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The Big Ticket

Betty Dylan
Edgy, alt-country husband-and-wife duo. Thursday, Jan. 29, 10 p.m. Barley's. Free.

Films by James Agee
Screenings of Night of the Hunter with Robert Mitchum and the documentary In the Street. Friday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. Knoxville Museum of Art. Free.

10 Years, Rose Hill Drive and Inspector 12
Rose Hill Drive gives rock the '70s treatment. Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $5.

Pleuroma with Chelsea Horror and Kamuy
A triple-shot of local rock. Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

Silas House and Julia Watts
Kentucky-born authors read from their works. Monday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Hodges Library, UT campus. Free.

Greater Tuna
Two actors, 20 characters. Opens Friday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. Theatre Central. $10 general, $5 students.

Mem Shannon & The Membership
Warm up for Mardi Gras with Mem's funky New Orleans blues. Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. Palace Theater. $12 adv., $15 door.

Twelfth Night
Just when I think I've seen enough Shakespeare plays for a lifetime, another one comes along to pique my interest. Twelfth Night, opening this weekend at Clarence Brown Theatre, gets props as one of the Bard's funniest comedies. Viola, shipwrecked on the island of Illyria, disguises herself as a young man, offers her services to Count Orsino who loves Lady Olivia although she still mourns her dead brother and won't have anything to do with the Count. In classic Shakespeare style, love triangles become octagons, but somehow everything turns out alright.
Set in the early '30s, director Blake Robison's production emphasizes the play's fascinating characters—their quirks, foibles and ultimate humanity. "I am always amazed by the depth and detail of Shakespeare's characters," he says. "His characters embrace the contradictions that make us who we are." The cast showcases a bevy of talented actors including New York actors Guisseppe Jones (from CBT's Art) and Matt Detmer (from All in the Timing) and local fave John Forrest Ferguson as Feste the fool. The show also features the talents of Tony-winning guest lighting designer Beverly Emmons and set designer Kevin Rigdon, veteran of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Put on your Elizabethan ears and prepare to be wooed anew. (Paige M. Travis)
TWELFTH NIGHT * FRIDAY, JAN. 30 THRU SATURDAY, FEB. 14 * 8 P.M. TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY; 2 P.M. FEB. 8 * CLARENCE BROWN THEATRE * $35 OPENING NIGHT, $22-$15 OTHER PERFORMANCES.

Dance Perspectives
The artistic forms of dance, film and art collide in this year's Dance Perspectives. The variety and sheer number of performers reveal how diverse and extensive our dance community really is: Appalachian Ballet, Circle Modern Dance, For Zion's Sake, Gihula Dance, Leap of Faith, Pointe West Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre of Oak Ridge, Studio Arts for Dancers and the University of Tennessee Dance Company. During each show, artists Stacey Adam and Matthew Blondell will create works to be auctioned off at the end of the show, with half the proceeds going to Hadassah. Local songbird Jodie Manross will add her sweet vocals to Ballet Gloria's performance, and Amira Inas will screen her film as part of the show. When scheduling dictates that you can't see every one of the many dance shows held every year, Dance Perspectives is probably the best way to sample from the buffet of local talent. Here's hoping they offer three shows next year. (P.M.T.)
DANCE PERSPECTIVES * FUNDRAISER FOR HADASSAH * SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 7 AND 9 P.M. * PELLISSIPPI STATE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, HARDIN VALLEY * $10 STUDENTS, $13.50 GENERAL ADMISSION * TICKETS AVAILABLE AT DANCER'S SHOPPE AND DISC EXCHANGE WEST.

Lizza Connor
Hailing from our big sister city of Nashville, where dreams die faster than goldfish, Lizza Connor is feeding from the musical top. With a voice that evokes Dar Williams and descriptive lyrics reminiscent of Neil Young, she colors each song with lush, bright harmonies. The fragile singer won the prestigious songwriting competition held at Merlefest in Spring 2003 and continues to impress with her angelic voice. Gently strumming her pain for the public, Connor plays the New City Cafe for all you fishies in the Knoxville sea. (Clint Casey)
LIZZA CONNOR * FRIDAY, JAN. 30, 7 P.M. * NEW CITY CAFE * $7