Calendar of Events

Ballet Gloria presents Journey to the Edge of Christmas at the Clayton Performing Arts Center on December 18 at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets for the shows are $15/adults & $10/Seniors & Students; Group rates available. Tickets will be available in November and can be purchased at The Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts or from company members. Call 865-689-8525 for more information, or email us at balletgloria@comcast.net.

Join us for the holiday favorite White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye that features the stunning songs of Irving Berlin.

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

It's time for Market Square to GET FUNKY!!!! Come to Scruff City Hall on December 18th as School of Rock, Knoxville presents our fall seasonal show, "GET IN THE GROOVE: Old School Funk & Soul!," featuring songs from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Prince, Parliament/Funkadelic, The Meters, Aretha & many more!!! Also featuring an opening performance by Rock 101 titled "ROCK of the 80's!," featuring hits by Talking Heads, Motley Crue, Guns n Roses, Queen & more!! Come check out the culmination of 3+months of hard work by 2 groups of amazing kids!! $8 advance purcvhase/$10 day of show!!

TWO SHOWS: Night show at 6:30 and a matinee show at 1:00. IN ADDITION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE FOLKS AT SACRUFFY, WE WILL BE HOLDING A BIG TOY DRIVE FOR CHARITY and will be collecting the entire day!! Come have lunch on the square or boogie into the night!!

Ticket link for MATINEE Show ($7 Advance, $8 Day of) - http://sorfunk1pm.brownpapertickets.com/
Ticket link for EVENING Show ($8 Advance, $10 Day of) - http://sorfunk.brownpapertickets.com/

At Scruffy City Hall, 32 Market Sq, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

With the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Choral Society, Go! Contemporary Dance Works, and Special Guests

Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

At the Civic Auditorium. For ticket information - Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents the 30th Annual Clayton Holiday Concert on December 16, 17 & 18 at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Music Director Aram Demirjian conducts the Orchestra and special guests for “A World of Joy.” Children’s tickets start at just $8.50. There are four performances: Friday, Dec. 16 & Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m. Musical selections include “Joy to the World,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells” and many other traditional holiday carols. The KSO will be joined by special guests Knoxville Choral Society, Go! Contemporary Dance Works, the Powell High School Singers, mezzo-soprano Allison Deady, and Santa Claus.

"As it is my first season as KSO Music Director, I'm ecstatic to conduct these holiday concerts," said Aram Demirjian. "By getting to program some fantastic pieces of music by Robert Wendel and Richard Rodgers, I hope to fill the auditorium with hope and joy for the holiday season. We've got classical pieces such as Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, and music from the films Home Alone and Polar Express. The theme, "A World of Joy," will also provide plenty of traditional tunes for folks to hum along to, I hope. It is certainly a time of year to gather with loved ones and enjoy a magical live music experience with your Knoxville Symphony."

At the Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915. Tickets and information: 865-291-3310, www.knoxvillesymphony.com

THIS DECEMBER, River & Rail Theatre Company will premiere a new original folk musical titled, The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby. Written by Tennessee-based award winning recording artist Don Chaffer and NYC-based playwright Chris Cragin-Day. The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby surprises virgin-believing and non-virgin-believing audiences alike, engaging this this oft-told story with a sincerity and humanity that bursts with imagination and wonder.

Performed at East Jackson Ave in the Old City, 111 East Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. River & Rail Theatre Company, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets & Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

With a variety of local holiday and winter farmers' markets there are so many opportunities to continue eating seasonally, shopping locally, and supporting your local farmers, local artisans, and local craft producers. Grow Oak Ridge will open their new Oak Ridge Winter Farmers Market at St. Mary's School in Anderson County. With a bounty of local farms and producers in attendance, folks in Anderson County and the surrounding areas will have an indoor market to shop every Saturday, 10 AM - 1 PM (closed Dec. 24th & 31st).

https://www.facebook.com/events/1550346168601296/

Popcorn balls and paper chains… fruits and nuts in their stockings … carols by the fire... a cedar tree cut in the nearby woods- that’s the Christmas most rural Appalachian children knew. And it's the Christmas we recreate each year throughout the Museum village at our special.... Join us as we recreate a meaningful holiday of simpler times. Traditional trees and hand-made decorations, typical of austere pioneer days, transform the Museum’s authentic log buildings.

Wander through the village and marvel at the simple treasures of their settlement days. In the one-room, dirt-floored “Dan'l Boone” cabin, strings of popcorn and cotton bolls circle a dormant tree; Paper chains and other ornaments trim the tree in the Little Tater Valley Schoolhouse. Sweet gum and sycamore balls are strung throughout the Mark Twain Family Cabin, and a traditional silver star tops a native red cedar Christmas tree in the turn-of-the-century Peters Homestead House. Apples, nuts, homemade toys, and oranges fill stockings hung in the cabins. Pick up some stocking stuffers in the Museum Gift and Antique Shop, which features everything from hand-crafted ornaments, locally made muscadine and moonshine jellies, and beautiful pottery, along with baskets, quilts, and plenty of Appalachian specialties. Or just come and enjoy a homemade southern country lunch in front of the warm fireplace.

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716 (16 miles north of Knoxville at I-75, exit 122, then one mile east). Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

Featuring oil paintings of Downtown Knoxville by Inna Nasonova Knox and wood designs by Nelson Ziegler. An opening reception for the featured artists will begin at 5:30 p.m., December 2, during Downtown Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk with complimentary refreshments.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net or www.Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery

4th Annual Uncommon Core - Exhibition & Performance
Opening Dec 2, 6-10 PM with awards at 8 PM

More events at http://ijams.org/events/. Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. The Visitor Center, including exhibits, gift shop, offices and restrooms is open M-Sat 9-5 and Sun 11-5. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

A version of the hit Broadway musical, specially adapted for children and families. The original Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award-winner, Stephen Schwartz, and it took the world by storm. Boasting a score with chart topping songs, Godspell JR. is a sensation that continues to touch audiences.

A group of disciples help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus' life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

COMPLETE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Friday 12/2 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/3 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/4 at 3 PM, Thursday 12/8 at 7 PM, Friday 12/9 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/10 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/11 at 3 PM, Thursday 12/15 at 7 PM, Friday 12/16 at 7 PM, Saturday 12/17 at 1 PM & 5 PM, Sunday 12/18 at 3 PM

The show will be directed and choreographed by Dennis E. Perkins, with musical direction by Paul Jones. Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

The world’s favorite nanny flies into Morristown this holiday season as Encore Theatrical Company completes the 10th anniversary season with “Mary Poppins” December 2-18. This magical musical is practically perfect for families and all ages. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's “Mary Poppins" delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances.

Young Jane and Michael Banks have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. The ensemble is made up of a talented mix of actors, singers and dancers from all over the region. The production is directed by Micah-Shane Brewer, music directed by Laura Ritter, choreographed by Kody Storm Rowe, and stage managed by Amy Webb.

“Mary Poppins” will perform for three weekends with evening performances on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8:00 p.m. and matinee performances on December 4, 11, 17 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. Performances will be held in the William H. Inman Humanities Complex located on the Morristown campus of Walters State Community College at 500 S. Davy Crockett Parkway in Morristown. For tickets, please visit www.etcplays.org or call 423-318-8331.