No. 9
Winston Salem's Online News Daily
camelcitydispatch.com
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WS ARTS MAGAZINE
No. 9 - IN THIS ISSUE 16.
20.
06 UNC-SA News
24.
08 Cover Story
28.
12 UNC-SA News
14 UNC-SA News
UNCSA STUDENTS COMPOSE MUSIC FOR TANGLEWOOD'S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
The Journey of Louis Guidetti
HOLIDAY FILM RELEASES 'BLACK NATIVITY' AND 'HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE FEATURE WORK OF UNCSA FILMMAKERS
THREE UNCSA FILMMAKERS WIN DIRECTORS GUILD AWARDS Organization honors women and minority student filmmakers
16
20
24
28
Short Story
Piedmont Opera
A Family Secret and A Grandma's Love
30 Arts News
SAWTOOTH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES 2013 “DECK THE HALLS” DATES
Wagner's The Flying Dutchman A Photo Retrospective
Featured Artist
Susan Boyoung Bailey
Cigar & Spirits
The Lou Rodriguez Maduro Edicion Premiere “Bom Bom”: A Study in Perfection
| UNC-SA News
UNCSA STUDENTS COMPOSE MUSIC FOR TANGLEWOOD'S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
V
isitors to Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights are in for a treat again this year: original music by composers from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).The annual drive-through display of nearly a million LED lights features music by a student and an alumnus of the School of Music. Clay Davidson, a junior composition student from Greensboro, created the music for the jingle bells display, and Joe Miller, a guitarist and 2013 graduate from Seattle, Wash., created a "Nutcracker Mashup" for the dancing Christmas tree. Both studied music technology with Michael Rothkopf in the School of Music. "It's the second year my students have composed music for the Festival of Lights as part of their coursework," Rothkopf said. "We also create music, using computers and synthesizers, for animated cartoons, films, dance, and concert pieces." School of Music Dean Wade Weast said the Festival of Lights provides a wonderful opportunity for young composers. "They will have their music heard by hundreds of thousands of visitors," he said. "The School of Music is proud to partner with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation to enhance the holiday season for so many." In its 22nd season, the Festival of Lights is open nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Park staff estimate that more than 280,000 people visit the festival each year. For information, visit http://
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www.forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol/Documents/ FINAL_FOL_BROCHURE2013.pdf. As America's first state-supported arts school, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a unique stand-alone public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem ("The City of Arts and Innovation") in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. For more information, visit www.uncsa.edu.n
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Kilpatrick Townsend LLP is a proud sponsor of the arts in Winston-Salem www.kilpatricktownsend.com WSARTSMAG.COM
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| Cover Story
The Journey of Louis Guidetti PAGE 8
"T
o be able to paint is a wonderful thing and to do it for a living, I must say I am truly blessed. Classical Realism is in no way an easy art to master nor have I. It can take an entire lifetime of hard work and still the surface of painting may only be scratched.” For Louis Guidetti, a 32 year old native of WinstonSalem, art is all about the journey. Louis studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy where he learned the traditional method of Charcoal Drawing and Oil Painting from Daniel Graves. He learned in the style of the French Academic painters of the late 19th Century. While Mr. Guidetti practiced mainly from the nude modal, he also learned the art of Landscape, Still-Life and Portraiture. After his years of study in Florence, Louis decided to return to work in downtown Winston-Salem’s Art District where he now paints Portraits, Landscapes, Still-Life and Church Paintings by commission in his studio on Trade Street. “For me, I believe that to be a great painter requires a great deal of training in a traditional manner,” commented Guidetti. “One can tell, whether consciously or subconsciously, if an artist has been a humble observer of nature through his WS ARTS MAGAZINE
"For me, I believe that to be a great painter requires a great deal of training in a traditional manner" "I have always been very observant of detail and there is nothing like painting it onto a canvass" WSARTSMAG.COM
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or her painting, and whether or not his or her hand has learned the rules of painting to record such observations on canvas. I have always been very observant of detail and there is nothing like painting it onto a canvass”. Louis makes his living painting live portraits. This work is always done “live” so as to get to know the person. “It is very possible to have a portrait that looks exactly like the person but lacks a sense of their being. The face is so subtle. Even an artist who paints from real life….if they do not seek this subtlety and strive to know the sitter, the portrait will not contain such life for it was not sought. Facial muscles, especially, are complex enough to be constantly overlooked or improperly observed. For this reason I enjoy getting to know the sitter”. Mr. Guidetti feels truly fortunate to be able to WSARTSMAG.COM
paint Portraits in the town he grew up in. His heart, however, lies in painting for the Catholic Church. As a convert to Catholicism, Louis sees no higher honor than helping people and himself learn about God through his painting. “What better way to do this than to try to make the Church and homes beautiful with such work”, commented Louis. “I speak about the Catholic Church but I would gladly do work for any Church that wants it. I have a strong desire to make the Church beautiful and largely for the people. I want to be able to increase the appreciation of beautiful art within the Church to help people in their lives. Such paintings can go a long way toward inspiring one to be better than they are and to grow closer to God”. Louis enjoys such paintings not only for their themes but also because he gets to work with modals PAGE 10
who pose for him and create new environments and opportunities to capture creativity. “I have costumes made for them to wear and any other props the painting might require. If I need to spend time on painting folds, I will set up the clothing on a mannequin so it won’t move for days or weeks. Large scenes of historical events are like a movie set. As a painter, I find I have to tell a story knowing history and visuals is key”. Although the Portrait is clearly his first love, Louis still enjoys the wonderment and variety provided by Landscapes. There is nothing to him like working in a studio all week and then going out to a beautiful area to paint outside all day in the open air. “I find that both Landscape and Still-Life paintings are wonderful practice for the larger paintings I find myself doing,” he stated. “One can do much in the world of the Still-Life through the use of light and color. There is something about seeing a well done brush stroke that captivates me. I also find it fascinating how capturing the illusion of light via paint on an uninteresting object can make it interesting. This truly amazes me”. You can find Louis’ work on display at local galleries as well as on his website http://www.louisguidetti. com. n WSARTSMAG.COM
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| UNC-SA News
HOLIDAY FILM RELEASES 'BLACK NATIVITY' AND 'HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE' FEATURE WORK OF UNCSA FILMMAKERS
T
wo holiday film releases will showcase the work of faculty and alumni of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). School of Filmmaking faculty member Joy Goodwin was executive producer for BLACK NATIVITY, and several alumni worked on HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, which opened Nov.22, scoring the biggest November opening of all time, with $158 million for the weekend. BLACK NATIVITY opened nationwide on Wednesday, Nov. 27. It stars Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Mary J. Blige, and Jacob Lattimore. The film, adapted from the Langston Hughes gospel libretto, has been transplanted to modern-day Harlem. Kasi Lemmons (EVE'S BAYOU, TALK TO ME), who adapted the screenplay and directed the film, joined Goodwin on campus recently for a screening of the film and a question-and-answer session with students. Goodwin, who teaches screenwriting and producing at UNCSA, said reaction to the screening was a reward in itself. "The students were really engaged throughout the film, laughing and gasping," she said. "Then, after the screening, there were so many people who wanted to talk to the director about how the film touched them personally. It was gratifying." Film Dean Susan Ruskin, who has worked with Lemmons, said she valued the director's willingness to come to campus and share her experience making BLACK NATIVITY. "It means a great deal to our students to watch a soon-to-be released film and to be able to speak to the filmmaker directly after the screening while it is still fresh in their minds," she said. Goodwin said she was drawn to the project after seeing a New York stage production of the Langston Hughes work. "It felt like a movie to me. I was so intrigued by the fact that it's a cultural phenomenon, done every year in African-American community theatres across the nation," she said. Goodwin is an independent film producer and a screenwriter. She has been active in developing and producing independent films for more than a decade, including Cherien Dabis's forthcoming MAY IN THE SUMMER, which opened the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Between 2005-10, she was head of development at Plum Pictures in New York, where she co-produced five independent features, all of which were acquired and released theatrically. Prior to becoming an independent filmmaker, Goodwin was an Emmy-winning television producer for ABC, A&E, The History Channel, and ESPN. As a writer, she has covered theater and dance for The New York Times and The New Yorker, and has published an award-winning nonfiction book, "The Second Mark," with Simon & Schuster. Ruskin said it is important that faculty members continue to work in the industry PAGE 12
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while teaching. "We hire faculty for their expertise and their ability to translate their experience to the classroom. As artists, they need to work. It fuels everything they offer to the students." Goodwin said she began teaching because it gave her a chance to reflect on her work making films. "You learn a tremendous amount making a film. Through teaching, you can pass that along and make more use of what you have learned. I love those moments when you watch a young filmmaker 'get' something new," she said. Ruskin added that faculty working on film projects often leads to internships and paid jobs for students and alumni. "It is vital that we develop and nurture our contacts in the industry," she said. A graduate of Harvard, Goodwin has taught film at New York University, Hunter College, and
From left, Film Dean Susan Ruskin, writer/director/actor Kasi Lemmons, and Film faculty member Joy Goodwin discuss the film BLACK NATIVITY following a campus screening.
the University of North Carolina, but says UNCSA is unique. "I love the energy of this place, and I love the fact that students here are always making films. I teach them something and then they use it right away. There is no lag time in this program," she said. Her next project is a screen adaptation of William Faulkner's INTRUDER IN THE DUST, with Debra Granik (WINTER'S BONE) directing. "It's a great yarn, with depth of character and authenticity of material that is typical Faulkner," she said of the project, which she expects to begin shooting within a year in Mississippi. The other holiday release, HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, opened Nov. 22. A sequel to the 2012 film, it stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks. Nine UNCSA alumni worked on the new film, including two whose internships on the first HUNGER GAMES film resulted in paid jobs on the sequel. WSARTSMAG.COM
Film alumni who worked on the sequel include: • Michael Fry (2012), office production assistant. He was a set production intern on the first HUNGER GAMES film. • Adam Meadows (2012), digital preview technician. He also interned on the first HUNGER GAMES film as video assistant. • Ryan Price (2008), assistant to Woody Harrelson on both films • Paul E. Woods (2009), film loader • Danny Lerch (2009), second unit electrician • Gerik Gooch (attended UNCSA 2001-2003), video production assistant • Aeric Adams (2003), production assistant • Jeff Taylor (2009), utility assistant. In addition, Monty Schuth, who attended the UNCSA School of Design and Production, worked on the wig/makeup staff. Ruskin said several students were able to intern
Kasi Lemmons, right, director of BLACK NATIVITY, talks with UNCSA students following a recent preview screening of the film.
on the original HUNGER GAMES movie because it was filmed in North Carolina. "And those internships resulted in paid jobs on the sequel for two of them," she said. "That is why it is so important that we continue to make major motion pictures in this state." As America's first state-supported arts school, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a unique stand-alone public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem ("The City of Arts and Innovation") in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. For more information, visit www.uncsa.edu. n PAGE 13
| UNC-SA News
THREE UNCSA FILMMAKERS WIN DIRECTORS GUILD AWARDS Organization honors women and minority student filmmakers
T
hree
filmmakers
University
of
from
North
the
Carolina
THE OTHER SIDE. Pilkes and Garcia are 2008 graduates of the Film School, and Moratto graduated in 2010.
School of the Arts (UNCSA)
Cullen directed BALDWIN, a third-year film that that
will receive jury awards from
won the DGA jury award for Best African American
the Directors Guild of America
Student Filmmaker. Written by Sam Newsome, a senior
(DGA).
honor
from Raleigh, and produced by senior Ashlee Franklin
exceptional minority and women directors from film
from Harrisburg, it screened at the Real to Reel Film
schools and select universities around the country.
Festival in Kings Mountain and at Cucalorus Film
The
awards
The winners from the School of Filmmaking are
Festival in Wilmington. It is the story of a young boy
Jeremiah Cullen, a senior from West Jefferson; Julie
who has recently lost his caring mother and now lives
Koegl, a 2013 graduate from Statesville; and Andreas
alone with his emotionally distant father. He learns
Guzman, a 2013 graduate from Bois LeRoi, France.
about humanity and family from the most unlikely of
They will have their films screened at an awards
companions, his robot butler, Baldwin.
presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 5, in New York.
Koegl wrote and directed WHAT REMAINS, a fourth-
"This is great news," said Susan Ruskin, Dean of
year film that won in the Best Woman Student Filmmaker
the Film School. "To have three students winning
category. Produced by 2013 graduates Julia Festa of
jury awards in one year is testament to the talent
Fayetteville and Daniel Parra of Indian Trail with senior
of our students, the quality of our program, and the
Bernice Miller of Winston-Salem, it screened at Real
expertise of our faculty."
to Reel and at the Asheville Film Festival. In the film,
Ruskin added that three DGA awards in one year
a woman is killed on her way to pick up a newborn
doubles the school's total number. Previously, Jesse
baby that she and her husband have agreed to
Pilkes won in 2007 for NEST OF SPIDERS, Marco Garcia
adopt, leaving the husband to decide whether to go
won in 2008 for 1915, and Alex Moratto won in 2010 for
through with the adoption alone.
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Guzman wrote and directed REMY, a fourthyear film that won in the Best Latino Student Filmmaker category. Produced by 2013 graduate Brandon White of Winston-Salem, REMY screened at Cucalorus. It is the story of an unmotivated 23-yearold expatriate living in North Carolina whose violent disposition is awakened following an altercation with a homosexual couple. All of the films premiered at UNCSA in May. Founded in 1936, DGA is a 15,000-member worldwide labor organization that represents the creative and economic rights of directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, documentaries, news, sports
Director Marilyn Agrelo congratulates African American Category Jury Award recipient Jeremiah Cullen of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for his film Baldwin. Photo by Mark Hartman.
and new media. "We congratulate all the winners of this year's DGA Student Film Awards," said DGA President Paris Barclay in a press release. "The intent of our DGA Student Film Awards is to shine a spotlight on promising new talent while continuing to encourage diversity in the entertainment industry. We're honored to call attention to these exciting new voices and we congratulate them on a job well done."
Director Marilyn Agrelo presents the certificate of achievement to Women’s Category Jury Award recipient Julie Zografos Koegl of University of North Carolina School of the Arts for What Remains. Photo by Mark Hartman.
WSARTSMAG.COM
Director Marilyn Agrelo presents the certificate of achievement to Latino Category Jury Award recipient Andreas Guzman of University of North Carolina School of the Arts for Remy. Photo by Mark Hartman.
Student Filmmaker Award winners celebrate at the DGA reception.Photo by Mark Hartman.
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| Short Story
A Family Secret and A Grandma's Love By Sherry Brown-Lawless
PAGE 16
Vanessa (Nessie to her friends) grew up in the southern state of North Carolina. She was born a country girl, but always longed for the city. However, it was her younger years growing up amongst the sprawling tobacco farms that shaped who she is today. In the 1970s, Stokes County was a very rural and undeveloped place. Her grandma owned acres and acres of land, which she rented out to people to farm tobacco. Her family was very well known in the area simply because her grandpa's last name was Lawson. They were distantly related to Charlie Lawson, who murdered his entire family, then himself in 1929 on Christmas Day. Only his son Authur (age 16) was not murdered because he had left the farm that morning to run an errand. On that horrific Christmas day, Charlie murdered his wife Fannie (age 37), daughter Marie (age 17), daughter Carrie (age 12), daughter Mae Belle (age 7), son James (age 4), son Raymond (age 2), and baby daughter Mary Lou (age 4 months). Many
WS ARTS MAGAZINE
books, dvds, and even a song have been made about the massacre. Nessie's mom finally told her the truth about their "family secret" when she was 14 years old. It both intrigued and horrified her all at the same time. The murders are still known as one of the most horrific events to ever take place in North Carolina's history. Over 6000 people attended the funeral. Later, Charlie's oldest brother Marion, organized tours of the property to help raise money for Charlie's son Authur. None the less, Authur ended up losing the farm. Shortly after, he decided to move out west to escape the stigma of his last name. He never made it. On his way to rejoin his family, he died in a freak car accident. Maybe this is how rumor of "The Lawson Curse" got started. Nessie's grandma had 6 children. Her mom was the youngest and closest to her grandma. Her grandma grew up in a time where women were expected to get married young, have lots a babies, and take care of the household. She was only 14
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years old when she married Nessie's grandpa, and only 15 years old when she had her first child. However, she lost the child she had before Nessie's mom was born. Her grandma always referred to it as a "crib death". Now, "crib death" is called SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Everyone told my grandma it was due to the "Lawson Curse". Nessie's grandma would simply reply with, "Curses only have power if you believe in them and I don't." From the first time Nessie could remember, her grandma always looked like a little old cute granny. Even as she aged, her features never changed. She was a good Christian woman, but being from the rural south, she had an entire set of superstitious beliefs that only a few would understand. Her beliefs became Nessi's beliefs. Both of Nessie's parents worked full time, so she spent a lot of time with her grandma on her tobacco plantation. They were particularly close because they shared the same birthday, and this, as everything to her grandma, was a sign. Her tobacco plantation went on for acres and acres. On a large hill set her beautiful house with a wrap around porch. A gorgeous copper weather vane mounted firmly set at the highest point of the house. The property had been in Nessie's family for generations. Set back from the main house was a smaller one, which had once been the slave quarters. Her grandma let her long time friend Viola live there for free. Viola's family had once worked and lived on the plantation. Nessie's grandma had formed a tight bond with her. Nessie liked Viola. She had such a mystery about herself. Her family was originally from Louisiana, and probably where her grandma learned so many of her crazy superstitious beliefs. Nessie used to sit with them out on the porch helping them shuck corn and snap beans.They were always gossiping about something or someone. Viola would also sit and quilt with her grandma for hours. They taught Nessie how make corn shuck dolls, and cook collard greens, but her very favorite place on the plantation was a beautiful meadow a small ways from the main house. Nessie's mom had started a strawberry patch there when she was a little girl, and it had never stopped growing. It was such a magical place for Nessie. She would find these cute toad stool rings all around the meadow and run to get her grandma. Her grandma would sweetly kneel down and tell her not to disturb them because they belonged to the fairies. She made everything so magical. Her grandma would also always hum to her herself while she kneaded dough for her pies. To this day, it still makes Nessie smile when she catches herself humming while she cooks. PAGE 17
Nessie and her mom were also especially close. Come rain or shine, Nessie's mom would always go to her grandma's house just to visit. Nessie never minded of course, she loved it there. Mostly her mom helped her grandma pay her bills, balance her check book, and go get her groceries if she needed any. Nessie never knew her grandpa. He died before she was born and when her mom was only 2 years old. Her grandma had told her that out of all their children, her mom was the apple of his eye. He sounded like a nice hardworking man. She really wished she would have known him. It was through watching her mom on all those occasions that she was unconsciously learning what being a good daughter meant, and eventually what being a good mom would come to mean. Nessie's mom would always say, "You can always choose what you will become, but you can never change where it is you came from."Maybe this explained why no matter how far Nessie moved, her heart and soul remained on her grandma's tobacco plantation. As Nessie got older, she remained close with her grandma. She still visited her favorite strawberry patch and kept secret all the magical things her grandma had taught her. Finally, the day came when her grandma was no longer able to care for the large plantation house. Nessie's parents hired a company to come out and completely remodel her grandma's chicken coop into a nice size small home. This may seem odd, but her chicken coop was over 1,200 square feet. When they were finally finished, she had one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a small glassed in porch. This was the most important thing to her grandma because she grew her own fresh herbs. The larger house had an outhouse attached to the porch, which was considered a luxury back in the day, but not very fragrant to anyone in the present. Her grandma however, was set in her ways and would never let anyone remodel it. It was sad for Nessie to see such a beautiful house sit empty and abandoned. In Nessie's teens when she could drive, she would go up to see her grandma by herself. All of her grandma's other children and grandchildren seemed to always want something from her. However, her and her mother never asked for anything. They just enjoyed her company. Nessie later learned what they wanted was the high dollar land her grandma owned. Nessie smiled as she recalled how her and her grandma would put on little matching aprons and cook together. The only thing that drove Nessie crazy was that her grandma refused to watch tv in color. Nessie never learned her grandma's reasoning behind that, but it PAGE 18
became a frequent joke in their family. As time went on, Nessie's grandma would get sick or hurt, but it was like nothing could take the woman down. Nessie's mom still continued her weekly visits, and Nessie would call her from college. When Nessie came home on the weekends, she would without a doubt go to visit her. Nessie always joked around with her grandma. She would laugh and ask her if she was shrinking because she seemed to always be getting shorter. Her grandma gave the best hugs. One very important factor about Nessie's grandma was she never let people leave her house without a full stomach, fresh fruit and vegetables from her garden, and a loving tight hug and kiss. They were three women; her mom, her grandma, and herself. Three completely different generations bound by blood, love, and loyalty. Nessie became a city girl in her 20s, but she never forgot where she came from. More importantly, she never forgot the dark stain of the Lawson Family Murders on her family's history. Then, she got the call. The call that she knew would eventually come. Her mom told her that her grandma had passed. Nessie was devastated that she never got to say goodbye. She packed immediately to come home and left that night. Nessie was told her grandma passed peacefully in her sleep. Her grandma had lived to be 93 years old. Nessie sat beside her mom quietly, each holding a single white rose. Her entire family came to the funeral. Many of them Nessie had never met before. As the funeral came to a close at the burial site, Nessie and her mom were the last to leave. Maybe it was mood of the day or just the fact they were standing in a graveyard, but something triggered Nessie to ask her mom again about The Lawson Family Murders. Her mom told her they were only a few miles from Browder Cemetery where the Lawson Family is buried. Nessie looked at her mom with a sense of curiosity, "Let's go", she said. The graveyard was set a good ways back in the woods. Nessie wasn't sure if they were trespassing or not, but she figured since the Lawsons were her actual kin, she had a right to pay her respects. However, she was not ready for what she saw. A large headstone set on the Lawson grave. It was one massive burial plot. It had all of the names of the children, the mom, and Charlie on it. Then, at the bottom of the grave plot, the names of the children again appeared with their mom Fannie's name.. Nessie's mom explained to her that Marie, Carrie, Mae Belle, James, Raymond, were all buried in individual coffins.The baby, Mary Lou, was buried in her mom Fannie's arms. She pointed to the outside plot away from the mom and children. "That is where Charlie is buried." Nessie knew from what WS ARTS MAGAZINE
her grandma had told her when she was little that Charlie had committed suicide after murdering his entire family. Nessie stood there for a moment trying to absorb the magnitude of such a horrific event. She could not begin to imagine what the Lawson children and their mom Fannie must have gone through. She stepped closer to read the inscription on the large headstone. It read, "Not now, but in coming years, it will be in a better land we'll read the meaning of our tears, and then someone will understand." Puzzled by the statement, Nessie bent down to pay her respects. It was only then that she suddenly noticed dozens of silver coins on Fannie and the children's graves. When she turned to look at Charlie's grave, only pennies surrounded it. "How odd", she thought to herself. As the sun began to set, Nessie and her mom decided to leave the graveyard before it got dark. On the ride home, Nessie asked her mom about the coins. Her mom laughed and said, "Country people are very superstitious. Putting coins on graves goes back to the Greek and Roman belief of the Ferry Man. You must have a silver coin to cross over into the afterlife." Nessie nodded and smiled at her mom. "Putting pennies on someone's grave is to keep them from not crossing over", she added. Nessie put her hand on her mom's arm and smiled. "We have a very strange family history", she said. "Indeed we
do". her mom replied. It wasn't until Nessie returned home and started going through some of her grandma's things that she found and envelope with her name on it. It was dated three days before her grandma had died. It read, " My Dear Nessie, I am being called home. You will always be in my heart. I can not begin to explain to you the happiness and joy you brought me during my lifetime. If we do not get to say goodbye, just whisper my name and I will be there. Follow your heart and dreams.You will find they will always lead you back home. Some secrets are meant to never be revealed. Guard them well. I love you. Grandma." Nessie sat on the floor with tears in her eyes. A warm feeling came over her as she realized this was the goodbye she thought she never would have. A Grandma's love is like no other, just like a mom's love is like no other. Nessie would never forget the wisdom and traditions her grandma had taught her. Even a little death can not separate us from the ones we love. Side Note: I, Sherry Brown-Lawless am directly related to Charlie Lawson. My grandpa was Fount Lawson and my grandma was Mabel Tuttle Lawson. The actual facts in this story about the Lawson's are true and documented in several books and a dvd documentary. n
World Class Cigars, Pipes & Tobacco
301 Mill Street Winston Salem, NC 27103 336-448-2423
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| Piedmont Opera
Wagner's, The Flying Dutchman A Photo Retrospective Photography By Steve Davis Photography
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| Featured Artist
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Susan Boyoung Bailey
WS ARTS MAGAZINE
A singer/ songwriter/ musician, Susan's organicallyinspired original music-fromthe-heart is a harmonious blend of folk, pop rock, and alternative rock styles. WSARTSMAG.COM
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Susan enjoys performing regularly, as a lead vocalist and musician with her group,Songs by Susan–steadily a 3-piece–comprised of lead guitarist, Marshall, and violinist and drummer/percussionist, Nicole. Susan’s genuine passion, drive, and commitment for sharing her original music are refreshingly apparent, with lyrics that have been known to cause ‘ear worms’ and often ‘stick. Ranging from the playful to the poignant, Susan’s voice and lyrics strike universal chords that others can relate to, while she writes with a myriad of different perspectives. Her earthy, folksy Western style, has similarities to Jewel, Joan Baez, Sheryl Crow, and Emmie Lou Harris, as she conveys her songs with a genuinely American voice and personae and dynamic delivery. At times, she is a complex person with interesting contrasts. Her charismatic and extroverted nature make her a natural performer and her more introspective and introverted side appeal more to organic roots of her songwriting. Susan’s songwriting is enticing, with a variety of poetic elements, as she writes with universal simplicity. “I want my lyrics to be heard, felt, and understood, but at the same time leave plenty to ask and wonder about and leave in plenty of mystery and intrigue. If by the end of a song you have some ongoing thoughts, reflections, and questions, I think it’s a good thing.” You can find out more about Susan's music here: http://www.susanboyoungbailey.com n PAGE 26
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| Cigar & Spirits
The Lou Rodriguez Maduro Edicion Premiere “Bom Bom”: A Study in Perfection By Ed Hanes
M
ore people are preferring larger ring gauge cigars. There is one company that is going in a bit of a different direction with their stock. The company is Lou Rodriguez Cigars, a boutique cigar company manufacturing its stock in Esteli, Nicaragua . They are captivating the buyer who still values a shorter smoke while still capturing a robust flavor. The Lou Rodriguez website says it best: "…if you believe that Pinar del Rio and the Vuelta Abajo region in Cuba are the Bordeaux of tobacco, then we believe we have found the Napa Valley in Nicaragua." We prefer the Yadkin Valley but we couldn’t agree more with their premise. In a word, this cigar is excellent. The Rodriguez outfit limits their production to the yield delivered from its privately held factory and farms. The tobacco is sourced from the primere regions for the preferred Nicaraguan filler, binder, and wrapper
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stock: Jalapa and Esteli. With a limited production of 5,000 boxes a year, the company produces four unique product lines. In our opinion the Maduro Edicion Premiere vitola is the clear leader of the pack. Known as the “Bom-Bom”, the magic of this vitola is a Maduro wrapper that is actually from
WS ARTS MAGAZINE
the San Andres region of Mexico. The ultra box pressed cigar measures 4 3/4" with a 42 ring gauge. The veinless dark Maduro wrapper presents a firm cigar with an incredible draw. After a thorough footing of the cigar and a true slice from my table top guillotine the cigar was appropriately prepped. The result was astounding, emitting plumes of smoke and flavors of cocoa, earth, and rich hints of coffee. This medium/full flavored cigar takes off like a freight-train emitting a profile of asian spice, espresso beans and cocoa. The cigar has a surgically sharp burn with a tremendous draw and cool burn. Half way through the cigar I still had a solid ash that took effort to break. This is the mark of superior construction. As I begin the last phase of the cigar, the newly robust spice level proved that it was just getting
started. Two thirds of the way complete and the construction and burn remains razor perfect. The flavorful draw stayed cool and true all the way to the last half inch of the cigar. Magical! The Lou Rodriguez Maduro Edicion Premiere is just that: Premiere. Rich and robust from start to finish, the strength and flavor was consistent throughout. Impeccably constructed and perfectly blended, the Bom Bom is without question the best of the four cigar line. Sold in in containers of ten, this cigar is affordable by the box. If you can find these in your favorite cigar shop you will not be disappointed. For delivering a perfect draw, for superior construction and robust flavor, for consistency from start to finish I give the Lou Rodriguez Maduro Edicion Premiere Bom Bom top honors: 5 E.D.S. n WS Arts Magazine has designed and implemented a ratings system where cigars receive an E.D.S (really...I didn't name the rating system after myself) of 1-5. Each review explains, in easy to understand terms, why we chose that particular rating for a given cigar. Our ratings system is described as follows: 1 E.D.S - These are cigars of last resort. They are questionable even if only mowing the yard or planting a garden. 2 E.D.S - These cigars make tolerable companions while you wash your car. They aren't looking for attention, nor should they! 3 E.D.S - These are pretty respectable cigars but may still fall short. We recommend them for the golf course, the back porch with one of your uninitiated friends, or for the after wedding party (for the husband of your best girlfriend who thinks he knows everything about cigars). 4 E.D.S - Now we’re talking. Enjoy these fine cigars after a delicious meal or with your favorite cocktail. Again, I prefer Fridays at Single Brothers (or my Cigar Room). Join me! 5 E.D.S - Respect your elders! These complex treats are true works of art. They deserve Coltrane, good friends, and your favorite adult tasty treat. Only the best!
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| Arts News
SAWTOOTH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES 2013 “DECK THE HALLS” DATES
J
ust in time for holiday shopping, the Sawtooth School for Visual Art will turn its gallery and classrooms into a retail showcase of affordable fine art and crafts produced by local and regional artists, faculty and students. Deck the Halls, the school’s annual signature fundraiser sale, kicks off with a preview party on Thursday evening, December 5 from 6 to 9 PM, and continues through Saturday, December 21. Tickets for the preview party are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Following the preview, the event is free and open to the general public. Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Monday – Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays, and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, December 8 (closed on Sunday, December 15.) Items for sale will include pottery, jewelry, paintings, ornaments, photography, sculptures, wreaths, glass and much more. “More and more people realize how important it is to support our local economy, and when they shop Deck the Halls, they can do that without sacrificing quality or selection. Some of the very finest artists and craftsmen in the area exhibit and sell their work at Sawtooth during this annual sale,” according to Sawtooth Executive Director JoAnne Vernon. “Prices are very affordable as well,” she added. “The majority of these unique, handcrafted gifts and home accent items range in price from $10 to $100.” Proceeds from the sale help support the Sawtooth School’s ongoing operations as Winston-Salem’s only community visual art school. Event sponsors include Texas Pete at the Platinum level, Butler + Burke, LLP at the Gold level, and Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A. and the Sawtooth Board of Directors at the Silver level. Sawtooth School for Visual Art has been the premier community visual art school in the Piedmont Triad for nearly 70 years, providing art education for all ages from beginner to advanced skill levels. A funded member of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, the Sawtooth School is located in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts complex at 251 N. Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem. Additional information about the Sawtooth School can be found on-line at www.sawtooth.org, or by calling (336) 723-7395. PAGE 30
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3rd Annual
Randolph County BRIDAL SH W
February 23, 2014 2 to 5 pm The Cetwick Event Center 162 N Cherry Street Asheboro
FREE Admission
www.rcweddings.com
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
onsite sales representative
wade woodruff
1327 middleton circle asheboro | nc | 27205
office | 336-633-0111 cell | 336-465-0486
The Palazzo is one of seven different models
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