Calendar of Events

Friday, February 16, 2024

Knoxville Children's Theatre: Disney's Aladdin, Jr.

Category: Kids, family, Music and Theatre

Disney’s Aladdin JR. is based on the 1992 Academy-Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show. The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world!”

Performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.

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

Knoxville Opera: Verdi's La Traviata

Category: Music and Theatre

February 16th and 18th will bring the emotionally charged Verdi's La Traviata. This beloved opera will be stage directed by the esteemed Keturah Stickann and conducted by the distinguished Joseph Mechavich, providing a harmonious blend of passion, drama, and transcendent music.

At the Tennessee Theater, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/

Maryville College APO Theatre and Foothills Community Players: Little Women

Category: Music

Maryville College APO Theatre and Foothills Community Players Present: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Adapted by Erin Riley

We kick off our 2024 season with Erin Riley’s adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN, a beloved favorite from Louisa May Alcott! We are partnering with Maryville College’s APO to bring this show to the Haslam Flexible Theater stage at the Clayton Center for the Arts.

Friday, February 16th @ 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 17th @ 4:00 and 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 18th @ 2:00 PM

Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information/tickets: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Bijou Theatre: Erick Baker: Ultimate Date Night Weekend

Category: Music

ERICK BAKER: ULTIMATE DATE NIGHT WEEKEND
TWO NIGHTS, February 16 & 17, 2024 at the Bijou Theatre

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

Knoxville Museum of Art: Soundscapes - Kyle Schroeder

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Music

The Knoxville Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the eagerly awaited lineup for the upcoming 2023-2024 season of Soundscapes at the KMA, the museum's signature concert series. Formerly known as “Alive After Five,” the rebranded series promises an unforgettable musical journey, showcasing a diverse array of talented artists and genres. Soundscapes at the KMA continues its tradition of providing an enriching cultural experience for music enthusiasts and art lovers alike. "Soundscapes is more than just a concert series" says coordinator Brian Clay, "it's the fusion between of music performance and fantastic visual art, one-of-a-kind performances with the exhibitions and collections of the KMA as a backdrop. We have a fantastic new season scheduled, and we invite you to join us for these unforgettable musical experiences in the stunning setting of the KMA.” Enjoy curated performances, cocktails, and dancing in beautiful Bailey Hall, or explore the art on view as music weaves through the galleries. Kick off your weekend in an extraordinary atmosphere that allows you to see, hear, and feel art in a whole new way.

2023-2024 SEASON LINEUP:
· February 16, 2024, 6-9pm—Kyle Schroeder
· March 8, 2024, 6-9pm—Kimberlye McKinney
· April 12, 2024, 6-9pm—"A Tribute to Motown Soul II"
· May 10, 2024, 6-9pm—To Be Announced
· June 14, 2024, 6-9pm—To Be Announced
· July 12, 2024, 6-9pm—Adam Hawley
· August 16, 2024, 6-9pm—Season Finale

TICKETS: Members: $20, Non-Members: $25, Member’s Pass: FREE, Kids under 12: FREE
SEASON TICKETS: Members: $160, Non-Members: $200, Secures entry to all nine performances (one show discount)
Season details, including the full lineup, ticket information, and artist bios, are available at knoxart.org.

The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive and is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.knoxart.org

Tennessee Valley Players: Gala

Category: Dance, movement, Fundraisers and Music

Tennessee Valley Player's Gala
Friday, Feb 16, 2024, 07:00 PM
at St John's Episcopal Cathedral, Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville

You Can Dance ... You Can Jive ... Having the Time of Your Life! Join Tennessee Valley Players for a nostalgic look back at some of our Greatest Hits!
https://tennesseevalleyplayers.org/

Bluegill Productions: Friday Night Live! with Soulful Sounds Revue

  • February 16, 2024

Category: Music

UPDATE 2-13-24: CANCELLED/POSTPONED

Presented by Bluegill Productions and The Concourse
5:30 PM Doors | 6:30 PM Show
Tickets: $10 + fees Advance | $15 At The Door
Children 12 & under are free
Limited seating available

Information: bluegill.mg8@gmail.com

Mill and Mine: Corey Smith's "Suburban Drawl" Tour

  • February 16, 2024

Category: Music

Fri Feb 16 2024
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)

The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Tickets/information: 865-343-6000 or https://themillandmine.com

East Tennessee Historical Society: They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, History, heritage, Kids, family and Music

They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler is the first retrospective exhibition of Carl and Pearl Butler, the iconic country music duo whose timeless lyrics and harmonious melodies left an indelible mark on country music. With a career spanning over four decades, Carl and Pearl Butler became celebrated figures in the world of country music. “Carl made scores of major-label records during the 1950s,” says Bradley E. Reeves, the exhibition’s guest curator and author of the new book Honky Tonkitis: On the Road with Carl Butler and Pearl. “These are some of the best bluegrass, gospel, and hard country records ever made, although none could be called a massive hit.” That honor would come in 1962, when Carl and Pearl recorded “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.” The song remains among the fastest ever to ascend to No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Singles. Carl and Pearl’s unique “Knoxville sound,” along with heartfelt lyrics, earned them a dedicated fan base who supported them at performances across the United States and Canada through the 1970s. The exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of these music legends.

Key highlights of the exhibition include:
1. Rare Family Archives: Museum guests will have the opportunity to view the Allen “Junior” Butler Family Collection, which has been made publicly available for the first time and includes never-before-seen photographs, home movies, original instruments, and stage costumes that belonged to Carl and Pearl Butler. “I’m grateful to Allen Butler and his family for opening their home and archives to share with us,” says Reeves.
2. Musical Journey: Explore the duo's musical journey through a feature film, which transports visitors through various periods of their career and traces their unfiltered, raw singing style, one that derived from and advanced the “Knoxville sound.”
3. Behind-the-Scenes: Gain insight into the lives of Carl and Pearl Butler through never-before-seen family photographs and recently uncovered anecdotes from the family and fellow musicians, including Dolly Parton who viewed the Butlers as her “second parents.” “Despite their successes,” says Adam Alfrey, Assistant Director for Historical Services at Knox County Public Library, “Carl and Pearl faced personal and professional struggles, which are intimately documented through the family’s photographs.”
4. Interpretive Experience: Engage with the exhibition to understand how both Knoxville and Nashville played a role in the development of country music. Also, learn how chart-topping artists can quickly become all but forgotten, even in their hometown. “The Butlers somehow fell through the cracks,” reflects Reeves. “It’s my hope that this book and exhibition will contribute to a reappreciation of their great body of work.”
They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler promises to be a heartfelt educational experience for country music enthusiasts and fans of all ages. It serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Carl and Pearl Butler on the world of music.

At 5:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2023, there will be an opening reception for They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler. The event will include a meet and greet with Carl and Pearl Butler’s family, a book signing by guest curator Bradley E. Reeves, and an exhibition of Appalachian musical pioneer paintings by artist Amy Campbell. At 7:00 pm, there will be a “Tribute to Carl and Pearl,” opened by a performance of the Paul Brewster and Friends Band, comprised of 14-year-old mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis and Grand Ole Opry performers Daniel Grindstaff, Kent Blanton, Stephen Burwell, and John Meador. A screening of 8mm home movies shot by the Butlers (watch for an appearance by 10-year-old Dolly Parton), as well as some of the Butlers’ rarest television appearances, will conclude the evening.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.eastTNhistory.org/lights-camera