Even if school is a few weeks away from starting, there’s a few chances to get some extra curricular credit through some of this weekend’s programming. With festivals celebrating culture and historical productions and performers taking center stage.
Arsenic and Old Lace – Theater Knoxville Downtown (July 31 – August 1, multiple times) Martin Brewster, an esteemed drama critic, has a lot standing in between him and his potential marriage. From deaths to strained relationships, family tests and brings its own set of trials during this black comedy that continues to grip audiences after decades of stage presence.
Kuumba Festival – Market Square & Chilhowee Park (July 31 – August 2, 2 – 10 p.m.) Locally and nationally renowned African-American creators take center stage in Knoxville this weekend with Kuumba, a celebration of heritage spanning almost three decades. Complete with music, food and makers selling their best work, immersion into the culture is the festival’s main intention.
CreepyCon – Knoxville Convention Center (July 31 – August 2, multiple times) Some early inspiration for Halloween looms around the corner with CreepyCon, a gathering of monsters and masked men that’s looking to celebrate those hair-raising horror icons. Celebrity appearances, booths stocked with collector’s items and more experiences will be available all weekend long.
My Brother’s Keeper – WDVX (July 31, 12 – 1 p.m.) Friday lunch breaks at WDVX are back with a new look and a big act to help shake the walls of Knoxville to life. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, My Brother’s Keeper is a bluegrass outfit that’s attempting to move the needle using a timeless form of expression. Composed of three brothers and two accompanying instrumentalists and vocalists, the group’s close-knit bond only aids in achieving that desired harmony.
Village Maker’s Fair – Ancient Lore Village (August 1, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) East Tennessee’s land of fantasy is inviting guests to take a piece of that far away world home with them this weekend.The Ancient Lore Village is set to be populated by dozens of local makers selling handmade trinkets and locally sourced goods all day Saturday, call it a farmer’s market set in Middle Earth.
Kitten Yoga – Blue Ridge Yoga (August 1, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.) One of the most relaxing forms of exercise just got its nerves calmed a little more. During this session, furry friends will be scuttling in between mats to give a new and fun obstacle to your workout circuit. Proceeds from this event will go to support the Young-Williams Animal Shelter.
Mountain Dulcimer Lessons – Second United Methodist Church (August 2, 1:30 – 4 p.m.) Learn your way around a musical tool that’s been echoing through Appalachia for centuries, earning you a new skill to master and a surprising party trick. This class is totally free to newcomers, with dulcimers available for the duration of the sessions for the many of us who don’t have one of these lying around the house. Happy playing!
The Mavericks & Friends – Bijou Theater (August 2, 7:30 p.m.) The best American music is as diverse as the nation it represents. For decades, The Mavericks have been reinventing their sound in time with the changing landscape of their genres. The iteration of themselves the band presents now is a combination of those eras, showing off their versatility while attempting to modernize their own sound.
Adam Delahoussaye is a freelance writer for KnoxTNToday who loves telling stories about music, arts, and culture in and around his hometown. Have a story for Adam? He can be reached at delahoussaye1267@gmail.com or by text at 865-919-5059 with your story idea.
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