Calendar of Events

Celebrate the 'Year of the Dragon' at the East Tennessee Chinese New Year Festival on February 24 at 3:30 p.m. at Cox Auditorium on the UT campus.

This large, family-friendly variety show is held annually during the Chinese New Year and brings together many local Chinese organizations for an afternoon of singing, dance, martial arts, and other performances to celebrate the coming of Spring!

Our Special Guest this year will be singer/songwriter/pianist Vivian Fang Liu from New York City (shown above), who will dazzle our audience with her talents! Our event will also include a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, as well as Chinese dancing, singing, martial arts, and more. More information at: https://knoxvillechineseculture.org/FESTIVALS

https://www.kin-connect.org/

Event by Appalachian Equality Chorus, FUMC Music Ministry and First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, TN - held at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, TN

Join the Appalachian Equality Chorus for this WORLD PREMIER concert of "Every BODY." The multi-movement work was created by a coalition of composers and lyricists to celebrate all of our bodies - in all shapes and sizes! The concert is free, but donations will gladly be accepted. Performance in Johnson City on Saturday, March 23 and Oak Ridge on Sunday, March 24.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1302867347040774/

Cinderella Family Performance - March 24, 2:30-3:30 P.M.

Step into the enchanting world of "Cinderella" through a compilation of music from various renditions of the tale. From the grandeur of opera to the toe-tapping tunes of musical theater and beyond, this delightful production promises to transport audiences of all ages into the heart of Cinderella's story. Don't miss your chance to experience the fun - book your tickets now and let the fairy tale begin! Programming best suited for children K-8.

Open to the public; pay what you can. Tickets: https://knoxvilleopera.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FUH000000LZSb2AO

612 East Depot Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
Info: (865) 524-0795

CHARLOTTE’S WEB
Adapted by Joseph Robinette

Performances: March 23 @ 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm
March 24 @ 2:00 pm
Seats are general admission & will fill up fast!

This charming adaptation, based on the book by E.B. White, the show the tells remarkable story of a seemingly unremarkable young pig named Wilbur who befriends a clever spider named Charlotte. Together, they embark on a journey to save Wilbur’s life by using Charlotte’s web-spinning abilities to convince the farmer that Wilbur is special. With an important message about the power of friendship and acceptance, “Charlotte’s Web” is sure to capture the imagination and hearts of young theatre-goers.

YOUNG AUDIENCES

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information and tickets: 865-482-9999, https://www.orplayhouse.com/

Back to back family movies on the jumbotron beginning at 6pm, inflatable games for the kids in the grove pit, and a relaxing night out for the entire family every Tuesday from 6-9 PM.

We have games and toys for the kids to play with and climb all night while parents can come relax and enjoy free entertainment for the family! Movies range from some classics like "Honey, I shrunk the Kids" and "Aladdin" to recent hits like "Encanto" and "Inside Out."

https://www.facebook.com/events/3650230248630107/3650230288630103/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5RC7OstvVk/

745 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN
(865) 210-8862
yeehawbrewing.com/knoxville

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