Music in Reading
Friday, April 24, 2009
Music in Reading
The Reading United Methodist Church will be host for the ESU Community Chorus free concert of African-American spirituals and hymns of American, Irish and German heritage at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30. At 5:30 p.m., a soup and sandwich supper will be served at a cost of $5. The supper includes soup, sandwich, pie, ice cream and beverage.
‘The Train’ in concert
Wayne “The Train” Hancock will perform at 8 p.m. April 30 at the Flying W Ranch, 35 miles southwest of Emporia. According to the news release, this is “their inaugural concert.” Limited basic lodging will be available (beds with a roof) for $25/pp or bring a tent to camp for $15/tent. Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase. For more information, call Dana Mikel at (620) 274-4321 or see http://www.flinthillsflyingw.com/Upcomingevents.htm.
Poetry reading
Kevin Rabas will read from his new book of poetry, “Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano,” from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday in Plumb Hall, after which there will be a book signing. He is also the author of “Bird’s Horn.” Rabas teaches creative writing and literature at Emporia State University, co-directs the Creative Writing program and co-edits the Flint Hills Review. A jazz drummer and critic, he writes for Jazz Ambassador Magazine. Quivira, the ESU student literary club, is sponsor for this event.
Inge festival
The 28th annual William Inge Theatre Festival and conference is being held through Saturday at Independence Community College in Independence. The festival’s Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award will be presented to Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, “perhaps best known for ‘The Fantasticks,’ the longest-running musical in history,” stated the news release. The award will be presented Saturday during the festival’s Tribute finale, “Celebrate and Remember.”
Music auditions
Five area high school students participated in the State music auditions sponsored by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs on April 18 at Bethany College in Lindsborg. The local sponsor was the Emporia Literary League.
Emporia High School seniors Taylor Main and Delano Mendoza entered in the vocal category. Piano contestants were Rachel King and Liza Mussatto, juniors at Osage City High School, and Robyn Meahl of Admire, a senior at Northern Heights High School. Meahl placed at the top of the State piano auditions and won a $600 scholarship.
Writing contests
• The Kansas Authors Club announces state-wide literary contests for Kansas writers with deadlines of June 15 and 30 and July 1. Cash prizes will be awarded. For information about each contest, rules and submissions, see www.kansasauthors.org and click on link, Contests or call Richard Tanos at (620) 452-4032. Winners will be recognized at the KAC Convention Oct. 16-18 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.
• Students from the ages of nine to 12 are asked to enter the National Park Foundation 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest and share their ideas about how to protect and preserve the national parks by answering the question, “Why are our national parks important to you and what is your best idea to protect our parks for the future?” The first prize winner will receive a $1,000 Visa gift card and the opportunity to direct a $5,000 contribution from the National Park Foundation to his or her favorite national park, stated the news release. Participants, with the help of a parent or guardian, have until May 1, 2009, to submit an essay of no more than 500 words. Entries may be submitted online at www.nationalparks.org/essaycontest or by mail to: National Park Foundation, ATTN: 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest, 1201 Eye Street N.W., Suite 550-B, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Orchestra camp
The Topeka Symphony is sponsoring a Summer Strings Camp June 15-19 and a Youth Orchestra Academy July 6-10 at Washburn University. The Strings Camp is for young musicians and will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuition is $55 and deadline is June 8. The academy is for intermediate and advanced musicians who play string, wind, brass or percussion instruments. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuition is $175, with registration deadline, June 29. For more information, see www.topekasymphony.org “Youth Ensembles,” or call (785) 232-2032.