Calendar of Events

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Knoxville Opera: Croquet Tournament

Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events and Fundraisers

Sunday, May 19, 2024 // 10 AM-5 PM
Location: UT RecSports Complex, 3620 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919

Step onto the green for Knoxville Opera's spirited Croquet Tournament, a delightful blend of friendly competition and springtime revelry. Participants can indulge in a delightful brunch spread before showing off their mallet prowess under the gentle spring sun. As the games conclude, a sparkling champagne toast awaits, celebrating camaraderie and the arts. Beyond the fun and laughter, each swing and sip helps raise vital funds to support the illustrious future of Knoxville Opera. Ticketing: https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/events/croquet-tournament

Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795

7th Annual Cattywampus Parade & Street Party

  • May 19, 2024

Category: Dance, movement, Festivals, special events, Free event, Kids, family and Music

Cattywampus is excited to bring our annual people-powered Parade & Block Party to Happy Holler this year in partnership with SOCM and Open Streets Knoxville! On Sunday, May 19th, led by our very own Knox Honkers & Bangers and Drums Up Guns Down, we'll be filling our Knoxville streets with art, dancing, joy, and revelry, and we want you to join us. This year’s theme is “We Dwell Together” and the parade is free and open to all. We invite you to make giant puppets, masks, costumes, or any other handmade & people-powered creations inspired by visions of a Knoxville with affordable, safe, and healthy housing for all and then come together to parade as one.

*Parade Line Up: 2pm at N. Central & Emory Place
*Parade Kick Off: 3pm
*Route: We’ll line up and START at Emory Place, then process up N. Central to Oklahoma Ave, double back and FINISH in the large parking lot at 1000 N. Central near the corner of Baxter Ave.

BLOCK PARTY: Our Parade will conclude at the corner of N. Central & Baxter Ave with a Block Party from 3:30-6pm, featuring local hip-hop, drumming, dance, a giant puppet skit, and more. You don't wanna miss it! Full line-up to be announced soon!!

OPEN STREETS: This year's Parade is part of Open Streets Knoxville, a free event that encourages the use of active transportation (walking, biking, rollerblading, and more), promotes healthy living, and gives participants an opportunity to reimagine our streets as public space! Sections of N. Central St. and Emory Place will be closed to vehicular traffic and filled with art & play activities for all ages, food trucks, and more from 2-6pm.

To register for the parade and find out more info, visit www.cattywampuspuppets.org/parade-street-party

https://www.facebook.com/events/1137674624086986/

Tennessee Theatre: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Category: Music

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND: ALL THE GOOD TIMES FAREWELL TOUR
Sunday, May 19, 7:30PM at Tennessee Theatre.

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

Knox County Public Library: Meet the Patels

  • May 19, 2024
  • 1:30 PM

Category: Comedy, Film and Free event

Daytime Docs is a monthly film series featuring documentaries that bring awareness to diverse perspectives and life experiences through the power of visual storytelling. All the films shown in the series are also available on library streaming services Kanopy and Hoopla.

May 19: Meet the Patels (2014) – A real-life romantic comedy about an almost-30-year-old Indian-American (Ravi Patel) who enters a love triangle between the woman of his dreams and his parents

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

Bijou Theatre: Patty Griffin

Category: Music

PATTY GRIFFIN
SUNDAY, MAY 19 | 7:30PM

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

Open Streets Knoxville

  • May 19, 2024

Category: Culinary arts, food, Dance, movement, Exhibitions, visual art, Festivals, special events, Free event, Kids, family, Meetup and Music

Join us for Open Streets Knoxville 2024! On Sunday, May 19th, we will gather in Happy Holler on North Central Street and Emory Place from 2 - 6 pm. We are excited to partner with Cattywampus Puppet Council to bring their annual puppet parade to Open Streets! Find more information about the parade here!

Open Streets Knoxville detours motor vehicles from urban streets to connect community members with local businesses and organizations, creating space for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, dance, and much more! Distinct from a street festival, Open Streets Knoxville gives residents an opportunity to explore their neighborhood and access local businesses in a safe, fun, and family-friendly way. Participants can enjoy being physically active and visiting local businesses on foot or by bike. The event encourages the use of active transportation and healthy living, and has a goal of giving residents an opportunity to reimagine our streets as public spaces.

The goal of Open Streets is to have at least one mile of Knoxville streets closed to motorized traffic. Our events bring thousands of people into the street! Bike Walk Knoxville depends heavily on community sponsors and businesses to help defray the substantial costs of Open Streets Knoxville events. https://www.bwknox.org/openstreets

Tennessee Wind Symphony: POPS in the Pavilion

Category: Free event and Music

Pavilion Concert: Tennessee Wind Symphony: POPS in the Pavilion! The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 South Northshore Drive, Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.

The Cathedral Concert Series is proud to present the Tennessee Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. John Culvahouse, performing an outdoor POPS CONCERT in the PAVILION (located behind the Cathedral and School.) Fun for the whole family!

LIVE MUSIC – BRING A CHAIR – PACK A PICNIC – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Admission is free, but reservations are requested at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/concert-in-the-pavilion-tennessee-wind-symphony-tickets.

8th Annual Tennessee Pirate Fest

  • May 18, 2024 — May 27, 2024

Category: Comedy, Culinary arts, food, Dance, movement, Festivals, special events, Fine Crafts, Kids, family, Music and Theatre

The eighth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest invites you to go back in time to the Age of Piracy. This outdoor daytime family entertainment-oriented festival will be held the last two weekends in May including Memorial Day at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman--just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek.

“Get Yer Pirate On! with famous British privateer, Sir Captain Henry Morgan, in Port Royal, Jamaica, circa 1679. Now as Governor of Jamaica, Captain Morgan is throwing a festival in his honor, and all are invited – especially YOU. Drama awaits as Lord Carbery, of British high society, has come to Port Royal, waving his papers of nobility, demanding HE should be governor not a PIRATE! Will sparks and swords fly? Come and See!” said Barrie Paulson, President/GM.

Rotating on several stages will be professional touring and local talent. New this year will be comedy duo, The Washer Well Wenches; Disney Cruise headliner, Magic of E.C. Hannah; interactive circus trick artist, Tony the Tosser; and award-winning author, Robert Jacob (May 18-19). Back by popular demand will be slapstick Punch and Judy puppet shows by Professor Brent DeWitt, Middle Eastern dance by Tanasi Fusion (May 18-19), and comedy improv by Einstein Simplified (May 25-26-27). Pirate and Celtic acoustic music will be brought to you by The CrossJacks, Kris Colt the Black Rose, Bravura Music Academy (May 18-19), and Timothy Russell (May 25-26-27). The interactive costumed street character ensemble—the Royal Players--will seek to entertain in Kombat Kroquet (sword-fighting), Tales of Port Royal (show premise), Royal Follies (talent show), and Throw Me A Line (comedy improv). For those who like slightly spooky entertainment, Captain Davy Jones and Calypso will guide those willing on the Trail of Doom (G-PG light). The tour is a pirate version of A Christmas Carol, based on Captain Morgan’s heroic adventures.

Patrons are encouraged to dress in pirate costume and enter the Costume Contest to win a prize. All can learn to be a pirate in Pirate School or join a pirate crew by performing a talent on stage in the Gong Show. Other free games and activities will include Pirate Olympics, the mid-day parade, folk dancing, speed courting, corn hole, giant chess, and steel drum. There will also be pay-to-play activities, including axe-throwing, goat cuddles, and taking photos with a Captain Redbeard and his pyRAT. More information about the entertainment can be found at https://tmfaire.com/pirate-fest-entertainment/ and is subject to change as needed. Schedules will be available online and at the entrance.

The merchants of Port Royal will be selling their custom wares such as period costumes, leather goods, chainmaille, drinking horns, bath and body items, gaming accessories, wooden wares, face-painting, and unique jewelry. A variety of food will be available, including Turkey legs, BBQ, loaded baked potatoes, grilled wraps and salads, sandwiches, shaved ice, snacks, and desserts. Beverages will also be available, including water, soda, sweet tea, fresh lemonade, and beer.

The Tennessee Pirate Fest will be open rain or shine on May 18-19, 25-26-27, 2024 from 11am-6pm ET. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. Free parking is provided in rough-cut fields, and handicap parking is available. Entrance tickets can be purchased online now at https://darkhorsellc.ticketspice.com/tennessee-pirate-fest-2024 Tickets will also be available for purchase on festival days at the ticket house for cash or credit. Entrance ticket prices include all taxes and fees and are $20 for ages 13+, $10 for ages 5 to 12; and admission is free for ages 4 and under. Festival beverage tickets (in $1 increments) are available online, will be available at the gate, or patrons can use exact change. There will be no ATM onsite, so patrons are encouraged to bring cash for purchases, tips, and convenience.

Bennett: Group Show

  • May 17, 2024 — June 15, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

Featuring Richard Jolley, Andrew Saftel, Maggie Taylor, Margaret Scanlan, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Michael Poness, Eric Pardue, Jennifer Theom, Denise Riddle and Sally Brogden

Closed Sat May 25 - Mon May 27 for the holiday weekend

Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-Sa 10-5:30. Information: 865-584-6791, https://bennetthome.com/

Ijams Nature Center: Upcoming Events

Category: Classes, workshops, Health, wellness, Kids, family, Music and Science, nature

5/17 • Evening Paddle
5/18 • Forest Bathing Workshop
5/19 • Cheese Making Workshop
5/19 • Cyanotype Book Making Workshop with The Big Camera
5/19 • The Big Camera: Cyanotype Bookmark Pop-Up Workshop
5/19 • Self Care Sunday Yoga
5/19 • Monthly Bluegrass Jam with ETNBA

And more!

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

Dancers Studio: 67th annual Evening of Dance & Ignite! Spring Concert

Category: Dance, movement and Kids, family

An Evening of Dance performances date/time:
Thursday, May 16 at 6:45pm
Friday, May 17 at 8:45pm
Saturday, May 18 at 6:45pm and 8:45pm

Ignite! Spring Concert performance date/time: Sunday, May 19 at 6:30pm

All performances at The Clarence Brown Theatre 1714 Andy Holt Ave. Knoxville
Adult Tickets $20, Student Tickets $10
Tickets: https://www.dancersstudioknox.com/

Dancers Studio, 4216 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919, United States

Oak Ridge Art Center: David Underwood: Gravitational Waves

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

A new solo exhibition of mixed-media, image-text artworks
www.underwoodartworks.com

Opening with a public reception, Saturday, May 11, 2024, 1pm to 5pm

Also showing work by Jennifer Simon in an adjacent gallery

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

1 of 4