Calendar of Events

Friday, April 18, 2025

RiverView Family Farm: 14th Annual Spring Festival

  • April 18, 2025 — April 19, 2025

Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events, Kids, family, Music and Science, nature

April 18 & 19 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
12130 Prater Ln, Knoxville, TN 37922
Spring is in the air, and RiverView Family Farm is excited to host its 14th Annual Spring Festival! This family-friendly event is packed with nonstop Easter egg hunts, farm animals, games, live music, delicious food, prizes, and plenty of outdoor fun.
Tickets: $12 per person (tax included) | Kids 2 & under: FREE
Parking is limited—carpooling is encouraged! Since this event is weather-dependent, be sure to check RiverView Family Farm’s Facebook page for any closure or cancellation updates on April 18 & 19. Don’t miss out on this springtime tradition—gather your friends and family for a fun-filled farm adventure! https://www.facebook.com/events/972161035116869/

Tennessee Theatre: Johnnyswim - When the War is Over Tour

Category: Music

JOHNNYSWIM: WHEN THE WAR IS OVER TOUR
FRIDAY, APRIL 18 | 8PM

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

Soundscapes at the KMA: David P. Stevens

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Music

Join us each month for live music, art, and a celebration of creativity. Tickets are now on sale at www.knoxart.org/events/. For more information, contact Soundscapes Coordinator Brian Clay, bclay@knoxart.org.

April 18, 2025, 7:30-9:15 pm
LA-based guitarist David P. Stevens takes the stage.
www.davidpstevens.com

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Dr., Knoxville, TN 37916
Direct Line: (865) 525-6101 or www.knoxart.org

Jubilee Community Arts: Tennessee Sheiks

Category: Music

Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 522-5851 or concerts@jubileearts.org
Friday, April 18 at 8 pm

The Tennessee Sheiks represent the sweep of American roots music. These eclectic musicians trade solos on swing, bluegrass, blues, alt country, jazz, and originals, creating a distinctive exchange and synergy that make each performance a joy. The 2025 Tennessee Sheiks are Don Cassell -mandolin, guitar and vocals; Nicholas Cassell - drums and percussion; Michael Crawley - harmonica and vocals; Barry “Po” Hannah - guitars; Vince Ilagan - bass and vocals; Marcus Shirley - piano/keyboards; Brent Thompson - guitar and vocals; Don Wood - guitar

Nancy Brennan Strange has been singing, performing and telling stories for six decades. Nancy started as a folk singer, and has performed solo, in a duo, in numerous bands- singing jazz standards & swing as well as other genres of music in various groups- including Strange Company, Tennessee Sheiks, Diamonds in the Rough in the 1970s, and several jazz bands. Nancy was the song leader for several years at the Epworth Ministry, which met for many years at the Laurel Theatre. She loves to research her family (Irish Catholic) roots and has written many songs about them; as well researching other singers from the 1920’s: Leola Manning, and Howard (Louie Bluie) Armstrong, who recorded at the historic St. James Hotel sessions. Nancy was the music director of the Carpetbag Theatre play ‘Between a Ballad and a Blues’ which was written by Linda Parris Bailey and told the story of Howard Armstrong, Ted Bogan & Carl Martin (the Tennessee Chocolate Drops).

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+

River & Rail Theatre Company: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grille

Category: Music and Theatre

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

UT College of Music: Upcoming Concerts

  • April 4, 2025 — May 7, 2025

Category: Free event and Music

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/

WDVX: Blue Plate Special & The Big Plate

Category: Free event, Kids, family and Music

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