Latest news with #KnoxvilleMuseumofArt
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Magical' Artists highlight Knoxville's beauty by painting scenes across the city
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Artists from across the nation are in Knoxville to show off their skills with a paintbrush for the 2025 Artists on Location event. Through April 25, painters will paint 'en plein air' with their subject right in front of them. Artists started the week at the Old Gray Cemetery on Monday. Tuesday's location was the historic Bleak House and gardens in West Knoxville. Who's performing at the Dogwood Arts Festival 'I absolutely love this program because on Monday, there are about 30 artists and we all arrive with our blank canvases and we spread out across the city and even as far as into the mountains. And we paint scenes all in and around Knoxville. And then we show on Saturday night whatever we've painted,' said Rachael McCampbell. 'It's just so magical, because Monday there's nothing; Saturday, there's a show, and it's all celebrating all things Knoxville.' McCampbell has participated in this event for three years. She grew up in South Knoxville and said doing this event has helped her rediscover her home. Six Sevier County restaurants named among top family friendly restaurants in U.S. 'When you grow up in a place, there are so many places you don't see or think to go to. And with this event, I have learned about Knoxville again and learned all these fantastic locations. And then, of course, seeing how all the other artists interpret these locations is really amazing,' said McCampbell. Artists will be at Market Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, at Ijams Nature Center from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday and at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. This year's featured artist is Bill Farnsworth. Other participating artists include: Olga Bankston Jean Cauthen Kimberly Daniel John Eiseman Alex Eisenzopf Lisa Engle Sara Beth Fair Kathleen Gray Farthing Robert Felker Tiffany Foss Kim Hall Brigitte Hubbard Kirk Larsen Chris Leeper Rachael McCampbell Victoria Pearmain Brenda Pinnick Craig Reynolds Robin Roberts Rebecca Robinson Amanda Scott Richard Sneary Jeff Steiner Patricia Sweet Jennifer Taylor Lyudmila Tomova Clark Richie Vios Cory Wright Jing Zhao The Golden Roast to close all locations Thursday All the paintings will be sold at the Knoxville Museum of Art at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. The proceeds will support the Knoxville Museum of Art. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
List: Road closures for the 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is here and roads around the city will be impacted by temporary closures as thousands of runners hit the pavement. The Clinch Avenue Viaduct is the start for all races and will be closed to traffic starting at 1 p.m. Saturday until 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Parking will be prohibited on Clinch Avenue between 11th and 16th streets, and vehicles parked on the street will be towed Saturday evening. Running helps Morristown man shed 150 pounds as he aims to finish second marathon Major road closures for the marathon will begin at 7:20 a.m. on Sunday through 2:30 p.m. The marathon will wind throughout the downtown Knoxville area and the surrounding area. The neighborhoods of Fort Sanders, Sequoyah Hills, Fourth & Gill, Parkridge, Island Home and Old Sevier will all be impacted by closures. Drivers who need to reach Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and East Tennessee Children's Hospital on Sunday morning should take Alcoa Highway to the Cumberland Avenue/Kingston Pike exit and enter the Fort Sanders area via 20th Street. Directional signage will help guide the way along this route. Saturday's Covenant Kids Run will also necessitate closures. 11th Street and World's Fair Park Drive in front of the Knoxville Museum of Art will be closed beginning at 5:30 p.m. Clinch and White avenues between 11th and 13th streets will also be closed periodically, as well as a small portion of 13th Street between Clinch and White avenues. How to watch the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon The 5K race will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday with closures throughout the Fort Sanders neighborhood until around 8:30 p.m. World's Fair Park Drive: Closed from start of race until half-marathon passes from 11th Street, then closure is moved to south of parking lot beside the Knoxville Museum of Art; closed on north end by Fort Kid. Clinch Avenue Viaduct from Henley to 11th streets: Closed throughout marathon weekend events. Clinch Avenue: Closed at the start of marathon, 5K and Covenant Kids Run from 11th to 16th streets and at end of marathon between Union Avenue to World's Park Drive. White Avenue: Closed for 5K from James Agee to 22nd streets. Lake Loudoun Boulevard: Southbound lanes from Todd Helton Drive to Neyland Drive closed for marathon. Neyland Drive: Eastbound and westbound lanes closed for marathon from Walnut Street to Kingston Pike until turnaround is complete. Kingston Pike: Eastbound lanes closed between Neyland Drive and Cherokee Boulevard; traffic will be two-way in westbound lanes. Cherokee Boulevard: Southbound lanes closed. Blows Ferry Road: Westbound lanes closed. Alta Vista Way: Northbound lane closed. Noelton Drive: Right lane closed from Alta Vista Way to Kingston Pike. Kingston Pike: Right lane closed westbound from Noelton Drive to Forest Park Boulevard. Forest Park Boulevard: Northbound right lane closed from Kingston Pike to Newcom Avenue. Newcom Avenue: Closed from Forest Park Boulevard to Lebanon Street. Lebanon Street: Closed from Newcom Avenue to Third Creek Greenway. Tyson Park: Closed at Kingston Pike entrance and road closed sign inside Tyson Park at Highway 129 overpass. Cumberland Avenue: Right westbound curb lane closed from Tyson Park to 22nd street. 22nd Street: Closed for 5K from White to Clinch avenues. Closed for marathon from Forest to Cumberland avenues. 23rd Street: Closed for 5K from Clinch to Grand avenues. Forest Avenue: Closed for 5K from 13th to 21st streets. Closed for marathon from 17th to 22nd streets; continued closure from 17th Street east to 13th Street. Highland Avenue: Eastbound lanes closed from 11th to 13th streets. 11th Street: Closed from Highland to Western avenues. Grand Avenue: Closed for 5K from 19th to 23rd streets. Closed for marathon between both intersections with World's Fair Park Drive. 21st Street: Closed for 5K from Grand to Forest avenues. Gay Street: Northbound right lane closed from Jackson Avenue to Summit Hill Drive. Magnolia Avenue: Closed between Gay and North Central streets. Central Street: Closed between Magnolia Avenue and Broadway. 3rd Avenue: Closed between North Central and Eleanor streets. Deery Street: Closed between 4th and Lovenia avenues. Lovenia Ave: Closed between Deery and Luttrell streets. Luttrell Street: Closed between Lovenia and Wells avenues. Wells Avenue: Closed between Luttrell and Eleanor streets. Eleanor Street: Closed between Wells and 3rd avenues. Fourth Avenue: Closed between Deery to Central streets. 5th Avenue: Closed between Hall of Fame Drive and Winona Street. Hall of Fame Drive: Closed between the two intersections with 5th Avenue. Winona Street: Northbound lane closed between 5th and Washington avenues. Washington Avenue: Closed between Winona and North Bertrand streets. North Bertrand Street: Closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to McCalla Avenue. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue: Westbound lanes closed from North Bertrand Street to Summit Hill Drive. Summit Hill Drive: Westbound lanes closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to Patton Street. Cumberland Avenue: Closed between Central and State streets. State Street: Closed between Cumberland and Hill avenues. Hill Avenue: Closed between State Street and the James White Connector. James White Parkway: Closed between State Street Connector to Sevier Avenue ramp. Sevier Avenue: Right lane closed from James White Parkway to Island Home Avenue; cones 6-8 feet from westbound curb for runner lane from Island Home Avenue to Council Place. Island Home Avenue: Closed from Sevier Avenue to Maplewood Drive; westbound traffic to use Hillwood Drive. Council Place: Closed between Sevier Avenue to Gay Street. Wall Avenue: Closed between Gay Street and Market Square. Union Avenue: Closed between Market Square and Locust Street. Locust Street: Closed between Union and Clinch avenues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Immersed in Knoxville, the world finds common ground through the sounds of Big Ears 2025
Durations, signatures, tempos and rhythms. So much about music has to do with time. But just as musicians booked March 27-30 across Big Ears Festival 2025 have set themselves apart by innovating outside the agreed-upon standards, the concept of time danced between familiar and what felt like figments on the final day of the festival in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the middle of the day, a dark theater renovated for vaudeville in the early 1900s hosted an electronic Icelandic group that innovated in the early 2000s, a buffer between two equally unique musical exhibitions. As East Tennessee mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis was performing across town at a former train depot where people his age go to prom, influential singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright was using his platform at the "Scruffy City's" Civic Auditorium to speak to an international audience about the tensions between the Canadian-American's home countries. Whether you were there and part of the moments that made this year special or you're just curious what this critically acclaimed, yet under-the-radar festival is all about, we have you covered with our favorite moments from Knoxville. KEEP SCROLLING THROUGH PHOTOS BELOW AND READ THEIR CAPTIONS FOR THE FULL STORY Walking into a Big Ears venue can feel like walking into another world. And if you had to pick a theme for this year's festival, "immersive" would do the trick. Several performances across the weekend pulled audiences out of reality, taking them on a visual journey and deeply drawing them further into the music through coordinated lighting, traditional attire and, in some cases, an overwhelming amount of sound. Hitting the theme right on the head, the aptly named duo Immersion took the Regas Square crowd on a journey through the desert to the tropics and from the clouds to the deep sea. While virtuosic jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding appeared to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium as nothing but a silhouette formed by blue backlighting, light was projected onto the walls of Church Street United Methodist and reflected off the stained glass windows as ambient artist Steve Roach paired up with the Brooklyn-born "Age of Reflections" project to paint the already stunning sanctuary with an array of colorful designs synced to the sounds of the influential composer. It wasn't anything in the sushi tacos or meatballs that were set out. The "secret sauce" of Big Ears is the city that hosts it, said festival founder and Knoxville native Ashley Capps, who's made it a tradition to invite those who make the festival possible to the Knoxville Museum of Art to kick off the festival weekend each spring. Fans of the music the festival puts on − including the artists themselves − are just as much fans of the four-day event, as the renowned Knoxville concert promoter has built a reputation among artists, industry professionals, music enthusiasts and aficionados for fostering collaborations that wouldn't happen elsewhere. Pianist Lara Downes, pictured alongside Capps, was the musical guest of the event and was selected, in part, because of her pre-festival arrival in Knoxville to meet with a variety of local groups to learn what the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence mean to them ahead of the country's 250th anniversary. Downes' culminating performance of "The Declaration Project" will take place July 2026 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. "What the hell? A 1 p.m. show? Who's even going to show up," EMEL reflected upon while speaking to the jam-packed crowd at Jackson Terminal just past noon. The Tunisian-American singer-songwriter's signature voice, paired with heavy beats, rocked all four walls and made fans move all four limbs during an awe-inspiring sonic and visual exhibition. Not only do Big Ears fans show up, but they arrive from all over the world. "Like many of you here, I'm from Brooklyn," said "Age of Reflections" co-founder Bob Maynard to a Knoxville crowd more than 700 miles away from New York. Knox News had a chance to hang out with Mike Yaeger, one of Big Ears' biggest fans, who told us he's come to know 120 people by name at Big Ears after making it a point to travel to Knoxville for the world-renowned festival every chance he gets. We also set up shop at The Emporium all weekend to share fun facts about Knoxville, provide recommendations and share how to find our festival photos. Strolling down Gay Street on Big Ears weekend, you noticed conversations about March Madness replaced by debates over musical arrangements, philosophical dialogue about the effects of music on the mind and the excited name-dropping of anticipated artists who might sound unfamiliar but whose music is masterful and widely acclaimed. When the sun goes down, the party heats up at Big Ears, and things get wonderfully wild and weird. But to think that for a second we believed Les Claypool − pictured right and later self-identified as "Steve" for some reason − as he filled in fans on some news they must have missed. Something about modern technology being used to discover beneath Egyptian pyramids 'the biggest Buc-ee's you've ever heard of.' The father of flamenco-style bass that slaps and taps in its quirky Claypool way was joined at The Mill & Mine on March 28 by a 'Bastard Jazz' band, also pictured, that matched the eccentric energy of its leader, Les. It was all so delightfully strange, funky and fun. The following night, with a crowd salivating for something high energy, hip-hop group clipping cut through the careful listening norms to get Big Ears bouncing at Jackson Terminal until Saturday became Sunday. With a repertoire that's seemingly unending, Daveed Diggs traded his planet-saving role in the TV show "Snowpiercer" and his Tony-winning "Hamilton" personas for the experimental sounds of his hip-hop project, which packed the room wall-to-wall for the sweatiest, steamiest set we saw all weekend, as fans let loose and heated up the venue. With the Scruffy City being Big Ears' "secret sauce," it's only fitting the world and Knoxville find ways to come together through the festival's programming. Pretentious in the Old City hosted a jam session among artists signed to Joyful Noise, as well as the collaborative "Molten Soundscapes." This glass-blowing performance by owner Matthew Cummings, whose shop makes the glasses you drink from at his brewery next door, was accompanied by music from Texas-based percussionist Thor Harris. And with the festival winding down, the Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir took Knoxville to church on Sunday while making some personal history by collaborating with another vocal group for the first time in its 15-year history. After being joined by the Dedicated Men of Zion quartet at the special open-to-the-public event at the Civic Auditorium, choir director Jeanie Turner Melton told Knox News she "felt the energy here." "We just came together in love and in peace and harmony and so, in the spirit of things, I think that the whole concert was excellent," she said. "I would look forward to doing it again next year." While we'll have to wait and see what next year's lineup has in store, Big Ears will be back. And when it returns, so will the world. Knox News reporters Hayden Dunbar and Keenan Thomas contributed to this report. Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor. Phone: 865-317-5138. Email: Instagram: @knoxscruff. Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: | Sign up for the free Eat65 newsletter Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Big Ears Festival brings world together for musical Knoxville weekend
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No pass? No problem! Free shows and events to check out during the 2025 Big Ears Festival
The Big Ears Festival is back for another year of great music, art and conversation in Knoxville. Although single-day passes have sold out, that doesn't mean you have to miss out. You can still experience incredible performances, moving exhibitions and engaging discussions – for free! From Grammy-winning musicians to intimate artist talks, these events offer a taste of Big Ears' eclectic programming without the cost of admission. And there's something for every music fan, whether you're into jazz, classical, bluegrass, electronic or gospel. A full list of free Big Ears events is available at but here's a quick guide to a few of the free performances and exhibitions to check out during this year's festival. ALL IN ONE PLACE! Our Big Ears guide ensures you won't miss a moment as Knoxville braces for festival weekend The Grammy-winning trombonist and composer is known for her innovative approach to jazz, blending traditional elements with modern improvisation. Vandever has toured internationally with her quartet and has performed with popular artists, including Harry Styles, Lizzo, Japanese Breakfast, Jennifer Hudson and Demi Lovato. Her debut album 'We Fell in Turn' was released in 2023. Time: 4 p.m. Venue: Knoxville Museum of Art | 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive Yuka Honda, a founder of the band Cibo Matto, is an accomplished electronic instrumentalist, composer and producer. She is a prominent figure in New York City in avant-garde and indie rock scenes. Honda is known as eucademix for her solo electronic projects. Her music spans genres, which she collectively calls 'sensory music.' And according to her Big Ears bio, she has a 'deep fascination with microorganisms and humorously refers to herself as a 'de-composer.'' Time: 6:30 p.m. Venue: Knoxville Museum of Art | 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive This duo is a leader for the new generations of roots musicians, bringing a fresh sound to bluegrass music through de Groot's band and Hargreaves' fiddle. The duo's award-winning album 'Hurricane Clarice' (2022) 'reflects history, family, literature, live performance and environmental instability in the sounds, feelings, and sensations that permeate their music,' according to the Big Ears website. Time: 1:30 p.m. Venue: Knoxville Museum of Art | 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive Joyful Noise Recordings brings together its Big Ears-attending artists for a special improvised performance. This rare treat for attendees features Wendy Eisenberg, Greg Saunier, Tall Tall Trees, Kramer and Thor Harris. Time: 3 p.m. Venue: Pretentious Beer Company | 131 S. Central St. The Mivos Quartet specializes in performing contemporary classical music to diverse audiences worldwide. The quartet collaborates with established and emerging composers across a broad range of demographics and compositional aesthetics, striving for a deep and meaningful listening experience for audiences. Mivos operates as a nonprofit organization based in New York City, dedicated to performing, commissioning and collaborating on music being written today. Time: 3:45 p.m. Venue: Knoxville Museum of Art | 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive Dedicated Men of Zion joins the Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir for evening of 'pure spiritual elevation.' The quartet's sound is rooted in the traditions of gospel, soul and sacred spirituals. The Big Ears site promises 'a performance filled with deep grooves, impassioned call-and-response and an unwavering devotion to the joyful, redemptive spirit of gospel music.' Free tickets can be reserved at Time: 5 p.m. Venue: Knoxville Civic Auditorium | 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Violins of Hope is an exhibition created by Louis Gauci that collects, restores and showcases violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Each instrument has been restored and preserved, and each has a physical connection to the hatred, persecution, violence and suffering of the Holocaust. These instruments now serve as powerful symbols of hope and survival. The exhibition will 'guide visitors through the history of the Holocaust, while emphasizing the power of music to foster hope, resilience and acceptance,' according to the Big Ears site. Many of the instruments are in Knoxville this spring for the exhibit and performances by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at the Tennessee Theatre April 9. The first Knoxville performance was March 5. Times: Noon-6 p.m. March 26-28 | 1-4 p.m. March 29 Venue: Digital Motif Gallery | 108 S. Gay St. 'Kite Symphony' is an exhibition by musician Roberto Carlos Lange and visual artist Kristi Sword that intersects music, performance and visual art. The project features a series of drawings called Radio Telescope and two films: an experimental visual music piece called 'Star Scores' and a film documenting sculptural interventions from their time in Marfa, Texas. Time: Noon-9 p.m. March 27-29; noon-6 p.m. March 30 Venue: UT Downtown Gallery | 106 S. Gay St. Historian and director of the Knoxville History Project Jack Neely dives into Knoxville's rich and surprising cultural and musical heritage, which includes early blues and country roots to the city's connections with jazz, rock and experimental music. The talk will highlight key moments, legendary artists and overlooked stories that have shaped Knoxville's music identity. Time: 3:30 p.m. Venue: Visit Knoxville Visitors Center | 301 S. Gay St. A panel of acclaimed music critics come together for a lively discussion previewing the 2025 festival. They'll highlight must-see performances and emerging artists to check out and share why they look forward to the Big Ears Festival each year. The panel includes Ann Powers (NPR Music), Nate Chinen (The Gig, JazzTimes), Marcus J. Moore (The New York Times, The Atlantic) and Ashley Kahn ("A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane's Signature Album"). This is the perfect guide to navigating the festival's eclectic musical offerings. Time: 5 p.m. Venue: Visit Knoxville Visitors Center | 301 S. Gay St. Singer-songwriter Dawn Richard and music journalist Marcus Moore dig deep into her artistic evolution and career. Paving her own path, Richard has blurred the lines between R&B, electronic, and experimental sounds. And look to Moore for deep dives into Black music and culture. Time: 12:30 p.m. Venue: Visit Knoxville Visitors Center | 301 S. Gay St. Lance Ledbetter, founder of the Grammy-winning archival label Dust-to-Digital and the preservation-focused Dust-to-Digital Foundation, joins Terika Dean, chair of the Blues Foundation, will discuss the evolving role of archives in the digital age and why these recordings still resonate today. Time: 11 a.m. Venue: Visit Knoxville Visitors Center | 301 S. Gay St. Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Free 2025 Big Ears Festival shows and events in Knoxville
