Ho-hum, there’s not much going on this weekend. Nothing ever happens in
Knoxville, of course – no Bonnie Raitt concerts, no local music showcases,
no good jazz, and Bob Dylan never, ever plays here. Oh, wait – my mistake.
All these things are happening this weekend.
The Big Show:
Tonight at 8 p.m. the Thompson-Boling Arena hosts Bonnie
Raitt, one of the finest singer/songwriters in the music business. From
“Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” to her duet with John Prine on
his song “Angel from Montgomery,” Raitt proves hers musicianship and class.
Also appearing is Bruce Hornsby.
The Bigger Show:
The Bob Dylan concert is long since sold out. Dylan’s
performances have gotten mixed reviews in recent years, but true fans die
hard. Pat Hamilton, a UT graduate teaching associate in the English
department, is one of the lucky folks who did secure a ticket for the show.
He has high expectations for the show.
“Dylan started off on top of his own mountain and he just keeps getting
better,” says Hamilton. “He has always maintained a perverse relationship
with his audience.”
The concert is Saturday, Nov. 5, at the beautiful and historic Tennessee
Theatre
Local Music Showcase:
The Music Association of Knoxville presents a special concert
Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Mercury Theatre. Beginning at 8 p.m., the
showcase will feature 30 Amp Fuse, The Cheeksters, Evan’s
Dilemma, Revolution Block, Superdrag and The
Viceroys. Admission for all 6 bands is only $5.
More Stuff Tonight:
The Knoxville Museum of Art’s Alive After Five series continues tonight
with Eavon Easley. The concert begins at 5:30.
The City Ballet presents its production of the ballet Peter
Pan tonight, Saturday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Civic
Auditorium. At each performance, the ballet company is requesting
patrons to bring jars of Peter Pan peanut butter, wich will be donated to
the Share Food Bank. Shows are at 8 p.m. tonight, and 2 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday.
New York jazz greats Medeski, Martin and Wood are playing at
Flamingo’s on Cumberland Avenue tonight at 10 p.m. These fellows
used to play with John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards, and their self-titled debut
has received rave reviews everywhere. Also appearing will be Windham Hill
jazz artists Lost Tribe, featuring David Gilmour on guitar.
Admission is $7.
Tonight is long-band-name night at the Mercury Theatre, featuring
The Clinically Tested Wicked, Wicked Cow People, Love Bucket and
Slap Happy Superfly and Every Little Flower. You all know the
Cow People, and if you haven’t seen Lovebucket and the boys, you’re missing
a sight. Their pre-Halloween show last week packed Lucy’s Records in
Nashville, and their costumes were spectacular. The lead singer plays the
flashiest flute since Ian Anderson. Check them out at 10 p.m.
Mother Jones performs at Manhattan’s at 10 p.m. Admission is
$4.
Teen idols Fat Bastard perform tonight at 10 p.m. at the
Library on Cumberland Avenue, along with Black Velvet Dogs.
Admission is $5.
Saturday and Beyond:
Knoxville favorites the Rude Street Peters will perform Saturday
night at 10 p.m. at Gryphon’s, 2300 Highland Avenue. Opening the show will
be South Carolina’s Cletus. The show is free.
Big Ass Truck and Restess Festuss perform Saturday, Nov. 5, at
Flamingo’s on Cumberland Avenue. The show starts at 10 p.m. and
admission is $5.
Performing Wednesday, Nov. 9, also at Flamingo’s, will be The Ridge Farm
Band with special guest Satchel Foot. The show starts at 10 p.m.
Admission is $5.
Folk at the Laurel:
Jubilee Community Arts presents another fine show this weekend at
the Laurel Theatre. John McCrutcheon will perform his
special brand of folk Saturday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 6. McCrutcheon is
a highly regarded master on the hammer dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, guitar,
auto harp and piano. He plays a blend of traditional and Appalachian folk
styles with his own original compositions. Shows are at 8 p.m. nightly.
Admission Saturday is $5 for children 6-12, $11 for JCA members, $12 for
general audiences in advance and $14 on the day of the show. Sunday prices
are $1 less in each category.
Art:
The Ewing Gallery of Art is showing an exhibit of art made by UT
alumni. The Gallery is open free to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays
from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Theatre:
Little Shop of Horrors is currently showing at the Ula Love
Dougherty Carousel Theatre. This campy horror send-up runs until Nov. 19.
Shows are at 8 p.m. nightly.
The West Side Dinner Theatre, 12801 Kingston Pike, is accepting
reservations for its Christmas season play The Trouble With
Christmas. This is another fun comedy by award-winning Knoxville
playwrite/stand-up comedian Mark Hatmaker. The comedy, Hatmaker’s sixth to
be produced at the theatre, begins Nov. 17 and runs through Dec. 23. The
cast includes UT students Todd Moss, Stephanie Stone and Jeff Vincent.
Reservations may be made by calling 966-8768.
Improvisational troupe Einstein Simplified perform every Tuesday at
Manhattan’s in the Old City.
Live Poetry:
Leroy’s Open Mic Poetry Night happens every Tuesday night at Gryphon’s
Coin Laundry and Lounge, 2003 Highland Avenue. For more information, or to
sign up, call 522-6856.
Manhattan’s Open Mic Writer’s Night also happens on Tuesdays, after
the improv of Einstein Simplified.
