791, https://bennetthome.com/

Knoxville Watercolor Society: Exhibition at Rose Center

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

"From an Eastern Tennessee Point of View"
442 W 2nd N St., Morristown, TN 37814
open Mondays - Fridays. 9am-5pm, and Sat. Dec 2nd 9am-4pm
Opening Reception, Friday, December 1st, 6-8 PM
Exhibit open December 1st - December 21st, 2023
https://www.facebook.com/knoxville.watercolor.society/

Knoxville Children's Theatre: Elf, Jr. The Musical

Category: Kids, family, Music and Theatre

KCT Intern Evie Braude will direct the production, Teresa Seals will serve as Musical Director, and Donya Walker-Bacon will choreograph.

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Elf JR. features songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

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