Calendar of Events

BAGWELL CENTER BUILDING AND GALLERY

This exhibit showcases the work of Pellissippi State’s Communication Graphics Technology students. Art from the exhibit will be on display from April 18-May 1.

The exhibit is free. Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 10-6:30. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

Special Public Opening: Friday, April 15, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

In 1929 and again in 1930, Brunswick Records' Vocalion label set up a temporary recording studio at the St. James Hotel in downtown Knoxville and invited locals to come make records. These old-time, jazz, blues, and gospel recordings added Knoxville's voice to American popular music and inspired the next generation of country music stars. In an exciting new exhibition, the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound present a first-time look at the impact of these recordings and the region’s contributions to American popular music. The exhibition features an array of artifacts, videos, sound recordings, and photographs showcasing East Tennessee’s diverse musical heritage. Come to Make Records explores Knoxville’s growth in the early 20th century, the importance of fiddling contests in generating fans and driving record sales, the role of Sterchi Bros. in exposing local talent to a national audience, and examines why Knoxville was selected for the recordings. The exhibit offers a closer look at the St. James Hotel, the site of the Knoxville Sessions, an overview of the local talent that arose from the sessions, and a look at the next generation of artists, such as Chet Atkins and Roy Acuff. The exhibit includes a display demonstrating 130 years of recorded sound from the wax cylinder to the iPod, a re-creation of the St. James Hotel room where the Knoxville Sessions took place, Roy Acuff’s fiddle, Cal Davenport’s banjo, a Bairdola, and an assortment of other instruments. Other artifacts featured are original records from the Knoxville Sessions, a painting by Howard Armstrong, and Carl and Pearl Butler’s performance suits, designed by Nathan Turk. Special video presentations include a film produced by East Tennessee PBS on the Knoxville Sessions, a look at how 78 rpm discs are made, rare footage of Knoxville Sessions artists, and recordings of Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, and Carl and Pearl Butler.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., Julie Belcher from the Pioneer House will display an art exhibition in the Bilo Nelson Auditorium of the East Tennessee History Center with music provided by saw player Robert Maddox. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a program with musical performances by local musicians, including Kelle Jolly, David Balle, saw player Robert Maddox, and the Tennessee Stiff Legs, of songs from the 1929 and 1930 Knoxville Sessions with remarks by Dr. Ted Olson, co-producer and co-author of The Knoxville Sessions box set book. The evening will conclude with a screening of rare film footage of Knoxville sessions artists Uncle Dave Macon, Willie Seivers, and Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong. Relatives and descendants of the musicians that recorded during the Knoxville Sessions will also be acknowledged during the program.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Explore more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens, and camera site sites as you enjoy a walk, bike, or drive the time honored tradition of the Dogwood Trails and Open Gardens. Holston Hills is the 2016 Featured Trail.
For an online version of the Dogwood Trails & Gardens Guide please visit
http://www.dogwoodarts.com/trails-and-gardens/
Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561

APRIL 15, 16, 22, 23 AT 7:30 P.M. and APRIL 17, 24 AT 2 P.M.

Do good works overcome evil, in the end? This is the ultimate question posed by "Which Side Are You On: The Florence Reece Story," an original play that will have its world premiere at Pellissippi State Community College. The play is written by Pellissippi State's Writer-in-Residence Edward Francisco. It is a fictional retelling of the life of Florence Reece, an American social activist, poet and folksong writer. The daughter and wife of coal miners, she penned the song "Which Side Are You On?" which became a social justice anthem after Pete Seeger recorded the tune in 1940. "Florence Reece began writing this song when she was just 12 years old," Francisco said. "She finished it when she was 31, after hiding under a bed with her seven children to avoid the bullets fired by hired gun thugs working for the mining company. She tore a calendar page off the wall and wrote the lyrics."

That year was 1931, the beginning of the Harlan County War, a decade-long battle between coal miners and union organizers on one side and the coal companies, gun thugs and law enforcement officials on the other. The war included a series of strikes, skirmishes, bombings, executions and the occupation of Harlan County by both state and federal troops. Reece's husband, Sam, a union organizer, died of black lung in 1978. Reece died in Knoxville in 1986. The final scene of the play imagines what may have been some of the final words shared between Sam and Florence, among them: Do good works truly matter? Because so little information exists about Reece's life apart from her contributions during the Harlan County War, Francisco conflated the fictional retelling of Reece's life with experiences from his own grandmother, the daughter of a coal miner herself.

At the Clayton Performing Arts Center at Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

"DEATHTRAP" April 14-16; 21-24.
Tony Award winning comedy-thriller in 2 Acts by Ira Levin.
Produced by The Tellico Community Players in The Pat Smith Theatre
304 Lakeside Plaza, Loudon, TN 37774

To make Sidney's slump all the more painful, Clifford Anderson, a student of one of Sidney's writing seminars, has recently sent his mentor a copy of his first attempt at playwriting for Sidney's review and advice. The play Deathtrap, is a five character, two-act thriller so perfect in its construction that, as Sidney says, "A gifted director couldn't even hurt it." Using his penchant for plot, and out of his desperate desire to once again be the toast of Broadway, Sidney along with his wife, Myra, cook up an almost unthinkable scheme: They'll lure the would-be-playwright to the Bruhl home, kill him, and market the sure-fire script as Sidney's own. But shortly after Clifford arrives, it's clear that things are not what they seem! Indeed, even Helga Ten Dorp, a psychic from next door, and Porter Milgram, Sidney's observant attorney, can only speculate where the line between truth and deception lies.

For information and tickets: http://www.tellicocommunityplayhouse.org/

The Town of Farragut and Farragut Arts Council are sponsoring the 2016 Farragut High Schools Art Show this spring at the Farragut Town Hall. Don't miss the opportunity to appreciate the work of some of Farragut's most talented young artists from Farragut High School and Concord Christian School. Awards will be given for first, second and third places during a reception on Tuesday, April 19, 5-6 PM.

Viewable during regular Town Hall hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive (across from the Farragut Branch Post Office). The art show and reception are free and open to the public. For more information, call 865-966-7057.

WHAT IS IT? The most fun you will have in rented shoes!

It’s not about the bowling…it’s about the kids! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN’s largest annual fundraiser bringing together more than 900 community members to major bowling parties to raise funds for a great cause. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the perfect way for individuals to make an impact on our community – it only takes a little bit of effort to raise the money that is vital to our program’s success. As a “thank you” for your support and enthusiasm, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN hosts a celebratory party at your local bowling center. No bowling expertise is required, only the willingness to share in our heartfelt and sincere thanks for helping us transform our community.

April 9, 10:00AM-2:00PM at the Oak Ridge Bowling Center.
April 16, 11:00AM-2:00PM, Maryville, Crest Lanes
April 22, 4:00-9:00PM, Strike and Spare, Western Avenue, Knoxville
April 23, 10:00AM-4:00PM, Strike and Spare, Western Avenue, Knoxville

For registration and more information please visit http://www.tennesseebig.org/bowlforkidstoday or contact adamas@tennesseebig.org or Alli Damas at 865-523-9455.

Knoxville Watercolor Society announces a new All Media art exhibit! The Knoxville Watercolor Society will exhibit recent works from its members. For more information about the Knoxville Watercolor Society, membership requirements and to view members' art works go to www.knxvillewatercolorsociety.com.

Opening reception on Fri, Apr 8, 6:30-8:00 PM. Free and open to the public.

Exhibit viewing hours: Tu, Th 9-5; W, F 10-5; Sat 9-1. Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.com

Selections from the Permanent Collection: Opening Friday, April 8, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

These Ukiyo-e prints (literally "pictures of floating world") represent the Buddhist concepts of death and rebirth. Subjects represent the entertainments in urban life such as courtesans, red-light districts, beautiful women, kabuki scenes and actors, and traveling. Woodblock prints are regarded as the most characteristic expression of the Japanese artistic genius. Great quantities of this popular art form were made during the Edo period (1603-1868) and sold inexpensively to a pubic captivated by Kabuki theater, sumo wrestling, and courtesans of the brothel districts. Representing these active, colorful ways of life often allowed for great freedom and creativity on the part of the artist. Ukiyo-e artists formed a school of painting and print design from which basic themes were drawn from everyday life. This genre became very popular among the working class of Japanese society.

Free admission! UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sat 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

The Synergy Exhibitions feature the creative work of gifted art students from elementary, middle and high schools alongside their educators representing the public schools and private academies of East Tennessee. Student Art Exhibition curated by Amanda Galbraith.

Opening: Thursday, April 7 from 5:00-9:00pm and Awards Presentation: 7:00pm

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm. Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

At Westminister Presbyterian Church-Schilling Gallery, 6500 Northshore Drive, Knoxville

Free and open to the public, Monday thru Friday, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Information: 865-584-3957

A world-class visual arts exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculpture which enliven downtown Knoxville, the McGhee Tyson Airport and Oak Ridge. Sculpture artist Isaac Duncan III, a Brooklyn, New York native who currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee served as the Juror for the 2016-2017 exhibition. #AIPP

Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com