Calendar of Events

Join the Appalachian Ballet Company and Clara on a magical journey to the Land of the Sweets. Principal Artists, Laura Morton La Russa and James La Russa will be taking the stage as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, as well as welcoming back guest artists, Aaron Smyth and Alexandre Gonzaga. This production features live music by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for all public performances conducted by ABC’s Music Director, Mr. James Fellenbaum.

At Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Saturday, December 7th 2024 Evening Performance 7pm
Sunday, December 8th 2024 Matinee Performance 3pm

At Clayton Center for the Arts
Friday, December 13th 2024 Evening Performance 7pm
Saturday, December 14th 2024 Matinee Performance 3pm

https://www.appalachianballet.org/tickets

2024 Keyboards at Christmas Piano Concert at Clayton Center for the Arts,
December 7, 7:00 PM & December 8, 3:00 PM.

Kick off your holiday season with an unforgettable night of music and Christmas spirit! Six grand pianos, played by top local talent, will fill the air with your favorite festive tunes. Even better, this special event supports Mission of Hope, a fantastic local charity dedicated to helping families in need across rural Appalachian communities. Get ready for a heartwarming evening that makes a real difference!

Tickets at https://claytonartscenter.com/event/keyboards-at-christmas/

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

Ginger Billy's Backwoods Comedy Tour, Saturday, December 7, 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM at the Bijou Theatre.

The legend of comedian and internet sensation, Ginger Billy, runs as deep as the southern roots from which he was raised. Formerly a respiratory therapist, he burst into prominence after an impassioned farewell speech to NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. went viral after his retirement in 2017. Since then he has become beloved by millions for his kooky redneck antics, backyard inventions, hilarious sketches and parody music videos. His unique and infectious comedic voice has moved beyond the digital realm and on to the stage where his captivating storytelling reflects a down-to-earth family man with a passion for simple pleasures. He continues to sell out clubs, theaters and casinos on his Backwoods Comedy Tour.

Tickets at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B0060CDB4D05A08

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

Local classical guitarists are set to enchant you this holiday season with a special concert featuring the arrangements of Lawrence Long. Attendees can look forward to an evening filled with beautifully arranged holiday classics, each piece infused with a unique blend of traditional warmth and the flair of Larry's harmonic signatures. Local guitarists promise to deliver a heartwarming musical experience that captures the essence of the holidays. This concert is sure to be a memorable highlight of the festive season.

Where: The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, Knoxville, TN
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Tickets: https://www.knoxvilleclassicalguitar.com/

Jubilee Community Arts presents The Cassell Family Band at the Laurel Theater on Saturday, December 7 at 8 pm

Having individually played at the Laurel with many established ensembles including the Tennessee Shieks, the Dismembered Tennesseans, Circus No. 9, Don Don & Po, and Strange Company, the various Cassells have coalesced. The band is Don Cassell, Thomas Cassell, Will Cassell, Nicholas Cassell and Vince Ilagan.

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

Trees Knoxville is having a Tree Planting and Tree Giveaway at Harriet Tubman Park, 300 Harriet Tubman Street, on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Come join a tree-planting event at Harriet Tubman Park. The event will start with refreshments and a tree-planting demonstration, followed by planting trees in the park. It will conclude with a tree giveaway during which Knoxville residents will have the opportunity to adopt a tree to plant in their own yards.

Please register at: https://www.givepulse.com/event/register/503542.

https://www.treesknoxville.org/

RED Gallery is proud to announce the opening of if only in my dreams … by Melissa N. Everett

A collection of quilts, sculptural pieces, soft mixed with rigid, color used to nurture and encourage you to "be a wildflower”.

"As a mother, I wish I could provide solace and refuge for you all. Instead, we must connect to our inner children and play in our communities. Let’s escape to our dreams—find comfort in our imaginations. As a female artist, woman, and caregiver in a society that undervalues my contributions, this is my expression of hope. These artworks are pieces of pretend worlds I create to escape, to connect to my younger self. When the roles of domesticity seem to dominate my daily life, I visit these worlds to remind myself of all my layers.”

The show will open on First Friday, December 6, 5 - 9pm and will run through the month of December.
RED Gallery, 131 W Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902
robin@robineaster.com
IG: @redgallery.knox

Performed Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.

KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families.
Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

The Arts & Culture Alliance proudly presents its 2024 Members Show, the largest annual exhibition of local artists in the Greater Knoxville area. The fresh mix of two- and three-dimensional works created within the last two years encompasses a wide variety of media such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, photography, fine craft, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, and more from regional artists who are all individual members of the Arts & Culture Alliance, which serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. Membership is open to all, and information may be found at www.knoxalliance.com/join-renew.

A free celebration with the artists will take place on Friday, December 6, from 5:00-9:00 PM. The 51st Annual WIVK Christmas Parade starts at 7:00 PM along Gay Street and passes in front of the Emporium.

"What a wonderful collection of thought-inducing work from some of the Arts & Culture Alliance's thousands of members," says Liza Zenni, Executive Director of the Arts & Culture Alliance. "As Greater Knoxville's only Local Arts Agency and United Fund, we couldn't be prouder to support and serve this dynamic community of artists."

Individual members of the Alliance participate locally and regionally in gallery exhibitions, art festivals, sculpture trails, weekend shows, studio tours, and public murals. Some Alliance members are full-time artists, while others have day jobs and create on evenings and weekends. Some members include art professors with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Carson-Newman University, Maryville College, Pellissippi State, Roane State, and Walters State. Others are teachers within Knox and surrounding counties’ elementary, middle and high schools. Some Alliance members teach classes privately or through community classes with the Appalachian Arts Craft Center, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Fountain City Art Center, Knoxville Arts & Fine Crafts Center, Knoxville Museum of Art, Mighty Mud, and Oak Ridge Art Center. Many of the artists have working studios in their own homes, while some are part of studio collectives such as Broadway Studios & Gallery, The Emporium, Mighty Mud, Relay Ridge, Sunday Studios, and West Fifth Studios.

The 2024 Members Show will be on display throughout the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 6-21, 2024. Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or via the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed December 22-29 for the holidays. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

Artsclamation! will take place Friday, December 6, 2024 – Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Sacred Heart Cathedral - Cathedral Hall, 711 S Northshore Dr.

Artsclamation! is a juried fine art sale featuring professional, regional artists in all mediums. This event brings amazing artists and beautiful artwork together to support an important cause – the behavioral health services provided by Peninsula.

Artsclamation! is the primary fundraiser for Peninsula, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health care to adults, adolescents, and children in East Tennessee. In addition to event sponsorships, 30% of all art sales go directly to Peninsula. To learn more about the event and its history, please visit Artsclamation.com.

December 6-7: Bearden Branch Used Book Sale, 10:00-5:00

Since 1970 Friends has donated over $1M to the Knox County Public Library. Our used book shop and book sales raised nearly $98,000 in FY 2023. Some of the library programs currently receiving support from Friends of the Library include the new Storybook Trails program, the Children’s Festival of Reading, Summer Library Club, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Knox County.
https://www.knoxfriends.org/book-sales/

It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern and is adapted by Joe Landry. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. One Christmas Eve, George Bailey is so discouraged, he wonders if the world would be better off without him.

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