In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 81

📰 Highland Games Preview at Peaceful Side Social

📰Celebrate Art & Spirit at the Emporium

📰 Zoom Room Dog Training for Canine-Focused Networking

📰 Get ready for a magical evening as Pursuit School of Dance presents Cinderella!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Highland Games Preview at Peaceful Side Social – Sunday, May 4

Experience the thrill of Scottish tradition at Peaceful Side Social on Sunday, May 4, from 12–4 PM, with a special Highland-style event ahead of the annual Highland Games Festival in Townsend!

Enjoy live demonstrations from real Highland Games athletes, showcasing classic feats of strength like the stone throw and caber toss. Kids can join in the fun too with mini-games designed just for them (with a signed waiver). Don’t miss a special "Day Stones" demo from The Iron Palace Podcast and soak in the festive atmosphere with live bagpipe music throughout the afternoon.

There will also be hourly giveaways, including swag and tickets to the Highland Games Festival (coming May 17–18), and you can toast the tradition with a cold pint of Tennessee Highlands Stout.

Celebrate Scottish heritage in the heart of Townsend’s peaceful side—fun for all ages! More Info

Celebrate Art & Spirit at the Emporium – Friday, May 2

Join the Arts & Culture Alliance for a vibrant evening of art, music, and community on Friday, May 2, from 5–9 PM at The Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.

Enjoy live music by Robinella and friends while exploring new exhibitions that spotlight the work of talented local artists. One highlight includes a bold and colorful modern quilt collection from the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild, featuring innovative techniques like improvisational piecing, minimalism, and graphic alternate grids.

Also featured is Whispers from the Root and River by Laura McRae Hitchcock, a meditative collection of abstract landscapes and mixed media figures crafted from wool, cloth, and natural elements. Her soulful pieces invite viewers to reconnect with nature, memory, and the wild feminine spirit.

This free event is a wonderful way to support local artists and experience the creativity that flows through East Tennessee.More Info

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

It’s a Wisconsin cheese takeover at this year’s Knoxville Cheese Fest! Now in its fourth year, this festival is bigger than ever, expanding into a full week of cheese-filled events from April 28 - May 4, 2025. www.knoxvillecheesefest.com

Join us for a thrilling night of mystery, fun, and 80s nostalgia at A Totally 80s Murder Mystery Dinner! Enjoy a delicious catered meal, interact with talented actors, and put your detective skills to the test to uncover the truth! May 2nd, 5:30p -8:30p at Calhouns (100 Melton Lake Peninsula) More Info

Knoxville’s great outdoors is calling—and the Outlandish Adventure Festival is answering in a big way! Set for May 2–3, 2025, at Ijams Nature Center, this epic two-day event is a full-on celebration of East Tennessee’s rivers, rocks, and trails. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, nature lover, or just looking to soak in some serious festival vibes, Outlandish has something for you. More Info

Saddle up for a stylish Southern soirée at Alchemy Lounge & Cigar as we celebrate the Kentucky Derby in true Derby Day fashion! Don your best hat, light up a premium cigar, and enjoy smooth sips as we toast the most exciting two minutes in sports. May 3rd, 2:00 PM – Until the Last Toast at Alchemy Lounge & Cigar (119 S Central St)

Networking:

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

Veterans:

Free Veteran’s Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 14 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly, Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

Join Zoom Room Dog Training for Canine-Focused Networking on May 2!

Zoom Room Dog Training in Hardin Valley is excited to host the next Canine Focused Business Networking Meeting on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 8:30 AM at their location (10938 Spring Bluff Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932).

This is a great opportunity for pet-related professionals and dog lovers in business to connect, collaborate, and support each other’s ventures. Can’t attend in person? No problem—just request a Zoom video invite to join virtually!

Donuts and coffee will be provided—just bring your business cards and any promotional materials you’d like to share. We hope to see you (and maybe your pup!) Friday morning!

Get ready for a magical evening as Pursuit School of Dance presents Cinderella!

Join them for this enchanting ballet performance on May 23 at 7 PM and May 24 at 6 PM at The Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge, TN. A beautiful tale told through graceful movement and stunning choreography—perfect for the whole family!

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