Upcoming Penny Performances

Last updated May 9, 2012

Penny Performances give every child in Knox County, including home-schooled and private-schooled students, an opportunity to attend arts and culture events/activities at the maximum cost of ONE PENNY when accompanied by an adult during the academic school year. The Penny Performances program meets the local arts community’s long-term goal of serving and educating East Tennessee's children. Click here for Penny Performances happening today!

The following guidelines apply to EVERY Penny Performance event:
+ Open to Knox County residents only.
+ All children ages 5-15 must be accompanied by a paying adult (age 18 and older) in a ratio not to exceed three children per one adult.
+ Proof of Knox County residency (driver's license) will be required for each adult accompanying children ages 5-15.
+ Students ages 16-18 must show proof of Knox County residency.
+ At least one in a group of up to four Knox County students ages 16-18 must purchase a regular adult admission/ticket (if applicable) for the group to be able to participate in Penny Performances.

See individual Penny Performance listings below for exceptions to any of the above rules.

 

Thursday-Friday, May 17-18, 8:00 PM

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G

KSO Music Director Lucas Richman will lead the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performing Thomas’ Mignon Overture, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G with Martina Filjak, Lalo’s Le Roi d'Ys Overture and Debussy’s La Mer. Concerts begin at 8:00 PM, with a pre-concert chat at 7:00 PM.
Advance reservations required? YES
How to obtain admission: Please call the KSO Box Office at 865-291-3310, option 4, to charge by phone, or come to the Box Office at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 302, Knoxville, TN 37902 (Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM). This offer is not available through web sales. Previously purchased tickets may be picked up at will-call at the venue beginning one hour prior to the event. No free tickets will be given to any students, regardless of age, without one paying adult. This offer will not be available for walk up sales at the venue the afternoon or evening of the concert. Cut off for advance reservations is 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 16.
Contact: The KSO Box Office, 865-291-3310, Option 4, e-mail
Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 | www.knoxvillesymphony.com
June 5-9, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Additional dates: July 3-7 (closed July 4)

Blount Mansion Association: Penny Performances Week at Blount Mansion

Free tours are provided for up to three students (per paying adult) during the first full week of every month during the year (except January). Tours are given at the top of each hour. The last tour starts at 4:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Advance reservations required? NO
Contact: Patricia Brake Rutenberg, 865-525-2375, e-mail
200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37901 | www.blountmansion.org
ONGOING: Wednesday-Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM - noon

Crescent Bend House and Gardens: Free Museum Admission

Historic Crescent Bend House & Gardens is one of the Southeast’s finest house museums and gardens. Built in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, Crescent Bend was once a 600 acre working farm and so named for its prominent setting overlooking a majestic crescent bend in the Tennessee River just west of downtown Knoxville. The Armstrong-Lockett House Museum at Crescent Bend contains an extensive fine antique art and furniture collection from notable artisans. Also on display is an outstanding American and English Silver collection dating back to the 16th century. The William P. Toms Memorial Garden at Crescent Bend is a three-acre formal Italian terraced pleasure garden that overlooks the Tennessee River. Visitors can stroll among the nine terraced gardens of Japanese Maples, Roses, Conifers, Perennials and thousands of colorful blooming annuals that are set to the backdrop of the dancing waters from five large fountains. Up to three students may enjoy a tour of Crescent Bend for free with paid adult admission. Last tour on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday begins at 3:00 PM. Closed December and January.
Advance reservations required? YES
How to obtain admission: Please call ahead to schedule a tour.
Contact: Judy McMillan, 865-637-3163, e-mail
2728 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 | www.crescentbend.com
ONGOING: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM

East Tennessee Historical Society: Free Museum Admission

Free admission to the Museum of East Tennessee History for one parent accompanying a participating child.
Advance reservations required? NO
How to obtain admission: See the museum staff member at front desk of History Center.
Contact: 865-215-8824, e-mail
East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 | www.eastTNhistory.org
ONGOING: Monday-Saturday, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

James White’s Fort: Tour the Fort

Visit James White's Fort to experience what life was like in East Tennessee more than 200 years ago! James White’s Fort is the home of James White who settled in Knoxville with a 1,000-acre land grant from the state of North Carolina. Includes White’s first home, furnished with original tools and artifacts from the period. Penny Performance students may enjoy a self-guided tour of the Fort for free with paid Adult admission.
Advance reservations required? NO.
How to obtain admission: Admission is free for up to three children per paying adult. No groups.
Contact: 865-525-6514, e-mail
205 East Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915 | www.jameswhitesfort.org
ONGOING: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM (closed Mondays and holidays)

Knoxville Museum of Art Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee

The Higher Ground exhibition traces the development of the fine art craft in the region and the surrounding area over the past century. It tells the largely unknown story of the area’s rich artistic history and its connection to the larger currents of American art. Many of the featured artists spent their entire lives and careers in the area, while some moved away to follow their creative ambitions. Others were drawn to the region by its natural beauty, as the wealth of landscape imagery in this exhibition attests. Higher Ground allows viewers to follow the history of artistic activity in the region over a century of development and learn about some of the many exceptionally gifted individuals who have helped shape the area’s visual arts tradition. Every student visitor accompanied by a parent/guardian will receive an art-related gift.
Advance reservations required? NO
How to obtain admission: Admission is Free. Knox County students will receive a free gift at the KMA Gift Shop.
Contact: Rosalind Martin, 865-523-6349, e-mail
1050 World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN 37916 | www.knoxart.org
ONGOING: Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, 12:00-5:00 PM

Marble Springs State Historic Site / Governor John Sevier Farmstead: Guided Tours

John Sevier was elected Tennessee’s first governor in 1796. His property at Marble Springs in South Knox County was a working farm and a weekend retreat until 1800 when he resided at the farm till his death in 1815. Today Marble Springs consists of Sevier’s cabin, a tavern, loom house, smoke house, and trading post. Tours are provided for students for FREE every Saturday and Sunday (except during special events and holidays). Gates close at 5:00 PM; Tours start at the top of the hour; the last tour starts at 4:00 PM.
Advance reservations required? NO
How to obtain admission: Upon entry to the historic site, visitors should approach the Trading Post Gift Shop. This building is the closest to the parking lot and has an information sign on the outside wall. A tour guide will be available unless otherwise posted (work is often conducted in our on-site offices), in which case, please call 865-573-5508 and a tour guide will be with you shortly.
Contact: Anna Chappelle (or on-site staff), 865-573-5508, e-mail
1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920 | www.marblesprings.net
ONGOING: Monday-Saturday, 12:00-1:00 PM

WDVX-FM Radio: WDVX Blue Plate Special

Free live music show and live radio broadcast AND studio tour with reservations. Students will also be given a studio tour upon request. The Blue Plate Special is broadcast on the radio at 89.9 FM, 93.9 FM and 102.9, and online at www.wdvx.com as well as on mobile devices through Public Radio Exchange (iPhone app) and Tune-In Radio (Droid app). Select shows will be held live at special locations throughout the year, including The Market Square Stage in downtown Knoxville.
Advance reservations required? For studio tour only.
Contact: Jennie Caissie, 865-544-1029 x231, e-mail
Knoxville Visitor Center, 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 (other locations as announced) | www.wdvx.com