Tag Archives: Jim Haslam

New Carousel Theatre to be ‘a jewel box’

COVID might have delayed progress on the new Carousel Theatre on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus, but it didn’t stop it! Supporters of the Clarence Brown Theatre gathered last week for a design update on the planned new version of … Continue reading

Filed under: Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma calls East Tennessee ‘paradise’

“I thought I was in paradise, except that I’m not dead yet!” exclaimed superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma during his appearance at World’s Fair Park on Friday night, referring to the beauty and culture he discovered in the Appalachian Mountains and … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville, Music | 12 Comments

East Tennesseans of the Year: Jenny and Randy Boyd

It was a beautiful evening at Cherokee Country Club for the recent induction of Jenny and Randy Boyd as East Tennesseans of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society. The annual event, honoring notable individuals from East Tennessee, has … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 4 Comments

‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’

Although that quote is credited to the late Queen Elizabeth II, last week it rang true here in Knoxville to the many friends of Christy Lee, among whom Alan and I count ourselves. Christy passed away suddenly on July 6 … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Media | 20 Comments

Big Ears 2022: ‘A transcendent musical experience’

The Big Ears Festival has come and gone and, trust me, it was one of the best weekends I’ve ever spent in Knoxville. The international music festival attracted about 5,300 visitors each day of its four-day run, according to festival … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Music | 6 Comments

Blackberry Farm event was marvelous. Mostly.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraising dinner at Blackberry Farm was a sellout this year as folks seemed to crave getting out and about after being fully vaccinated — a requirement to attend the event. (Thank you, Knoxville Symphony!) Even … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 6 Comments

Great party and pithy insights from Lamar Alexander

It looked like a capacity crowd last week at a $500-per-seat dinner honoring former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander as “East Tennessean of the Year” during a fundraiser for the East Tennessee Historical Society. Familiar faces from all phases of Alexander’s … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Politics | 6 Comments

UT Coach Josh Heupel and Athletics Director Danny White charm crowd at welcome event as season kicks off

Well, football season has started with the team producing a win on the field, thank goodness. We witnessed another win, as well. Both Tennessee Head Football Coach Josh Heupel and Director of Athletics Danny White absolutely charmed a crowd of … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Uncategorized, UT sports | 2 Comments

KSO conductor makes Knox debut on cello during magical evening (Plus: a little scoop!)

From the Better Late than Never Department is a wonderful item to which Alan and I purchased tickets at the Knoxville Symphony Ball — in 2019! It was Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Aram Demirjian’s Knoxville debut playing the cello … Continue reading

Filed under: Food, Knoxville, Music | 5 Comments

Dr. Frank Gray: surgeon, music lover, friend

I just can’t believe that Dr. Frank Gray is gone. The retired orthopedic surgeon, music lover and fixture on Knoxville’s social scene has been a regular on the Blue Streak since its inception. That’s because he was passionate about so … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Music | 7 Comments