Calendar of Events

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Knoxville Writers Guild: Diversity in Publishing program

Category: Free event, Lecture, panel and Literature, spoken word, writing

The Knoxville Writers Guild (KWG) is proud to present a thought-provoking program titled "Is it your Story to Tell? How Diversity Issues are Impacting Publishing," scheduled to take place on May 2, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Addison's Bookstore.

In today's dynamic publishing landscape, the treatment of racial and ethnic diversity within literary works can significantly influence an author's journey, from manuscript submission to publication. "Is it your Story to Tell?" delves into the nuances of navigating diversity in writing, offering invaluable insights to writers seeking to craft authentic and inclusive narratives.

Attendees will have the opportunity to gain practical knowledge on identifying and sidestepping common diversity pitfalls that may hinder their creative endeavors. The program promises to equip participants with essential tools for embracing diversity sensitively and effectively within their own writing projects.

Presented by freelance writer Patricia Hudson, this event is a must-attend for writers aspiring to foster greater cultural awareness and representation within their literary works. With over three decades of experience in the field, Hudson's expertise spans an array of genres, from historical preservation to travel writing. Hudson's distinguished career includes contributions to esteemed publications such as Country Living, Women's Sports and Fitness, and Southern Living, where she has captured the essence of diverse cultures and communities across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. As a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Hudson brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen understanding of the evolving landscape of publishing. Notable works by Patricia Hudson include "Inns of the Southern Mountains," "Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia," and "The Carolinas and the Appalachian States," among others. Her dedication to amplifying diverse voices and narratives has earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the literary world.
Join us on May 2nd at Addison's Bookstore for an engaging exploration of diversity in publishing, led by the esteemed Patricia Hudson. Together, let us embark on a journey towards fostering a more inclusive and representative literary landscape.

For more information, please visit www.KnoxvilleWritersGuild.org

Lilienthal Gallery: Knoxville Royal Ascot

  • May 2, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Festivals, special events and Free event

We invite you to a fashionable hat event in the spirit of the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot, at Lilienthal Gallery, hosted by the Marble City Milliner. Come on May 2, 6-8 pm, with chic, creative dress and hat for this elegant evening. Please RSVP via Eventbrite, limited seats. Free to attend!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knoxville-royal-ascot-at-lilienthal-gallery-tickets-874524575547

23 Emory Place, Knoxville
https://lilienthalgallery.com/

UT Press: Books, Beer & Banjos fundraiser

  • May 2, 2024

Category: Culinary arts, food, Fundraisers, Literature, spoken word, writing and Music

Event by The University of Tennessee Press and UT Libraries

Friends of UT Press: Join us Thursday, May 2 from 6-8pm at The Standard in Knoxville for a fundraiser to benefit the new Scot Danforth UT Press Director Endowment. The event, "Books, Beers, & Banjos," will be held in honor of our retiring director, Scot Danforth, and his 30 years of service to the Press. Find tickets and registration details at the link below: https://tiny.utk.edu/utpress.fundraiser

Tickets include a barbecue dinner from Sweet P's, beer compliments of Cherokee Distributing, non-alcoholic beverages, live music by KC and the Bearded, and a tax-deductible donation. The Scot Danforth UT Press Endowment supports excellence in academic publishing by providing necessary funds for publication and marketing costs and the implementation of innovations that address the rapidly changing landscape of scholarly publishing.

Museum of Appalachia: Sheep Shearing Days

  • April 26, 2024 — May 10, 2024

Category: Festivals, special events, History, heritage and Kids, family

The Museum of Appalachia will welcome the warmth and renewal of spring by trimming the winter’s heavy growth of wool from their flock of sheep. Visitors are invited to join the museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, in celebration of this beloved pioneer tradition on April 26, May 3, and May 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sheep Shearing Days will include demonstrations of shearing, herding, carding, spinning, and weaving the fleece into woven goods, plus many real-life examples of some of the many finished products derived from the freshly shorn wool. Family-friendly activities will also include live Appalachian music and historic demonstrations of quilting, soap making, rug hooking, pottery, beekeeping, blacksmithing, and much more.

Admission includes a tour of the Museum, which contains some three-dozen historic log structures, exhibit halls filled with thousands of Appalachian artifacts, working gardens, and farm animals.

Tickets are available for purchase at museumofappalachia.org. Admission rates for this event are $10 for both adults and children. The event is free for Museum members.

Tickets at https://wwwmuseumofappalachiaorg.ticketleap.com/sheep-shearing-days-2024/

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy, Clinton, TN 37716. Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

New Harvest Farmers Market

  • April 25, 2024 — September 26, 2024

Category: Culinary arts, food, Festivals, special events, Free event, Health, wellness, Kids, family, Meetup and Science, nature

Get ready for an exciting kickoff to the 2024 season of the New Harvest Farmers Market! Join us on Thursday, April 25th, from 3-6 PM at New Harvest Park for a fantastic event packed with fun activities and fresh, local goods! Here's what's in store for you:
FARMERS MARKET: Explore a diverse array of local produce, baked goods, meat, eggs, crafts, and more at our vibrant market stalls!
NOURISH MOVES: Lace up your sneakers and join us for the launch of the 2024 season of Nourish Moves! Learn more about how you can turn your steps into Produce Bucks by visiting nourishknoxville.org/nourish-moves/
SNAP & SNAP DOUBLING: shoppers with SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) are able to swipe their EBT cards at the info booth for tokens to spend on groceries at the market! Plus Nourish Knoxville will be doubling those dollars, up to $20/day, in Double Up Food Bucks tokens to spend on fresh fruits & vegetables! Learn more about this program at nourishknoxville.org/programs/snap/

Thursdays from 3 pm – 6 pm
New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918

https://www.nourishknoxville.org/new-harvest/

River & Rail Theatre Company: The Burn Vote

Category: History, heritage and Theatre

The Burn Vote is a world premiere original musical about the true story of Tennessee’s role in the ratification of the 19th amendment. No one expected that the final step in securing women’s voting rights would come down to the state of Tennessee, much less to the tie-breaking vote of a 24-year-old junior legislator, Harry T. Burn.

In the heat of a second round of voting, after voting against ratification previously, Representative Burn turned to a letter he had received from his mother, Febb Burn, in which she ever-so-gently urged him to vote for suffrage. This tiny nudge turned into a tipping vote that swayed national momentum and changed history.

Through Americana folk music, ensemble-driven storytelling, and a whopping dose of humor, The Burn Vote reminds us that the work of justice is almost never grand and sweeping but small and seemingly insignificant. Seventy long years of protests and advocacy, imprisonment and violence, can come down to a few words exchanged between a mother and son.

Directed by Amelia Peterson
Music and Lyrics by Don and Lori Chaffer
Book by Chris Craigin Day

River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com

Theatre Knoxville Downtown: 'Art'

Category: Theatre

A translation of a French-language play, Art is set in Paris and revolves around a discussion between three friends–Serge, Marc and Yvan. When Serge buys a large and very expensive painting for 200,000 francs. However, the canvas is completely white with just a few white lines. While Serge is very proud of his latest painting, the reaction of his friends does not mirror his own sentiments. Marc responds with shock and anger, labeling it as a “piece of white sh#t”. But does he dislike the painting, or Serge’s independent thought?

In turn, Yvan acts as the peacemaker, trying to mediate the hostility between his friends. While he laughs about the ridiculous nature of the painting with Marc, he also reassures Serge that he likes the white canvas. However, his attempts at brokering peace fail and Serge and Marc’s anger is redirected him. As the discussion moves from the theoretical to the personal, the three friends are forced to ask questions not only about the nature of art, but about the nature of friendship. As they attack each other about their various personal failures, Serge, Marc, and Yvan risk ruining their friendship forever.

Fri. Apr 19th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 20th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 21st 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Apr 25th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Apr 26th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Apr 27th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Apr 28th 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. May 2nd 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. May 3rd 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. May 4th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. May 5th 2024, 3:00 pm

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

UT Downtown Gallery: Art Source

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

Reception on First Friday, May 3, 5-9PM | UT Downtown Gallery

Every day, Knox County Schools art teachers devote their time and energy to cultivating creativity and critical skills in their students. Now in its 15th year at the UT Downtown Gallery, Art Source, an exhibition dedicated to Knox County Schools art educators, has given these teachers an opportunity to nourish and showcase their own artistic talents.

This year’s exhibition was jurored by Ashton Ludden and Andrew Messersmith of Relay Ridge. The show is in partnership with Knox County Schools, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Jerry’s Artarama.

Award-winning educators will be recognized at the gallery’s May First Friday reception. The gallery will be open from 5-9pm with awards at 6:30pm.

UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay Street. Hours: W-F: 11am - 6pm, Sat: 10am - 3p. For more information: ewing@utk.edu | https://downtown.utk.edu

Clarence Brown Theatre: Kinky Boots

Category: Music and Theatre

Kinky Boots
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper
Clarence Brown Theatre
April 17 – May 5, 2024

A Tony-winning Broadway sensation packed with fun and a kick of pure joy! Looking to save the family shoe business, Charlie turns to his new friend Lola -- a cabaret performer and drag queen-- who gives him an outrageous idea that could change both of their destinies. Soon, this unlikely duo creates the most sensational footwear that’s ever rocked the runways of Milan… giving the factory and its hard-working family a sparkling new future.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information/tickets: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

Clayton Center: Maryville College Senior Show

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Gallery Exhibit: Maryville College Senior Show, at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Blackberry Farm & William “Ed” Harmon Gallery. Featuring art by Maryville College senior art and design majors. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information/tickets: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

TVUUC Gallery: Works by Pamela Salyer and Jack Retterer

  • April 12, 2024 — June 5, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

Reception Friday, April 12, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.

Free and open to the public, Gallery hours: 9:30-4:30 Monday through Thursday and 9:00-1:00 Sunday

Pamela Salyer: A View Through the Trees

This series uses mixed media (acrylic, collage, photo transfer) to explore the relationship between bare trees and their surroundings—how a tree, a group of trees, or even just a few branches, can change our perspective on the world around us. Pamela Salyer studied with UK’s Open College of the Arts and was juried in as a member of the Art Gallery in 2017. She has been part of many juried exhibits in the Knoxville area, including the Arts & Culture Alliance National Alliance National Juried Exhibition, Arts in the Airport, and The District Gallery’s “The Big Tiny Show.”

Jack Retterer

Jack Retterer says his goal as an artist is simple: “Use photography to help others experience and understand life more deeply and more completely by making it easier to ‘stop and smell the roses.’” He maximizes the emotional impact in his photography to increase the viewer’s awareness. Retterer is a fine art photographer, teacher and poet. His American Impressionist style photography and large canvas prints have been displayed at the Art Market Gallery, the Arts & Culture Alliance, Arts at the Airport, and many other locations in East Tennessee. He is an active member of both the Professional Photographers of America and the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee.

Fountain City Art Center: Members Show

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Featuring a variety of media by local artists.
Reception: Fri Apr 12, 6:30-8 PM with awards at 7 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tu 9:30-3:30, W-R 9:30-4:30 or by appointment. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

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