Calendar of Events

Prepare to be captivated by a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience as The Thorn brings its powerful performance to Knoxville. This immersive stage show combines live music, drama, aerial acts, modern dance, and stunning visual effects to tell the epic story of God’s love and the spiritual battle for all humanity.

Described as “Cirque meets the Passion of Jesus,” The Thorn has moved and inspired over 1 million viewers nationwide with its dynamic storytelling and awe-inspiring artistry. From heart-pounding performances to deeply emotional moments, this is a show that will stir your soul and leave a lasting impression.
Showtimes:
• April 22 at 7:00 PM
• April 23 at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Whether you’re drawn by the message, the music, or the mesmerizing visuals, The Thorn is more than a performance—it’s an experience. Don’t miss your chance to witness this unforgettable journey of faith, redemption, and spiritual warfare live in Knoxville. https://thethorn.com/the-thorn-live/

Lecture - “Precontact Native American Mud Glyph Cave Art from the American Southeast”

AIA/East Tennessee Society and McClung Museum are pleased to present the next program in the 52nd Annual Series, 2024-2025. The lecture will feature Jan Simek, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Anthropology Professor Emeritus. This is AIA’s Leonard and Lynn Quigley Lecture.

April 22, 2025 6pm
https://calendar.utk.edu/event/lecture-precontact-native-american-mud-glyph-cave-art-from-the-american-southeast

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Tu-Sa 9-5, Sun 12-4. Information: 865-974-2144, https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/

1pm to 2pm

Join us at the McClung Museum for an hour of crafting! Drop in with any fiber art or craft-related project and join us for an hour of creativity on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month! Bring your work in progress, or learn to crochet, knit, or embroider with materials that we have on hand. All skill levels welcome.

Frank H. McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
1327 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN 37996
https://calendar.utk.edu/event/montys-craft-circle

An American Dance Journey
Live Performance Featuring Vine Middle Magnet School Dance Company
KPDA – UT’s Korean Pop Dance Team
RAMYA S. KAPADIA - Bharatanatyam Dancer
Free to the Public

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Doors open at 6:00 pm for a Reception
Program begins at 7 pm at Historic Grove Theater, Oak Ridge
No Reserved Seating
​123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
https://www.ouramericanroots.org/

Vine Dance Company has been an integral part of Vine Middle Magnet School for over 30 years. Founded by Malaika Guthrie and currently under the direction of Jana Cartee and Ruby Heard, the company offers community for students with a passion for dance. The company gives students a chance to accelerate their dance technique through extensive performance opportunities as well as challenging choreography in a variety of styles including: West African dance, modern dance, hip-hop, jazz and majorette. Students are chosen not only for their talent, but for their desire to challenge themselves and reach their full potential.

UT K-Pop Dance Team is the vibrant Korean pop dance cover group from the Korean Pop Appreciation Association at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville! We are a passionate team dedicated to celebrating Korean culture through dance, sharing our love for K-pop with our community. Our performances aim to inspire and provide a unique perspective on the diverse world of pop culture. Join us in our journey as we showcase the beauty of dance and cultural appreciation!

RAMYA S. KAPADIA is an award-winning Knoxville-based multi-disciplinary artist specializing in Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam (South Indian music & dance forms) and Warli Tribal art. She has written, choreographed and scored the music for several Bharatanatyam dance companies in the United States and abroad. She received the Ella Pratt Emerging Artist and Artist Support Awards and the North Carolina Dance Alliance Choreography Fellowship. As a teaching artist with the United Arts Council, NC and the Tennessee Arts Commission, TN, she uses her training in Medical Physics and Neuroscience to integrate the principles of traditional Indian arts with STEAM curriculum in schools. Ramya creates work that pushes the boundaries of her music & dance forms to reflect life and build a strong artistic community. She believes that art can and should tell stories that compel audiences to becoming better and more compassionate human beings.

A PLEIN AIR PAINTING EVENT PRESENTED BY THE KMA GUILD
At Knoxville Museum of Art
FREE ADMISSION • CASH BAR
Saturday, April 26, 5:30-8:30 pm
1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37916

The public is invited to watch the artists outdoors in and about Knoxville painting in plein air on Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, capturing the beauty of East Tennessee. Follow us on Instagram for locations, times, and live updates. @artistsonlocation

2025 AOL PARTICIPANTS

Olga Bankston, Jean Cauthen, Kimberly Daniel, John Eiseman, Alex Eisenzopf, Lisa Engle, Sara Fair, Kathleen Gray Farthing, Robert Felker, Tiffany Foss, Kim Hall, Brigitte Hubbard, Kirk Larsen, Chris Leeper, Rachael McCampbell, Victoria Pearmain, Brenda Pinnick, James Craig Reynolds, Robin Roberts, Robinson Rebecca, Amanda Scott, Richard Sneary, Jeff Steiner, Patricia Sweet, Jennifer Taylor, Richie Vios, Cory Wright, Jing Zhao
 
Featured Artist: Bill Farnsworth
Proceeds will benefit participating artists and the Knoxville Museum of Art.

865.525.6101 | info@knoxart.org
www.knoxart.org

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

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/

Friday, April 4 from 6-8 Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for Emily McTyre

Emily McTyre is a photographer, filmmaker, and mixed media artist from East Tennessee. Her photography is often inspired by travel, evoking a sense of place for the viewer.

More about this collection: Emily enjoys working with black and white film as it emphasizes light and shadow, texture and pattern. Photos in this collection were taken around the world: England, Germany, Georgia, and Tennessee. Whether it be our own backyard or many miles away, we can capture moments and symbols of familiarity that tie us together.

Please join us for some amazing art and of course great coffee!

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Open daily. Information: 865-951-0427, www.instagram.com/awaken_coffee or www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

First Friday Reception: April 4th, 5:30 - 9 pm
April Featured Artists

Carol Quinn, Mixed Media
Carol has painted and exhibted since the late 1980’s, mostly in the Southeast. She has also been in exhibitions in
NYC through World Fine Art Gallery, Ariel Gallery, and Abney Gallery. Carol is inspired by nature and the local beauty of her local area, as well as the psychological processes that create this inspiration. She has been a member of Art Market Gallery since 2018. In the last few years Carol has participated in many solo and group shows in the Knoxville area. Carol was educated at the University of Tennessee (BS, MS, and PhD.) in Human Ecology. She began painting in the early 80’s as a watercolorist painting mostly nature, and rapidly moved into various mixed media, larger creations, and more abstraction in design. Her work consists of self-exploration and experimentation with different mediums, and the passion of exploring color and textures.

Patrick Deason, Sculpture
Patrick's art in metal grew out of other interests. His skills are self-taught and many of the tools he uses to shape metal were made by him. Patrick spent a large part of his career on the coastal waters of Georgia and Florida, hence the many marine related pieces. His whimsical works are intended to bring smiles and curiosity. Patrick's studio is in a house in the woods he shares with his wife, two dogs, and a very talkative parrot.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net, www.Facebook.com/ArtMarketGallery