Concert to raise awareness for Child & Family Tennessee’s youth programs

Last year more than 160 youth found sanctuary or a “safe place” at Child & Family Tennessee’ s Runaway Shelter, making Sanctuary in Sound a fitting name for a concert  and awareness event for the shelter and the Safe Place program.

The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on March 21 at Relix Variety Theatre and will feature a variety of musical styles from reggae and funk to folk and indie rock.  Featured musicians include Kukuly and the Gypsy Fuego (jazz), Nick Lutsko & The Samuel L. Jackson 5 (funk and folk) and Yung Life (indie rock). Throughout the evening, guests will be treated to the musical stylings of DJ Wigs, who is known for spinning hip-hop, funk and reggae, as well as spoken word and poetry by Child & Family Tennessee’s Youth LINC transitional living program youth.

“These musicians are performing free of charge in order to help us with our mission for the evening – to inform youth about our Runaway Shelter and Safe Place programs,” said Desiree Miller.

The event coincides with National Safe Place Week (March 17-23), which Miller hopes will help bring the program’s services to light.

“Area businesses display the yellow and black Safe Place signs, showing that they are willing to help troubled youth during crisis,” Miller said. “If the youth needs further assistance, the business calls our Runaway Shelter to arrange counseling and other services as needed. We want to inform youth that Safe Place and the Runaway Shelter are here to help them.”

Sanctuary in Sound tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Safe Place Coordinator Jarius Bush at 865-524-7483, ext. 500.

About Child & Family Tennessee Nurturing East Tennesseans since 1929, Child & Family Tennessee, a private nonprofit, reaches more than 28,000 women, children and families annually. CFT helps families and individuals rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency through its five core areas of service – Encourage Wellness and Recovery; End the Cycle of Abuse; Promote Successful Adulthood; Provide Education and Prevention; and Shape Healthy Young Lives.  For more information on Child & Family Tennessee, call 865-524-7483 or visit www.child-family.org.

Knoxville's premiere non-commercial country and bluegrass station goes the extra mile to welcome the region's best and brightest bluegrass stars to kick off their shoes, have fun, and try something new...

WDVX hosted their quarterly live music event World Class Bluegrass Jan. 26 at the Bijou Theatre on Gay Street, welcoming The Dismembered Tennesseans, Brand New Strings and Balsam Range for an unforgettable evening of music and collaboration.

It just so happened that the now Grammy winning country act Zac Brown Band was to play Thompson-Boling Arena the following afternoon, creating a rare opportunity for ZBB's bass player, John Driskell Hopkins, to perform music from his solo release Daylight which he recorded with Balsam Range and released just days before on Jan. 22. WDVX was happy to oblige, arranging an unusual Sunday Blue Plate Special (WDVX's live music broadcast that usually airs only Monday through Saturday each week from noon to 1 p.m.).

Balsam Range violinist Buddy Melton explained, "WDVX is a big supporter of our genre of music, bluegrass. And when we first started, they were gracious enough to play our music a lot." Melton continued, "We got to know some of the DJs through playing the bluegrass-type shows. Like Freddy, who MCs a lot, and Mike Kelly is a good friend of ours. So, we developed a relationship both on and off the music scene, and it’s kind of built into a really good thing for us and WDVX too, we hope."

There was a moment during Waynestock 3 when the tragedy that spawned this whole beautiful thing came rushing back.

Kevin Abernathy was on stage, singing his heartbreakingly gorgeous song, “Love Alone.” It’s a track that first appeared on his sophomore album, “Beautiful Thing,” and one he re-recorded for his most recent solo effort, “Some Stories.”

It’s also the song he played on stage at The Bijou Theatre during Andrew Bledsoe’s memorial service.

Working the front door with Andrew’s dad, Wayne — the guy for whom Waynestock is named — I caught a glimpse of it in the man’s eyes, which brimmed with tears. It wasn’t the only time he got emotional over the weekend — his remarks to the assembled crowd before the all-star jam that brought Waynestock to a close included a few as well — but it was a reminder of how Waynestock started.

“There would be laughter, bouncing off the walls … smiles in photographs up and down the halls … if you could live on love alone …”

The tears, however, were few and far between.

The best of local humor returns in Forbidden Knoxville Goes Psycho - a musical satire of all things Knoxvegas. Flying Anvil Theatre presents this no-holds-barred cabaret skewering the foibles and follies of naughty local newsmakers and politicians using songs from Carly Rae Jepsen to Elvis to Broadway.  Stacey Campfield? Check. UT Frat boys' unusual drinking habits? Check.TVA, local news casts, wine in grocery stores? They're all covered.  This production marks the third time Flying Anvil Creative Director Jayne Morgan has written and directed this satirical review. The Forbidden Knoxville shows originated at Theatre Knoxville Downtown but this revised, revived and reloaded version is moving to Big Fatty's Catering Kitchen in Bearden.  "We wanted a different venue this time and Big Fatty's atmosphere is perfect." Morgan says. "We think people will enjoy being able to grab a bite and a drink while watching the show. With a 10 PM start time, it's definitely for mature audiences with a twisted sense of humor."  Big Fatty's boasts a clientele that includes many area movers and shakers. So will they see themselves lampooned on stage?

According to Morgan, "They'll just have to buy a ticket to find out."  The show is produced by Flying Anvil Theatre's Executive Director Staci Swedeen and musical directed by Christopher Hamblin. Rounding out the cast are Dana Wham, Krisha Newport, Jim Richardson and Bill Howard.  Forbidden Knoxville Goes Psycho runs Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, Friday April 19 and  Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27. All shows are at 10 PM. Tickets are $15 at the door.  Big Fatty's is located at 5005 Kingston Pike. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by calling (865) 219-8317.  Flying Anvil Theatre's mission is to present provocative theatre of the highest professional quality by staging plays that entertain, inspire, and engage the audience. For more info: www.flyinganviltheatre.com