Eguide August 2015 edition

August 1, 2015 • Issue 8, Volume 3

Gusano’s Pizzeria:

Thinking Way Outside the Pizza Box

Rose City Parrot Head: Partying With A Grand Purpose

A Hometown Hang:

Kacey Musgraves In Concert this Fall

Flying Fish Gallery:

Full of Color, Movement and Light

992 Est.1

Pinto Beans and Rice 7.95 cooked with smoked ham hocks and Gigi's cornbread

2 • EGuideMagazine.com

Girls Night Out - Date Night Private Parties - Corporate Events

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The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas August 1, 2015 • Issue 8, Volume 3

Contents 5 Food

» “Gusano’s Chicago-Style Pizzeria: Thinking Way Outside of the Pizza Box” written and photographed

by Barbara King

6-9

Things to Do

Bring this ad for 10% OFF

Any purchase this summer!

(Offer Expires 8/31/2015)

» “Rose City Parrot Head: Partying With A Purpose, A Grand Good Time!” written and photographed by Barbara King » The Old Firehouse: Art, Music, Indie Film, A New Season Plus Season Ticket Opportunities » Downtown Tyler Film Festival September 23rd-26th » Liberty Hall’s Fall Season of Classic Movies » Fun Runs, Mud Runs, 5K’s, Marathons and More! » Events and Things to Do Around Tyler

10-11 Books

• Over 60 Gourmet Flavors • Fundraising • • Weddings & Parties • Corporate Gifts •

Order Online for Free Shipping Nationwide!

Located in Macy’s Plaza 4744 S. Broadway Ave , Tyler Texas 75703 903.534.1188 www.popcornjunctiontx.com

» 7th Annual ET Book Fest: 2015 East Texas Celebration of Libraries and Literacy » Summer Madness Continues at the Tyler Library » “One Last Chance for Summer Reads”

by Gini Rainey

14-17 Music

» Special Homecoming Show and Newly Released “Pageant Material:” Kacey Musgraves In Concert this Fall in Mineola on September 26th » “Loretta Callens: Music Rules My Life” by Billy Butcher » The Complete Music Gig Guide for Live Music

18-19 Art

» “Inside the Artist’s Studio: The Art and Air of Ben Wheeler: Ben There? Do That!” by Derrick White » “Reflections of East Texas:” Tyler Museum of Art Showcases Regional Talent in New Exhibition » “Flying Fish Gallery: A Feast for the Eyes, Full of Color, Movement and Light” written and photographed

by Barbara King » Events and Happenings at Local Galleries

20-21 Theatre

» August and September Kicks Off a Good Variety of the Fall Plays, Musicals, Concerts and More

22-23 Family

» “School is Just Around the Corner: Time to Start Thinking About School Supplies” by Kelly Griffith-Fields » More Summer Movies: Family-Friendly and a Super Good Time and Even Some Free!

Staff Publisher Tena Jerger Sales Manager Louie Jerger Copy Editors

Gini Rainey Editorial

John Baggett, Billy Butcher, Dustin Chase, Kelly Griffith-Fields, Reid Kerr, Barbara King, Gini Rainey, Derrick White

Distribution

Mandy Allen, Louie Jerger, Barbara King

Attn: Writers

“EGuide Magazine” is an event-driven 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 360 locations in Tyler, Whitehouse, Bullard, Flint, Gresham, Edom, Ben Wheeler, Lindale, Jacksonville and Rusk.

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 your event at EGuideMagazine.com.

We are currently looking for freelance writers.

If you have a love for writing, send samples to:

EGuideMagazine@gmail.com

Eagerness trumps experience every time.

Therefore, experience is not necessarily needed.

If you want to gain experience and get samples for your portfolio, e-mail us.

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The Entertainment Magazine for East Texas EGuideMagazine.com

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

Food

Selection may vary.

Thinking Way Outside the Traditional Pizza Box Written and Photographed by Barbara King It’s time to think out of the traditional box where pizza is concerned. There’s a new game in town and it’s Chicago-style!

Most Texans won’t have much experience with this unique version of the old classic pizza, but it’s time to experience pizza done differently. General Manager, Kara Johnston explains, “most folks won’t understand that our pizza is almost like an ‘upside down’ version. Ours is with the crust covered with cheese, followed by meat and additional toppings like onions, mushrooms and bell peppers then, the sauce is added as the finishing layer.”

Gusano’s Chicago-style or deep dish pizza, is baked in a specialized round pan, resembling what you would use for cake-baking.

The pan gives the pizza the high edge and deep surface for the large amounts of cheese and tomato sauce. Most Chicago eateries serve thin crust pizza in a style characteristic to the city.

Gusano’s, a franchise that opened on Old Jacksonville Road in Tyler in May, prides itself on fresh dough and sauces made daily.

Every pizza is handmade from scratch, and cooked in one of the two huge ovens, in plain view at the back of the restaurant. “We have an open kitchen concept,” explains Kara, “and kids love to watch the entire pizza-making process from beginning to end.”

The portions are large, so come hungry and ready for a great selection. Appetizers, like pizza and spinach dip, are served with a twist - Frito® Scoops make the difference. Their famous hoagie bread, smothered with marinara, mozzarella,and pepperoni, is called ciabatta pizza bread. “Our chicken wings are unique because they are baked, not fried,” said Kara, “and you can get them with buffalo, honey habanero, teriyaki and BBQ flavors.”

Moving along to salads, the selection includes Caesar, veggie, Greek, strawberry spinach, and buffalo chicken.

But it’s really the pies that are the sensation and are billed as ‘not your traditional red sauce pies.’ The selection is exhaustive with flavors galore, including what Kara bills as a “favorite,” The Dirty Bird. This pie has a kick, with a honey habanero base, chicken, purple onions, pineapple and fresh jalapeños.

Another crowd pleaser is the Chaplin, an oil-based pie with chicken, artichoke hearts, onions, tomatoes, mozzarella and feta cheeses. For BBQ lovers, there’s Crazy’s BBQ chicken pie, a BBQ-based selection with chicken, purple onions, bacon, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. And that’s just the beginning! You can create your own pie with meat, veggies and specialty toppings, with either a traditional or Chicago-style crust.

Specialty pizzas abound, with names like Grub’s choice, Herbivores Delight, Leaf Erickson, Carnivore Craze, and Moosehead. Gusano’s also offers 10” gluten-free, one topping pizzas. Scrumptious calzones with pepperoni and crumbled Italian sausage might just fit your appetite.

Rounding out the menu is an assortment of sandwiches and wraps, from a Reuben sandwich to a chicken Caesar wrap to an Italian sub.

Don’t forget the infamous Chicago-style hot dog, with all the fixings on a sesame seed bun.

Weekly lunch specials are available Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm and include an 8” one topping pizza with salad and drink for just $8.49.

The dining style at Gusano’s is casual, with bar height seating, booths and lots of tables to spread out on. The restaurant, also billed as a sports bar, has a fully stocked bar, featuring 12 craft beers and Texas

selections. The entire restaurant boasts 14 large screen TVs with the NFL package for diehard fans. The bar is adorned with football helmets from area colleges and schools.

“Our goal is to have a very laid back, family environment,” explained Kara. “We have all kinds of specials and events happening every night and want it to be a fun and homey place.” Gusano’s just introduced Trivia Tuesday’s from 7-9pm that includes a live contest for all ages where your group could walk away with a gift card prize.

There’s a lot happening at Gusano’s besides great food, like “The Big G Challenge,” designed for two diners to finish a 30” pizza in one hour.

If they succeed, the pizza is complimentary. Tuesdays are $2 Chicago dogs, and kids can eat a cheese and pepperoni pizza for $1.99. Guests can also enjoy the lit, outdoor patio, and once a month you will be serenaded by local musicians performing on stage.

Happy hour runs every day, Monday-Friday from 3-7pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. “We have changing specials and deals everyday,” said Kara. “Folks should go to our Facebook page and check out what we are doing each week.”

Catering is available, too, and, Gusano’s just needs a day notice to get you ready with any item off the menu.

Sharon and Stan Sobotka from Bullard have been to Gusano’s a dozen times and have tried just about everything on the menu. “The pizza is the best we have found in our 20 years living in East Texas,” said Sharon. “They make you feel right at home, and we think it is a new Tyler gem!”

Kara emphasizes that the success of any new venture is all about

community. “We strive to make people feel at home, as well as provide great food and service; we want you to leave here with a smile on your face.”

Gusano’s Chicago-Style Pizzeria is located at 7278 Old Jacksonville (in front of Swann’s) in Tyler. Restaurant hours are Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-11pm. Gusano’s can be reached at (903)630-7274 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GusanosTylerTexas.

Events

Saturday, August 15th - Pre-Opening Dinner - Côte at High Hill Farm - Please join us for our second of two pre-opening dinners at High Hill Farm’s rustic French, Napa Valley inspired Côte Restaurant. Chef Erin Willis will prepare seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine in a laid-back, elegant atmosphere. Seatings are available at 6pm and 8pm.

Reservations are required and seating is limited. To view a sampling of offerings, please visit www.highhillfarm.com. For more info, please contact sromano@highhillfarm or (903)730-5055.

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Partying with a purpose...The Rose City Parrot Heads, affectionately known as the Phlock, know how to have a good time, eating, drinking, socializing, but at the same time, making a difference in the East Texas community.

The Parrot Head moniker was coined at a Jimmy Buffet concert in 1985 in Ohio. Buffet commented on the colorful Hawaiian shirts and parrot hats, worn by his diehard fans and the descriptor was born.

The Parrot Head organization is international, combining fun and philanthropy at it’s best. The madness started with one club in Atlanta, and has grown to a network of over 200 clubs around the U.S., plus international clubs in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Australia.

Zuker Gill, President of the Rose City Parrot Heads founded in 2010, is enjoying dinner and friends with the youngest member of the club, known as a “Keet,” his son Lukas, 11. “It’s a great way to network and meet people who you might not ever come in contact with,” explains Gill. “As the saying goes, we have doctors, lawyers and a lot of chiefs in the mix, having a great time, and helping others. My parents were members of the club and now it’s kind of a family tradition.”

The Parrot Heads meet every third Thursday of the month at rotating area restaurants, who give a percentage of the night’s bill (anywhere from 15-20%) back to the club, which at the end of the year gives back to two designated charities. “We were able to give both Breckenridge Village and Children’s Village of Texas a donation of $8000 each, and that is a really great, feel good, moment,” Gill explained. “We don’t designate a specific thing or area we want the money to go to; they know where it’s needed most.”

Breckenridge Village of Tyler, is a caring, residential community for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The programs and activities available are designed to help residents develop the skills they need to achieve their God-given potential. They strive to empower each resident to develop spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and socially, in a safe, loving and closely-supervised environment.

Children’s Village of Texas also benefits from the caring philanthropy of the club. The Christian children’s home strengthens the community by providing healing and hope for neglected boys and girls.

Tonight at Republic Icehouse, the raucous group is having a blast, reconnecting and listening to live music. Liz Gorski is here with her mother, Gloria Denicola, who at 84, is loving being part of the energetic group. “You will see every age, and every walk of life represented

The Old Firehouse:

Tickets for all nine Acoustic Music Concerts. By purchasing this season ticket, you will receive admission for one person to all nine Acoustic Music Concerts, a reserved seat of your choice We know summer is still on everyone’s mind, but at The Old Firehouse, we’re diligently working on our hot lineups for this com- that will remain yours ing season. The concert calendar is tentatively full, and with the suc- throughout the season, one cess of our Kickstarter Campaign, our Independent Film Series is well “bottomless” cup of coffee at each concert, freedom from on it’s way to another successful season as well.

Mark your calendars and get ready for some great entertainment having to remember to buy concert tickets month-to-month, an advance ticket price for all conin Edom’s west end, beginning in September. certs and 20% discount on concert series merchandise (hats, t-shirts, 2015-16 Concert Schedule tote bags, bumper stickers). Season tickets cannot be used for multiple (Subject to Change) people at a single concert; they are valid for only one seat per concert.

• October 3rd - John Batdorf The cost per ticket is $108 (includes sales tax). Once the season • October 24th - Frank Martin Gilligan begins, these Season Tickets will no longer be available.

• November 21st - Beth Wood (sponsored by Darren & Niki Groce) Independent Film Schedule • December 5th - The Sherpas (In the band are Tom Prasada-Rao, Schedule so far are the following films: Tom Kimmel, Michael Lille) (Sponsored by Frank Woodington & • September 26th - “Seeds of Time” (includes Q&A with Filmmaker) Nanci Evans) • October 10th - “White God” • December 26th - Emily Elbert • November 7th - “The Wrecking Crew” • January 23rd - Jacob Johnson More are being schedule, check the website for more films and • February 20th - Pierce Pettis (Sponsored by anonymous donors) • March 12th - Dana Cooper (Sponsored by Ken Carpenter Jewelry) dates as they are added.

The Old Firehouse is located at 8241 FM 279, Edom, TX 75754, • April 2016 - Cherie Call (903)521-9200 and at www.theoldfirehouse.net.

For the 2015-16 season, Old Firehouse will be offering Season

Art, Music, Indie Film, A New Season A lovely, Full Service Venue for all Your Lamping Needs This charming shop not only has the largest and most diverse selection of shades and finials to be found, and the most friendly and efficient repair and restoration department as well. We also can create a custom lamp from a family heirloom or object d' art.

Artisans can design a custom shade or a base from wood, lucite or marble.

Lamps are displayed on fine 18th and 19th century furniture available for purchases. Find the perfect lamp to enhance your residence, office, lake or mountain house.

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2029 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler

6 • EGuideMagazine.com

here,” said Liz. “It gives us a chance to mix and mingle, and at the same time, we know we are inevitably doing some good too.”

Louie and Beatrice Ibarra, from Brownsboro have been part of the group for a few years, and are impressed with the philanthropic aspect of every event. “Of course, we come to visit and see our friends,” said Louie, “but we’re glad our get togethers have a purpose too.”

Yearly membership in the club is $20 and members are encouraged to bring guests to join the party. Along with the monthly restaurant parties, special events throughout the year have included tailgating at Buffet concerts, silent auctions, pool parties, Tails ‘n Tunes crawfish boils, and Halloween and Christmas parties.

Their is a slate of “Ociphers” who run the club and oversee the bylaws, but it’s a pretty laid back group, with President Gill stating, “I’m here mainly to lead the parade. We are growing the club by word of mouth and the numbers at our Happy Hours increase every month,” he said.

Gregarious Board member, Sam Oliphant describes himself as a “people person who just loves to hang out with other Parrot Heads.

We treat our guests like family, and it won’t take you long to feel right at home.”

Wondering what makes someone a certified Parrot Head? Here are the top ten reasons you know you are one of this group of partiers with a soul: escaping to the islands or the beach is your lifetime goal; you’ve got a laid back attitude; you quote Buffet lyrics in normal conversation; you love tropical rock music; your favorite parties happen in a parking lot; you know the last verse of Margaritaville; you party with a purpose for charity; your favorite Buffet song is one you don’t know the words to; flip flops are more than shoes - they are your way of life; Key West is your favorite island.

Join the next Parrot Head party with a purpose and check them out at www.rosecityparrotheadclub.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/rosecityparrotheadclub.

Downtown Tyler Film Festival September 23rd26th

The 5th annual Downtown Tyler Film Festival will be held September 23rd-26th in the City of Tyler’s Liberty Hall. The Downtown Tyler Film Festival is a celebration of storytelling through film in East Texas. This is an international film festival, which seeks to encourage local East Texas, independent works.

Only short films of 15-minutes or less are shown. Films may be of any genre, but must have been completed after January 1st, 2014.

There is also a student category for films produced entirely by filmmakers under the age of 18. Every year the student film category grows increasingly competitive, and festival coordinators hope to receive even more entries from local East Texas schools. “Students are the perfect model of

independent filmmaking: endless creativity, lots of experimentation, and no money,” said Film Festival Chairman Justin Reese.

“We want to encourage them to hone their craft by providing an audience and a cash prize they can use to fund their next film.”

There will be awards with cash prizes for Best of the Fest ($1000), Best East Texas Film ($750), Best Young Filmmaker ($250), and Audience Favorite ($150).

More information is available at www.TylerFilmFest.com or by following Tyler Film Fest on Facebook and Twitter. Any inquiries should be made to the Main Street Department at (903)593-6905.

“Sundance” Movies

Liberty Hall is located in downtown Tyler at 103 E. Erwin St., and offers entertainment through film, theater, comedy and music.

Movies are $7. Tickets are available at the door and online at libertytyler.com.

Movies begin at 7pm.

August 6th - “Whiplash” (2014) August 13th - “Tomato Republic” (2014) August 20th - “Gloria” (2013) August 21st - “Kimberley Jim” (1963) August 27th “Dear White People” (2014)

Haunted October

November Holiday Travels November 5th - “Home for the Holidays” November 12th - “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” November 19th - “Holiday Inn” November 27th - “Love Actually”

Holiday December

December 3rd - “Christmas Vacation” October 1st - “Evil Dead II” December 10th - “White Christmas” October 8th - “Army of Darkness” December 12th - “Frozen,” October 15th - “Dawn of the Dead” A Sing-Along!

October 22nd - “The Fly” December 17th - “It’s a October 30th & 31st - “Rocky Wonderful Life” Horror Picture Show” CALL TO SPONSOR A MOVIE NIGHT!

Fun Runs, 5K and More

August 22nd - Run It Like It’s Hot! Miracle Mud Run - This Charity Mud Run features 3.1 miles of trails, lots of challenging obstacles, and plenty of mud. There is a separate mini-course for children ages 6-11. There will be music, vendors, and fun for everyone. Spectator only passes are available. All proceeds go to the construction of The Miracle League baseball field - a field specially constructed to serve the 18,000 plus East Texas children who are physically and mentally challenged. Gates open at 6am with the 1st wave at 6:45am. The Adult Course registration begins at $60 per individual, or $55 each for teams of four or more and the Child Course registration is $25. Spectator passes are $5. This is sponsored

by The Miracle League of East Texas. This will take place at the Lear Park Athletic Complex, 100 H. G. Mosley Pkwy., Longview. To register or for more info call (903)239-1241, runitlikeitshot.webconnex.com/ registration2015.

September 12th - 2015 Trinity Mother Frances Rose City Triathlon Hosted by the East Texas Triathletes in Tyler, this event includes a fast point-to-point swim, a challenging scenic and shady bike ride, and a flat, closed run. Visit www.rosecitytri.com for more details or to register.

The annual sprint triathlon (650 meter open water swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) will take place at a specially designed Lake Tyler course.

In its eighth year, the event is known for a beautiful course around Lake Tyler and its trend of attracting new participants from across East Texas and beyond each year. This year, the 2015 Triathlon will also feature a kids’ triathlon. This event is benefitting the YMCA Tyler.

September 19th - LMFA Glow Fun Run will take place with a Haute Dog Bar at 5pm, the Glow Run at 6pm and the band, Take 2, will play 7-9pm. There will be a street dance as well.

This will be a night of fun for the entire family. Entry tickets are $20. For more info or to register go to www.lmfa.org or call (903)753-8103. If you would like a shirt (extra charge), please register by September 1st online and specify size.

October 11th - Tyler Rose Marathon & Half Marathon - The courses are best described as ‘difficult but beautiful’ and the Tyler Rose Marathon course is very unique. It is all about running in East Texas - running through the country, around the airport, along the highway, through the neighborhoods and back in town which make this a spectacular route. Plus, the hills will make it a challenging course. The marathon course includes shaded pastoral parts in the middle and once you get to mile 15, the last 11 miles are in the Azalea Trail area that is dotted with stately homes and is very beautiful. The half marathon, with the exception of the first two miles, is run in the Azalea Trail area. The marathon starts at 7:30am and the Half Marathon at 8am. To register, go to www.tylermarathon.com.

November 14th - The Insane Inflatable 5K is headed to Tyler! Get ready to experience the most fun, wild and insane obstacle run in the world. Get “pumped up” for a course filled with the world’s largest and most extreme inflatable obstacles ever produced. Here’s your chance to be a kid at heart, but insane by choice! This will be held at Camp Tyler Outdoor School, 15143 Camp Tyler Rd., Whitehouse. Register at insaneinflatable5k.com/tyler-tx. Costs are $52 by August 21st, $54 until September 25th, $59 until October 30th, $64 if purchased by November 13th and $75 the day of the event. Team registration is available and encouraged - get your friends, co-workers, gym buds, and more to join you at this year’s most insane obstacle run. This is guaranteed to the a blast!

Enjoy an upscale dining experience.

Come see what local diners find so refreshing about their favorite restaurant.

6205 South Broadway, Tyler 903.534.1111 www.traditionstyler.com Bistro - Take Out - Catering by Traditions

Good Health.

Good Value.

Good Food.

Lunch & Dinner Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm Sunday 11am-4pm EGuideMagazine.com • 7

Instagram: AAVintedge

V I N T E D G E

5304 Old Bullard Rd. Tyler 903-617-8933 www.AAVintedge.com Facebook.com/aavintedge

THE OLD

Edom, Texas

2015-16(Subject Concert Schedule to Change)

John Batdorf - Oct. 3, 2015 Frank Martin Gilligan - Oct. 24, 2015 Beth Wood - Nov. 21, 2015 (Sponsored by Darren & Niki Groce)

Independent Film Schedule Seeds of Time - Sept 26, 2015 (includes Q&A with Filmmaker)

White God - Oct 10, 2015 The Wrecking Crew - Nov 7, 2015

The Sherpas - Dec. 5, 2016

(Tom Prasada-Rao, Tom Kimmel, Michael Lille) (Sponsored by Frank Woodington & Nanci Evans)

Emily Elbert - Dec. 26, 2015 Jacob Johnson - Jan. 23, 2016 Pierce Pettis - Feb. 20, 2015 (Sponsored by anonymous donors)

Dana Cooper - March 12, 2016 (sponsored by Ken Carpenter Jewelry)

Cherie Call - April 2016 If you would like to Sponsor any of these concerts, please contact us at info@theoldfirehouse.net

Buy Your Discounted Season Tickets Now!

8241 FM 279 - Edom, TX - 903.852-ART1 (2781) www.theoldfirehouse.net 8 • EGuideMagazine.com

Events

Sunday, August 2nd - East Texas Wedding Extravaganza will be held 12:30-4pm at Harvey Convention Center, Tyler. This is a fabulous “memory-making” event for the Bride-To-Be, plus her family and friends. There will be a Bridal Fashion show at 3pm. There will be over 50 exhibitors, free expert advice, discounts, and wedding cake samples. For more info, go to www.easttexasweddingextravaganza.com.

Tuesday, August 4th - Literacy Council Corporate Spelling Bee - The event usually raises enough funding for 100+ students and also serves as an effective way to continue public awareness about the cause of adult literacy and its impact on improving the quality of life for the entire community. Tickets are $30 per person and will be held at CrossWalk at Green Acres Baptist Church, 11am1pm. For more info call (903)330-6345.

Every Thursday (4-7pm) through November 21st - The Fair Market Farmers & Artists Market- A truly local farmers and artists market is held every week on the square in downtown Tyler. This is the best in local produce, artisans foods, handcrafted art, and local music. For more info call (214)649-2688.

ThursdaySaturday, August 6th-8th - Just Between Friends of East Texas/Tyler Just Between Friends Sales events are a Savvy shopper’s Dream! This is not a retail store but rather, a savings extravaganza! This annual shopping event happens twice a year. At these events, consignors bring their new and gently-used children’s and maternity merchandise to sell. Shoppers can then browse and purchase these items at great savings, many times 50-90% below retail prices. There is a ton of stuff to browse. This is held at the East Texas State Fairgrounds, 2112 W. Front St., Tyler. Door are open Thursday, August 6th 4-8pm; Friday, August 7th 10am-7pm; and Saturday, August 8th 9am-1pm.

For more info call (903)275-5630.

Saturday, August 8th Heart of Tyler Black Tie Bingo - “Follow the Red Brick Road” to Heart of Tyler’s eighth annual Black Tie Bingo gala on Saturday, August 8th. Black Tie Bingo is the largest fundraising event of the year for Heart of Tyler, Inc., Tyler’s only non-profit organization completely dedicated to downtown revitalization. For over twenty-seven years, Heart of Tyler’s members and volunteers have helped generate over $150 million in private investments and contributed tens of thousands of hours of time to downtown revitalization. This will be held at Regions Bank Building, 100 E. Ferguson, Tyler, 6:30-11pm. For tickets, go to HeartofTyler.com.

Tickets are $100 per person.

Saturday, August 15th - Christine Crockett Smith and the film, “The Way” - Christine Crockett Smith, Your Collaborator and creator of “18 Master Values for Parenting,” will be publicly speaking for the first time about her personal pilgrimage along El Camino de Santiago de Compostela following a showing of Emilio Estevez’s film, “The Way.” Christine Crockett Smith is a visionary in the field of self-empowerment and self-realization. She walked El Camino in August of 2014. Since returning, she has experienced significant interest in both her personal journey and the experience of walking El Camino in general. The film, “The Way,” released in 2011, tells the story of a father, his estranged son, and their experience along El Camino de Santiago. Since her return, many people have asked her how well the movie relays the actual experience. After the showing of the film, Christine will speak about her experience and will then have a Q&A with questions from the audience. The doors open at 6:30pm and the film will begin promptly at 7pm. The discussion will follow immediately after the film. Liberty Hall is located at 110 E. Erwin St, Tyler. General admission is $20, seating is based on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite (christinecrockettsmithandtheway.eventbrite.com) A pre-film reception with Christine, paired with a Box

Seat, will be available for $50 and will be limited to 12 people. Beer, wine, soda, and water are included with admission. Snacks will be available for purchase.

Saturday, August 29th - Catwalk for a Cause will feature a fashion show, brunch and silent auction and will benefit Hope Haven of East Texas. The fashion will be provided by Haute Totz and the emcee will be Gillian Sheridan from CBS19. This will be held at Hollytree Country Club, 6700 Hollytree Drive, Tyler, 11am-1pm. Tickets are $35 per person. For more info call (903)245-0070.

Saturday, August 29th (8am-1pm) - Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser - This is a benefit to help provide needed eye surgeries for the people and children of Togo, Africa.

Come join the fun, food, and fellowship. Invite your friends to come out to compete at this 10-station clay shoot range, and compete against other amateur competitors. It will be a blast. The cost is $75 per shooter, which includes the meal. Teams are $300 for a team of 4 and includes meals. If you do not have a team, they will place you on one. Be sure to bring your gun, shells, eye protection, appropriate shoes, and money for raffle tickets. There will also be a “Family Fun Day,” so you can bring your family along. There will be a bounce house, live auction, music, food, kids games, craft booth, face painting, dunking booth, hand gun safety class, and much more. There is a $5 entry fee for Family Fun Day; clay shoot participants and sponsors get free entry for family members. Bring a pair of sunglasses or eyeglasses to donate for free entry. This will be held at Rose City Flying Clays, 8474 CR 485 (Texas College Rd.), Tyler, 75706.

Saturday-Sunday, August 29th-30th - Tyler Guitar Show will be held Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 8am-3pm at the Tyler Rose Gardens Center, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler. Come be part of the fun - buy, sell, trade guitars, amplifiers, memorabilia, effects pedals and tons more. For more info call (903)581-1992 or log on to TylerGuitarShow.com.

Dealers and traders can still get booth space for this event. Admission is $8 per day, children under 13 with parent are free.

Tuesday, September 1st - Leadership LIVE 2015 - Leadership Tyler is excited to be hosting Leadership LIVE 2015 with keynote address speaker, Liz Murray, author of the internationally best-selling book, “Breaking Night,” and the subject of the Lifetime documentary film, “From Homeless to Harvard.” Don’t miss her inspiring story that will leave a lifelong impression. This event is open to the public and will be held 11:30am-1pm at Green Acres Crosswalk Center in Tyler, with lunch being served. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online at www.Leadershiptyler.org. Early-bird tickets are $45 until August 1st. Call (903)535-9242 for reserved tables and sponsorship opportunities.

September 5th-7th Sharon Shrine Circus 2015 - With three rings of affordable family fun, “The Shrine Circus” will thrill fans of all ages.

Come see the deathdefying aerial acts, animal attractions including tigers and elephants. In addition to the performing acts, kids will have the unique opportunity to ride and pet different types of animals. You can purchase tickets online or at the circus location. They open doors one hour before the event. The circus will be at The Oil Palace, 10408 Hwy 64 E., Tyler. Military and senior citizens discounts are available. There are also Family Pack group discounted tickets available. Children three and under are free. Tickets are at eventbrite.com > Shrine Circus, Tyler. Performances are Saturday, September 5th at 3pm and 7pm; Sunday, September 6th at 1:30pm and 5:30pm; and Monday, September 7th at 1:30pm and 5:30pm. There is a small fee for parking within the gates of the Oil Palace.

Sunday, September 20th - Donny Edwards ‘A True Tribute To Elvis’ - World famous Donny Edwards became the first and only Elvis tribute artist to perform on the estate of Graceland. This Las Vegas headliner will perform the early years and Elvis’ 1970’s concert years. He has the looks, the moves, and the voice. Special guest national doo wop champions, Shake, Rattle & Roll, will open the show. Also performing will be the ninemember band, Fever. Edwards will perform at the Gilmer Civic Center. For tickets call (832)3120074, www.donnyedwardslive.com.

Hometown

HANG with Mineola’s Own

25

$

IN ADVANCE 35 AT THE DOOR VIP Tickets $150

$

(Limited, sales only online)

KIDS 2 & UNDER - FREE

Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy country music, food, drinks, and fun under the East Texas stars!

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

Live Music Food & Drink 3pm to Midnight1860 CR 2724Mineola Nature Preserve Live Auction Benefitting Art & Music Programs in Local Schools Tickets now available at

www.KaceyMusgraves.com (GA & VIP Tickets) & Mineola TX, City Hall (GA tickets only) Proud Concert Event Partners

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Books 7th Annual ET Book Fest:

2015 East Texas Celebration of Libraries and Literacy

Come get my new children's book

The Queen's Tea debutting at the

East Texas Book Fest August 22nd at Harvey Hall

Marvin S. Mayer Children's Author

www.kidsbooksbymarvin.com

Workshops and Seminars

The 7th Annual East Texas Book Fest (ETXBF) will be held Friday-Saturday, August 21st-22nd, at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front Street, Tyler. This celebration of libraries and literacy will be bigger and better than ever - filling the hall with celebrated authors, scholars, musicians, actors, and readers of all ages.

The Smith County Area Libraries Together (SALT) and the Tyler Area Partners for Literacy (TAP) are partnering to host two full days of exciting and fun events. SALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of public libraries in Smith County.

TAP is a coalition of nonprofit community partners advocating, promoting, and supporting literacy among children and adults in the city of Tyler and surrounding communities.

Co-chairs for the 2015 ETXBF are Dr. Dee Brock, Ph.D., a retired PBS Vice President of Education, and Dr. Kouder Mokhtari, Ph.D., AndersonVukelja-Wright Endowed Professor of Literacy Education, University of Texas at Tyler.

“SALT and TAP are both really excited by the way this event is shaping up, and we urge the community members to mark their calendars,” Mokhtari said.

There will be an exhibit area as well as workshops and seminars being offered both days. Last year over 60 authors and publishers participated,

Day 1 requires a $40 registration fee for attendance at seminars and workshops. There are two tracks: Track 1 presents well-known literacy experts and professionals who demonstrate best practices in teaching, reading, and writing and the use of those skills. Track 2 focuses on the craft of writing and publishing books. Outstanding authors, agents, and publishers lead seminars and workshops on these topics.

Continuing education credit is available for many of these workshops and seminars. Attendees who register in advance for Day 1 will receive a free lunch.

Day 2 is free to the public. Texas authors will exhibit, sell, and autograph books while chatting with attendees. Breakout sessions will provide opportunities to learn more about selected authors, agents, publishers, and literacy projects.

There will also be an author expo, with publishers, authors, illustrators, and writers’ groups displaying and selling their works, and they will all be on-hand to talk with readers of all ages.

Rounding out the celebration will be musicians, videos, actors, games, and storytellers to entertain participants throughout Day 2.

For additional information visit www.etxbookfest.org. Also, watch the website as authors are accepted for the latest news.

Summer Madness Continues at the Tyler Library

register, go to the Library Website > Teens section.

Mum Making Classes will be held September 19th, 2-4pm in Taylor Auditorium. Cost is $20, which includes all supplies needed to make a two-foot mum with a 6” flower in your school colors. You must register by August 31st.

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. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18 at all times. Events include:

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and this year with a larger facility in line, the event promises to be even bigger.

Some 100 Texas authors who write in many genres and for all ages will display their books and chat with readers. In addition, professionals will demonstrate and explain various literacy projects for children and adults. Other experts will lead seminars to make reading more meaningful and rewarding to all and help writers improve their craft and sales.

Adult

“Using e-Resources with your Digital Device”Learn how to use the library’s e-resources from OverDrive and OneClickDigital on your Kindle, Nook, iPad, or Android device. Also, Ebsco e-books on your computer will be covered. The e-Resources class is by appointment, (903)593-7323.

Children The Quilting Club meets every Tuesday from 10am-1pm, and is open to the public. No experiStorytimes All storytime programs will be in Taylor Audi- ence is necessary, just bring a sewing machine and get ready to learn this time-honored craft. A torium for the summer. supplies list will be available at the information • Leeme un Cuento / Read to Me (children 3-6) is desk. on Mondays at 10:30am.

• Child Care Story Share (children 3 and up) is The summer quilting project is finished and will be on the first and third Tuesday at 10:30am in the raffled off in August to help raise funds to purchase auditorium. Registration is required. new materials for the Library. The finished quilt is • Toddler Time (children under age 3) is on 62” x 75.” Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and will Wednesdays at 10:30am. be available August 1st to 31st. The winner will be • Read Aloud Crowd (children older than 3) is on announced in September.

Thursdays at 10:30am.

Crochet Classes will be held every Wednesday, • Starry Time Story Time (family program) is on 3-4pm, on the 3rd floor Internet Center WorkThursdays at 6pm. room. These are free classes.

• Family Saturday Stories will return in the fall. ® • American Girl Book Club and LEGO Block Party Computer Classes will be held covering basic will not meet during the summer and will resume computer skills, e-mailing basics, plus internet and September 5th. job search tips. These classes are offered for free.

Lego League Registration is required. Sign-up at the info desk.

For ages 3-12, this fun time is held every Tuesday, Retirement Classes will be held for free. This three2-4pm. LEGO® League is an open, creative play week course will be held Tuesdays, August 18th, time with Lego® and Duplo® blocks. We provide 25th and September 1st at 5:30-7pm. Classes are the blocks, you provide the imagination. This is a free, but registration is required. You can register at come and go event. No registration required. the Library information desk.

Teen ClubRead Book Discussions are held monthly, the Need volunteer hours? No Problem! We provide last Tuesday of the month at 10am. The August numerous opportunities year round, such as the 25th selection is “The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Summer Reading Club, the Teen Advisory Council Benjamin. This is open to all book lovers! and other ongoing programs to earn hours. To be a youth volunteer, you must be 12 to 17 years of age The Barbara Bass Seed Library - The Tyler Public Library’s Seed Library offers for free a variety of and complete a youth volunteer application with common vegetables (most are heirloom, non-GMO, the City of Tyler at www.VolunteerTyler.com. non-hybrid) for anyone, plus information on how Free Audio Books, continuing this summer, SYNC to plant, grow, and harvest crops. Come pick up is a program that gives away two complete audioyour seeds and be a part of making a change in our book downloads: a current Young Adult title paired community by growing your own food. thematically with a Classic or Required Summer Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an Reading title each week to listeners ages 13 and above while SYNC is in session each summer. To adult over 18 at all times.

One Last Chance for Summer Reads

attempting to help the police, and then, because kidnapping is involved, the FBI begins to develop a profile of the murderer from the method and results of the crimes.

This psychological thriller is a page-turner from the first page, with Dr. Burley’s writing style

By Gini Rainey being very readable and enjoyable. As he weaves bone chilling whodunit, he develops believable “Butternut Summer: A Novel” this characters that the reader can relate to. I particularly (The Butternut Lake Trilogy) enjoyed the descriptions of each setting throughout

by Mary McNear the novel. The author describes locations, lighting, I was just a little disappointed in the second of weather conditions, and moods in such a way that McNear’s trilogy, but it was definitely personal and the reader enters the plot as a fascinated and somenot because of McNear’s writing. The first book of times horrified onlooker. the series took me back to a place in time when I The solution to the identity of the killer is prewas growing up in Minnesota and spent a great deal sented before the ending, and the impact of who it of time at my famis becomes a fascinating study into human normal ily’s cabin in northern and abnormal psychology. The fact that it appears Minnesota – where prior to the ending is a well thought out sequence the fictitious Butter- and brings Burley’s novel to a level more than a little nut Lake is located. beyond a murder mystery. I look forward to more The plots of this book novels by John Burley in the near future and am didn’t take me to the sure that his readers will feel the same way. shores of the lake Rating: 4 of 5 nearly enough.

Copyright 2013 – William Morrow Paperbacks However, that being said, you can read this book without having read the first in the series and enjoy the central themes, such as forgiveness, trust, and the age old question which ponders whether people can truly change. This novel also features a dual storyline with both Caroline Keegan and her daughter Daisy finding love over the course of a summer.

Also, somewhere in the middle of all of that, Jessica and Frankie fall in love over the griddle at the diner, but no one saw it coming, so not too much attention is paid to that story line. Future fodder for another book? Perhaps.

To give you a general idea about this novel, let me fill you in. Butternut Summer tells the story of Caroline Keegan and her daughter, Daisy. Caroline lives in the small Minnesota town where she grew up, Butternut Lake. She runs a small diner called Pearl’s. It has been in her family for years, and she takes pride in her work and the community she lives in. Daisy is home from college for the summer.

Unbeknownst to Caroline, Daisy has been in contact with her father, Jack. Jack Keegan is a handsome charmer who disappeared from the lives of Caroline and Daisy while Daisy was still a toddler. When Jack moves back to Butternut Lake and attempts to reconnect with Caroline, things are set in motion.

I hesitate to say this - mostly because my niece, who is a published author, pretty much doesn’t like to have a book labeled as a ‘good beach read,’ but this really is a great, summertime read, and is suitable for poolside, beach front, and patio hammock reading. When Mary McNear returned to Butternut Lake in this unassuming novel, she truly created a great summer read; readers know exactly what they’re getting here. Rest assured that you can pick up this book with a pretty good idea that everything will end on a relatively happy note and that won’t stop you from enjoying every page. This is a great examination of relationships, both between lovers and parents/children. This isn’t the deepest story I’ve ever read, but it is definitely enjoyable.

Rating: 5 of 5 Copyright 2014 – William Morrow Paperbacks

“Dead Tease” (Loon Lake Mystery Book 12)

by Victoria Houston

In the 12th book of Houston’s series, Jen Williams, a young, attractive nurse, has plans for her life and career. Not incidentally, her affair with Jim McNeil, the CEO of the medical clinic that employs her, sort of fits in nicely with those plans. Unfortunately, Jen is brutally stabbed and is found dead outside her condo. Now, it’s up to Lew Ferris, the police chief in Loon Lake, Wisconsin, and her friend “Doc” Osborne, a forensic dentist, to find out who is responsible for this vicious crime.

When I first began this book, I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series so I felt a little like a newcomer to a real-life small town. I was confused by all the characters and couldn’t keep track of who everyone was and how they were connected to each other. Fortunately, though, once I got the important characters and their backgrounds straightened out, I began to enjoy the story.

Lew and Doc make a formidable team. They are partners in every way - friends, fishing partners, investigative partners, and romantic partners. They are a good match and show each other affection

and respect, which makes them characters to root for. Although it’s a short book, all of the characters have depth, and by the end of the book, I felt I had gotten to know the main characters, as well as the various supporting characters in the book.

The outdoor scenes and fishing trips will help you to get to know the characters better and will give you a glimpse at life in this small mid-west town.

The mystery was interesting and there are several people in the town with a motive to kill Jen. This young woman made quite a few enemies in her short life, but there are a few neat little twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end of the book.

Even though I was unfamiliar with this author before I read this book, and didn’t realize it is part of a long-running series, I found that it reads like a stand-alone novel and is well-written and engrossing.

I recommend this book and will be checking out some of the earlier books in the series to see what I’ve been missing!

Rating: 4 of 5 Copyright 2012 – Tyrus Books

“The Absence of Mercy” by John Burley

This is the first novel and a great introduction for an author with a bright future. The story is a psychological study of murder in a small town, and the impact a serial killer has on the town and families faced with crimes not normally seen in the area they live in. Dr. Ben Stevenson is the town medical examiner and lives happily with plenty of free time for his wife, two children, and dog. His normal work routine involves nothing more traumatic than traffic deaths, and deaths due to natural causes. His routine is shattered when the body of a young man is found in the woods, horribly mangled, beaten, bitten, and abused beyond any semblance to anything normal. The police jump on the case understanding that nothing less than a fiend is loose.

Before too long, a young girl on the way home from a party, is also attacked in a wooded area. She somehow survives, but with the same wounds and bite marks as the first victim. Ben is involved in

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Music

Special Homecoming Show and Newly Released “Pageant Material”

Kacey Musgraves In Concert this Fall in Mineola on September 26th Two decades ago — long before “Same Trailer Different Park” turned her into a Grammy-winning country star with sold-out tours and Top 10 hits - Kacey Musgraves participated in her first (and only) beauty pageant.

“My hometown is pretty famous for its sweet potatoes,” she says, “and every year, they hold the Golden Sweet Potato Festival. They crown a Sweet Potato Queen and a Little Miss Tater Tot for little girls.

I only competed for Little Miss Tater Tot once, when I was about three, and lost miserably to a girl in a sparklier dress.”

The pageant world, with its fake smiles and sky-high hairdos, wasn’t the best match for Musgraves. She was more interested in songwriting, finishing her very first tune at 9 years old and learning her first instrument, the mandolin, as a pre-teen. Years later, though, the peculiarities of daily life in a small town — along with the places she’s visited (and people she’s met) since moving away— are back on her mind.

It’s been years since Musgraves lived in Golden, Texas, her childhood home of roughly 600 people, but the whirlwind that followed “Same Trailer Different Park” — a debut album that topped the country charts, took home two Grammy Awards (including Country Album of the Year) and sent Musgraves halfway across the world on tour — made her think hard about where she came from. “Pageant Material,” her second album, pays tribute to those Bible Belt roots, shining a light on a hometown girl who’s grown up, expanded her worldview and done a lot of livin’ since skipping town. It’s an album about where she’s from and where she’s going, full of autobiographical details that are humorous one minute and heartwarming the next.

“I really wanted this album to have a classic feel, like a lot of the records I know and love,” says Musgraves, who name-checks artists like Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Ronnie Milsap as influences on “Pageant Material’s” easygoing stride. “I intended on it having a laid-back yet lush, slightly kitschy, western vibe. And most of all, I wanted it to feel like me.”

Appropriately, all thirteen of the album’s songs were co-written

by Musgraves, who teamed up with the same group of songwriters who’d helped bring “Same Trailer Different Park” to life several years earlier. Those names may be familiar — Brandy Clark, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, along with additions like Natalie Hemby and Ashley Arrison — but the songs are new, dreamt up during a songwriter’s retreat in West Texas as well a handful of sessions back home in Nashville.

During the gorgeous “Late to the Party,” Musgraves lingers with her boyfriend before a big get-together, knowing that he, not the party, is the real destination. She kicks back and enjoys life at a slower speed with “High Time,” whose twangy chorus — punctuated by a whistled riff worthy of a high-lonesome cowboy — doubles as a nod to the childhood years Musgraves spent performing western swing music. On “Dimestore Cowgirl,” she breezes through some

of the more surreal highlights of her days on the road, from an early-morning European boat ride that took her band past the White Cliffs of Dover to a night spent in the same middle-ofnowhere motel where Gram Parsons spent his final hours. “I’m still the girl from Golden,” she admits during the song’s chorus, a reminder that no matter how big her career gets, she’ll always be a small-town native. Later, with “This Town,” she stresses the importance of staying pleasant in a cozy town where everyone knows you, and during “Biscuits” — a song inspired by her mother’s advice to “kill ‘em with kindness” — she explains some simple, yet important, things she’s learned her 26 years.

Musgraves recorded “Pageant Material” in a unique way, capturing the songs during a series of live studio sessions. The goal was to harness the energy of her concerts, rather than build a record trackby-track and overdub-by-overdub. To lighten the mood, she decorated Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A with fluorescent, life-size cacti and served fresh biscuits during breaks. She also brought a handful of plastic beauty pageant crowns into the studio and handed them out to her band, which included members of her touring lineup as well as pedal steel player Paul Franklin, drummer Fred Eltringham, and other top-tier players from the Nashville community. Musgraves pulled triple duty during the recording sessions, serving as singer, songwriter and co-producer on every track.

Since “Pageant Material” is such a personal project, it’s only appropriate that several family members contributed to the album’s creation. “This Town” begins with the voice of Musgraves’ beloved Memaw — grandmother Barbara Taylor — who worked as an ER nurse in Texas until her passing in December 2013.

“We always loved to get her going, telling stories about the crazy stuff she’d seen lately at work,” Musgraves remembers. “One night a couple years ago, we were all sittin’ around her in the living room and made her tell stories. I secretly pressed record on my phone. I just thought for some reason I should, never thinking I’d end up using it. This particular part of the record has been a source of sadness and happiness at the same time. I really miss her, but it makes me smile knowing that her voice has literally become embedded in my musical legacy.”

Likewise, Musgraves’ little sister, Kelly Christine Sutton, shot the photographs for the album, including the throwback cover art. On a record that deals so heavily with Musgraves’ roots — where she came from, how she grew up, and what her small hometown looks like from afar — the presence of her relatives adds an authentic touch.

“‘Pageant Material’ lives in a western-tinged world, and the songs are like little stories,” Musgraves says. “They set a vibe and a tone, and all make sense living in the same space. I think I’ll always be affected by growing up in a small town, so it still inspires a lot of my writing. But there are some viewpoints on this record that I hadn’t written from yet. More than anything, it’s life and society, making mistakes and my relationships that continue to inspire me.”

In Concert

A special homecoming show will be held this fall in Mineola, Texas, on September 26th at the Mineola Nature Preserve featuring Grammy-award winning artist, Kacey Musgraves. The announcement comes in the midst of an already-busy second half of 2015 for Musgraves, whose latest tour, The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, kicks off in August.

The country star plans to donate all proceeds from the event, which will include local food vendors and a live auction, to the art and music programs in the Wood County school system. Up-andcoming country acts John & Jacob and Wade Bowen will serve as the show’s openers, and Wood County students will provide additional entertainment.

“I’m so excited to be coming back to my hometown to play and help in keeping music and art programs alive in schools! I was lucky to have a solid support system as a kid and I can only hope that a fun event like this will be a small step for someone else,” said Musgraves.

The “Hometown Hang” concert tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Kids two and under are free. VIP tickets are available for $150. This will be held 3pm-12 midnight at the Mineola Nature Preserve, 1860 CR 2724, Mineola. There will be live music, food and drinks, a live auction and more. Lawn chairs are allowed but please, no pets or coolers.

General admission and VIP tickets for the show are on sale now at www.KaceyMusgraves.com; Mineola Texas, City Hall also has tickets , but for general admission only.

For more information on Grammy award winner Kacey Musgraves, visit www.kaceymusgraves.com.

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!

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MUSIC

3320 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701

www.potpourrihouse.com

(903) 592-4171 Serving Steak & Seafood

Loretta Callens:

Music Rules My Life

By Billy Keith Bucher Most Sundays anymore you might find me at the Forge jamming with Eddie Pardee and the Forgers. It’s an enjoyable and relaxed combination of song swapping, jamming and finding new talent. Recently I invited a woman named Loretta Callens to join us.

She is hardly a stranger to East Texas and the North Texas music scenes and stages. If you’ve been to the spring and fall festivals at Edom, for instance, you have probably stood a good chance of finding her doing a set of her own best material. Or, if you are in the Tyler area, you might catch her at the Rose Festival there. Go to Jacksonville and you have a good chance of catching her in a Square Show. Another place where Loretta likes to visit is Rancho Frijoles in nearby Wills Point, which is an outdoor venue where people get together and listen and play music and enjoy the outdoors.

I really have to admit that it had been a long time since I jammed with her at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas for a Thursday night jam. Well, Loretta immediately won my heart by starting the evening with a beautiful rendition a Green Day song, “Good Riddance.” Her voice was full and strong, and filled the Forge with a nostalgic-type tone as it played out.

After the jam, we agreed to meet a few days later in nearby Brownsboro for Mexican food and an interview.

“What am I supposed to say,” she asked me with a laugh.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, “I’ll just ask some questions to get started, and we’ll be off.”

She smiled and said, “That sounds good to me.

My first interview was at a radio station and that was pretty frightening being live and all. But then they got me even more nervous by saying, ‘now don’t say anything wrong.’” She looked at me and said, “Now what is THAT supposed to mean?”

I asked her to start by telling me a little bit about herself. “Oh, I was born in a little clinic over in Grandview, Texas, and grew up in the Keene area, which is near Cleburne on Highway 67.”

“Yes, I’m a Texas girl,” she said proudly. “You can tell by the accent, can’t you?” she added with a smile.

“I started very young. I was six years old and my first gig was in a church in Keene. Some faith-based music, to be sure. We went to a private church school there. It was desegregated, and I didn’t even know about segregation until I was grown. Keene was a utopia kind of village at one time, and the Dallas Morning News wrote about us for being just that.

“I had wonderful parents who were very supportive and they got me piano lessons, but I never really followed up on that one. I have written piano pieces and melodies to songs. I am an ear player, after all, and we always had the radio going or were playing records, like Loretta Lynn and Ernest Tubbs.

When we traveled in the car, we would sing together.

I always sang the soprano part, so I’d have to plug my ears or they would get me off key. Yes, we just loved to sing a cappella.”

“My first singing gig was in front of the church with eight hundred people watching me.” She added with a laugh.

“Then my folks entered me in a singing contest, and I won third place singing a song called, “Shake Me I Rattle, Squeeze Me I Cry,” which was written by Marion Worth.

“I recall that I was starting to get stage fright, so I took a black and white teddy bear that I slept with on stage with me when I sang.”

She stopped and laughed, “Now THAT was

memorable!”

“Then I got into my teenage years and I found boys,” she added with a laugh, “and one of them wanted to show me how to play the guitar. Well, that was fine with me.”

“We moved to Tyler in 1976, and I met a woman who taught me how to play classical guitar. I remember she also taught me how to play ‘Greensleeves.’

I was really impressed with that one. About then, I got into a song circle in the evenings at some people’s house. They taught me a ton about music. This guy in the group gave me my first 12-string guitar and, of course, I loved that!”

“In the eighties I began singing at the nursing centers in a little duo with this other girl. We called ourselves ‘Firelight.’ It was great to become involved with senior citizens.”

“We’ve got to get along in life as best we can.

After all, when it comes right down to it, we are all frail in the end. Even the toughest of us end up getting frail.”

About then, our food arrived, and we scrambled eating with the conversation. It had gotten quiet in the restaurant as some people had left.

“I have a sister and I remember back then that my dad and uncle went into a music store and bought her a mandolin. Within two weeks she had begun to play with us in the bluegrass band that we called the ‘Pine Hill Bluegrass Band.’ It wasn’t very hardcore bluegrass, though. We played a lot of Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn kind of songs, and stuff like - what they used to play on WBAP at the time.”

“I remember I loved doing the rhythm guitar work and doing harmony, but I suddenly got my first case of hardcore stage fright so bad that I could hardly stand up in front of the band and sing! The audiences just terrified me.”

She sighed and shook her head “It lasted for the longest time. Our main influence at the time was Saturday night television. We’d watch ‘Panther Hall’ and the ‘Grand ‘Ol Opry.’ About that time, I remember I had started to listen to the music of Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell. I particularly loved Joni’s jazzy, flowing, kind of sound.

“Our family band was really doing well, and by the 1990’s, we were producing Bluegrass Festivals twice a year out on Highway 31 near Tyler, and then we’d also have a fundraiser or two a year. That, finally, was a really good way to get over my stage fright, which I sometimes still had. The stages we used are still up out there somewhere, but I am sure that they are pretty dilapidated by now. Towards the end, I was still playing the 12-string guitar but I realized I had to get a new one since I found I couldn’t keep the one I had in tune around the campfire. A friend of mine said, ‘Hey, why don’t you try my Taylor. They stay in tune.’”

“She was right so I looked around town and found one, and [after getting the guitar] it really inspired me to work on my playing and my songwriting. I didn’t have all that many tunes written, but I started writing around the clock and it became an obsession. It ruled my life for a little while. It was like the guitar was contagious and I just couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to get home from work at night to play the guitar and write songs and it was the first thing I wanted to do when I got up in the morning.”

“About then I also bought myself a mandolin and that changed me even more.”

Fast forward a few years, Callens says, “another change now is my organization that I created, ‘Sentimental Journey: Improving Lives Through Music.’

Our goal is to introduce music into the lives of people restricted to skilled nursing care and assisted retirement living. We also do the independent living facilities. Anything like that.”

“I wanted to both, create a job for independent musicians, and at the same time, provide music to [those kind of] facilities. I like to focus my attention on the smaller medical facilities. They tend to be smaller homes and the ratio of the money to the volunteers, or those that need to be paid, are in my target for the music opportunities.”

“I’ve had people tell me ‘but it’s depressing to play in retirement centers’ and I say, ‘it is only depressing if you don’t put yourself into it.’”

“I remember one time I was playing the actual song, ‘Sentimental Journey’ and when I finished I looked over and saw a guy with tears rolling down his face. I went over to him and said, ‘I’m sorry if I made you sad’ and he said, ‘No, no, those were tears of joy. That was my wife’s and my favorite song. Don’t be sorry.’”

You won’t be sorry if you catch Loretta Callens in the upcoming months. She has a show coming up on August 15th in Jefferson, Texas at the Knight Light Theater 7:30-9:30pm, which I want to make.

She also will be performing at the Edom Fall Festival in October. Be sure to pick up her incredible two CDs, “Life is Good” and “Say A Little Prayer For Texas.” They are well worth it and it will get you prepared for her next CD that is coming out soon.

EVERY TUESDAY- Open Mic!!!

August 1st - The Tuxedo Cats August 6th - Paul Shafer August 7th - Scott Burgess & The Gringo Kings August8th - Munkey Rench August 14th - Guthrie Kennard August 15th - Texas Rebellion August 20th - Blue Louie August 21st - AJ & The Two Tone Blues Band August 22nd - Something Blue August 28th - Kid Icarus Project

903.504.5860 3807 University Blvd.

Tyler, Texas 75701 www.republicicehouse.com EGuideMagazine.com • 15

Saturday, August 1st The Back Porch, Kilgore – Electric Gypsy, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Teazur, 7-10 Click’s Live – Death Row Bodeen, Light The Fire, Heartsease, 9-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – The Scrips, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Better Days Review, 6-9 Juls – Purple Velvet Fox, 7-11 Liberty Hall – Rock, Paper, Scissors, 8pm Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Cameran Nelson, 9-1 Pickin’ Porch, Ben Wheeler – Thomas Wade, Kid Icarus, Chris Colston, 4-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Ice House – The Tuxedo Cats, 8-12 Rick’s – Deja Groove, 9-1 Rose City farmer’s Market – Live Music, 8am-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Blind Mojo , 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 XLN – Anthony Riley Band, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1 Sunday, August 2nd Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-2pm Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12 Monday, August 3rd C10, Jacksonville – Acoustic Pickin’ Circle, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 The Foundry – The Show Ponies, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 Tuesday, August 4th Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 Grounds for Justice – Shelly Wilson, 6-9

MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 Wednesday, August 5th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Mathew McDaniel, 7-10 Cafe Bhojana – Michael Gonzalez, 11am-2pm Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Mike Ryan, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10 Thursday, August 6th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Eddy’s, Athens – David Fox, 8-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Alex, Amanda, Carissa, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Acoustic, 6-9 Half Moon – DJ, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Rinlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Paul Shafer, 6-9 Stanley’s BBQ – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Friday, August 7th Cascades Country Club – Ben Harrison, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 Eddy’s, Athens – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Jimmy Wallace, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Phat Johnny & The Buicks, 6-9 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10

Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Kris Gordon, 9-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live acoustic music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Scott Burgess & The Gringo Kings, 8-12 Ricks – The Klocks, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Nightowls, 9-12 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, August 8th The Back Porch, Kilgore – The Tuxedo Cats, 9-1 Breakers – Blue Louie, 8-10 Circle M Crawfish – Hubcap & The Loose Nuts, 7-10 Click’s Live – This Day Forth, Poynte, Trapt, Sons of Texas, 9-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Cole Allen, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Eric Moseley Duo, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Live Music, 9-1 Honky Tonk Texas – David Joel, 9-1 Lago Del Pino – Midnight River Choir, 8-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Wesley Pruitt Band, 9-12 Panera Bread – Keith Rea, 7-10 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Munkey Rench, 8-12 Rick’s – The Klocks, 9-1 Rose City farmer’s Market – Live Music, 8am-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 XLN – The Sultans, 9-1 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 9-12 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1 Sunday, August 9th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm

XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12 Monday, August 10th C10, Jacksonville – Jam Session, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 Tuesday, August 11th Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 Mojoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 Wednesday, August 12th The Back Porch, Kilgore – 2nd Childhood, 7-10 Cafe Bhojana – Michael Gonzalez, 11am-2pm Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Prophets & Outlaws, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10 Thursday, August 13th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 5-9 Click’s Live – Pic, 8-12 Eddy’s, Athens – David Fox, 8-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Brian Grace , 7-10 The Foundry – Live Acoustic, 6-9 Half Moon – DJ LL, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Rinlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Friday, August 14th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Hubcaps & The Loosenuts, 8-12

Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Drew Fish, Curtis Grimes, 9-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Karaoke, 8-12 Eddy’s, Athens – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – URR Show, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – The Tuxedo Cats, 6-9 Hollytree Country Club – The Magills, 6-9 Juls – DJ, 6-9 Liberty Hall – The Derailers, 8pm Maude Cobb, Lonview – Ink Life Tour, Saving Able, 9pm, Puddle Of Mudd, 9:45pm Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-10 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Jason James, 8-12 Panera Bread – Jewl Rena’e, 7-10 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Guthrie Kennard, 8-12 Ricks – Grand Theft Radio, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Luke Wade & No Civilians, 9-12 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, August 15th The Back Porch, Kilgore – G William Boyd, 9-1 Breakers – Live Music, 8-10 Click’s Live – Blacktop Mojo,Victims Of Sanity, From The Messenger, 9-12 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Chip Murrey & Texas Underground, 9-1 Eddy’s, Athens – Broken Silence, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Bridgette Tatum, 7-10 FRESH by Brookshire’s – Alex & The Jam Band, 6-9 Jakes – Caitlyn Brette, 8-11 Juls – Senor Gringo, 6-9 Lago Del Pino – Jason McKinney, 9-1 Maude Cobb, Lonview – Ink Life Tour, Lu Lu & The Vipers, 9pm, The Misfits, 9:45 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9

live bands every friday - pool - no cover, ever - daily drink specials

LIVE MUSIC:

August 1st - Anthony Riley August 8th - The Sultans August 15th - White Trash Wannabees August 22nd - Ally Veneable Band Comfortable Casual Atmosphere Ladies Night on Wednesdays August 29th - King Richard & The Bayou Boys Happy Hour Noon ‘til 5:00pm 2109 E. Fifth St. Tyler 903.535.7956 www.facebook.com/xln.pool.hall 16 • EGuideMagazine.com

Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – The O’s, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Texas Rebellion, 8-12 Rick’s – Live 80, 9-1 Rose City farmer’s Market – Jewel Rena’e, 8am-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Chris Colston, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 XLN – White Trash Wannabees, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1 Sunday, August 16th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 8-12 Cork – Ramoth Gilead, 12-2pm Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12 Monday, August 17th C10, Jacksonville – Open Mic, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 Tuesday, August 18th Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 MoJoes Coffee Café, Henderson – Open Mic, 7-10 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 Wednesday, August 19th Cafe Bhojana – Michael Gonzalez, 11am-2pm Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10 Thursday, August 20th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 5-9 Eddy’s, Athens – David Fox, 8-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Wesley Pruitt Band, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Acoustic, 6-9 Half Moon – DJ, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Renlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Blue Louie, 6-9 Stanley’s – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Friday, August 21st The Back Porch, Kilgore – Daniel Smalley & The Nine, 9-1 Coach’s & Cowboy’s – William Clark Green, 9-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 Eddy’s, Athens – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Austin Brasher, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – The magills, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Chris Wayne Band, 8-12 Juls – DJ, 7-11 Lago Del Pino – Parker McCollum , 8-12 Lake Palestine Resort – Caitlyn Brette, 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – The Stratoblasters, 8-12

Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Acoustic Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – A.J. & The Two Tone Blues Band, 8-12 Rick’s – Party Machine, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Telegraph Canyon, 9-12 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, August 22nd The Back Porch, Kilgore – Teazur, 9-1 Bull Fest, Athens – Curtis Grimes, 9pm Click’s Live – A New Horizon, Pulse, Oceans Ego, A Threat To The Enemy, 9-1 Club 155 – Black-Ice, 9-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Bottom Dollar Band, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Doug Kent, 7-10 FRESH by Brookshire’s – Purple Velvet Fox, 6-9 Half Moon – Chad McBride & The Drifters, 9-1 Mario’s – Live Jazz 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Ben Lowery & Texas Express, 9-12 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Something Blue, 8-12 Ricks – Time Machine, 9-1 Rose City Farmer’s Market – Jewel Rena’e, 8am-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Casey Martin, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus - DJ, 9-1 XLN – Ally Venable Band, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1 Sunday, August 23rd Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12 Monday, August 24th C10, Jacksonville – Jazz N J’Ville, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10 Tuesday, August 25th Coach’s & Cowboy’s – Karaoke, 8-12 The Foundry – Open Mic, 6-9 The Shed, Edom – Pickin & Grinin, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Open Mic, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Dustin Becker, 7-10 Where’s Rufus – DJ, 8-12 Wednesday, August 26th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Bo Brumble, 9-1 Cafe Bhojana – Michael Gonzalez, 11am-2pm Circle M Crawfish – Open Mic, 6-10 Click’s Live – Karaoke, 8-12 Cork – Dustin Becker, 6-9 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – Open Mic, 7-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Open Mic, 6-9 Leon’s, Longview – Blues Jam with Johnny & The Night Crawlers, 8-11 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 7-11 Republic Ice House – Karaoke, 7-12 Stanley’s BBQ – The Haggertys, 7-10 UT Tyler – Phillip Fox Band, 8pm

Thursday, August 27th Cascades Country Club – The Magills, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 5-9 Eddy’s, Athens – David Fox, 8-10 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Elaina Kay, 7-10 The Foundry – Live Acoustic, 6-9 Half Moon – DJ, 8-12 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – Karaoke, 8-11 Potpourri House – Todd Rinlee, 6-9 Purple Pig – Open Mic, 6-9 Stanley’s – BBQ & Blues, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Karaoke, 8-12 Friday, August 28th The Back Porch, Kilgore – The Voodudes, 9-1 Belcher Center, Longview – Jon Foreman, 7:30pm Clicks Live – The Maension, The Fearless, 9-1 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – DJ Krash Karaoke, 8-12 Eddy’s, Athens – Karaoke, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Ryan Reid, 7-10 Fresh by Brookshire’s – Kinfolk, 6-9 Halfmoon Grill – Gene Evans, 8-12 Jakes – Eric Moseley, 9-12 Juls – DJ, 7-11

Lago Del Pino – Buggaboo, 8-12 Mario’s – Live Jazz, 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – East Texas Jazz Orchestra, 8-12 Paradise Harbor, Hawkins – Karaoke, 8-12 Potpourri House – Paul Ruark, 6-9 Purple Pig – Live Acoustic Music, 6-9 Republic Ice House – Kid Icarus, 8-12 Rick’s – Identity Theft, 8-12 Shoguns – DJ, 8-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Graham Wilkinson, 9-12 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, August 29th The Back Porch, Kilgore – Dazed, 9-1 Circle M Crawfish – Last Call Outlaws, 7-10 Click’s Live – Mushroom Head, Scare Don’t Fear, Hed PE, Cindercell 9-12 Dick’s Cajun Grill, Mt. Selman – The Frio River Band, 8-12 The Forge, Ben Wheeler – Father Brother, 7-10 FRESH by Brookshire’s – Stefan Cotter & The

Rastabillys, 6-9 Mario’s – Live Jazz 6-9 Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler – John Baumann, 9-12 Panera Bread – Keith Rea, 6-9 Potpourri House – Bobby & Ken, 6-9 Ricks – Trajikly White, 9-1 Rose City Farmer’s Market – Live Music, 8am-12 Stanley’s BBQ – Paul Shafer, 7-10 Stone Country, Lindale – Texas Cotton Kings, 9-1 Taste of Italy On the Lake, Hawkins – Marcus Casburn, 6-9 Where’s Rufus - DJ, 9-1 XLN – King Richard & The Bayou Boys, 9-1 Yamato – Karaoke, 9-1 Sunday, August 30th Circle M Crawfish – Karaoke, 6-10 Click’s Live – Acoustic Chaos, 9-12 Lago Del Pino – Dustin Becker, 12-2pm XLN – The Blacksmiths, 9-12 Monday, August 31st C10, Jacksonville – Jazz N J’Ville, 6-9 Circle M Crawfish – Darrin Morris, 7-10 Stanley’s BBQ – Ramoth Gilead, 7-10

EGuideMagazine.com • 17

Art

Reflections of East Texas:

Tyler Museum of Art Showcases Regional Talent in New Exhibition

Inside the Artist’s Studio:

The Art and Air of Ben Wheeler:

Five talented and versatile artists with strong ties to the region are in the spotlight with the Tyler Museum of Art’s next major exhibition, “Reflections of East Texas.” The exhibition opened Sunday, July 26th and continues through September 13th at the Museum.

Organized by the TMA and co-curated by the Museum’s Jon Perry and Derek Frazier, “Reflections” features more than 30 works across a broad spectrum of media by artists Keith Carter, Ted Ellis, Diane Frossard, Mike Perry and Franklin Demetrius Willis. Several of the works included in the exhibition recently were completed and will be seen by the public for the first time.

“This exhibition is a homecoming to East Texas, if you will,” Jon Perry said. “Each of these remarkably diverse artists, in his or her unique way, shows how profoundly they have been influenced by their experiences in this region and how they continue to evoke those memories in their work. The subject matter is varied, the geographical boundaries are loose – from the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast – but Derek and I hope audiences come away with a genuine sense of moods and feelings that characterize a broader sense of the East Texas experience. There’s no place like it.”

Ben There? Do That!

By Derrick White EGuide’s Barbara King recently wrote an article about the excitement happening in the East Texas town of Ben Wheeler, specifically the Ben Wheeler Creative Arts Center, which is the result of the energetic efforts of artist Kelli Holmes (an inspired transplant to East Texas who shows her work at Fort Worth’s respected Artspace 111). I’m a fan of the people, places and the air of Ben Wheeler and decided to go spend the day. This turned out to be a great decision.

The Ben Wheeler Arts Center (BCAC) recently hosted an exhibition of paintings and small drawings by Carolyn Ellis entitled, “The Color of Ideas.”

A native of Washington, DC, now living in Kemp, Texas, outsider artist Carolyn Ellis, credits rural Texas, with all its peace, tranquility, and seclusion as the catalyst for the journey which led her to start painting in 2011 in her sixties. Ellis likes to refer to her powerful abstract work as “the fruit of her subconscious, which, as it turns out, is full of passion, fears, conflict, and joy.” She states, “I didn’t pick abstract art, abstract art picked me.” When I visited the Carolyn Ellis show, the BCAC was alive with a couple of kids exploring art in the back corner area in a lively, hands-on art class and having a great time.

The rest of the space contains a front corner small works gallery of local artists’ works, Kelli Holmes own workspace and a long wall for artists’ exhibitions. Ellis had over 40 pieces in her exhibition from self-assured, large canvases to small, intimate drawings. Most of her work has textural, bold shapes of color and conjured comparisons in my mind to the abstract paintings of Richard Diebenkorn (American abstract expressionist and figurative painter). I was drawn mostly to her large earth tone pieces and a small, oil stick composition. The paintings reflected, to me, the artist having fun even when my interpretations of the works were more somber. Ellis possesses an inherent richness for color and texture and uses them as the two most important elements in her work. “Fascinated by color, line and form, her artistic journey is all about the interior space of the imagination,” reads an exhibition statement. On Saturday, August 8th, 12-3pm, Art Gala, sponsored by Zen and Beauty Salon in Athens, Texas (one block north of the town square on N. Prairieville St.), will feature an exhibit of Ellis’ powerful abstract work. A select group of other artists and vendors, wine tasting by Tara Vineyard, light refreshments, and music will also be available for the event.

For more info on Carolyn Ellis’ art visit cjellisart.tumblr.com.

Beginning Saturday, August 1st, the BCAC will be showing a collection of new small works by artist Kerian Massey. Affordable, fun and quirky, this show should prove to be a good experience. Massey’s works are representational, sometimes realistic, eccentric, and absorbing. Her artist statement reads, “When I paint, there’s a spark glimmering in my thoughts. The idea ignites and then immediately needs to develop into something before it evaporates into thin air. When I have an idea, I go on a quest for references, feeding the fire in my brain. From there I paint for days at a time, with little stopping until it’s finished...because if I stop, I risk losing it all.” Massey’s website shows a wide range of subjects she is likely to explore, from cars to chairs, animals, shoes and fairytale wonderlands. She states, “People ask, ‘Why shoes? Why chairs?’ Well, I come from a humble background where $500 shoes and brand new furniture are luxuries I have yet to afford myself, so I live vicariously through my art, in a whimsical world where everything breathes and tells its own story.

The shoes pretty much wear themselves. My animals are portraits of beings living as animals. Their humor and wit are what make them such wonderful subjects. If only we knew what they were thinking.”

Go see this exhibition and delve into Kerian Massey’s magical mind. “Not only do I want people to see what I felt, but feel it for themselves and find familiarity with it. I want them to laugh, snicker, and yearn like I do.”

For more info on Kerian Massey’s art visit www.keriansart.com.

The Ben Creative Art Center (BCAC) is located on 1374 FM 279, 18 • EGuideMagazine.com

The Artists

downtown Ben Wheeler. Call 817-721-7778 or visit bencreativeartcenter.com or Facebook.com/bencreativeartcenter.

But your day’s not over yet. You can also walk down to the Flying Fish Gallery for an array of folk and traditional artists displaying and selling an eclectic mix of everything from Randy Martin’s metal (nuts and bolts) fish to ceramic bowls and cups, face jugs, non-representational/realistic paintings, sculptures, wood-turned bowls, handmade canes and hand carved alligators. See the feature article, page 19.

You can also fulfill your shopping hankering at Secret Garden for handmade jewelry, baby boutique and gifts.

Frilly Pepper features all your shabby-chic needs and desires, or you can visit The Hat Doctor if you are in need of their services.

There’s also the Ben Wheeler Children’s Library, which is open two days a week and gives five books to kids each time they visit. Not loans, but gives! Contact (903)833-1070.

I walked to Moore’s Store, an anchor stop for visiting Ben Wheeler, and enjoyed a delicious chicken fried steak lunch. This is a restaurant and full bar with live music on stage every Friday and Saturday. August will feature acts like Johnny Burke, Kris Gordon and The O’s among others performing at Moore’s Store.

After lunch I headed into The Forge Bar and Grill and relaxed with a Shiner Ruby Red and listened to the soothing performance of musician Craig Wallace. Wallace, nestled in a nook, pleasantly filled the space with a rich and full guitar sound while singing a mixture of classic rock and blues songs. Wallace plays, lost in his music, as if he were the only one in the room oblivious to the small lunch crowd caught up in their friendly conversations. Wallace plays at The Forge most every Saturday, “since Brooks died,” he says, referring to the late multi-millionaire Brooks Gremmels who rejuvenated Ben Wheeler for arts, food, and music - and making Ben Wheeler “your East Texas one-street, day trip, staycation, destination.” Go now!

For more information, check out these links: benwheelertx.com, secretgardenshop.us, frillypepper.com, mooresstore.com, and finally, theforgebenwheeler.com.

Keith Carter (b. 1948) holds the Endowed Walles Chair of Art at Lamar University in Beaumont, his home of more than 40 years. He is the recipient of the Texas Medal of Arts, the Lange-Taylor Prize from the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, and the Regent’s Professor Award from the Texas State University System. Carter’s work has been shown in more than 100 solo exhibitions in 13 countries, and he is the author of 11 books including, “Fireflies, Mojo, Keith Carter Photographs: Twenty-Five Years, Heaven of Animals,” and “From Uncertain to Blue.” The series of images showcasing scenes from rural east Texas that form his publication, “The Blue Man,” was purchased by the TMA for its Permanent Collection in 1990, and selections from that series will be featured as part of “Reflections of East Texas.” Carter’s work is included in numerous additional private and public collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, J. Paul Getty Museum - Los Angeles, Museum of Fine Arts - Houston, George Eastman House, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Ted Ellis (b. 1963) grew up in New Orleans, a city known for its rich African-American heritage and history, but has lived and worked for the last 25 years in the southeast Texas city of Friendswood. A former environmental chemist, the self-taught painter blends realism and impressionism in his work, “evoking nostalgia and inspiration” in his subjects that celebrate the African-American experience of the rural South. Ellis has been commissioned by such brands as Walt Disney Studios, The Minute Maid Company, Coca-Cola, Phillip Morris, and Avon, Inc., and his “Juneteenth Freedom Series” recently was featured at the U.S. Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., as part of the Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration organized by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

Dallas native Diane Frossard (b. 1962) spent 10 years as a geologist before turning her attention to painting and drawing full time. In 1998, she relocated to Tyler, where she continues to live and work from her family ranch with her husband, Mike, and daughters Hannah and Kelly.

Painting primarily in the plein air tradition, Frossard has won numerous awards at Plein Air Southwest Salon at Southwest Gallery in Dallas, and been featured in multiple shows at Tyler’s Gallery Main Street. Recent projects include the book cover design and illustrations for the magical realism novel “The Artemis Connection” by David Di Paolo. “Reflections of East Texas” marks the artist’s first museum exhibition.

Mike Perry (b. 1970) was raised in Tyler, graduating from Robert E. Lee High School and Tyler Junior College before moving on to study under acclaimed Texas artist Vernon Fisher, in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the University of North Texas. He and his wife, Janna, relocated in 2000 to Jacksonville, Florida, where he began painting fulltime, after a 10 year-career in interior design. His impressionistic landscapes and abstracts have been featured in several gallery exhibitions, including the recent solo show, “New Horizons,” at Stellers GallerySan Marco, and have been purchased for numerous public and private collections including Nordstrom Department Stores and the home of Ted Turner. “Reflections of East Texas” also marks his first museum exhibition.

Longview native Franklin Willis (b. 1963) studied at Kilgore College before moving on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Corpus Christi State University and a master’s degree at the University of Michigan. He recently was promoted to Professor of Art at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he and his wife Liz Archuleta have lived for the last two decades. A veteran of numerous museum shows including a two-year traveling exhibition organized by the Arizona Commission for the Arts, Willis’ work last was featured at the TMA during the 2008 solo exhibition, “Influence of the Sabine: The Artistic Journey of Franklin Demetrius Willis,” from which the Museum purchased his triptych, “The 7th Year Harvest for its Permanent Collection.”

Admission for “Reflections of East Texas” is free. The TMA is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., on the Tyler Junior College campus. For info, call (903)595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org. Regular Museum hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5pm Sunday.

Flying Fish Gallery: A Feast for the Eyes, Full of Color, Movement and Light

See our schedule at bencreativeartcenter.com for: Beginners Art Classes Advanced Painting Classes Themed Arty Parties Mommy & Me • Art Camps Special Events Friday Parent's Night Out Kid's Creative Happy Hour Studio Time • Workshops Beginning/advanced art instruction ChARTonnay Classes Group / Solo exhibition opportunities Competitions Scheduled opportunities to BENefit the BCAC Scholarship fund.

Written and Photographed by Barbara King The Flying Fish Gallery is yet another reason to visit Ben Wheeler, the revitalized mecca of art and music just a stone’s throw away from anywhere in East Texas.

Randy and Sherri Martin are the high energy artisans and owners of this eclectic gallery of oneof a-kind pieces of local talent. Married for 44 years, they are the perfect partnership of artistry, passion and humor, literally finishing each other’s thoughts. “We were one of the first stores to open, six and a half years ago,” explains Randy. “Brooks Gremmels, the legendary driving force behind the town’s resurgence, collected some of my art and asked us to take a chance on the town, and here we are today, in what was the 1930’s barbershop and haberdashery. When we came, every building was boarded up, except for the feed shop, beauty parlor and government offices.”

The gallery is a feast for the eyes, full of color, movement and light, featuring all mediums of work, including folk art, pottery, bronzes, and sculptures. The gallery displays the work of over 35 rotating artists, and Sherri’s presentation of the artist’s pieces is a gift all its own.

“We really don’t have a set theme,” she explains. “We don’t like to have stark, white emotionless displays, as some folks can’t see how the art might fit into their décor. We like to have fun with our pieces, and have a kind of think-out-ofthe-box mentality.” You might see old reclaimed doors and chicken coops housing pottery and jewelry, next to bright scarves and bottle stoppers.

Sherri’s own pieces, ‘bots’ are whimsical creatures fashioned from reclaimed spoons, forks, and even a shoe polish brush. Randy’s art takes the form of sculptures welded from copper, from a delicate calla lilly flower, to a towering structure, entitled “industrial shaman.”

You can find beautiful, carved walking sticks right next to oil on canvas paintings and fair trade jewelry from Guatemala and Ecuador.

“We are very much about upcycling and giving new life; it’s folk art with a twist. We laugh and explain it as, ‘how can you take a hoard and turn it into art.’”

Randy further elaborates by showing the collection of billiard balls and spark plugs that Sherri will shortly transform into art.

As artists themselves, they want to give new, budding talent, and artists just entering the field, a chance. “Our vision is to give new artists a place to be seen, and give our guests a new, and unique, glimpse of very different and unique expressions,” explains Sherri. “We strongly encourage artists to reach out to us, or even drop by and let us look at their art and visit. We know firsthand how scary the process is when you are just beginning to exhibit.”

The gallery is very much a ‘take your time, tryon, touch, feel, experience, and explore adventure.’

Events

TMA Builds Up to The Art of the Brick® - The storied toy building of countless childhood creations take form as fine art with the unique vision of Nathan Sawaya in “The Art of the Brick,” the current major exhibition on exhibit through September 13th. “The Art of the Brick®” features more than 20 large-scale sculptures crafted only from LEGO® bricks by Sawaya. Like most young kids, Sawaya started playing with LEGOs at a young age. But unlike most kids, Sawaya never stopped building, creating and exploring his own imagination. The award-winning artist has catapulted the iconic LEGO brick into an art medium all its own, transforming this construction toy into awe-inspiring and thought-provoking sculptures. The global touring exhibition that emerged from Sawaya’s unique perspective is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on LEGO bricks as an art medium, and has broken attendance records around the world. Exhibition admission is free for TMA members, $5 for adults and $3 for seniors.

Artist Kerian Massey On Exhibit Come see her whimsical style that permeates through her collection of animals, cars and objects in which she adorns with life and curiousity.

Her style encompasses color and humor in many shades of realism with a twist. Some of her art runs deeper into the surrealistic world.

Having been an illustrator for the past 15 years, it reflects in her painting style and humor. Each piece tells a story in it's own vivid way.

To learn more about the artist go to Keriansart.com or visit BenCreativeArtCenter.com

The BCAC......where you have Ben Creative!

The Martins want patrons to feel at home, and envision the art in their own environment. Prices run the gamut from $20 to $1500, so there is really something for every taste and budget. “We are really light-hearted about our gallery,” said Sherri.

“We are serious about the business, but see it as a way to reach out and build relationships.”

Randy is a storyteller, and happy to regale visitors with what he calls ‘the nickel history tour of Ben Wheeler.’ “Over 80% of visitors are here for the first time,” Randy said. “We want them to go home and over dinner, talk about the neat small town full of life, music, and art.”

Gremmels’ vision of a philanthropic community has grown to be much more; Ben Wheeler has become a family that loves, nurtures and supports each other. Randy recalls a time a little over three years ago, when he was very ill, and the other business owners jumped in to support the Gallery and their family. “It was incredible how they helped run the Gallery, brought food and were behind us every step of the way. We are proud and very humbled and grateful to be a part of this community.”

The Flying Fish Gallery is located at 1561 Highway 279 (across from The Forge) in Ben Wheeler and is open Wednesday 11am-3pm, Thursday-Saturday 10am-7pm, and Sunday 11am3pm. The Gallery can be reached at (903)570-6955 or www.facebook.com/flyingfishgallerybenwheeler.

Seniors’ Day - Join Tyler Museum of Art for Seniors’ Day as they say ‘thank you’ to all of their visitors ages 65 and up. The third Monday of every month, seniors are invited to enjoy free, guided tours of the current exhibitions. Free.

Family Day - Drop by the Tyler Museum of Art on the second Saturday of every month and enjoy a fun-filled event, perfect for the entire family. Family Days are held in the classroom and children are invited to stop in from 2-4 and participate in free art activities. Kids will also like the tasty refreshments provided during the event. Family Day activities enhance the current TMA exhibitions by reflecting similar themes, artistic styles, techniques, and other artistic aspects. Free.

The TMA is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., across from Wagstaff Gym on the Tyler Junior College campus. For information, call (903)595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org. Regular museum hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, and 1-5pm Sunday. The TMA is closed on Mondays and most major holidays.

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Bohemian Upcycle Boutique of Ben Wheeler Downtown Ben Wheeler at 1560 FM 279 1 (817)721-7778 • www.frillypepper.com Open Wednesday 11-3, Thursday-Saturday 10-7, Sunday 11-3

EGuideMagazine.com • 19

Theatre Theatre Productions

Saturday (7:30pm) and Sunday (2pm), August 1st-2nd - “Buddy Holly” will be on stage at Tyler Civic Theatre. “The Buddy Holly Story” tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be the Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day the Music Died.”

The show features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Rave On” and “Raining in My Heart,” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock and roll, continues to live on in “Buddy.”

Seen by over 22 million people around the world, “Buddy” will have you on your feet and “send you out of the theater on an unstoppable high” (The Boston Globe). 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 log on to www.tylercivictheatre.com. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

Thursday-Sunday, August 6th-9th and Thursday-Saturday, August 20th-22nd (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) - “Legally Blonde” will be on stage at Henderson County Performing Arts Center. Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upsidedown, however, when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, she gets into Harvard Law, as well. Based on the megahit movie, this is HCPA’s Annual Youth Summer Musical. Henderson County Performing Arts Center is located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens. For more info call (903)675-3908 or log in at www.hcpac.org.

Tickets start at $7.

Thursday-Sunday, September 3rd-6th and Thursday-Saturday, September 10th-12th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) - “The Smell of the Kill” will be on stage at Henderson County Performing Arts Center. This Black Box Production is rated R for adult situations and language. Take three delicious, malicious wives, add three miserable, unloving husbands - and a chill. That’s the recipe for this tantalizing new comedy. Nicky, Debra and Molly have tolerated each other at once-a-month dinners for years. The evening reveals that all three marriages are on the brink of disaster. When the men mistakenly lock themselves in a basement meat locker, the women are faced with a life-or-death decision: should they leave the men out in the cold, permanently, or let them thaw? Henderson County Performing Arts Center is located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens. For more info call (903)675-3908 or log in at www.hcpac.org. Tickets start at $7.

Saturday, September 12th (7:30pm) - “The Price Is Right Live™” will be on stage at the Cowan Center. “The Price Is Right Live™” is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to “Come On Down” to win. Prizes may include appliances, vacations and possibly a new car! Play classic games from television’s longest running and most popular game show from Plinko™, to Cliffhangers™, to The Big Wheel™, and even the fabulous Showcase. Playing to near sold-out audiences for nearly nine years, “The Price Is Right Live™” has given away more than $10 million in cash and prizes and sold more than $1.2 million tickets. If you enjoy the rush of emotions experienced while watching the show on television, just imagine the possibilities if you were actually in the audience watching it live. Member sales begin

20 • EGuideMagazine.com

August 10th, public sales begin August 17th. 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)5667424, or log on at www.uttyler.edu/cowan.

Saturday, September 12th (7:30pm) - “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” will be on stage at Lindale Community Theatre. This nationally and locally recognized 1950’s and 1960’s group will make you stop, drop and roll with laughter as they take you back to a time of innocence with their beautiful harmony, choreographed moves, comedy and hula hooping skills. This production is at the Lindale Community Theater for one night only. Lindale Community Theatre is located at 109 W. Hubbard Street, downtown Lindale. For more info call (903)638-0402 or log on at www.lindalecommunitytheater.org.

General admission tickets are $15.

Saturday, September 19th (7:30pm) - Trace Adkins will be at the Cowan Center. Trace Adkins’ trademark baritone voice has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and sold over 10 million albums.

The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a TV personality, actor, author, and spokesman for the American Red Cross, for whom he raised over $1.5 million as a winner of NBC’s “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.” As a dedicated supporter of the troops, Adkins has performed as part of seven USO Tours. Adkins made his debut on the country music scene in 1995 with the album “Dreamin’ Out Loud;” since then, he has released seven studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations. In addition, he has charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including hits “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Chrome,” “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Member sales begin August 10th, public sales begin August 24th. 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 www.uttyler.edu/cowan.

Friday-Sunday, September 25th-27th and Friday-Sunday, October 2nd-4th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm) - “Of Mice and Men” will be on stage at Henderson Civic Theatre. Adapted from John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel of the same name, this play earned the 1938 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Best Play.

George, an affable migrant farm worker, and Lennie, a towering simple-minded, pleasantly humble, young man, are the subjects. They are bound by George’s devotion and Lennie’s “pathetic helplessness.” George’s guardianship keeps Lennie out of trouble, but we soon see this is a slippery slope. Lennie’s displays of love result in several deaths ranging from mice and puppies to a beautiful woman.

Eventually, in the face of a lynch mob, George kills Lennie to put him out of his misery. Henderson Civic Theatre is located at 122 E. Main Street in Henderson. For more info call (903)657-2968 or log on at www.hendersoncivictheatre.org. Tickets start at $10.

Friday-Sunday, September 25th-27th and Friday-Sunday, October 2nd-4th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm) - “The Count Will Rise Again (Dracula in Dixie)” will be on stage at Lake Country Playhouse. The Dracula legend goes South in this outrageous spoof featuring the world’s first Yankee vampire, Count Dracula of Pennsylvania. The action takes place on the plantation of Doc Stewart, a proper Southern gentleman physician who runs a kind of halfway house of “recovering politicians and other emotionally disturbed persons.” This is a funny play! Lake Country Playhouse is located at 114 North Johnson Street in Mineola. For more info call (903)5692300 or log on at www.lakecountryplayhouse.com. Tickets are $15-20 depending on production.

Friday-Sunday, September 25th-27th and Friday-Sunday, October 2nd-4th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm) - “These Shining Lives” will be on stage at Lindale Community Theatre. Based on the true story of four women who worked in a watch factory in Ottawa, Illinois, the play dramatizes the danger women faced in the workforce in the 1920’s, and the lack of concern by companies for protecting the health of its employees. Narrated by one of the workers, Catherine Donohue, “These Shining Lives” shows women getting a chance for a

well-paying job in the 1920’s and early 1930’s, which was uncharacteristic for the time in the United States. Lindale Community Theatre is located at 109 W. Hubbard Street, downtown Lindale. For more info call (903)638-0402 or log on at lindalecommunitytheater.org.

Tickets for adults are $15, students $12, 12 and under $8.

Monday, September 28th (6:30pm) “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)” will be on stage at the Belcher Performance Center. In David Wood’s exciting dramatization of Ronald Dahl’s award-winning story, a 15-foot-tall vegetarian giant with vocabulary problems teams up with a little orphan girl called Sophie. Together, Sophie and her new “jumbly” friend, the BFG, devise a plan to save the children of England from child-eating giants. Along the way, they are assisted by the Queen of England, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force.

Humongous on humor and large on laughs, the story of The BFG was Ronald Dahl’s personal favorite. On stage, his wacky tale comes to life with puppets and people creating a fantastical world of towering giants and magical adventures. 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. Kid Friendly!

Thursday, October 1st (7pm) - “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” featuring the national tour of the Broadway production, will be on stage at the Belcher Center. One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. The first collaboration of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats”) and lyricist Tim Rice (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Lion King”), “Joseph” blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting, technicolored story of biblical proportions. Belcher Performance Center at LeTourneau University is located at 2100 S. Mobberly, Longview. For more info call (903)2333080 or log online at www.belchercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

Thursday-Sunday, October 1st-4th and Thursday-Saturday, October 8th-11th (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) - “9 to 5: The Musical” will be on stage at Henderson County Performing Arts Center. Pushed to the boiling point by their boss, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot. They conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do - even in a man’s world. Set in the late 1970’s, this is an hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. This is outrageous, thoughtprovoking, and even a little romantic; it’s about teaming up and taking care of business. Henderson County Performing Arts Center is located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens. For more info call (903)6753908 or log in at www.hcpac.org. Tickets start at $7.

Sunday, October 11th (2pm) - “A Little Afternoon Music” with The Lake Country Symphonic Band at the Lake Country Playhouse located at 114 North Johnson Street in Mineola. For more info call (903)569-2300 or log on to www.lakecountryplayhouse.com. Adults $7 and children 11 and under $5.

Friday, October 23rd-Sunday October 25th and Friday, October 30th-November 1st (Evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm) “Murder By Natural Causes” will be on stage at Tyler Civic Theatre.

It combines twists and turns and delivers what mystery fans love most—taut suspense with an ingenious plot. Arthur Sinclair is a successful world-famous mentalist in the tradition of Dunninger. His beautiful and much younger wife Allison, plots his murder for the commonest of all motives—greed. She enlists the aid of a struggling young actor. Her foolproof murder plan cannot possibly misfire as it’s too skillfully inventive—or is it? After all, Arthur (as everyone knows) has psychic gifts. But does he? Once the killing scheme is set in motion, the plot begins to evolve into a maze of confusion. Nothing is as it seems. Is mind reading possible? Can the future be foretold?

Just when the audience thinks they know what will happen next, there is another unexpected turn to complicate matters. The mystery builds to an exciting climax. Surprise ending? Oh Yeah! It will take all of your mental powers to solve this wildly clever and entertaining thriller. 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 2pm-5pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students.

Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00pm - 9:00pm Andys Frozen Custard 6106 S Broadway Ave Tyler, Texas 75703 Please join us for sweet treats and great company at Andy’s Frozen Custard! A percentage of the night’s proceeds benefit SPCA of East Texas.

Cici’s Canine Coaching will be on-hand to answer any training-related questions you may have about your pup and provide you with some tips and tricks.

We can’t wait to see your friendly (and furry) faces there!

It’s Time to JAM!

TICKETS ON SALE AT:

LibertyTyler.com

Ruthie Foster

Marc Brossard

September 19 at 8 p.m. November 7 at 8 p.m.

Downtown Tyler 103 E. Erwin • Tyler, Texas 75702 A Department of the City of Tyler

Classes • Camps • Parties Fall Classes Start August 31st! www.blessyourarttyler.com

Wednesday Tuesday Monday

The Derailers

August 14 at 8 p.m.

1-3 Adults

3:30-5:00 5:30-7:00 School School Age Age

1-3 Home School

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1-2 Pre-K

3:30-5:00 5:30-7:00 School School Age Age

Call or text to reserve spaces(903)714-6336 (Susan) Conveniently located off East Loop 323 at 2614 McDonald Road, Tyler

EGuideMagazine.com • 21

Family

students.

The #Schooliscool event is also assisting young scholars to look their best on the first day by providing free haircuts that evening. Goodwill Industries will put on a school uniform fashion show. A mobile uniform shop will also be set up for families to shop for school clothing.

Another neighborhood is comprised of the after school options to keep kids entertained and learning. There are so many extracurricular options throughout the community, students are bound to find one that suits them. Club organizations such as the Boy Scouts and YMCA are accessible. For the athletically inclined, there are sports camps and team opportunities. For those focused more on art and learning, there are various museums, educational programs, volunteer opportunities

By Kelly Griffith-Fields and more.

“As much as the event is meant to prepare kids for the school year, Nelson Mandela had said, “Education is the most powerful we hope to get kids excited about school and cultivate an interest in weapon which you can use to change the world.” Area students may learning,” Ruelle said. not yet be thinking of changing the world or of the encroaching In the college and career neighborhood, students nearing the end school days but the City of Tyler is. As kids embrace what is left of of their high school education can find information on furthering their summer vacation, the City of Tyler is partnered with Northeast Public education and choosing a career path. Admissions representatives from Health District, Brookshire’s, the Business Education Council, Tyler local colleges and universities will be present with information on their Independent School District, Tyler Council PTA and many others to respective campuses. Local businesses and job coaches will also reveal help prepare students for the upcoming school year. options for students wishing to join the workforce.

The #Schooliscool event will be held at Harvey Hall Thursday, All of the donations raised go back to directly benefit the commuAugust 13th from 4:30-7:30pm. nity. #Schooliscool has been created not only to equip kids with the supLast year over three hundred backpacks filled with school supplies they need for school, but to also foster an excitement for learning. plies were given away to students in need. Now, in its second year, At the same time, the event makes it easier for families to prepare for the goal is to provide a thousand filled backpacks to area students. the year by gathering all related resources in one place, for education, A school supply drive is currently underway to help meet this health, safety information and fun. need.“In order for our economy to flourish, our students, who are the For more information, call (903)592-1661, SchoolisCoolTyler.com. future generation of workers and taxpayers, need to be equipped with St. Paul Children’s the tools that help them start the school year off right,” Christi Khalaf, Foundation Khakis For Kids event coordinator and Executive Director of the Tyler Area Business St. Paul Children’s Foundation in Tyler is currently holding their Education Council said.

‘Khakis For Kids’ drive. What began in 2005 to help kids displaced Monetary donations, supplies or filled backpacks may be

by Hurricane Katrina continues today. Last year the program helped dropped off by August 10th at City Hall located at 212 N. Bonner more than eight hundred students receive help with uniforms, shoes, Avenue or mailed to PO Box 2039, Tyler, TX 75710–2039. underwear, socks, and back packs of school supplies.

A $20 donation is enough to cover the cost of one supply-filled “We are currently collecting all the basic supplies such as compobackpack. Checks may be made payable to the City of Tyler. sition books, notebooks, ruled paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, and Each filled backpack to be donated should include: crayons,” Director of Development Mitzie Avera said. “People can • 4 glue sticks also donate new packages of children socks and underwear, as well as • 1 bottle of Elmer’s glue gently used school uniforms.”

• 1 box of facial tissues “The program is designed to help give children living in poverty • 1 box of Crayola colored pencils the opportunity to start the new school year off right. Research indi• 1 24-count box of crayons cates that without the proper supplies, and even the clothing, stu• 1 pair of child’s scissors dents tend to do poorly in class, become disruptive and may drop out • 1 pack of ruled notebook paper of school entirely,” Avera said.

• spiral notebooks Avera explained that through the community’s help, they are • quart or gallon Ziploc bags breaking down the economic barriers of education, and helping • waterless hand sanitizer develop future leaders of tomorrow.

• red pens Donations of school supplies, new underwear or socks, as well as • #2 pencils gently used uniforms, may be dropped off 9am-5pm, Monday-Fri• 2 pink erasers Backpacks will be given out at the event on a first come, first served day, at the offices of St. Paul Children’s Foundation, 1358 E. Richards basis. They will be provided to every student in line. There is no limit to Street in Tyler.

Financial donations may be contributed on their website or the number of backpacks per family. mailed to PO Box 1238, Tyler, TX 75710.

In addition to providing the much needed school supplies, other For more information or to donate visit www.stpaulchildren.org. related resources will be available on site.

Coordinator Maggie Ruelle described the event as a one-stop shop to help prepare families for the school year.

The free event has something to offer students in all grades.

Harvey Hall will be divided into ‘neighborhoods.’ Each neighborhood section will have its own theme of organizations and services.

Tyler Independent School District representatives will offer a wealth Several Tyler theaters are still making it easy and affordable this of information on student services, transportation, digital communica- summer to see a movie. tion tools, Headstart programs, and more. Proper nutrition information and assistance with school lunch registration will be available at the Times Square Cinema Movie tickets are just $1 for the Summer Movie Special and Kid’s event.

Combos are available for $3 which provides popcorn, a drink, and Immunizations will be offered through professionals for any students in need of updating their shot record before returning to school. candy. Movies scheduled are: August 4th-6th....................................................................“Balto” Free dental screenings, hearing, and vision screenings will all be availAugust 11th-13th..............................“Chipmunks Chipwrecked” able, as well as additional health and wellness services.

August 18th-20th.............................................. “Curious George” Many of Tyler’s finest police officers and firefighters will be makTime Square Cinema also offers more ways to make a day at the ing presentations. Students will be able to meet and greet heroes as they learn of various safety precautions. Resources and knowledge of finger- movies more cost effective. Loyalty cards offer free incentives after printing, bicycle safety, suicide prevention, and substance abuse will be your fifth and tenth visits. They are located at 5201 South Broadway in Tyler. Visit tylermovies.com for more information. covered by different organizations, focused on the wellbeing of todays

School is Just Around the Corner:

Time to Start Thinking About School Supplies

The Last of the Summer Movie Series

A D

S P E C I A L

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eguidemagazine.com (903)630-3030

22 • EGuideMagazine.com

Available for Rental

Carmike Cinema

At Carmike Cinemas, the 2015 Summer Kids’ Series will take place every Thursday. The doors open at 9am and the movies, rated G or PG, will begin at 10am. Movies scheduled are: August 6th................................................................“Tooth Fairy” August 13th...........................“SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” August 20th..............................................................“Paddington” During the Kids’ Series, the cost is $4 which includes admission, small popcorn, and a drink. Carmike Cinemas is located at 7415 S. Broadway in Tyler. More information can be found at carmike.com.

Regal Tyler Rose 14

Regal Tyler Rose 14 is hosting “Summer Movie Express.” Tickets are available for purchase at the box office for just $1 and a portion of the proceeds go to the Will Rogers Institute. Zap Packs, featuring popcorn, a drink and candy will also be discounted during the showings. Movies scheduled are: August 4th..............................................“Muppets Most Wanted” August 5th....“Alexander & the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” August 11th.......................................................“The Lego Movie” August 12th.........“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” All movies are rated G or PG and start at 10am. Regal Tyler Rose Stadium 14 is at 1250 Loop 323 SSW in Tyler, regmovies.com.

Studio Movie Grill

Studio Movie Grill (SMG) is Tyler’s newest theater. SMG offers in-theater service and dining.

With the push of a button at your seat, a server will arrive to take your order. There’s a variety of meals to choose from with their American grill menu. Your meal is served at your seat to enjoy as you watch the show.

The Children’s Summer Series will offer popular children’s films for $3 running through August. Movies scheduled are: August 3rd-7th...................................................“Kung Fu Panda” August 10th-14th.................................................. “Puss in Boots” August 17th-21st...............................................................“Turbo” All movies will begin at 11am and are rated G or PG. “Toons! Film Series” Television Shows Series On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11am, kids can watch their favorite television shows on the big screen. Children’s television episodes and direct-to-DVD titles are shown as part of the “Toons! Film Series.” For $3 a ticket children can see their favorite characters such as “Care Bears,” “Thomas,” “Octonauts” and others.

The Retro Family Rewind Series The Retro Family Rewind Series runs all year as well. Popular titles such as “The Goonies,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Home Alone” are shown for just $3 per ticket.

SMG is located at 8954 South Broadway. For more information on Studio Movie Grill and any of their film series, visit their website at studiomoviegrill.com.

Tyler Library Summer Movie Madness

This summer, the Tyler Library welcomes a series of movies, and all ages are welcome.

These are free, but registration is required for groups of five or more. For safety purposes, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (over 18) at all times.

Pillows, blankets, and carpet-friendly snacks are welcome. The schedule of free movies is: Monday, August 3rd 10:30am “Dumbo”

2pm “Lady and the Tramp” Tuesday, August 4th 10:30am “Mary Poppins”

2pm “Mighty Joe Young” Wednesday, August 5th 10:30am “Lion King” 2pm “Holes” Thursday, August 6th 10:30am “The Princess and the Frog” 2pm “Hoot” Friday, August 7th 10:30am “An American Tail”

2pm “Eight Below” We hope you have a great last few weeks of summer and enjoy these great movies and special savings!

Performing In Concert: August 8th: Breakers, Tyler 8-11 August 20th: Republic Ice House, Tyler 6-9 Sept. 11th: The Forge, Ben Wheeler 7-10

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