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The Big Ticket

Rufus Grove
Panic-like groove band from Asheville. Thursday, Aug. 5. Barley's. Free.

Tenki w/ the Mark Large and Will Wright
Like an indie rock version of Chicago circa "25 or 6 to 4." Maybe it's the trumpet. Thursday, Aug. 5, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

First Friday
Another lovely summer evening on Market Square. Friday, Aug. 6, 5:30 � 9 p.m. Market Square merchants. Free.

Bye Bye Birdie
Smash hit Broadway musical comedy. Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m. Oak Ridge Playhouse. $15, $18. Call 482-9999 for reservations.

Dishwater Blonde
Take a refresher course in funkiness. Friday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m. New City Café. $5.

Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash w/ Caution
Party like it's 1969. Friday, Aug. 6, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $5.

Dave Barnes
Sweet blues-infused folk rock from Mississippi. Saturday, Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. New City Café.

Slow Blind Hill w/ Rebecca Armstrong
Give in to your blues. Monday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

Mem Shannon & the Membership
If East Tennessee isn’t hot enough for you, consider New Orleans where the only cure for their damp-dishcloth humidity is a fan set on full-blast and a heavy dose of the blues. But before you hop a jet plane, the best of the Big Easy is coming to you. Mem Shannon is the real deal: he grew up in New Orleans, drove a cab since he was 18 years old, playing gigs on Bourbon Street when he wasn’t shuttling tourists. A few big breaks circa 2001 introduced Shannon to the rest of the world via his debut disc Memphis in the Morning. Since then, Mem has parked his taxi in favor of spreading his personal, humorous, funky and oh-so-danceable brand of blues. Mem and the Membership have taken a liking to Knoxville, and this time around they’re playing two gigs. So rest up, and don’t forget your boogie shoes. (Paige M. Travis)
One Hot Night Down in New Orleans w/ Mem Shannon & the Membership • Friday, August 6, 5:30 – 8 p.m. • Knoxville Museum of Art • $8 general, $5 KMA members and UT students w/ ID.
Mem Shannon & The Membership • Friday, August 6, 10 p.m. • Preservation Pub • $3.

Rural Preservation Party and Auction
The excitement of being an active auction participant ranks high on the adrenaline scale. Opposing bidders charge the air around an auction block with infectious electricity. If you’ve never been privy to the experience, the Citizens Against the Pellissippi Parkway Extension is throwing its third annual Rural Preservation Party and Auction this Saturday. The CAPPE has also scheduled an eclectic mix of decidedly Southern festivities, food and music to complement the public sale—sack races, covered wagon rides, barbeque dinner and music from Evan Carawan, “Blue Barry” Faust, Jay Clark and fiddler Tim Worman. Bid on a fun assortment of practical items—veterinary services, landscape consultation, automotive products, a hand-held gas leaf-blower—and go home with the satisfaction of toppling your bidding adversary. (Clint Casey)
Rural Preservation Party and Auction • Saturday, August 7 • Auction preview at 3:30 p.m., music and activities at 4 p.m., auction at 6:30 p.m. • Kelmont Farm, 1816 E. Brown School Road (Maryville); Rain location Old East Maryville Church, 1220 Brown School Road • Free.

Heart of Art Benefit
A fundraiser that utilizes art to raise money for the cause of good health supports the proposition that art heals. A party and art sale in one, Heart of Art is an inaugural event featuring the works of local artists Aleex Conner, Bobbie Crews, Paula Smith and Jessica Gregory. Conner’s impressionistic oils were recently on display in Giverny, France, home of Monet’s picturesque gardens. Boosting the fundraiser’s party atmosphere will be appetizers, door prizes and complimentary chair massages for anyone who could benefit from the touch of healing hands. Proceeds from this first Heart of Art go to the Wellness Community of Knoxville, a non-profit that provides support and education to cancer patients and survivors. With good causes in abundance, here’s a way to support two with one good-time event. (P.M.T.)
Heart of Art • Art sale & benefit for the Wellness Community of Knoxville • Saturday, August 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Comfort Hotel (on Kingston Pike across from West Town Mall • Free, but donations are welcome.