EGuide April 2016 edition

April 1, 2016 • Issue 4, Volume 4

Grub Burger Bar: Come Get Your Grub On!

Porch Culture Coffee: Azalea & Flower Trail Continues: TJC April Arts Festival:

Not Just Another Pretty Cup of Coffee

Beauty Abounds Throughout Tyler

Art, Great Ideas & More

2 • EGuideMagazine.com

MUSIC:

Every Tuesday Darrin Morris, 6:30-9:30 Catfish Steaks Every Wednesday Clayton Jones, 6:30-10 Chicken Shrimp Every Thursday Levi Kitchens, 7-10 Crawfish Oysters Every Friday Boom Boom Room Karaoke, 7-11 Sausage Boudin Crab Saturdays, 7-11 Tamales Lobster Morris - April 2nd Burgers Alligator BobbbyDarrin “O” and the Mojo’s April 9th PoBoys Gumbo Last Call Outlaw April 16th Beer Etouffée Wine Blue Louie - April 23rd Aurora Menorah - April 30th

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Girls Night Out - Date Night Private Parties - Corporate Events

www.PinotsPalette.com/Tyler PAINT. DRINK. HAVE FUN. 322 ESE Loop 323, Suite 156 ● Tyler, TX EGuideMagazine.com • 3

EGuideMagazine.com The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas

April 1, 2016 • Issue 4, Volume 4

Contents

5-7 Food

» “Grub Burger Bar: Get Your Grub On” Written and Photographed by Barbara King » “Porch Culture Coffee: Not Just Another Pretty Cup Of Coffee” By Johnny Griffith » Food News & Events

8-10 Things to Do

» “True Vine Brewing Company: Creating a Sense of Community” By Johnny Griffith » The Pegasus Project Holds Aviation Equine Event in Support of Horse Rescue Efforts » The 57th Azalea & Spring Flower Trail Continues: More Beauty through April 10th » Festivals, Fairs, Rallies, and More Fun » “Bring on the Bass! Big Bass Bash Tournament 2016”

By Zairah Wooten » 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, Fun Runs, Color Runs, Bike Rides, and Warrior Races - Oh My!

11 Books

» “Spring Has Sprung” By Gini Rainey » Smith County Medical Society Alliance Book Fair: Thursday-Saturday, April 14th-16th

14-19 Music

w unch $ 6 ! o N g L for n rvi Pho e S y& rr Cu

95

» Red Dirt Music & Barbecue Festival: Turnpike Troubadours Headlines, and Yes, There are Still Tickets » The Old Firehouse Hosts Cherie Call and “The Red Dot Asian Short Film Festival” on Film » In Concert: The Hot Sardines, Candlebox, For King & Country, Junior Brown, Mouse & the Traps, Sandi Patty “Forever Grateful” Tour, Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival, PorchFest at The Back Porch in Kilgore, John Fullbright, Casting Crowns, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band, Vince Gill, and More » The Complete Music Gig Guide for Live Music

20-21 Art

AZIAN CUIZINE

» “Art: Great Ideas – TJC April Arts Festival”

By Derrick White » Multimedia Art Installation on Exhibit at Rose Rudman Trail, All Saints Art Students to Display ChihulyInspired Masterpiece, and Gallery Main Street Upcoming Workshops, Events and More » At the Tyler Museum of Art This Month: A Record Number of Entries for TMA’s 12th Annual High School Art Exhibition » Workshops, Art Walks, Events and Happenings at Local Galleries, Museums, and Other Spaces

22 Theatre

» April & May Plays, Musicals, and More

» “The Literacy Council of Tyler: Guaranteeing the Success of Thousands” Written and Photographed by Barbara King » Discovery Science Place Mini Maker Faire Comes to Tyler » Times Square Cinema Continues $1 Kids’ Movies » Studio Movie Grill offers Special Screenings, Date Night, Girls Night, and Special Screenings

23 Family

Staff INTRODUCING

LUNCH BOWLS

All dishes are $6.95 and served on a bed of steamed jasmine white rice.

Serving daily 11-3.

KFC Bowl: Strips of our sweet & spicy Korean Fried Chicken dressed out with Spicy Mayo and Azian Coleslaw.

BBQ Pork Bowl: Our Azian BBQ Pulled Pork dressed out with tangy Pickled Red Cabbage, fresh cilantro, and Spciy Mayo.

Vietnamese Meatball Bowl: Our Vietnamese Meatballs tossed with shaved Brussel sprouts in a sweet & spicy Hoisin glaze.

Quinoa & Edamame Salad: a cold salad of quinoa, edamame, shaved brussel sprouts, cabbage, and kohlrabi dressed with our citrus-honey vinaigrette.

MON-THUR 11 AM - 9 PM (HAPPY HOUR 11-7) FRI-SAT 11 AM - 10 PM (HAPPY HOUR 11-7) - SUN 11 AM - 3 PM (HAPPY HOUR 11-3) FIND US ON FACEBOOK/TWITTER/YELP OR AT: AZIANCUIZINE.COM 5201 S. BROADWAY, TIMES SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER TYLER, TEXAS 75703 - 903.525.9389 4 • EGuideMagazine.com

Publisher Tena Jerger Sales Manager Louie Jerger Copy Editor Jill Toft, Gini Rainey Editorial

John Baggett, Holli Conley, Johnny Griffith, Reid Kerr, Barbara King, Gini Rainey, Derrick White, Zairah Wooten

Distribution

Mandy Allen, Louie Jerger, Barbara King

Need Some Extra Cash?

“EGuide” is looking for distributors!

We have several routes open: South Tyler, Canton, Lindale, Mineola and Kilgore. To apply, you need reliable transportation and must be available on the last Saturday of each month for 3-4 hours.

To apply, e-mail us at:

EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

“EGuide Magazine” is an eventdriven entertainment magazine focusing on ‘things to do’ in East Texas. We are published once a month. We are distributed free in our unique stands at over 400 locations in Tyler, Lindale, Ben Wheeler, Edom, Chandler, Chapel Hill, Lake Palestine, Flint, Bullard, Whitehouse, Rusk, and Jacksonville.

We will list at no charge most events open to the public. All necessary information should be included such as date, time, ticket cost, description of event, phone number for the public, website address, photos - the more the better. Submit event to:

EGuideMagazine.com The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas

PO Box 130133 • Tyler, TX 75713 • (903)630-3030 EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

Food Get Your Grub On! Written and Photographed by Barbara King Looking for good people, real food, a unique vibe, and big flavors? Head on over to the newly opened Grub Burger Bar on S. Broadway in Tyler, and be prepared to be impressed.

First off, the atmosphere is large...a big open bar with high seating in front, spacious tables, and music.

The inside design is polished but casual with lots of natural wood, steel, and glass. If you feel like fresh air, place your order, and move outside to the spacious patio that has lots of room to spread out and do some people watching.

Manager Jordan Delk says, “After five weeks open, we are extremely busy with regular customers that are enjoying the variety, intriguing flavor combinations, and the great atmosphere.” The original Grub chain started in 2012 in College Station and now has locations all over Texas, Atlanta, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

Judging by the crowds at 5pm on a weekday, word of mouth has spread the message that the Grub is the new place to check out. Delk says, “One of the things that makes us different is that we bake our buns from scratch throughout the day, and grind our signature brisket and chuck blend meat every morning.

Our guacamole is made by hand every day, all of our sauces are homemade, and we serve local products whenever possible.”

The menu is full of surprises and mixes of flavors that you probably haven’t come across before. Their signature burgers include favorites like the Lockhart Legend (Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, housemade Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, topped with onion rings and pickles), the Texas Luau (topped with braised pulled pork, a grilled pineapple slice, grilled jalapeños, teriyaki, and bbq sauce), and the OMG (Texas chili made from scratch, fries, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and mustard). They proudly offer gluten free buns, and you can also top your burger with a fried egg for a buck.

For those needing a healthier alternative, look at the menu section featuring “Burgers That Don’t Moo” including a Jive Turkey (100% turkey breast, with bacon, swiss, sprouts, avocado, and chipotle), and Hippie Chickpea (a meatless burger made with a neat mix of roasted red pepper, arugula, red

onions, goat cheese, chopped cucumbers, and pickles) Salads are extensive, including Napa (mixed greens with arugula, goat cheese, fresh strawberries, black mission figs, toasted almonds, and hazelnut vinaigrette), Pesto Turkey Cobb, Greek, and Ahi Tuna, (spiced, rubbed, seared ahi tuna steak on mixed greens with rice sticks, arugula, carrots, avocado, cilantro, sprouts, pickled ginger, and wasabi-teriyaki vinaigrette. All salads are served with a side of freshbaked bread, and dressings are made from scratch.

It’s all about the savory sides at Grub, including waffle cut sweet potatoes sprinkled with Grub’s own magic dust, skinny fries, or the incredible onion rings - Shiner Bock-hand battered and deep fried, served with chipotle ketchup. Or start off with a black bean and charred corn medley or a Texas Chili Bowl.

The handspun shakes are definitely worth talking about, including the Kitchen Sink (pretzels, peanut butter, salt, butterscotch sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, coffee grounds, and potato chips), Worms & Dirt (crushed Oreos topped with gummy worms), ET Shake (Reeses pieces, peanut butter, and chocolate garnished with a peanut butter cookie) or the Market Shake, a chef-inspired creations.

Of course, the traditional shakes are available too; strawberry, mint chocolate chip, vanilla bean, chocolate, Nutella, salted caramel, and root beer floats.

The Grub is family-friendly and encourages you to bring the entire crew. The “Munchkins” portion of the menu for children 12 and under features a kid burger, grilled cheese or chicken tenders, served with a choice of Grub skinny fries or fresh apple slices, and a drink.

Sue and Al Olsson from Tyler were relaxing and enjoying “You’re my Boy Bleu” cheeseburgers. Mrs. Olsson raved about “the flavor and

the huge portions.” Mr. Olsson added, “The patty is very large, the service was great; we were greeted at the door and everything was explained about ordering and what specials were available.”

The fully-stocked bar is front and center with inviting high top chairs that will put your workday worries on the backburner for a bit. Grub ‘Ritas are made with Sauza Silver Tequila, Patron Citronge Orange and fresh lime juice. Signature cocktails include the Bacon Infused Bloody Mary, Stubborn Mule, Grand Old Fashioned, and Sangria. White wine selections include La Marca, Villa Pozzi, Cupcake, and Josh Cellars, with Reds including Lyric by Etude, Sini Zin, and Educated Guess. Craft beers are abundant, with local True Vine Brewery seasonal offerings, Shiner Seasonals, and Deep Ellum Dallas Blonde, to name but a few.

There are even “spiked” shakes, bourbon and caramel, Birthday Cakefetti (cake vodka), Dirty Kitchen Sink (with chocolate vodka) and ET Drunk Dial (chocolate vodka again). “Happier Hours” are everyday from 3-6pm, with $3 domestic pints, $4 for all craft pints, and $5 for all spikes shakes (among other selections).

The Williams family (John, Deadria and Grace) visited for the first time and decided to take advantage of the warm weather and join the patio crowd. “We live close by and have driven by and noticed the new sign,” explained John. Deadria said, “We love the interesting combinations of flavors and the homemade sauces on the burgers.”

You can place your order online for pickup at tyler@grubburgerbar.com or call (903)508-4714. Grub Burger Bar is located at 6421 S. Broadway in Tyler. Grub Burgers hours are Sunday-Thursday 11am10pm, and Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm. You can find them online at grubburgerbar.com.

“Drop in, get saucy, and eat the Grub way!”

www.facebook.com/FlintGypsies 18783 FM 2493 221 South Main Flint, Tx 75762 Jacksonville, Tx 75766 903-372-4847 EGuideMagazine.com • 5

Porch Culture Coffee:

Not Just Another Pretty Cup Of Coffee

By Johnny Griffith “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” -T.S. Elliot “What goes best with a cup of coffee? Another cup.”

-Henry Rollins To say that coffee has become an integral part of our culture would, for some people, be akin to saying that air is integral to breathing. While that might be a bit superfluous in its metaphor, it might not be that much of a stretch as I’m sitting here with a gargantuan cup of coffee within arm’s reach while I type. In an increasingly fast-paced world, coffee has become the latest trend with its own language and culture, which isn’t necessarily reflective of all that’s good and right about the mysterious dark brew. But tucked away just west of downtown Tyler, there is a local company that is trying to encourage people to stop and smell the coffee.

Porch Culture Coffee is a small, craft roasting coffee company owned and operated by Jonathan and Shelly Ramm. Since 2012, Porch Culture has been offering slow roasted coffee sourced from the world’s best coffee regions, in some cases direct from the growers based on relationships cultivated, much like the coffee bean itself, with patience, hard work, and a good environment. With emphasis on quality, Porch Culture believes that coffee should be more than just a quick-start in the mornings, but should be reflective of moments and stories that have happened over a cup or three for as long as the bean has been harvested.

Recently, I had the chance to talk with Shelly Ramm to get more of their unique story and how Porch Culture is working to be a part of the craft community in East Texas: Johnny: Give us a little of the backstory of how you and Jonathan met.

Shelly: Jonathan grew up in Tyler, and I grew up in the Marietta, Georgia.

We met while both working in the development office at the Doulos Discovery School in the Dominican Republic in 2008. We were married in the fall of 2009 and continued in our work for the school through the spring of 2011.

Johnny: How did that journey expose you to the coffee industry and the idea to change paths and start a new narrative as a coffee roasting family?

Shelly: When we made the decision to move back to the States, we sat down and brainstormed about what we would like to do, what could keep us connected to the school in some way, and what Tyler, Texas ‘needed.’ Our work with the school had introduced us to coffee cultivation through its connection with a nearby coffee farm, Finca Spirit Mountain. The farm acts as a learning extension for the school, where students learn the connections of the outdoors and our everyday life: not just coffee, but ecosystems, trees, birds, leadership training, spiritual retreat, water quality, and on and

on. Jonathan and I were often chaperones on those trips, as well as our own recreational camping trips to the farm, each visit connected more and more to the place and the people.

Johnny: What’s the significance of the name “Porch Culture?”

Shelly: Porch Culture comes from our experience with Dominican hospitality. It’s pretty common to see Dominicans out on their porches sipping coffee with their family and friends. We were often invited to join in on the typical afternoon cafecito. It’s also a slower way of doing life that we appreciated in our Dominican friends. There is always time to be with people.

Johnny: Describe a little of the process between moving to Tyler and the Porch Culture startup.

Shelly: We moved to Tyler in the fall of 2012, after having spent a year in Akron, Ohio, in a roasting apprenticeship. We had already established Porch Culture as an LLC, we had a website, and a couple hundred pounds of Spirit Mountain green coffee that had been carried back in suitcases from a recent trip our friends had taken. We started out small in Jonathan’s parents garage on a grill roaster as a side gig, but over time our traction grew. Six months in, we were able to rent a small production space (the building we are in now) and through the generosity of family, we were able to upgrade to a commercial roaster. The beginning of 2015 is when we made the jump to full-time coffee roasting.

Johnny: It seems as if you guys try to work as closely to the growers as possible and place a big emphasis on sustainable practices. What is the philosophical difference between a bag of Porch Culture and a bag of Starbuck’s Breakfast Blend?

Shelly: It’s not just flavor, but ‘big picture differences,’ as well. We definitely concern ourselves with the story of each of our coffees. The story we are closest to, and our only direct trade relationship, is Spirit Mountain in the Dominican Republic. We have ‘direct trade,’ meaning we have visited the farm and communicate directly with the owner for pricing. The other coffees we carry are what we call ‘relational trade.’ This means that we depend on the trusted relationship with our green buyer and the work he does to source coffees that pay a fair wage to workers, use farming practices that protect the land and the surrounding community, and ultimately tastes awesome in the cup.

Johnny: What’s the difference between a craft roaster such as yourselves and a volume roaster?

Shelly: The biggest difference is scale. It’s a much different business model and a much different product when roasting over a million pounds of coffee a year versus 12,000. As a small scale craft roaster, we are able to source coffee from smaller, specific regions which translates to a higher quality crop, and more complexity in the cup. With a smaller roasting operation, we are able to hone in on the quality of the roasted product. Freshness makes a HUGE difference, and with our roast-toorder policy, our coffee is super fresh. Nothing goes in the roaster unless an order is placed. Most volume roasters have a “best by” date somewhere on the bag, which is typically 3-6 months after it was roasted and sometimes even up to a year. Our bags are stamped with a “roasted on” date, and we recommend drinking it within 2-3 weeks, ideally.

Johnny: On your website, you make a specific point about the coffee you roast being ‘Shade Grown.’ Can you explain that, and why it should

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6 • EGuideMagazine.com

matter to coffee drinkers?

Shelly: Coffee is naturally a shade plant. Unfortunately, most commodity coffee is grown in full sun.

For a coffee plant to produce fruit (which contain the beans) in full sun requires the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This in turn depletes the soil life and creates chemical runoff into local water sources. Coffee grown in the shade works in a symbiotic way with its surroundings.

The shade canopy gives the coffee plants the proper light exposure, and that same canopy creates leaf litter that enriches the soil. To go further with it, shade trees create homes for birds, which are a great help to coffee plants by keeping certain insects at bay. I will clarify and say that not all shade grown coffee is necessarily organic; however, coffee grown in its natural shaded environment needs less chemical intervention. Shade grown is the only way coffee can be grown organically. Shade grown matters to us because it directly affects coffee workers and surrounding communities.

Johnny: Speaking of community, Porch Culture collaborated with another local craft business, True Vine Brewing on one of their creations. Give us a quick story on how that came about.

Shelly: We found Ryan through an internet search when we first arrived to Tyler and were seeking out other like-minded craft businesses. True Vine was

a garage project at the time, just like us. When we stumbled upon the warehouse space it was too big for just us, and we thought of True Vine. We’ve been neighbors ever since. It was a natural collaboration as the two craft beverage makers in town.

Johnny: What is the ideal story for a bag of Porch Culture coffee after it leaves your business?

Shelly: Quite simply, we want it to be enjoyed. On a more profound level, coffee is so much more than fuel, and we hope that even on the busiest of mornings something delicious at the breakfast table or on the way to work would allow for a moment (or more) of inspiration.

Johnny: Thanks for your time and input, I just have one more question for you: ‘What is your favorite way to enjoy a cup of coffee?’

Shelly: Slowly, preferably on a porch.

Porch Culture offers subscription services to have coffee delivered to your home or office, and offers local delivery for certain areas. Porch Culture Coffee can be found locally in several stores and restaurants as well as at the Rose City Farmers Market every Saturday morning.

Check out Porch Culture Coffee on the World Wide Web for more information: www.porchculturecoffee.com www.facebook.com/porchculturecoffee

Farmers Markets

Ongoing Every Saturday (8am-12 noon) - Rose City Farmer’s Market will be held at 7212 Old Jacksonville Hwy., in Tyler in the Juls Restaurant parking lot. This is a community celebration of locally grown fruits and vegetables, pastured meats and eggs, cheeses, honey, locally roasted coffee, artisan bakers, specialty foods, musicians, and artists.

For more info call (903)484-6120 or go to facebook.com/ rosecityfarmersmarket.

Ongoing Every Saturday (8am-1pm) - Lindale Farmers Market will be held at the Picker’s Pavilion, 205 E. North St., Lindale. Fruits, vegetables, artisan wares, and more are featured each week. Everything is home grown, home made, and hand crafted by artisans, ranchers and

growers. Most Saturdays there is live entertainment Bee’s Knees: scratch made dough, roasted garlic, as well. For more info go to www.facebook.com/ “RSK” four cheese blend, soppressata, and house Lindale-Farmers-Market. made sausage, finished off with Mike’s Honey, fresh thyme, and orange. Roast Social Kitchen is located in east Tyler at 1125 E. 5th St. across from the TJC Events & News Nursing Complex, Tyler, (903)202-0295.

Congrats to Jacksonville’s Sadlers Restaurant!

Tuesday, April 19th (6:30-8:30pm) - Taste of Tyler The readers of “Texas Highways Magazine” chose will be held at Harvey Hall Convention Center, Sadlers as having the #1 Macaroni and Cheese in Texas in their Comfort Food Destinations Reader’s 2000 W. Front St. in Tyler. Treat yourself to delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts from Tyler’s Choice Awards! Sadlers is located at 221 S. Main St., downtown Jacksonville, (903)589-0866, www. leading restaurants and enjoy live entertainment at Tyler’s premier culinary event. All net revenue goes sadlerscatering.com. community projects, educational programs, Fusion 11 has moved to the old Dakota’s building, toward scholarships. Learn more and purchase tickets 5377 S. Broadway in Tyler next to Rose City Draft and www.tasteoftyler.com. Advance tickets, also House. With the move, comes a new menu. We are at available at Smith County Dairy Queens and other excited to see the changes! participating restaurants, are $25; door tickets are $30. Taste of Tyler is co-hosted by Tyler Sunrise For those of you jonesing for a Blizzard in south Tyler, Dairy Queen has opened a new location on Rotary Club and East Texas Restaurant Association. far S. Broadway by Village At Cumberland Park, the Tuesday, April 12th (6-8pm) - Pooches on the new Super One Foods, and Academy.

Patio will be held at Andy’s Frozen Custard on S. Broadway in Tyler. This fun event is open to people Roast Social Kitchen has new expanded hours: and their furry friends and benefits the SPCA of Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday 11amEast Texas. The Northeast Public Health District 1am, and Saturdays from 11am-2am. Try the

requires that all dogs attending this event be current on vaccinations and wear a current rabies tag. In addition, we ask that all puppies under one year of age in attendance be fully vaccinated. This is free to attend. All dogs must be on a leash.

Marco’s Pizza, 7924 S. Broadway, Tyler, is now open. We recommend the “White Cheesey,” which is described as “Award Winning! Four types of cheese including Feta, bacon, onions, sliced tomatoes, garlic butter sauce.” Sign up for their e-mail club online and you can get free cheesy bread sticks. Go to www.marcos.com to place an order.

They offer pick-up and delivery.

Downtown Tyler Wine Swirl has announced the date - Saturday, June 25th, 6-10pm! This hugely popular event in downtown Tyler lets patrons “enjoy samples of delectable wine and food” at this popular event celebrating the culinary arts in Texas.

Over 20 Texas wineries and restaurants will offer samples of their best wines and dishes. Attendees will be able to “swirl” throughout Downtown Tyler from building to building, enjoying samples as well as music and art. Tickets are now on sale at www.

TylerWineSwirl.com or by calling (903)593-6905.

One Day Only Clearance Sale INVENTORY REDUCTION

Evening at the Mall

One Day Sale - April 23rd Come enjoy refreshments and good music Open till 7pm Downtown Tyler 302 E. Locust St. Tyler, Texas 75702 (903) 705-1145 or (903) 705-1144 oldcitytyler@gmail.com - www.oldcitytyler.com 18,000 Square Feet of Wonderful Items

EGuideMagazine.com • 7

To Do

True Vine Brewing Company: Creating a Sense of Community

By Johnny Griffith Back in 2014, EGuide Magazine ran a story highlighting True Vine Brewing, Tyler’s first brewery, and the three friends that came together over common views of their faith, their family, and their love of a good brew. At the time of the article, True Vine was on the cusp of embarking on their “Phase II,” which included plans for a Tap Room and outdoor beer garden.

Fast forward to present time and the crew at True Vine have recently opened their Tap Room to the public, and by the time of this publication will have celebrated the 2nd anniversary of their OPEN TAPS events, continuing their journey towards uniting people over a good beer, with great friendships, and enlightening conversations. We recently caught up with True Vine co-founder Ryan Dixon for a conversation on how things have been going: Johnny: First of all, I’m sure we’ll have people who are just finding out about True Vine. Could you give us a refresher on who you are and just a brief history of how you came to open True Vine in Tyler.

Ryan: As is with most breweries, the brewing inspiration for True Vine began in my days as a home brewer. I started in our kitchen, then moving to the garage where I had big dreams of brewing on a ‘big boy’ system, making logos, and marketing beers with cool labels. The vision and community inspiration of True Vine began after reading a biography on the Guinness family, “In Search of God and Guinness.”

Two friends and I formed True Vine in 2011, and we started working on business plans and brewing up a storm. We began piecing a small brewery together and brewing 50 gallon batches of beer. In 2014, we sold our first keg of Rose City Pale Ale to a local restaurant, which is still one of our most supportive accounts.

Johnny: How has the beer drinking public responded to having a true craft brewery in their own backyard?

Ryan: The support of the local community has honestly been overwhelming. It has blown us away how positive and receptive East Texas has been to our business and our product. We feel blessed to have such loyal fans. To be honest, we thought we’d get much more negativity. Especially as we were the first brewery in Tyler, and beer and wine sales had just started in Smith County.

Johnny: Let’s face it, macro-brews are extremely popular in this area. Has there been an education process that you’ve had to go through in exposing people to the types of beer you’re brewing and getting them to branch out into trying new things?

Ryan: Absolutely! Bud/Miller/Coors has been a

The Pegasus Project Holds Aviation Equine Event in Support of Horse Rescue Efforts and Competes for $25,000 in Grant Money

dominating factor for 100 years plus and rightfully so. A lot of the same technologies we use today were devised by the early American beer pioneers. With that, they’ve had a huge edge. From their factories to the distribution and the marketing, they have been the loudest voice in beer. Things are shifting slowly, mostly due to the ‘buy local’ and ‘handcrafted’ movement and education of unique local ales with bigger flavor.

Johnny: What inspires you guys when it comes to creating a new beer? Is it customer requests, or what you see the craft industry doing on a national scale, or is it simply ‘hey, this is something I’d like to drink?’

Ryan: We love brewing new beers. We enjoy all styles and enjoy sharing new styles with our customers.

We do often ask people what they’d like to see from True Vine and get great feedback on experimental beers that we brew for our Tap Room events. It’s pretty amazing what people have really clung to.

Pretty much every beer in our line-up started as an experimental beer.

Johnny: How many different beers are you currently offering?

Ryan: With the currently small, yet growing draft beer demand in East Texas, we have about four beers on draft throughout the Tyler area at any given time.

We have our two most consistent beers and always have at least one or two seasonal or experimental brews that makes it to local lines as well. Some of our great accounts in Tyler carry four of our beers, and we are honored to have that many tap lines! Because of our popular OPEN TAPS events, and now our Tap Room that is open every Friday evening, we are able to have Tap Room exclusive beers available as well.

Long story short, we have about eight beers at all times available for our local craft beer fans.

Johnny: What would you say your most popular brew has been so far?

Ryan: Tricky question! Our most popular beers in restaurants tend to be our Rose City Pale Ale and Mermaids & Unicorns Blonde because they are very good ‘food pairing beers.’ In the local draft bars, our Rose From The Dead IPA and Promised Land Belgian are the most popular. Favorites in our Tap Room tend to be big beers, like our Sanctimonium Belgian Quad or Giant Slayer Imperial Stout, both weighing in at over 8.5% alcohol.

between local FFA students. The students are submitting essays about how individuals in our community can help “come to the rescue” of horses in need. The day will be a casual, carnival atmosphere with a hot-air balloon, skydivers, face-painting, fun horse games, pony rides, arts and crafts, and competitions for the whole family. There will be a raffle drawing for two roundtrip tickets on Southwest For the second Airlines. Guests can enjoy photo opportunities with year in a row, The “Pegasito,” the winged-donkey in his kissing booth Pegasus Project Horse and horse poop roulette, among other familyRescue will be taking friendly games. part in the national The Pegasus rescue horses are available to meet, ® celebration of ASPCA pet, and finger-paint. Guests can visit with the Peg(The American Sociasus trainers and staff to learn about the horses and ety for the Prevenget information regarding adoption and sponsor® tion of Cruelty to Animals ) Help A Horse Day and ship opportunities. The SPCA of East Texas will be competing for a chance to win grant money to assist on-site with a variety of adoptable dogs. with its efforts to protect horses. The Pegasus ProjParking is $5. Food, refreshments, and particiect was awarded $10,000 as the grand prize winner pation in games are available for purchase. of last year’s “Help A Horse Day” contest. In honor This nationwide competition is for equine resof the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary, the 2016 contest cues to raise awareness about the lifesaving work has been expanded to include a total of $100,000 they do year-round to care for at-risk horses in in grant prizes, including a grand prize of $25,000. their community. Because horse neglect, abuse, and abandonment in East Texas is a prevalent and seriTo celebrate the day, The Pegasus Project will host “Wings Over Pegasus,” an airplane and equine ous problem, The Pegasus Project was founded in 2009, and over the past seven years has rescued, extravaganza. The event is scheduled from 9amrehabilitated, retrained, and rehomed hundreds of 3pm, Saturday, April 23rd at the 95-acre Pegasus mistreated horses, donkeys, and mules.

Ranch, located at 7111 CR 2339 in Murchison.

The public is invited to come enjoy the day and “Wings Over Pegasus” features a variety of airhelp with this very worthy cause. All proceeds benplanes and helicopters. The Experimental Aircraft efit the horses of The Pegasus Project.

Association Young Eagles Program will offer free For more details, go to PegasusRescue.org. airplane rides to the winners of an essay contest 8 • EGuideMagazine.com

Johnny: You guys do an OPEN TAPS night that has seemingly grown in popularity the last couple of years. What was the motivation for starting that event, and how has it benefited True Vine, and the neighborhood in general?

Ryan: Our OPEN TAPS events are huge for us. We do them typically the last Saturday of the month, and we try to spotlight local food vendors, local art, local music, and, of course, local beer. We love these because it allows us to connect with our community. It’s like a backyard event with 500 of our close friends - from tiny tots running around drinking root beer to the older generations and every age in-between. It’s our true culture. It’s amazing to hear stories of how people have become friends after meeting at an OPEN TAPS event, or how some of our patrons have never missed a single event. This is a very satisfying event for us. If all we did was make beer in a factory, we’d not be so fulfilled. Our goal is to inspire and build community.

Johnny: It’s been well over a year since “EGuide Magazine” highlighted True Vine in an article back in November of 2014. How has “Phase II” been going?

Ryan: Very well! 2015 was all about getting setup for 2016 and beyond. The new brewery equipment we brought online back in late summer 2015 is amazing.

We now have great precision on brewing details and can produce 1200% more than the system we used prior. Honestly, we are just now getting this thing broken in. It’s beautiful!

Johnny: When did you guys first get the idea to open a Tap Room on site, and what was that process like to take it from an idea to reality?

Ryan: The Texas legislation changed in 2013 to allow breweries the opportunity to sell pints on-site. Many breweries have taken advantage of the opportunity since this change, but it really was outside of our budget and priorities until recently. We had some remodels to do, health department permits to gain, and of course, associated loops to jump though. We actually pushed the need out to our community in the form of a Kickstarter campaign to raise awareness and money for the requirements to have a Tap Room at True Vine. We were able to raise $10,000 that helped fund the Tap Room improvements and tuck some funds away for future packaging projects.

Johnny: How has the response been so far to the new Tap Room?

Ryan: The response has been very good. It’s so chill and intentionally not as busy as our OPEN TAPS events. We call it the best speakeasy in Tyler, because you park in the front and walk down the alley to the backyard, and there are currently no signs. Many downtowners love the opportunity to come on Fridays after work and grab a True Vine beer with a buddy. People can bring their own snacks and enjoy a good conversation over a beer. Many people have asked us what the difference between our Tap Room normal hours and OPEN TAPS events. Simply put, our Tap Room hours are a time to come have a draft beer, without the food trucks, and live music of our OPEN TAPS. Johnny: What is the next milestone for True Vine?

Ryan: Packaging. Right now we are a draft-only brewery. Packaging is expensive and most startup breweries with limited floor space, such as True Vine, makes it tricky. With East Texas being a slow growing and very limited draft region, we are currently only in about 5% of our market. We have a few tricks up our sleeve though to make it happen this summer.

Johnny: If you could pick one impression for a customer to take away from True Vine after a visit, either to the Tap Room or to the OPEN TAPS night, what would that be?

Ryan: We have had many great feedback moments in the two years of our events. One of my all-time favorites was about a year ago when an older gentleman spoke to me after an OPEN TAPS and said, “This is church.” That might seem strange, or it might not resonate with others as it did with me that night, but I love the depth of that statement. True Vine events are where life happens. People are real. True conversations are had, and needs are shared. No one is playing ‘one up.’ It also mirrors our mission for a greater impact on our community and reinforces our slogan and core values: ‘Integrity. Community. Love.

Johnny: Thank for your time and consideration with answering these questions Ryan: My pleasure!

True Vine Tap Room Hours are 5-9pm every Friday. True Vine OPEN TAP Events are the last Saturday of the Month. See their website for details and ticket information at www.truevinebrewing. com or www.facebook.com/truevinebrewing.

2016 Downtown Tyler Film Festival now Accepting Entries

Film Festival is an important part of the Tyler 1st plan to revitalize downtown Tyler while increasing economic development through tourism and the filmmaking industry.

Tickets to the event will be available for purchase at www.TylerFilmFest.com or at Gallery Main Street, 110 W. Erwin St. at a later date.

More information is available at www.TylerFilmFest.com or by calling (903)593-6905.

The Downtown Tyler Film Festival (DTFF) is pleased to announce that the 2016 online submission cycle is open. Filmmakers can submit their entry online at www.TylerFilmFest.com.

The Festival will be held at Liberty Hall, 103 E. Erwin St. on Wednesday-Saturday, September 21st-24th.

A celebration of storytelling through film, DTFF has grown to be an international film festival comprised of short films from around the world. Representatives from eight different countries have been accepted into past festivals, including England, Spain, and Iran. The festival also seeks to grow local independent filmmaking, and encourages East Texas filmmakers to submit their work.

“We want to continue to plant the seeds of creativity in our community,” said Tara Holly Jones, 2016 DTFF director. “The festival is growing, and so are opportunities for local filmmakers.”

DTFF is a short film festival and entries must be 15-minutes or less to qualify. Films can be narrative or documentary, of any genre, but must have been completed after January 1st, 2015 and should be suitable for a general audience. The top short films from each night will be re-shown in the “Best of the Fest” screening on Saturday night. Contest winners will be announced and will receive cash prizes.

A Main Street project, the Downtown Tyler

“Spirits of Oakwood” Walking History Tour If you like history, especially Tyler history, you do not want to miss the 12th Annual “Spirits of Oakwood” Walking History Tour at Oakwood Cemetery. Historians in period dress will tell stories of early merchants and settlers buried in this beautiful old cemetery. Tours will be held April 9th 14:30pm, with a new tour starting every 10 minutes.

Oakwood Cemetery is located at the corner of Oakwood Street and Palace Avenue.

Admission is $10 for adults and children under the age of 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Refreshments will be served.

Proceeds from the event will be used to restore the monuments that need repair.

Parking is available at True Vine Baptist Church on Oakwood Street and the entrance is on Ellis Avenue. This annual event is brought to you by the Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Committee.

For more information please contact (903)5934642, or e-mail mhautumn@aol.com.

The 57th Azalea & Spring Flower Trail Continues:

Thunder in the Pines

April 8th The Thunder in the Pines Rally for 2016 will start with gates opening on Friday morning at 9am. There will be bands and music played on Friday during the day with vendors set up early and ready to go. They will also be scheduling activities and guided rides on Friday during the day. Then they end the day with a party in downtown Jacksonville on Friday night. Live bands and hot food will be featured all weekend.

Proceeds of this event go to benefit victims of child abuse. For more info go to www.facebook.com/ Jacksonville-TX-Police-Department.

More Beauty thru April 10th Held every year in Tyler, come enjoy over ten miles of flowering gardens and beautiful historic homes in the Azalea & Brick Street Districts. Call 1-800-235-5712, VisitTyler.com.

Events are:

Historic Tyler on Tour

Saturday, April 2nd (10am-5pm) and Sunday, April 3rd (1-5pm) Stroll through these elegant neighborhoods and lawns and see the beauty of East Texas in bloom as you tour private residences in Tyler’s Historic Districts listed on National register. Homes on this year’s tour include: • The McCain - Gossett - Shepard Home, 117 E. Third St., Circa 1951 • The Douglas - Holland - Pollard, 318 S. Fannin Ave., Circa 1873 • Designer Showcase, 2747 S. Chilton Ave., Circa 1962 • The Harding – Brantley Home, 518 W. Sixth St., Circa 1940 • The Richardson – Carroll - Gibson Home, 1819 S. Chilton Ave., Circa 1948 • The Graham – McCain Home, 809 Pinedale, Circa 1963 • The F&W Food Store / Law Firm of Willis Jarrel, 509 W. Dobbs St., Circa 1924 Tickets for Historic Tyler members are $15, nonmembers tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased at (903)595-1960 or at www.historictyler.org.

Tyler State Park Dogwood Driving Tour

Through April 10th, 8am to dark each day Take a self-guided vehicle tour or enjoy a leisurely stroll down the many trails at Tyler State Park to see beautiful blooming dogwoods. Join us on Saturdays for a variety of fun Ranger Program as well. Tickets are $5 per person for 13 and older. Tyler State Park is located at 789 Park Rd. 16 in Tyler, (903)5975338, www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/tyler.

11th Annual Life in Tyler Photography Contest & Exhibit

Through April 10th: Monday-Saturday (8am-5pm) and Sunday (1-5pm) This exhibit features photos depicting life in Tyler and includes youth, adult, and professional categories on exhibit at the Rose Garden Center.

Admission is free. Rose Garden Center is located at 420 Rose Park Dr., in Tyler, (903)531-1214, www. tylerparksandrec.com.

Penny Nichols-Sanders Annual Spring Art Show

Thursday-Saturday, March 31st-April 2nd, 9am-5pm This art show will exhibit about 20 artists - professional, advanced and some new with all subjects of art on exhibit. Admission is free. This will be held at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 230 W. Rusk St., Tyler, (903)597-9852.

“Spring Through the Eyes of a Child”

golfers ages 7-18. The Junior Golf Scoreboard is ranked, featuring several AJGA performance stars, as well as other tournament exemptions. The entry fee is $125 for 7-10 age divisions, and $200 for 11-18 age divisions. This is open to the public to watch for free. Hollytree Country Club is located at 6700 Hollytree Dr., Tyler, (214)420-7421, www.ntpgajuniorgolf.com.

Azalea Trail Spring Art Show

Monday-Friday, April 4th-8th, 10am-5pm Gold Leaf Gallery has joined with The Hamptons at Greenridge for an art show featuring beautiful original pieces by prestigious local artists, as well as pieces by the Hamptons’ residents. The display of art will also include original bluebonnet and pastoral pieces by well known artists from Fredericksburg, Texas, on loan from Gold Leaf Gallery.

Come by and enjoy the beautiful art and tour the Hamptons’ lovely facility. Admission is free. The Hamptons at Greenridge is located at 4200 Old Omen Rd., Tyler, (903)566-0460, www.tylerretirement.com.

5th Annual Tatum Pecan Pie Festival

April 30th The 5th Annual Tatum Pecan Pie Festival will take place Saturday, April 30th from 10am-4pm at the Tatum City Park. There will be lots of vendor booths, food, fun, and pecan pie.

Derrick Days

April 30th The 2016 Derrick Days is scheduled Saturday, April 30th, in Corsicana. Featured activities include a Bullard Best Chili Cook-Off parade, car show, chili cook off, wine stroll, vendors, April 9th, 11am-4pm and a carnival. For more information, visit online at Come join this fun festival celebrating the best chili www.derrickdays.com. around. This is fun for the entire family. Music will be provided by Brains Morning Madhouse OTB Cinco de Mayo Celebration and brought to you by The Bullard Chamber of benefitting the American Cancer Society Commerce. Participate in the Chili Tasting and May 5th, 3pm-12 midnight cast your vote by purchasing a wristbands $10.

For 15 years On the Border in Tyler has been the Interested in entering the contest? Go to www. place to be on Cinco de Mayo with the best ice cold bigmikesgrillhouse.com. Also as part of this event, drinks, food, and live entertainment in the parking authors Derrick High, Shelly Ford, and Karen lot on S. Broadway and Loop 323 in Tyler. There Nolley will be there signing copies of their books, is plenty of parking, plus it is always a free event.

“The Unleashing,” “Soul Shaken,” and “Secrets This year, the annual event benefits The American Under the Stairs.”

Cancer Society. On the Border is located at 4301 S. Broadway, Tyler.

31st Annual East Texas Gusher Days April 14th-16th Third Annual Geekend The 31st Annual East Texas Gusher Days takes May 7th place Thursday-Saturday, April 14th-16th in down- Be sure to mark your calendars for May 7th when town Gladewater. This event will have everything the Third Annual Geekend happens in Kilgore on from a Chili Cook-Off, amusement rides, car show, Main Street. Vendor booths are $25 and free to street dance, and just about everything else in nonprofits. Keep an eye on their facebook page, between that you can imagine. For more informa- www.facebook.com/KilgoreTXMaytheFourthBetion visit www.gusher-days.com.

WithYou to stay on top of all the excitement.

The Piney Woods Quilt Festival

April 15th-16th This is a Fiber Arts Festival organized by Carthage Main Street and will be held in the Carthage Texas Rose Dressage Classic Community Shelter Civic Center at 1702 S. Adams Friday-Saturday, April 8th-10th, 8am-5pm Street in Carthage. They will have fine craft and crafts exhibitors, and no food booths. There will be Come watch this competitive equestrian sport, defined as the highest expression of horse training one stage featuring local talent playing Bluegrass, where horse and rider are expected to perform from Country, Roots, Christian music, and more. memory a series of predetermined movements.

This is a beautiful site to see! Dressage is occasion- The Chautauqua Festival ally referred to as “Horse Ballet.” Texas Rose Horse April 16th Park (TRHP) - “Where the Best Come To Compete.” The Longview Public Library’s 2nd annual Chautauqua (“sha-tauk-wa”) Festival is happening on Texas Rose Horse Park is located at 14078 State Hwy 110 N., Tyler, (903)882-8696, www.texasrose- Saturday, April 16th from 10:30am-3pm. This is a free event celebrating all the rich culture that horsepark.com.

Longview has to offer, including live music and Bergfeld Spring Fling performances, local authors, artists, artisans, a Thursday, April 7th, 6-8:30pm literary cake contest, and much more.

All the shops in this shopping center will be open, offering many discounted items and lots of food and The Montage Festival (Funky Junk Round-Up) festivities. Bergfeld Center is located at the corner of April 16th South Broadway and 8th St., (903)705-1764, www. The Montage Festival (Funky Junk Round-Up) will take place at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler larrylottinteriors.com.

Saturday, April 16th, 10am-4pm. This is a one day shopping extravaganza featuring a unique blend of vintage finds and inspiration, handcrafted items, March Mud Mayhem presented by ATV River Run antique decor, fabulous “Junktiques,” and more.

March 30th-April 3rd Admission is $5 (under 12 free). For more info visit Jacksonville gets muddy! Come join the fun, admis- www.montagefestivals.com. sion is $45 and there will be the run, scavenger April In Edom hunt, poker run, music, and more. Big Smo April 16th-17th, 10am-5pm and Colt Ford will headline. For more info go to April In Edom will take place Saturday-Sunday, www.riverrunpark.com. This is a CMR Race.

April 16th-17th from 10am-5pm both days. April Avalon Faire in Edom is an old fashioned street fair for adults, April 2nd-3rd kids, and pets. Vendors from all over Texas will sell The Avalon Faire offers a fantasy experience a variety of unique, high-quality handmade items, centered around myth and lore and takes place at along with food, music, a special children’s activity 1076 FM 1252 W. in Kilgore. Enjoy an adventure area, and a pet parade. This event is sponsored by back in time that offers a historical, but humorous the Edom Area Chamber. For more information reenactment of the time period. For more informa- visit www.aprilinedom.net. tion visit www.avalonfaire.com.

More Festivals, Fairs & Rally’s

Exhibit: April 1st-10th (Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, and Sunday 2-4:30pm) Come walk through a wonderful “garden” of children’s hand-made art provided by Stepping Stone Preschool & Classical Tyler Academy. Also, tour through the lovely arts and crafts created by Prestige Estates Assisted Living and Memory Care’s residents, featuring quill paintings, crochet, Christmas items, doll collections, and more. Admission is free. This will be held at Prestige Estates Assisted Living and Amtrak Wine Fest 2016 Memory Care, 6928 Paluxy Dr., Tyler, (903)561April 2nd-3rd 6102, www.prestigeestates.net.

The Lucky 13th Annual Wine Fest theme is live Texas Rose Horse Park Spring from Mineola, “It’s Saturday Night.” Attendees are Horse Trails Cross Country Event encouraged to dress like their favorite SNL characFriday, April 1st (12-5pm), Saturday, April 2nd ters. For more information, to make reservations, (8am-5pm) and Sunday, April 3rd (8am-3pm) and to purchase tickets, visit mineolamainstreet. com/events/amtrak-wine-fest.html.

This is an equestrian event with single horse and rider combinations, competing against other combiBluebonnet Trails nations across the three disciplines of dressage, cross country, and show jumping. This is open for All Month of April the public to view. Texas Rose Horse Park is located The Bluebonnet Trails in Ennis are just a short hop, at 14078 State Hwy 110 N., Tyler, (903)882-8696, skip, and a jump towards the DFW area, and will plant you smack in the middle of some of the most texasrosehorsepark.com. beautiful bluebonnets in our area. This year marks Azalea Trail Junior Golf Classic their 65th year celebration of the Trails. Check with Saturday-Sunday, April 2nd-3rd their website to stay on top of the bloomings at www.visitennis.org/bluebonnet.htm.

This 36-hole stroke play tournament is for junior

be a weekend filled with concerts, stunt shows, custom bike show, vendors, bikini contest, parade, biker games, and much more. For more info, ottrally. com.

Far Out Fest

April 23rd-24th The Far Out Fest will be taking place in Ben Wheeler, Saturday, April 23rd, 10am-6pm and Sunday, April 24th, 10am-4pm. There are plans in the works for a Friday Night Preview Event on April 22nd. This groovy outdoor art show takes place under the beautiful trees of Harmony Garden Park in downtown Ben Wheeler and will showcase extraordinary artists and craftsmen from all over the state. More info is at www.facebook.com/ events/1054817137874848.

OTT Rally & BBQ Off

April 29th-30th Make plans to attend the 2016 OTT Rally & BBQ Off in Nacogdoches Friday-Saturday, April 29th30th. This will be the 8th annual Oldest Town in Texas Motorcycle Rally & BBQ Cook Off and will

The Tailwind Regional Balloon Fest

May 13th-14th The Tailwind Regional Balloon Fest will be happening in Canton, Friday-Saturday, May 13th-14th, right in the middle of the Canton Trade Days shopping area, 800 Flea Market Road. In addition to the festival, the Balloon Half Marathon 2016 will take place during the same weekend. For information about the Fest visit www.facebook.com/ balloonfestcanton and for information about the marathon visit cantonhalf.com.

Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival

May 14th Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival showcases the best in Texas BBQ, music, and beer on the downtown square in Tyler, Texas. With The Turnpike Troubadours headlining, this festival will be fun for all ages.

JB and the Moonshine Band, William Clark Green, The Dirty River Boys, and Bri Bagwell will perform.

22 of the best barbecue joints in Texas will be there for a day full of celebrating the best Texas has to offer. For tickets, go to reddirtbbqfest.com. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

I-20 Real Estate Lindale Championship Rodeo

May 19th-21st-29th The Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Lindale is excited to announce the upcoming 29th Annual I-20 Team Real Estate Lindale Championship Rodeo presented by Ram Rodeo to be held Thursday-Saturday, May 19th-21st at the Lindale Rodeo Arena, located on Highway 16 West, three blocks from downtown Lindale. Nightly entertainment will begin at 6pm with the Rodeo Events following at 7:30pm. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night pre-event entertainment will be Mutton Bustin’ for the kids. Call at (903)882-7181 for tickets or visit www.lindalechamber.org.

The Crater Rally

May 19th-22nd Get ready for the Premier East Texas Biker Rally!

Come see custom bikes, bands, contests, and more. For more info or to book your RV site, call (903)898-2772. Tickets are avialble at durangoscanyon.com. This is held at The Crater Club, 1039 FM 1798 W., Mount Enterprise, Texas 75681.

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EGuideMagazine.com • 9

Bring on the Bass!

“Big Bass Bash” Tournament 2016

By Zairah Wooten As the temperature warms up in East Texas, fishing becomes an everyday activity. Springtime is known as spawning season for East Texans, and this year with signs of early spring upon us most anglers are anticipating a good year of fishing, both in quality and quantity.

With that said, bass fishing season is kicking off with the Fourth annual KNUE and Raising Cane’s “Big Bass Bash.” The bass tournament will be held on Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th at the Lake Palestine Resort, located in Frankston. Lake Palestine is 18 miles long from tip to tip, and it covers 25,560 acres in a beautiful stretch of East Texas, making it an excellent location for this competition.

This year, the tournament begins at 7am and ends at 2pm, both Saturday and Sunday.

“Last year, we had over 300 anglers participating and this year we are expecting even more! We

10 • EGuideMagazine.com

stay at Lake Palestine Resort or can bring an RV to the lake. For more information on lodging, visit www.lakepalestineresort.com.

A total of $45,000 will be given away to the top five bass that weigh the most. Places are determined by single fish weigh-ins, as this is not a stringer tournament. The payouts are: The top five overall bass: • First place: $10,000 • Second place: $2,000 • Third place: $1,500 • Fourth place: $1,250 • Fifth place: $1,000 In addition, $1,700 is paid out each hour of the tournament for hourly weigh-ins. anticipate to have over 500 anglers from all over The payouts for the top five fish weighed in on Texas and the southern states to register,” said Lisa each hour: Wells, Townsquare Media Live Events Manager.

• Second place: $400 So, how does the “Big Bass Bash” Tournament • First place: $700 • Fourth place: $200 work? This tournament is geared towards amateur • Third place: $300 fishers, so whether you’re a newbie to fishing or on • Fifth place: $100 The winner of the 2015 “Big Bass Bash” Tourthe lake often, you are eligible to register. The cost is $125 to compete one day or $175 to compete both nament weighed in at 8.45 pounds and second Saturday and Sunday. “Big Bass Bash” is also accept- place was close at 8.30 pounds. Both winners hailed ing Junior Anglers who are 16 and under for com- from Flint, Texas. The hourly weigh-in bass ranged in size from 2.65 to 8.45 pounds, which definitely petition. They can register for $75 for one day or $90 for both. makes this a doable competition for a chance to win Those who are coming from out of town can your money back!

Door prizes, which will also be given, include a chance to win $25,000 (anglers only) each day, a Helix 7 Hummingbird Depth Finder, and more.

“Although this is technically a competitive tournament, we want all to know that this is a familyfriendly event. Children, spectators, fans, and pets are welcome to attend the ‘Big Bass Bash’ at no cost,” says Johnny Lathrop, Regional Vice President of Townsquare Media.

Registration locations include: Coldwell Banker in Lake Palestine, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Tyler and Longview, Townsquare Media, and McClarty Toyota in Palestine.

For more info, visit www.bigbassbashtexas.com for registration details and tournament guidelines, or follow Big Bass Bash on Facebook.

5K,s Fun Runs & More

April 2nd - Tyler Run for Autism 5K, 10K, and 1-Mile - The Tyler Run for Autism began in 2012 with the purpose of raising funds to provide much needed Applied Behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children on the Autism spectrum in our very own Treatment and Learning Center for children with Autism here in Tyler. 100% of the funds raised will go towards the payment of therapy. The Opening Ceremony will be at 8am with the 10K starting at 8:30am and 5K at 9am. To register go to tylerrunforautism.itsyourrace.com.

April 9th - The 5th Annual Home Run 5K - Join us at Faulkner Park in Lindale for The 5th Annual Home Run 5K. This is an opportunity for you to help fund the 2016 Home Build Project for a hard working family in our community. Proverbs 19:17 Ministries builds modest, affordable homes with a “pay it forward program” for those families that may not otherwise have the opportunity to own a home.

The Kid’s Fun Run starts at 8am, and the 5K starts at 9am. Register at Anytime Fitness in Lindale, or proverbs1917ministries.org/events.

April 9th - Strides for Excellence Color Fun RunThis 5K is perfect for runners or walkers, friends, and families young or young at heart! The route will take you through five color spots as a well as some fun obstacles. There is always the option to go around obstacles if you would prefer. The event will end with a color party at the finish line. All proceeds raised from this event will directly benefit Bullard ISD students and staff. This will be held at Bullard High School, 1429 S. Houston St., Bullard. Register at www.bullardeducationfoundation.org.

April 16th - Edom Fire 5K - Edom is a gorgeous and vibrant community nestled in the East Texas Piney Woods, just 70 miles east of Dallas and 15 miles west of Tyler. In April, the wildflowers are blooming and the weather is perfect. All runners and walkers of any speed or ability are welcome to attend.

Your registration benefits the Edom Volunteer Fire Department. After the event, stay for the April in Edom Festival with art, food, and fun. Race time is 8am. Register at www.facebook.com/EdomFire5K. April 16th - Texas Wine Series at Kiepersol Wine Farm - It’s the perfect runner’s weekend out! Savor the experience of this spectacular Half Marathon and Vintage 10K and 5K series plus sip on Texas Wines at the delicious Food & Wine event after the race.

The Wine & Food event includes a commemorative wine glass, wine flight, and delicious catered food, and tasty treats. Non-running guests are welcome to attend and can register online for $45. Kiepersol Wine Farm is located at 4120 FM 344 E. in Bullard, www.texaswineseries.com.

April 23rd - Nightwalk For Hope is a fundraiser benefitting For the Silent. Approximately 2.5 miles long, the walk will encompass two segments of the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail. Participants will be given lanterns to carry as they walk the trail, illuminating the night and symbolizing that hope is alive for those silenced by trafficking. Sign-in begins at 6pm and the walk begins around 8pm. Joining us at the event will be Curbside Taco, Kona Ice, and Porch Culture Coffee Roasters. For more info go to www.forthesilent.org.

April 30th - The Diva Du will take place at Kiepersol, 3933 FM 344 E., Bullard. East Texas’ first women’s only duathlon will be held at the charming vineyards of Kiepersol in Bullard. Challenge yourself with a beginner friendly run-bike-run followed with light brunch of charcuterie, wine, and local vendors.

To register go to divadu.itsyourrace.com.

April 30th - The Krazy Kids Inflatable Fun Run is the first event of its kind, a new dynamic inflated obstacle run for kids ages 3-12 years old. “We didn’t throw together a couple slides and bounce houses – we took imagination, creativity, and of course fun into consideration to create the KRAZIEST event your kids will ever participate in.” For more details go to krazykidsinflatablefunrun.com/tyler-tx.

Books

finds herself drawn into a relationship with his wife and oldest son. It’s Jarrett’s family she can’t resist, and there will be a price to pay, but even Sophia couldn’t have foreseen the outcome when the brutal truth is exposed, the unalloyed facts that, incredibly, will deliver Jarrett’s fate straight into her hands.

This is a richly told story with characters that are complex and thoughtful, places that are real, and conversations that ring true and meaningful. This is also a story about families, how they are made, and how in one single, horrifying instant, they can be

By Gini Rainey broken. It’s a story about mothers and the lies they tell to protect their children to keep them from being “The Last And, what happens when the truth comes out Anniversary” by hurt. anyway, and nothing and no one is spared.

Liane Moriarity You’ll find that sometimes the truth has the This author has power to break your heart and might just change fast become one everything you have ever believed in your life. of my favorites!

Copyright 2011 – Amazon Digital Services, LLC I’ve read several of Rating: 4 of 5 her novels and I must say that she “Wildflowers of Terezin” by Robert Elmer Elmer, a prolific writer with more than 50 books doesn’t fall into the “if it works – use it to death” trap that so many novel to his credit, is a former pastor, reporter, and ad copywriter who now writes from his home. The writers seem to fall into. “The Last Anniversary” is inspiration for this book was the stories he heard set mostly on the fictitious island of Scribbly Gum, just off the coast of Sydney, Australia. The main plot from his Demark-born parents and family. In “Wildrevolves around the “Munro Baby Mystery” and the flowers” he tells the story of a Lutheran Pastor named Steffen and a Jewish nurse named Hanne, who are family dynamics that surround it.

Ms. Moriarity has quite a talent when it comes to brought together during the year 1943 during World creating complex and unique characters that are also War II. This particular story will take your breath away flawed, and this book is no exception. Although this book has an overwhelmingly large cast of characters, if you will allow yourself to become part of the characters world. This fictional, historical, Christian read they are not only likable, but also believable, with each having their own particular brand of quirkiness. will bring that horrible war and Steffen and Hanne’s You might even find yourself getting some interest- incredible love story right into your home. Given ing looks inside the character’s heads because of the the nature of the historical events in this novel, it’s almost a given that the story would be gripping and insight and stream of consciousness that Liane has dramatic. definitely mastered.

Elmer doesn’t fail to deliver a gripping and draWhile there is enough romance to satisfy just matic story through his very engaging look at Denabout anyone, there is also a great deal of mystery that will hook you right in, making it difficult to put mark during WWII and the rescue of its Jews. The the book down. I think most readers will also be able action in this book doesn’t wait to happen with the to appreciate that the main character, Sophie, is still story opening on a showdown between Resistance single (having never been married) at almost 40, but and Germans, with Steffen caught in the crossfire. is still written as a charming, sought-after, attractive From the introduction, the story just keeps picking single woman, as opposed to coming off as desperate up steam with intense dashes across the sea to Sweden for Denmark’s Jews, heartbreak when those resand down on men. cues fail, and the discovery of one’s self in a country Although Moriarity’s books are classified as controlled by tyranny. “chicklit” they are definitely a cut above the stanCopyright 2010 – Abingdon Press dard fare for this genre. Written with a wry sense Rating: 4 of 5 of humor and a hint of mystery, she has definitely hit the nail on the head when it comes to putting together another great book for you to curl up with in your comfy chair and be transported to another place - a place where the people are a lot like the rest of us.

Copyright 2014 – Harper Perennial Rating: 5 of 5 For over forty five years “The Volunteer” by Barbara Taylor Sissel the volunteer members of I was not familiar with the term “volunteer” the Smith County Medical when used to refer to prison inmates who had abanSociety Alliance have sorted, doned the appeals process, so this book opened up labeled, shelved, and orgaa whole new world to me. The main character of the nized donated books for their book is Jarrett Capshaw, who is on death row in a two sales each year. This is Texas prison because of an unusual crime. Involved the Alliance’s chief fundraiser in the theft of Mayan antiquities, Capshaw found with 75 percent of the prohimself pulling the trigger and killing someone who ceeds going toward scholarhe had no intention of killing. As much as he feels ships and 25 percent for Alliance-related commuprepared for it, and as much as he struggles with nity projects. The Book Fair was conceived in 1968 matters of the soul, Jarrett feels he is ready to die because he feels it is the only way his family and the with the first sale taking place in 1969. The first few sales were in different locations. Then in 1975, A. families of his victims will be free to move on.

E. Dennis, a landowner and businessman, proposed With 41 days left until he is scheduled to die, that the Alliance buy a building to put on a piece Sophia, a psychologist who previously handled a death row case that resulted in a stay of execution, of land he would donate. The physicians donated

Spring Has Sprung!

Smith County Medical Society Alliance Book Fair: Thursday-Saturday, April 14th-16th

the money for the building. That building has now been sold, and a new larger building has been purchased around the corner at 2004 Broussard Street.

The new building provides a much more comfortable shopping experience - wider aisles, good lighting, larger check out area, and no outside books - they are all now housed indoors. They also have a new paved parking lot for easier accessibility.

Over the years close to $500,000 from the book sale proceeds have been awarded for health career scholarships at the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College. A Presidential Scholarship of $25,000 has been endowed at each school for a number of years.

Culling, sorting, pricing, and shelving by volunteers takes place two or more days a week almost all year long to keep up with the large volume of donated books. Most of the books sell in the range of $.25 to $5.

For the past 2 years, the alliance has partnered with Achieving Dreams. This is a day program for adults with special needs that is located at Shiloh Road Church of Christ. The “Achievers” in this group, volunteer one day a week at the Book Fair building and help with alphabetizing, shredding, cleaning of the building and moving books from the sorting room to the appropriate sections for shelving.

“We also have some very rare and valuable books. The following list is but a few of the new additions: ‘The History of Smith County Texas, Volumes 1 & 2,’ 1999 by James Smallwood, ‘A Return to Glory,’ 2000 signed by author Bill McWilliams, ‘Code of Honor,’ 1975 by Lt. Colonel John A. Dramesi, 1st Edition, signed, ‘The Bench and Bar,’ 1997 by Morris L. Cohen, ‘J.C. Leyendecker,’ 2008

by Laurence S. and Judy Goffman Cutler, 1st Edition, ‘Life in Hollywood,’ 1992 by Peter Stackpole, 1st Printing, ‘Hurrell Hollywood,’ 1992 by George Hurrell, 1st Edition, ‘1943-45’ by Douglas Southall Freeman, ‘A Compilation of Editorial Articles, Copied from the “Signs of the Times”, in 4 Volumes,’ 1984 – Revised by Eld. Gilbert Beebe, Editor, ‘Texas Wildlife – Deluxe Edition,’ 1992 by Charles Beckendorf, #311 of 1000 copies.”

For info visit www.scmsalliance.com or call Book Fair at (903)561-1353.

The book fair will be held 8am-6pm. And only cash and checks are accepted.

Spring has Sprung at the Tyler Library Come to the Tyler Library this month and see the many exciting events that are planned for young and old alike. The Tyler Library is located at 201 S. College, downtown Tyler. For more info call (903)593-7323, www.TylerLibrary.com. Most events are free.

Events include:

Children

Storytimes All storytimes will be in Taylor Auditorium.

• Leeme un Cuento / Read to Me Storytime (children 3-6) is on Mondays at 10:30am.

• Toddler Time Storytime (children under age 3) is on Wednesdays at 10:30am.

• Read Aloud Crowd Storytime (children 3-6 years old) is on Thursdays at 10:30am.

• Starry Time Storytime (children 3-6 years old) is on Thursdays at 6pm.

Other Events

American Girl Book Club is on Saturdays at 10:30am April 2nd. Join us as for conversation crafts and games celebrating Women’s History Month.

LEGO® Block Party meets on Saturday, April 2nd at 1:30pm. Children ages three and up, bring your imagination for an afternoon of building and playing! LEGO® and Duplo Blocks are provided.

LEGO® Block Party meets the first Saturday of each month September to May. LEGO® Designs Family Contest will be held Monday-Thursday, April 4th-7th. Families are invited to the Library to recreate their favorite book using LEGO® blocks. All materials will be provided.

One entry per family, please. Free, no registration is required.

Interactive Movie Event for Families will be held Saturday, April 16th at 10:30am. Join us for our very first interactive movie at the Library. Oompa Loompa doompadee doo, I’ve got a perfect puzzle for you. We are keeping the name of the movie under wraps, but careful readers can figure it out easier than finding a golden ticket in world full of chocolate. Drinks, candy, props, and cues will be provided for the first 50 people. Visit www.TylerLibrary.com for the prop list if you would like to bring your own kit. Free but registration is required.

Teens

Teen Advisory Council will meet Saturday, April 16th, 1-2pm. This is open to ages 12-18.

Teen Game Time will be held Saturday, April 16th at 2-4pm. Teens will have the opportunity to be life-size PAC-MAN® and ghosts, play with a Jenga® tower as tall as they are, play Connect 4® with checker pieces that can be used as plates, and race through the Library in search of a murdered in our CLUE® Scavenger Hunt. Open to ages 12-18.

Adults

Adult Coloring is held every first and third Monday, 4-5pm. Come enjoy a relaxing and stress free session of coloring twice a month.

Origami Classes are held the second and fourth Monday each month, 4-5pm. Come and join the fun in the art of paper folding.

Every Tuesday - Quilting Classes will he held 10am-1pm. Learn the art of quilting as class participants will complete individual and group quilting projects. Fabric and quilt patterns will be provided.

Participants are asked to provide their own sewing machines, scissors, and neutral or white thread.

Morning Meditation classes are held every Tuesday (5:30-6:30pm) and Friday (10-11am).

Crochet Classes will be held every Wednesday, 11:30am-12:30pm. Learn to crochet with Library staff and volunteers. All materials are provided.

Game On is held every Friday, 3-5:30pm.

Beginner Computer Classes - The Library offers computer classes for the beginner. A series of four classes, meeting every Saturday, will cover basic computer knowledge, e-mail basics, job search basics, and how to write a résumé.

ClubRead Book Discussions are held the last Tuesday of the month at 10am. April Selection is “A Spool of Blue Thread” by Anne Tyler. This is open to all book lovers!

Veteran’s Movie will be shown every first and third Friday, 1-5pm. Join us for bi-weekly screenings of movies presented especially for our veterans.

Garden Lectures will be held Mondays, through April 18th, 10:30-11:30am. Join us for information on how to make the most of the spring gardening season!

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EGuideMagazine.com • 13

Music Yes, There are Still Tickets But Not for Long Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival was born from an idea — or rather, a dream — to bring a dynamic, unique event to Downtown Tyler, Texas, that encompasses three things we love about the Lone Star State: Barbecue. No other state does BBQ like Texas. It’s an area where we Texans hold an immense amount of pride — yes, we’re snobs, and we’re proud of it. Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival brings in the most celebrated barbecue joints from all over Texas for attendees to sample each one, experiencing the various flavors and methods from the state’s legendary restaurants.

Music. There’s no scene like you’ll find in Texas and Red Dirt Music. We celebrate the best of live and local music with some of the biggest legends — including Randy Rogers Band, Josh Abbott Band and Stoney LaRue — as well as the newcomers and rising stars.

Beer. No beer better represents Texas than Shiner Beers, and we’re proud to showcase the best the Shiner, Texas, brewery has to offer every year.

In it’s third year, The Red Dirt Barbecue & Music Festival promises to continue this tradition again this year.

Headliner Turnpike Troubadours

If The Turnpike Troubadours are playing in your town, you’ll know it. A block or two from the venue, you’ll see the crowds lining up. Get closer and you’ll start to hear the music — rockin’ hard, lashed by burnin’ fiddle and guitar, maybe a little rough on the edges, but with a deep-rooted soul that’s impossible to resist.

And if you make it through the door, you’ll witness one of the best shows you’ll ever see.

Audiences in their home state of Oklahoma and down in Texas have known this for years. It’s no longer news when they draw 5,000plus at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, sell out three nights in a row at Gruene Hall or turn several hundred away at the Legendary Stubb’s Bar-BQ in Austin.

The Barbecue Word has spread: Their shows in Chicago, St. Louis, and elseThis year will feature 21 of the best barbecue restaurants from all where have pulled in more than 1,000 fans. And they’ve drawn full over Texas. These restaurants are some of the most celebrated in the houses at Joe’s Pub in New York and The Troubadour in L.A., among Lone Star State (thus, the world), and you’ll have the opportunity to many other nightspots from coast to coast. sample tasty smoked meats from each one.

They were even picked by Playboy as one of three acts to watch The Joints: in 2015 — a distinction lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Evan Felker • BBQ on the Brazos, Cresson (Pitmaster: John Sanford) admits is “pretty bizarre” but impressive nonetheless.

• Bet the House BBQ, Denton (Pitmasters: Shawn Eagle & Cody So is that the story? “The Turnpike Troubadours Tear It Up Night Smithers) After Night?”

• Black’s Barbecue, Lockhart (Pitmaster: Kent Black) Actually, no. There’s another side to singer/guitarist Felker, bassist • Bodacious Barbecue, Longview (Pitmasters: Jordan Jackson & Scott RC Edwards, fiddler Kyle Nix, steel and electric guitarist Ryan EngleTurner) man, and drummer Gabe Pearson. Maybe you don’t notice it as much • Buzzie’s BBQ, Kerrville (Pitmaster: Buzzie Hughes) at their shows, where their blazing performances tend to obliterate • Country Tavern, Kilgore (Pitmaster: Armando Contreras) detached reflection.

• Freedmen’s Bar, Austin (Pitmasters: Evan LeRoy & Chris McGhee) But you’ll definitely notice it on their new album, “The Turnpike • Heim Barbecue, Fort Worth (Pitmaster: Travis Heim) Troubadours,” in 2015 on their Bossier City imprint. Away from the • Hutchins BBQ, McKinney (Pitmasters: Tim Hutchins & Dustin intensities of their show, the music speaks more intimately. Details of Blackwell) their arrangements clarify. Above all, the lyrics become the center of • Kreuz Market, Lockhart & Bryan (Pitmasters: Roy Perez & Marco attention, spinning stories so compelling that you realize you’d almost Oglesby) forgotten how powerful the message of a song could be.

• Lockhart Smokehouse, Dallas (Pitmasters: Damian Avila & Eric There’s “7 Oaks,” recounting a life made desperate by poverty, Perry) made more vivid by an incongruous hoedown accompaniment …

• Louie Mueller Barbecue, Taylor (Pitmaster: Wayne Mueller) “Bossier City,” focused on a sad mill worker who blows his pay regu• Meat Church, Waxahachie (Pitmaster: Matt Pittman) larly on gambling and booze … “The Bird Hunters,” a short story set • Micklethwait Craft Meats, Austin (Pitmaster: Tom Micklethwait) to a Cajun waltz about friendship, love and coming home … “Down • Miller’s Smokehouse, Belton (Pitmaster: Dirk Miller) Here,” a conversation between one guy who has lost all he had and • Opie’s BBQ, Spicewood (Pitmasters: Seth Glaser & Marina Sanchez) another who assures him life “down here” really isn’t so bad … “How • Riverport Bar-B-Que, Jefferson (Pitmaster: Stephen Joseph) Do You Fall Out Of Love,” a melancholy meditation on lost love.

• Schmidt Family Barbecue, Bee Cave (Pitmaster: Chad Franks) Dig deeper into the words and bits of brilliant craftsmanship • The Slow Bone, Dallas (Pitmaster: Jack Perkins) gleam: “Hillbilly girl, as sweet as wine, grew up in the thicket like a • Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, Tyler (Pitmasters: Nick Pencis & Jon- muscadine.” … “Robbie’s got a brand new girlfriend. She’s got to strip athan Shaw) for pills.” … “I left my heart in Tulsa on the corner of Easton & Main • Stiles Switch BBQ and Brew, Austin (Pitmaster: Lance Kirkpatrick) on the Cains’ Ballroom floor, soaking up a bourbon stain.” … “You bet your heart on a diamond and I played the clubs and the spades.

The Music We gambled and lost. Yes, we both paid the cost. Look what a mess I Turnpike Troubadours, JB and the Moonshine Band, William have made.”

“Human beings like stories,” Felker insists. “It doesn’t matter what Clark Green, Dirty River Boys,and opener Bri Bagwell will perform form, whether it be a song or a movie or a poem and they’ve always this year.

been drawn to characters. Our songs are real life applied to stories applied back to real life. I might get a plot line from several short stories I’ve read. Then I’ll build fallible characters into the midst of all that. They’re never archetypes. They’re real. It’s all about the character.”

In fact, characters are so central to the Turnpike Troubadours that they often turn up in more than one song. On “The Turnpike Troubadours,” for instance, the narrator in “Down Here,” Danny, turns up again in “The Bird Hunters.”

“Stephen King has this canon of characters, and any of them can walk into one of his stories at any time,” Felker says. “You have all these characters living in the same universe. I haven’t ever seen that applied to songwriting, but that’s what I’m doing.”

“Our sound comes from playing country music, punk rock, and anything else we liked in honky-tonks and beer joints,” Edwards adds. “You’ve got to give the crowd something to dance to and have a good time. But songwriters are the most important thing. So I think everything we’ve done says that you can have it both ways.”

The proof is The Turnpike Troubadours and at whatever place they’re playing down the road near you.

Think of them as a two-headed silver dollar; on both sides, you’ve got a winner.

The Turnpike Troubadours take stage around 10pm.

Tickets Please note, last year the festival sold out and tickets were not available at the gate. Right now, several ticket options are still available: VIP (SOLD OUT) - Having a VIP ticket means you’ll be able to enter to BBQ portion of the festival an hour earlier than regular ticket holders. You’ll also receive a T-shirt, coupons for two free beverages, access to the VIP tent, and priority spots in front of the stage for the concert. VIP entry is at 2pm.

GA/Combo: $50 - This ticket allows you access to both the BBQ and concert parts of the festival. General admission entry is at 3pm.

Concert-only: $25 - This ticket is good for just the concert. Gates will open for the concert at 5pm. Due to our packed concert schedule, concert-only ticket-holders will miss the first 30 minutes of our opener, who will take the stage at 4:30pm.

Children three and under will be accepted into the festival for free, though we request you share your food samples with children younger than three to allow for enough food for everyone. Anyone older than three will require a ticket.

For more info, tickets and more go to reddirtbbqfest.com.

More About Red Dirt Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival is produced by Townsquare Media, which is a national media and entertainment company that owns more than 300 radio stations and 500 live events in the U.S. The festival is presented locally by 101.5 KNUE and Radio Texas, LIVE! With Buddy Logan, and is proudly sponsored by Tyler Ford.

Music News & Events

Love And War In Texas, Lindale has begun booking bands! Located at 120 East North St., Lindale, Love & War has scheduled: • June 17th – Jason Boland, 8pm • June 25th – Chris Knight, 8pm • July 9th – Walt Wilkins – Left Arm Tan, 8pm More info is available at loveandwarintexas.com, under Locations > Lindale.

Hickory Hill will be in concert at Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, 8620 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, July 16th at 8pm.

Rock the Square has been scheduled for October 15th and Foghat is scheduled to headline. Tickets are not on sale yet but we will let you know more details as this event begins to take shape.

Saturday, April 2nd – Meredith Crawford & The Backhand Band featuring Heather Little, SWOPE, and Star Steed will perform at 7pm at Brady’s Coffee, 309 W. Rusk St., Tyler, (903)596-0508. There is a $7 cover.

L I VE

Every Thursday

Todd Renlee

Every Friday

Paul Ruark

Every Saturday

Bobby & Ken

All Live Music is 6:30-9p.m. — No Cover Ever!

14 • EGuideMagazine.com

MUSIC

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Edom, Texas MUSIC Cherie Call

Saturday, April 30th Cherie Call was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and has been writing music since her early teens. March of 2014 marks the release of Cherie’s eighth full length album, “Homeless Songs.” Some highlights of Cherie’s performing life include playing “in the round” at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, being a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Newfolk songwriting competition, opening for bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien at the University of Utah, and performing with the beloved hymn revival supergroup, “The Lower Lights.” Cherie’s songs have been included on several soundtracks to many independent films, including “God’s Army,” “Charly,” and the Banff Award winning film, “True Fans.” “Homeless Songs” is 100% homegrown.

For more info go to www.cheriecall.com.

FILM

Saturday, April 9th The Old Firehouse Cinema Independent Film Series presents: The Red Dot Asian Short Film Festival Red Dot Cinema brings independent short films from Asia to the world. In different parts of the world, Red Dot Cinema provides a social and physical platform for local film lovers as well as film makers, to rediscovers Asia through stories from behind the lens. There are many independent film festivals in the world but there is definitely a lack of Asian films in these festivals. Red Dot Cinema raises awareness of Asian independent films and promotes Asian cultures.

Old Firehouse will be screening seven films including Drama, Animation, Documentary, and Experimental. The entire show will last approximately 100 minutes. This will be a fascinating evening. Be aware that while these films do not have ratings, some do contain nudity and profanity.

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A huge 16 foot by 9 foot HD Projection Screen 19 HD TVs - Games on Every TV! 903.504.5860 3807 University Blvd.

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ThisTheMonth at The Old Firehouse Old Firehouse is hosting an exciting lineup of Acoustic Music Concerts and Independent Films this month.

Music Concerts begin at 7:30pm and doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Old Firehouse is cash only.

Saturday, April 30th

Cherie Call

Cherie Call was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and has been writing music since her early teens.

March of 2014 marks the release of Cherie’s eighth full length album, “Homeless Songs.” Some highlights of Cherie’s performing life include playing “in the round” at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, being a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Newfolk songwriting competition, opening for bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien at the University of Utah, and performing with the beloved hymn revival supergroup, “The Lower Lights.” Cherie’s songs have been included on several soundtracks to many independent films, including “God’s Army,” “Charly,” and the Banff Award winning film, “True Fans.”

“Homeless Songs” is 100% homegrown.

For more info go to www.cheriecall.com.

Upcoming Concerts

Films All films start at 7pm and the doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $8 at the door and online. Old Firehouse is cash only.

Saturday, April 9th The Old Firehouse Cinema Independent Film Series presents:

The Red Dot Asian Short Film Festival

Red Dot Cinema brings independent short films from Asia to the world. In different parts of the world, Red Dot Cinema provides a social and physical platform for local film lovers as well as film makers, to rediscover Asia through stories from behind the lens. There are many independent film festivals in the world but there is definitely a lack of Asian films in these festivals. Red Dot Cinema raises awareness of Asian independent films and promotes Asian cultures.

Old Firehouse will be screening seven films including Drama, Animation, Documentary, and Experimental. The entire show will last approximately 100 minutes. Be aware that while these films do not have ratings, and some contain nudity and profanity.

About Old Firehouse

The Old Firehouse is an intimate, smoke-free, and alcohol-free “Coffeehouse” which has made a name for itself by bringing national folk musicians and their all-original music to Edom’s unique listening room and stage. The Old Firehouse Cinema offers a monthly viewing experience of first run independent films to Edom as well.

Info can be found by contacting The Old Firehouse at www.theoldfirehouse.net, info@theoldfirehouse.net, or by phone at (903)852ART1 (2781). Both the concert and film series are labors-of-love by owners Jeff and Judy Gottesman, as they don’t expect to make any kind of profit from these endeavors, however sponsorships of the films and concerts are always appreciated.

bles with Maverick, Candlebox went on indefinite hiatus in 2000 after an alleged attempt to be freed from their contract. The band reunited April 7th at 7:30pm in 2006, and two years later, they released their fourth album “Into the Sun,” followed by an extensive tour. Their latest album, “Love The Hot Sardines Stories & Other Musings,” was released in April 2012. Click’s Live The Hot Sardines will perform at the Cowan Center. Known as is located at 1946 ESE Loop 323 in Tyler. Tickets are available at “New York’s hot-jazz darlings,” The Hot Sardines are indeed one of etix.com starting at $18 in advance, $21 the day of the concert at the the hottest acts currently touring the country. The Sardine sound – wartime Paris via New Orleans, or the other way around – is steeped door. There is a $5 up-charge for minors. in hot jazz, salty stride piano, and the kind of music Louis Armstrong, April 15th at 7:30pm Django Reinhardt, and Fats Waller used to make - straight-up, footFor King & Country stomping jazz. Literally – the band includes a tap dancer whose feet count as two members of the rhythm section! They manage to invoke Soaring melodies, driving rhythms, theatrical instrumentation and personal themes are the heartbeat of for King & Country’s sophomore the sounds of a near-century ago and stay resolutely in step with album, “Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.” The duo, comprised of the current age. And while their roots run deep into jazz, that most Australian brothers Joel and Luke, has accomplished several notable American of genres, they’re intertwined with French influences via their frontwoman, who was born and raised in Paris (and writes songs feats on their new record. Perhaps the most remarkable is that the in both languages). The Cowan Center is located at 3900 University award-winning rock/pop duo has achieved the unexpected. “A really Blvd. on the University of Texas at Tyler campus. Tickets are available thrilling component of this new album is that we stepped into it at the box office, by calling (903)566-7424, or log on at www.uttyler. with 300-plus shows under our belts,” Joel says. “We have five band members on the road with us. After spending countless hours in edu/cowan.

15-passenger vans and performing on stage together, a deep creative April 9th at 8pm bond formed. We made many discoveries along the way - our love for rhythm, our enthusiasm for theatrics, and the beauty of how a lyric Junior Brown can touch someone’s heart. These experiences have been an excelWith his unique voice, lent springboard into a new and more developed version of King & more unique songwriting Country.” Appearing as a guest for King & Country will be rapper KB. craft, and even more Based in Tampa, Florida, KB has appeared on projects by Lecrae, Trip unique double necked Lee, Family Force 5, and Andy Mineo. As a solo artist, he received a “Guit-Steel,” there has Dove award in 2014 for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, and his 2015 absolutely never been album, “Tomorrow We Live” debuted on Billboard charts at #1 on anyone like Junior Top Christian Albums, #4 on Top Rap Albums, and in the top 20 of Brown. Born in 1952 in the Billboard 200. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau UniverCottonwood, AZ., Junior sity is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. Tickets start at $20. For showed musical talent at an early age playing little melodies on the more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. family piano before he could talk. Curiosity led him to an old guitar in his grandparents’ attic, thus setting the stage for a lifelong interest Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. in the steel strings. After settling in Austin, Texas, with his wife and April 16th at 8pm rhythm guitarist-singer, Tanya Rae, he began his weekly tenure at the legendary Continental Club where the band successfully honed their Mouse & the Traps Originating in Tyler, in 1965, Mouse and the Traps has had several craft, leading ultimately to a major label signing (Curb), a Country regional hits and has been an East Texas favorite for years. Some of Music Association Award (CMA), three Grammy nods, a Bluegrass Music Association Award (IBMA) with legend Ralph Stanley, duets on their best known songs are “A Public Execution” and “Sometimes record and video appearances with everyone from Hank Thompson You Just Can’t Win.” After releasing several singles on the Fraternity and George Jones to The Beach Boys and Stone Temple Pilots. Lately Records label, Mouse and the Traps also recorded two singles for Bell Records. The band performed on two of Dale Hawkins’ singles and Junior has been concentrating just as hard as always on his songwriting skills with his more recent material, which still references dry contributed to his 1966 album on the label, L.A., Memphis and Tyler, wit, serious sentiment, and instrumental prowess. Some of these new Texas. The band broke up in 1969, but most of the members have remained in music. They are super excited to bring back their sound, songs show a previously uncharted direction into modern technical with a new line up, to Liberty Hall! Tickets can be purchased online jargon. Just one listen to selections like “Hang Up and Drive” or at www.LibertyTyler.com. Liberty Hall is located in downtown Tyler at “Apathy Waltz” and you will have no doubt that there is more here 103 E. Erwin. than just simple Retro-Billy. These songs are about today and Junior is still performing them “Junior style.” Opening for Junior Brown will April 29th at 7:30pm be local favorites The Magills. Tickets are $20-$30 in advance and Sandi Patty “Forever available at the door. VIP Boxes are $175 and seat four (only three available). Tickets can be purchased at www.LibertyTyler.com. Liberty Grateful” Tour Together with World Vision, Hall is located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin. the most awarded female April 9th at 7pm vocalist in contemporary Candlebox Christian music presents Candlebox was the first the tour of a lifetime, in successful act on Madonna’s celebration of hers. Sandi Maverick Records, which went is letting the world know on to sign Alanis Morissette, that she is saying “ farewell Deftones, and The Prodigy. They and thank you” through her found immediate success with upcoming “ Forever Grateful” World Tour. Sandi is one of the most the release of their self-titled highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy® awards, debut album in July 1993. It four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold featured some of the band’s biggest hit singles, including “Far Behind” records, over 40 Dove awards, and 12 million units sold. Sandi has and “You,” and was certified platinum by the RIAA four times. Their performed with symphonies across the country, including the New next two albums, “Lucy” and “Happy Pills,” also sold well. After trou- York Pops, Boston Pops, and the Dallas Symphony. She headlined the

title role in sold out performances of the musical “Hello, Dolly!” with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, co-starring Tony Award winner Gary Beach. “What a privilege it has been to share my story and faith through song for so many years,” Sandi says. “My heart is full of gratitude for so many who have been along this journey with me.

I could never have imagined my career taking me to so many amazing places and meeting so many people who have changed my life forever. My desire is to use this next season and the ‘Forever Grateful’ tour as an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to as many people as possible!” Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. Tickets start at $25. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www. belchercenter.com. Box office hours are MondayFriday, 10am-5pm.

Friday-Saturday, May 20th-21st, 3pm-12 midnight

You Should Have Known in 2012,” saying “it’s not every day a new artist earns comparisons to great songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Randy Newman, but Fullbright’s music makes sense in such lofty company.” “The Wall Street Journal” crowned him as giving one of the year’s 10 best live performances, and the album also earned him the ASCAP Foundation’s Harold Adamson Lyric Award.

If there was any doubt that his debut announced the arrival of a songwriting force to be reckoned with, it was put to rest when “From The Ground Up” was nominated for Best Americana Album at the Grammy Awards, which placed Fullbright alongside some of the genre’s most iconic figures, including Bonnie Raitt. With his new album “Songs,” he shares some new feelings and thoughts.

“I Didn’t Know” is a song he premiered live at a concert hosted by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, a story he tells still somewhat incredulously, while “When You’re Here” is a somber piano PorchFest at The Back Porch in Kilgore love song, and “The One That Lives Too Far’ is a This is a full day of music! Porchfest will have account of the strain that distance can put on a vendors, music, and a catfish fry on Friday; a craw- raw romantic relationship. “All That You Know,” which fish boil will be on Saturday, along with a magic features just voice and Wurlitzer, implores listeners show, face painting, and a bouncy house for kids, to appreciate what’s right in front of them, and the plus more. finger-picked “Keeping Hope Alive” is a song of Friday on resilience through hard times. To be sure, “Songs” the Acoustic has its moments of darkness, tracks born from pain Stage will be and heartbreak, but for a craftsman like Fullbright, Cole Allen, there are few greater joys than carving emotion into BlakboX, and music. Tickets are $20 in advance. Tickets can be Todd Rinle; purchased at www.LibertyTyler.com. Liberty Hall is on the Band located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin.

Stage Tuxedo Cats, Richard June 11th at 7:30pm Stuart Band, and Teazur will perform. Saturday on the Acoustic Stage will be Kadie Lynn, 2nd Child- Casting Crowns hood, Daniel Smalley, and Adam Brown; and on the “Joy unspeakable! Faith unsinkable! Love UnstopBand Stage will be Ally Venable Band, Cody Wayne pable! Anything is possible!” Hearing Casting Crowns’ frontman Mark Hall singing those words Band, Dagnabbit Band, and Darrin Morris Band. in the title track of the band’s new album “Thrive,” Tickets are on sale at thebackporchkilgore.com. it’s hard not to feel peace wash over your soul.

The Back Porch is located at 904 Broadway Blvd., Life can be so challenging and it’s easy to become in Kilgore. overwhelmed. What a gift to be reminded we were May 21st at 8pm made to thrive! “The idea of ‘Thrive’ came out of our student ministry. I’ve been a youth pastor for John Fullbright almost 22 years, and it’s still what I want to be It was just two years ago that Fullbright released when I grow up,” Hall says with a grin. “The songs his debut studio album, “From The Ground Up” always really start out with what we’re teaching, to a swarm of critical acclaim. The “LA Times” and for years I’ve been using Psalm 1 in showing called the record “preternaturally self-assured,” while NPR hailed him as one of the “10 Artists them what a believer looks like. It says: ‘Blessed is

the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.’”

Casting Crowns’ has consistently delivered songs that spur listeners to evaluate their relationship with God and with each other. “The basic idea is let God define himself through you and if you’ll do that, you’re going to thrive,” says Hall. “The first six songs on the record are all about learning who God is and who you are.

The second six songs are about how that works out. How are you going to get out there and let him live his life through you?” The album’s lead single “All You’ve Ever Wanted” has a potent message.

“It’s combating that logic that we have in us that says when we fail, we need to make it right,” Hall says. “We think we need to make things right with God. We think we’ve got to make him proud again.

Not only does it not work, it’s not needed. We’re fighting a battle that’s already won and that’s what this song is about.” Tickets start at $27. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

July 16th at 8pm

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band

result is a pleasing sound with a lot of fun surprises along the way. Tickets are $15-20. Tickets can be purchased at www.LibertyTyler.com. Liberty Hall is located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin.

Saturday August 20th at 7pm

Cattle Baron’s 29th annual “Two Step, One Cure” featuring Vince Gill

The 29th annual event entitled “Two Step, One Cure” will feature Grammy Award winning artist Vince Gill, and will be held on Saturday August 20th at Harvey Convention Center. As we continue this tradition of stepping together to fight for and find a cure, the theme reminds us that two steps forward help us toward one cure. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Texas. Each day, hundreds of Texans are diagnosed with cancer; one out of every two men and one out of every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. The American Cancer Society seeks to eliminate cancer as a major health issue through research, prevention, education, advocacy, and service. 2016 L’il Wrangler is Caleb Guy. After several visits back and forth to the doctor, Caleb Guy was diagnosed with Stage 3B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on December 13, 2011 at the young age of seven. He underwent four rounds of chemotherapy and 15 radiation treatments before being pronounced cancer free in April of 2012.

Caleb is a smart, shy young man who loves sports.

He plays football and basketball and loves to fish whenever the opportunity arises. For tickets, go to www.cattlebaronsgala.net.

October 15th, All Day

Foghat

Rock the Square has been scheduled for October 15th and Foghat is scheduled to headline. Tickets are not on sale yet but we will let you know more details as this event begins to take shape.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band is a modern bluegrass band that plays and sings the songs of The Beatles. Just as the Beatles broke the mold of all EGuide will list any event for free, things rock and roll, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass yes, you read that right, Band follows closely with that same spirit of innovation, interpreting songs already loved by millions.

Performing some of the very best music composed Log on to our website, click “Submit an Event” and

by Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George simply fill out the form. It’s that easy.

Harrison, beloved songs are presented with instruments you normally wouldn’t expect to hear and played in a way they are not normally played. The

FREE.

EGuideMagazine.com

BANDS IN APRIL

(9pm 'til 1am) Saturday, April 2nd JUSTIN MERRITT BAND Sunday, April 3rd THE BLACKSMITHS Saturday, April 9th MAGNOLIA BROWN Saturday, April 16th HUBCAP & THE LOOSE NUTS SUNDAY, April 17th THE BLACKSMITHS Saturday, April 23rd THE SYNDICATE Saturday, April 30th FREE WHISKEY EGuideMagazine.com • 17

EGuideMagazine.com GigGuide Friday, April 1st The Back Porch, Kilgore – Big Hotel, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 7-11 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Cody Jinks, 9-12 Cork – Quentin Moore, 7-10 Dakotas Chop House – Dustin Becker, 8-11 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Finding Shade, 7-10 Fresh – Bobby & The Blue Cats, 6-9 Garage Bar – Doubleshot, 8-12 Half Moon Grill – Brett Hendrix Band, 8-12 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – Kid Icarus, 8-12 Liberty Hall – ETSO Piano Festival, 6-10 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Cody Canada, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Tuxedo Cats, 8-12 Rick’s – Professor D & the Playschool, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – New Breed Brass Band, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus –Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, April 2nd The Back Porch, Kilgore – Replicators, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris Band, 7-10 Clicks Live – 3rd Dilemma, 9-1 Cork – Lauren Alexander, 7-10 Club 155 – Black Ice, 9-1 Dakotas Chop House – George Faber, 8-11 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Craig Wallace, 3-5, Whiskey Prophets, 7-10 Fresh – Better Days Review, 6-9 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – The Elegant Few, 9-1 Liberty Hall – ETSO Piano Festival, 6-10 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Travis Bolt, 9-1 Nine Muses – Breaktime For Francis, 7-10 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Chris Colston Band, 9-1 Ricks – Trajikly White, 9-1 River Run ATV, Jacksonville – Big Smo, Colt Ford, 8-12 Rose City Farmers Market – Eric Moseley Duo, 8am Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Ken Murray, 12-3 Stone Country, Lindale – Live Music, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 XLN – Justin Merritt Band, 9-1 Yamato – Ramoth Gilead, 8-12

Sunday, April 3rd Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-3 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Tommy & The Acoustics, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12

Monday, April 4th The 10 Spot, Jacksonville – Open Mic, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Halfmoon Grill – Chris Wayne, 8-12

18 • EGuideMagazine.com

Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 6:30-9:30

Tuesday, April 5th Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 6-9 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker & Chris Oliver, 6-8:30 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Karaoke, 7-11 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, April 6th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Chris Colston, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Curtis Grimes, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dakotas Chop House – Daniel Rocha, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-10 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Jordan York, 7-11 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggerys, 7-10

Thursday, April 7th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Hather Coloninga, 7-10 Bergfeld Center, Erin Kinsey, 4pm Circle M Crawfish – Levi Kitchens, 6-9 Cowan Center – The Hot Sardines, 7pm The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Beyond The Pale, 7-10 Halfmoon Grill – DJ Rufus, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Bobby Duncan, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Rinlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Ricks – Texas Country Thursdays, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Friends, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Blue Louie, 6-9 Villaggio – Chance Pena, 7-10

Friday, April 8th The Back Porch, Kilgore – White Trash Wannabees, 8-12 Charcoal Ally, Jacksonville – Withrow Cooley, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 7-11 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Elaine Kay, 7-10 The Foundry – The Magills, 8-12 Fresh – Aurora Menorah, 6-9 Garage Bar – Brad Huff, 8-12 Half Moon Grill – The Kid Icarus Project, 8-12 Lago Del Pino – DJ ARIIS, 8-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Red Shahan, 9-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Culver House, 8-12 Rick’s – Live 5, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Pocket Tangerine, 8-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Thunder In The Pines, Jacksonville – Ally Venable, 8-12 Where’s Rufus –Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, April 9th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Ally Venable Band, 9-1 Click’s Live – Candlebox, Lullwater & PeteRG, Blacktop Mojo, 9-12 Circle M Crawfish – Bobby O & The Mojo, 7-10 Dakotas Chop House – Patrick Freden, 8-11 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Craig Wallace, 3-5, Ben Balmer, 7-10 Fresh – Ramoth Gilead, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Justin Bravo & The Kind, 8-12 Juls – DJ, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 8-12 Lake Palestine Resort – Kid Icarus, 6-10 Liberty Hall – Junior Brown, 7pm Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Wesley Pruitt Band, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Purple Pig – Eric Moseley, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Frio River band, 8-12 Rick’s – Deja Groove, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Ken Murray, 12-3 Stone Country, Lindale – Wayland Hicks Band, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 XLN – Magnolia Brown, 9-1 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 Willowbrook – The Magills, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Sunday, April 10th Bergfeld Park – Vocal Trash, 2-5 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-3 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Tommy & The Acoustics, 7-10 High Hill Farm, Arp – Jazz Fest., 12-4 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm

Monday, April 11th The 10 Spot, Jacksonville –Open Mic, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 6:30-9:30

Tuesday, April 12th Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 6-9 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker & Chris Oliver, 6-8:30 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Karaoke, 7-11 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, April 13th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Blackbox, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dakotas Chop House – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-10 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Luke LaPrade, 8-11 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggerys, 7-10

Thursday, April 14th The Back Porch, Kilgore – David Allen, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Levi Kitchens, 6-9 Click’s Live – Shamans Harvest, Aranda & Failure, Anthem,

8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Venessa Bussey, 7-10 Half Moon Grill – DJ LL, 8-12 Juls – Open Mic, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Jason Herrin Band, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Rinlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Ricks – Kirk Baxley, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Friends, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Blue Louie, 6-9 Villagio – The Magills, 7-10

Friday, April 15th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Darby Warren Project, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 7-11 Click’s Live – Powerman 5000, 8-12 Cork – Chance Pena, 7-10 Dakotas Chop House – Jaden Farnsworth, 8-11 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Josh Brock, 7-10 Fresh – Tyler Dudley, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Austin English, 8-12 Juls – DJ, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Paul Shafer, 8-11 Lake Palestine Resort – Lisa Frasier, 6-10 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Battle Of The Bands, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Reo, Longveiw – Tracy Byrd, 7pm Republic Icehouse – Texas Soul Shakers, 8-12 Rick’s – Trajikly White, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Honey Island Swamp Band, 8-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, April 16th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Blaine Hart Band, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Last Call Outlaws, 7-11 Dakotas Chop House – Live Music, 8-11 Dick’s Cajun Grill – Nickel Draft, 6-9 Edom – April in Edom Festival, 10am The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Father/Brother, 7-10 Fresh – The Haggertys, 6-9 Garage Bar – Free Whiskey, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – Southern Company, 9-1 Lago Del Pino – Tuxedo Cats, 9-1 Lake Palestine Resort – Grant Cook, 6-10 Liberty Hall – Mouse & The Traps, 8-11 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Kris Gordon, 9-12 Nine Muses – Trepid, 8-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Music, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Billie Jo Ferguson, 9-1 Rick’s – Elegant Few, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ & Ken Murray, 12-3, Darby Warren Project, 8-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Chris Colston Band, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 T.B. Butler Plaza – Praise Fest., 9am Vintage Edom – Loretta Callens, 12-3 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

XLN – Hubcap & The Loose Nuts, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1

Sunday, April 17th

Vintage Edom – Michael Gonzalez, 12-3 XLN – The Syndicate, 9-1 Yamato – Ramoth Gilead, 8-12

Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 8-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-3 Edom – April in Edom Festival, 10am The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Tommy & The Acoustics, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12

Sunday, April 24th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-3 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Tommy & The Acoustics, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm

Monday, April 18th

Monday, April 25th

The 10 Spot, Jacksonville – Open Mic, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 6:30-9:30

The 10 Spot, Jacksonville – Open Mic, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 6:30-9:30

Tuesday, April 19th

Tuesday, April 26th

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 6-9 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker & Chris Oliver, 6-8:30 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Karaoke, 7-11 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 6-9 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker & Chris Oliver, 6-8:30 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Karaoke, 7-11 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12

Wednesday, April 20th

Wednesday, April 27th

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Keith Rea, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Jon Wolfe, 9-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dakotas Chop House – Daniel Rocha, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-10 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Pushwater, 7-11 Ricks – Hector Anchondo, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggerys, 7-10

The Back Porch, Kilgore – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dakotas Chop House – Trey Dillon, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-10 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Doug Kent, 7-11 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggerys, 7-10

Thursday, April 21st The Back Porch, Kilgore – Jen & Rio, 7-10 Circle M Crawfish – Levi Kitchens, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Keith Rea, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Acoustic, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – DJ LL, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Jimmy Bailey, 8-11 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Ricks – Zach Coffey, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Friends, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Blue Louie, 6-9

Friday, April 22nd The Back Porch, Kilgore – Tuxedo Cats, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 7-11 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Wade Bowen, 8-12 Dakotas – Live Music, 7-10 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Darrell Goldman, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Music, 6-9 Fresh – Caddo Creek Ft. Magills, 6-9 Garage Bar – Blacktop Mojo, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – Calamity Janes, 9-1 Juls – DJ, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – DJ ARIIS, 8-11 Lake Palestine Resort – Big Hotel , 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Eric Willis, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Music, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Workin On It, 8-12 Rick’s – Empire 6, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – John Nemeth & The Bo Keys, 8-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Dirtwater Social Club, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Saturday, April 23rd The Back Porch, Kilgore – Lady Chazz & The Tramps, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Blue Louie, 7-10 Click’s Live – Vision Red, 9-1 Dakotas Chop House – Live Music, 8-11 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Craig Wallace, 3-5, Soloman Skiles, 7-10 Fresh – Pocket Tangerine, 6-9 Garage Bar – Alex Smith, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – Guadalupe Pirates, 9-1 Juls – Knifight, 7-10 Lake Palestine Resort – Rouls Review , 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Chase McClanahan, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Something Blue, 8-12 Rick’s – Live 80, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Ken Murray, 12-3, Mark & Kirsten Ford with The Magills, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 The Venue – Karlos Farrar, 9-1

Located inside the Recently Completely Remodeled Holiday Inn!

Thursday, April 28th Big Mikes, Bullard – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Levi Kitchens, 6-9 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Owen Tiner, 7-10 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 The Garage Bar – The Blind Pursuit, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – DJ LL, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Ben Lowery, 8-11 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Ricks – Texas Country Thursdays, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Friends, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Summerfields Bar & Grille – Blue Louie, 6-9

EVERY THURSDAY, 6-9

Friday, April 29th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Darrin Morris Band, 8-12 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 7-11 Clicks Live – The New Offenders, 8-12 Dakotas Chop House – Senor Gringo, 8-11 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Justin Pecina, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Music, 6-9 Fresh – Out Of The Question, 6-9 Garage Bar – The Blind Pursuit, 8-12 Halfmoon Grill – Chris Wayne Band, 9-1 Juls – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Lago Del Pino – Live Music, 8-11 Lake Palestine Resort – David Allen, 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Jason James, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Music, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – The Kid Icarus Project, 8-12 Rick’s – Good Question , 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – AEP, Katy Guillen & The Girls 8-12 Stone Country, Lindale – Danny Reichle, 8-12 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – Karaoke, 8-12 Yamato – DJ, 9-12

Buy One Burger, Get One Free!

EVERY TUESDAY 7-11

EGuideMagazine.com To be included here, send your gigs to:

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Saturday, April 30th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Teazur, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Aurora Menorah, 7-11 Click’s Live – Death Row Bodeen, 9-1 Dakotas Chop House – Tuxedo Cats, 8-11 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Craig Wallace, 3-5, Junior Clark, 7-10 Fresh – Gary Freeman & The Groove, 6-9 Juls – DJ, 7-10 Lake Palestine Resort – Sid Cox, 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Wayland Hicks, 9-12 The Old Firehouse, Edom – Cherie Call, 7-10 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Icehouse – Thomas Lynn Wade, 8-12 Rick’s – Inversion, 9-1 Stanley’s BBQ – TJ Hammersly & Ken Murray, 12-3, The Haggertys, 6-9 Stone Country, Lindale – Anthony Riley Band, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus - DJ, 9-1 XLN – Free Whiskey, 9-1

TYLER-SOUTH BROADWAY

5701 S. Broadway Avenue ~ Tyler, Texas 75703 903-561-5800 Holiday Inn Tyler - South Broadway...A New Star on Broadway!

EGuideMagazine.com • 19

Art

Multimedia Art Installation on Exhibit at Rose Rudman Trail A new art installation at Rose Rudman

Art: Great Ideas – TJC April Arts Festival “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into

Trails has been unveiled. Created by University of Texas at Tyler Fine Arts student Nora Schreiber, the installation will stretch through the Rose Rudman Trail between ESE Loop 323 and Shiloh Road. The art will remain on display through April 20th and is free to the public during park hours (6am to 12 midnight).

The installation features large vinyl prints that showcase East Texas community members masked by complimentary words. As viewers walk through the trail, they will encounter a more sculptural part of the installation. The entire installation was produced to invoke a sense of community and togetherness, according to Schreiber.

For more info contact (903)531-1370.

ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality.”

– Napoleon Hill (American author)

By Derrick White “I have come to lose the smog. And I feel like I’m a cog in something turning. And maybe it’s the time of year, yes, and maybe it’s the time of man. And I don’t know who I am but life is for learning.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden.” – Woodstock lyrics by Joni Mitchell performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young becoming a counterculture anthem.

Woodstock was a good idea, at least in spirit.

It’s important to remember the arts are for all of us, a resilient connection to the human condition. Thoughts and ideas are part of experiencing human consciousness. The arts act as bridges of understanding. My friend, Paul Jones, and I had a straightforward idea several years ago while having lunch at the Circle M Crawfish (shrimp shack) in Big Sandy and knocking back a few ice cold beverages. The idea was to bring an adrenaline rush into the visual arts, and thus the annual art club Thunderdome competition was born. An art contest with only one winner, all the other contending art pieces are lavishly destroyed by the annihilators. It is a glorious event bringing groans, moans, cheers, and tears. Thunderdome is a good idea...if you win it.

TJC is offering an Arts Festival packed with happenings and performances collaborating between multiple departments and partnering with the Tyler Museum of Art the entire month of April. The festival is a celebration of the dynamic arts programs at Tyler Junior College that provide rich learning experiences. This event is a collaboration of The Bell Tower Arts Journal, International Day, the Tyler Museum of Art, and the Art, Music, Theater, Speech, Dance, and Visual Communications departments. Admissions, Dual Credit, and Student Activities are also partnering to help generate interest and student involvement. This year is even bigger and better with media underwriting support from CBS 19.

The Annual Arts Festival germinated from the notion of Dr. Linda Gary (TJC Department Chair, Humanities and Philosophy) a couple of years ago. Something to the effect that ‘since we have all these great departments conducting all these great activities, coordinating the things we are already doing will allow us to better share them with our students and our community.’ There are some entertaining, cultural, enlightening events taking place. Find the ones you are interested in, check them all out, and reconnect to the shared human condition. The Annual April Arts Festival is a great idea, if you’ll get involved.

April Arts Festival events include: • Ornate glass works by Dale Chihuly on view through the exhibit “Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections” at the Tyler Museum of Art (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm). Also, the TMA’s ‘Rock Walk’, large scale, granite sculptures by Candyce Garrett, are spread throughout the campus of Tyler Junior College. For more info and a map, go to www.tylermuseum.org.

• A Visual Communications Exhibition will be displayed in the Pirtle Technology Building (Pirtle Phase 4) each day April 1st-23rd.

• The TJC Wise Auditorium Art Gallery will host the funky and outsider art of TJC’s newest art faculty member Chance Dunlap through April. Dunlap currently spends most of his studio time working with wood, metal, paint, and fishing lures. For more, go to eguidemagazine.com/inside-the-artists-studio-chance-dunlap/.

• Friday, April 1st, 1pm – Student Recital in TJC’s Jean Browne Theater (TJC Wise Cultural Arts Building).

• Saturday, April 2nd, 9:30am-1pm – TJC will host an Apache Preview Day for potential students and parents.

• Monday-Thursday, April 4th-7th is the Art Club’s 13th Annual Silent Art Auction Fundraiser, which is sponsored by and benefits the TJC Art Club. Proceeds help fund scholarships, allows the art club to make charitable donations (i.e. Make-A-Wish), pays for field trips, events, and buy supplies. The auction will end Thursday, April 7th at 2pm. Works by students, faculty and local artists will be displayed in the Art Department Hallway of Jenkins Hall. Winning bids will be contacted after the close of the auction. You do not have to be present to win, but it sure helps.

• Wednesday, April 6th, 12pm – Coffee House Guitar Ensemble will perform in the TMA Lobby.

• Wednesday, April 6th - Jeffrey Werbock (Musician/Master Class) will perform in TJC’s Jean Browne Theater at 12pm and 1pm; with a third performance at 3pm in Apache Room 1 in the Rogers Student Center.

• Friday, April 8th – A Student Recital in the Jean Browne Theater will be performed at 1pm.

• Saturday, April 9th –Coffee House The Venue will present PlayFest in the Jean Browne Theater at 9pm.

• Monday, April 11th – The Bell Tower Arts Journal Launch Party will be held in the TJC Jenkins Hall Art Lobby at 2pm. This party will feature the unveiling of the latest edition of the “Bell Tower Arts Journal,” which includes selected artwork, poetry, and prose.

• Wednesday, April 13th – Coffee House: Student Composition Exhibit will be shown in the TMA Lobby starting at 12 noon, and later, an Open Mic will be at 7pm in the Rogers Student Center.

• Thursday, April 14th – The Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team Showcase will be 5:30pm in the Jean Browne Theater.

• Friday, April 15th – Student Recital will be at 1pm in the Jean Browne Theater.

20 • EGuideMagazine.com

All Saints Art Students to Display Chihuly-Inspired Masterpiece Gracing the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas are the beautiful

• Saturday, April 16th – DanceFest will be at 7pm in Wise Auditorium.

• Sunday, April 17th – DanceFest will be at 2pm in Wise Auditorium • Tuesday, April 19th – TJC’s Annual International Day celebrates diversity and worldwide cultures with an amazing lineup of events and activities 9am-5pm in the Apache Rooms of the Rogers Student Center.

• Tuesday, April 19th - Guest Artist: Ethnic Percussion with Jamal Mohamed will perform at 1pm in the Board Room, White Administrative Services Center. Open to all to attend.

• Tuesday, April 19th – Guest Speaker: John Bul Dau, author of “God Grew Tired of Us”, speaker, and survivor of the Sudanese genocide will speak at 10-11:30am in Wise Auditorium. There will be a reception and book signing in Wise Gallery afterwards.

• Wednesday, April 20th – Coffee House: Chamber Singers will perform at 12 noon in the TMA Lobby.

• Wednesday, April 20th - Student Film Screenings will be presented at 3pm in the Apache Rooms, Rogers Student Center.

• Thursday, April 21st – TJC Leadership Banquet will be held at Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Center at 7pm.

• Friday, April 22nd – Student Recital will be performed at 1pm at Jean Browne Theater.

• Tuesday, April 26th – Jazz Concert will be performed at 7:30pm in Wise Auditorium.

• Wednesday, April 27th – At the Coffee House, a Faculty Recital will be performed at 12 noon in the TMA Lobby.

• Wednesday, April 27th - THUNDERDOME: An Art competition BYOT (Bring your own tears) will be at 12 noon in the Jenkins Courtyard.

• Wednesday,-Thursday, April 27th-28th - “Theophilus North” will be on stage at 7:30pm in the Jean Browne Theater • Friday, April 29th – A Student Recital will be presented at 1pm in the Jean Browne Theater.

• Friday, April 29th - A Choral Concert will be performed at 6pm at First Presbyterian Church.

• Friday, April 29th - Student/Faculty Dance Recital will be performed at 7:30pm in Wise Auditorium.

• Friday-Saturday, April 29th-30th, 7:30pm - “Theophilus North” will be on stage at 7:30pm in the Jean Browne Theater.

Tyler Junior College is located at 1400 East Fifth St., Tyler. The Tyler Junior College Wise Auditorium Fine Arts Building and TJC’s Jean Browne Theater in the Wise Cultural Arts Building are located near South Mahon Ave. across from the Tyler Museum of Art. More Information: www.tjc.edu/artsfestival.

“We are stardust, we are golden.”

colors of Dale Chihuly’s hand-blown glass sculpture, “Fiori Di Como,” catching sunlight and illuminating for guests’ delight.

All Saints middle school art teacher Linda Wheat showed videos of Chihuly’s process in anticipation for a class visit to the Tyler Museum of Art to see his artwork in person. Before the trip to the museum, Wheat told her students they would soon be making a replication of Chihuly’s work, a project inspired by his Persian collection. When the eager art students got back to the classroom, they got to work on their own “Chihuly project,” as Wheat calls it.

“It’s very collaborative - very much a group project. They did not use glass; however the materials they used do come across, after they’re finished as appearing glass-like. We used little plastic saucers that are used for potted plants and alcohol-based inks and various techniques of applying the ink. Then they melted them in a 200 degree water bath in an electric skillet, using a wooden paddle to form the shapes. That’s similar to what Chihuly does...when taking the glass out of the furnace, they use wooden paddles to form the shape,” Wheat said.

For weeks, the art students worked to create a colorful masterpiece to display behind the large glass window, adorned with a cross, in the front of Rogers Hall, in time for the Easter holiday. According to Wheat, the students took complete ownership of the project.

Throughout the weeks, students have divided themselves into groups depending on where their strengths lie. Some worked on the hardware, some painted, and one even engineered a pulley system to hang the art in the window.

The exhibit of the finished product is on exhibit in Rogers Hall on the All Saints campus, located at 2695 SSW Loop 323 in Tyler. This is open to the public to view. For more info contact (903)579-6000.

Gallery Main Street Upcoming Events & More Gallery Main Street features a new exhibit of original art approximately every eight weeks. Each exhibit opens with a Saturday evening reception that features music, an opportunity to meet the artists, refreshments, and more. The Opening Receptions are free and open to the public.

Gallery Main Street in Downtown Tyler is now accepting entries for its upcoming “Historic Local Landmark” exhibit.

Tyler has many beautiful structures that are iconic to the community’s identity. Currently, 119 of these structures are designated as local historic landmarks, both natural and man-made. Artists are encouraged to honor and interpret these sites for this exhibit. The top 12 pieces from the show will be used to create a 2017 Historic Landmark calendar. For inspiration, please visit www.TylerHistoricPreservation.com to see Tyler’s local landmark sites.

To enter, visit www.DowntownTylerArts.com, select “Gallery Exhibits” from the left-side menu and then select the “Gallery Exhibit Information for Artists” tab. This link will lead artists to a page that provides all of the information they need. Artists have until Friday, April 8th to submit their work.

Upcoming at Gallery Main Street are: • “Natural Abstractions” - On exhibit through April 23rd • “Landmarks” - Entries due Friday, April 8th; Opening Reception April 30th • “6x6@110” - An open participation fundraiser, opening June 6th • “Urban Underground” - Entries due Friday, June 17th; Opening Reception July 9th • “Movie Posters” - Entries due Friday, August 19th; Opening Reception September 10th • “Glassy and Glossy” - Entries due Friday, October 21st; Opening Reception November 5th All Gallery Main Street exhibits are juried, which means pieces are submitted for review by a jury panel of professional artists. Topscoring pieces are selected for exhibit, and the piece with the highest score receives a Best in Show award. Gallery Main Street is located at 110 W. Erwin St., downtown Tyler. Gallery hours are MondayWednesday 10am-5pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-6pm, and Saturday 12 noon-4pm, closed Sunday. For more info call (903)593-6905.

At the Tyler Museum of Art This Month

included in the First Friday Art Tours April 1st and May 6th.

The Tyler Museum of Art (TMA) is located Family Days at 1300 S. Mahon Ave. on the Tyler Junior Colby the TMA on the second Saturday of lege main campus. Regular TMA hours are 10am- everyDrop month, and enjoy a fun-filled event, perfect 5pm Tuesday-Saturday, and 1-5pm Sunday; the for the entire family. Family Days are held in the Museum is closed Mondays and most major holiclassroom, and children are invited to stop in from days. The Museum is supported by its Members, and participate in free art activities.

Tyler Junior College and the City of Tyler. For more 2-4pm Works from Texas Collections” information, call (903)595-1001 or visit www.tyler- will “Chihuly: be featured for Family Days April 9th and museum.org.

May 14th.

Admission to all First Friday Art Tours and Family Days is free, but reservations are encouraged.

Record Number of Entries for TMA’s 12th Annual High School Art Exhibition

An unprecedented number of aspiring artists from local schools will have their first opportunity for a full museum exhibition with the Tyler Museum of Art’s 12th Annual High School Art Exhibition, opening Sunday, April 3rd and continuing through May 1st.

Admission is free.

This year’s juried competition almost doubles the number of entries from last year (which then was the largest in the event’s history), showcasing the work of more than 90 students from a record 13 high-school campuses in Tyler and nearby cities.

Five outstanding works as selected by the jurors will be presented with “Merit of Honor” awards during the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony from 2-4pm Sunday, April 3rd at the Museum. The community is invited to meet the participating artists, enjoy light refreshments – and cast their votes for the annual Viewers’ Choice Award to be presented at the exhibition’s conclusion. Ballots are available at the Visitor Services desk in the TMA lobby.

“Merit of Honor” winners will receive gift certificates from Dick Blick Art Materials. All participating artists will receive Certificates of Participation and one-year student memberships to the TMA. To RSVP for the April 3rd opening reception, call (903)595-1001.

Through May 15th

“Chihuly” with Works from Texas Collections

“Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections,” an exhibition spotlighting the broad scope of glass master Dale Chihuly’s artistic vision and impact over a 40-year career, continues through May 15th.

“Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections” draws from multiple private collections throughout Texas, in addition to public venues including Art Museum of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi, Dallas Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Contemporary Austin, and the UT Tyler Cowan Center.

General exhibition admission is $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. TMA members, students, children 12 and under, TJC faculty and staff, and City of Tyler employees are admitted free.

Through Sunday, May 22nd

The Granite Sculpture of Candyce Garrett

The pieces are in place, and the monumental works of acclaimed granite sculptor Candyce Garrett are on view for the public with the outdoor installation, “Rock Walk,” featuring 13 of Garrett’s large-scale stone sculptures placed at strategic locations on the grounds of the TMA. Often abstract in design but conveying simple, relatable themes, her work draws much of its inspiration from the rustic, expansive landscapes of the Southwest desert.

A digital map spotlighting the locations of sculptures featured in “Rock Walk” is available at www.tylermuseum.org. Printed maps are available in the lobby for the sculpture sites on campus.

Ongoing: First Friday Art Tours Join the TMA on the first Friday of every month for a delightful way to wrap up your week. Meet at 11am in the Museum lobby for an introduction to the current special exhibition. Then spend up to an hour touring the exhibition with a staff member or specially trained docent who will guide you through the gallery.

“Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections” are

Events

Saturday, April 7th (4-8pm)- Art Walk During the Bergfeld Spring Fling - Spade Design and Gallery and the Bergfeld Center will be holding an art walk as part of the Bergfeld Spring Fling, which is a huge event hosted by the merchants in the Bergfeld Center. Spade Design and Gallery is pairing an artist with each business in the center to create an art walk as a part of the larger event. All the shops in this shopping center will offer many discounted items, food and festivities. Bergfeld Center is located at corner of South Broadway at 8th St. Call for Artists - Far Out Music & Art Fest is seeking artist for the festival April 23rd-24th in Ben Wheeler. If you are interested in showing your art at a two-day, family fun event, please check out www.benwheelertx.com. This groovy outdoor art show takes place under the beautiful trees of our community park and will showcase extraordinary musicians, artists and craftsmen from all over the state. There are still a few vendor spots available.

If you would like to submit an application, email: benwheelerfoundation@gmail.com.

April 2nd (1-3pm) - Clay Workshop: Barn Raising- Build your own barn (or skyscraper or castle). Bring a photo or drawing of the building you’d like to construct. This two-hour workshop will cover the hand-building technique. All clay, tools and items for surface decoration will be included in the $30 class for the workshop. Call or text (903)803-1016. This will be held at Gallery Main Street, 110 W. Erwin St., downtown Tyler.

April 16th and 23rd (10am-4pm) - Photography Workshop: The Complete Fundamentals of Digital Photography - These classes are for you if you just got your first digital camera, have owned one for a while and are disappointed in your results, want to move beyond auto functions and snap-shots or would just like to refresh your photographic skills. Learn to take control of your camera’s modes and settings with our easy to understand presentation and hands-on instruction. There is limited space for this class; it is more individualized instruction. Learn how to take better portraits, landscapes, close-up Macro Photos, and sports/ action photos. Class fee is $125 which includes both days. To register go to houndsoflight.com.

Other upcoming classes are: • May 21st: Marketing your Artwork with instructor Dace Lucia Kidd • July 16th: Marbling Paper with instructor Theresa Cheek • October 8th: Marbling Paper with instructor Theresa Cheek • October 15th and 22nd: Digital Photography with instructors Dolph Miller and John Johansson • October 29th: Clay with instructor Joan Iverson • November 12th: Clay with instructor Joan Iverson • December 3rd: Clay with instructor Joan Iverson Gallery Main Street offers a variety of art workshops for people of all skill levels - from the beginner to professional artists seeking to improve their skills.

Call (903)593-6905 or go to www.DowntownTylerArts.com to register.

Saturday, April 23rd (7-9:30pm) - Arts With A Mission - The Studio on Main - Dance Concert will be presenting their 26th annual Dance Concert.

Enjoy watching an evening of dance under the stars at Bergfeld Park’s outdoor amphitheater, 1501 S. Broadway, Tyler. This is free to attend.

For more info go to www.artswithamission.org or call (903)312-8153. This year’s Dance Concert will be benefiting The Magdalene Home of Tyler, The House of Peace Orphanage, and Happy Heart Preschool of India. Please bring a $1 donation for these ministries.

Monday, June 6th (6-8pm) - 6x6@110 Grand Opening - Be part of one of Tyler’s most unique events at the opening of the award-winning 6x6@110 exhibit! See hundreds of 6”x6” works of art and purchase your favorites at $20 each with all proceeds helping to fund Downtown Tyler Arts.

You can pick up your 6”x6” canvas now. For more info go to www.DowntownTylerArts.com. A free painting class will be held April 28th (5-7pm) at Whole Health, 106 E. 8th St., Tyler.

EGuideMagazine.com • 21

Theatre

Productions

Friday-Saturday, April 1st-2nd (7:30pm) - 2016 East Texas Symphony Orchestra Piano Festival - The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association presents the third annual piano festival. The event features master classes and two nights of concerts. 2016 guest artist is Alex McDonald. He joins with local musicians for an exciting evening of music Friday with guests Rachel Smith, violin; Shane Almendarez, viola; Alex Blair, double bass; Sarah Roberts, saxophone; Vicki Conway, piano; June Shull, piano. Saturday is a solo recital for Alex McDonald. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission. This will be held at Liberty Hall, 103 E. Erwin St. in Tyler, (903)526-3876, www.etso.org.

Thursday-Saturday, April 7th-9th (7:30pm nightly, Saturday matinee at 2:30pm) - “Little Women” will be at Pollard Theatre Center. This musical is based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1869 semi-autobiographical novel, it focuses on the four March sisters - brassy, tomboy-like, aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy, and kind-hearted Beth - and their beloved Marmee, at home in Concord, Massachusetts while the family patriarch is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Intercut with the vignettes in which their lives unfold are several recreations of the melodramatic short stories Jo writes in her attic studio. Pollard Theatre Centre is located in Founders’ Center on the campus of Pollard UMC, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler. For more info call (903)730-1056 or log on at www.pollardumc.com.

Friday-Sunday, April 8th-10th, April 14th-17th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) - “4000 Miles” will be on stage at Tyler Civic Theatre.

“4000 Miles” is a dramatic comedy by Amy Herzog.

When 21 year-old Leo suffers a major loss while he was on a cross-country bike trip, he seeks solace from his feisty 91 year-old grandmother, Vera, in her West Village apartment. Over the course of a single month, these roommates infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other. Herzog used her grandmother’s “words, habits and history to fashion the character of Vera Joseph.” Tickets are $18 for

adults, and $15 for students. Tyler Civic Theatre is located at 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or tylercivictheatre.com. The box office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm.

Monday, April 11th (9:30am and 12:30pm) - “The Cat in the Hat” will be on stage at the Cowan Center. From the moment his tall, red-and-whitestriped hat appears at their door, Sally and her brother knows that the “The Cat in the Hat” is the most mischievous cat they will ever meet. Suddenly the rainy afternoon is transformed by the Cat and his antics. Will their house ever be the same? Can the kids clean up before Mom comes home? With some tricks (and a fish) and Thing Two and Thing One, with The Cat in the Hat, the fun’s never done!

The Cowan Center is located at 3900 University Blvd. on the University of Texas at Tyler campus.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling (903)566-7424, or log on at uttyler.edu/cowan.

Friday-Sunday, April 22nd-24th, April 29th-May 1st (Evenings at 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm) - “Steel Magnolias” will be presented at Lindale Community Theater. This is a comedy-drama play about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. Written by Robert Harling, based on his experience with his sister’s death. The title suggests the “female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.” The magnolia specifically references a magnolia tree they are arguing about at the beginning. Lindale Community Theater is located at 109 W. Hubbard Street in Lindale, www.lindalecommunitytheater.org.

Saturday, April 23rd (7:30pm) - “Dave Barry” will be at the Belcher Performance Center. America’s most popular humorist for over two decades, Dave Barry is a best-selling author and Pulitzer Prizewinning columnist. His witty, critically-acclaimed weekly column was a staple in several hundred newspapers nationwide for more than 15 years.

Barry speaks about the absurdities of our everyday lives in his down-to-earth style, delivering nonstop laughter to audiences across America. His latest book, “Insane City,” was released in 2013. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

Saturday-Sunday, April 23rd-24th and FridaySunday, April 29th-30th and May 1st (Evenings at

7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm) - “Always A Bridesmaid” will be at the Cherokee Civic Theatre. Four high school friends see each other through 30 years of hilarious weddings as well as the pitfalls and milestones of marriage, parenting, and friendship. This is a comic romp for anyone who’s ever tried to stage the ‘perfect wedding’ - or worn the ugliest bridesmaid dress imaginable, and a tribute to friendship from Wooten, Jones & Hope - authors of “Dearly Beloved” and “The Dixie Swim Club.” Cherokee Civic Theatre is located at 157 W. 5th Street, Rusk.

For more info call (903)683-2131 or log on at www.cherokeetheatre.net. Tickets start at $10.

Wednesday-Sunday, April 27th-May 1st (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm) - “Theophilus North” will be at the Jean Browne Theatre. Set in the tiny resort town of Newport, RI, during the height of the Jazz Age in the summer of 1926, “Theophilus North” follows the exploits of the title character as he searches for adventure and his place in the world. Quitting his teaching position in New Jersey, and stranded in Newport after his jalopy breaks down, 30 year old Theophilus takes odd jobs (tennis instructor, French tutor, private reader) in houses of the wealthy, infiltrating himself into the lives and troubles of Newport’s residents, both upstairs and downstairs. But the greatest adventure in store is not at all what he has imagined. The Jean Browne Theatre is located on the Tyler Junior College campus, 1400 E. 5th Street. The Theatre box office opens one week prior to performances.

Box office hours are 10am-6pm weekdays only throughout the run of performances. For more info call (903)510-2212 or log on to www.tjc.edu.

Sunday, May 1st (4pm) - “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater” will be at the Belcher Performance Center.

The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a perennial favorite at performing arts centers across North America. Shetland pony “Diamond” and the German goat duo “Kurt and Helga” will be joining Gregory and his cast of jugglers, clowns, and over 30 pets including cats and dogs (all adopted from animal shelters), geese, white doves, and parrots. For more info call (903)233-3080 or log on at www.belchercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. Kid Friendly!

Friday-Sunday, May 6th-8th and ThursdaySunday, May 12th-15th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) - “Perfect Wedding” will be on stage at Tyler Civic Theatre. An appalling situa-

tion. A bridegroom wakes on his wedding morning in his own bridal suite, with his bride-to-be about to arrive any moment, and finds a strange girl in bed beside him. What’s more an extremely attractive girl whom, in the depths of his post stag-night hangover, he can’t remotely remember even having been introduced to. Worse - during the ensuing panic to get the stranger dressed and out of the way, the bride arrives and the girl is trapped in the bathroom. The only way out of the dilemma is to persuade the best man to pretend that the hidden girl is his girl friend. Then the problem is that the best man’s real girlfriend has to be kept ignorant of the fact. By the time the bride’s parents and half the hotel staff get in on the act, the chaos reaches nuclear proportions! Tyler Civic Theatre is located at 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)5920561 or log on to www.tylercivictheatre.com. The box office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

Friday-Sunday, May 6th-8th, May 13th-15th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) “Laundry and Bourbon & Lonestar” will be at Henderson Civic Theatre. James McLure’s two one-acts (“Laundry & Bourbon” followed by “Lone Star”) are set in Maynard, Texas (population: 953) in 1972. The characters in these two stories are all connected in one way or another, one of the hallmarks of small-town life. In “Laundry & Bourbon,” a quiet housewife, Elizabeth, folds clothes while loud neighbor Hattie keeps her company, and town gossip Amy Lee drops by for a visit. In “Lone Star,” Elizabeth’s husband, Ray, reminisces outside the local honky-tonk with his brother, Roy, and tries to rid himself of the incessantly annoying Cletis, who happens to be Amy Lee’s husband. Although often predictable, both pieces have plenty of memorable lines; some are funny, and some are poignant. For more info call (903)657-2968 or log on at www. hendersoncivictheatre.org. Tickets start at $10.

Saturday, May 7th (2:00pm) - Tyler Civic Theatre will hold a Musical Workshop for the summer musical “Splash.” Auditions will be held Saturday, May 14th, Monday, May 16th, and Tuesday, May 17th. All events will be held at the Tyler Civic Theatre, 400 Rose Park Drive in Tyler, next to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For more info call (903)592-0561 or log on to tylercivictheatre.com.

Third Annual

Saturday, June 25 6-10pm Enjoy the great downtown vibe and enjoy samples from up to 20 Texas wineries and 20 area restaurants!

Tickets on sale at www.TylerWineSwirl.com 22 • EGuideMagazine.com

Family The Literacy Council of Tyler: Guaranteeing the Success of Thousands Written and Photographed by Barbara King “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you” - B.B. King Just imagine if you were unable to fill out a job application, read a food label, or read a simple story to your child. Literacy is the key to opening the door to self-sufficiency.

It is hard to think of anything that could have more of an impact on a life than one’s ability to read. Eliminating illiteracy is the ultimate goal of the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT), but their programs and services go far beyond and have lasting and far-reaching effects in the lives of students and their families.

Established in Smith County in 1990, the LCOT provides much needed services that ultimately contribute to the overall quality of life in Tyler.

Passionate and committed LCOT Executive Director Nancy Crawford explains, “The students who come here every week, juggling work and family and making huge sacrifices continue to amaze me. They come in with their heads held down, and we see them learning and improving and growing in their confidence and self-esteem, and it just makes our mission that much more important.”

The literacy statistics are staggering right here in our county and the state of Texas. Approximately 4,000,000 Texas adults are in need of Adult Basic Education, and 51% of adults in Texas read below the eighth grade reading level, with 23% reading below the fifth grade level. Currently, Texas has the second lowest percentage of high school graduates in the nation.

Crawford says that these statistics have implications in the workforce, in health systems, in school reform and in the criminal justice system. “Our community realized the great need for these literacy programs years ago, and shame on us if we don’t provide the ways and means for folks to escape the cycle of illiteracy,” she said.

The Literacy Council of Tyler helps students all the way through the journey to literacy, from GED classes, to ESL, to college prep through an intensive college readiness program. As Crawford explains, “We have so many people who are frustrated or discouraged at their lack of knowledge in all areas: math, English, and social studies. They feel ill-prepared to even attempt to take any kind of course, but we meet each student exactly where they are and work with them one-on-one to set up a program that is right for them at their level.”

Main classes are held weekly at the Tyler Junior College West Campus, but LCOT has various locations throughout East Texas including Brownsboro ISD, Douglas Elementary School, First Baptist Church, Jackson Elementary, Lindale Library, Mineola Methodist Church, Stewart Middle School, Boulter Middle School, and Fruitvale High School. More areas can be located through their website, www. lcotyler.org.

Marciela Bravo is a single mother of two who has persevered, juggling motherhood, work, and classes to eventually get her GED and move forward to college prep classes. Two nights a week you can find Marciela preparing to take the four tests that comprise the GED: math, science, social studies, and reading/language arts. “I know that I want a better job and to be able to be a role model for my own kids,” she said. “Eventually I want to work in a daycare; I love children and I want to be able to help others in our community. My son says, ‘Mom, I’m proud of you and how hard you are working.’”

Marciela’s very supportive family has made it possible for her to attend classes, study, and have a 100% attendance record. Teacher Rich Roper says, “It is so rewarding to be able to help others achieve their goals and teach the parent to reach the child.” Marciela credits Mr. Roper’s teaching skills and explanations in the classroom setting to her success.

“When students enroll with us, it is really just the beginning of their journey,” explains Mrs. Crawford. “Our College Readiness program helps them transition successfully to college, especially when they have passed their GED but are not at a college level in one or more areas.”

Family literacy is also a focus for the nonprofit which is a partner in the Family Learning Center of Tyler, which provides quality childcare and adult educational services to low-income, limited English proficient families at no cost. Families receive instruction on parenting, job-related skills, and one hour of intergenerational reading activities each week. LCOT also hosts quarterly Family Learning events

where all of the enrolled ESL students participate in learning activities with their children.

The success of LCOT relies on grants, and corporate and individual contributions. Over 350 volunteers give of their time and talents to ensure success for the students. Tyler is very familiar with the annual Corporate Spelling Bee, which is a fun-filled lunch where corporate teams dress up and spell their hearts out to give back and support literacy in our community. The date for this year’s Spelling Bee is August 2nd at The Green Acres CrossWalk Center.

Your organization or church could also help by having a book drive, supporting the LCOT’s Bill’s Bookshelf program, which is a fun and easy service project. The program, named in memory of Bill Holmes, a LCOT volunteer for more than 15 years, provides new and gently used books to the 61% of low-income families that have no children’s books in their home. Currently, the Literacy Council distributes approximately 2,000 books per month to children who are encouraged to leave with a book in hand. You can become a bookshelf caretaker, either a group or individual, willing to maintain the bookshelf and restock as needed, usually a twice monthly time commitment. Or you could screen bookshelf books, which is a great opportunity for volunteers of any age. Books are screened for age appropriateness and damage, then affixed with a Bill’s Bookshelf sticker. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Ashlei Green, Volunteer Coordinator at agreen@lcotyler.org.

The Literacy Council of Tyler’s main class offices are located at the Tyler Junior College West Campus, 1530 SSW Loop 323 in Tyler, and can be reached at (903)533-0330. Office hours are 9am-8pm Monday-Thursday, closed Friday.

Contact them today and learn more about how to become a student at LCOT!

Discovery Science Place Mini Maker Faire Comes to Tyler Join the Maker revolution at our 4th

annual Tyler Mini Maker Faire at Discovery Science Place, Saturday, April 16th, 9am5pm. “If you can imagine it, you can MAKE it.”

Tyler Mini Maker Faire is a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. Demonstrations, hands-on activities, and fun for the whole family are a few of things you can expect when you visit the Faire. It’s an interesting way to see science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in motion.

Some of the demonstrations in this year’s event include: “Mario the Magician” whose live performance is both interactive and ridiculously funny and features DIY props, electronics, and robotics while still paying homage to the old-school slapstick comedy that families love.

“Shadowhawk Blades” will be demonstrating how knives are made, teaching the crowd about the history of bladesmithing, and how traditional bladesmithing impacts our lives today.

Tyler Mini Maker Faire is still accepting Maker applications if you would like to display your projects. Makers of all ages and skills are encouraged to apply. The Faire showcases a variety of Makers including: technology, arts, hobbies, sustainability, and food and beverage.

There is no cost to participate, unless you plan to sell your products.

“Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth” - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect, and grow the community.

Maker Faire is supported by “Make: magazine” and Maker Media.

As an attendee of the event, you will enjoy getting the opportunity to visit with the Makers. You will get to see first-hand the enthusiasm and passion they have for the things they make and how they make them.

There are also a lot of opportunities for hands-on interactions for both kids and adults, as well as demonstrations and workshops to participate in.

Tickets will be available at the door. For Discovery Science Place Members adult tickets are $4, and children are $3. General admission tickets for adults are $8 and children are $6.

Discovery Science Place is located at 308 N. Broadway Avenue in downtown Tyler.

For more information on how to apply to be a Maker, volunteer for the event, be a sponsor, or for more information, go to www.tylermakerfaire.com.

If you would like to become a Discovery Science Place member in order to take advantage of the cheaper price for this event, as well as other member benefits, visit www.discoveryscienceplace.org.

Family Movies Every Month at Liberty Hall, Downtown Tyler Bring your kids and experience the fun of this

classic movie at Liberty Hall. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at www.LibertyTyler.com. Liberty Hall is located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin.

Scheduled are: • Saturday, April 30th (10am) - “The Goonies” • Saturday, May 28th (10am) - “Charlotte’s Web” (1973) • June 30th (7pm) - “Jaws” (1975) • July 30th (10am) - “Aladdin” (1992)

Studio Movie Grill:

Date Night, Girls Night and Special Screenings Studio Movie Grill (SMG) in Tyler is presenting several special screenings.

Special Screenings Special Screenings are held each month and are: • April 19th & 20th - “The Empire’s Cross” (Anime) • May 16th - 30th Anniversary of “Top Gun” Special Screening, 7:30pm “Date Night” The “Date Night” series is held the first Wednesday of the month.

Tickets are $3. You can enjoy SMG’s 2 for $25 combo menu and pair it with a bottle of Betty’s Blend wine. These movies start at 7:30pm.

Scheduled movies are: • April 6th - “Love & Basketball” • May 4th - “Silver Lining Playbook” • June 1st - “About a Boy” • July 6th - “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” • August 3rd - “The Fifth Element” “Toons” “Toons” series has popular children’s television and direct to DVD titles on the big screen before you can buy them in stores. This onehour movie experience is perfect for your little ones. Tickets are $3.

All shows start at 11am on weekends.

• April - “Shimmer and Shine” “Girls Night Out” “Girls Night Out” is held the second Wednesday monthly. Tickets are $3 for all shows. These start at 7:30pm.

Scheduled movies are: • April 13th - “The Notebook” • May 11th - “The Devil Wears Prada”” • June 8th - “Mama Mia” Sing Along • July 13th - “Bridesmaids” • August 10th - “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” • September 14th - “Sex and the City” • October 12th - “Dirty Dancing” • November 9th - “Fried Green Tomatoes” • December 14th - “White Christmas” “Retro Family Rewind Series” “Retro Family Rewind Series” will be shown the third Wednesday and Sunday of the month. Enjoy this time to remember the past with these classic favorites. You’re never too old to feel like a kid again.

Wednesday screenings are at 7pm and Sundays are at 2pm.

Scheduled movies are: • April 20th and 24th - “The Sandlot” • May 18th and 22nd - “Raiders of the Lost Ark” • June 15th and 19th - “The Neverending Story” • July 20th and 24th - “Mrs. Doubtfire” • August 17th and 21st - “Jumanji” • September 21st and 25th - “Field of Dreams” • October 19th and 23rd - “E.T.” • November 16th and 20th - “Wizard of Oz” • December 21st and 25th - “Home Alone” “Special Needs Screenings” “Special Needs Screenings” will be shown with the lights up and the sound lowered. Family friendly movies are free for children with special needs and their siblings with adult ticket purchase which is available for the before 12 noon price. These start at 11am.

Special Needs screenings run with the lights up and the sound down so the children are free to laugh, play, sing, and even dance while they watch. Seating will be first come, first served.

Look for the Chefs for Children logo throughout the menu, and 5% of the proceeds from these items will be donated to SMG’s designated non-profits, serving families of children with special needs.

Scheduled movies are: • April 23rd - “The Jungle Book” • May 7th - “Ratchet and Clank” • May 28th - “The Angry Birds Movie” SMG is located at 8954 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler. Tickets are available at the door and at www.studiomoviegrill.com.

Times Square Cinema Continues $1 Kids’ Movies Summer is almost here and Times Square Cinema (TSC) is giving something fun to do with the whole family. TSC will be playing shows most day except Sunday this summer. Tickets will be $1 and kids combos will be discounted to $3 each. Movies will start at 9:30am and doors are open by 9am. All movies are rated G. Scheduled movies are: • April 8th-9th and 11th-14th: “The Secret of Nimh” • May 13th-14th and 16th-19th: “All Dogs Go to Heaven 2” • June 10th-11th and 13th-16th - “Babe” • June 17th-18th and 20th-23rd - “Babe Part 2” • June 24th-25th and 27th-30th - “A Veggietales Movie: Jonah” • July 1st-2nd and 4th-7th - “Rio” • July 8th-9th and 11th-14th - “Rio 2” • July 15th-16th and 18th-21st - “The Land Before Time” • July 22nd-23rd and 25th-28th - “The Peanuts Movie” • July 29th-30th and August 1st-4th - “Horton Hears A Who” • August 5th-6th and 8th-11th - “Chipmunks Chipwrecked” • August 12th-13th and 15th-18th - “Balto” You can also visit TylerMovies.com. All showings rated G. Times Square Cinema is located at 5201 S Broadway Ave., Tyler.

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