Calendar of Events

13th ANNUAL CIRCUS EXTRAVAGANZA: THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS BEAR will be held the last ​weekend of April 2024:
​Friday, April 26 - 7:30PM
Saturday, April 27 - shows at 2:00PM & 7:30PM
Sunday, April 28 - 2:00PM

Come one, come all to Dragonfly Aerial's 13th Annual Circus Extravaganza! Walk through the doors of the big top into "The Case of the Curious Bear," where amazing acrobats, daring aerialists, wacky clowns, and a host of zoo inhabitants draw you into their world of magic, mystique, and mayhem! Join us for performances on silks, chains, stilts, lyra, trapeze, aerial pole, original poetry by Knoxville's poet laureate Black Atticus, and more. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for monkeys, tigers, and even bears*! Rediscover childlike joy and wonder as you get whisked away into the amazing world of our Curious Bear!
*no live animals in the show

Our annual Circus Extravaganza funds our scholarship program for kids. We're always grateful for donations from those wanting to give more than the price of a ticket to help sponsor a child, or from those who can't make the show but want a way to give. Circus Extravaganza benefits #CircusForEveryBody: programs that share the circus with ​under-served + special-needs people

Tickets: https://www.dragonflyaerialartsstudio.com/circus-extravaganza.html

Free! Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-4
Opening reception Fri 4-6

Presented at the Community Church at Tellico Village near Loudon TN, this acclaimed display showcases more than 250 pieces of art, highlighting the exceptional and varied talents of Art Guild members. The Art Show offers a wide variety of subjects, styles and media, in both 2- and 3- dimensional works. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, inks, graphite, colored pencil, scratchboard, photography, gourds, wood carving, jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, sculpture, weavings, fused glass, stained glass, collage and mixed media will be featured. Much of the artwork will be for sale.

Throughout the 3-day Art Show guests are invited to watch and learn from “Artists at Work.” Over a dozen member artists will demonstrate various media while sharing their inspirations, techniques, tips, materials and more. The public is also invited to vote for Peoples’ Choice Awards, to be awarded at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon.

Visitors will be treated to a continuous variety of live music each day of the show. The Community Church at Tellico Village is located at 130 Chota Ctr, Loudon, TN. Art Show attendance is FREE to the public and all are welcome. www.tellicoartguild.com

Fri-Sat 7 PM, Sun 3 PM

Hardin Valley Academy Theater, 11345 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932
865-690-9690 or https://www.knoxschools.org/hardinvalley

Info: john.sides@knoxschools.org
Tickets: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/81667

The Knox Co. Parks & Recreation Dept. is hosting the 2nd annual "Camporee on the Hill." The weekend-long immersive camping experience April 26-28 at Melton Hill Park (3230 Williams Bend Road) will feature interactive nature programming for both kids and adults, a sunset movie and local band campfire jam session, water sport rentals, and an information command center that details potential plans for Melton Hill Park. The event is free and open to the public, but camping sites are limited and pre-registration for a tent or group camping site is required. Register at this link and hold your spot! https://knoxcountyparks.activityreg.com/clientpage_t2.wcs

Phone: (865) 215-6600
parks@knoxcounty.org
www.knoxcounty.org/parks

Get ready for an exciting kickoff to the 2024 season of the New Harvest Farmers Market! Join us on Thursday, April 25th, from 3-6 PM at New Harvest Park for a fantastic event packed with fun activities and fresh, local goods! Here's what's in store for you:
FARMERS MARKET: Explore a diverse array of local produce, baked goods, meat, eggs, crafts, and more at our vibrant market stalls!
NOURISH MOVES: Lace up your sneakers and join us for the launch of the 2024 season of Nourish Moves! Learn more about how you can turn your steps into Produce Bucks by visiting nourishknoxville.org/nourish-moves/
SNAP & SNAP DOUBLING: shoppers with SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) are able to swipe their EBT cards at the info booth for tokens to spend on groceries at the market! Plus Nourish Knoxville will be doubling those dollars, up to $20/day, in Double Up Food Bucks tokens to spend on fresh fruits & vegetables! Learn more about this program at nourishknoxville.org/programs/snap/

Thursdays from 3 pm – 6 pm
New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918

https://www.nourishknoxville.org/new-harvest/

The Burn Vote is a world premiere original musical about the true story of Tennessee’s role in the ratification of the 19th amendment. No one expected that the final step in securing women’s voting rights would come down to the state of Tennessee, much less to the tie-breaking vote of a 24-year-old junior legislator, Harry T. Burn.

In the heat of a second round of voting, after voting against ratification previously, Representative Burn turned to a letter he had received from his mother, Febb Burn, in which she ever-so-gently urged him to vote for suffrage. This tiny nudge turned into a tipping vote that swayed national momentum and changed history.

Through Americana folk music, ensemble-driven storytelling, and a whopping dose of humor, The Burn Vote reminds us that the work of justice is almost never grand and sweeping but small and seemingly insignificant. Seventy long years of protests and advocacy, imprisonment and violence, can come down to a few words exchanged between a mother and son.

Directed by Amelia Peterson
Music and Lyrics by Don and Lori Chaffer
Book by Chris Craigin Day

River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

The Knox County Public Library is taking a close look at how news and information has changed in the last decade, with artificial intelligence, deep fakes and online influencers adding to the confusion. A free series of discussions and film screenings will be held April 25-28 in its Truth and Consequences Symposium 2024.

This month’s programs will assemble media experts to address the topics. Additionally, with the decline of investment in investigative journalism, what happens to government and corporate oversight? Brittany Tarwater's documentary, A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton's Last Dance, will be screened, as well as Marie, a film about whistle-blower Marie Ragghianti who helped uncover the pardon and parole corruption under Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton.

Here’s the schedule of events:

SCREENING & DISCUSSION: A Tennessee Waltz: Ray Blanton’s Last Dance.
Thursday, April 24, 7-9pm, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street.
With WVLT’s Brittany Tarwater

AI, Deep Fakes, Online Influencers & Political Communication – panel discussion
Friday, April 25, 9:00 – 10:30am, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street.
Presenters: Ben Horne, PhD; Mike Kotowski, PhD; Martin Riedl, PhD; Catherine Luther, PhD; Mariea Hoy, PhD; CCI Information Integrity Institute, UTK

First Amendment, Social Media, and Democracy
Friday, April 25, 10:45 – noon, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street.
Glenn Reynolds, UT Law/Institute of American Civics and Jesse Mayshark, Compass

Screening: Marie (1985)
Sunday, April 28, 3:30–5:30
Central Cinema, 1205 N Central St. Free
Sissy Spacek stars as whistle-blower Marie Ragghianti in this dramatized story of the federal investigation of the pardon and parole corruption under Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton. PG-13

For more information please visit: https://www.knoxcountylibrary.org/truth-and-consequences

Knox County Public Library: 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxcountylibrary.org/

A translation of a French-language play, Art is set in Paris and revolves around a discussion between three friends–Serge, Marc and Yvan. When Serge buys a large and very expensive painting for 200,000 francs. However, the canvas is completely white with just a few white lines. While Serge is very proud of his latest painting, the reaction of his friends does not mirror his own sentiments. Marc responds with shock and anger, labeling it as a “piece of white sh#t”. But does he dislike the painting, or Serge’s independent thought?

In turn, Yvan acts as the peacemaker, trying to mediate the hostility between his friends. While he laughs about the ridiculous nature of the painting with Marc, he also reassures Serge that he likes the white canvas. However, his attempts at brokering peace fail and Serge and Marc’s anger is redirected him. As the discussion moves from the theoretical to the personal, the three friends are forced to ask questions not only about the nature of art, but about the nature of friendship. As they attack each other about their various personal failures, Serge, Marc, and Yvan risk ruining their friendship forever.

Fri. Apr 19th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 20th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 21st 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Apr 25th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Apr 26th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 27th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 28th 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. May 2nd 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. May 3rd 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. May 4th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. May 5th 2024, 3:00 pm

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

Kinky Boots
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper
Clarence Brown Theatre
April 17 – May 5, 2024

A Tony-winning Broadway sensation packed with fun and a kick of pure joy! Looking to save the family shoe business, Charlie turns to his new friend Lola -- a cabaret performer and drag queen-- who gives him an outrageous idea that could change both of their destinies. Soon, this unlikely duo creates the most sensational footwear that’s ever rocked the runways of Milan… giving the factory and its hard-working family a sparkling new future.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information/tickets: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

Gallery Exhibit: Maryville College Senior Show, at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Blackberry Farm & William “Ed” Harmon Gallery. Featuring art by Maryville College senior art and design majors. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

Reception Friday, April 12, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.

Free and open to the public, Gallery hours: 9:30-4:30 Monday through Thursday and 9:00-1:00 Sunday

Pamela Salyer: A View Through the Trees

This series uses mixed media (acrylic, collage, photo transfer) to explore the relationship between bare trees and their surroundings—how a tree, a group of trees, or even just a few branches, can change our perspective on the world around us. Pamela Salyer studied with UK’s Open College of the Arts and was juried in as a member of the Art Gallery in 2017. She has been part of many juried exhibits in the Knoxville area, including the Arts & Culture Alliance National Alliance National Juried Exhibition, Arts in the Airport, and The District Gallery’s “The Big Tiny Show.”

Jack Retterer

Jack Retterer says his goal as an artist is simple: “Use photography to help others experience and understand life more deeply and more completely by making it easier to ‘stop and smell the roses.’” He maximizes the emotional impact in his photography to increase the viewer’s awareness. Retterer is a fine art photographer, teacher and poet. His American Impressionist style photography and large canvas prints have been displayed at the Art Market Gallery, the Arts & Culture Alliance, Arts at the Airport, and many other locations in East Tennessee. He is an active member of both the Professional Photographers of America and the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee.

Featuring a variety of media by local artists.
Reception: Fri Apr 12, 6:30-8 PM with awards at 7 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tu 9:30-3:30, W-R 9:30-4:30 or by appointment. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com