Culture
10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at the Downtown Library
In our household, which includes a kindergartener, we burn through at least 14 library books a week (because my squirrelbrain can’t stand reading any bedtime book more than once). Let’s lowball it and say each book...
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Celebrates 25 Years of Playing World-Class Jazz
On April 15, 2025, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra will celebrate a quarter century with its Silver Anniversary Concert. Vance Thompson, the orchestra’s Executive Director, recently reflected on the organization’s 25-year journey. Thompson, a native of East...
Introduction Knoxville Is a Crash Course in Civic Engagement
Every great city needs people who know what’s going on, who care about their neighbors, and who are willing to step up when it counts. Knoxville is growing fast, and as much as we all love...
Between the Lines of Jered Sprecher’s ‘Under the Branches’
Jim Maples wants to know what I’m doing, standing in his Chapman Highway liquor store parking lot, staring at a brick wall. Jim, owner of Southland Wine & Spirits, puts two and two together when I...
Business
Low Meadow Farms Offers Backcountry Experience in Downtown’s Backyard
Happy First Day of Spring! The daffodils are blooming, the air is perfectly lukewarm, and we’re collectively emerging from our winter dens. You rub your eyes and there it is again, like clockwork – nature! –...
Empowering Voices: The Journey of Let Her Speak
March is Women’s History Month! I wanted to feature a woman and a Knoxville program that upholds all that women are, can do and will do for our community and the world! Let Her Speak is...
Small Comforts Kitchen Will Soon Open Its New Storefront
Jordan Smith began her journey of providing desirable gluten-free goods from her personal experience of being diagnosed with Celiac Disease 10 years ago. Having always loved baking, she saw a need in her own life and...
Beat the Winter Blues with one of these local Getaways: Windy Hill Farms and Dancing Bear Lodge
It is cold and rainy as I write today. January seemed to never end and had me dreaming of ways to escape reality and rest after a busy holiday season. I couldn’t think of a better...
Development
The Sanitary Laundry Building Comes Back to Life
A life-force permeates old buildings. From the materials made by forgotten hands to the lives and labor that existed within its walls, the air swirls with stories. All the old buildings and, with them, their stories,...
Knoxville Children’s Theatre Purchases The Foundry; Moving to Downtown
As one curtain closes on The Foundry at World’s Fair Park, another rises. In September, we reported on the closing of The Foundry after 32 years. For its next act, the Foundry will become the home...
Gay Street Bridge Status Clarified; An Interview with Councilmember Smith
In a hastily called press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Kincannon gave the anticipated Gay Street Bridge update that no one wanted to hear: The Gay Street Bridge will never again be open to vehicular traffic. While...
Sports News: Baseball, Soccer, Fishing, Rock Climbing and . . . Fire Dancing?
(Ed. Note: Yes, I know there is bridge news. The facts have largely been reported, but I hope to bring you a little something extra on that tomorrow.) We are a sporty town. Of course there’s...
Events
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Brightens Downtown Streets
Knoxville’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade took to the streets on Saturday and the city turned green in every direction. Several groups turned out decent floats while some of the members of the crowd made for the...
Downtown Knoxville Ten Day Planner (3/16 – 3/25/2025)
If you want your event included, please make a Facebook event, invite me via the “invite” button on the event page (Alan Sims – you’ll have to friend me), and it will be included. I need...
Downtown Knoxville Ten Day Planner
If you want your event included, please make a Facebook event, invite me via the “invite” button on the event page (Alan Sims – you’ll have to friend me), and it will be included. I need...
Mardi Growl 2025
In a howling, growling, group-sniffing beginning to festival season, Mardi Growl paraded from Regas Square down Gay Street to Jackson Ave. and through to the World’s Fair Park. Colors streaming, beads sparkling, and owners proudly presenting...
Life
Low Meadow Farms Offers Backcountry Experience in Downtown’s Backyard
Happy First Day of Spring! The daffodils are blooming, the air is perfectly lukewarm, and we’re collectively emerging from our winter dens. You rub your eyes and there it is again, like clockwork – nature! –...
A Conversation with Barbara Swineford, UTK’s Carribelle Carousel the Clown and Much More
If you were a child visiting UTK’s Carousel Children’s Theatre in the late 1960s and early 1970s, you may remember a clown balancing a dragonfly on your nose or leading you in a song. When I...
10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at the Downtown Library
In our household, which includes a kindergartener, we burn through at least 14 library books a week (because my squirrelbrain can’t stand reading any bedtime book more than once). Let’s lowball it and say each book...
Baseball: Promotions, Parking, and Ticket Info
It’s almost professional baseball time in Tennessee. The Knoxville Smokies will see the first ball of the season and the first ever in their new stadium tossed in just under five short weeks. Rampant baseball fever...