Calendar of Events

We will have several new workshops from the Laurel Folk School in October!

Lindy Hop from Alicia and Mark of the Knoxville Swing Dance Association
Alicia and Mark have been dancing Lindy Hop for eleven and twelve years, respectively. Both have traveled to workshops within the US and abroad to deepen their dance skills.

More information and sign ups here: https://laurel-folk-school.square.site/

Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Tickets: https://jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com. Information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org

Join Cattywampus Puppet Council and One World Circus/Dragonfly Aerial Arts Oct 11 & 13 for a spectacle of giant puppets, circus, theater, marching bands, and dancing on the side of buildings. Solastalgia tells a story of what’s happening in our lives, right here, right now. The journey moves from the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater, to the Festival Lawn, to the walls of The Tennessean Hotel in an exploration of grief, hope and connection in these times of escalating climate chaos and social/economic instability. Solastalgia ignites our collective imagination as we find ourselves and our communities at vital decision-making points that will impact generations to come.

Promo video: https://f.io/AzsKtvJ3

Doors: 6:30pm
Show: 7-9pm
Tennessee Amphitheater @ World's Fair Park

Both performances are free and open to all ages. Tickets are free — donations are encouraged. You can reserve your tickets at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/1d6e01da-4089-44ea-bc57-e2fa3248b57b

*All proceeds go to support Cattywampus Puppet Council and One World Circus/Dragonfly Aerial Arts. You can learn more about these community-based arts nonprofits and their work at www.cattywampuspuppets.org and www.oneworldcircus.com

The 9th annual Tennessee Medieval Faire invites you to travel back in time to the High Middle Ages (circa 1194 AD) to Live the Age of Chivalry with Robin Hood. The festival will open on October 5 and run for three consecutive weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. This outdoor, interactive, family-friendly, entertainment-oriented, special event will spring to life in Harriman, just west of Knoxville.

“The Sheriff of Nottingham is throwing a grand Faire to impress the evil Prince John and to win Lady Marian’s heart,” said Lars Paulson, general manager emeritus. “The Sheriff has also invited Robin Hood and his merry friends to the festivities to lure them in for capture. But who will be the mouse and who will be the cheese? Come and see!”

Patrons are encouraged to come to the festival with a sense of play. Wearing a medieval costume is optional, but patrons can enter the costume contest to win a prize. Patrons are also encouraged to share a talent in the Gong Show or to get knighted after a Chess Match. For the more romantic, folk dancing and speed courting are available. There will also be unicorn photo opportunities, axe-throwing, corn hole, giant chess, steel drum, and other games.

Throughout the eight-acre medieval village, professional acts will seek to entertain. Tournaments of skill will include The Royal Joust by Equus Nobilis and Human Combat Chess by the interactive street characters. Demonstrating circus talents will be aerialist, The Mandy Circus (new) (Oct 5-6); The Flaming Ginger (Oct 12-13, 19-20); and award-winning teen juggler, The Amazing Atticus (new). Back by popular demand will be interactive comedy trio, The Tortuga Twins; and Middle Eastern dance will be showcased by Tanasi Fusion (Oct 12-13) and Misfit Gypsies (Oct 19-20).

Patrons can feel transported by Celtic, pirate, and folk music by The CrossJacks, Kris Colt-The Black Rose, Estaban Diego of Landloch’d, Cory Whipple, Timothy Russell, Catalina the harpist, and Bravura Music Academy. Costumed street characters will also seek to entertain in the Tales of Robin Hood, The Sheriff’s Follies, Throw Me a Line, Chester the Heroic Little Pig, and Sherwood School. Interacting with these costumed street characters is also encouraged. Please visit the website for entertainment details: https://tmfaire.com/medieval-faire-entertainment/. Schedules will be available online before opening and at the festival entrance.

Adding to the festivities will be a variety of juried craft vendors, selling costumes, accessories, and gifts. Food will be available for purchase, including turkey legs, BBQ, loaded nachos, loaded baked potatoes, and desserts. Hot and cold beverages will also be available, including beer for adults ages 21 or older with a valid photo ID. Vendors are independent businesses and accept cash and credit.

The Tennessee Medieval Faire will be open rain or shine. The dates are October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 2024. Hours are 11am-6pm ET. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. Free field parking is provided, with handicap parking available near the entrance. The grounds consist of semi-rugged terrain with grass and some topography. Admission prices include all taxes and fees and are $20 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at https://tmfaire.com/tickets/ or on festival days at the ticket house for cash or credit. There will be no ATM onsite, so patrons are encouraged to bring cash for purchases, tips, and convenience and to purchase festival beverage tickets (online and at the festival). For more information, please visit https://tmfaire.com/, sign up for the e-newsletter for information and ticket discounts, and like and follow the Tennessee Medieval Faire / Tennessee Pirate Fest / Darkhorse Entertainment on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562198558178

CLASS SCHEDULE 2024
January 14 - May 19 - Spring Semester classes
July 14 - Aug 18 - Summer Session classes
September 8 - November 24 - Fall Semester classes

OPEN LEVEL BALLET, Sundays, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
This ballet class is open to students of all levels of experience and ability. This class will be a comfortable pace for students with some experience in any form of dance. Warm-up exercises will prepare the class for a focus on center work like petit allegro, adagio, turns, and leaps.

OPEN-LEVEL MODERN, Sundays, 2:30 – 4:00 PM EST
This class is open to anyone interested in building their creative and technical capacity as a dancer. No previous experience in dance is required. Class will include a warm-up, modern dance technique exercises, across-the-floor movement, and a short combination.

OPEN-LEVEL IMPROVISATION, Sundays, 12:00-1:00 PM EST
Improvisation is the spontaneous creation of movement. When you hear a song you like and begin to move to it, you are improvising. This class is open to students of all levels. Improv class helps dancers explore their own personal movement vocabulary and learn to relate with other dancers in the form of free or structured improvisation exercises. This class will also teach important choreographic concepts such as dynamics, use of space, sampling, flocking, and more! Some light contact may be involved depending on vaccination status and student comfort.

Classes are held at the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts, 2906 Tazewell Pike, #A, Knoxville, TN 37918.
https://www.circlemoderndance.com/