Venues

The Tennessee Theatre is a 1920s-era movie palace, located within the Burwell Building in downtown Knoxville. The theatre first opened in 1928, and with nearly 2,000 seats in the auditorium, was billed as "Knoxville's Grand Entertainment Palace". Its interior was designed by Chicago architects Graven & Mayger in the Spanish-Moorish style, although the design incorporates elements from all parts of the world: Czechoslovakian crystals in the French-style chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby, and Oriental influences in the carpet and drapery patterns. In 1999, the theatre was designated "The Official State Theatre of Tennessee". In 2001, the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation Foundation announced a campaign to completely restore and renovate the Theatre. The $29.3 million project was funded through public and private donations. The theatre reopened January 14, 2005 to a near sold-out season, and now offers a wide range of performing arts events and classic films to the public. It is managed by AC Entertainment.

604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

The Bijou Theatre opened in 1909 as part of an already existing hotel known as the Lamar House. Built in 1817 as a hotel and tavern, the Lamar House is the fourth oldest building in Knoxville. The Bijou Theatre has an atmosphere that’s perfect for live music and the performing arts. Many performers and music fans consider the Bijou the best-sounding room in Knoxville, and with a capacity of just over 700, every seat in the house is a great one. The mission of the Bijou Theatre is to provide an excellent performance venue for the Knoxville community at reasonable cost for presentations including local jazz ensembles, smaller choral groups, solo and small instrumental groups, student opera productions and local musical theater. In addition, the Bijou strives to bring special cultural and entertainment events that will enrich the lives of East Tennesseans, stimulate cultural diversity, promote the growth of downtown, and reflect excellence in the performing arts.

803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com. For tickets: 865-684-1200, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Celebrating over 40 years of professional theatre, the Clarence Brown is one of the oldest LORT theatres in the country. The University of Tennessee's Theatre program grew out of its English Department when Dr. Paul Soper was appointed as Theatre Director in 1939 by the English Department Head, Dr. John Hodges. Decades later the Department has a full-time faculty of 12, and offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Acting and Theatre Design. More importantly to those who love watching a good play, the Department of Theatre operates the Clarence Brown Theatre, located on the university's campus. The Clarence Brown Theatre is a 581-seat proscenium theater that was built in 1970. The facility is named after acclaimed film director and university alumni Clarence Brown, who was nominated for six Academy Awards for Best Director during the 1930s. The Clarence Brown Theatre Company produces a variety of plays each season, many of which feature nationally and internationally known guest artists.

The theater is located near the center of the University of Tennessee campus, about three blocks south of Cumberland Avenue. Besides the Clarence Brown Theatre, the University of Tennessee's Department of Theatre operates two other performance theatres: the Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre and the Clarence Brown Lab Theatre. The Carousel Theatre is a smaller, more intimate 400-seat arena space. Located just next door to the Clarence Brown Theatre, the venue features flexible seating and staging. The Clarence Brown Lab Theatre is a 100-seat black box venue housed inside the Clarence Brown Theatre. The Lab Theatre's productions tend to be more experimental and avant-garde. The theatre is the home of the undergraduate student group All Campus Theatre.

1714 Andy Holt Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-6011, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

The Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum, located conveniently in the center of all the downtown activity, is an outstanding multi-use facility: conventions, trade shows, and events keep the building active throughout the year. The flexibility of the complex offers seating for convention groups of up to 6,400 persons with additional capacity in the civic auditorium featuring comfortable theatre-style seating for over 2,500. The auditorium-coliseum is adjacent to Knoxville's interstate system and offers covered parking facilities for over 2,500 vehicles. The building also is headquarters for many of Knoxville's prestigious cultural events, such as Broadway plays, top name entertainers in concert, hot music groups, and visiting symphony orchestras. The building also has floor space for exhibits and demonstrations.

500 Howard Baker Junior Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37915. For information: 865-215-8900, www.knoxvillecoliseum.com. For tickets: 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

The Center, located on the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, consists of two buildings, the Main Hall and Recital Hall, connected by an outdoor plaza. Together the halls include three theater spaces and three art galleries. Opening in 2010, the place for arts performance and instruction blends college, community and government accord in funding and function. The Center is an instructional place for students, a showcase for regional artists and an attraction for national traveling shows and exhibits.

502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Tickets are available at the Clayton Center Box Office M-F 10AM-6PM or by phone or online: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

At the Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive on the campus of the University of Tennessee. For information: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events.

Thompson-Boling Arena is home to the University of Tennessee Men's and Women’s basketball and Women's Volleyball teams. The site is also used for other events such as concerts, conventions, and other sporting events such as NBA exhibition games. The arena was first used during the 1987-88 season. With both the Vols and Lady Vols basketball consistently in the top 25, Thompson-Boling Arena has received much attention as a premier college basketball facility.

1600 Phil Fulmer Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-0953, www.tbarena.com. For tickets: 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com