Rock the Light
The two-day Christian music festival Rock the Light will include an Emporia band this year.
Die to Self will make its third appearance at the Kansas City-based festival this year. The group is made up of Emporia State University student Karsten Burns (drums), New Life Christian Church worship leader Palmer Davidson (guitar/vocal) and Kaj Burns (bass), who plays in the worship band at Flint Hills Christian Church. Samples of their music can be heard online at www.myspace.com/dietoself.
The festival takes place Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. More than 40 contemporary Christian musicians will be featured, including Dove Award winner Chris Tomlin and Grammy nominee TobyMac. Die to Self will perform at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 1.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.rockthelight.com/tickets.htm or by contacting the Starlight Theatre box office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (816) 363-STAR.
Ayers benefit
The Brandon Ayers Rock-n-Roll Benefit Concert will be held at 7 p.m. today at Natasha’s featuring the Dewayn Brothers, Elexa Dawson and the Hitchhhikers, Highwater String Band and Kristy Korsak. Proceeds will be used to help with medical expenses for Brandon Ayers. There also will be raffles for prizes.
Tonight at Josie’s
Anchondo, Drive By Radio and Five Star Crush will perform at Josie’s at 10 p.m. today.
New at ESU
The “Condemned” exhibit by ESU artists Dan Dishman, mixed media, and Jesse England, glass, through Aug. 31, is the first of the Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Exhibitions for 2007-08 in Gilson Memorial Gallery. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: 341-5246 or see www.emporia.edu/art.
Featured in the Norman R. Eppink Gallery through Sept. 25 are works by Terry Maxwell and Josh Finley. The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the Eppink Gallery at ESU. Information: 341-5689.
Teaming up
“Interactions: A Collaborative Installation” by Patrick Rush and Melissa Wichmann will be the Emporia Arts Council exhibit from Aug. 30 through Sept. 20. The opening reception will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the arts center, 618 Mechanic St.
Blessed harmony
“Sound Advice Quartet,” a Southern gospel music ministry based in Topeka, will be the host for the third annual Homecoming Concert series at 7 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday at the Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene, 730 SW Fairlawn Road, in Topeka.
Joining the quartet today will be The Mark Trammell Trio of Gadsden, Ala.. On Saturday, the group will perform with The New Horizons of Lebanon, Mo., along with special guest Larry DeLawder of Branson, Mo. The Sunday performance will be with The Lesters of St. Louis, Mo.
No admission will be charged; a “love offering” will be collected each evening.
Book signing
Karen Manners-Smith, associate professor of history at Emporia State University, will read from and sign copies of her new book “Time It Was” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Town Crier Bookstore, 716 Commercial St.
The book is a compilation of stories from Americans living in the 1960s, including stories about Vietnam, social struggles, protests and landmarks. Contributor Ron McCoy, who wrote “Libertarian Awakening” for the book, will also do a reading and sign copies.
Smith’s e-mail is ksmith@emporia.edu. For more information, call Town Crier at 343-9649.
Head for “The Center”
“The Center of Everything” by Laura Moriarty will be the next book discussed in the Kansas Connections 2007 Book Discussion Series at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 at the Emporia Public Library, 110 E. Sixth Ave. Copies of the book are available for checkout. For more information, call Lynette Olson at 340-6451.
ESU Music
The Emporia State University Department of Music begins the fall 2007 schedule on Sept. 9 with a faculty recital by the Emporia Chamber Players at 3 p.m. in Heath Recital Hall of Beach Music Hall. Admission is $5, general admission; $4, students and senior citizens. Information: 341-5431.