Felix recital
Soprano Antonia Felix of Emporia will present a recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Marvin Auditorium at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Felix, also an instructor in English at Emporia State University, has sung on concert stages throughout the U.S. and Europe. She will be accompanied by Angel Yang, a piano performance graduate student at ESU. Yang is an award-winning piano soloist, here in Kansas and in her native China. Felix, who composes works for voice and various instruments, is also a New York Times best-selling author with 15 books to her credit. Her most recent book is “Condi: The Condolezza Rice Story.” The recital is free to the public and guests are welcome. An informal reception will be held after the program.
ESU performances
Poet John Jenkinson will read from his work at 5 p.m. Monday in Plumb Hall at ESU.
Comedian Kyle Cease will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday at Albert Taylor Hall at ESU.
The ESU Department of Music presents the Brass Day Concert at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Heath Recital Hall of Beach Music Hall. There is no admission charge. On Feb. 16, guest artist Dean Sommerville, tuba, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Heath Recital Hall. The Jazz Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in Albert Taylor Hall. General admission is $5; students and senior citizens, $4. Information: 341-5431.
Arts fundraiser
The fourth annual Valentine Invitational Scholarship Fundraiser and opening Gala Reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Emporia Arts Center, 618 Mechanic St. The exhibition features work by members of the Emporia State University art faculty and other artists using the theme of “LOVE.” Work in the show is for sale to benefit Art Department students through scholarships. The arts center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. Information: 343-6473.
Fabric exhibit
“The Fabric of Landscapes” by artist Bryan Grove continues through Feb. 26 in the Eppink Gallery at King Hall. The Senior Exhibition in the ESU Gilson Memorial Gallery at King Hall will feature artwork by Mikelle Russell and Lindsay Windler from Feb. 18 through Feb. 29. Art by Amanda Ford will be exhibited at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Gilson Gallery.
Riders wanted
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is looking for horseback riders and performers at Branson’s dinner and show for the 2008 season, which opens Feb. 29. Auditions will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, 1525 W. 76 Country Boulevard, in Branson, Mo. Those auditioning should be prepared to dance as well as ride. Shows also are held at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Orlando, Fla. For more information, call (800) 520-5544 or see dixiestampede.com.
Kansas voices
Entries must be postmarked by March 15 for the Kansas Voices Writing Contest, open for adults and youth (18 years and younger) in poetry and prose. There is no requirement for subject matter and all entries are judged based on literary merit. Writers must live in Kansas. For guidelines, entry forms and/or dinner reservations (for May 3 awards ceremony), call (620) 221-2161, ext. 10; write to Winfield Arts and Humanities Council, 700 Gary, Suite A&B, Winfield, KS 67156; or download from www.winfieldarts.com. There is a $3 entry fee for each submission. Kevin Rabas of Emporia received honorable mention in 2007 in the adult poetry division, along with Dan Gollub of El Dorado.