Community Calendar

This year’s Couture Opera experience invites you into a world of shadows, silhouettes, and surprise. The Art of Deception is Knoxville Opera’s most provocative evening yet—an immersive night where illusion reigns and elegance takes unexpected form. Hosted at a new, undisclosed location revealed only to guests, this intimate, fashion-forward event has limited capacity.

Expect the unexpected: a designer runway show styled by Grow, a Shane Archer Concept; a live vocalist and ensemble creating a moody sonic landscape; a roving illusionist who bends perception through close-up sleight of hand; and cocktails crafted with drama and precision. Guests can adorn themselves in luxury from the Velvet Vault by Markman’s and capture their mystique through elegant silhouette portraits—available as timeless keepsakes.
Proceeds support Knoxville Opera’s artistic and educational programming, making this evening of distortion and design a celebration with real impact.

Tickets available to the public on October 6th.

Dress Code: Shadows & Illusion
Black and white. Metallics. Bold structure. Unexpected elegance.

Think sculptural silhouettes, graphic stripes, and dramatic contrasts. Gowns or suits should play with sharp lines, light and shadow, or reflective textures. Architectural shapes, sleek tailoring, and surreal detail are encouraged.

This is high fashion with a twist — polished, mysterious, and made to turn heads.

Consistently rated the best local scavenger hunt since 2016!

Puzzling Adventures are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided walking tour. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer a question or solve a puzzle to receive your next instruction. Compete as a group, individually or create multiple teams and race each other. Almost all of our adventures are designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and all are carefully crafted to be entertaining and informative with something to appeal to all ages. Complete the adventure as quickly as possible to win first place or take your time and enjoy the journey. Price is per team, not per person. Groups can be any size, but small groups are recommended for the best experience.

Enter the code EVENTPASS on the payment page for a $10 discount!

Most locations are available daylight hours every day.

Explore Daisy Town, a community within the historic Elkmont district, and celebrate those who lived, worked, and played in the Smokies before the park’s creation. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger-led program. Jakes Creek parking area in Elkmont, Tenn. Free. Info: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm or 865-436-1200.

Consistently rated the best local scavenger hunt since 2016!

Puzzling Adventures are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided walking tour. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer a question or solve a puzzle to receive your next instruction. Compete as a group, individually or create multiple teams and race each other. Almost all of our adventures are designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and all are carefully crafted to be entertaining and informative with something to appeal to all ages. Complete the adventure as quickly as possible to win first place or take your time and enjoy the journey. Price is per team, not per person. Groups can be any size, but small groups are recommended for the best experience.

Enter the code EVENTPASS on the payment page for a $10 discount!

Most locations are available daylight hours every day.

Consistently rated the best local scavenger hunt since 2016!

Puzzling Adventures are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided walking tour. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer a question or solve a puzzle to receive your next instruction. Compete as a group, individually or create multiple teams and race each other. Almost all of our adventures are designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and all are carefully crafted to be entertaining and informative with something to appeal to all ages. Complete the adventure as quickly as possible to win first place or take your time and enjoy the journey. Price is per team, not per person. Groups can be any size, but small groups are recommended for the best experience.

Enter the code EVENTPASS on the payment page for a $10 discount!

Most locations are available daylight hours every day.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary - marking half a century of leveraging research, technology, and human connection to improve the lives of Tennesseans.

Founded in the 1970s as the continuing education arm of the UT College of Social Work, SWORPS has evolved into a $33 million statewide center with nearly 200 employees across Tennessee and beyond. Today, it stands as the College's outreach arm, uniting three divisions - Applied Research and Evaluation, Technology and Development, and Field-Based Services - in advancing the wellbeing of children, families, and communities.

"Because of SWORPS, decision-makers across Tennessee have access to real-time data to improve programs and policies. Because of SWORPS, parents find employment and reunite with their children. Because of SWORPS, families are supported before crises happen," said Daryl Kennedy Chansuthus, Director of SWORPS. "Our past fifty years have been about building bridges - between research and practice, technology and people, universities and communities. The next fifty will be about strengthening those bridges to create lasting impact."

Anniversary Open House: Bridging Communities. Transforming Lives.
The Open House will showcase SWORPS' history, highlight innovative current projects, and invite guests to explore interactive exhibits that demonstrate how SWORPS connects research, technology, and direct service to transform lives. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and meet SWORPS' teams to learn more about how SWORPS' work continues to shape public service in Tennessee.

Explore the basics of nature journaling, learn creative ways to lay out a nature journal page, practice observational drawing techniques, and use reflective prompts to deepen awareness. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Online webinar. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; To join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events/ or email: membership@smokieslife.org.

Learn to identify the various sparrow species found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and apply your new skills in the field at the Branch Out event: Secret Life of Sparrows on November 18. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Online webinar. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; To join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events/ or email: membership@smokieslife.org.

Consistently rated the best local scavenger hunt since 2016!

Puzzling Adventures are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided walking tour. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer a question or solve a puzzle to receive your next instruction. Compete as a group, individually or create multiple teams and race each other. Almost all of our adventures are designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and all are carefully crafted to be entertaining and informative with something to appeal to all ages. Complete the adventure as quickly as possible to win first place or take your time and enjoy the journey. Price is per team, not per person. Groups can be any size, but small groups are recommended for the best experience.

Enter the code EVENTPASS on the payment page for a $10 discount!

Most locations are available daylight hours every day.

Consistently rated the best local scavenger hunt since 2016!

Puzzling Adventures are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an adventure race, and an informative self-guided walking tour. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that you are guided to where you are required to answer a question or solve a puzzle to receive your next instruction. Compete as a group, individually or create multiple teams and race each other. Almost all of our adventures are designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and all are carefully crafted to be entertaining and informative with something to appeal to all ages. Complete the adventure as quickly as possible to win first place or take your time and enjoy the journey. Price is per team, not per person. Groups can be any size, but small groups are recommended for the best experience.

Enter the code EVENTPASS on the payment page for a $10 discount!

Most locations are available daylight hours every day.