Calendar of Events

Climb on board the "Christmas Lantern Express" and be a part of this beloved Knoxville tradition. Enjoy festive decorations, holiday treats, story time with celebrity readers and a special visit with Santa.

Trips last roughly 2 hours and boarding starts 20 minutes before departure time.

2560 University Commons Way, Knoxville, TN 37919
Call 865-524-9411 with any questions or ticketing assistance.
*PLEASE NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BRING A PRINTED RECEIPT WITH YOU TO THE TRAIN
WE WILL CHECK YOU IN VIA AN ELECTRONIC ROSTER WHEN YOU ARRIVE*

https://www.threeriversrambler.com/christmastix

At Performing Arts Center at Oak Ridge High School, 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Featuring the UT Chamber Orchestra

ORCBA’s annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” features all your favorite characters come to life! Please join us as Clara dances through the Land of the Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Dew Drops and Flowers, and more of your favorite beloved characters! We are thrilled to have the UT Chamber Orchestra perform with us for our 2 featured performances this year!

Performances are Saturday, November 23, 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 24, 2 PM. Tickets will be available at the door, as well as in advance at www.orcba.org. Up to three students may attend for one penny with purchase of an adult ticket.

Contact: Wendie Aurin, 865-567-6092, orcba63@gmail.com

by Arthur Miller
Directed by Sarah Campbell
Performances: Jan 10-26, 2020
Rehearsals: begin Dec 8

Audition Times
• Sat, Nov 23, 3:00 pm
• Sun, Nov 24, 3:00 pm

Available Roles
• 6 men, 3 women [See web site for details.]
(The roles of Willy Loman and Linda Loman have been pre-cast.)

Audition Requirements
• No monologue is necessary. The audition will consist of cold readings from the script.
• A headshot and resume are strongly recommended.
• Please bring a detailed list of conflicts for Dec 8 - Jan 26.

Auditions will be held at the theater. Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

10th annual Holiday Homecoming open house

Free for all guests, and local artists are spotlighted and fairly compensated. Holiday Homecoming celebrates the traditions of the first peoples of this area, the Native Americans and early settlers. The Heritage Center utilizes its facilities for musical acts, performers, craft stations, refreshments, and a visit with Santa. When guests enter the Heritage Center, they are personally welcomed by the staff and volunteers, and they notice the lovely pioneer holiday decorations that the Heritage Center's Guild has assembled at the entrance and in the gift shop. Once inside, guests participate in numerous activities such as listening to live musical performances, watching youth musical and dance groups, making pioneer holiday decorations, snacking on delicious refreshments, and touring the facility which features artists throughout the grounds. One of the highlights of this event is a visit with the "real" Santa. Art Hafner (a.k.a. Santa) is authentic in appearance from his white hair and beard to his red velvet suit and black boots. Santa is located next to a roaring fire in a 150 year old log cabin. This setting provides a unique opportunity for guests to have a relaxed and quiet visit with Santa, offering an unhurried setting where children can have extended conversations with Santa.

Throughout the day, there is a variety of musical entertainment, including the Smoky Mountain Native American Flute Circle, traditional mountain music preformed by Sarah Pirkle, 19th century strolling carolers, and the Townsend Community Choir. There are also several craft stations where families sit together and make holiday ornaments and decorations. A variety of youth dance and musical groups have been invited to participate in this event, allowing these groups exposure to a larger audience and an opportunity for a dress rehearsal before their big holiday production. The Heritage Center is alive with the holiday spirit during this special open house. For this area, Holiday Homecoming is the official start to the holiday season, and it has become an annual event for families near and far.

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: M-Sa 10-5. Information: 865-448-0044, www.gsmheritagecenter.org

4th Annual Norwood Community Thanksgiving Celebration
Saturday, Nov 23rd
10:00am - 1:00pm
Free

KIN (Knoxville Internationals Network) is partnering with Great Schools Partnership and two of their community schools (Norwood Elementary & Northwest Middle School) to host the 4th Annual Norwood Community Thanksgiving Celebration.

When: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm
Where: Northwest Middle School, 5301 Pleasant Ridge Rd, 37912
Cost: FREE

Last year, nearly 300 men, women and children from multiple ethnicities gathered to celebrate and share a Thanksgiving meal. This year, we anticipate an even larger gathering of neighbors and friends!

As a result, we are encouraging more of our KINfolk (individuals and partner churches) to serve on our volunteer teams and join us for this Thanksgiving celebration!

Norwood Neighbors: Each household is encouraged to bring food representing their cultural heritage to share. Turkeys and traditional sides will be provided by KIN's volunteers and church partners.

Representatives will be on-site from CAC's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Boy Scouts, Knoxville Internationals Network, YWAM Knoxville and more!

https://www.kin-connect.org/

To commemorate the 156th anniversary of the Siege of Knoxville and Battle of Fort Sanders Mabry-Hazen House will host Civil War Living History Day on Mabry’s Hill on Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 10am-3pm. Living historians from the East Tennessee region will gather at 1858 historic house for a special program on life in the army and at home during the Civil War.

During the Civil War, both North and South occupied Mabry’s Hill and the home. Confederate military forces fortified the site as a supply depot, while U.S. forces heavily fortified the position and officers used the home as quartermaster headquarters. Joseph Mabry, the original owner of the historic house, effectively followed ebb and flow of Knoxville’s position during the war. Initially, he pledged his loyalties to Confederacy, but following the arrival of the Union army in early September 1863, Mabry realigned himself with the Union.

The event will focus on the routine of camp for soldiers in Longstreet’s Army in November 1863, medicine and music during the conflict, experiences of women and civilians during the two-week siege of the city.

There will be extensive public interaction throughout the day Saturday, with a talk on Women during the Civil War at 11am and infantry demonstrations from 12-2PM. The historic house museum will be open for self-guided tours and docents will be dressed in Victorian clothing. Admission is a suggested $5 donation per adult and members are free.

Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

Old-time String Band

Fiddle and banjo duet Darrell Acuff and Morgan Simmons are area old-time stalwarts who have performed with the Mumbillies, the Hellgrammites, the New Dixie Entertainers and others. They are joined by guitarist Don Wood, known for his work with the Tennessee Sheiks and other area bands, and Bonnie Simmons on vocals.

Tickets: $15

Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916. Tickets (discounts apply to advance purchase, JCA members, students & seniors) available through http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/1118485, 1-800-838-3006 ext 1, and at the door. For information: 865-522-5851, www.jubileearts.org

Join us for the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble’s Annual Benefit Auction! The festivities begin at 6 pm in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Hall, with food, beverages, and a silent auction with a wide variety of auction items, from weekend getaways, to lawn and garden equipment, local art, and much, much more. Enjoy dances by the Ensemble, including their main performance at 9 pm. Stay tuned for more information!
https://www.dancersstudioknox.com/events-calendar/2019/11/23/tcde-annual-benefit-action

At Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 7115 Northshore Drive, Knoxville.
Contact: Cheri McKeever, 865-207-1954, cheri@sweetrelieforganizing.com; https://www.dancersstudioknox.com/

Hi-Wire Brewing’s Holiday Pop-Up! Market is happening Saturday, November 23 from 10am-4pm at all Taprooms (AVL: Big Top, Durham, & Knoxville)

Our seasonal “pop-up” market will feature a variety of local vendors highlighting some of the best in arts, crafts, and artisanal products from Knoxville and the surrounding areas. Join us in supporting your local producers of goods with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local charity! TBA.

https://hiwirebrewing.com/event/holiday-pop-up-market/?instance_id=13007

We are gearing up for the holiday season of giving with one of our favorite events: St. Andrew's Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale! Saturday, November 23, 9:00AM-1:00PM.

All proceeds benefit Family Promise, Good Neighbors, Habitat for Humanity, & the Community Food Connection. Check out our wonderful vendors offering up a variety of home goods, handmade toys, & unique gifts just in time for the holidays!

And, don't forget you can pre-order Your Gourmet Holiday Dishes for Pick-up at the Event. Just call the office at: 865-983-3512
St Andrews Episcopal Church, 314 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, Tennessee 37801.

Secret City Poetry Nights kicks off the new season with some of the most profound voices of the poetry community. Coming from North Carolina, Boris “Bluz” Rogers and Dasan Ahanu will grace the stage of the Historic Grove Theatre for one night of powerful, inspiring, and electric poetry. The event will begin at 8pm and cost $5 for advance tickets at http://secretcitypoetrynights.eventbee.com .

Emmy award winning Bluz is a supramind of poetic expression and has been unwavering in his quest to stretch the boundaries of poetry. Channeling human experience into gifts of metaphors and similes, Bluz has published “Articulate Slang” and produced three audio releases. His poetry is universal, dismantling social, economic, and ethnic barriers reaching into the heart of the community where he is an active member. Working with several organizations such as Junior Achievement, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Afro-American Center, Wachovia, CBS Radio, Radio Disney, Raycom Sports, ESPN and SPEED TV, where he wrote and performed several intros for the nationally televised showed NASCAR Today, Bluz’ voice is a progressive tool used to foster transformation.

Dasan Ahanu is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, and emcee. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions. Believing that “with great talent comes great responsibility,” Dasan has used his skill and resources to aid in developing the community and furthering social change. He has worked as an organizer on such issues as war, social injustice, worker’s rights, domestic violence and sexual assault; planned and facilitated community programs for Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies; conducted creative writing and performance workshops at middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout North Carolina; and spent time working with at-risk/court-involved youth.

The Secret City Poetry Nights is an event that happens every other month at the Grove Theatre in an effort to inspire writing and creativity in the Oak Ridge community. RheaSunshine, a 2019 inductee into the East Tennessee Writer’s Hall of Fame for Poetry, is the host and her desire is to inspire everyone to write their own stories using poetry and find the common threads among all people to bring about unity.

Please join us for a weekend with our Community’s Scholar-in-Residence

Ori Soltes has spent a lifetime wrestling with questions that resonate through the history of the human experience. His dynamic teaching, lecturing, curating, and writing reflect broad interests and a unique ability to combine them in unusual ways that are thought-provoking, challenging and intellectually exciting. He currently teaches theology, philosophy, and art history at Georgetown University and is a prolific author. Explore more at http://orizsoltes.com/. Join us at:

Temple Beth El, Friday, November 22nd, offering a D’var Torah on Triumph and Tragedy in the Life of the First Matriarch. Services begin at 7 pm with kiddush to follow.

Heska Amuna Synagogue, Saturday, November 23rd, offering a D’var Torah, From Sarah to Shekhinah: Gender and Contradiction. Services begin at 9:30 am and Torah service (with D’var Torah) begins at 10:15 am. He will also lead a discussion after kiddush at 1 pm on Transformative Moments as Hosts and Guests Across Jewish History.

Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Sunday, November 24th at the Arnstein Jewish Community Center, for a lecture with slides, and book signing at 2 pm on Ceremonial Art Within the Question of Jewish Art: from Solomon’s Temple to the Judaica of Arnold Schwarzbart.

With great appreciation to our sponsors, there is no cost to attend any event but please RSVP at www.heskaamuna.org to help us with our planning. Thank you to the Heska Amuna Adult Education Committee for organizing this event.