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📰 Scruffy City Orchestra's Free Fall Concert

📰 Business Spotlight on Premier Martial Arts

🗓️ Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Bring "Other Delights"

🗓️ Five Exhibitions, One Opening Night — The Emporium Center Kicks Off September with First Friday

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Scruffy City Orchestra presents their Fall Concert: Nordisk Skjønnhet (Nordic Beauty) on September 25th at 8:00 PM at 711 S. Northshore Drive — a program named in honor of Johan Svendsen's magnificent Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, which closes the evening. Conductor Ace Edewards leads the ensemble through a night of Scandinavian and French Romantic repertoire, highlighted by the debut of the Orchestra's two 2026 Concert Competition winners performing as featured soloists.

Eliana Kováčová (Youth Category winner) takes the violin for the first movement of Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, while Jackson Sharp (Young Adult Category winner) performs the opening movement of Saint-Saëns' beloved Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor — two young Knoxville-area musicians stepping into the spotlight they've earned.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite approximately two weeks before the concert through the Cathedral Concert Series website. More Info

For Gerald and Maria Lowe, Black Belts Are Just the Beginning - When Gerald began looking for a way to transition out of a government career in Northern Virginia, he knew exactly what he wanted his next chapter to include: martial arts, a passion he'd carried since his pre-teen years and still trains in today. What he and his wife Maria found brought them not just to a new business, but to the very area where the brand Premier Martial Arts began.

In October 2025, the Lowes became owners of three Premier Martial Arts (PMA) schools — in Hardin Valley, North Knoxville, and West Knoxville. All three locations run on the same schedule and welcome students from as young as three years old through adults, whether they're chasing a black belt or just looking for a new challenge and a community built around fitness.

More Than Kicks and Punches - Premier Martial Arts blends multiple disciplines — Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Krav Maga,  Kali, and Grappling — into a single program. If you ask either of the Lowes what the schools are really about, the answer isn't technique - it's character.

"We empower people through martial arts," Maria explains. About 70 percent of the program is devoted to instruction in martial arts skills. The other 30 percent focuses on what the schools call "black belt excellence" — charity, random acts of kindness, academics, and other dimensions of character development that shines through in all aspects of their lives. 

Gerald points to the two stacked triangles in the Premier Martial Arts logo as a symbol of that partnership. The PMA schools teach self-discipline, focus, and respect on the mat — then work with parents and local schools to make sure those lessons translate off the mat - into classrooms and homes.

A Transformation Worth Three Years - Maria doesn't have to think long when asked for a story that captures the philosophy in action. She recalls a tall young man who struggled with coordination through nearly two years of training. In his final year — working closely with one of the schools' instructors — everything changed. He cut nearly two and a half minutes off his mile time and earned his black belt.

His physical growth was only half the story. Through the schools' charity events — like washing cars to raise money for the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital — and member gatherings like the annual picnic and pool party, he found a group of friends he'd never had before.

"Seeing him blossom in his social interaction at the same time as his physical growth was really momentous for me," Maria says. "It reinvigorated my passion for why these schools are so important for this community."

A Future Built by Former Students - Perhaps the strongest endorsement of the program is who's teaching it. Every instructor at the Lowes' schools — Xander, Caleb Jackson, Nico, Kevin, and Amanda — is a former Premier Martial Arts student. Most started as assistant instructors in high school, taking their first-ever job on the same mats where they earned their black belts.

"They found such a calling as to want to teach others what they had learned - training and molding and guiding the next generation." Maria says. 

For the Lowes, who spend their days behind the scenes managing staff, schedules, and the on-going work of rebuilding the schools' brand and reputation, that cycle of students becoming teachers is the whole point: a community where character, once built, gets passed on.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you have a three-year-old ready for their first class or you're an adult looking for a new challenge, there's a Premier Martial Arts location near you!  Stop by any of the three schools to watch a class and meet the instructors — and see for yourself how martial arts can build more than just a better kick.

Premier Martial Arts has three Knoxville locations: Hardin Valley (10845 Hardin Valley Road, (865) 867-2129), North Knoxville (2427 Callahan Drive, (865) 867-2130), and West Knoxville (8231 Kingston Pike, (865) 867-2131).

www.premiermartialarts.com

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights comes to the Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) on September 14th at 7:30 PM. Alpert is one of music's true originals: an eight-time Grammy winner, co-founder of A&M Records, and the man behind some of the most recognizable brass arrangements in the history of recorded sound. "A Taste of Honey," "Rise," "Spanish Flea," "This Guy's in Love with You" — there's a good chance you know these songs even if you don't know you know them.

What makes a Tijuana Brass show in 2026 genuinely extraordinary is that Herb Alpert is still playing, still creating, and still commanding a stage with the kind of warmth and musicianship that decades in the industry tends to produce. This isn't nostalgia for its own sake — it's a chance to see one of the architects of American pop music do what he does best in one of Knoxville's most beautiful rooms. More Info

The Arts & Culture Alliance opens five exhibitions at the Emporium Center (100 S. Gay Street) on September 4th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM — a free evening with the exhibiting artists and live music by Nick Swatson. All five exhibitions run through September 25th.

Field Notes by Kara Hudgens — new work from a local artist whose eye for the natural world has made her a consistent presence in East Tennessee's gallery scene.

Collected Exposure: A Gathering of Creative Perspectives (Lower Gallery) brings together a juried selection of photographic works by members of the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN).

Final Approach by Hill Henry.

In the Atrium, Honey Jars and Fair Portions II by Robert Grassel showcase the work of a Minneapolis-born, Knoxville-based photographer and scanner artist whose lens-based practice ranges from street photography to surreal cityscapes.

In the Display Case, A Slight Tilt on its Axis by Douglas Molinas Lawrence presents new tactile sculptures and abstracted landscapes inspired by the planet's axial tilt and the constant change of the natural world.

Continuing in the Balcony Gallery: Be.Coming / Be.Longing: Tennessee Asianx Artists, curated by Karlota I. Contreras-Koterbay (Director of ETSU's Tipton-Ashe & Slocumb Galleries). More Info

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🗓️ August 27th - The Hub Pro Studio is hosting Sip, See, & Say Yes — a free Bridal Shower Showcase from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1104 Merchant Drive, Suite 103. It's a relaxed, drop-in evening designed to connect bridal shower planners with some of Knoxville's favorite local businesses, all in one beautiful event space. More Info & RSVP

🗓️ August 27th - Knoxville Museum of Art is hosting a Music for Seniors Free Daytime Concert from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at 1050 World's Fair Park Dr SW — and it's open to the public, no ticket required. More Info

🗓️ August 28th - Appalachian Arts & Craft Center is hosting Appalachian Voices: Stories, Laughter & Creativity — a special community luncheon celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the rich culture of Appalachian life. The event takes place at the Oak Ridge Conference Center (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge) from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ August 29th - Local author Morgan Edwards celebrates the release of their newest novel, The Moon's Promise, at 12:00 PM at The Kraken's Cup (4815 N Broadway, Suite 107). It's a free community event and a chance to meet the author, get your copy, and hear about the book straight from the person who wrote it.

🗓️ August 29th - Lanterns & Legends returns to Ancient Lore Village (7107 Sevierville Pike) at 7:00 PM — a full evening of dinner, handmade lanterns, a glowing scavenger hunt, woodland characters, acoustic music, and a fire or illuminated LED performance as the village comes to life after dark. It's one of those nights that earns the word "magical" without trying too hard. More Info & Reservations

🗓️ August 29th - The music will take over Yee-Haw Brewing Co., Central Filling Station, Schulz Bräu Brewing, Next Level Brewing, and Corner Lounge, creating a unique music discovery festival featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from Knoxville and beyond. More Info

🗓️ August 29th - Powell Branch Used Book Sale (330 W Emory Rd) Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at the Powell Branch Library. One-day sale, all the good stuff.

🗓️ August 29th - Flutter into a day of family fun and discovery at Stanley's Ninth Annual Butterfly Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free community event celebrates one of nature's most fascinating pollinators while offering activities and educational experiences for all ages. More Info

🗓️ August 30th - The 13th Annual Knox Asian Festival takes over World's Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Presented by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, this is one of the most genuinely immersive cultural events in the entire state — and it's right here in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ August 31st - The UT Creative Writing Program presents a reading by Rochelle Hurt — poet, nonfiction writer, and University of Tennessee faculty member — at 7:00 PM in the Lindsay Young Auditorium of John C. Hodges Library on the UT campus. The event is free and open to the public. More Info

🗓️ August 31st - Knoxville will come together for a meaningful evening of remembrance, awareness, recovery, and hope during International Overdose Awareness Day from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. To learn more email: [email protected]

🗓️ September 1st - IBN Business Mastermind meets September 1st from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club (6800 Beaver Brook Drive). It's a tight, focused morning session built around making genuine connections with other Knoxville-area business owners and professionals. More Info

🗓️ September 1st - Adventure Field Day and Owl Presentation Field day activities for all ages, plus a special owl presentation. One of those evenings that's equally fun for kids and adults. More Info

🗓️ September 2nd-20th - Clarence Brown Theatre presents Jeffrey Hatcher's electrifying adaptation of Dial M for Murder — opening night September 2nd at 7:30 PM at the Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT campus. The show runs through September 20th, with performances most Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ September 3rd - Amy Speace — award-winning singer-songwriter and author — brings The Cardinals Tour: Words & Music to The Open Chord Stage (8502 Kingston Pike), just two days after her debut book of poetry hits shelves. It's her first live show built around the intersection of her music and the new book, making this a genuinely rare kind of evening — part concert, part literary event, all Amy Speace. More Info

🗓️ September 3rd - Experience the beauty of music and nature at Knoxville Symphony in the Garden at the Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum. More Info

🗓️ September 4th - The Goonies (1985, PG-13) @ Mabry-Hazen House · mabryhazen.com · Presented by Pellissippi State

🗓️ September 4th - Grab your favorite four-legged friend and enjoy a magical night under the stars at Ijams Nature Center for a special screening of All Dogs Go to Heaven as part of the Movies Under the Stars series presented by Ijams and Central Cinema. More Info

🗓️ September 3rd–20th Get ready for romance, ridiculous misunderstandings, and plenty of theatrical chaos when the Tellico Community Players present Ken Ludwig's hilarious farce, Moon Over Buffalo, September 3–20 at the Tellico Community Playhouse in Loudon. More Info

🗓️ September 6th - Big Kahuna Wing Festival at World's Fair Park; Thousands of pounds of wings; Competitive wing cook-off; Wing eating contest; Live entertainment; Kids activities; Pyro musical fireworks show. More Info

🗓️ September 10th - Scruffy's Cafe is teaming up with The Plant Trolley — Knoxville's beloved mobile plant truck — for their very first Planter Painting Night, happening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1015 North Broadway. It's cozy, it's creative, and if you have even a passing fondness for cats or plants, you're going to have a great time. More Info

🗓️ September 11th - The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute brings their all-new HELP! show to the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 PM — a full evening celebrating The Beatles' iconic second film and its soundtrack, along with the greatest hits from every era of the band's ever-changing career. More Info

🗓️ September 11th - Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975, PG) @ James White's Fort · jameswhitesfort.org

🗓️ September 11th-12th - Farragut Branch Used Book Sale (417 N Campbell Station Rd) Two days, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM each day. Go ahead and put it on the fall calendar now.

🗓️ September 11th-20th - The Tennessee Valley Fair opens at Chilhowee Park — ten days of everything that makes a real county fair: agricultural competitions, carnival rides, fair food, exhibits, and the kind of community atmosphere that only shows up once a year. Over 125,000 visitors from across the region will make their way through the gates before it's over. More Info

🗓️ September 11th-13th - A Knoxville tradition for nearly 50 years, Greek Fest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (4070 Kingston Pike) returns, inviting the community to enjoy authentic Greek food, music, dancing, culture, and hospitality. More Info

🗓️ September 12th - The eight-piece band of self-described "5,000-year-old Egyptian Mummies" brings their cult-favorite show to the World's Fair Park Performance Lawn — a concert experience that defies easy description but lands somewhere between world-class musicianship, full-blown funk party, and the most entertaining thing you'll see all year. More Info

🗓️ September 12th - Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville 2026 takes over the Mill & Mine (227 W Depot Ave) from Noon to 9 PM — the street closes down, 200 themed vendors set up shop, the music doesn't stop, and the whole thing runs nine hours straight. Tattooing, food trucks, and brews round out the day. More Info

🗓️ September 12th - Knoxville Car Show 2026 | Classic Car Community returns to Christ United Methodist Church (7535 Maynardville Pike) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — hosted by Christ UMC's United Methodist Men in partnership with the Halls Crossroads Historical Museum. Register a Vehicle

🗓️ September 12th - Literary Legends Book Festival, hosted by Brooke Woods and the Literary Legends Knoxville Book Club, is taking over Kern's Food Hall (2110 Chapman Hwy) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and admission is completely free. Just head to Eventbrite and reserve your spot so the organizers know how many book lovers are coming. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ September 12th - Looking ahead: the Tennessee Smart Yards and Friends Festival is set for 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at the University of Tennessee Gardens. More Info

🗓️ September 12th: Get ready for one of Knoxville's most unique shopping and entertainment experiences! The Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville returns to The Mill & Mine bringing an all-day celebration of art, music, food, and alternative culture. More Info

🗓️ September 12th - Powell Pet Palooza 2026 — the second annual community celebration for pet lovers in the Powell area — returns to Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church (7753 Oak Ridge Hwy) on September 12th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event is organized by the Powell Small Business Network and Sara's Waggy Tails LLC, and they're promising bigger and better than last year.

🗓️ September 12th - The Marine Mud Run returns to Harmony Family Center (4901 Montvale Road, Maryville), and this year they're shaking things up — new course layout, new obstacles, and new mud added to the classics. What stays the same: roughly 3 miles of off-road running through scenic trails, fields, hills, and mud pits, finished off with water. Wear old clothes and shoes. Showers are on site. Register; More Info

🗓️ September 12th - Get ready for an exciting day of shopping, food, music, and family fun at the newly reimagined Lenoir City Street Festival in Historic Downtown Lenoir City! More Info

🗓️ September 12th - 13th - Discover the rich history, traditions, and culture of the Cherokee people at the 35th Annual Cherokee Fall Festival, taking place September 12–13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee. More Info

🗓️ September 15th - Food lovers won't want to miss Taste of Blount 2026, taking place September 15 from 6–8 p.m. at Theater in the Park in Maryville. This annual event showcases the best of Blount County's culinary scene, featuring samples from local restaurants, caterers, and gourmet grocers. More Info

🗓️ September 17th - Knox County Mobile Meals and the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee are hosting Power of the Purse® 2026 at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center (8807 Kingston Pike) — doors open at 4:45 PM and Purse Madness starts at 6:00 PM sharp. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ September 17th-19th - The 26th Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival takes over 525 East Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak - just off I-40 exit 407, a quick 22 miles from downtown Knoxville — for three full days. Gates open for music each day at noon, and the picking goes until 11:00 PM — rain or shine, under a covered performance area that keeps the show going no matter what the sky decides to do. More Info

🗓️ September 18th - 2 Brothers and Sunflower Village Farm are launching Bonfire Fridays — a recurring series of kid-friendly outdoor networking nights built around good company, open air, and a proper bonfire. The series kicks off September 18th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce in Clinton before moving to 188 Hill Road for the remaining dates: October 18th, November 20th, and December 18th — all 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

🗓️ September 18th-20th - Vintage Market Days® of Knoxville returns to the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Hwy) for a full weekend (Friday and Saturday from 10 AM, Sunday wrapping at 3 PM) — with the theme "An American Story." More Info

🗓️ September 18th - Knox County Master Gardeners and Beardsley Farm are hosting a free Gardening Workshop at Beardsley Farm (1741 Reynolds Street) from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, focused on three of the most practical topics for this time of year: cover crops, hot composting, and fall gardening. More Info & Register

🗓️ September 18th - Herbie Fully Loaded (2005, G) @ Farragut Museum · visitfarragut.org

🗓️ September 18th - Raise a glass to an unforgettable evening at the 2026 Tennessee Cocktail Festival on September 18, from 6:00–9:15 PM at The Mill & Mine in downtown Knoxville.

🗓️ September 19th - Marble Springs State Historic Site hosts Sevier Day 281 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway — a free, all-day living history celebration honoring John Sevier's 281st birthday. The tagline says it best: "Party like it's 1745." More Info

🗓️ September 19th - October 11th - Prost! One of Knoxville's favorite fall traditions is back as Schulz Bräu Oktoberfest 2026 returns with weeks of authentic Bavarian fun, live entertainment, and unforgettable festivities.

🗓️ September 19th - November 7th - Walnut Springs Winery in Strawberry Plains is launching their Wine Maze experience — A Night of Pour Decisions. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: you wander through the corn maze with wine in hand, discovering five tasting stations tucked into the twists and turns, each one bringing a new pour and a new vibe. Boots are encouraged. Getting a little lost is part of the fun. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ September 20th - Concord Yacht Club (CYC) and the Concord Sailing Center are hosting a Community Open House on Sunday, September 20th from 2:00 PMto 4:00 PM at 11600 S. Northshore Drive — and the public is warmly invited. Whether you've always been curious about sailing, you're looking for a meaningful community to get involved with, or you just want to spend a September afternoon on the shores of Fort Loudoun Lake, this is your moment to walk through the gates and see what 75 years of volunteer spirit looks like up close.

🗓️ September 23rd - The Kraken's Cup Tearoom and Schakolad Chocolate Factory have teamed up for A Chocola-TEA Experience: Tea and Chocolate Pairing — a guided flavor adventure at 6 PM at The Kraken's Cup (4815 N Broadway, Suite 107). More Info

🗓️ September 25th - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, PG) @ Blount Mansion · blountmansion.org

🗓️ September 26th - Friends of the Knox County Public Library is hosting the Book Fair for Adults from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) — and it's free to get in.

🗓️ September 27th - The Green Thumb Gala returns to the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum for an unforgettable evening celebrating the beauty of the Garden and the community that helps it thrive. More Info

🗓️ September 29th - Trustegrity is hosting a Guns and Networking Fall Event on September 29th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Windrock Shooting Range & Training Center (720 Windrock Rd, Oliver Springs) — a full afternoon of shooting sports, fresh mountain air, and the kind of relaxed conversation that only happens when you're not standing around a hotel conference room with a lukewarm cup of coffee. More Info

🗓️ October 2nd - Ghostbusters (1984, PG) @ Marble Springs State Historic Site · marblesprings.net · Presented by Borderland Tees

🗓️ October 6th - Firepits and S'mores Galore with Fairy House Building A perfect fall night at the quarry — firepits, s'mores, and the creative magic of building tiny fairy houses in the woods. More Info

🗓️ October 7th - Up (2009, PG) @ Historic Westwood · knoxheritage.org/westwood

🗓️ October 10th - Hola Festival 2026 takes over World's Fair Park on October 10th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM — a full day celebrating the art, music, food, and culture of Latin America and the Hispanic community right here in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ October 17th - The October Sky Festival returns to Oliver Springs on from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM — a free, all-day community celebration of the town's rich heritage and its place in American cultural history. Oliver Springs was the filming location for the beloved 1998 film October Sky, based on Homer Hickam's memoir about a coal miner's son who fell in love with rocketry and went on to work for NASA. More Info

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 20 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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