Bijou Jubilee

January 28 - 31, 2009

The Jubilee!

The Bijou Theatre is turning 100!

It’s time to ‘set the stage for the next 100 years’ and celebrate Knoxville’s longest-running performance venue.

Light Up The Bijou!

For too long the facade of the "Gem of the South" has been dark. We now have the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the Bijou Theatre once again. On January 28, 2009 at 5:30 pm we will flip the switch on the Bijou’s blade and marquee, illuminating what has long been a historic part of downtown Knoxville.
Learn how you can be a part of history...

Event Schedule

WEDNESDAY January 28

5:00 - 6:00p	Kickoff / Light-Up The Bijou Location: Ceremony Sidewalk Admission: Free Kick off Jubilee! and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bijou Theatre with the 'lighting up' of the Bijou with the new blade and marquee signs on Gay Street.
7:00 - 9:00p	Tennessee Shines Radio Show Location: Main Stage Tennessee Shines is a live radio show broadcast from the Bijou stage. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, hosts the show, which features nationally recognized and up-and-coming artists, and showcases music from the Appalachian foothills to the Mississippi delta and beyond.

THURSDAY January 29

5:00 - 6:00p	Happy Hour Swing Jazz - Johnson Swingtet Location: Bistro Restaurant Admission: Free Inspired by the jazz music of 1930’-50’s, the Johnson Swingtet draws its muse from the great jazz artists of the past to create one hot swing revue. Whether it’s a sultry midnight swing set or a riff- romp down happy street, the Johnson Swingtet is at your service.
5:00 - 10:00p	Art Auction Location: Gallery Admission: Free Celebrate local artists and support the Bijou as you bid on great works of art. View Mike Berry's signature piece celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Bijou while you purchase great art in the silent auction. Sponsored by: First Tennessee Bank
7:00 - 8:00p	Bach & Barber @ the Bijou Location: Main Stage Admission: $10 [Buy Tickets Online] Members of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Tennessee Stage Company and Circle Modern Dance join for a unique collaboration, featuring the music of American composer Samuel Barber, the spoken word of Knoxville native James Agee, and dance performance set to Bach's music. In Association with: Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Tennessee Stage Company Circle Modern Dance Sponsored by: Tennessee Lighting
8:00 - 9:00p	Angel Zuniga Martinez Location: Bistro Restaurant Admission: Free Angel's roots may be in South Texas, but his music is positively pan-galactic. With a voice compared to Morrissey, Freddie Mercury and Mr. Presley, don't miss this chance to experience his unique musical perspective in this wonderfully intimate space. Sponsored by: Regions Bank
9:00 - 11:00p	Grupo Fantasma Location: Main Stage Admission: $25 [Buy Tickets Online] The funkiest, hardest working latin orchestra of the last decade, (just ask Prince) - Grupo Fantasma blends animated performance with mature and intelligent songwriting. Combining the deeply rooted traditions of cumbia, salsa and funk with a dose of pyschedelia, this masterful ensemble has forged a fresh new standard of excellence in latin music. Not to be missed. Sponsored by: Crowne Plaza

FRIDAY January 30

12:00- 1:00p	Jazz Brown Bag Lunch Location: Main Stage Admission: $10 [Buy Tickets Online] The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra performs a wide range of music steeped in the American jazz tradition. Join us for a Friday lunchtime concert on the Bijou main stage. In Association with: Knoxville Jazz Orchestra sponsored by: The Lunchbox
2:00 - 4:00p	Author Lecture: "A Restoration of Agee" by Dr. Michael LoFaro Location: Main Stage Admission: $5 [Buy Tickets Online] Michael A. Lofaro is professor of American literature and American and cultural studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and frequent lecturer on James Agee. This reconstruction of A Death in the Family provides a firmer sense of Agee's monumental achievement. Join us for this compelling discussion of Agee as a deeply influential writer of creative non-fiction and literary genius.
4:00 - 5:30p	Bijou / Lamar Historical Tour Location: Everywhere Admission: Free If you’ve ever wondered about the historical significance of the Bijou Theatre or the mysteries of the Lamar House, then you must join representatives of Knox Heritage as they take you on a guided tour throughout this majestic performance hall and reveal all the secrets, history and milestones of Knoxville’s fourth oldest building. In Association with: Knox Heritage
5:00 - 6:00p	Happy Hour Opera Showcase Location: Bistro Restaurant Admission:Free Nothing says 'Happy Hour' better than a few arias over highballs. No matter if you prefer Verdi 'neat', or Puccini 'on-the-rocks' - this is an hour of attitude adjustment that's sure to sit well with aficionados of top-shelf offerings. In Association with: Knoxville Opera Co.
6:00 - 7:00p	Vitantri Indian Fusion Location: Gallery Admission: Free Vitantri (Sanskrit meaning: "one string out of tune") is a musical consort which combines many diverse elements from both eastern and western styles and idioms. Eastern style rhythm and vocals combine with western string instruments and percussion to provide a fusion which endeavors to provide the best from both cultures.
5:00 - 6:00p	Einstein Simplified Improv Comedy Location: Main Stage Admission: $10 [Buy Tickets Online] Einstein Simplified is Knoxville’s longest running improvisational comedy troupe. Since 1994, this eclectic troupe has been entertaining audiences with their own fractured version of short form improvisation. Count on thirty minutes of mayhem, laughs, and audience suggested relativity to occupy the Bijou main stage.
8:00 - 8:20p	Dave Barnes (opener) Location: Main Stage Admission: Included with Henry Cho Ticket Best known as a singer/songwriter, Dave Barnes opens the show with his own blend of humor.
8:20 - 10:00p	Henry Cho Location: Main Stage Admission: $25 [Buy Tickets Online] Cho was raised in Knoxville, attended the University of Tennessee, and moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue a career as a laugh-meister. Cho,who is Korean American, often uses his childhood experiences in his comedy. His TV appearances include the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a Comedy Central special.
10:30- 12:00p	Late Night Horror Film: "Psycho" Location: Main Stage Admission: $5 [Buy Tickets Online] Alfred Hitchcock's classic suspense/thriller was a genre-defining film, and almost every scene is legendary. Even the soundtrack is creepy, (Shower, anyone?) Come watch it for the first time on the big screen in the historic Bijou Theatre.
12m	Midnight Ghost Tour Location: Everywhere Admission: $5[Buy Tickets Online] The Bijou Theatre has long been rumored to be haunted. Find out for yourself as the East Tennessee Paranormal Society takes you into the depths of the Bijou and Lamar House to explore the spirits of the theatre on this guided tour into the netherworld.

SATURDAY January 31

11:00a - 12:00n	Marshall Andy’s Round-Up Location: Main Stage Admission: $5 [Buy Tickets Online] Introduce your children and grandchildren to the tradition of children's programming at the Bijou as Marshall Andy entertains with music, humor, classic western rope tricks, and the best yodeling this side of the Alps.
1:00 - 2:00p	Children’s Dance Showcase Location: Main Stage Admission: $5 [Buy Tickets Online] Come see the best of the next generation of dancers as The East Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble presents a showcase of their work. In Association with: TN Children’s Dance Ensemble
3:00 - 4:00p	Boozehound Gandy Dance Location: Main Stage Admission: Free Vaudeville comes alive in the monologues, comedy, satire and music presented by this troupe of performers. Original & traditional songs as well as contemporary tunes are woven into the humble, but comfortable fabric of the show. Fun. Ferocious. Free.
5:00 - 6:00p	Dulcimer Showcase Location: Gallery Admission: Free Imagine, if you will, a slightly diminutive version of the lollapalooza festival, but with dulcimers. Hammered, strummed, and appreciated in every sense. Don't miss what is bound to be a unique musical experience. In Association with: Knoxville Dulcimer Club
6:00 - 7:00p	Tennessee Schmaltz Location: Bistro Restaurant Admission: Free Combining traditional Klezmer music with Southern Appalachian fare, and the occasional jazz standard. It's 'feel-good' stuff for sure.
8:00 - 9:00p	Songwriters in the Round (opener) Location: Main Stage Admission: Included with Dave Barnes Ticket This headline event starts off with a unique "songwriters in the round" session, featuring some of the best of regional artists including; Dave Barnes, Robinella, Jon Davis and Erick Baker. All are profoundly talented performers in their own right, but this grouping promises to be something really special.
9:20 - 10:45p	Dave Barnes Location: Main Stage Admission: $20 [Buy Tickets Online] Dave Barnes is a rock-R&B singer-songwriter from Kosciusko, Mississippi in the U.S.. Barnes is known - aside from his music - by his humorous and witty anecdotes. As a recording artist, Barnes is one of few successful artists who has achieved critical and some commercial success as an independent recording artist.
11:00 - 12:00p	Late Night Poetry Slam w/Seed Location: Bistro Restaurant Admission: Free Before you call it a night, experience how dynamic spoken word can be. Join us for live poetry with the dynamic readings and compositions of Seed, along with the very best poets in East Tennessee.

Tickets

Tickets are available in advance at 865-684-1200, knoxbijou.com, or by phone at 865-684-1200.
Tickets may also be available at the door, depending on availability.

Also available:
• Individual events: $5- $25
• VIP Festival Pass: $125

VIP Festival Passes Include:

  • A pass to all festival events with the exception of Henry Cho and Dave Barnes
  • Discount on Henry Cho and Dave Barnes tickets
  • Priority seating, with the exception of Tennessee Shines.
  • Commemorative lanyard
  • Four drink vouchers
  • Gift Pack with Merchandise
  • Meet and greet opportunities as available
  • Complimentary Tennessee Shines ticket

*Please note that these packages will be shipped to your residence prior to the Festival if purchased before January 21st, 2009. All VIP packages purchased after January 21st, 2009 will be available at the Bijou Theatre Box office during the Festival.

Buy Tickets Online

Directions / Parking

• Maps & directions

Several parking lots and on-street metered spaces are located near the Bijou Theatre. The closest parking is a pay lot on Cumberland Ave., adjacent to the Theatre. The State Street, Market Square and Locust Street garages are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. Some on-street parking is available on surrounding streets. Click here for a convenient map of downtown parking locations. The Bijou Theatre is just below the center of the map.