Your weekly guide to East Tennessee arts, music, theater, and entertainment.

Arts & Culture Alliance  for August 27- September 2.

On Stage

  • Improv in the Wild with Manatee Vanity Improv – Ijams Nature Center, 7 p.m. Aug. 26. The outdoor comedy performance is recommended for ages 16 and older.
  • Dial M for Murder – Clarence Brown Theatre, Sept. 2-20. The classic murder mystery, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from Frederick Knott’s original, opens with a Pay What You Can performance on Sept. 2. The production contains mature themes and runs about 2 hours, 15 minutes, including intermission.

Live Music

  • Opera Under the Stars: Heroes & Adventures – Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park, 7-8 p.m. Aug. 27. Knoxville Opera presents a family-friendly evening of opera, musical theater and audience favorites. Tickets are $5; bring a blanket or lawn chair.
  • Music for Seniors Concert – Knoxville Museum of Art, 1-2 p.m. Aug. 27. The free daytime concert brings area musicians and older adults together through live, interactive music.
  • Tavern Notes: Soul Power with DJ Soularia – Maker Exchange, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 28. The weekly live-music series is held outside the Tavern.
  • Sunset on Central – North Central Street venues, 3 p.m.-midnight Aug. 29. More than 20 local and regional artists perform across neighborhood stages. Admission is free.

Arts & Exhibits

  • Gabriel Lester Artist Talk – Knoxville Museum of Art, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 26. Admission is free.
  • Melancholia in Arcadia Closing Reception – Knoxville Museum of Art, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 27. The free reception marks the close of Gabriel Lester’s exhibition, which remains on view through Aug. 29.
  • Family Fun Day – Knoxville Museum of Art, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29. The free event includes hands-on art activities and family programming.
  • No-Man’s-Land – Knoxville Museum of Art, on view through Nov. 8. Admission to the museum is free.
  • Coming/Be.Longing: Tennessee Asianx Artists – Emporium Center Balcony Gallery, on view through Sept. 25. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Family Fun

  • Movies Under the Stars: Napoleon Dynamite – Ijams Nature Center, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 28. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the movie begins at dark, about 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $12; bring lawn chairs or blankets.
  • Family Fun Day – Knoxville Museum of Art, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29. Admission is free.
  • Knox Asian Festival – Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Park lawn, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Aug. 30. The festival features performances, cultural exhibits, food and activities celebrating Asian arts and heritage.

Festivals & Community Events

  • Sunset on Central – North Knoxville, 3 p.m.-midnight Aug. 29. The free music discovery festival spans stages at Yee-Haw Brewing Co., Central Filling Station, Schulz Brau Brewing Co., Next Level Brewing Co. and Corner Lounge, with food trucks and art vendors.
  • 13th Knox Asian Festival – Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Park lawn, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Aug. 30. Performances and cultural exhibits will be inside the convention center, with the Asian food market outside on the lawn.

Looking Ahead

  • Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands – Laurel Theater, 8 p.m. Sept. 6, presented by Jubilee Community Arts.
  • Mighty Musical Monday – Tennessee Theatre, noon Sept. 7. The free concert features house organist Freddie Brabson at the Mighty Wurlitzer.
  • Jake Blount Band – Laurel Theater, 8 p.m. Sept. 11, presented by Jubilee Community Arts.
  • The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute – Bijou Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The Beatles tribute returns with a show featuring music from Help! and hits from across the band’s career.
  • Ten Year Town film screening and live performance – Bijou Theatre, Sept. 17. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the program begins at 6 p.m. The A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee fundraiser includes the documentary and performances by singer-songwriters Erin Enderlin and Chris Canterbury.

⭐ This Week’s ArtBeat Picks

  • Best Date Night: Opera Under the Stars at Augusta Quarry
  • Best Free Event: Sunset on Central
  • Best Family Event: Knox Asian Festival
  • Hidden Gem: Melancholia in Arcadia closing reception

Know of an upcoming concert, play, festival, exhibit or arts event? Email news@knoxtntoday.com for consideration in an upcoming edition of ArtBeat.

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