Piney Woods Live July 2011

Page 1

Priceless - Take One

July 2011

Art... Music of the Soul

The Texas Shakespeare Festival Shakespeare’s People Summer Wine Pairings Dennis O’Bryant’s Victorian Art House Jan Statman’s Surreal Life Truffula Tree Texas College’s Curtis Watson T Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players The T-Bone Walker Blues Fest T Photograph by Jon Vashey

publisher’s

NOTE

Back in the late 1960’s, my parents were friends with a very “cool” couple. They were, in fact, part-time folk singers. Bob played guitar and sang background for Zonna’s vocals. We always looked forward to their impromptu sessions at our house. When I hear the song, “Fever,” I still think of them performing that song with Zonna’s deep bluesy voice accompanied by Bob playing AND drumming on his guitar. Zonna had a love for the arts and wanted to study. She began to take classes at Tyler Junior College and, true to her personality, quickly became immeshed in the art department. Her daughter, Diana, was my age, and Zonna liked to take both of us to some of the events held by the department. My mother, with her matching love for the arts, loved the idea. So, when the discussion came up about attending a production of Agamemnon by the Tyler Junior College Theatre Department, there was hardly any question as to whether or not Diana and I should attend with the adults. That production was my first remembered theatrical experience. At the age of three, my parents did take me to see Sandy Duncan play the role of Peter Pan at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, but I only have a vague memory of that performance, and that memory is limited to “Peter Pan” flying across the stage. But this performance of Agamemmnon I remember well. I remember entering the theatre and being shown to our assigned seats. I remember the lights dimming and the show beginning. I remember the stage lights going up. But what stands out in memory is the actual production. Instead of a two dimensional screen like the movies I was used to attending, there were real people acting out a story so well that I forgot that they were actors! As we left the theatre and were walking towards the car, I kept thinking about what I had just seen, about those poor people who were on stage. I looked up at Zonna and Bob and said, “My goodness, those people have a lot of problems!” There were a few seconds of silence and then laughter from the adults who gently reminded me that although there were real people on stage, they were really actors like the actors in a movie. That is the power of live performance. In this issue of Piney Woods Live, we are covering the highly regarded Texas Shakespeare Festival set to begin this month. We hope that after you read the articles from Jan Statman and columnist, Emmitte Hall, that you will decide to attend as many of the plays as possible. What a great opportunity to introduce your children to live performance, especially since the festival will be performing a series from Aesop’s Fables. Jan Statman will also give you a very interesting history of Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players who are about to begin their 23rd season in September. We just returned from Linden’s T-Bone Walker Blues Festival the weekend of June 18th. Our staff photographer and photojournalist, Jim King, gives you an enthusiastic account of the two-day event. We had a memorable time there, and he’ll tell you why. Once again, we experienced the power of live performance! East Texas is home to some exceptional musical talent. LaDawn Fletcher writes about Truffula Tree, a band based out of Tyler that you might just want to hear! I found them on YouTube and was quite impressed with the ballad they were performing. We haven’t forgotten our visual artists this month. One of the best parts of my job as publisher of Piney Woods Live is meeting and getting to know our East Texas artists. Jan Statman came into my life this way, and Amanda Retallack writes a beautiful piece on Jan that captures her personality extraordinarily well! My first thought when reading it for the first time was, “Oh, that’s why I like Jan so much!” True to Amanda’s gift for capturing personality, she has written a piece on Dennis O’Bryant as part of our “Art in the Home” series. Dennis is an exceptional artist with an exceptionally happy, artsy house. On a more serious note, LaDawn Fletcher fills us in on what is happening with the Texas Commission on the Arts. Their funding has been cut 50%. In this economic climate, we are hearing about state cuts a lot, sometimes without stopping to think about how this affects actual people, and in this case, artists. Gary and I hope you enjoy this month’s Piney Woods Live. We also hope that you will pay attention to our advertisers. They are among the businesses in the area that support the arts. Those of us who love art and music should gratefully support them.

Tracy Krell, Publisher

Page 02 - July 2011

PineyWoodsLive.com

contents Art is defined as a product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. Piney Woods Live

About the cover:

is an expression of the community it serves.

The Texas Shakespeare Festival Beaux’ Stratagem

Earnest in Love

Carrie Smith as Mrs. Sullen Fisher Neal as Jack Archer

Kathleen Mulligan as Lady Bracknell Craig Fox as Jack Worthing

Taming of the Shrew

June 30 - July 31 For ticket information:

Hamlet

texasshakespeare.com The Van Cliburn Auditorium in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore, Texas

Meaghan Sullivan as Katherina Arthur Lazalde as Petruchio

Photographer: Jon Vashey

Anne Marie Damman as Ophelia Matthew Simpson as Hamlet

How to reach us: Call the American Classifieds’ Longview Office at 903-758-6900 or 800-333-3082. info@pineywoodslive.com Fax 903-758-8181 506 N. 2nd St., Longview, TX 75601

Shakespeare’s People..................................................... 4 Summer Wine Pairings .................................................. 6 Dennis O’Bryant’s Victorian art house .......................... 8 Near and Far at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts .... 10 Gold Leaf Gallery Opens “Oriental Works Old & New” ............................................................. 11 “Going With The Flow” at P’s Gallery ......................... 11 The Surreal Life of Jan Statman ................................... 12 Take 2 Classic Rock Band to perform with Tyler Youth Orchestra ............................................... 13 Truffula Tree ................................................................ 14 The “B” Side of Music - “I Am Nothing” ..................... 15 Texas College’s Curtis Watson ..................................... 16 Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players ..................... 17 The T-Bone Walker Blues Fest 2011 ............................. 18 Texas Commision of the Arts ....................................... 20 Tyler Civic Chorale presents “Let Freedom Ring” ........ 20 Learning opportunities around the Piney Woods ......... 20 Theater Spotlight - Texas Shakespeare Festival ............ 21 Artist’s World .............................................................. 22 Beyond Mere Thoughts ................................................ 23 Starspangled Bluegrass 2011 ....................................... 23 Publishers / Editors Tracy Magness Krell & Gary Krell Advertising Director Gary Krell Public Relations Randi Garcia Contributing Writers Amanda Retallack, LaDawn Fletcher, Jan Statman, Jim King, Tom Callens, Randy Brown, Emmitte Hall, Karen Dean Graphic Artists Tracy Krell, Joni Guess, Mary Hernandez Sales: Donna Vincent, April Harlow, Shannon Dykes, Denise Reid, Randi Garcia, Kathy Hollan, Cookie Bias, Paul Magness

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theater Shakespeare’s People by Jan Statman Is the heat of Texas summer enough to frighten actors from northern states away from the opportunity to play Hamlet? Is their real culture shock finding culture in an East Texas college town? Do oil rigs cast striped shadows? Do the actors honestly expect to see boots and spurs, ten-gallon hats and John Wayne riding his horse down Main Street? Is this truly the land of Far Away? The Texas Shakespeare Festival is a completely professional theater troupe. Auditions are conducted on both East and West Coasts, and the company is selected from among 1500 actors as well as some 550 applicants for technical positions. This year’s Shakespeare plays will be Hamlet and Taming of The Shrew. The comedy will be The Beaux Stratagem and the musical is Ernest in Love. Children will enjoy a special production of Aesop’s Fables. Val Winkelman and Joel Ebarb knew exactly what to expect of Texas Summers. Other than Raymond Caldwell and John Dodd, they are the company members of longest standing. Both started at the Kilgore Festival in 1989. Val Winkelman is a Professor at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. She is the unofficial historian for the group, and it is said she knows everything about anyone who ever worked for the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Over the years, many of the performers have gone on to major roles in TV, theater and film. Although she designed for the festival for 20 years, she has moved to the administration side to serve in the important role of Production Stage Manager. Joel Ebarb is a faculty member at Purdue University and is soon to be the Chair of the Purdue University Theater Department. He came to the festival as an undergraduate and worked in Kilgore every summer through graduate school and his early years as a college professor. Although Ebarb started as an actor, at some point he decided there were limits to his on-stage abilities. He knew his life would be in the theater, so he combined his interest in history, anthropology and sociology with his love for people and his ability to sew, and he began to concentrate on costume work. He insists he learned everything he really knows about theater by watching twenty-two years of people exercising their craft at the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Clark Stevens is also no stranger to Texas summers. He is the Fine Art Department Chair at Churchill High School in San Antonio and has acted with the Shakespeare Festival for seven seasons. He earned an acting scholarship and worked as an actor for eight years before returning to school to earn his MFA from the University of Texas at Austin. Lee Ernst, who is directing Hamlet, came to East Texas from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Although he had been warned about our Texas summers, he said, “It is one thing to expect it and another thing to experience it.” Ernst earned a theater scholarship,

attended several schools and auditioned for the American Player’s Theater in Wisconsin. After working as an actor for nine years, he returned to school for his MFA from the University of Delaware Professional Theater Training Program. He worked with the American Players Theater in Spring Green, has been a company member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the past twenty years, and he has worked in theater companies across the country. How do actors juggle three separate roles? They often perform in two different plays in the same day. Clark Stevens will play Polonius in Hamlet, Baptista in Taming of the Shrew and Reverend Chausuble in Ernest in Love. He insists it is not difficult for an actor to play repertory and keep three completely different roles separate in mind and heart. He says, ”Once you put on the costume you are immersed in the world of that play; it’s like flicking a switch and you become part of that story.” Ebarb explained that although a person might know how to play tennis, volleyball and football, he would never confuse one game with another. The tennis court looks different from the volleyball court which is different from the football field. When an actor goes into the world of a specific play, the clothes are different, the sounds are different, the look is different. The actors become different people. Lee Ernst described each play as a gift. He said, “Actors, directors, and technical people work unbelievably hard for weeks to prepare this gift for their audience. Think about preparing a holiday gift for someone you really care about and hoping that they will love it and will remember it forever. That’s what is going on while we are preparing for a show.” Joel Ebarb wants everyone to come to the festival and bring a friend. He said, “Buy a ticket and then buy one for your friend, because the audience is the final part of the production. Last year the festival sold 95 percent of our tickets. We would love to sell 100 percent this year. A healthy box office shows the college and the community how important we are.” Because the community is so kind, supportive, and receptive, Val Winkelman suggests audiences not only come and bring a friend but also come to enjoy more than one show. In that way, they see how different the actors can be in different roles. “Once they‘ve seen two they will want to see all five, because it is remarkable to see how the atmosphere is so totally changed from show to show. The versatility is amazing.” “Actors cannot be daunted by the climate,” Lee Ernst insisted. It is the nature of the acting profession to travel the country in order to be where the best work is. They’ll come to Texas in the summer and Milwaukee in the winter. It’s all part of chasing the passion of being in the theater.”

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Summer Wine Pairings by Tom Callens It’s a pleasant summer evening with the smells off the grill filling the back yard. You are about to drive to the store and pick up the wine before your guests arrive, but you have no idea what to buy. Beer might do for some, but more people are choosing wine for social gatherings. It is a problem that many of us face: getting that perfect wine to pair with dinner. A backyard grill dinner can pose an even tougher challenge. First and foremost, it is important to remember that like cooking, pairing wine and food is more an art than a science, but science still plays a significant role. For example, heavy and full bodied reds have tannins, a natural astringent that cleanses excess beef fat from the pallet. Finding the best flavor to compliment your recipes can be a fun challenge. Merlot may work well for your signature pot-roast, but those spicy steaks might need the less oppressive flavor of a shiraz. Chicken offers a real challenge since it can adopt such a wide range of flavors. The more traditional grilled chicken calls for something like a burgundy or pinot noir, while a richer chicken could need a cabernet sauvignon to offset the full flavors. This can prove to be a trial and error process. The general rule with fish is to stick with white wines, as noted by James Bond in the film From Russia with Love. But in all truth-

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fulness, darker fish like salmon pairs better with light reds. It really depends on the preparation. Chardonnay clashes on the pallet if whitefish is prepared with citrus, and shrimp primarily adopts the tastes of the seasonings. Whites would likely pair best, but like chicken, different styles mean experimentation. Pork is a different matter all together. The expert consensus seems to point towards pairing regional pork recipes with the appropriate wine. Chianti or Lombroso compliments Italian sausages, barbecued pork with tomato based sauce can be washed down with sangria, and so on. German sausages seem to cry out for a quality “bier”, but a riesling or similar wine could lead to an interesting experience. Although some may become caught up in the “proper” pairing method, the most important factor is personal preference, just like mustard versus mayo potato salad. The backyard barbecue is about having fun and sharing life with others. So try grabbing the grilling tongs and your corkscrew this year, and see how it goes.

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art in the home Dennis O’Bryant’s Victorian art house by Amanda Retallack Driving down a narrow neighborhood street in Marshall, Texas, it’s easy to spot the place that artist Dennis O’Bryant calls his home, his studio, and his personal gallery. While neighbors on either side of him on Burleson Street beautify their lawns with well-trimmed grass and colorful flower beds, Dennis opts for a more “artsy” look – six of his tall steel sculptures stand playfully in his front lawn greeting the occasional passer-by. One of them even looks like it’s waving at you. The entrance to his 100-year-old Victorian bungalow is guarded by one of these happy sculptures. Six steps lead up to Dennis’ wraparound porch, which is a cozy setting complete with two wooden rocking chairs and four beautiful flower hanging baskets. The real experience begins when you step over the threshold into this artist’s home. Dennis opens his front door, and the first thing that catches my eye is the variety of artwork just in the entryway. Several canvases decorate the small room – acrylic works of beautiful women – and on the floor by my feet is a short, electric blue metal sculpture welcoming me to stay for a visit. As we make our way to the dining room, we pass through the den. Artwork is everywhere, from floor to high ceiling. Even his television props purposefully on a metal sculpture Dennis welded together. “Art with a purpose,” Dennis notes. His dining room, he dubs as his true gallery (some pieces in his den are gifts of fellow artist friends), is fun, funky and truly Dennis. Canvases painted with acrylic, mixed media and even Sharpie markers line the walls, sculptures rest happily on the hardwood floor, poetry is etched and framed by the doorway, and the long dining table is inhabited by countless clay figures.

“These,” he nods to the little clay sculptures, “are really some fun pieces. Aren’t they wild?” He plans to exhibit 30 of these pieces at the Longview Museum of Fine Art’s East Texas Regional Artist show beginning July 9. Last year his work at the show was such a hit that he was invited to show off his talents again. “This year I’ve been invited again, and I plan on showcasing my clay work,” he says with pride. “The red clay molds are of little demons and my women on pedestals and such; the Raku clay is mostly busts and large faces.” Not only does he dabble in different clays, Dennis has his hands in all kinds of mediums – as is evidenced by his home. “I’m open to all things,” he notes. “When something new comes along, I’ll try it!” Because, for Dennis, it’s all about the creative process, not the end result. “I like the creative process; I create my own little world,” he says. “Everyone has a desire to create, because everyone comes from a creator. It’s an innate desire to create, whether it be cooking, painting, sculpting, writing, gardening … everyone’s an artist in some way. We each have our own artistic journey.” Dennis’ artistic journey started in Shreveport, Louisiana when he was 15 or so. He worked at his brother’s sign and graphic business – that’s where he caught the artistic bug. After college, he decided Shreveport wasn’t for him, and he wanted a more metropolitan feel, so he packed up his paints and moved to Big D.

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art in the home “I got into the signs and graphics business in Dallas, and I had art shows on the side,” he recalls. “I climbed the ranks in my company, and the next thing I know I’m wearing a suit and tie and jetting around the country going to trade shows.” He was becoming, he feared, just another “suit.” And, well, that just didn’t suit Dennis O’Bryant – he yearned for a more colorful life. “I remember flying into Tampa Bay for another trade show thinking, what am I doing? So, I cashed out, wrote my resignation letter, turned my beeper over and left that suit world.” And returned to his brothers business … only this time his brother had moved to little Marshall, Texas. Population? Too small for Dennis. “I was hesitant, as you could imagine. I’d been in Dallas and Houston, and had a taste of big cities. But I was now a starving artist, and I needed a job,” he decides. “I came to Marshall, and I find this old house – it’s full of auto parts and junk, no electricity or plumbing. But I had a vision, and I bought this dusty old house for $15,000.” Hard work and an artistic eye transformed the rundown, century-old house into what it is today: a funky art house that beckons visitors to come on in. “I spent four years sanding, painting and patching. I wasn’t going for a certain look; I just wanted a kinda funky art house,” he says. “I touched every square inch of this house – so it has a lot of ME in it.” Dennis is laid back, carefree, welcoming, and artsy. To tour his home-turned-gallery, all you have to do is say the word, and he’ll be happy to show you around. His paintings range from sexy high heels, abstract wine bottles and wild strokes of bright colors, to pieces that tell a story – his story – from travels abroad or close encounters in his own backyard. Works in clay tend to have more of a human element such as female torsos and stylized busts, while sculpted works made from metal are abstract pieces composed of geometric and twisted remnants of steel. “The funnest thing in the world is to go to a scrap yard,” he laughs with all seriousness. Everything is raw material for creating … his sketching, his photos, his trips and personal relationship - they all blend together to create his art. Visit www.denoart.com to find out more about this Jack of all arts.

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Featuring works by Rita Morris, Monty Graham, David Ackerson, Herb Bryant, and Gaylon Dingler

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903-597-2645 July 2011 - Page 07

artists artist profiles

Kerian Massey

Andre’ Kriel

“I began my career as an artist on the beach of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was on the last few days of a trip to San Juan and, being a typical teenager, had already depleted my funds. Sitting on the beach and sketching, I was approached by someone, and they asked me to make them a sign. I made $40 that day. That money not only made my life a bit better for the remaining two days, but it also showed me that I could make a living doing what I love. I graduated college at 21 with an Advertising Art degree, picked up a paintbrush at 25 and have been creating ever since. Being an artist is like projecting your thoughts and visions onto a canvas where everyone can see. It’s one of the purest forms of being an extrovert.” Kerian’s work is on display at The Flying Fish Gallery in Ben Wheeler. Learn more about her at

On warm afternoons, award winning artist Andre’ Kriel can sometimes be found in the park wearing his trademark beret and creating humorous and unflinchingly accurate caricatures of the people there. Other times, he is in front of a computer designing original graphic arts and marketing campaigns for some of the area’s biggest corporations; work that won him an ADDY award from the American Advertising Federation. Andre is a true artist working in pen and ink, pencils, oils, computer art, sculpture and photography. Andre’s parents were missionaries, and he was born in South Africa traveling the world before settling in East Texas. He illustrated the children’s book, The Adventures of Tiger - Autumn Nap. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from UT Tyler. A sampling of his work can be found at

Keriansart.com.

www.agraphicillustrator.com

Article submissions: Articles are accepted and reviewed by a panel. Photos may accompany articles. Space, relevance, writing and appropriateness play a huge part in the decision making process. Individual artists are more likely to have fewer than 100 words plus a photo published. Deadlines are the 5th of the month prior to publication.

Bongo and the Point Bongo and the Point is a local East Texas vocal group/band. Bongo and the Point gigs all over East Texas performing oldies from the 50’s and 60’s, as well as their own original material. The core of the group is husband and wife duo Jim & Dee Patton who first started performing together in 1971. Musicians for over 40 years, Jim & Dee enjoy writing and performing for kids of ALL ages. They are prolific songwriters and have Gold and Platinum records for their work. Daughter Bree, who often sings with Bongo and the Point, is a freelance artist as well as musician. You will find Bongo and the Point almost every Saturday (for lunch) at Victor’s NY Deli in Lindale. www.bongoandthepoint.com 903-570-8859

Page 08 - July 2011

Mary Ruff Garden Angels, created by Mary Ruff, are engaging sculptural forms with ornamentation of roses, foliage, footprints, deer tracks, and wings. Her clay work statuary embodies her Cherokee roots and captures the senses that induce feelings of peace, calm and quiet. Varying sizes, different clays (Blackjack clay- indigenous to the Marshall area, terracotta, and buff) are glazed and pit/smoke-fired using various woods, wood shavings and other materials that can cause color flashing to contribute to surprising and unique results. marerose7@yahoo.com

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artists Kendazia Green STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Ten-year old Kendazia Green, a fourth grader at Dixie Elementary School in Tyler, is one of the original FLY KiDS dancers. She says, “I like to dance because it expresses a lot of my feelings. When I am frustrated, I will dance hard and fast. When I need to be calm, I like to dance around in my room like a ballerina. I love dancing with FLY KiDS, and I have made some great friends with the same passion I have. We get to perform at different places, and we get to meet some really cool hip-hop dancers like our teachers at FLY KiDS summer camp. It is really cool and fun. I have had many favorite experiences, but the one that tops the list was going to competition and getting to see many different styles of dance. My favorite FLY KiDS piece is “Thriller!” I am really into the zombie thing, and it was fun to act like a zombie that does hip-hop. Everyone knows how to dance to it and wants to join us. I really love Michael Jackson. And I love dancing to Eminem. He has attitude just like me.” Every FLY KiDS dancer must create a solo and be ready to perform it. “In my solo, I do k-kicks, the moonwalk, cartwheels, and freezes. They are hard but fun to do.” On what Kendazia has learned, “I now understand how much hard work it is to perform. It really isn’t as easy as it looks. I’ve learned how to work as a team. I’ve learned really cool kicks and freezes. I’ve also learned self-control. I have ADHD and asthma, and FLY KiDS has helped me release some of my energy into dance. I just dance and dance and dance. It also has helped to control my breathing while dancing. I don’t think I have had to use my inhaler but one or two times. My doctor has noticed the difference in my breathing tests. It has really improved.” More on the FLY KiDS and its summer camp at www.flykids.net.

Joe Dan Boyd

Tami Hix

Joe Dan, also known as “The Ukulele Man”, performs authentic old-time country ballads and songs about the rural agrarian lifestyle. He accompanies himself on 4-string ukuleles ranging from standard (soprano) to concert, tenor and baritone models. His preference is for larger-bodied ukes including jumbo baritone uke (a converted 1920s Stella tenor guitar) and bass uke (a converted 1931 Martin plectrum guitar.) Joe Dan also performs with a 1934 Martin 0-17 six-string guitar, but he discovered quality ukuleles in 1961 and was hooked. Joe Dan is past-president of Winnsboro Center for the Arts and has performed at venues in East Texas including Crossroads and Art & Espresso. His song and story DVD, Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues, is available at Winnsboro Emporium, and his CD of vocals with ukulele is available from the artist.

Tami Hix was born in Pasadena, Texas and has been inspired by music as far back as she can remember. Some of her earliest influences were Dolly Parton, Elvis, Barbara Mandrell, Crystal Gail. She started singing around 7 years old and sang with her portable record player learning every song she could. She has a choir background since her sixth grade year. She has mostly been inspired to sing country, enjoys other genres, but country, she swears, is in her soul. Tami is vivacious with lots of energy and tenderness which comes through in the music she performs. She picked up the guitar in 2003, has mainly been self-taught, and swears she will never put it down. She’s been writing since 2005 and writes and sings the songs that come from her life experiences. She sings of love, sarcasm, broken hearts, forgiveness, family, happiness, and expresses her vulnerability in every note. Her newly released CD called Tami Hix can be found at CDBaby.com, iTunes, Amazon.com and MySpace. Look her up.

Contact Joe Dan by email joedan@joedanboyd.com or go to his website at www.joedanboyd.com.

Embrace Quartet “Embrace the world in song, that’s what we say! We are a 4-part harmony ladies barbershop quartet from East Texas. Our sound includes pop, 50’s/60’s, country, spiritual, or rock… so we have a song for you. We’ve been together since November 2010 when our newest member, tenor Brenda Buck, joined the group. Within 4 months we were singing on stage at a regional competition in Dallas, Texas. We don’t waste any time, because our passion is spreading joy one note at a time. Lead for the group, Myrna Cashatt says, ‘It’s like planting seeds, you drop a note here and there and before you know it, you have a field of music!’ In the few short months together, we have performed Singing Valentines to dozens of unsuspecting folks, been featured on Scene cable TV show of East Texas, and had a spotlight in the Gilmer newspaper. The group consists of Mary Haynes from Texarkana, TX as our group’s bass; Dianne Bernstein from Longview, TX as our group’s baritone; Myrna Cashatt from Mt. Pleasant, TX as our group’s lead; and Brenda Buck from East Mountain, TX as the group’s tenor. Together we have over 150 years singing experience stretching from small group praise teams, solo performers, to stage rock bands. Our life experiences with music adds to the richness of our group’s total personality.” brenda_buck@sbcglobal.net

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July 2011 - Page 09

art Near and Far at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts The annual East Texas Regional Artists’ Exhibit will open July 9 at the Longview Museum of Art. The exhibit, Near and Far, features seven artists who have lived in or live near East Texas. Included will be painters Shirley Blackman, Connie Connally, Tony Reans, and Beverly Sheveland; stone sculptor Stacy Deslatte; clay artist Dennis O’Bryant; and photographer Jimmy Salmon. The exhibit runs through August 27. www.lmfa.org 215 E. Tyler St. 112 W. Methvin • Longview, TX 75601 By Appointment Only 903-452-2068 • downtownflooringgallery.com

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news Gold Leaf Gallery Opens “Oriental Works Old & New” Gold Leaf Gallery in Tyler opened an exhibit titled “Oriental Works Old & New” on June 20 at their Broadway gallery. The exhibit features the works of four artists: Becky Martin, Japanese fish prints (gyotaku); Barbara Walls, Oriental scrolls and collage; Jan Statman, Koi Pond, Chinese Shawl; and Ruth Drayer, Sacred Symbols in Color and Texture Series. Also at the gallery is a worldy collection of Asian art and porcelain antiques. The exhibit will run through July 9.

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“Going With The Flow” at P’s Gallery “Going With The Flow” is the name of the latest group exhibition to appear at Paula Davis’ P’s Gallery in Longview. The showing features work by Danny Guire, Alex Waltrip, Matt Stevens, Derrick White, Bart Soutendijk, Cathy Hegman, Ellen Soffer, and Mark Merrill. Their work will be on display at P’s, 712 Glencrest, through July 29.

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art The Surreal Life of Jan Statman by Amanda Retallack Trying to describe what is happening in a Jan Statman piece is like attempting to retell a dream. There are vivid scenes — but it is difficult to know where to begin. Instead, one may surrender to mundane generalizations, claiming it to be about deep loss or vibrant sunshine, or maybe a little of both? Using the same broad terms, the work of Jan Statman is fluid, imaginative, uninhibited, and undeniably surrealism at work. Just days ago, she finished her favorite piece, and it props proudly on a tall easel in her studio. Now, Jan sits at her dining room table in her Longview home and unabashedly describes her masterpiece. “As an artist, the painting you love most is the one you’ve just finished that’s standing on your easel,� Jan said. “I say with all humility: It’s drop dead gorgeous. It was a lifetime in the making.� She smiles as she describes the piece, which she has yet to name — though a close friend of hers says it looks something akin to a wedding scene. “My art is non-objective; people see what they want to see,� Jan explains. “If you see a wedding, it’s your wedding. If you see birds flying, those are your birds, not mine.� Isn’t that surreal? Wearing a bright green top, royal blue pants, and lipstick the color of raspberry sorbet, Jan seems to have been born from a colorful pattern in her work. As a matter of fact, the beautiful metal pendant hanging from her neck has the inscription, “Life is short. Art is long.� “It’s not simply a nice piece of jewelry, it’s something I really believe,� Jan said. “A work of art is not simply something pretty to be admired and then forgotten. People create art to record the time in which they live. Art becomes the clear mirror that reflects the truths of civilization.� Her acrylic and watercolor blends of hues result in spiritual and transformational scenes that, if stared at for any matter of time, can take you away and leave you with a feeling of nostalgia, though

you may not be sure just why. “I can do really realistic things, I just don’t want to. I find them boring,� Jan said. “What I really want my work to have is an inner light and a sort of energy. If that inner light reaches the viewer and shines on them and gives them a sense of life or excitement or a feeling of goodness, that’s what I’m trying to accomplish. A person may not know why they like my art. They just like it.� Although she is product of university schooling, having studied at Hunter College in New York City, Jan admits that her talent was something that she has nurtured since she could pick up a colored pencil. “I’ve always wanted to be a painter,� she recalls. “When I was very small, my parents had lots of get togethers at the house with friends. They’d tell me to take some Crayons and make some pictures, and I’d come back in the room and sell them to my parents’ friends for a penny. I’m still doing the same thing I was doing when I was four years old.� Fast forward many years later, and Jan is, in fact, living her dream. She married her Prince Charming, Max Statman, raised three children who are grown and successful in their own right, and she’s bringing art to the people — for more than a penny a piece. “If you’re an artist, it’s a passion that you must pursue; I didn’t have a choice in the matter,� Jan said. “As an artist, you don’t have a choice of whether or not to paint any more than you have the choice of the color of your eyes.� And so, with this gift she paints everything from the recognizable to the abstract, though she describes her work as surrealism. She explained that surrealism is art that grows from the deepest images of the mind; dreams weave themselves into our walking lives. The unreal background of what we all recognize as reality.

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art & news “It’s surrealism that reaches the part of a viewer that is just under his or her unconscious mind. It touches something subconsciously,” she adds. Another important part of Jan’s work is her use of color and light. Sometimes, as in one of her series of works, “Mother Earth Series,” the paintings are created in muted earth colors of browns and greens. At other times, as in her “Santa Fe Series,” the colors become so vibrant they appear to reach out and float right off the canvas. “Ideally, I want my paintings to look as though they glow with an inner light,” she says. “I want them to have a ‘heart of wisdom’ that seems to shine from the canvas right into the viewer’s imagination. I want to give them so much energy that they can no more ignore the feelings than they could ignore another person who might be standing in the room with you.”

Jan is many things: a teacher, an author, a director, a playwright … and the list continues. While she is successful and shines at all that she does, “an artist” might just be her favorite hat to wear. Her award-winning paintings are owned by public and private collections around the globe, including the Museum of Contemporary Art; Alto Aragon en Huesca, Spain; and the Civic Museum of Contemporary Art, Sasso Ferrato, Italy. Her large acrylic painting “Between Somewhere and the Other Hills” was purchased by the Junior League of Longview to be a part of the permanent collection of the Longview Museum of Arts. She is also listed as part of Who’s Who in American Art. Locally, Jan’s work can also be seen at P’s Gallery and Art Gallery 100 in Longview and at the Gold Leaf Gallery in Tyler.

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Take 2 Classic Rock Band to perform with Tyler Youth Orchestra Take 2 Classic Rock Band will take the stage of Tyler Junior College’s Wise Auditorium along with the Tyler Youth Orchestra for a live summer concert Saturday, July 9th at 8:00PM. Concert-goers will be treated to a night of Classic Rock songs from the 60’s, 70s, and 80s as well as some more recently popular hits chosen by the band and the orchestra conductor, Ryan Ross, of Dallas. The event promises to provide a rare and unique musical entertainment experience in a classic style that people of all ages and music appreciations will enjoy. Television celebrity Bryan Houston of CBS 19 of Tyler will be the host of the evening. All proceeds will benefit The Tyler Youth

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Orchestra in their activities and purchase of new percussion equipment. Mentoring Minds organization of Tyler also will be matching all ticket proceeds with a dollar-for-dollar donation to the Tyler Youth Orchestra. Tickets are $15 each and available through pre-sale only at Centerstage Music of Tyler, Tatum Music of Tyler and Longview, and online at www. take2band.com. No tickets will be sold at the door. Wise Auditorium doors will open at 7:00PM.

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music Truffula Tree by LaDawn Fletcher East Texas is known for its fertile ground. Coming up with a sound as lush as anything grown here, Truffula Tree is bearing fruit in the local and regional music scene. Guitarist Cody Sowell, bassist Steven Mitchell, drummer Mike Hill and vocalist Seth Lord have made the most of the 16 months they have been playing together with the band. Their alternative rock sound resonates with music lovers and musicians, and as their exposure increases, so does their fan base. Regular gigs around East Texas have paved the way for dates at Trees in Dallas and Aardvarks in Fort Worth. Bubbling over just beneath the thin veneer of cynicism, the band members protectively wear a palpable excitement about what is in store for them. With a sound like theirs, it is safe to say, big things await them. Truffula Tree fans are devoted and enthusiastic. “They spread our information on Facebook; they help us load in and out at shows,” says the band. “They believe in what we are doing and come out all the time to support us.” To keep in touch with their fans, the band members are prodigious users of social media. Their Facebook status is constantly updated with upcoming performances and calls to action to vote for the band in online and radio contests. Their internet presence, shepherded by Hill on sites like ReverbNation in addition to Facebook, help propel them toward a bigger spotlight while still keeping them accessible to their fans. Their most recent CD, Beautiful Delusional, brims with radio friendly fare, particularly obvious now because of heavy rotation on 102.1 FM The Edge. While easily an indication of what the band can do, Beautiful Delusional doesn’t tell the whole story. To get that, you have to be there—in the audience, soaking up the sound, reveling in the feeling. Their live vibe is that of fun exploration coupled with serious musical introspection. The band relishes the cross-genre appeal they have at live shows. “Country people like us, metal people like us, big biker looking metal fans will rock with us,” says Hill. At a recent rehearsal way out in the boonies on the outskirts of the outskirts of Tyler, Mitchell, Lord, Sowell and Hill attacked their set list with a ferocity one would expect to see at an actual show. The floor shook, and the sound of guitars, drums and keyboards ricocheted off the walls. Short interruptions to refine a song or tweak the tempo never interfered with the kinetic flow and energy in the room.

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Obviously in his element, Sowell closed his eyes, tilted his head back rocking to the beat, sweat dripping down him while a brown boxer, oblivious to the pulsing sound, paced back and forth looking for a comfortable spot to curl up into. The songs, written and sung primarily by Lord, are haunting, catchy and melodic with a rocker’s edge. He wields his voice deftly—coaxing emotions out of every cut. Volume, stock and trade for all rock bands, only amplifies their abilities. Lord’s vocal technique is all the more amazing considering he began singing lead out of necessity. Even when the band started several years ago with some of Seth’s high school buddies, they struggled to find lead singers. “I sometimes sang at church,” says Lord, the only original member, “but I never had visions of fronting a rock band.” Admittedly awkward at first as he navigated both the instrument in his hands and his voice, he eventually found his niche, and the sound is readily identifiable as Truffula Tree. It is that sound that sets them apart. At a talent showcase in Denton, Truffula Tree left the judges speechless - in a good way. The performance led them to a veteran Grammy-winning producer who worked with them on their current CD. The five song compilation sells briskly at shows and has seen movement on iTunes. Lord’s voice, both literally and figuratively, is what guides the band. “It’s what distinguishes us,” says Mitchell. “As a bass player, I can practice and practice and practice some more, and that practice will make me better. But a singer can either sing or he can’t. If he can sing, he can practice and improve, but if he can’t sing, no amount of practicing is going to make it better.” All Truffula Tree wants to do is create and play music. They’d do it just for themselves, but they really enjoy doing it for you. They rightly believe that given the opportunity, a casual listener is destined to be appreciative and more than likely, will even become a fan. Music lovers who support the local scene are in for a treat when they take a few moments to sit under the Truffula Tree. Upcoming performances: Sat., July 9, Side Pocket Lounge, Kilgore, TX Fri., July 22, Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX Sat., July 30, Curtain Club, Dallas, TX

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This month’s lyric is from a song written and performed by a great songwriter from Alabama, Pierce Pettis. While this may not be one of his best known songs, it certainly gets this month’s point across in an elegant and poetic way. I highly recommend you check out his wonderful body of work at www.piercepettis.com. . If you are reading this column, then you can safely assume that I have had a bad month. I am actually writing it in March of 2010 with hopes that it will never be needed. This column is to be my hold back in the unlikely case that I can’t write for a while. However, since you are reading this, things aren’t going so well in my writing world. It seems I have caught the dreaded disease of writer’s block. Writer’s block is shorthand in my case for lack of inspiration, focus and passion to write something worth keeping. Nothing seems to move me to write. I am not alone with this malady. All artists face this at one time or other, but knowing I have lots of company doesn’t help much. I use the title, “I Am Nothing,” because frankly, that is how it makes me feel. As an artist who creates, losing the ability to create, even temporarily, seems to take my identity with it. Leaving me with that “nothing” feeling. As an artist, I have found it best to leave the subject of “where does it come from” alone. When it is flowing, it feels to me like having a radio tuned in perfectly. When that happens, it really does feel as if an “angel” is whispering in my ear. The creative signals are strong, and I am sure of myself, I know exactly what I want to say, and most importantly, it feels as if it is coming from outside of myself. However, most of the time, for me, it is more like listening to a distant station that has a lot of static. It is a little hard to follow, and I have to work really hard to fill in the blanks. In that case, the results almost never seem to live up to what I had hoped. Lets face it, many artists, including myself, are not confident about where the next inspiration is going to come from. I often feel that every song I write is the last I will ever write. But then, lightning strikes, and here comes another one. You would think I could simply have a little faith. The great Oklahoma songwriter, Kevin Welch, once said, “Sometimes you are on input and sometimes you are on output.” I think that captures the truth of writing. Sometimes, I simply need to absorb what is happening around me: read a novel, go to a party, hang with a friend, take a nap, take a walk, whatever activity I find relaxing. I also find that physical exercise is a useful tool in getting the juices flowing again. My body is busy and my mind suddenly clears and everything comes into focus.

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Antiques I have found that walking away from a particularly troublesome writing problem often helps. By letting it simmer in my subconscious, the answer often comes to me, whole and complete. A few years ago, I was working on a song which was completed with the exception of a catchy and focused bridge. I must have written 20 bridges to that song, and none of them worked. Then one day, I was taking a shower before a show when I started singing the unfinished song with no agenda in mind. The next thing I knew I was singing a bridge complete with melody. I don’t know where it came from. It was perfect for the song, yet it really didn’t feel like I wrote it. I sang the song without thinking, and the bridge appeared complete - like I copied it from someone else. I guess the angel whispered in my ear again. There are a million articles out there with a million methods for getting rid of writer’s block, each one containing exercises and tools to get you back in the groove of writing. But I am here to tell you the only thing that consistently works for me is to have faith it will come again, to be patient and don’t force it. It may take a week, a month, or even a year, but if you are simply patient and enjoy life, I promise you that angel will reappear once again. Remember, you are still an artist even if you haven’t completed a work in a while. Don’t let the absence of inspiration make you feel as if you are nothing. This column is intended to be the first in a series about the problems artists face in pursuing their art. In the upcoming months we will talk about stage fright, balancing family, collaboration and others. This month’s column inspired itself and the rest were suggested by readers. If you have any suggestions for columns, please let me know via: randy@ brownrandy.com If you ever simply get curious about what the heck this rambling old man does, then go to www.reverbation.com/ brownrandy. Listen to a few songs and let me know what you think. See you next issue. Randy Brown is a small business owner and singer/songwriter living in East Texas and has been involved with many sides of the music business over the years, from being a sideman, a sound man, touring songwriter, operating a venue, and a recording studio owner/engineer.

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art Texas College’s Curtis Watson by LaDawn Fletcher Curtis Watson lives and breathes art—painting, sculpture and drawing – he loves it all. As he descends the stairs to the basement level of Texas College’s Glass Center, he is entering his own realm and element. Nestled in a short, narrow hallway are the classroom, workshop and studio where he coaxes students into artists. Texas College, the 117-year-old college located on the north side of Tyler, occupies a rare and lonely place among the other seven private, historically black colleges in Texas. It is the only one that offers a four year degree in Art. To walk the halls of the buildings on the compact campus, carpeted with lush green grass, is to time travel through several decades of creative expression on canvas. Lining the walls of the sparse but immaculate student center are carefully crafted works left by students who have since gone on to careers in graphic design and education, among other things. “We ask each student to leave a piece,” says Watson. After 30 years at the college, he’s seen many promising students flourish and sometimes flounder. “They fall in love,” he says with a roll of his eyes and a short snort of laughter. “Not that that’s a bad thing,” he recovers quickly. But still, he knows that to succeed as an artist you have to truly love and be dedicated to the profession.

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It’s something that was drummed into him as a student in the 1970s at Texas Southern University, a public historically black institution. Famed artist, John Biggers, founded the program and carefully tended to its flock of burgeoning students. Biggers was a constant source of encouragement and admonishment when needed for the up and coming artists. In his classroom he explored the rigors of the craft and also life in general. When Watson graduated from the program in 1970, he took Biggers’ philosophy which was, by now, ingrained in him, and he instills it in the students he teaches. Watson’s rapport with students is what sustains him day to day, but the connections he has forged outside of the classroom have also widened the exposure of the program and his students. The Tyler art community has embraced Texas College. Tyler’s Main Street Gallery, for which Watson serves on the advisory board, feels especially honored to have him and his students. “He is a truly exceptional person, and we are happy to know him,” says Beverly Abell, Executive Director for the Main Street Gallery. “We admire his dedication to Texas College and the Arts program there.” The lone graduate from Texas College’s art program this year, Liliana Galaviz, was selected to have her photography featured in the Director’s Office at the gallery. Some of the same photos were also a part of her senior show required for graduation. In the more than 30 years that Watson has been at the college, he has still managed to tend to his own artistic ambitions, although not as much as he would like to. As he contemplates retirement, that is on the list of things he’d do once he leaves the classroom. A few of his pieces stand large and imposing in the workrooms of his department space. One mixed media piece on canvas looms in a sparse room, drawing in the eye with colors, patterns and shapes that take you on a journey of your own. Watson eyes it critically, “It’s not quite finished yet.” He may as well be speaking of his work at the college. The department he has helped build is small in numbers but growing in stature. Under his skillful tutelage, the hope and expectation is that even more students will embark on the introspective yet expressive journey that will lead them across the stage at graduation and into the world as an artist of note.

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theater Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players by Jan Statman Looking forward to their twenty-third season, Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players is one of the oldest continuously performing theater companies in East Texas. They have provided live theater in the form of large and small musical productions, drama, comedies, dinner theater, professional performances and even talent shows for amateurs. It all began back in the early Spring of 1989 when Marcia Thomas and Lucille Terry had a serious conversation. Their town had carefully positioned itself as a historical tourist destination. Between 1845 and 1872, the river port of Jefferson was the Queen of the Bayou. It was the sixth largest city in Texas with a population reported to have exceeded 30,000. Now a community of approximately 2,200, the picturesque city on the Big Cypress Bayou promised tourists a journey back through time to experience the bustling 19th century river port’s days of prosperity and wealth. Visitors could walk the old brick streets, see restored buildings and museums, and shop in a variety of antique shops. They could visit hundreds of authentic historic landmarks and wellpreserved Greek-Revival style homes. They could imagine themselves in an earlier, more gracious day of Southern charm and romance. Visitors were told that if they closed their eyes, they could almost hear echoes of the whistles as the steamboats pulled into port from Saint Louis or New Orleans. Tourists and townspeople could not, however, hope to participate in the busy cultural life the city once enjoyed. Back in its long-ago heyday, Jefferson was a center of sophistication and entertainment. Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Terry were determined that the town would again strive to reach that goal. They saw the need to revive and expand the cultural arts, and they were committed to doing something about it. The first thing they did was to produce the blockbuster musical, Hello Dolly! This was no small accomplishment, because they started the production with no lighting, no costumes, no curtains and, worst of all, no stage. They were thrilled to receive a $5,000 grant from the City of Jefferson. It seemed like a vast fortune, but it was a relatively small amount compared to what is normally needed to stage a large musical production. With the help of donations, accommodations and dedicated volunteers who gave freely of their time and effort not only in acting but also in physical labor, they were able to accomplish what they set out to do. Volunteers did everything from fashioning stage curtains to producing a homemade light board, and that first show did go on. They not only played to enthusiastic, standing room only audiences, but ticket sales repaid almost all their expenses. Giddy with success and filled with enthusiasm and energy, it was only four months later that they produced another major musical, The Wizard of Oz.

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They have continued to bring live performances to Jefferson, including Driving Miss Daisy, The Music Man, Oklahoma, Bye Bye Birdie, Harvey, The King and I, Steel Magnolias, Gypsy and a host of others. In keeping with their desire to educate young people, the group decided to offer a scholarship for graduating seniors. The scholarship is based on grade point averages and test scores. Preference, of course, goes to those who wish to enter a theater program and pursue the theater arts. During 2008 and 2009, the Jefferson Opera House Theatre Players’ 20th anniversary season was dedicated to Mary Rodgers Guettell, the Broadway writer who was the composer of “Once Upon a Mattress” and the daughter of the much-loved composer and musical genius Richard Rodgers. Ms. Guettell was so charmed by the idea that a small community theater in East Texas was producing her father’s work, she made a generous donation in support of the Opera House Theater Players. It is interesting to know the Opera House Theatre Players do not actually have an opera house in which to play. They are a roving theater. Since they do not have a permanent home, they have performed in such locations as the historic library, school auditoriums, churches, and even in the courthouse parking lot! The lack of a permanent theater can be exciting, but it can also be a handicap to a theatrical company, because it becomes necessary to pay for storage of costumes, scenery and props, and for labor to continuously install and remove lighting, curtains and other theatrical requirements. Even though expenses are high, their philosophy has always been that live performances should be accessible to everybody, rich or poor. Because of this, they insist upon keeping ticket prices low at $15 for adults and $10 for children under twelve. Slightly higher ticket prices are only charged for special productions. As the final event of the 2010-2011 season, this summer’s musical is The Sound of Music performed at the Russell Building. Performances are at 7:30 pm July 1, 2 and 4 and 3:00, July 3. True to the show business saying that ”The Show Must Go On,” Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players have managed to overcome light board failures, musical mishaps, pixies in the sound system, the dread scourge of laryngitis, and many of the difficulties that are well recognized as the life story of a Community Theater. Artistic director Marcia Thomas says, “The 23rd Season will start with the glamour of Always, Patsy Cline which is scheduled one night only, 7:30 Saturday, September 3rd during the Labor Day Weekend.” It will be at the Jefferson Transportation/Tourist building. It is a fitting tribute to a theater legend by a legendary community theater.

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Off Hwy 8, and not far from Hwy 155 in Linden, Texas sits an old brick building in the middle of sprawling trees, huge shrubbery and a large open field. Originally built as an American Legion Hall around 1948, it was renovated in 2003, and in its “rebirth” became known as the Music City Texas Theater. I had never been there before this weekend, but you can rest assured that I will become a regular visitor and supporter! Linden is about an hour from where I live. It’s a small community of about 2,500 people deep in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas, and like many other “never heard of it” communities, Linden indeed has its treasures. Texas is home to many great musicians and artists. For Linden, Texas, two of her famous sons would include Don Henley - singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Eagles and Aaron Thibeaux Walker - affectionately known as “T-Bone,” a singer and songwriter as well as a multi-talented musician with the guitar, piano, banjo, ukulele, violin and the mandolin. T-Bone Walker (1910-1975) is actually considered to be one of the most influential people in American music and is credited with being the first musician to ever record the blues playing an electric guitar. Many of our other great blues & jazz singers (Chuck Berry, B.B. King & Jimi Hendrix) credit T-Bone for helping to develop their own style of music, and in 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked T-Bone Walker #47 in their list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Having said all of that brings me to this, my attendance at the 6th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest in Linden. The festival is an annual event in this tiny community that showcases some of the best blues musicians in the country while inviting “newcomer” artists to share their talent and passion for this great music style that is slowly becoming lost in our fast changing and “techno” world. Fourteen artists, some of whom performed both days, took to the stages at this years’

event. Nonstop music at a large outdoor stage was in place with performances coinciding with others inside the theater. Somewhat new to the business and young in age was the Matthew Davidson Band. I’m told that young Matthew is only thirteen years old, but you would never know it as he has been playing guitar since age three. He works that slide guitar like nobody’s business and yes, has already learned how to “work” a crowd! The Ominous Anonymous took the outdoor stage on Friday as the sun was going down, and the crowd was ready for them. A nonstop hour of blistering drums and guitar licks had the audience wanting more, and they soon got it. The Alan Fox Band stepped on stage, and it was only minutes before Alan Fox and Donnie Pendleton had the crowd on their feet as they punished those guitar strings with their own style of Texas Blues, resulting in incredible sound! Inside the Music Theater, Omar Shariff mesmerized the audience with his keyboard and vocals. Having spent the last 35 years performing, recording and world wide touring, Mr. Shariff could easily be considered a legend in the world of blues having played with Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters and one of my all time favorites, the great Nina Simone! Now living in Marshall, Texas (considered to be the birthplace of “Boogie Woogie”), Omar recently relocated from the west coast. Accompanied by drummer & vocalist Billy J. Morris, he kept the crowd spellbound with their soulful melodies. We were not ready for their performance to end, but there was STILL more great music to come! Bill Lynch & the Midwestern Icons are from Los Angeles. A Kansas Music Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Lynch is so smooth in the way he pulls those guitar strings you can’t take your eyes off of him! Along with James Gadson (a blues legend himself) on the drums, and Rick Moors on the bass, Bill entertained us for a solid hour.

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music These guys are incredible musicians and have in the past performed with Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Didley, Bonnie Raitt and the great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Due to an illness, Honeyboy Edwards (who is now 96 years young) didn’t make the Blues Fest this year. It was a disappointment, but Louisiana Red stepped in for Honeyboy, and Red was awesome! Also a legend in the world of blues music, Louisiana Red has an incredible resume, having played with just about every great blues musician. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his albums and work. Matt Schofield took the stage to close out the entertainment for Friday. Strangely enough, Matt has a style uniquely his own blending a rare combination of blues, rock and something he calls “New Orleans funk!” Being British, Matt has a huge following overseas, and in 2010 was awarded Guitarist of the Year AND Album of the Year in that country. Yes, Matt, like every other entertainer I saw that night, played his heart out for us. At the end of the night all I could think of was what an incredible day of music I had just witnessed, and we still had tomorrow! It was another hot day Saturday, both in temperature and performances. The Peterson Brothers Band started off the day and quickly captured the hearts of those in attendance. When Buddy Flett took the stage, he asked Glen Peterson to stay with him, stating to the audience that the young musicians were the future of blues music. No surprise that the youngster had a somewhat shocked look on his face as Flett said, “I’m in the key of G, just follow along and you’ll get it.” Wow, well the young man did and the two of them gave the audience a great show. Buddy started playing professionally in 1975 and has performed at every T-Bone Walker Blues Fest! Buddy Flett is an accomplished musician, and his resume reads like: “Wow, he’s done all that?” He was a founding member of A-Train, a hugely successful blues and R&B band in the 70’s and 80’s and has written songs for many of the great ones, including Percy Sledge. Bobbie Oliver & Jam City Revue made us all forget about the heat outside. Dressed in his suit and tie with a harmonica around his neck, Bobbie entertained us with his vocals, musical style and antics as he walked among the crowd while performing. When DieDra & the Ruff Pro Band took the indoor stage, the temperature continued to rise giving us yet another great musical performance. That girl’s got some blues in her and can sing! The Ezra Charles Band had the ground shaking when they took the outdoor stage. With Ezra pounding away on the piano and vocals and a band consisting of drums, trumpet, guitars, and trombone with a mix of awesome harmonies, the crowd was treated to a solid show of nonstop boogie-woogie, blues and entertainment. And then there was Robin & the Bluebirds! I do not want to take away from any of the entertainment, as each and every performance this weekend was great. It was a weekend full of great music entertainment, but I must say that as a photographer I have never captured in my camera a more soulful performance than that of Robin Black. It was awe inspiring as was the entire performance by the band with so much talent on guitars, drums & trumpet. With Jerry Beach on vocals and guitar, Bruce Flett on bass, Zeke on the drums and “Dirty Redd” owning that trumpet, it was truly first class entertainment. Yes, a great weekend of music and entertainment, but there were also a lot of vendors with good food and beverage in addition to the usual things you find at any large event. I must comment on the fact that not any time did I witness or hear of anyone getting out of control or into trouble. That’s noteworthy, as this festival is truly a family event. It was so exciting to see so many people with their children, introducing a new generation to a music style that so many have enjoyed for years. I also want to mention the Pleasant Hill Quilting Group. A group of fine ladies who took the stage and through their costume and quilting demonstration provided us with a history lesson on the Underground Railroad Quilt Code and how slaves used those codes to escape to freedom. It was fascinating, so much so that I watched their program both times! I am already ready for next year, but we will have to wait! Hopefully, I will see some of you there as well. One thing’s for sure, those in attendance will be treated to the best blues music there is to be had, and it’s right here in Linden, Texas!

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July 2011 - Page 19

news Texas Commision of the Arts by LaDawn Fletcher ,I \RX OLNH OLYH PXVLF \RX ZLOO ORYH :LQQVERUR -D]] EOXHV FRXQWU\ IRON $PHULFDQD 6LJQ XS IRU RXU IUHH :HHNHQG 3ODQQHU WR VHH ZKDWÂśV KDSSHQLQJ LQ WRZQ ZZZ ZLQQVERURRQOLQHJXLGH FRP %HVW 6PDOO 7RZQ 'RZQWRZQ Ăą %HVW /DNHVLGH 7RZQ

Live Music 2nd Saturdays July 9 – Dale Cummings August 13 – Matt Tolentino September 10 – Clearly Vocal

8QFOH -RKQ¡V &RIIHHKRXVH Join us for coffee, dessert, and great music! J.O.Y Hall, 1st United Methodist Church 406 E. Lane St. • Quitman 903-763-4127 Tickets available at the door or church ofďŹ ce. Doors open at 6:30 • Show starts at 7:00 Admission $7/adults • $5/students

Production of

As the 82nd Texas legislative session came to a close, the Texas Commission on the Arts found itself coming to grips with a 50% reduction in funding that will require the elimination of a third of its 18 full-time positions. “Unfortunately, it was as we expected,� says Texas Commission on the Arts Executive Director, Dr. Gary Gibbs. Gibbs also knows that it could have been much worse. Governor Rick Perry made his intentions clear during his State of the State address in February by recommending that the state “...suspend non-missioncritical entities like the Historical Commission or the Commission on the Arts until the economy improves.� Even when economic times are booming, there is a segment of the population that doesn’t see the benefit of funding the arts, so as Texas joins the rest of the nation in a round of belt tightening that leaves even the most seasoned queasy, it is easy to understand the apprehension felt by TCA. “Nationally and locally, austerity measures that target the arts are tempting,� says Gibbs, “but research shows that there are many advantages to supporting the arts that far surpass our meager investment.� Studies have repeatedly indicated that arts education strongly and positively impacts both academic and personal achievement, particularly in disadvantaged populations. They also indicate that the skills required for innovative occupations are often mirrored in K-12 arts curriculum. Faced with a gaping $27 billion shortfall in the budget, studies and statistics were not convincing enough. Gibbs monitored the legislative session closely, never giving up hope, but wary given the economic and

political climate. The budget blow is crushing but, mercifully, calls to de-fund the commission in it’s entirety went unheeded. Had that gained traction, things would be much worse. Across the state, artists and the organizations and groups that support them will feel the pinch. They are likely to see a reduction in the size of grants, and perhaps more damning, a reduction in services. Grant funding grabs the most attention, but some of the most crucial work done by the commission has very little to do with direct funding. Nonprofit arts organizations, even those that do not receive grant funding, rely on TCA’s expertise on subjects such as fundraising, community development, grant writing, and strategic planning. Organizations made up of artists often know plenty about their field, but efficiency on the operations side is greatly improved after partnering with TCA. The specific positions to be eliminated have not been determined, but cuts are expected across the board, and as such, it is safe to assume that there will be fewer staff members to provide technical assistance. Gibbs does not know if the Commission will fund the same number of artists and organizations at a lower level, or if they will award fewer grants at the same funding level. He stresses that grant funding from the state has had the greatest impact as leverage for funding from private sources. “It is like the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,� he emphasizes. A reduction in funding does not change that. TCA will carry on to the best of its ability. It has to. An estimated 2.2 million Texans benefit from programs and services made possible through TCA.

Tyler Civic Chorale presents “Let Freedom Ring� Music by

Alan Menken Lyrics by

Howard Ashman and Tim Rice Book Adapted and Additional Lyrics by

Jim Luigs Music Adapted and Arranged by

Bryan Louiselle

For its fourth annual patriotic concert, “Let Freedom Ring,� the Tyler Civic Chorale has assembled a massed choir, the acappella jazz group Clearly Vocal, and a sixvoice choral reading ensemble to lead East Texans in observing the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The event will be held at Tyler’s First Presbyterian Church Monday, July 4, with doors open at 3:15 p.m. The concert begins at 4:00. The 90-minute concert is free to the public. Led by the Chorale’s artistic director, Donald Duncan, the 45-voice Chorale will be joined in traditional patriotic music by singers from Pollard United Methodist Church

and First Presbyterian Church. Guest artists include the quintet, Clearly Vocal, and six readers directed by Evelyn McLane. The readers, who will present cuttings from Ms. McLane’s compilation of stirring words, “In Their Own Words: Excerpts from Great American Speeches,� include Freddie Blacksher, Kat Cloos, Jim McLane, Stephen Rainwater, Frances Whiteside, and Ms. McLane. The First Presbyterian Church is located at 230 West Rusk Street in Tyler. For more information visit tylercivicchorale.org or clearlyvocal.com.

Based on the Screenplay by

Ron Clements and John Musker Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio

JULY 28-30 & AUGUST 4-6 8:00 PM • TICKETS $10 225/227 MAIN ST. • SULPHUR SPRINGS For Reservations Call

(903) 885-0107

Auditions for our next production: Arsenic and Old Lace August 8-10, 2011 • 7:00 pm • 225 Main St. • Sulphur Springs Cast Requirements: 11 Male/3 Female • Directed by David Woody

Page 20 - July 2011

Learning opportunities around the Piney Woods Glass Garden Stained Glass Studio classes, Longview - 903.231.0201 Create Art offering clay, clay silver (custom jewelry), canvas, bisque ware and glass classes, Longview - 903.212.5252 Kilgore College Continuing Education Department offering art, watercolor, oil painting and drawing classes, Longview - 903.753.2642 Tyler Museum of Art: Family Day July 9th and August 13th. Free admission to exhibit plus art activities offered from 2:00 4:00 p.m., Tyler - 903.595.1001 X212. Longview Museum of Art: Art classes July 5 - August 4 ages K and up. Mosaic, photography. Longview - 903.753.8103.

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theater Theater Spotlight: Texas Shakespeare Festival By Emmitte Hall June kicks off the Silver Anniversary of the Texas Shakespeare Festival (TSF) in Kilgore. What many say is the finest Shakespeare festival in Texas will present two of Shakespeare’s best known plays, the tragedy of Hamlet and the hilarious Taming of the Shrew. The festival this year will also include the musical Ernest in Love based on a play by Oscar Wilde and the British comedy The Beaux’ Stratagem, as well as a children’s play based on Aesop’s Fables. The festival starts on June 30th and runs through August 1st. “This is not Kilgore College students doing Shakespeare in the summer,” says Raymond Caldwell, founding director of the festival. “These are high caliber, trained, professional actors from all over the country.” This year he auditioned over 1500 actors. He went to New York, Los Angeles, Memphis and Texas to find the right actors to be in the festival. Over the years, there have been actors from all fifty states and twelve foreign countries that have come to Kilgore to perform. All are professionals, and cast and crew are all paid for their work at the festival. Preparations start on May 21 when cast and crew arrive in Kilgore; rehearsals start the next day. “We start building sets, creating sound effects, making costumes and rehearsing,” says Caldwell. They will work for five weeks prior to opening night and then the festival runs for five weeks. The grueling schedule is challenging: each actor is in three of the four plays, not counting the children’s play. The actors rehearse the first play for 3 ½ hours in the morning, the second play is rehearsed for 3 ½ hours in the afternoon, and the third play is rehearsed for 3 ½ hours in the evening. The next morning the schedule starts over again with 3 ½ hours work on the fourth play, 3 ½ hours on the first play after lunch, and in the evening 3 ½ hours on the second play. That rehearsal schedule continues until opening night. What started in 1984 as an idea to celebrate Texas Sesquicentennial with a play about Kilgore’s first oil field has grown into one of the largest tourist attractions in East Texas. According to Caldwell, when he was the theater department director at Kilgore Junior College he had a request to write a play about Kilgore’s first oil field based on the book, The Last Boom by James Anthony Clark and Michel T. Halbouty. Caldwell attempted to get interest from the professional and academic acting community but found few actors wanted to come to Kilgore to do “Boomtown theater.” But when he added a few Shakespeare plays, interest grew and in 1986, The Daisy Bradford 3 by Gifford Wingate, and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream played for four nights to a packed house. Over the years, the audiences have grown, and the festival expanded into a revolving repertory theater with matinees and evening performances. This allows theater goers to see all of the plays over the course of the festival. Many new and even longtime residents of East Texas have never attended a performance of the TSF, but Caldwell says he often hears people say that once they have come to one they will never miss another one. The festival has featured over thirty of Shakespeare’s plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Much Ado

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About Nothing, Richard III, Henry IV, The Winter’s Tale, As You Like It, King Lear, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Measure for Measure, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and The Tempest. Musicals have included Camelot, 1776, Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, The Fantasticks and Fiddler on the Roof. Dramas and comedies have included Amadeus, The Glass Menagerie, She Stoops to Conquer, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Misanthrope, The School for Scandal, The Miracle Worker and Harvey. For the children, they have presented Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. This year they will present Aesop’s Fables, including five allegories featuring live actors and puppets. Each year the TSF presents wellknown and hidden jewels of the theater that offer a rare and real treat for theater lovers. The Festival also offers Pre-Show Introductions prior to the Thursday and Friday night performances that give insight into the history of the play, the theater company and the performances. Curtain Call Back invites the audience to meet the actors, set designers, director and production crew after the opening night performance for a question and answer session. The Magical Transformation allows audience members to watch the crew change the set, props and scenes from the weekend matinee performance to the sets for the evening performance in a glimpse of how theater works behind the scenes. They also offer Backstage Tours and Tours of the Shakespeare Garden outside of The Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center. The Stratford Room offers literary and Shakespearean gifts and unique items for auction open during intermission and before and after the play. People interested in becoming involved with the TSF can become a member of the TSF Guild by providing financial contributions as well as volunteering for the festival. Membership has its privileges which include advance ticket purchases, invitations to special events, and a newsletter to stay informed of the TSF activities. The plays are presented at the Van Cliburn Theater inside the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center at 1100 Broadway on the campus of Kilgore Junior College in Kilgore, Texas. Season and individual tickets, maps and driving instructions and other information is available at www.TexasShakepeare.com or by calling 903-983-8601.

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July 2011 - Page 21

art Information for Advertisers Our Mission Statement Locally owned, Piney Woods LIVE is a magazine for art lovers in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Art is defined as a product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. Piney Woods LIVE features articles about and for local artists with the objective of appealing to individuals with an interest in fine art, fine dining, and fine performances. Copies of Piney Woods LIVE are strategically placed where affluent, educated East Texans who want the best out of living can enjoy them. Live is more than an expression of the artist community it serves; it gives discerning readers a blend of in-depth art news, reviews, views on the business of art, as well as information on the artists themselves.

Content Artists may submit up 100 words plus a photo. Art events or venues may submit 300 or so words. All submissions must be in electronic format. Interested freelance writers or photographers should contact randi@pineywoodslive.com with ideas. Piney Woods Live reserves the right to refuse any content not suitable.

Distribution Piney Woods Live is a free publication with subscriptions available. It is distributed in twelve East Texas counties, most heavily in Smith, Gregg, Wood, Harrison, Upshur, Camp, and Franklin counties. An electronic edition is available online at www.pineywoodslive.com. Our subscribers by mail may be anywhere. Our distribution includes friendly saturation in downtown businesses in our coverage area plus museums, wineries, theatres, coffee shops, art galleries, chambers and select businesses and offices to maximize our ability to reach our target audience. We use paid contractors, volunteer footwork, non-profits, chambers, subscribers, advertisers and friends. Contact us at info@pineywoodslive.com to be added as a distribution point or to be a distributor in your area.

Ad Sizes 1/3 Horizontal 10.5 x 3.40 Full Page 10.5 x 10.75

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1/2 Vertical 5.35 x 10.75 1/4 Square 5.20 x 5.35

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Upcoming Deadlines Issue Date August September October

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To Get More Info... To contact an account representative for rates and other information, email info@ pineywoodslive.com or call Melissa at 800-333-3082.

Page 22 - July 2011

Artist’s World by Jan Statman Once upon a time and not so long ago, art in America had true upscale worthwhile snob appeal. Fine art was considered something only the very, extremely, no kidding around super wealthy could enjoy. Art was one of those unreachable, untouchable things. Many people believed that only the wealthy and elite could afford the leisure time to visit galleries and look at art. Only the wealthy had the education needed to enjoy the “higher things” civilization had to offer. Worse than that, they believed that only the “wealthy and important” had enough spare cash to own and live with real works of art. The rest of us were expected to fill our lives and our poor little walls with faded family pictures and brightly colored drugstore calendars. Fortunately, times have changed. Even more fortunate, attitudes have changed. The family pictures now smile at us in living color, and we choose to keep them up there on the wall because we like to look at them. The brightly colored drugstore calendars have been sent to the desktop, or more recently to the computer desktop, to the smart phone, to the only reasonably intelligent phone, the iPad, the myPad, or whatever other electronic device is in style this week. These days, art comes out of the museum and the art gallery. Art is all around us. We see excellent works of art in public buildings, commercial offices, hospitals, restaurants, banks, theaters, and churches. We have come to accept the arts as a regular part of our everyday lives. Communities sponsor the creation of spectacular works of art to be exhibited on public streets and in city parks. Every well-appointed home includes works of art among the chairs and tables of contemporary life. There may be paintings, original prints, art photographs, mosaics, ceramic pieces, or table, wall and floor sculpture in every room or outdoor setting. We like to get up and go out and look at art. East Texas cities sponsor popular Art Walks where people have fun and are entertained while they walk around and purchase art. Attendance at art shows and museums is at an all time high. Museums, schools and recreational facilities offer classes in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and other art forms for amateurs and hobbyists. Artists in major cities have become autograph signing celebrities often followed by paparazzi with cameras flashing. Art enhances our quality of life. Valid works of art can affect our attitudes. A collector hangs one of my father’s large paintings on the wall facing her bed so that it is the first thing she sees when her eyes open in the morning. She says its strength sets the mood for her day. When I was an infant, my parents hung a Japanese print above my crib. I always thought the three elegantly crafted figures were making funny faces at me so that they always made me laugh. At least I thought they were funny faces. It wasn’t until I was grown that I discovered the subject was a famous Japanese play in which the central character was, unfortunately, committing Hari Kari right there before my very eyes. No wonder he made a funny face. That print is most likely what affected my sense of humor. Pessimists think the growing interest in art reflects a growing mistrust for the value of our currency. They consider art to be a sound investment because it is capable of holding its value or even increasing in value. I suppose they think you would have to use one of those heavy gold bars to hit someone over the head, but you could always trade a painting for a loaf of bread. Optimists, on the other hand, look at art as a way to escape from troubled times. They focus on art in order to find their way into the world of fantasy and comfort. The rest of us have happily discarded the old idea that only the elite are permitted to enjoy the arts. When the novelty of buying more and more objects only for the sake of owning more and more objects wears thin, we decide to surround ourselves with what has real value, what we really enjoy. Whatever the explanation, art is here to stay. It knows no economic boundaries. Art exists by virtue of its own virtue. Art is as it has always been - a sound reflection of the days of our lives.

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writing & news Beyond Mere Thoughts by Karen Dean

When I first started writing books, it was like embarking on uncharted territory. What was I supposed to do with all the ideas floating through my mind? I was accustomed to searching the shelves of the public library for books about art, crafts, or cooking, so why not writing? Writer’s Market was the most informative book I found to get started. This annual resource book by Writer’s Digest lists thousands of markets for writers to sell their work to book publishers, magazine editors, greeting card companies, literary agents and much more. Some of Writer’s Digest’s books include Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, Poet’s Market, and Novel and Short Stories Market. Reading the numerous articles in the front of the book was like getting a glimpse of how writers think and handle the creative writing process. While each one’s journey and purpose differs, the goal of sharing their stories with others is the same. The articles are written by authors, illustrators, editors, and literary agents, so you can get a wide perspective of the industry within one book. Since this is an annual publication, the articles and information are always changing. The various market entries include contact information, how to submit work, age level and subject matter consid-

ered, how many submissions they receive and accept in a year, and royalty percentages. Writers’ Digest also has an online version of their market books for a fee. Go to www. WritersMarket.com and click the demo video. There are also market books from other companies such as Christian Writers’ Market Guide by Sally E. Stuart. Especially for a new writer, it’s quite exciting to see the wide range of possible markets to sell what you’ve written. Just by discovering other areas, you can expand your mind to go beyond what you ever considered writing about before. It can be refreshing to step out of the confinement of your box once in a while and explore the vastness beyond your comfort zone. Since so many other people before me stepped out, got published, and are now selling books or articles, I decided, why not me? Two months ago, I took a big risk and emailed a rather lengthy letter about my books to a publisher. He responded in 30 minutes, asking that I mail him all I had. A few days later, I received a call from the Acquisitions Editor. This is highly unusual. It could easily take 2-3 months just to get a simple response. Now, after hard, fast work with edits, writing and illustrating four more verses in rhyme, my children’s book about bullying in schools will be ready in about a month. Sometimes, the bigger the risk, the greater the victory. Stop by next month for a few more writing tips. In addition to being a published author and illustrator of children’s books, Karen Dean is also a Classical Realism portrait painter in oil and watercolor. Visit Karen’s website to view her fine art watercolor and oil painting gallery: www.KarenDeanArtist.com karendean@karendeanartist.com

Starspangled Bluegrass 2011 The Longview Bluegrass Association will present “Starspangled Bluegrass 2011” Saturday, July 2, at the Longview Mall. The event will be the biggest concert of the year for the LBMA and marks the beginning of the 8th year of concert performances for the organization. This free concert will feature three of the finest bluegrass groups in the Piney Woods region: The Blake Brothers, Tin Top Road, The Coleman Brothers and The Lone Star Boys. The show begins at 6pm at Center Court Stage in front of Dillards inside the mall and ends at 9pm giving everyone time to get a good spot to watch fireworks. Special guest vocalist, Shannon Hunt, will sing “God Bless America”. The Coleman Brothers, yes they are actually two brothers, have been playing together for over 25 years since childhood and are recognized as one of the top traditional bluegrass bands in the country. The duo features the preimminent vocals and mandolin of Craig Coleman, and Corey Coleman provides one of the top fiddle sounds in Texas. Their backup band, The Lonestar Boys, features the blazing banjo mastery of Bryan Hollifield. The Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band has been called the “premier bluegrass band in the ArkLaTex.” Playing a combination of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and “Hee Haw” style comedy, the band has become a favorite of many. Band leader and banjo player, Tim Blake, makes south Shreveport,

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Louisiana his home and has been playing bluegrass for 20 years. In addition to playing banjo, guitar and bass, he also teaches banjo and repairs instruments. The group has been described as a “high energy bluegrass group” and that certainly seems to fit their playing style. Tin Top Road, from Fairfield, Texas, plays a mix of bluegrass gospel and traditional bluegrass. Dennis Conn provides unforgettable vocals backed up by frontman Steve Partain on banjo, Cliff Alan on bass, Jeff Harrison on dobro and guitar, with Kathie Partain on mandolin. Shannon Hunt is 21 years old and will be a Senior at Ouachita Baptist University majoring in Choral Music Education. Born and raised in Longview, Texas, she has performed at sporting events, Relay for Life, and local churches including her church home, Oakland Heights Baptist Church. Dave Skidmore, the founder and president of the LBMA, has played bluegrass for over 35 years and will host the evening’s show as well as perform the driving banjo solo ‘Locust Hill’. Skidmore can be contacted at 903-452-2641 for more information.

Dig up a good book with Mother Goose & Friends On the morning of Tuesday, July 19, the trio, Mother Goose & Friends, will visit the Singletary Memorial Library in Rusk to present “Mother Goose Digs It” as part of the library’s summer reading program. For more information, call the library at 903-683-5916. The trio helped kick off the summer program at the Bullard Community Library on June 4. To book them at your library and promote the Texas State Library’s summer 2011 theme “Dig Up A Good Book,” e-mail mothergooseandfriends@gmail.com.

Connections: The Work of Briana Sutton and Abhidnya Ghuge, a special exhibit at Gallery Main Street June 30 - July 26. Downtown Tyler’s Gallery Main Street features juried exhibits by East Texas artists. For more information, visit:

www.DowntownTylerArts.com

Gallery Main Street 110 W. Erwin • Downtown Tyler, TX (903) 593-6905

July 2011 - Page 23

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