Concert
The ESU Department of Music presents guest artist Mark Springer, trombone, who will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday in Heath Recital Hall at the Beach Music Hall on the ESU campus. On Feb. 5, the Honors Recital will be at 7:30 p.m. in Heath Recital Hall. Admission is $5 for the general public; $4 for students and senior citizens. Information: 341-5431.
Black History
competition
U.S. Cellular is partnering with Emporia public elementary schools to sponsor the fifth annual “Black History Month Art Competition” Feb. 1-15, 2008, to “honor famous black Americans and encourage diversity and creativity among young students,” said the news release. Students are to create an original 8.5 x 11 portrait of distinguished black Americans using any art medium. The name of the famous black American, student name, grade level, school name and school telephone number should be listed on the back of each portrait. Entries should be submitted to the U.S. Cellular retail store at 1402 Industrial Road by no later than Feb. 15. Throughout February, the public is invited to view the top 10 finalists’ entries and vote for their favorite. Winners’ artwork will be selected based on creativity and design. Winners will be notified on Feb. 29. U.S. savings bonds of $500, $200 and $150 will be awarded for first, second and third place. For more information, call Kim Furlow at (636) 220-7019 or cell: (314) 599-0021.
White book is topic
El Dorado is celebrating the 147th birthday of Kansas statehood with a Kansas Day Birthday Bash from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Butler County History Center. Events for the family include make-it and take-it crafts, Wichita Wheat Weavers Guild wheat weaving demonstrations, free birthday cake and more. Admission is free.
The guest speaker will be Beverley Olson Buller, author of “From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White,” who will give a program about the life of “El Dorado’s hometown boy” and the making of the book, which is the first juvenile biography about White. There will be a book signing and books will be available for sale. For more information, call curator of education Lisa Cooley at (316) 321-9333 or e-mail her at lmcooley@sbcglobal.net.
Musicians wanted
Kansas Public Radio is bringing “From the Top” to the Lied Center on July 15. “‘From the Top’ is looking for talented pre-college age soloists and ensembles who would like to perform and be interviewed on the air. You are eligible if you are pre-college age and you play or sing classical repertoire,” according to the news release. For application details, see kpr.ku.edu.
Student competitions
The “Kansas Critters: Birds” book project is open for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Participants can write about or draw birds from a list of 26 birds listed in the brochure found at www.gpnc.org. The deadline is Feb. 15.
The Junior Duck Stamp art and science project is open for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The deadline is March 15. For more information, call Lorrie Beck at (316) 683-5499, ext. 108; e-mail: Lorrie_Beck@fws.gov; or see www.gpnc.org for rules and entry forms.
Entries can be sent to Lorrie Beck, Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N, Wichita, KS 67220.