FREE COMIC BOOK DAY this Saturday only, at area comic book stores
McKay displays specials at Nirvana Comics Knoxville, 6709-B Kingston Pike leading up to Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY this Saturday only, at area comic book stores

(UPDATED WITH PARTICIPATING COMIC STORE LOCATIONS) EAST TENNESSEE (May 4, 2022) – ​Calling all comic book enthusiasts! The first Saturday of May is recognized nationally as your day! This Saturday, May 7th is Free Comic Book Day (FCBDay), an annual event celebrated across the country. This event attracts new readers and rewards lifelong fans. “We…

First Friday features Taber Gable, art by Fritz Massaquoi
Keyboardist Taber Gable is a hometown musician who graduated from the Julliard School of Music and has grown to be recognized internationally.

First Friday features Taber Gable, art by Fritz Massaquoi

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 2022) – For your enjoyment, while viewing visual arts at the Emporium during First Friday, music will be provided by Keyboardist Taber Gable, a hometown musician with an international reputation. Gable attended the Joy of Music School and performed with the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra before matriculating to the Hart School of…

Events are on the East Tennessee Enlightener Facebook page
We welcome your events to also be posted on the website. Simply email to info@etelight.com. Your efforts to help provide our East Tennessee communities with knowledge and information, and our businesses with recognition and support through the East Tennessee Enlightener Online Community News is welcomed. We are stronger together. Your support that allows the ETE to support our communities is much appreciated.

Events are on the East Tennessee Enlightener Facebook page

There is much to do and many activities for center-city residents who live in the pockets of like-minded disconnected East Tennesseans in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Maryville, and the Johnson City, Morristown areas. All are within an hours drive of Knoxville. The East Tennessee Enlightener is excited to share family activities, adult events, and more happenings…

Marble City Opera, non-traditional, diverse, affordable
The Marble City Opera presents the first staged performance of The Copper Queen at The Flying Anvil Theater in a hybrid live and online presentation.

Marble City Opera, non-traditional, diverse, affordable

“The Copper Queen” opera will be the Marble City Opera’s last performance of the 2021-2022 season. All productions are written by an American composer, sung in English, and explored the experiences of different marginalized communities. “The Copper Queen” is one of those. Knoxville’s own Marble City Opera will present the first live-on-stage performance of The…

Jimmy “JJ” Walker brings dynomite comedy to Maryville
Jimmie Walker, Jr today and pictured in his 1970s role as James "JJ" Evans in the "Goodtimes" television sitcom.

Jimmy “JJ” Walker brings dynomite comedy to Maryville

By Kelvin Ray Boyd KNOXVILLE, Tenn. March 18, 2022) – Iconic stand-up comedian and actor Jimmie “JJ” Walker is bringing some much-needed comic relief to East Tennessee with 2 shows at The Bird & The Book at 1509 East Broadway in Maryville this Friday, March 25, and Saturday, March 26. Showtimes are 7:30 to 11:30…

Jeanine Fuller November live events
So buckle up for Jeanine Fuller's fun, feel-good, magical, mystical, musical ride.

Jeanine Fuller November live events

Jeanine Fuller is a seasoned vocalist and performer who delivers stunning, soulful performances with eclectic blends of musical styles. Her musical influences vary from Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald to Dianne Reeves and Chaka Khan to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince. So buckle up for Jeanine Fuller’s fun, feel-good, magical, mystical, musical ride….

A-E Foundation benefit concert by ‘Musicians of Knoxville Symphony’ and local artists

A-E Foundation benefit concert by ‘Musicians of Knoxville Symphony’ and local artists

  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 21. 2021) – The end-of-season Eastside Sunday Farmer’s Market at Dr. Walter Hardy Memorial Park, 2098 MLK Ave. in East Knoxville, plans to close the season on a high note. This Sunday, Sept. 26, the market will feature “Music at the Market” at 2 pm, with The Knoxville Symphony Musicians and…

Let’s Go! DJ Von’s Last Summer Riverboat Cruise
DeeJay Von and Cassandra McClendon host social events in the Knoxville area. (Photo ETEnlightener.com)

Let’s Go! DJ Von’s Last Summer Riverboat Cruise

KNOXVILLE, TN (Sept. 2021) – If you missed the Black-Out, White-Out, Grown & Sexy, events and cruises hosted by DJ Von and Cassandra McClendon over the years, then this is your last chance to cruise the Tennessee River on the Star of Knoxville Riverboat which features an enclosed main and an open-air upper deck and…

Labor Day Picnic, Worker’s Solidarity Celebration at Tyson Park
Speaking in Knoxville on Labor Day, Vonda McDaniel, President Central Labor Council of Nashville/Middle TN, AFL-CIO. (ETEnlightener.com)

Labor Day Picnic, Worker’s Solidarity Celebration at Tyson Park

KNOXVILLE, TN (Sept. 4, 2021) – The Knoxville-Oak Ridge Central Labor Council’s Labor Day Celebration will on Monday, Sept.6, 10:30 am to 2 pm, at Tyson Park. This event is a free, family-friendly event with food, activities and information for those seeking to improve wages and benefits for skilled laborers and the working classes. This…

Scarboro Reunion adds COVID vaccine clinic to events
The 4 day Scarboro reunion runs from Sept. s to s. at various locations in Oak Ridge

Scarboro Reunion adds COVID vaccine clinic to events

OAK RIDGE, TN (Sept. 1, 2021) – The Scarboro Community Alumni Association of Oak Ridge has added a COVID vaccine clinic to the many events of the 4-day Scarboro Unity Reunion celebration from Sept. 2 – 5, at locations near the community. Free COVID vaccinations and booster shots will be available from 10 am to…

KAUL Shoes for School and Sponsors ready children for school with free shoes, school supplies, food boxes much needed fun outside
Ciera Newton and Jassiah Martin clutch school supplies they collected at the Shoes for School back to school festival.

KAUL Shoes for School and Sponsors ready children for school with free shoes, school supplies, food boxes much needed fun outside

                      KNOXVILLE, TN (August 7, 2021) – Hundreds of local children received new shoes and school supplies Saturday, Aug. 7, during the 19th annual “Shoes for School” event presented by the Knoxville Area Urban League and Covenant Health. The event at Caswell Park with a…

Beck Center Celebrates 8th of August, 2 days at 3 Historic Locations this Weekend

Beck Center Celebrates 8th of August, 2 days at 3 Historic Locations this Weekend

  In Remembrance of August 8, 1863, the Day of Emancipation in the state of Tennessee, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, announces its Seventh Annual Eighth of August Jubilee open to the public with events this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 7 & 8 in three locations.  The Beck 2021 Heritage Award Honoree Felicia Felder-Hoehne Beck…

KAUL Shoes for School festival, free school supplies, food and family fun.
Realtor Nikitia Thompson gave out pencils and crayons at the 2019 event.

KAUL Shoes for School festival, free school supplies, food and family fun.

                            KNOXVILLE, TN – This Saturday, Aug. 7, the Knoxville Area Urban League will host the 19th Annual “Shoes for School” event, from 9 a.m.- noon at Caswell Park, 620 Winona St. in East Knoxville. “Shoes for School” is a community effort…

Storytelling Summit to Encourage Appalachian Future Leaders
Enkeshi El-Amin founder of The Bottom Knox will speak at the Storytelling Summit in Jonesboro, TN. (Photo by Steven Bridges)

Storytelling Summit to Encourage Appalachian Future Leaders

The Young Appalachian Story Summit is free for Young Adult future leaders to engage. (Photo from 2018 Summit JONESBOROUGH, TN (Aug. 1, 2021) –  The 2021 Young Appalachian Story Summit (YASS), will be from 9 am to 4:30 pm., Saturday, August 14, at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It’s all free of charge…