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The Big Ticket

Dr. Jean Kilbourne
Pioneer feminist exposing sexism in advertising and two-time Lecturer of the Year. Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. University Center Auditorium. Free.

Pilot Light Benefit Show with The Rockwells and Slick
The bands play for free so your favorite rock club makes some money for a change. Thursday, Nov. 20, 9 p.m. Pilot Light. $5, or more if you can.

Tellebration!
A worldwide storytelling event featuring local tellers. Friday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. Laurel Theater. $6-$8.

Rana
New Jersey rockers and Bonaroo veterans. Friday, Nov. 21, 10 p.m. Barley's. Free.

Bill Wharton
The "Sauce Boss" brings his swampy Florida blues to Maryville. Saturday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Brackins Blues Club. $12 adv./ $15 day of show.

The Animation Show
An animation festival of 14 shorts programmed by Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt. Friday, Nov. 21 thru Wednesday, Nov. 26. Regal Cinema Downtown West 8. $5.50 before 6 p.m., $7.50 after 6 p.m.

The Prids
Brainy Kraut-rock with a New Wave groove. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

Flipside Runner
Formerly known as Big Fish Funk Revival, but they're still funky. Nov 28, 8:30 p.m. New City Cafe. $5

Lucero
While it is very exciting to see a band in its infancy, playing with reckless abandon and living for their moment on stage, it's also a pleasure to see (and hear) a band come into its own. You know, grow up a bit without sacrificing everything good that got them to that point. Such is the case with Lucero, that Americana alt-rock band from Tennessee's Bluff City we know as Memphis. Although they have gathered many fans and much press from the Americana camp, their sound continues to be moving more and more, simply put, toward being American rock and roll.
Their latest CD That Much Further West (Tiger Style Records) sounds like a band growing up without sacrificing the raw energy and simplicity that has drawn so many in these parts to call themselves fans. The band, fronted by the Tom Petty-meets-Tom Waits vocals of Ben Nichols, produced this record after having fellow Memphian and North Mississippi All-Star Cody Dickinson produce their first two releases. The record rocks, rolls, and shows a band really coming into their own, and beginning to realize their true potential. From the rockin' "Hate And Jealousy" (with a guitar-driven beginning falling somewhere between Sabbath's "Paranoid" and Uncle Tupelo), to the short but very sweet tale "Joining The Army" (makes one think they were channeling Scott Miller while penning this one), Lucero covers a lot of bases, and I am sure their live show satisfies their sing-along fan base as much as this great new record does.
Be sure to get to the show for both openers: Stroller—a rock and roll band carrying a large Mu$ic City buzz with them after recently signing with Compadre Records out of Texas—and Glossary, Murfreesboro-based band worth watching to see where their very bright future takes them. Truly a quality triple-threat evening at Blue Cats that I ain't missing! (Benny Smith)
LUCERO WITH STROLLER AND GLOSSARY * FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 9 P.M. * BLUE CATS * $7/$6 WITH COLLEGE ID.

Market Square Grand Reopening
Guess who's back...back again. Market Square...tell a friend.
The day Knoxville (or at least most of downtown) has been waiting for arrives with a stellar ribbon-cutting ceremony and a wish list of local performers including Scott Miller, Todd Steed, R.B. Morris Robinella & the CCstringband, the Actor's Co-Op (and many, many more) set to unveil the facelift of a landmark. The all-day event is a fitting way to usher in a new chapter in our city's history. Take the day off to celebrate the completion of the first phase in the redevelopment of downtown Knoxville. (Clint Casey)
MARKET SQUARE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY * TUESDAY, NOV. 25, 11:45 A.M. - 9 P.M. * MARKET SQUARE * FREE

Vegetarian Society of East Tennessee Thanksgiving Potluck
The annual Thanksgiving potluck thrown by the Vegetarian Society of East Tennessee must feel like a gathering of the pickiest eaters in the free world. I'm speaking as one who foregoes meat, so don't think I'm throwing stones. At weddings, funerals, buffets, I'm the worst, asking, "Does this have meat in it?" with a mildly put-out, semi-pained expression on my face. Them's the breaks when you eliminate animals from your diet, but sometimes you want cruelty-free eating to be less of a hassle.
That's the beauty of the VSET Thanksgiving Potluck. Although every vegetarian (or vegan or lacto-ovo-vegetarian) has a different reason for his or her diet choices, the group gathers on one spot of common ground: no meat, which means no threat of surprise pork bits floating in otherwise vegetarian vegetables. With the event drawing upwards of 200 people, and guests bringing a dish to serve eight to 10 adults, that's a lot of great food to go around. Plus, the night will feature live music before dinner and door prizes, like gift certificates to veg-friendly restaurants.
You don't even have to be a card-carrying vegetarian to attend, just bring a hearty appetite and a healthy sense of fellowship. Consider it a meat-free, stomach-stretching warm-up for Thanksgiving proper. (Paige M. Travis)
VEGETARIAN POTLUCK * SUNDAY, NOV. 23, DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 P.M. DINNER STARTS AT 6:30 P.M. * SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH (3611 KINGSTON PIKE) * $5 GUESTS, $4 VSET MEMBERS, $2 CHILDREN 5-10, FREE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5.

Art for the People Holiday Show
People collect things for different reasons—emotional or subconscious, practical or intellectual. As for myself, I harbor a strange obsession for collecting letterpress prints. The annual Yee-Haw Industries' holiday grand opening is not conducive to getting over it.
Every November thru December, Julie Belcher and Kevin Bradley host a reception—much like Wonka opening the gates to his mysterious chocolate factory—giving free reign to honky-tonk ephemera and a hodgepodge of goodies. Private collection prints are made available for purchase, and regional artists exhibit and peddle their handcrafted wares. Start your shopping early by sifting through folk art shrines, vintage turntables, duct tape wallets, deluxe rocket ships, fancy frames, voodoo dolls and Christmas swag galore. The show is being held in a new, more spacious location—the fifth floor of the Woodruff building—and will be open through Dec. 23. (Clint Casey)
ART FOR THE PEOPLE HOLIDAY SHOW GRAND OPENING * FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 6 P.M. - 9 P.M. * 424 SOUTH GAY STREET, WOODRUFF BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR * FREE