River & Rail Theatre Company – Pass Over
Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu opened on Broadway in the first week of August, becoming the first new play to begin performances since the Covid-19 shutdown darkened theatres in New York City. The play has been described as a combination of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and the biblical “Exodus” story as it looks at two young Black men hoping for a better world amidst the reality of police violence. The New York Times review offered: “Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu’s play about young Black men in peril inaugurates the new season with unexpected joy.”
Pass Over is the first production of the season for River and Rail Theatre Company in the Old City Performing Arts Center. After two previews this week, Pass Over opens on Friday, October 1 with performances through Sunday, October 10. (Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00 PM; Sundays at 2:00 PM)
The company has offered this warning on content: Please be advised that ‘Pass Over’ contains frequent and extreme profanity. ‘Pass Over’ is recommended for ages 15 and up. Children under 4 will not be admitted. If you have specific questions or concerns about the content of the production, please contact our staff, who will be happy to provide more information.
River & Rail Theatre, 111 State Street in Downtown Knoxville
Information: 865-407-0727, www.riverandrailtheatre.com
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Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
The KSO’s season is now underway, much to the delight of audiences. This week sees TWO different events.
• The Q Series at The Elks Lodge is a Wednesday noontime concert featuring a one-hour performance by the KSO Principal String Quartet and the KSO Principal Woodwind Quintet, lunch included. This week’s concert features works by Mozart, Charlton Singleton, and Efrain Amaya. Directions to the Elks Lodge, information, and tickets
• The Chamber Classics Series opens this Sunday afternoon at the Bijou Theatre with Resident Conductor James Fellenbaum leading the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra in a Tchaikovsky-“themed” concert.
Jessie Montgomery: Strum
Josef Suk: Serenade, op. 6, E-flat major
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky /Arr. Christopher Theofanidis: Chamber Symphony No. 1 (after String Quartet No. 1, “The Accordion”)
KSO Chamber Classics Series
Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street
Sunday, October 3, 2:30 PM
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Emporium Center – October Exhibitions
It’s First Friday this week and that means new exhibitions at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street. The opening reception with the artists is Friday, October 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM.
Exhibitions continue through October 31 with regular gallery hours of Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (closed Saturday, October 30 and open Sunday, October 31, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
Information: www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.
• The Fountain City Art Guild
This group show by the Fountain City Art Guild features the work of 30 local artists working in oils, watercolors, woodworking, and other media.
• Alex Smith: Rerouted
This exhibition of paintings by the native Knoxvillian Alex Smith includes works of New York’s grit alongside East Tennessee’s verdant landscape, ranging from hyper-realism to abstracts.
• Douglas Molinas Lawrence: 50 bud vases in 50 days
The artist challenged himself to make 50 bud vases in 50 days, each beginning as a 6” x 6” x 2” block of ash.
• Mike Lana: Beyond the Walls
• Foothills Craft Guild: Fine Crafts
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Dogwood Arts – Old City Photography Exhibition
“Old is New: Photographs of Knoxville’s Historic Old City”
Photographers Beau Branton, Yousef Sindi, Jared Worsham, and Lindsey Worthington
The Dogwood Arts Gallery, 123 W Jackson Avenue in the Old City.
Masks are required, regardless of vaccination status.
• Opening Reception: October 1, 2021, 5-8PM
• Show continues through October 29 at the regular gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00AM – 5:00PM
https://www.dogwoodarts.com/dogwoodgallery
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Flying Anvil Theatre – Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys
Starring David Dwyer and Stephen Dupree
Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinee at 2:00PM through October 10
Read the Arts Knoxville review
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UT Downtown Gallery – Works by James O. Clark
James O. Clark is a New York-based sculptor who works with light and illumination.
Opening reception, Friday, October 1: 5:00 – 8:00PM
Exhibition runs October 1 – 30, 2021
UT Downtown Gallery, 106. S. Gay Street
Wednesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 3pm
