Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love. 

Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love.

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

Frank Murphy interviews Akima Club of Knoxville president Cindy Connor and Akima Cabaret chairperson Donna Brown about the Akima Cabaret 2026, titled "The Wizard of Hawz." In the show, a couple who hates country music goes moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg only to find themselves transported to the colorful land of Hee Haw. The Akima Cabaret is held every other year. Performances will be at the Mill and Mine on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.; and Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets and information at https://www.akimaclub.org/

The Akima grant program provides financial support to several local nonprofit agencies. Over $186,000 was given to non-profit Knoxville area agencies over the past two years through funds raised by Akima Cabaret 2024. Over the last thirty years, Akima has raised over 1.5 million dollars through Akima Cabaret all of which has gone back into the community through Akima grants. Grant applications for 2026 are due by February 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Frank Murphy interviews Akima Club of Knoxville president Cindy Connor and Akima Cabaret chairperson Donna Brown about the Akima Cabaret 2026, titled "The Wizard of Hawz." In the show, a couple who hates country music goes moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg only to find themselves transported to the colorful land of Hee Haw. The Akima Cabaret is held every other year. Performances will be at the Mill and Mine on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.; and Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets and information at https://www.akimaclub.org/
The Akima grant program provides financial support to several local nonprofit agencies. Over $186,000 was given to non-profit Knoxville area agencies over the past two years through funds raised by Akima Cabaret 2024. Over the last thirty years, Akima has raised over 1.5 million dollars through Akima Cabaret all of which has gone back into the community through Akima grants. Grant applications for 2026 are due by February 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Akima Club of Knoxville

Frank Murphy interviews Shannon Herron, Marketing & Creative Director of Dogwood Arts, and Landon Shewmake Owner and COO of BlueWing Homes, about the Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show. The 48th annual House & Garden Show will be held on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance at any ORNL Federal Credit Union branch.

The House and Garden Show features hundreds of vendors showcasing products and services for  home and garden; 10,000 square feet of garden displays created by local landscape designers; stage presentations by experts; and live music.

Learn more at https://www.dogwoodarts.com/houseandgardenshow

Frank Murphy interviews Shannon Herron, Marketing &amp; Creative Director of Dogwood Arts, and Landon Shewmake Owner and COO of BlueWing Homes, about the Dogwood Arts House &amp; Garden Show. The 48th annual House &amp; Garden Show will be held on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026 at the Knoxville Convention Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans, and free for children 12 and under.&nbsp;Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance at&nbsp;any ORNL Federal Credit Union branch.
The House and Garden Show features hundreds of vendors showcasing products and services for&nbsp; home and garden; 10,000 square feet of garden displays created by local landscape designers; stage presentations by experts; and live music.
Learn more at https://www.dogwoodarts.com/houseandgardenshow

Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show

Frank Murphy interviews Kirstin Kropilak and Abigail Jumper of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance (KAMA) about their legacy fundraiser, Doc Rock for Health, which will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Mill & Mine. Tickets are available at https://kamalliance.org/docrock 

KAMA is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the Knoxville Academy of Medicine to promote health education programs that impact the welfare of our community and to encourage friendships among its membership.

The event features a "battle of the bands" in which at least two members from each band are physicians. Each band represents a local health-related charity and plays to win a percentage of the proceeds. During the event, attendees vote for their favorite band. The funds are distributed based on the number of votes each band receives, with a portion of the night’s proceeds donated to the respective charities represented by the bands.

This year's lineup:
7:00pm - Dr. Zoster and the Pox
Playing for Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation
7:45pm - Whiskey Compass
Playing for KAPA Kitchen
8:30pm - BBS
Playing for St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic
9:15pm - No Recall
Playing for Knoxville  Family Justice Center
10:00pm - Remedy
Playing for Interfaith Health Center

Frank Murphy interviews Kirstin Kropilak and Abigail Jumper of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance (KAMA) about their legacy fundraiser, Doc Rock for Health, which will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Mill &amp; Mine. Tickets are available at <a href="https://kamalliance.org/docrock">https://kamalliance.org/docrock</a>&nbsp;
KAMA is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the Knoxville Academy of Medicine to promote health education programs that impact the welfare of our community and to encourage friendships among its membership.
The event features a "battle of the bands" in which at least two members from each band are physicians. Each band represents a local health-related charity and plays to win a percentage of the proceeds. During the event, attendees vote for their favorite band. The funds are distributed based on the number of votes each band receives, with a portion of the night&rsquo;s proceeds donated to the respective charities represented by the bands.
This year's lineup:
<ul>
<li>7:00pm - Dr. Zoster and the Pox Playing for Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation</li>
<li>7:45pm - Whiskey Compass Playing for KAPA Kitchen</li>
<li>8:30pm - BBS Playing for St. Mary&rsquo;s Legacy Clinic</li>
<li>9:15pm - No Recall Playing for Knoxville &nbsp;Family Justice Center</li>
<li>10:00pm - Remedy Playing for Interfaith Health Center</li>
</ul>

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

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