February has arrived—and with it, one of the busiest months on Knoxville’s arts calendar. This week, particularly, is absolutely jammed with openings owing to the presence of the First Friday events. While there may be some painful decisions on what to take in on Friday evening—relax. Most productions and exhibitions will be around for a couple of weeks. Here are just a few of the many events this week. For more events and performances, try the searchable list at There’s More to Knoxville – presented by Arts & Culture Alliance of Knoxville
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Here is some great news for those 35-years old and younger! The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra has launched its Young Friends of the Symphony subscription program. Similar to deals like Regal Unlimited, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, for $10 a month, young adults age 18-35 can gain access to an unlimited number of Masterworks, Chamber Classics, or POPS shows per month (one ticket per subscription). Those interested can sign up by calling the KSO box office at (865) 291-3310 Monday-Friday, 9-5. For more information, check out the KSO sign-up page here.
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At the absolute pinnacle of drawing-room comedies is Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. The play opens this week at the Clarence Brown Theatre—previews on Wednesday and Thursday, February 5 and 6, with the official opening night on Friday, February 7. The cast includes Katie Cunningham as Elvira, Brian Gligor as Charles, and Carol Mayo Jenkins as Madame Arcati.
Runs Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 PM (excluding February 8); Sundays at 2:00 PM; through February 23.
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The anxiously awaited exhibition Beauford Delaney and James Baldwin: Through the Unusual Door opens on Friday, Feb 7, at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The exhibition totals over 50 paintings, works on paper, and unpublished archival material that explores the 38-year relationship between painter Beauford Delaney and writer James Baldwin. The exhibition makes use of the KMA’s growing Delaney holdings, as well as works from public and private collections around the country. The KMA’s Stephen Wicks is the curator of the exhibition, which is accompanied by a color-illustrated catalogue published by the University of Tennessee Press. The exhibition runs through May 10.
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday: 1 PM – 5 PM
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As part of the Cathedral Concert Series at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville—Violinists of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, led by concertmaster William Shaub, will present the Complete Violin Sonatas and Partitas by Johann Sebastian Bach.
7:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 7 – The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 South Northshore Drive
FREE
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McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture: Visions of the End
Visions of the End explores the Apocalypse through art inspired by the writings of John of Patmos, who wrote the Book of Revelation around 100 C.E. The exhibition features twenty-six pieces of medieval and Renaissance art from collecting institutions such as the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Glencairn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Morgan Library and Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Walters Art Museum.
Continues through May 10.
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, 1327 Circle Park Drive on the UT Campus
Museum hours: Monday-Saturday 9 AM–5 PM; Sunday 1 PM–5 PM
FREE admission and parking Information
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Continuing at Flying Anvil Theatre is BOEING BOEING, a comic farce by Marc Camelloti.
Read the Arts Knoxville review here.
Runs Thursdays – Sundays through February 16.
Tickets and Information Or call 865-357-1309.
Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Rd, behind the Rocky Hill Shopping Center
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February openings at the Emporium Center
Exhibitions open Friday, February 7, and continue through February 28
Opening receptions: Friday, February 7, 5:00-9:00 PM
Regular Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• National Juried Exhibition of 2020
• Yumee Eun: From Within
• Josh Collins: Story of a City: East Knoxville
• Ellen Alvarez: Driftwood Creations
The Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Downtown Knoxville
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As part of the Tennessee Stage Company’s NEW PLAY FESTIVAL—
The world premiere of RAFT by Carolyn Thomas and Harrison Young
RAFT is a slice-of-life comedy about two friends stranded on a bouncy castle in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. As they wait for uncertain rescue, secrets can make their way to the surface. Can their friendship survive lies, sexual tension, and sun poisoning?
Opens Friday, February 7, Runs Friday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm through February 23
At Broadway Academy of Performing Arts, 706 N Broadway
Call (865) 546-4280 for tickets & reservations. General Admission – $15. http://www.tennesseestage.com
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Dogwood Arts: Monsters Made with Love
Open February 7 – Runs through February 28
An exhibition of ‘perfectly imperfect monsters’ curated by local artist Laurie Kay. The exhibition will include 30 local artists and makers whose fleece monsters are paired with a unique piece of art created in their individual styles and mediums.
Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, https://www.dogwoodarts.com
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GO! Contemporary Dance Works: Unsung Heroes
Read the Arts Knoxville preview here.
GO! Contemporary Dance Works will present Unsung Heroes, a tribute to the Women of World War II. Three performances: Saturday, February 8th at 2:00 and 7:30PM and Sunday, February 9th at 3:00PM
Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street,
Complimentary tickets will be available to all active and veteran military personnel. Tickets
may be purchased by calling 865-539-2475 or online at www.gocontemporarydance.com.
