Calendar of Events

Robert B. Patterson, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Executive Director, announced today that it is hosting a traveling exhibit, "Qualla Arts and Crafts: Tradition and Innovation" in its Proffitt's Gallery space inside the Main Gallery of the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Founded in 1946 Qualla Arts & Crafts, Cherokee North Carolina, is the oldest Native American artists cooperative in the U.S. The exhibit was curated by Western Carolina University and opened in conjunction with the 65th anniversary of Qualla. Western Carolina University is located located in Cullhowee, North Carolina. The art of the past and present Cherokee artists is rooted in culture and place. The exhibit showcases the work of several Cherokee artists, including Joel Queen, Karen George, Fred Wilnoty, Geraldine Walkingstick and Davy Arch. Visitors to this exhibit will experience the innovation of Cherokee artisans, with objects ranging from archaeological artifacts to contemporary crafts.

Admission is free for Heritage Center members, Adults $6.00, Seniors 60 plus and children ages 6 - 17 $4.00, children 5 and under are free. Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, 3/4 mile east of traffic light at the Highway 321 and 73 intersection towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend, TN. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM, Sunday 12-5PM. Information: 865-448-0044, www.gsmheritagecenter.org

The next show is one which the Fountain city Art Center has been eagerly anticipating for the past year! We are honored to have a four-artist show featuring four remarkably talented people: Aurora H. Bull, oils; Tracy Gray, watercolors, Terry Chandler, acrylics, and Marty McConnaughey, mixed media gourds.

The opening reception will be Friday, July 17, 6:30 – 8:00 PM.

Among Aurora’s works from her travels will be scenes from Italy, the Netherlands, and the deserts and mesas of the American West. Terry will also include works from some of his trips in East Tennessee and around the country. Tracy’s works are brilliant with color, each one a true gem in transparent watercolor. Every work by Marty is a treasure in itself! She uses items from nature to embellish her decorative work on large gourds. The end result must be viewed to be believed! Everyone is encouraged to attend the opening reception. No entry fee is charged to FCAC exhibits.

Gallery Hours: Tu, W, Th 9-5; Fri. 10-5; Sat. 9-1. At 213 Hotel Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918. Info: (865) 357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.com

What good is sitting alone in your room? Come here the music play as Encore presents Kander and Ebb’s award winning musical “Cabaret.” Based on Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories,” “Cabaret” takes audiences into the nightlife of the Kit Kat Klub on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power in Weimar Germany. It follows the interlocking stories of a cabaret singer, a writer from America, and the denizens of Berlin as they are caught up in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society. Led by the enigmatic Emcee, “Cabaret” is an thrilling theatrical experience
Written by the same team that brought “Chicago” to the stage, “Cabaret” features well-known classics of the musical stage such as “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Maybe This Time,” as well as the title song. “Cabaret” opened on Broadway in 1966 featuring Joel Grey and won 8 Tony Awards in 1967. It has been revived numerous times and is currently enjoying another revival on Broadway at Studio 54. It was made into a film version in 1972 which was directed by Bob Fosse and starred Liza Minelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey.

“Cabaret” will run July 17- August 2 at Walters State Community College.

Encore Theatrical Company: 423-218-8331, www.etcplays.org

Encore Theatrical Company is asking, “What good is sitting alone in your room?” as it prepares to open Cabaret, the next production in its 2015 season. This award-winning musical will begin performances July 17 for three weekends at Walters State Community College in Morristown.

From the creators of the musicals Chicago and New York, New York, the show Cabaret takes audiences into the decadent nightlife of Weimer Germany on the eve of World War II. The story follows the ambitious singer Sally Bowles and the denizens of the notorious Kit Kat Club as they seek fame, fortune, and the rewards of a life on the stage. As the world outside the Kit Kat Klub becomes ever more dangerous, Sally and her fellow performers strive to keep the world inside the club beautiful.

“This show has special meaning for me,” said Micah-Shane Brewer, Encore’s artistic director who is also serving as stage director for this production. “Cabaret was one of the first musicals I directed, almost 14 years ago, and I’m revisiting the piece now with the advantage of time and age. Today, we are still dealing with many of the same issues that we did both in the time period when the play is set as well as the late 1960s when the show was first produced. It’s no wonder the show has endured and remains popular all over the world.”

Cabaret premiered in 1967 and was later turned into an Oscar winning film in 1972 starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey. It has seen hundreds of productions around the world and enjoyed numerous revivals on Broadway, most recently this past spring. The last time it was produced in Morristown was in 2001, when Brewer originally directed and starred in the show.

The show opens Friday, July 17 and plays for three weekends through August 2. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sunday afternoons at 2pm. There is one additional Saturday matinee on Saturday, August 1 at 2pm. It is recommended for mature audiences only. Tickets can be purchased on Encore’s website at etcplays.org or by calling 423-318-8331.

The first wave of 2015 Forecastle artists have been announced and are ready to rock the Louisville Waterfront! Led by Louisville hometown heroes My Morning Jacket, soulful breakout star Sam Smith, southern rock heavyweights Widespread Panic, indie veterans Modest Mouse, electrifying Kentucky natives Cage the Elephant, and many more, we've got a killer weekend waiting for you that can't be topped! The three-day music celebration, now in its 13th year, will take place July 17–19, 2015, at the award-winning Waterfront Park, a sweeping green space on the banks of the Ohio River framed by the skyline of downtown Louisville.

AC Entertainment: 865-523-2665, www.concertwire.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Alive After Five is a unique live music series presented on twenty-eight Fridays per year in four seasonal series. The programs take place in the smoke-free, casually elegant setting of the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall in the Knoxville Museum of Art. There is a live band on stage, seating at tables, two cash bars, food from area restaurants, free freshly popped popcorn, free parking, and a licensed therapeutic masseuse available. Audience members can enjoy listening to music, dancing, and browsing the museum’s art galleries.

Admission to the Spring series premier of Alive After Five is $10 for general admission and $5 for museum members and college students with ID. Ages 17 and under are admitted free. Alive After Five is sponsored by Cherokee Distributing Company, Knoxville Mercury, and WDVX-89.9FM. For more information about the Alive After Five series, please contact Michael Gill, Alive After Five Coordinator, at (865) 934-2039.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

NAVITAT CANOPY ADVENTURES launches its new Ijams Canopy Experience July 17 at Ijams Nature Center in the heart of Knoxville's treasured Urban Wilderness.

Designed and built by the nation's premier provider of tree-based zipline adventures, NAVITAT'S Ijams Canopy Experience gives visitors an exciting new way to explore the forest. The park features more than 60 adventure elements, including ziplines, across six different tree-based "adventure trails." For more information see http://www.navitat.com/

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Bliss Home 7240 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919, July 17th from 5pm to 7pm

Casual contemporary furniture and inspiring home furnishing purveyor, Bliss Home, will officially celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of their West Knoxville location to help thank all of customers, vendors and staff for their support since 2008.

Over the past few months, Bliss Home has worked to expand their Gallery showroom which provides additional space to showcase more casual contemporary furniture options. During the expansion, Bliss Home also put in new floors, which transforms the showroom by providing a brighter atmosphere.

Bliss Home will host their Grand Re-Opening party on July 17th, by providing complimentary beverages and snacks for their customers.

The first 10 customers through the door will win one of our Heart Knoxville glasses! These custom made glasses feature and outline of Tennessee with a heart over Knoxville. They are a store favorite!

Bliss Home is also thrilled to announce that from July 17th through 19th, customers can take advantage of a special, store-wide Grand Re-Opening Sale for your bedroom, living room, dining room and office. Everything in the store, including rugs, accessories, art, will be on sale!
Bliss Home 7240 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919, July 17th from 5pm to 7pm

Maker Mania will be held from 3pm – 7pm on Friday July 17th at the Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI), Roane State Community College campus, 2569 Cook Road, Crossville TN.

Maker Mania is a chance for everyone to show off what they make, and the community to come see the creativity. Makers of all ages are invited to display their latest inventions, creations and “hacks”.

As a spectator at this free event, what sort of things might you see? A 3D printed object, jewelry, woodworking projects, a painting or sculpture, a remote-controlled vehicle, a rocket, an app, a delicious cake, a beautiful quilt, sewing project or knitted piece. Friends, family, fans and all with a curious mind are welcome to attend this free event.

Those that have already registered to show their creations include: Emily Plank and Heather Booth, discovered at a recent Maker event in Oak Ridge, will be displaying their 3D Papercraft. The Blount County Public Library will be highlighting their STEAM education-related projects and sharing their plans for a Maker Space. The Knoxville Makers Group will show some of their projects, as will members of the CBI Maker Space.
Friday, July 17, 3:00-7:00PM
For more information about Maker Mania call the RSCC CBI at 931-456-4910 or email cbi@cumberlandincubator.com. For more information about the Cumberland Business Incubator and Maker Space, visit www.cumberlandincubator.com. The CBI is located on the Cumberland County Roane State Community College Campus, 2569 Cook Road, Crossville TN.

Knox Heritage continues its educational series, Lost & Found. Guest speaker Jack Neely will discuss the life of James Agee and the impetus and history of his memoir, Knoxville: Summer of 1915. James Agee’s short, poetic memoir was known mainly to intellectuals when it was interpreted as a soprano work by Samuel Barber that has become known globally as a masterpiece of composition for voice. Later still, the original text became familiar as the introduction to Agee’s posthumously published Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Death in the Family. Agee’s warm memories of Highland Avenue in the Fort Sanders neighborhood are honest and accurate, but touch only one facet of a complicated city. Jack Neely, executive director of the Knoxville History Project, researched the subject for a recent feature in the Knoxville Mercury, and will talk about life in Knoxville one century ago this summer.

The Lost & Found Lunch will be held at the office of Knox Heritage in Historic Westwood – 3425 Kingston Pike. Parking is free and available in the Laurel Church of Christ parking lot next door – 3457 Kingston Pike. A free lunch buffet will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. for the first 30 guests to register and the program will begin at 12:00 p.m. Space is very limited and advance reservations are required. To make reservations, call Hollie Cook at 865-523-8008 or email her at hcook@knoxheritage.org.

Plants and Animals of Tennessee

Join the McClung Museum for free activities, crafts, tours, and more related to our permanent and temporary exhibits.Each Family Fun Day has a different theme: http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/events/family-fun-day-07182015/

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM, Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Marble Springs State Historic Site will host a hands-on spinning workshop with Fran Brown on Saturday, July 18, 2015. This workshop will teach how to wash wool, how to card wool, and how to spin wool using a drop spindle.

The cost is $25 per person, with proceeds going toward educational programming at Marble Springs. Participation will be limited to 10 individuals. Participants will receive a drop spindle. To register, call 865-573-5508 or email info@marblesprings.net. The cut-off for registration will be Friday, July 10, 2015.

This activity will take place at the Marble Springs State Historic Site: 1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Programming assistance for this event is provided by Knox County. Marble Springs is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission, and supplemented by additional funds raised by the Governor John Sevier Memorial Association.

Information found at 865-573-5508
Email: info@marblesprings.net
Website: www.marblesprings.net