Calendar of Events

For the Feast of the Ascension
Ascension Oratorio by J.S. Bach
Choirs of the Church of the Ascension
Members of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Friends of Music and the Arts is dedicated to providing a variety of performance offerings appropriate to Church of the Ascension's sacred space. Bring a friend and join us for a time of relaxation and enjoyment!

http://www.knoxvilleascension.org/foma/
(865) 588-0589
800 S. Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919

6 PM at Tellico Village Yacht Club
Cocktail hour with the KSO String Quartet and a sumptuous dinner with entertainment by Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Aram Demirjian, Music Director
ShawBoom Fireworks Finale!

Details TBA
https://knoxvillesymphony.com/

NEEDTOBREATHE - INTO THE MYSTERY ACOUSTIC TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST PATRICK DRONEY
SUNDAY, MAY 22 | 3PM & 7PM

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

Sunday, May 22 at 7pm
The public is welcome to join the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Aram Demirjian, at the Tennessee Amphitheatre for an evening of "out of this world" music featuring works by John Williams, Aaron Copland, Beethoven and more. This concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Visit www.knoxvillesymphony.com for more information.

The Smoky Mountain Blues Society is once again presenting live music with its River Cruises of 2022. Our Blues Cruise schedule continues with the return of Brandon Santini on the Tennessee Riverboat's "Star of Knoxville" on Sunday, May 22nd at 4 pm – 7 pm.

There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. International touring vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history. His name is worthy of conversations that include James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Dennis Gruenling, Charlie Musselwhite and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield.

He founded the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him. Now playing over 100 shows per year throughout the world, Santini has garnered five Blues Music Award nominations, festival headlining slots and even performing on stage with the likes of Buddy Guy and Gary Clark, Jr.

Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website, (www.tnriverboat.com) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $20 for members in advance and $25 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827. Tickets are also available at the door. Boarding is at 3pm and the show starts at 4pm. Each voyage will also have full bar and limited food menu available onboard to buy. https://smokymountainblues.org

A new dance company is here!
Open auditions on Sun May 22, 2:30 PM

Come prepared with a one-minute composition without music demonstrating:
-Ballet technique
-Modern dance technique
-Improvisation

Dancers Studio, 4216 Sutherland Ave. Info: 865-584-9636 or www.dancersstudioknox.com

On May 21, the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair kicks off with a variety of events across the city. To add to the festivities, we're planning to promote ALL THINGS 80s in Downtown Knoxville. Starting Saturday, May 21 and running for 40 days (through June 29), enjoy 80s-themed menus, music, merchandise, and events. Details coming soon! www.downtownknoxville.org

The sixth annual Tennessee Pirate Fest invites you to go back in time to the Age of Piracy. This outdoor daytime entertainment-oriented festival will be held the last two weekends in May plus Memorial Day at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site in Harriman--just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. Patrons will be transported to the pirate haven of Barataria, Louisiana, circa 1814.

“Get Yer Pirate On! with pirate Captain Jean Lafitte before the Battle of New Orleans. Enjoy his French hospitality as he entertains British Red Coats, New Orleans’ socialites, pirates of Barataria, and even supernaturals. Escape on a pirate adventure for the whole family,” said Barrie Paulson, VP/Director.

Rotating on several stages will be professional touring and local talent. Pirate music will be brought to you by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, The CrossJacks, Ship Shape (May 21-22), and Kris Colt (May 28-29-30). Interactive danger shows will be performed by The Flaming Ginger and The Lords of Adventure. For the young at heart, there will be the slapstick puppet show, Punch and Judy; Pirattitude by Roane Children’s Theatre; and classical youth musicians with Bravura Music Academy on Saturdays. Interactive costumed street characters will seek to entertain in Kombat Kroquet, Lafitte’s Follies, Secrets of Barataria, and Throw Me A Line. For those who like slightly spooky entertainment, Captain Davy Jones and Calypso will guide those willing on the Trail of Doom (PG)--a pirate version of A Christmas Carol. Entertainment schedules will be available online and at the entrance.

Patrons are encouraged to dress in pirate or Regency era costumes and enter the Costume Contest. All can learn to be a pirate in Pirate School and compete in yard games in Pirate Olympics. Patrons are encouraged to share their talents on stage in the Gong Shows and play characters in classic Fairytales. All are invited to be part of the mid-day parade, where the Bucketeers will be featured on Saturdays. Other free activities will include corn hole, volleyball, the stocks, giant chess, and steel drum. There will also be games to play for a fee, including Sword Master’s Challenge and Adventures by Torchlight. Donations will be encouraged for photos with the mermaids; Captain Redbeard and his pyRAT, Chumley; and goats in the petting zoo.

The merchants of Barataria will be selling their custom wares such as costumes, leather pouches, chainmaille, drinking horns, goat soaps, blacksmith items, gaming accessories, custom wooden signs, and unique jewelry. A variety of food will be available, including Caribbean-styled BBQ, grilled chicken wraps and salads, seafood skewers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, and shaved ice. Beverages will also be available, including water, soda, sweet tea, and beer. Vendors are independent entities and accept cash and credit; and a list of vendors and their wares can be found at www.TNPirateFest.com.

The Tennessee Pirate Fest will be open rain or shine on May 21-22, 28-29-30, from 11am-6pm ET. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. Free parking is provided in rough-cut fields, and handicap parking is available. Entrance tickets can be purchased online now at www.TNPirateFest.com and will be available for purchase on festival days at the ticket house for cash or credit. Entrance ticket prices include all taxes and fees and are $19 for ages 13+, $9 for ages 5 to 12; and admission is free for ages 4 and under. Festival beverage tickets (in $1 increments) are available online, will be available at the gate, or patrons can use exact change. There will be no ATM onsite, so patrons are encouraged to bring cash for purchases, tips, and convenience.

Festival rules include the following: costumes and behavior should be family-friendly, footwear is required, no loaded or sharp weapons, bladed weapons must be sheathed, all weapons must be peace/zip-tied, service animals only, no outside food or drink, enter at your own risk. Festival grounds are primarily grass with small hills. Portable benches will be available at the stages and patrons can bring their own seating. To purchase beer, one must be 21+ years of age with valid photo ID. There will be no onsite public camping; however, motel discounts are available at the Baymont Inn and Travelodge in Harriman (call 865-882-5340 with promo code LKDE). For more information, please visit www.TNPirateFest.com, “like” and “follow” the Tennessee Medieval Faire | Tennessee Pirate Fest on Facebook, or call 865-376-0319.

Welcome to East Tennessee’s premier celebration of Scottish culture and history, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games. East Tennessee’s celebration of Scottish culture returns May 21-22, 2022, and features the beloved clans, games and athletes from years past. The event moves to a new location at the Townsend Visitor Center (7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy.) in Townsend, Tennessee.

The event feature clans, vendors and local and national performers. The property at the visitor center provides a scenic destination for the festival with views of the nearby mountains and is just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove. The 30-plus acres at the center includes adjacent parking.

Festival attendees will be treated to vibrant cultural and educational presentations, while Scotch tasting seminars will feature a bit of history and humor, and the Border Collie demonstrations will showcase their herding abilities.

Competitions include the hammer throw or caber toss, a medley of bands including bagpipes and drummers, and clan challenges like the kilted mile run or the battle axe competition.

You don’t have to be Scottish in order to enjoy this unique Festival! Our location in the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains is the perfect backdrop for you and your family to get a wee glimpse of Scotland and to discover and appreciate the rich traditions and history of the Scottish and Scots-Irish settlers of our area. https://smokymountaingames.org/

Eleventh Annual Circus Extravaganza to Benefit Circus Programs for Knoxville Youth

The circus is coming to town, and you’re invited! Young and old alike will enjoy Knoxville’s Eleventh Annual Circus Extravaganza, which benefits programming for Knoxville youth in the community. During the last ten years, over 10,000 audience members have gasped and cheered for Knoxville’s hometown circus--Dragonfly Aerial and Circus Arts Studio (DFAAS)--as local talent perform daring and entertaining acts in the air and on the ground.

“This year’s circus really speaks to my heart as a native East Tennessean,” says Bethany Love, the show’s artistic director. “Being able to share the magic of Appalachian music and culture, while also benefiting the youth in our community is incredibly rewarding!” Over the past 11 years, Dragonfly has had the opportunity to provide circus classes on scholarship to over 200 local children from the funds raised annually through this event.

The Extravaganza includes four performances at Dragonfly Aerial and Circus Arts Studio outside under a large tent. CDC guidelines are continuously monitored and recommendations at the time of the showings will be followed. You can catch a show at two different times across three days:

● Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.
● Saturday, May 21 at 2:00 p.m. *Spanish interpreter provided
● Saturday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. *ASL interpreter provided
● Sunday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. *ASL interpreter provided

Tickets are $12 per adult, $10 per child. They are available for purchase at www.dragonflyaerialartsstudio.com/circus-extravaganza.
865-609-2012 or dfaas11@gmail.com

Free Spirit Theatre presents: PROOF by David Auburn
May 19-21 @ 7:30 PM; May 22 @ 2:30 PM
Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN
Contact: www.freespirittheatre.org

All tickets $20 (available from www.oldcitypac.com and at the door)

On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—has she inherited?

Winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play.

“When we think of the great American playwrights, we think of Arthur Miller and Eugene O’Neill and Lillian Hellman, in earlier generations; Wendy Wasserstein and Tony Kushner, Jon Robin Baitz and Donald Margulies today: They are always writing about big ideas and wrapping them in family squabbles that get us where we live. Welcome David Auburn to the club.” —NY Magazine.

“…combines elements of mystery and surprise with old-fashioned storytelling to provide a compelling evening of theatre…[PROOF is a] smart and compassionate play of ideas.” NY Daily News.

“PROOF surprises us with its aliveness…Mr. Auburn takes pleasure in knowledge…At the same time, he is unshowily fresh and humane, and he has written a lovely play.” —NY Observer.

“[A] wonderfully funny…ambitiously constructed work…” —Variety.

Tickets are available for the play at https://www.simpletix.com/e/free-spirit-theatre-presents-proof-by-davi-tickets-104984. For more information contact freespirittheatre@mail.com

Initiated by the Ewing’s Director Emeritus Sam Yates over 30 years ago, this exhibition recognizes outstanding students graduating from The University of Tennessee’s School of Art and College of Architecture and Design.
Selected by a School of Art Faculty Scholarship committee, three art students were chosen for this year’s exhibition.

These students are:

Tammy Castany
Jace Hermanto
Thais Lloyd

The College of Architecture and Design participants were selected by the faculty-at-large, and by outside review teams.

Those exhibiting students are:
Marilyn Reish
Kristin Pitts
Riley Doty
Madeleine Smith
Phillip Minton
Raven Carrier

The Honors Exhibition will be open Monday - Friday from 10am - 5pm and Sunday, May 22 from 1-4pm.

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu