Calendar of Events

Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Tennessee Theatre

The MoxCar Marketing + Communications Masterworks Series concludes with a monumental concert featuring the world premiere of a KSO-commissioned African drum concerto written by Derrick Skye, whose compositions have been described as “deliciously head-spinning.” African music resounds on the remaining program in Price’s lively “Colonial Dance” and Dvorak’s remarkable “New World Symphony.”

Aram Demirjian, conductor
Indigenous Vibes, drums

FLORENCE PRICE: Colonial Dance
DERRICK SKYE: New African Drum Concerto – KSO commission & world premiere
ANTONIN DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”)

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

Alyssa Edwards - Crowned - North American Tour 2025, Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM at the Bijou Theatre.

Renowned as one of the most famous drag performers in herstory, Alyssa Edwards is an American entertainer, choreographer, and globally recognized television personality.

Before her television debut, Alyssa was a talented dance instructor and one of the most decorated performers in the drag pageantry circuit. Her rise to international fame began in 2012 when she was cast in the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where her candid testimonials, iconic tongue-pops, and quirky personality made her an instant fan favorite. She returned in 2016 for RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Season 2, finishing as fourth runner-up and once again capturing hearts worldwide. This show is for ages 18+

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/alyssa-edwards-crowned-north-american-tour-knoxville-tennessee-05-15-2025

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

Thursday, May 15, 2025 9:30am to 10:30am

End your week with gentle yoga at the McClung Museum. Enjoy breathing, relaxing movements, and stretching, with some calm, meditative moments to ease you into your Friday. We encourage you to wear comfortable clothes that you can move in and bring a yoga mat. Forgot your mat or don't have one? No problem! The museum has a limited supply of mats to loan. No experience is necessary.

About the Instructor: Megan Fields just celebrated her 20th anniversary at UT and currently serves as the Director of Public Speaking. She also lives on campus as a sorority house director and enjoys supporting students. In her free time, she teaches yoga and meditation and enjoys reading and hiking. Her life goal is to share mindfulness practices to stay grounded in this fast-paced, distracted culture.

https://calendar.utk.edu/event/copy-of-yoga-at-the-museum

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/

By Byron Au Yong and Aaron Jafferis’, a contemporary "comic-rap-scrap-metal-opera"
Directed by Keturah Stickann and conducted by the exceptional Judith Yan

Stuck Elevator is based on the dramatic true story of an immigrant delivery man trapped in an elevator for 81 hours. Through a blend of music, spoken word, and multimedia, the opera vividly portrays the psychological and emotional toll of confinement, while also touching on themes of immigration, cultural identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. A co-production with Knoxville Opera, this opera promises to deliver a unique and impactful theatrical experience.

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

MAIN GALLERY
Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi — Apr. 4 - Jun. 21, 2025 / reception Apr. 4, 2025

PROJECT SPACE
Meg White — Apr. 4 - Jun. 21, 2025 / reception Apr. 4, 2025

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

Mondays @ 6:30 PM Adult Tap Dance (Adv Beg)
Mondays @ 7:30 PM Adult Tap Dance (Int-Adv)
Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM Adult Jazz Chair Dance (Open Level)
Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM Adult Tap Dance (Beginners)
Thursdays @ 6:30 PM Adult Ballet Barre & Center

Classes held at The Follies Girls Dance & Performing Arts Center, located inside the 1400 Building at 1400 N. 6th Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865.888.0341 or www.thefolliesgirls.org

The Smithsonian’s National Collection of Fishes X-rays represent more than 70 percent of the world’s fish specimens and is the largest and most diverse collection of its kind in the world. Although the X-rays featured in the national collection were made for research purposes, the strikingly elegant images demonstrate the natural union of science and art and are a visual retelling of the evolution of fish. X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), showcases these dramatic prints exposing the inner workings of the fish.

The exhibition features 32 black-and-white digital prints of different species of fish. Arranged in evolutionary sequence, these X-rays give a tour through the long stream of fish evolution. The X-rays have allowed Smithsonian and other scientists to study the skeleton of a fish without altering the specimen, making it easier for scientists to build a comprehensive picture of fish diversity.

The exhibition also includes specimens from the collections of the McClung Museum, the Etnier Ichthyological Collection, and the Vertebrate Osteology Collection to highlight research happening with fish specimens at the University of Tennessee.

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/

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, announces a new exhibition, “Homelands: Connecting to Mounds Through Native Art,” opening to the public on January 25, 2025. The project sets a new standard for collaborative exhibition practices at the McClung and represents the museum's most significant renovation in more than 20 years.

"‘Homelands’ is a defining moment for the McClung Museum. It’s the largest project we’ve undertaken in over two decades, but its impact goes far beyond its scale,” said Claudio Gómez, Jefferson Chapman Executive Director of the museum. “This exhibition has challenged us to rethink how we collaborate, bringing in new perspectives and allowing us to honor Native voices in ways that are both respectful and forward-thinking.”

“Homelands” showcases contemporary art by 17 Native artists to emphasize the enduring ties between Native Nations and Knox County. As a result of the exhibition, the museum has acquired 22 new works for its permanent collection.

https://news.utk.edu/2025/01/07/mcclung-museum-to-open-exhibition-centering-native-voices-and-contemporary-art/

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/

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

Storyteller Laura Still helps you live the stories of pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, and even fictional characters who walked these streets before you.

Knoxville has a rich history full of colorful characters and famous, and infamous, figures whose lives have been the inspiration for books, movies, and works of art. Take a stroll through history in beautiful downtown Knoxville while listening to true tales of the heroes, heels, and hardened criminals that are part of the hidden lore of this unique East Tennessee town.

A portion of the proceeds for downtown tours go to help fund the work of the non-profit Knoxville History Project. Many stories are based on the books and stories of award-winning journalist and writer Jack Neely. Knoxville Walking Tours opens a window to Knoxville’s varied past and leads you on a journey through both hard times and high times of a city growing through over two centuries of history.

Tours include:
• Knoxville: The Early Years
• Misbehaving Women
• Civil War
• Gunslingers
• Musical History
• Literary Heritage
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours
• Knoxville Botanical Garden
• Old Gray Cemetery
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours

Tour on Your Schedule! Rather than posting a calendar, we’re letting you pick the tour and time — subject to availability. Call (865)309-4522 or visit https://knoxvillewalkingtours.com/