FRIDAY APRIL 20
The Blount County Friends of the Library will host a used book sale on the basement floor of the Blount County Library. The event will take place from 9 am to 5 pm. Over 40,000 books are estimated to be on the sale shelves. For a break down of prices and more information, visit www.bcfol.org.
Cody Nicely, is bringing his mobile glass blowing studio (Mobile Hot Shop) to Knoxville. This free and open to the public event is a rare opportunity for the people to witness this exciting process. If you wish to blow your own glass, there will be a $30 fee. Participants for the Ornament Blow will receive instructions and safety information the day of the event. You must be at least 16 years old to participate. It all happens from 10 am to 5 pm, at Liz-Beth & Co., in west Knoxville.
Jamie Purnell and Katie Powderly with Josh Oliver, will perform on the WDVX Blue Plate Special. The free-noon time broadcast happens at the Knoxville Visitor Center.
Guided Walking Food Tours explores historic areas of downtown Knoxville, beginning at 2:30 and lasting approximately 2 hours. Hear the history of some of Knoxville's most notable districts, sample food and drink from locally owned restaurants, and meet the people who bring this unique culinary scene together. Visit www.knoxvillefoodtours.com for more information.
Dogwood Arts Festival celebrates its musical heritage with "Rhythm N' Blooms", musical performances by locally-revered and nationally-renowned artists whose work falls under the broad banner of "American Roots" music - a genre that spans country, blues, jazz, rock, bluegrass, and folk and is generally characterized by a strong sense of musical tradition even as it may expand beyond traditional musical boundaries. There are so many artists and locations to mention, you need to visit www.rhythmnbloomsfest.com for the whole event schedule.
Bring your whole family, church group, your neighborhood, aunts, uncles, and cousins, to enjoy Professional Performance Artists through storytelling. Kathleen Mavournin, Susan Fulbright, Jeanette Stevens, Janice Brooks-Headrick will be on hand from 7 to 9 pm at the Riverside Theater (3769 Old Knoxville Hwy, Rockford, TN). Admission is $5. Call (865) 970-3000 for group discount reservations
The Tennessee Smokies begin their home stand against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's another "Fireworks Friday", with a post-game firework show at Smokies Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 pm.
It's Opening Night for "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Adult tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.knoxvilletickets.com. The multiple Tony Award winning musical is set to begin at 7:30 pm.
Tickets to Dave Barnes and Andrew Ripp at the Bijou Theatre are sold out. Show time is set for 8 pm.
The Tennessee Theatre presents Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: Carnival of the Animals. Tickets range from $22 to $84, and can be purchased at all Tickets Unlimited locations. Show time is set for 8 pm.
Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours is back and ready to take you to some of downtown's paranormal hotspots. There are both 8 pm and 10 pm tours. Visit www.knoxghost.com for tickets times and more.
The Drawlstrings kick off the night of music at Preservation Pub. The Vibraslaps headline the evening at 10 pm in the Smokeasy.
SATURDAY APRIL 21
After three very successful years, the "Chalk Walk" returns! During this street painting festival, downtown sidewalks become the canvas for professional and student artists and families. The free event runs from 8 am to 5 pm. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday.
Local plant vendors will be offering flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and wildflowers at the UT Arboretum Spring Plant Sale. Razzelberry's Ice Cream Lab will be on site selling treats such as bratwurst and ice cream. Retired UT Horticulture Professor, Dr. Will Witte, will be resuming his role as the "Answer Man." The sale lasts from 9 am to 3 pm.
The 3rd annual "Forget Me Not 5K for Alzheimer's" will be held at 9 am in Lenoir City. The race benefits The Pat Summitt Foundation for research, education, and assistance, for those with Alzheimer's. The 5K walk/ run or ghost run will include goodie bags, doorprizes, awards in all age groups, food, music and fun. Visit www.forgetmenot5k.com for more information.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding their "2012 Knoxville Walk MS" at the World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville. Registration begins at 9 am. The walk begins at 10:30.
Young-Williams Animal Center is hosting "PetSafe Training Demos" at the Knoxville PetSafe Downtown Dog Park. Mike Shafer, will be visiting for training demonstrations starting at 10:30 am.
Enjoy a free, fun and zero-waste Earth Day celebration from 10 am to 5 pm, at Pellissippi State (Hardin Valley). Participate in fun events for the whole family, including a scavenger hunt and a youth area. Learn more about green practices and green businesses. Pets are welcome too!
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the 8th annual "Music of the Mountains" celebration. Over the years, this event has grown to span an entire weekend, with performances of traditional music in neighboring communities, including an entire day of free music at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The day begins at noon with Lost Mill String Band, followed by Brien Fain, Boogertown Gap Band, Tony Thomas, ETSU Old-Time Band, and Mountain Strings.
It's Record Store Day 2012, and what better way to celebrate the day then to visit "Lost & Found Records"? They'll have barbeque, beer, live music and record exclusives. Head on down to 3710 North Broadway, between 11 am and 7 pm. And it's always a fantastic idea to support your local businesses.
WestWend will be the musical guest on the Saturday edition of the WDVX Blue Plate Special. Head on down to the corner of Summit Hill and Gay Street for the free noon broadcast.
EarthBeats Festival is an Earth Day themed awareness and fundraising music event to benefit Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM/ formerly Save Our Cumberland Mountains) and UT's Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville (SPEAK). Featuring local bands: The Theorizt, Big Country's Empty Bottle, Jodie Manross, Smiley and the Lovedawg, and more. Come enjoy the music, meet people from several other organizations working to create a cleaner and healthier Knoxville, and take part in a collective art project from 1 to 7 pm, at the World's Fair Park Ampitheatre.
Knoxville native and renowned poet and author, Nikki Giovanni will be in Knoxville for a reading performance. She has been named the "Princess of Black Poetry," a "National Treasure," and one of Oprah Winfrey's twenty-five "Living Legends." Giovanni will read on the main stage in Market Square as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival at 2:30 pm. She will also read at Union Ave Books at 1:30 pm. and at 3:30 pm.
The University of Tennessee "Orange and White Game" is set for 2:30 at Neyland Stadium. In addition to free admission to the game, Fan Appreciation Day will feature an autograph signing with head coach Derek Dooley, assistant coaches and Vol players. The signing, held in recent years at Haslam Field, will be held on the field at Neyland Stadium from 12:15-1:15 pm.
The Tennessee Smokies continue their homestand against Chattanooga. It's "American Gladiators Night" at Smokies Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15.
The Appalachian Ballet Company will present their 40th anniversary celebration at the Clayton Center for the Arts featuring several short ballets from the past 40 years. Tickets are $17 and $22. Show time is set for 7:30 pm.
Frankie Paul will hit the stage at Side Splitters Comedy Club in west Knoxville. You can check out his set at 7:45 for just $12 at the door.
The Hackensaw Boys with special guest Big Country's Empty Bottle, will perform at The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson. Tickets to this show are just $15. Show time is set for 8 pm.
John Gold hits the stage at 8 pm in the Speakeasy of Preservation Pub. Stagolee and Skytown Riot will play at 10 pm in the Smokeasy. There's a $5 cover for the night of music.
SUNDAY APRIL 22
The Tennessee Smokies will play host to the Chattanooga Lookouts at 2 pm. Anyone who has children who play little league, make sure you come to the park early for this game. As all little league players will be able to take instruction from the Smokies players prior to the game, from noon to 1 pm.