Calendar of Events

As spring takes hold, Pauline Viardot's enchanting Cendrillon will delight audiences on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th at the Bijou Theatre. Once again led by the creative vision of Dean Anthony and conducted by the exceptional Kelly Kuo, this performance promises a magical and unforgettable reimagining of the classic Cinderella story.

At the Bijou Theater, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/

Friday, May 3, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Relive the film that started it all. Watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok and magic mirrors in high-definition while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event as Harry, Ron, Hermione and all your favorite characters return to the screen and enchant the world all over again.

Tickets are available at www.knoxvillecoliseum.com. Information: 865-291-3310 or https://knoxvillesymphony.com

GRAMMY nominated Missy Raines was named 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year, for the 10th time, more than any other bass player in the history of the organization. Missy Raines has proven herself without doubt as an iconic bluegrass instrumentalist. With the success of her latest release, Royal Traveller, Raines has stepped into the spotlight as a songwriter and singer as well. Royal Traveller was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2020 and was produced by Compass Records co-founder and renowned banjoist, Alison Brown.

Currently, Missy is touring with her own band, Missy Raines & Allegheny, a bluegrass ensemble featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and bass. Allegheny offers Missy fertile ground to bring a together a lifetime of traditional inspiration along with her unique approach to string band music.

Tickets available at TicketLeap (jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com), by mail or at the door 30 minutes prior to show

$20 at the door, $15 General Audience Advance, $14 JCA members, students & seniors 65+

Jubilee Community Arts | 1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916

New Favorites are on the program for this year’s SCO Spring Concert. Part of Sacred Heart’s Cathedral Concert Series under the baton of Dr. Ace Edewards, the Spring Concert includes:

· Handel/Elgar – Overture in D Minor
· Frank Bridge – The Sea, A Suite for Orchestra
· Vasily Kalinnikov – Symphony No. 1 in G Minor

When: Friday, May. 3, 2024, 8:00-9:30 p.m.

Where: Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN

Admission: Free (donations welcome) but reserved seating is requested through Eventbrite.

Websites: For more information, visit www.scruffycityorchestra.com or www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/

Scruffy City Orchestra Spring Concert, Friday, May 3, 8:00-9:30 PM, is part of Sacred Heart's Cathedral Concert Series under the baton of Dr. Ace Edwards held at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 South Northshore Drive.
Scruffy City Orchestra is Knoxville's only community orchestra.

New Favorites are on the program for this year’s spring concert. The line-up includes:
Handel/Elgar – Overture in D Minor
Frank Bridge – The Sea, A Suite for Orchestra
Vasily Kalinnikov – Symphony No. 1 in G Minor

Admission: Free (donations welcome) but reserved seating is requested through
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cathedral-concert-scuffy-city-orchestra-tickets.

For more information about the Cathedral Concert Series, please visit https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series.

Friday, May 3rd (5:00-7:00 PM) - Join us for Tavern Notes: Weekly live music outside of the Tavern at Maker Exchange. Grab a drink or bite and shop work by 150+ makers in the Curio while you enjoy live music from Knoxville’s most talented performers. Free and open to the public – curated by Dogwood Arts. Free!

Mingle with the following mural artists from 5-8pm:
Allison Meriwether – Painter and Muralist
Whitney Herrington – Painter and Muralist
Orel Brodt -Fashion/Shoe Designer and Painter
Gared Luquet – Painter and Muralist

https://www.makerexchangeknox.com/calendar/firstfridaymay2024/
710 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville

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

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