November’s cultural calendar begins with a burst of local creativity across East Tennessee. Downtown Knoxville’s First Friday event launches on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Emporium (100 S. Gay St.), where four new art exhibitions open and live music by Kylie King fills the evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The shows will remain on view through Nov. 25, giving residents ample time to explore the latest work from regional artists.
New Exhibitions Highlight Appalachian Identity
Also on Nov. 6, the RED Gallery (132 W. Jackson Ave.) presents Inner Landscape, curated by Josh Collins and Cherry East. The show features pieces by Iriamu, Katie Murphy, LaKesha Lee and Rachel Sevier Dallery, exploring Appalachian identity through visual art, sound and movement.
Maryville College Invitational Choir Festival
Saturday, Nov. 7, the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville welcomes six visiting choirs for an afternoon of collaborative music. Participating groups include Pellissippi State, Heritage High School, Jefferson County High School, Maryville High School, McMinn County High School and Roane State Community College. The festival concludes with a combined rendition of “Down in the River to Pray,” arranged so the voices surround the audience. Tickets cost $12.50, and Maryville College students, faculty and staff receive free admission with a printed ticket.
Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble Brings Air Force Music to the Region
Sunday, Nov. 8, the United States Air Force Band of Mid‑America’s Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble performs at the Clayton Center for the Arts. The professional musicians showcase a variety of jazz styles while representing the musical traditions of the U.S. Air Force.
Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent
Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Bijou Theatre hosts the sixth annual Knoxville finals of the Morning Pointe Foundation’s Seniors Got Talent showcase. Contestants include a former Atlanta Hawks halftime performer revisiting a 36‑year‑old dance routine, musicians who have entertained hikers at LeConte Lodge for more than two decades, and an 84‑year‑old Knoxville singer who once represented Texas in the Mrs. Senior America pageant. Their stories illustrate that creativity and determination know no age limit.
Classical and Film Offerings
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents a two‑night program of orchestral works, including Maurice Ravel’s celebrated Boléro, at the Tennessee Theatre on Nov. 12‑13. Film Fest Knox runs Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 12‑15, bringing independent cinema and filmmaker Q&A sessions to local audiences.
University of Tennessee Appalachian Strings and Local Theatre
Friday, Nov. 13, nearly 40 UT students perform bluegrass and old‑time music at the Laurel Theater as part of the Appalachian Strings series. Advance tickets are $15 ($14 for Jubilee Community Arts members and students); door sales are $20.
Also through Nov. 8, Knoxville Children’s Theatre stages Julius Caesar, offering young performers a chance to explore Shakespeare’s classic drama. The Clarence Brown Theatre presents the play Clyde’s through Nov. 15, following workers at a truck‑stop sandwich shop as they discover friendship and fresh possibilities.
Local Music Spotlight
Saturday, Nov. 28, acoustic musicians Brittany Haas and Hannah Delynn Johnson perform at the Laurel Theater. Advance tickets are $15 ($14 for members and students); door admission is $20.
These events underscore the vibrant arts scene that enriches daily life in East Tennessee, offering families, seniors and students alike a chance to engage with music, visual art and theater close to home.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
