Calendar of Events

Reception | Thursday, January 23, 5-7pm with awards at 6pm
Begun in 1947 by C. Kermit Ewing, founder of The University of Tennessee School of Art, the annual student exhibition has become one of the oldest competitions in the country and one of the highlights of the Ewing Gallery’s exhibition season. This competition has been an outlet for UT’s talented students for 78 years.
This year’s exhibition was juried by William Downs.

https://ewing-gallery.utk.edu/78th-annual-student-art-competition/

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: M-F 10-5, Sun 1-4. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

Knoxville Opera proudly presents La bohème at the Tennessee Theatre on Friday, January 31 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 2 at 2:30 PM for the company’s second main stage production of the 2024-2025 season.

As the most popular opera in the world, Puccini’s timeless tale of young artists embracing life, love, friendship, and loss in 19th-century Paris has captivated audiences for generations. This timeless story features sweeping melodies and poignant duets that transcend language – making it the perfect opera to experience for the first time or to enjoy once more. Watch Knoxville Opera share why this iconic operetta resonates with audiences around the world here.

Knoxville Opera has a rich history with La bohème, with this production marking the 5th time the company has staged Puccini’s classic in its four-decade existence. Under the direction of Knoxville Opera's Producing Director, Dean Anthony, and with guest conductor Michelle Rofrano at the helm, this masterpiece will be reimagined once again.

Joined by the Knoxville Opera Chorus, led by Christy Lee, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, this production showcases a star-studded cast, including Rebecca Krynski Cox as Mimì, Ben Gulley as Rodolfo, Christine Lyons as Musetta, Luis Alejandro Orozco as Marcello, Scott Purcell as Schaunard, and Kevin Short as Colline.

La bohème is a must-see performance, so don't miss your chance to experience this classic operetta! Tickets are on sale now at www.knoxvilleopera.org/la-boheme

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Knoxville Opera: 865-524-0795, https://www.knoxvilleopera.org/

East Knoxville's Black Food Renaissance
Join us for a special three-day engagement of this new documentary film from East Knoxville food justice collective Rooted East, including ticketed premiere fundraiser events Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1 and a special FREE matinee Sunday afternoon, all with post-screening discussions of the film and the issues it presents.

Showing exclusively at Central Cinema 1205 N Central St Knoxville, TN 37917

Friday January 31st, 2025 | Documentary Premiere with Special Guests | $25 per ticket
Saturday, February 1st, 2025 | Documentary Screening | $15 per ticket

Synopsis: Narrated by Umoja Abdul-Ahad, “Roots of Resilience: East Knoxville’s Black Food Renaissance” is a powerful documentary that delves into the legacy of apartheid and its enduring impact on food security and urban spaces within historically Black communities. The film traces the deep-seated issues of food apartheid—systematic racialized barriers to food access—and how these injustices have left many Black neighborhoods as food deserts, devoid of fresh, affordable, and nutritious food. The documentary highlights the journey of activists, community leaders, and urban gardeners who are working to restore urban green spaces in these marginalized communities. Through intimate interviews and poignant visuals, the film showcases how these initiatives are reclaiming the land for the community, fostering self-reliance, and reviving cultural connections to agriculture. At its heart, Roots of Resilience is a story of hope, resilience, resistance and the power of grassroots movements in disrupting the structures of apartheid and cultivating a future where historically Black communities can thrive.

About the Filmmaker: Ronald Levy is a 28-year-old filmmaker from Memphis, TN, dedicated to creating content that leaves a lasting impact on culture. His passion is to compose work that not only entertains, but also challenges and inspires change. Ronald aims to explore human emotions and societal values, using film as a tool to foster understanding and dialogue. The mission of his company, Levron's Art, includes documentaries to short films, all with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to society and the art of storytelling. You may visit Ron’s website at: https://levronsart.com/

https://centralcinema865.com/production/roots-of-resilience-east-knoxvilles-black-food-renaissance/

Gallery 1010, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 114, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Reception Fri 5-7 PM, Sat 10 AM – 1 PM, or by appointment. Information: https://gallery1010.utk.edu/

Gallery 1010 is a contemporary art exhibition space located at 100 S. Gay Street in Suite 114 of the Emporium Center of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. As one of three University of Tennessee School of Art galleries, Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. The mission of Gallery 1010 is to provide space for the School of Art students of the University of Tennessee to experiment and develop new ideas while gaining educational gallery experience in professional standards and practices.

FRIDAY, JAN 31 | 7:30PM

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

Eastern Kentucky duo The Local Honeys, Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokley, build on a strong foundation in traditional and old time music to create a repertoire of songs capturing the many shades of life in Central Appalachia. The pair are noted for their rich harmonies and strong instrumentation and are backed on this tour by a band including percussion, guitar, and bass.

With their self-titled debut on La Honda Records, the duo have set forth on a journey to create something true to themselves while pushing the envelope within the tradition. Carefully crafted vignettes of rural Kentucky rise above layers of deep grooves and rich tones curated by longtime mentor Jesse Wells, Grammy nominated producer and musician (as well as Assistant Director at the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State). Rollicking banjo meets guitar hooks and blue collar rural grit is met with lush melodies and nimble harmonies; a project filled with juxtaposition not by accident. Wells along with The Food Stamps rhythm section - Rod Elkins (percussion) Craig Burletic (bass) and Clay City, KY’s Josh Nolan (guitar) all lent their expertise and signature groove as collaborators during the session creating a fluidity, warmth and cohesion that can only be created through friendship. The project was engineered in Louisville at Lalaland by Grammy winner Anne Gauthier.

http://www.thelocalhoneys.com/

Tickets available at TicketLeap, by mail or at the door 30 minutes prior to show: $25 at the door, $20 General Audience Advance, $19 JCA members, students & seniors 65+

Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Tickets: https://jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com. Information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org

Reception on Saturday, Feb. 15
Details TBA
Showing all media and styles!
https://tnartists.org/

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

Back N Black: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM At the Bijou Theatre.

Back N Black delivers the goods with a set list that spans 4 decades of AC/DC's finest!
Vocalist David Jaynes founded Back N Black in 2007 after touring internationally with the AC/DC tribute Hells Bells named by Rolling Stone Magazine as "The Greatest Tribute Band on The Planet" and the world-renowned Black Jacket Symphony.
Hear Thunderstruck, Back In Black, Highway To Hell, You Shook Me All Night Long, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, TNT, Hells Bells, For Those About To Rock We Salute You and many, many more.
This show has it all! See the wild antics of Angus in his signature schoolboy uniform. Hear the tolling of Hells Bell and the explosion of the cannons. Feel the thunder as Back N Black recreates an authentic AC/DC concert experience!
After 15 years, forty-seven states, five countries and over one-thousand performances, the show is still going strong!

Tickets at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B00617AE32962F3

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

We're kicking off Black History Month with All About Love, an exhibition reception and community conversation on 2/1 with Ty Murray. All About Love is inspired by the bell hooks book of the same name, and features a mixed media exploration of Black History Month at the intersection of Valentine’s Day.
https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/all-about-love-exhibition-reception-community-conversation

The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: thebottomknox@gmail.com, 865-444-5915 or www.thebottomknox.com/

February 1: Fountain City Branch Used Book Sale, 10:00-5:00

https://www.knoxfriends.org/book-sales/

Knox County Public Library and Mayor Glenn Jacobs are set to launch the 2025 Read City challenge from 10:00 - 2:00 on Saturday, February 1 at Bridgewater Place (205 Bridgewater Road) with a hands-on science fair. Library Laboratory features demonstrations, experiments, crafts, and more. Participants will be invited to operate a robotic arm, excavate fossils, and explore the galaxy in a planetarium among other activities. The event is free and open to the public.

A dozen organizations including The Muse, American Museum of Science and Energy, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Oak Ridge National Lab, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and Zoo Knoxville, will be on hand with booths and activities for kids of all ages. Mayor Jacobs will kick off the day with a story time on the main stage followed by presentations by Dr. Al Hazari, the Owl Raptor Center, and Hands-on Discovery Center.

Knox County Public Library has worked with area partners to create a year-round program with reading goals, activities, and incentives. This year's theme is "Curious Minds" with the first leg of the challenge set for February 1 - March 16. Participants can pick up a "Scientists Among Us" game board at the event or at any Knox County library location.

Knox County Public Library: 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxcountylibrary.org/

The Covenant Kids Run kickoff will return to Zoo Knoxville on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. Parents can register their children at runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/KnoxvilleMarathon before the race or on-site starting at 8 a.m. Children in eighth grade and younger are eligible to participate. Online registration is $30 plus processing fees, and covers the cost of the kick-off event, last-lap race at the Covenant Kids Run in April 2025, a finisher medal, T-shirt, goody bag and finisher certificate. On-site registration at Zoo Knoxville on Feb. 1 will be $30 via cash, check or credit card.

The kickoff course will wind through animal exhibits, and families can explore the zoo after with free and half-price admission.
The 1-mile fun run marks the start of the Fittest School Challenge, which motivates children to complete the exercise equivalent of a 26.2-mile marathon. The challenge ends with a final mile in World’s Fair Park during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

All activity counts toward the marathon goal, including running, walking and playing. Each child who participates will earn one point for his or her school. The schools with the highest participation percentage will win prize money and a plaque. The prize money is applied at the school’s discretion to make the most positive impact, often going toward physical education programs and supplies.

In case of inclement weather on Feb. 1, the Covenant Kids Run kickoff will be rescheduled to Feb. 8. Visit knoxvillemarathon.com for updates.