Alan Sherrod
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Drawing from a career background in music, motion pictures, and theatre, Alan Sherrod has been writing about Knoxville's diverse art and music scene since 2007 — first as the classical/new music writer for the alternative weekly Metro Pulse, then later in the same capacity for the Knoxville Mercury. After the closure of Metro Pulse in 2014 by its parent company, Sherrod created ARTS KNOXVILLE to provide a home for Knoxville arts journalism. In August, 2017, he expanded ARTS KNOXVILLE into the site it is today — a site dedicated to continuing the arts journalism legacy of those alternative weeklies. In addition to covering Knoxville's arts scene, he has also contributed music content to the Nashville Scene and other arts and entertainment publications around the U.S, including the website, Classical Journal. Mr. Sherrod was a recipient of a 2010 Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts — the Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera — under the auspices of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. In 2019, Sherrod was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame.

Review: Poetry in Pugilism – ‘The Royale’ at CBT’s Jenny Boyd Theatre

BY ALAN SHERROD   Is there poetry in pugilism? Admittedly, boxing isn’t necessarily the first vehicle that comes to mind when one thinks of a poetic and lyrical battle against systemic racism. Yet, that battle that moves far beyond fists,…

Next for CBT at the Jenny Boyd Theatre – ‘The Royale’ by Marco Ramirez

Next up at CBT’s Jenny Boyd Theatre—The Royale is Marco Ramirez’ fictionalized story inspired by the legendary real-life black prizefighter and first African-American heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson. If this sounds vaguely familiar, elements of Johnson’s life were previously explored…

Amadeus Concert Ensemble Presents Passover Musical Feast Concert

The Amadeus Concert Ensemble, known for its thematic exploration concerts of classical music in the Cathedral Concert Series, will present a free Passover Musical Feast concert on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the Arnstein Jewish Community Center,…

Review: KSO Visits Amy Beach’s ‘Gaelic’, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances, and a ‘Cocktail Concerto’

BY ALAN SHERROD   Asked to describe American orchestral music over the last 130 years in a few words, we may find ourselves struggling for a quick answer. Admittedly, that’s probably because our own music history doesn’t necessarily feel like…

Review: Pianist Kagawa and Guest Conductor Gallo Highlight KSO Chamber Series Concert

BY ALAN SHERROD   Once again on Sunday afternoon, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra demonstrated why its Chamber Series at the Bijou Theatre is so effective and entertaining. First—as we never tire of saying—is the Bijou Theatre itself. The combination of…

KSO Chamber Series This Sunday — Beethoven, Ravel, Schoenberg, Zwilich

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra resumes its Chamber Series this Sunday afternoon, March 1, with a program enticingly titled “A Cast of Characters: Peanuts, Mother Goose and More.”  The concert will open with Beethoven’s Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus and…

Review: Knoxville Opera Polishes Up a Comic Gem in Rossini’s ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’

BY ALAN SHERROD   Without a doubt, Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) was the perfect choice for Knoxville Opera’s winter production. With a clever directorial hand and impressive casting, this weekend’s performance at the Tennessee Theatre…

Review: ‘Cabaret’ and Its Tale of Caution Opens CBT’s New Jenny Boyd Theatre

BY ALAN SHERROD   Opening night in most any theatre is a special occasion, one that bristles with the nervous excitement of performers—and audiences—high on anticipation. However, when that opening night is also the opening of a new theatrical venue,…

Review: KSO Offers a Valentine of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev

BY ALAN SHERROD   Admittedly, Valentine’s Day is one of our stranger holidays. Having been commercialized into a merchandizing platform for chocolate, roses, jewelry, and anything pink, the day also impacts the programming of events in February. Classical music falls…

UT Symphony Orchestra This Week: John Williams, Florence Price, and ‘The Pines of Rome’

The University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra offers a Valentine’s Evening concert featuring music by John Williams, Florence Price, Ennio Morricone, and Ottorino Respighi. James Fellenbaum conducts. •   University of Tennessee, Cox Auditorium in the Alumni Memorial Building •   Saturday evening,…

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