Vol. 1 — No. 2Weekend Edition · Fri–Sun, Jun 26–28, 2026 · South Knoxville, TN★ soknoear.com
Vol. 1 — No. 2 · Jun 26–28★ soknoear.com
The South Knoxville Ear — We Hear Things.
Island Home

Matt Woods brings his Appalachian songbook to Trailhead

The East Tennessee songwriter plays a free, pet-friendly show on the Trailhead patio Saturday night — Americana with the roots showing.

When
Sat, Jun 27 · 7 PM
Where
Trailhead Beer Market, 1317 Island Home Ave
Cost
Free · pet-friendly
Honest, heartfelt, on the patio

Matt Woods is a product of Appalachia, and you can hear East Tennessee tangled all through his songs — call it Americana, folk-rock, or just country with the roots showing. He's spent most of his life on the road, solo or with his band the Natural Disasters, and by his own telling he's just trying to share some truth and get along.

No Depression pegged him as part of country music's feisty new generation — heady company for a free patio show. Bring the dog; it's pet-friendly and outdoors.

It's on the patio at Trailhead Beer Market on Island Home, Saturday at seven, and it won't cost you a thing.

Top Stories & Events

Hot
World Cup

World Cup on the screens

Five matches Fri–Sun, group stage into the first knockout.

Island Home

Matt Woods at Trailhead

Free Appalachian Americana on the patio, Sat at 7.

Old Sevier

Summer Soirée Market

A curated makers' market at the Pink Cactus, Sun 1–5.

Ijams Park

Evening Paddle at Ijams Park

Two hours on the river, boats provided. Fri at 6.

Old Sevier

The After Brunch Special

Eight comics, one Pink Cactus stage. Sat, doors at 2.

Old Sevier

Hi-Wire's busy weekend

Trivia, an Afro-fusion party, and a stained-glass class.

World Cup

World Cup

The World Cup is on, and SoKno's got a screen for it

Five matches roll through the weekend — group-stage drama Friday and Saturday, then the first knockout on Sunday. Pull up a stool at one of the neighborhood's sports-screen spots and settle in.

Fri Jun 26
Norway–France 3 PM · Uruguay–Spain 8 PM
Sat Jun 27
Panama–England 5 PM · Jordan–Argentina 10 PM
Sun Jun 28
Round of 32 opener · 3 PM
Marquee
Argentina vs Jordan · Sat 10 PM
Where
Kern's, Alliance, South Coast & Southside Garage
Pull up a stool

The world's biggest tournament is in our backyard this summer, and this weekend the group stage hits its final, frantic rounds before the bracket begins. You don't have to drive downtown to catch it — pull up a stool at one of South Knoxville's sports-screen spots and let the neighborhood do the cheering.

This weekend on the screens
Fri · 3 PMNorway v France — Group I
Fri · 8 PMUruguay v Spain — Group H
Sat · 5 PMPanama v England — Group L
Sat · 10 PMJordan v Argentina — Group J
Sun · 3 PMRound of 32 — the first knockout match

If you post up for just one, make it Saturday night: Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, take on Jordan at ten — the marquee match of the weekend.

Where to watch in SoKno

Kern's Bakery is headquarters — they're putting every game on the big outdoor screen, with a huge area to spread out. Alliance Brewing, South Coast Pizza, and Southside Garage have the matches on too, so you've got your pick across the neighborhood. The big ones fill up — get there early for a good seat.

Source:Info from A. Roberts

Old Sevier

Old Sevier

An afternoon soirée of local makers at The Pink Cactus

Sunday afternoon, Old Sevier leans into summer: a curated artisan market on the Pink Cactus patio, one to five.

When
Sun, Jun 28 · 1–5 PM
Where
The Pink Cactus, 1147 Sevier Ave
Cost
Free to browse
Summer, on Sevier

Summer's here, so it's time to soirée. The Old Sevier Summer Soirée Market sets up at The Pink Cactus on Sunday afternoon with a curated lineup of local vendors and makers — handmade goods, summer vibes, and plenty of reasons to spend a slow afternoon on Sevier Avenue.

It runs one to five. Browse, sip, and take home something made by a neighbor.

Source:Info from A. Roberts

Ijams Park

Ijams Park

An evening paddle on the river, kayaks provided

Friday evening, Legacy Parks puts you on the Tennessee River off Ijams Park — boats, paddles, and life jackets included, all skill levels welcome.

When
Fri, Jun 26 · 6–8 PM
Where
Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave
Note
Register ahead · space limited
Two hours on the water

There's no better way to end a Friday than two slow hours on the water. Legacy Parks' Evening Paddle launches from Ijams Park onto the Tennessee River, with kayaks, canoes, paddles, and life jackets provided and staff on hand to get first-timers comfortable. Families, couples, anybody who wants to unwind — all skill levels are welcome.

Space is limited, so register ahead. Then just show up and let the river do the rest.

Old Sevier

Old Sevier

Eight comics stack the bill at the After Brunch Special

Saturday afternoon, eight comedians take the Pink Cactus stage for a stand-up showcase — doors at two, show at two-thirty.

When
Sat, Jun 27 · doors 2, show 2:30
Where
The Pink Cactus, 1147 Sevier Ave
Tickets
$10 presale · $15 door
Doors at two

The Pink Cactus hands its stage to a deep comedy bench Saturday afternoon: the After Brunch Special lines up Jesse James Best, Brody Lawson, Saxton Constant, Savannah Wolfgram, Clinton Ricks, Daniel Castillo, Caleb Friedrich, and Justin Chavez for one afternoon of stand-up.

Doors are at two, the show's at two-thirty, and tickets run ten ahead or fifteen at the door.

Old Sevier

Old Sevier

Hi-Wire packs the weekend: trivia, a dance party, and stained glass

The taproom runs the table this weekend — Friday trivia, a late-night Afro-fusion dance party Saturday, and a hands-on stained-glass class Sunday.

Fri Jun 26
Twilight Trivia · 7 PM
Sat Jun 27
Afro Fusion Party · 9 PM–midnight
Sun Jun 28
Stained Glass Class · 2–4 PM
Pints, points, and a party

Hi-Wire's taproom stays busy all weekend. Friday it's Twilight Trivia at seven — round up a team and a few pints. Saturday night turns into an Afro Fusion Party from nine to midnight. And Sunday afternoon a hands-on Stained Glass Class runs from two to four, for anyone who'd rather make something.

Times and details live on Hi-Wire's Instagram — worth a look before you head over.