Arts Notes
Friday, March 7, 2008
Musical auditions
Six area high school students participated in music auditions sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Emporia Literary League, held March 1 in Junction City. Students from Emporia High School entered in the first year vocal category were juniors Taylor Main, Aaron Wyatt, Delano Mendoza and senior Briana Alvarado. First year piano contestants were Rachel King, sophomore at Osage City High School , and Robyn Meahl, junior at Northern Heights High School. Their teacher is Jane Wheat.
All of the students earned Certificates of Merit and will have the opportunity to audition next year for music scholarships.
The students presented a music program for the Literary League meeting on Feb. 19 at the Emporia Presbyterian Church.
Musical events
The ESU Department of Music is presenting guest artists Charles Dowd and Tracy Freeze, percussion, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the rotunda of Albert Taylor Hall. The Apex Percussion Duo will perform 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Heath Recital Hall of Beach Music Hall. On March 25, the Mid-America Woodwind Quintet performs at 7:30 p.m. in Heath Recital Hall. General admission is $5; students and senior citizens, $4. Information: 341-5431.
Signing books
Texas author J.A. Joshi will have a book signing from 7 to 9 p.m. March 21 at Hastings Books, Music and Video, 1646 Industrial Road, of copies of her historical fiction novel, “Follow the Cowherd Boy.” The novel is set in 16th century India and is based on the true life story of a female folk hero, Mira, said the news release. Joshi traveled extensively in North India in her research for the book “where she realized that the themes of the book — history, culture, terrorism and spirituality — make this story relevant to the modern reader.”
Photo exhibit
Photographer Dave Leiker has his photographs on display through April 4 at the Emporia Arts Center, 618 Mechanic St. The exhibit is entitled, “Prairie Dust: Exploring the Rural Midwest.” The artist reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 12.
‘Monologues’
It’s become a tradition at Emporia State University — a reading of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” each year during Women’s History Month. This year’s reading of the award-winning episodic play will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Brighton Lecture Hall room 189 on the ESU campus. The show is student-directed. Performers range from ESU students to faculty to community members. This year’s director is Adam Rust, an ESU senior.
Tickets will be sold in the ESU Memorial Union from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, in addition to being available at the door prior to each performance.
Symphony special
The Topeka Symphony Orchestra is offering a “2 for 1” special for their next concert, “I Love a Parade,” at 8 p.m. Saturday in White Concert Hall on the Washburn University Campus. The program will also feature violinist Michelle Joo-Eun Kim of Overland Park, the overall winner of the annual Youth Talent Auditions. To order tickets, call (785) 232-2032 or see www.TopekaSymphony.org. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Air Force band
The Concert Band of the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band will perform, beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday in Albert Taylor Hall. The 45-member band, stationed at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Neb., will be conducted by Captain Michael J. Willen. Admission is free. All tickets have been distributed. Ticket-holders are asked to be seated by 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. to the general public.
Historic talk
At 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Lyon County Historical Society, Robert Collins of Andover, author of the book, “Jim Lane: Scoundrel, Statesman, Kansan,” will meet his subject, Jim Lane, portrayed by Tim Rues, for a 20 to 30 minute discussion. Rues will ask his biographer “why the word ‘scoundrel’ appears in the subtitle of the book.” The press release said “Collins lists his reasons and then moves on to what made Lane a statesman, such as his work unifying the free-state movement at the Big Springs convention. The subject gives a short speech on his views of slavery, which leads to a discussion about his friendship with President Lincoln. Lane then asks the author about his importance in Kansas history.” Book sales are handled by the Town Crier.
ESU exhibit
The ESU Department of Art will have the Homecoming Drawing Show through March 28 in the Eppink Art Gallery. This “drawing exhibition, selected from the ESU Art Department permanent collection and curated by emeritus faculty member Donald Perry, has been traveling nationally for two years with Exhibits USA and will be back home in the Gallery collection,” said the news release. ESU professor of art Dan Kirchhefer has curated a new exhibit selecting works from the traveling show and from the permanent collection “to illustrate the range and power of mark making.”
Amanda Ford will have her senior exhibition through March 14 in the Gilson Memorial Gallery. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: 341-5689 or 341-5246.
Dinner theater
The Community Theatre of Emporia will have Dinner Theatre at 6:30 p.m. March 14 and 15 at the Emporia Country Club. A roast tenderloin of beef meal will be served, after which there will be entertainment featuring Chuck Cowan, Mary Sue Wade, Don Kile and Pat Sutton. Tickets, $40 each person, must be reserved in advance. For information-reservations, call 341-9283.
Contra dance
The PRIDE Committee of Burns is sponsoring a contra dance from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 14 at the Burns Community Center. Caller John Tuner of Wichita will call the dances to the music of the band, “Instant Grits.” Refreshments will be provided by members of PRIDE. There is no admission charge; however, there will be a jar for free will donations to help cover the entertainment costs.