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

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+

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/

The WDVX Blue Plate Special is a live performance radio show held at noon at Visit Knoxville (301 S. Gay Street) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with your host Red Hickey… and on Saturday with host Sean McCollough. On Fridays WDVX takes the Blue Plate Special to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (200 E Jackson Ave) for “The Big Plate”. Make yourself at home as part of the WDVX family at this this daily free concert series. From blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international, it’s all part of the live music experience on The WDVX Blue Plate Special.

All seats are free, and visitors may come and go as they please.

Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com