Calendar of Events

Join us on Saturday, January 13th for the Exhibition Reception of Gary White and Nyasha Madamombe. Curated by LaKesha Lee, Gary and Nyasha's Sculpture and Painting Exhibition will be on display at The Bottom from January 13th to January 31st. Learn more about both artists and their work at https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/sculptures-and-paintings-by-gary-white-and-nyasha-madamombe.

Gary White's work pays homage to the past while celebrating the present. Histories, lifeways, ancestors, folklore, and tribal traditions all influence his artwork. An interdisciplinary artist, Nyasha Madamombe combines tradition and technology to tell the untold story of the collective African experience. Moving between disciplines allows her to examine and spotlight issues related to collective memory, tradition, the spiritual, and the contemporary.

In person at the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge, TN. We will have tracks in both Poetry and Fiction.

Poetry Leader Connie Jordan Green is the author of four books of poetry: Slow Children Playing and Regret Comes to Tea, from Finishing Line Press; Household Inventory, winner of the Brick Road Poetry Press 2013 Award; and most recently, Darwin’s Breath from Iris Press. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She belongs to the Tennessee Mountain Writers (Board of Directors), Knoxville Writers’ Guild, Academy of American Poets, and the Authors Guild; she was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Tennessee Hall of Fame for Writers, and a Tribute to the Arts Award from the Arts Council of Oak Ridge. She and her husband Richard, a retired engineer, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Fiction leader Darnell Arnoult is author of the novel Sufficient Grace, as well as three poetry collections What Travels With Us, Galaxie Wagon, and the forthcoming Incantations. Her shorter works have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. She holds an MA from NCSU and an MFA from University of Memphis and she offers a constellation of workshops and services for writers and writing communities. She is the recipient of the SIBA Poetry Book of the Year Prize, Weatherford Award, Chaffin Award, and Hobson Award in Arts and Letters. She lives with her family in Mebane, NC.

Registration fee: $150 (Includes coffee and tea before the morning sessions, and lunch Saturday)
Registration Deadline: December 29, 2023
Hotel Rate: $84 + tax
Call Comfort Inn Oak Ridge at 865-481-8200, mention TMW/January Jumpstart or use our online booking link.
https://tmwi.org/january-jumpstart-xxiv/

Thermal Label Warehouse/Shaw Family Pops Series
Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Journey with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra to a galaxy far, far away and experience Star Wars: A New Hope as never before. George Lucas’ epic 1977 film will be projected on the big screen as the KSO performs John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live. A young Luke Skywalker begins to discover his destiny in the movie that started it all!

Information/tickets: 865-291-3310 or https://knoxvillesymphony.com

BACK N BLACK: THE ULTIMATE AC/DC EXPERIENCE
Saturday, Jan.13, 2024, 8:00PM at the Bijou Theatre.

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

Our dance party this month will be Saturday, January 13th at Champion Ballroom Center of Knoxville. The cost will be $15 per person. Water and light snacks are provided. A group class is included in admission, and will begin at 6pm. The dance party will start at 7pm and end at 9pm. If you have a Facebook account, be sure to RSVP and share on Facebook. You do not have to RSVP to attend our parties, and you do not need a partner.

https://www.facebook.com/events/874131374096280/

The YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Diversity Day is not just an event; it's a movement towards unity and understanding. This family-friendly occasion brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and promote dialogue on the importance of inclusivity.

The Race Against Racism 5K, a highlight of the day, is a symbol of our collective commitment to eliminating racism and promoting a more inclusive society. Join us on January 13, 2024, at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center for our 28th Annual Diversity Day and Race Against Racism.

The event kicks off with our 5K beginning at 9 a.m., 1-mile walk, and a Kids Fun Run will follow beginning around 10:00 a.m. Diversity Day activities, available free for the entire family beginning at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you to the Phyllis Wheatley Center for a day of fun for all ages. https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/YWCAKnoxvilleRaceAgainstRacism

Join us on January 13, 2024, at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center, 124 S Cruze St, for our 28th Annual Diversity Day and Race Against Racism.

The YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Diversity Day is not just an event; it's a movement towards unity and understanding. This family-friendly occasion brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and promote dialogue on the importance of inclusivity. The Race Against Racism 5K, a highlight of the day, is a symbol of our collective commitment to eliminating racism and promoting a more inclusive society.

The event kicks off with our 5K beginning at 9 a.m., 1-mile walk, and a Kids Fun Run will follow beginning around 10:00 a.m. Diversity Day activities, available free for the entire family beginning at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you to the Phyllis Wheatley Center for a day of fun for all ages.

Registration for the 5K run,1-mile walk, and Kids Fun Run is now open. Click here to sign up today. Online registration will close Friday, January 12th at 11:59 pm, but participants can still register day of at the Saturday event until 8:30 a.m. The Diversity Day and Race Against Racism will happen, rain, snow, or shine - so please, come out and join us!

https://ywcaknox.com/phyllis-wheatley-center/

THE FARRAGUT COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOST FREE HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR.
The Expo will take place on Saturday January 13, between 10 am and 3 pm in the Farragut Community Center located at 239 Jamestowne Blvd. just north of Village Green Shopping Center and Planet Fitness on Campbell Station Road. This SHOP FARRAGUT EVENT is FREE to the public!

Shop Farragut in partnership with the Town of Farragut will host the 4th FARRAGUT HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO presented by ​Turkey Creek Medical Center/Tennova. Featuring over 2 dozen local businesses who specialize in the care of the human body, mind and spirit! They provide products and services for your comfort and well-being in support of a healthy lifestyle – a Farragut Lifestyle.

Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd Suite 201, Knoxville, TN 37934. Information: 865-966-7057 or www.farragutparksandrec.org/community-center

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is excited to announce the special exhibition, Coming into View: Oil Paintings from the Permanent Collection. The exhibition will feature several artworks never before displayed to the public alongside pieces that have been the focus of recent research.

Aligned with the museum’s newly implemented strategic plan, this exhibition underscores the significance of the museum’s ongoing collaboration with students, the university, and external partners. Coming into View explores three key themes—student research, collaboration, and coursework—providing an insider’s perspective on the research efforts conducted behind the scenes on the museum’s permanent collection.

Featuring both beloved “fan favorites” and previously unseen works, the exhibition spotlights paintings central to coursework, internships, and student research projects at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Beyond a mere display of art, Coming into View demonstrates the integral role of students, faculty, and the campus community in deepening the museum’s understanding of its collections.

The exhibition also provides a peek behind the metaphorical museum curtain into the importance of conservation of the museum’s permanent collection. Learn more about the exhibition and stay up to date with exhibition-related programming by visiting https://tiny.utk.edu/ComingIntoView.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-2144. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 12–4 p.m. https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

THE LION IN WINTER
Fri. Jan 12th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 13th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 14th 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Jan 18th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Jan 19th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 20th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 21st 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Jan 25th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Jan 26th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 27th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 28th 2024, 3:00 pm

Sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons – The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “Every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present “Junie B. Jones is not a Crook,” a hilarious and heartfelt tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. The play will be performed January 12th – January 28th, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.

Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So, when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finders’ keepers, losers’ weepers. And guess what? There’s a new boy in kindergarten, and he is the handsomest. The only thing is… both Grace and Lucille want him to be their boyfriend. Maybe he will like Junie B. when he sees her wonderful pen! It’s okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook . . . or is she?

The play is performed by seven talented young actors, from ages 10 to 15. KCT veteran Rosalie Linnabary plays Junie B. Jones. Other seasoned KCT performers include Maggie Ingle playing the characters of Jim/The Mitten Thief/Grandpa Frank Miller – and Madisyn Beckman playing the characters of Lucille/Grouchy Typing Lady. Joining them are Emily Rowe as Grace/Pink Fluffy Girl and Shepherd Shafer as Ricardo/Principal/Lucille’s Grandpa. Making their KCT debuts will be Barnes Shafer as Handsome Warren/Live Fireman and Olivia Vanover as Mrs./Mother.

The show is directed by KCT guest director Chris Freeman who previously directed KCT’s Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon. Tiger Ladaa will provide the scenic design with assistance from Tabi Maanum and Addy Kate Thomas. The lighting design is provided by Carter Case. The costume design is provided by Amelia Bumpus with assistance from Chloe Beeler. The properties are designed by Lyric Westerfield-Dyer and Caroline Simmons. The play’s stage manager is Hattie Perry and Michelle Phelps is the assistant stage manager. KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families.

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

1/12 • Family Owl Prowl
1/13 • Winter Birding
1/13 • Winter Tree ID: Beginner Workshop
1/13 • Tracks & Scat! Animal Signs in Winter
1/14 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga with Hope Irwin

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Visitor Center open daily 10-6; grounds and trails open daily from 8 AM - dusk. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org