In this Knoxville Insider Issue…
🌤️ Weather | Partly Sunny with a High of 87
🗓️ Support Knoxville Youth - Shop the Rummage Sale this Weekend or Donate Items for the Sale
🗓️ Race Day Plus a Live Concert? Knoxville Dragway Delivers
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Record High 93 in 1941 | Record Low 34 in 1894


Bonjour, Knoxville! French Lessons are Starting at West Knox Senior Center in June
West Knox County Senior Center (239 Jamestowne Blvd #101) is launching a new French Lessons program beginning June 7th at 10:15 AM, with classes running every Tuesday and Thursday after that.
Whether you've always wanted to learn the language, brushed up on some high school French you'd love to remember, or you're just curious what all the fuss is about, this is a wonderful opportunity to stretch your mind, connect with others, and pick up a skill that's both beautiful and practical.
Language learning at any age is one of the most enjoyable ways to keep your brain sharp and your social circle growing — and the relaxed, community setting of the senior center makes it easy to jump in without pressure. Class cost is $10 per session.
Support Knoxville Youth - Shop the Rummage Sale this Weekend or Donate Items for the Sale

A great cause, a great deal, and a great way to help local kids. First Lutheran Church and School is hosting a Youth Rummage Sale this weekend - and there are two ways to get involved.
If you have items to donate, drop-offs are welcome today May 21st from 8 AM–8 PM at 1207 North Broadway. Every donation goes directly toward supporting the church's youth program.
Then, if you love a good treasure hunt, mark your calendar for the sale itself on Friday - Saturday, May 22nd–23rd from 8 AM–3 PM. Rummage sales like this one are where the good finds live - and knowing your purchase is helping local young people makes it even better.
Stop by, donate, shop, or do both. Either way, you're making a difference for Knoxville's next generation.
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Dragonfly's Circus Extravaganza Returns with Flight, Wonder & Fun

Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts Studio is presenting its 15th Annual Circus Extravaganza — Small World Under the Big Top — at Ijams Nature Center on May 29th and 30th, and this year's show promises to be the most magical one yet.
This human circus will transform before your eyes as the world shrinks down and the natural world — insects, creatures, and all things wild — grows enormous around you. It's a celebration of nature, acrobatics, laughter, and pure wonder, and there is genuinely something in it for every member of the family.
Three performances are available to choose from: May 29th at 7:00 PM–9:00 PM (with ASL interpretation), May 30th at 1:30 PM–3:30 PM (with Spanish interpretation), and May 30th at 7:00 PM–9:00 PM (with ASL interpretation).
Tickets are $10 for kids 12 and under, $20 for adults 13 and older, and $60 for a family 5-pack — and every ticket you buy goes toward something meaningful: Dragonfly uses Extravaganza proceeds to fund circus class scholarships and provide therapeutic circus arts to local kids who need it most. After 15 years of building something beautiful in Knoxville, this nonprofit is still using art to open doors for everybody. More Info & Tickets
Race Day Plus a Live Concert? Knoxville Dragway Delivers

If the smell of burning rubber and the sound of live music sound like a perfect Saturday, this one's for you.
The Backside Bounty Series Race #3 roars into Knoxville Dragway (160 Raceway Drive) this May 23rd at 1 PM — and this round of the 2026 Backside Bounty Class Series comes with a bonus: a live concert to close out the day. Whether you're a serious racer, a die-hard gearhead, or just someone looking for an exciting afternoon out, Knoxville Dragway brings the kind of energy you can feel from the stands.
Multiple classes take the track across the day — from Street and Stock to Blue Collar Small Tire and more — with $250 guaranteed to the class winner and a $150 guaranteed 2nd Chance for round losers. Admission is $21 at the gate, and kids 10 and under get in free. Racers, check the event page for full class rules and entry fees before you show up.

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🗓️ May 21st–24th - One of Knoxville’s premier sporting events is back this spring as the Visit Knoxville Open returns to Holston Hills Country Club. More Info
🗓️ May 21st–24th - Disney's Beauty and the Beast comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street), with multiple performances throughout the week, including matinees and evening shows to fit your schedule. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ May 23rd - Grammy-Nominated, award-winning country artist Brandon Maddox - a Nashville songwriter with a catalog of around 2,000 original songs and a sound that's pure, down-home country - is performing at Iron Works Grille on the River (1641 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains), running 6:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info
🗓️ May 23rd - Katie Holt visits Good Girl Books (7685 South Northshore Drive) on May 23rd at 7:00 PM for an Author Chat & Signing celebrating her brand new novel, The Last Page — her second book, releasing May 12th. RSVP to [email protected] to save your spot. More Info
🗓️ May 23rd - BBQ lovers, this is one event you won’t want to miss. The first-ever TMG Fest: Block Party & Demo Day is coming to Knoxville from 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, bringing together live-fire cooking, top pitmasters, and a full day of food and fun. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ May 24th - Mabry-Hazen House and The Kraken's Cup Tearoom are joining forces for Steeped in History: Tea and Tradition at Pine Hill Cottage from 2:00 PM–4:00 PM - a charming class and tasting that pulls back the velvet curtain on Victorian tea culture, etiquette, and elegance. More Info
🗓️ May 25th - Fountain City Town Hall presents Honor Fountain City Day in the Park from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM at Fountain City Park — a free, family-friendly community celebration honoring the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in service of our country. More Info
🗓️ May 29th - guests are invited to “Yoga at the Zoo,” a special after-hours fundraiser designed to create a relaxing and memorable experience while supporting wildlife conservation efforts. The evening will begin with a surprise up-close animal encounter before transitioning into an all-levels yoga class surrounded by the unique sights and sounds of the zoo. Event details and tickets are available through Blue Ridge Yoga Events.
🗓️ May 29th-30th - Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts is celebrating 15 years of circus arts in Knoxville with a whimsical new production, “Circus Extravaganza: Small World Under the Big Top.” Performances will take place May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and May 30 with two performances scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Doors open one hour before each performance. More Info
🗓️ May 29th-30th - Comedian Heather McMahan is bringing The Bamboozled Tour to the Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay Street) for two nights, at 8:00 PM - and both shows are being filmed as her live comedy special. More Info for May 29th | More Info for May 30th
🗓️ May 30th - KnoxWalls Murals & Music Festival - Get ready for a day bursting with creativity as Dogwood Arts transforms Emory Place into a vibrant open-air art and music experience on May 30 from noon to 8 p.m. More Info
🗓️ May 30th - The Discover Knoxville Expo comes to the Hardin Valley Event Center (2620 Willow Point Way) from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, presented by BeLocal K-Town. It features 50+ local vendors showcasing the businesses, services, and resources that make this community feel like home, plus a live local band and BeLocal Bingo. More Info
🗓️ May 30th - The Marble City Opera 2026 Summer Festival opens at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with Josephine — a stunning one-woman opera by composer Tom Cipullo. More Info
🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville's Largest Kids' Party returns to the World's Fair Park Performance Lawn from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM — and it lives up to the name. More Info
🗓️ May 30th - Knoxville Margarita Festival - Get ready to raise a glass at the third annual Knoxville Margarita Festival on May 30th at The Mill & Mine. This lively evening event invites guests to sample creative margaritas from some of the area’s favorite restaurants as they compete for the title of Best Margarita in Knoxville. More Info
🗓️ May 30th - Lace up your running shoes and get ready for a one-of-a-kind race experience at the brand-new Red Panda Run 5K on May 30 at Zoo Knoxville. More Info
🗓️ May 31st - Amadeus Concert Ensemble closes its 2025–2026 season in grand fashion with Rachmaninoff & Friends - a free concert at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive). More Info
🗓️ June 1st - This day marks Tennessee's 230th Statehood Day, commemorating the day in 1796 when Tennessee became the 16th state in the union — a moment that happened at Blount Mansion in downtown Knoxville. More Info
🗓️ June 1st-24th - Camp Webb runs June 1st through July 24th and offers more than 70 summer camps - welcoming kids from age 4 (Camp Wonderoo for pre-K) through rising 7th graders for a summer packed with adventure, sports, specialty skills, and memories. More Info
🗓️ June 2nd - Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening comes to the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 PM — a full night of Zeppelin's greatest music performed with the reverence, power, and authenticity that only Jason Bonham can bring. More Info
🗓️ June 3rd - The City of Knoxville's Kid A' Riffic Fun in the Park series launches from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Chilhowee Park, kicking things off with Touch-A-Truck, kazoo fun, hands-on arts and crafts, and a food truck on site. More Info
🗓️ June 4th - It's not just bourbon with a different label — and this class will prove it. Tennessee Whiskey 202 is coming to The Vault Room at 6:30 PM, presented by Liquor Vault and Whiskey University - and this isn't your average tasting. You'll sample six Tennessee whiskeys side by side, with a shared appetizer included to complement the experience. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ June 5th - Used Book Sale at the Corryton Branch Library (7733 Corryton Road, Corryton) | 1:30–5:00 PM More Info
🗓️ June 5th - 7th - Shoppers and vintage lovers are invited to experience a weekend of unique finds and local flair as Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville returns June 5–7 with its spring event, “The Vintage Passport.” More Info
🗓️ June 5th-6th - Rhinestone Fest takes over Knoxville's Historic Old City for a free, family-friendly celebration of all things Dolly Parton. Expect a Dolly-themed marketplace packed with handmade and fabulous finds inspired by the glitz, glamour, and charm of the one and only, alongside live music on the main stage. More Info
🗓️ June 5th-21st -If you have ever dreamed of stumbling upon a Golden Ticket, now's their chance to live it. Knoxville Children's Theatre is staging a live production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory running June 5th-21st. More Info
🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Ice Cream Festival returns to the World's Fair Park Festival Lawn from 11 AM–6 PM — and it's completely free to attend. This is the kind of event that checks every box for a perfect summer day out: cold treats, sunshine, live entertainment, and something fun for every member of the family.
🗓️ June 6th - Grammy-Nominated, award-winning country artist Brandon Maddox - a Nashville songwriter with a catalog of around 2,000 original songs and a sound that's pure, down-home country - is performing at Iron Works Grille on the River (1641 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains), running 6:00 PM–9:00 PM. More Info
🗓️ June 6th - Blount Mansion Association invites you to Martinis at the Mansion - their annual garden party fundraiser - at 5:30 PM at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center (200 W. Hill Ave). More Info
🗓️ June 6th - The Knoxville Firefighters Association presents Long Run Rocks — A Tribute to the Eagles at Chilhowee Park at 8:00 PM. Expect a full night of Eagles classics — "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," "New Kid in Town," and more — performed live in one of Knoxville's most iconic outdoor venues. More Info
🗓️ June 6th - Marble City Opera heads outdoors for its beloved annual Opera in the Park — a free concert at Lakeshore Park. More Info
🗓️ June 11th - Paul Thorn, the Mississippi-born singer-songwriter beloved for his warm, witty, deeply human take on life, love, and the South, comes to the Bijou Theatre at 8:00 PM - presented by local music legend WDVX. More Info
🗓️ June 12th-13th - Used Book Sale at the Cedar Bluff Branch Library (9045 Cross Park Drive) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info
🗓️ June 13th - The Red, White & Bloom Makers Market takes over the Hardin Valley Event Center Pavilion (2620 Willow Point Way) from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, bringing together 70 local artisans, bakers, and crafters under one roof - plus food trucks. More Info
🗓️ June 14th - Fashion, nature, and a whole lot of Technicolor - this year's Fleurish might be the most stunning one yet. Fleurish, Ijams Nature Center's annual sustainable fashion show, returns from 6:00–9:00 PM on the Ijams lawn. More Info
🗓️ June 18th, 20th - The season closes with two performances of The Tragedy of Carmen — a 90-minute adaptation of Bizet's iconic Carmen - at the Historic Grove Theatre in Oak Ridge. More Info
🗓️ June 18th-28th - PAT, the acclaimed one-woman play written and performed by Lisa Soland, returns for a limited engagement, now making its debut at the Jenny Boyd Theatre on the campus of the University of Tennessee - UT's newly opened performance space. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ June 20th - RiverView Family Farm (12130 Prater Lane) is throwing a Barn Dance on from 6:00 PM–9:30 PM - an open-to-the-public evening of live line dancing instruction, great food, and the kind of genuine good time that's hard to find. Admission is just $10 per person, and children under 5 get in free.
🗓️ June 20th - Celebrate summer in full bloom at the Lavender Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jackson Square. This free, family-friendly event transforms the historic district into a vibrant day of shopping, music, food, and fun. More Info
🗓️ June 20th - Knoxville Brewfest returns to World's Fair Park, with 60+ local and regional breweries pouring from 4:30 PM–8:30 PM — including gluten-free and non-alcoholic options. Live music, local food vendors, and a beautiful outdoor setting make this one of Knoxville's most beloved annual events. More Info
🗓️ June 23rd - Used Book Sale at the Carter Branch Library (9036 Asheville Highway) | 1:00–7:00 PM More Info
🗓️ June 24th-27th - Nief-Norf SYNNERGY comes to Knoxville - a four-day contemporary music festival and conference that's genuinely unlike anything else happening in East Tennessee this summer. Think cutting-edge new music performed live by world-class artists, with 12 free public concerts woven throughout the week. No ticket required. Just show up and listen. More Info
🗓️ June 27th - Used Book Sale at the Karns Branch Library (7516 Oak Ridge Hwy) | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM More Info
Networking:
Veterans:
🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 17 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates
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