November begins with a lively arts calendar across East Tennessee. Downtown Knoxville galleries welcome new exhibitions for First Friday, area choirs gather for a festival of music, and performers of all ages take the stage.
First Friday brings fresh art downtown
First Friday at the Emporium — Friday, Nov. 6, 5–9 p.m., 100 S. Gay St., Knoxville. Arts & Culture Alliance
The Emporium welcomes visitors with four new exhibitions:
- Masks and Reveals by Ken McMahon features abstract paintings inspired by photographs of cloth masks.
- Enigma by Lois Trader explores grief, resilience and personal emotions through mixed-media sculpture.
- Feathered Spectrum by Roberta Smashey celebrates birds and nature through colorful stained glass.
- State of Flow by Kira Evans features collages inspired by historical fashion and textiles.
Kylie King provides live music from 6–9 p.m. The exhibitions remain on display through Nov. 25.
RED Gallery explores Appalachian identity
Inner Landscape — Friday, Nov. 6, 5–9 p.m., RED Gallery, 132 W. Jackson Ave., Knoxville. RED Gallery
Curated by Josh Collins and Cherry East, Inner Landscape features work by Iriamu, Katie Murphy, LaKesha Lee and Rachel Sevier Dallery.
The exhibition explores Appalachian identity through visual forms, sound and movement.
Maryville College brings regional choirs together
Invitational Choir Festival — Saturday, Nov. 7, 2:30–4:30 p.m., Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville. Clayton Center for the Arts
Maryville College welcomes six visiting choirs for an afternoon celebrating music and collaboration.
Participating schools include Pellissippi State, Heritage High School, Jefferson County High School, Maryville High School, McMinn County High School and Roane State Community College.
The festival concludes with a combined performance of Down in the River to Pray, arranged so voices surround the audience.
Tickets are $12.50. Maryville College students, faculty and staff receive free admission with a printed ticket.
Air Force jazz ensemble performs in Maryville
Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble — Sunday, Nov. 8, Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville. Clayton Center for the Arts
The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America’s Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble brings professional musicians and the sounds of jazz to East Tennessee.
The ensemble performs a variety of jazz styles while representing the musical traditions of the U.S. Air Force.
Seniors Got Talent celebrates performers of all ages
Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent — Tuesday, Nov. 10, Bijou Theatre, Knoxville. Morning Pointe Foundation
The sixth annual Knoxville finals showcase talented seniors whose love of performing continues well beyond retirement.
Contestants include a former Atlanta Hawks halftime performer revisiting a dance routine from 36 years ago, musicians who began entertaining hikers at LeConte Lodge more than 20 years ago, and an 84-year-old Knoxville singer who once represented Texas in the Mrs. Senior America pageant.
Their stories demonstrate that creativity, determination and the joy of entertaining have no age limit.
Knoxville Symphony presents Bartók & Boléro
Bartók & Boléro — Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12–13, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville. Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents a program featuring distinctive orchestral works, including Maurice Ravel’s celebrated Boléro.
Film Fest Knox returns
Film Fest Knox — Thursday–Sunday, Nov. 12–15, Knoxville. Film Fest Knox The annual festival brings independent cinema, filmmakers and special programming to East Tennessee, offering audiences opportunities to discover new films and engage with the people behind them.
UT Appalachian Strings brings traditional music to Laurel Theater
UT Appalachian Strings — Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m., Laurel Theater, Knoxville. Jubilee Community Arts
Nearly 40 University of Tennessee students perform bluegrass and old-time music through seven student bands. Advance admission is $15, or $14 for Jubilee Community Arts members and students. Tickets at the door are $20.
More on the arts calendar
Julius Caesar — Through Sunday, Nov. 8, Knoxville Children’s Theatre. Knoxville Children’s Theatre Young performers present Shakespeare’s classic drama about ambition, loyalty and political conflict.
Clyde’s — Through Sunday, Nov. 15, Clarence Brown Theatre, Knoxville. Clarence Brown Theatre The play follows workers at a truck-stop sandwich shop who discover friendship, purpose and possibilities for a fresh start.
Brittany Haas and Hannah Delynn Johnson — Saturday, Nov. 28, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, Knoxville. Jubilee Community Arts The musicians present an evening of acoustic music. Advance tickets are $15, or $14 for members and students; admission at the door is $20.
Our Favorite Choices for the Week
For visual arts: First Friday at the Emporium — Friday, Nov. 6, 5–9 p.m., 100 S. Gay St., Knoxville. Arts & Culture Alliance Four new exhibitions and live music offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy local creativity.
For music: Maryville College Invitational Choir Festival — Saturday, Nov. 7, 2:30–4:30 p.m., Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville. Clayton Center for the Arts Regional choirs join voices for an afternoon of music, highlighted by a combined finale.
For inspiration: Seniors Got Talent — Tuesday, Nov. 10, Bijou Theatre, Knoxville. Morning Pointe Foundation Talented seniors bring memorable performances and personal stories to one of Knoxville’s historic stages.
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