In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 89

🗓️ Explore Pollinators at Ijams Nature Center's "Butterflies, Bees, and Beetles" Program

🗓️ World Premiere of Watchers at Theater 23

📰 Grayson Subaru Presents $46k+ Check to Ijams Nature Center

📰 Pavilion Farmer’s Market This Thursday

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

Explore Pollinators at Ijams Nature Center's "Butterflies, Bees, and Beetles" Program

Ijams Nature Center invites nature enthusiasts to delve into the fascinating world of pollinators at the "Butterflies, Bees, and Beetles" program on Saturday, July 19th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This family-friendly event offers an opportunity to learn about the vital roles these insects play in our ecosystems.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities, including guided walks to observe local pollinators in action and interactive discussions about their behaviors and habitats. The program is designed for all ages, making it an ideal outing for families and nature lovers alike.

The event will take place at Ijams Nature Center, located at 2915 Island Home Ave. Pre-registration is recommended to ensure a spot in this popular program. For more information or to register, visit the Ijams Nature Center website.

Join Ijams Nature Center on July 19th to discover the wonders of pollinators and their essential contributions to our natural world.

Grayson Subaru Presents $46k+ Check to Ijams Nature Center

Grayson Subaru proudly presented a check for $46,732 to Ijams Nature Center as part of the 2024 Subaru Share the Love® Event. This donation will help support the expansion of the Ijams Nature Playscape at Grayson Subaru Preserve and improvements to the Mead’s Quarry Lake swim area.

From November 15, 2024, to January 2, 2025, Subaru and participating retailers nationwide donated a minimum of $300 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, with a portion going to a hometown charity chosen by each participating retailer. Grayson Subaru selected Ijams Nature Center as its charity partner for this event, and 90% of its customers who purchased or leased a new vehicle designated Ijams to receive the donation.

The funds will be used to add new play elements and signage to the playscape, as well as increase the docking at the lake. “These improvements are an expensive undertaking, with just one interlocking dock piece costing around $10,000,” Parker explained. “We are incredibly grateful to Subaru and all those who supported this effort.”

Ijams Nature Center, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, continues to provide an essential urban greenspace for Knoxville residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy nature through a variety of engaging experiences. Ijams features 14 miles of hiking trails, a public access river dock, swimming, boating, and educational programs that promote stewardship of the natural world. More Info

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Get ready for a thrilling night at the theatre as Encore Theatrical Company brings the chilling tale of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to life! Performances run July 11–20 at Jefferson County High School (115 W Dumplin Valley Rd, Dandridge). More Info

Class is in session! If you’ve ever wanted to deepen your bourbon knowledge (while sipping some of the best), don’t miss Bourbon 201 at 35 North on July 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned sipper, this class promises to be the most enjoyable education you’ll ever receive. More Info 

Book lovers and bargain hunters alike are invited to the Hi-Wire Brewing Used Book Sale, hosted by the Friends of the Knox County Public Library. From July 15th to July 22nd, the event will take place during Hi-Wire Brewing's business hours, at 2020 Barber Street. More Info

Through July 31st, Downtown Knoxville invites adventurers of all ages to embark on the 8th annual "Where’s Waldo?" scavenger hunt. This free, family-friendly event encourages people to explore local businesses in search of the elusive Waldo hidden in plain sight. More Info

What is this game called BRIDGE? It is a fascinating card game that NEVER gets boring! You will learn the basic tools and strategies for playing bridge. It is also a social game where players meet new people and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Lessons are geared toward newer players or those wanting to be re-introduced to bridge. First class is on Tuesday, July 15th More Info 

The Tennessee Stage Company proudly presents the 35th Shakespeare Festival, Knoxville Shakespeare, featuring two of the Bard’s most beloved plays:

• Love’s Labour’s Lost
  July 17, 19, 25, 27, 31; August 2, 8, 10
  7:30 PM nightly; 2:00 PM indoor matinee on July 27

• Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
  July 18, 20, 24, 26; August 1, 3, 7, 9
  7:30 PM nightly; 2:00 PM indoor matinee on August 3

More Info

Join us for a fun and flavorful morning at your local Rural King Farmers Market ( 945 McCammon Ave, Maryville)! On Saturday, July 26th from 8 AM to 12 PM, come shop fresh, shop local, and enjoy big savings all in one place. More Info

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

World Premiere of Watchers at Theater 23

Get ready for an exciting world premiere at Theater 23! Watchers, an original play by Tom Eubanks, will take the stage at the Old City Performing Arts Center in Knoxville from July 25th to August 3rd. This thrilling and unpredictable drama explores the unraveling lives of two private detectives during a routine domestic assignment gone wrong.

Set in the winter of 1984, the story begins with two private eyes on stakeout in an unoccupied condominium, watching a beach house on a rainy Southern California night. What starts as a simple surveillance mission quickly spirals into chaos when their employer, the stripper-turned-private-eye Lena Masterson, unexpectedly arrives on the scene. As tensions rise and the neighbors start to notice their presence, the evening takes a dark turn. Secrets are exposed, friendships begin to fray, and the private eyes find themselves in a moral dilemma, caught between being good guys doing bad things.

Watchers is sure to captivate audiences with its suspenseful twists and complex character dynamics. Directed and produced by Theater 23, this play promises to be a must-see for theater enthusiasts in Knoxville.

Show Dates and Times:

• Friday, July 25, 2025 – 7:30 PM

• Saturday, July 26, 2025 – 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

• Sunday, July 27, 2025 – 2:30 PM

• Thursday, July 31, 2025 – 7:30 PM

• Friday, August 1, 2025 – 7:30 PM

• Saturday, August 2, 2025 – 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

• Sunday, August 3, 2025 – 2:30 PM

Location:
Old City Performing Arts Center
111 State Street, Knoxville, TN

Tickets are available at theater23.org/tickets. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (865) 257-9493.

Don't miss your chance to experience this thrilling new play by Tom Eubanks at Theater 23!

Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to become known in our Knoxville Insider community? We are looking for locally-owned business that would like to become a Knoxville Insider sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• Hero or section banners

• Logo

• Video

• Print

• Spotlight Directory

• and more…

Reach out to us at [email protected].

We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]!