You don’t have to love opera to enjoy the Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair in Knoxville. Named for the composer of 39 operas, the free event features rock and country concerts, food, and locally made art and crafts. But opera won new fans during the 2009 fair, when Knoxville Opera’s ornately costumed company and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra marched along Gay Street to perform beneath a tent — then returned to the Tennessee Theatre for their evening performance.
Up to 70,000 people are expected to attend the ninth annual event on April 24, said Knoxville Opera Development Director Celeste Hart. And opera fans don’t have to wait, with winter productions at the Tennessee Theatre that include “The Pirates of Penzance.” Spectacular singing, acting and stage sets — and tickets starting at $15 — attract longtime fans and even families with young children.
“Very affordable and accessible” with a 90-minute flight from Washington, Knoxville has charmed Nasser Pazirandeh, a convention planner in Falls Church. “On Gay Street, my favorite [place] is Mast General Store, where I could spend a couple of hours walking around enjoying their terrific goods.”
Worth the trip tips:
* Explore car-free: hop on the free Knoxville Trolley. Or rent a bike to pedal downtown and 41 miles of greenways.
* Eight miles east of the city center is House Mountain, where rustic marked trails lead past dense woodlands and lichen-laced sandstone boulders up to the peak where breathtaking views, breezes and butterflies await.
If you go:
Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair: rossinifestival.org
First Friday art parties and local gallery exhibitions: knoxvillefirstfriday.com.
Visitor info: knoxville.org
The classic theaters on Gay Street attract fans of architecture as well as culture. Built in 1928 and restored in 2005, the Tennessee Theatre is a Spanish Moor-style movie palace complete with immense crystal chandeliers, terrazzo floors, lavish tapestries, domed ceiling and Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Built in 1818, Bijou’s past lives include tavern, hotel, brothel and vaudeville stage. General Manager Tom Bugg said the Bijou has received accolades for design and acoustics. Those craving music beyond opera can catch free lunchtime live performances ranging from old-time bluegrass to trance Americana in WDVX radio’s “Blue Plate Special” studio. The city’s lively art scene can be sampled each month on First Fridays. Participants include Emporium Center for Arts & Culture, Birdhouse Laboratories and Community Television of Knoxville, which screens works by local filmmakers.
“Knoxville is a great ‘little’ city. I can walk everywhere,” said L.J. White, of Centreville, Va., whose company Revolution3 is organizing a world-class spring triathlon in Knoxville. For running, White enjoys Volunteer Landing along the river, Market Square and the greenways. “There’s great food and lots going on, but with a 10-minute drive you’re out into the countryside, or on your way to the Smokies,” she said. “City life and outdoor adventure — that’s a good find.”
Reach Robin Tierney at [email protected].
