Calendar of Events

River & Rail Theatre Company proudly announces its upcoming production of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," a soul-stirring theatrical experience celebrating the life and music of legendary jazz artist Billie Holiday. This remarkable performance will star the acclaimed actress and singer Shinnerrie Jackson in the title role, bringing Holiday’s iconic voice and heartrending story to life on stage.

Performance Dates and Venue: The production will run at River & Rail Theatre Company in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee at the Old City Performing Arts Center (111 State Street), from April 17-May 4 2025, offering audiences an intimate and unforgettable evening of music and drama.

Written by Lanie Robertson, "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" takes audiences back to a small Philadelphia nightclub in 1959, where Billie Holiday performed one of her final concerts. Through the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Holiday’s most beloved songs, including "Strange Fruit," "God Bless the Child," and "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," the play weaves a narrative that is both poignant and raw, exploring her struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy.

Shinnerrie Jackson Shines as Billie Holiday: Shinnerrie Jackson, a celebrated performer known for her captivating stage presence and powerful voice, steps into the role of Billie Holiday with grace and authenticity. Her portrayal promises to capture the essence of Lady Day’s artistry and vulnerability, offering audiences a deeply emotional and immersive experience.

Tickets at https://www.simpletix.com/e/lady-day-at-emersons-bar-and-grille-by-lan-tickets-177072
Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

We are excited to announce a new initiative in downtown Maryville called Third Thursdays. In partnership with the Downtown Maryville Alliance, these events will be a vibrant showcase highlighting artists, demonstrators, and musicians, all while encouraging the revitalization of downtown Maryville.

These events occur from 5:30-7:30 in the evenings of April 17th, May 15th, August 21st, September 18th, and October 16th. We would love for you to join us!

Information: maryvillethirdthursday@gmail.com

Save the date for Dusk in the Dogwoods: A Garden Parlor Party at Mabry-Hazen House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6:00 - 9:00 PM. A rain date is scheduled for the following week, Thursday, April 24.

Join us for our annual spring party and fundraiser! We'll have vintage furniture spread across the lawn, live music, specialty cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and more at our 1920s-themed party.

Period dress is appreciated but not required. We look forward to seeing you here!

MORE DETAILS AND TICKET SALES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

Kidd G: The 150 Tour, Thursday, April 17, 7:30 PM at the Bijou Theatre.

Tickets at https://www.ticketmaster.com/kidd-g-the-150-tour-knoxville-tennessee-04-17-2025/event/1B00624ED528AF16

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

Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m.
The Emporium Center - Free Admission

Join pianist Taber Gable and his quintet as they explore the Cool Jazz style of the 1950s.
Taber Gable: piano
Denin Slage-Koch: guitar
Vance Thompson: vibraphone
Jase Conley: bass
Alonzo Lewis: drums

https://www.knoxjazz.org/

Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 522-5851 or concerts@jubileearts.org
7:00 PM — 9:00 PM

The Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap, hosted by eighth-generation ballad singer Donna Ray Norton, celebrates Appalachian heritage. This informal gathering offers a glimpse into an age-old practice, bringing together singers from across the region to share stories and songs passed down through generations. Madison County's rich ballad legacy led English folk song collector Cecil Sharp to describe it as a "nest of singing birds" in 1916. This unique custom, spanning more than nine generations, represents one of the oldest unbroken oral traditions in the U.S. Following Hurricane Helene's devastation of their hometown, the Nest of Singing Birds has been traveling their regular ballad swap at the Old Marshall Jail to raise awareness of the practice's fragility and the region it depends on.

Tickets available at TicketLeap (https://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+

6:00-8:00pm via Zoom

Join us to discuss The Black Flamingo and meet your fellow anti-censorship activists.

About the Book: A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican—but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and the Black Flamingo is born. Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are—and allow us to shine.
https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/virtual-banned-book-club-the-black-flamingo

April 17, Art Guild Meeting at the Yacht Club top floor 10 AM; Coffee at 9:45
Janet Muir: Artistic Photography of Wildlife from Around the World
Jan Muir has been creating intimate portraits of wildlife in remote locations. She will share her art, favorite locations, adventure stories, and some simple tips to bring your own photographic vision to life.

From the glitter of Las Vegas to the whispers of the Smoky Mountains, my art travels between urban pulse and serene wild song. My experiences touch each artwork and become a testament to the cultural vibrancy and untamed beauty that inspire me. From remote glaciers to bustling foreign festivals, each experience adds a vibrant thread to my artistic tapestry. Through my art, I strive to connect each of us to the majesty of nature and the diversity of culture, to ignite a passion for preserving our planet’s uniqueness and wonder. Nature is my constant muse. It whispers to me, and I translate its voice into visual stories using photos, glass, ceramics, and paint. Each medium, in different ways, allows me to express the awe, the fragility, the resilience of our planet.
My artwork is always evolving and experimentation is my companion. Molten glass is coaxed into swirling orbs and becomes a frozen echo of sunlit waves crashing on distant shores. Clay, my ancient teacher, whispers stories of mountain ranges weathered by the winds of time, each crack and crevice a testament to resilience and beauty. Pigments, vibrant emissaries from faraway bazaars, remind me of the uniqueness and fragility of our shared humanity. Through these diverse mediums, I strive not only to capture the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature but also to ignite a sense of compassion, a call to protect the wild spaces that sustain us all. Each piece invites you to walk with me, to step beyond the familiar and embrace the exquisite dance of wonder that unfolds around us each and every day. I invite you to step closer to both listen to the whispers of nature, and to see the vibrant cultural threads that weave us all together. Welcome to my journey. Please walk with me.

www.tellicoartguild.com
Art Guild of Tellico Village · 128 Saligugi Way · Loudon, TN 37774

BY JONATHAN SAYER, HENRY SHIELDS, AND HENRY LEWIS

Welcome to the opening night of 'The Murder at Haversham Manor', where things go from not very good to an utter disaster. 'The Play That Goes Wrong' is an ill-fated play-within-a-play, set on the opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production. The troupe’s ambitious whodunit has everything you never want in a show: falling props, collapsing scenery, an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything…including their lines. Come see why this show has been called “the funniest play Broadway has ever seen!” (Huffington Post)

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

4/15 • Community Science Showcase
4/18 • Evening Paddle
4/18 • Big Night Hike
Nature in Percussion - 4/19 @ 1 pm - Hear talented UT percussionists perform at this FREE concert!
4/20 • Self-Care Sunday Yoga with Hope Irwin
4/22 • Nature Nerd Trivia
4/24 • Pickin' on Nature Bluegrass Show
4/24 • Bike with a Naturalist
4/25 • Ijams After Dark: Bioblitz Edition
4/25 • Evening Paddle

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

MAIN GALLERY
A solo show, Injury: Thirteen Studies, featuring recent work by artist Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi (Johannesburg, South Africa)

PROJECT SPACE
From Dark To Blue by Meg White (Milwaukee, WI)

Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Drive, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-5. Information: https://tristararts.org/visit

UT Big Band Concert
Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

Woodwind Chamber Music Spring Showcase
Monday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

Chamber Orchestra Concert
Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

String Chamber Ensembles
Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

UT Bands Concert
Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Alumni Memorial Building, Cox Auditorium

UT Opera: Dialogues of Carmelites
Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27
Bijou Theatre

UT Small Jazz Ensembles Concert
Monday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

UT Appalachian Strings
Friday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m.
Laurel Theatre

Rhythm & Blues Ensemble Concert
Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, Powell Recital Hall

UT College of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. In-person events that take place in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall or the James R. Cox Auditorium also have livestream options: https://music.utk.edu/news-events/#calendar. Venues: Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center located at 1741 Volunteer Boulevard; James R. Cox Auditorium and Performance Hall 32, both in the Alumni Memorial Building located at 1408 Middle Drive. Information: 865-974-8935, https://music.utk.edu/events/