Entertainment, The Arts and a Little Spookiness

Black Lillies New Years Eve Show, Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, 2017

Here’s a quick look at just a few of your local entertainment options in the world of arts, which are coming up in the next few days. Consider supporting these creative attempts at keeping the arts alive:

Music:

Cruz Contreras, Black Lillies New Years Eve Show, Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, 2017

Second Bell Monster Mash Drive In Festival

Are you missing live music, but you’re nervous about siting in a venue to listen? Here’s your chance with a truly excellent, one might even say “super” line up. A ticket pays for as many people as you care to put in one vehicle and parking is spaced for the safety of all for this outdoor concert at Baker Creek Bottoms.

The lineup is truly excellent, with host comedian Drew Morgan, the superb Temp Job, and a reunion of King Super and the Excellents. The night is topped off by a solo performance by Cruz Contreras, backed by a great band including none other than Mr. Dave Eggar. A little silent disco will be thrown in for fun. You’ll find ticket info here and you’ll want to get your tickets quickly for this Halloween extravaganza. Spaces are limited due to distancing requirements. A portion of ticket sales will be contributed to Xhunger.

Big Ears Festival Presents:

The latest installment of streaming concerts produced by the Big Ears Festival streams tonight and features guitarist Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog also celebrates the release of new music with a concert from the rooftop of St. Ann’s Warehouse, looking out on the Brooklyn Bridge. Alums of Big Ears certainly know Marc Ribot’s music and a trip to spend a Friday evening in New York doesn’t sound too shabby. You can get your ticket and the streaming link here. Support Big Ears until we it returns live to our lovely city!

Mic Harrison and the High Score, Jackson Terminal, Rhythm n Blooms, Knoxville, April 2016

Live From the Bijou: Starting tonight with a show by Trisha Gene Brady, the Bijou will offer Friday night shows for the next four weeks. Shows have the option of in-person, socially distanced ticketing or streaming from the comfort of your home. In coming weeks, shows from Shakedown Six, Mic Harrison and the High Score (with their new album) and Temp Job will be offered up. You can read more and get your tickets here.

Movies:

Popup Movie Night: Socially distant, outdoor movie nights with some creepy classic at historic homes. That’s a pretty sweet combo and these classics are kid-friendly scary movies. Tonight at Mabry-Hazen, for five dollars a person you can enjoy the 1920 classic “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” and Saturday night, slip just a little out of town to the Ramsey House for an outdoor screening of the 1925 version of the “The Phantom of the Opera.” Bring a lawn chair, the kids and get ready to scream. Proceeds go to support these lovely, historic homes.

Theatrical Productions:

Knoxville Children’s Theatre Presents The Tempest: Believe it or not, one Knoxville theatre group has continued to offer live in-door performances, albeit with much smaller, socially distanced audiences. The theater group offers young people a creative outlet about which many of them feel passionate and they’ve felt they could continue to offer that opportunity in a safe way. It’s a wonderful group to support and the performances are charming. You can find tickets here for the production which begins its run on October 30.

Clarence Brown Theatre presents an Anti-Racisim Film Festival featuring streamed short plays on back-to-back nights, this coming Wednesday (October 28) and Thursday (October 29) nights. Each night following the provocative productions, “#Matter” and “Black Flag,” a discussion will ensure featuring the writers or directors of the plays. The streaming productions are free, but require registration, which you can take care of here.