Live poetry in Knoxville took a heavy blow this week with the permanent

cancellation of Leroy’s Open Mic Night, which just last week debuted

at its new location, Hanna’s Caf. It seems some of the rowdier poets caused

a ruckus after the reading, inspiring the management to say “No more.”

Leroy Smith, a UT student and organizer of the weekly reading, has decided

not to seek a new venue. “Uncle! I give up,” commented Smith on the latest

setback. Smith experienced similar trouble in the early days of the

reading. He says he may try a weekly reading again later, but for now he’s

letting it rest.

Leroy’s Open Mic was notable for being one of the closest weekly

spoken-word events to the UT campus. Regular readers included several UT

professors and students. Smith and regular reader Keith Norris are

prominent members of the Knoxville Poetry Competition Team, having

participated in poetry slams across the Southeast.

Several venues remain in town for the open mic experience. The Torch

Coffee House happens every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Located at the corner

of 17th and Cumberland, the Coffee House welcomes acoustic music as well as

spoken word performers. Admission is $1.

Performer’s Night is held every Monday night at 9 at Ivory’s,

located at 4705 Old Kingston Pike. Sign-up is in advance only by calling

588-6023. Ivory’s also hosts nightly jazz and pop artists.

Manhattan’s hosts Open Mic Writer’s Night in the Old City

every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Sign-up is at 7 p.m.

This Sunday, January 22, at Laurel Theatre, Jubilee Community Arts

hosts a special Open Mic For High School Students will be held at

2:30 p.m. After the reading, a writing and songwriting workshop will

feature R.B. Morris and Peter O’Hanlon. Admission is free.

Hanna’s has replaced Leroy’s Open Mic with a weekly performance by

the jazz group Temple. They are also initiating an Open Mic Blues

Jam every Thursday night at 9 p.m. These events will be hosted by Kevin

Giles.

Along quite different avenues of entertainment, Dorothy Hamill’s Ice

Capades are in Knoxville for the weekend, presenting their icy version

of Hansel and Gretel. Performances began last night and run

through Sunday. Showtimes are 7 tonight, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 22. Tickets are $9.50, $14.50 and $20 for rinkside.

Live Music:

The Mercury Theatre presents an All Ages Punk Matinee

this afternoon at 5 p.m. featuring Spunk, New Day and

Knoxville’s own Torture Kitty. Admission is $5.

Later in the evening, the Mercury will present favorite local headbangers

Hypertribe with Charlie’s On Acid (who should not be confused

with late-eighties Knox-punkers Charlie Brown On Acid). The show is at 10

p.m. and admission is $5.

The Jazz Liberation Quartet will perform a free show at the Smoky

Mountain Brewing Company on Gay Street at 10 p.m.

Jubilee Community Arts presents a special concert tonight at 8 p.m. by

Knoxville favorite R.B. Morris and his band. Morris, a veritable

local legend, returns to Knoxville after a critically acclaimed

songwriter’s tour with Lucinda Williams and opening dates for Bob Dylan. He

is soon to embark on a tour of Ireland. Tickets for the show are $5 for JCA

members, $6 for general audience and $2 for children 6-12.

The Hector Qirko Band will appear at Manhattan’s in the Old

City at 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

Flamingo’s will feature The Great Indoorsmen and

Gizpacho at 10 p.m.

The Goose Creek Symphony will perform at the Library on

Cumberland Avenue tonight. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performs an installment of

their Masterworks Series tonight at the historic Tennessee

Theatre. The 8 p.m. concert features guest conductor Joann Falletta and

pianist Ian Hobson. The program will include the overture to Tailleferre,

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2

in D Major.

Tonight at the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Marcus Shirley

Group are the featured Alive After Five performers. Admission is

$5, or $2.50 for UT students with a valid UT ID card. Admission for KMA

members is free.

The Marcus Shirley Group will also perform at 10 p.m. at Lucille’s

in the Old City. Admission is $2.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, 30-Amp Fuse and Atom Bomb Pocket Knife

will perform at the Mercury Theatre at 10 p.m. Admission is

$5.

Kings of the Killer Fish perform at Flamingo’s Saturday, Jan.

21, at 10 p.m.

The Clintons play Manhattan’s Saturday, Jan. 21 , at 10 p.m.

Crimson Moon will perform a variety of acoustic ’70s cover songs and

their own melodic originals at Sassy Ann’s in the Fourth and Gill

neighborhood. Sassy Ann’s is in the former location of Zarbo’s. Admission

is $2. Crimson Moon will also perform at Manhattan’s on Wed., Jan. 25.

Film:

This weekend’s film at the University Center is Tim

Burton’sEd Wood, about the legendary worst filmmaker ever.

Shows are at 7 and 9:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday.

Theatre:

The West Side Dinner Theatre, 12801 Kingston Pike (in Farragut)

presents the French farce Don’t Dress For Dinner through Feb.

4. Reservations can me made by calling 966-8768.

Annie is playing at the Bijou Theatre through Sunday, Jan.

22. Showtimes are tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Admission is $14 for all seats.

The hit musical Cats is showing through Sunday at the Civic

Auditorium. A quick review: a weak production with a ridiculous

premise. Tickets are $27.50 and $37.50, money which could feed the average

college student for several days, if not a whole week. Take a hint. Shows

are Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor shows at Theatre Central through

Feb. 18. Showtimes are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 on

Thursday and $8 on Friday and Saturday.