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Arts News for the week of May 08, 2008.

EVENTS ON THE CAMPUS of MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY:

(nothing at present--spring semester's about to end)

OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE AREA:

Monday May 12 at 7:00 pm, Moxie Cinema at 408 W. Walnut will present BOX ELDER, a coming-of-age college comedy set in Columbia, Missouri and shot--on a shoestring budget--by aspiring filmmakers in Columbia. Local filmmakers, film students, and film enthusiasts are invited to come check it out. The filmmakers, who are currently doing a nation-wide tour with their film, will be in attendance for a Q&A after the 7pm screening. They hope to discuss film financing and distribution, as well as the art of film making, with audience members. It's recommended that tickets be purchased online at www.moxiecinema.com. For more information call 429-0801.

The Heartland Writers Guild has condensed their annual three-day Writers Conference into one jam-packed day of learning and networking. On Saturday, June 7 writers, editors, and agents are invited to attend the event at the University Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. Editors Greg Tobin and Susan Swartwout, and agent Stephany Evans will be hearing pitches. They and authors Bobbi Smith, Robert Vaughn, Harry Spiller, Lonnie Cruise, Jeanie Stewart, and many others will be on hand offering writing advice. The $85 fee will cover workshops, materials, lunch, and snacks. There will also be a writing contest and a book signing in conjunction with the conference. Schedule and details can be found on the guild’s website: www.heartlandwriters.org or by sending a request for brochure/entry form to HWG, PO Box 652, Kennett, MO 63857

Lucky 13 Starlight Outdoor Cinema, the quirky but family-oriented outdoor film series in downtown Eureka Springs, kicks off its fifth season on Sunday June 15th in the parking lot at One North Main. The movies are projected onto the mural painted on the side of the Basin Spring Bath House. Admission is by donation of $3 adults, a dollar for kids. BYOS--Bring Your Own Seating. The opening on Father's Day, June 15, is a double feature musical fantasy, with "Across the Universe," accompanied by Beatles songs; and "The Wizard of Oz" redubbed with Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"(!). Live music will be provided by the Beatles Jam Band. The rest of the season includes: "You are Here" Night on June 22nd, with the film "The Golden Compass" and music from Opay Fly and the Faery Pranksters; "Juno Where Your Sons and Daughters Are" Night on June 29th with the recent award-winning film "Juno" and the music of Tiffany. Films for July include "Horton Hears a Who," "Viva Las Vegas," "Gone With the Wind," and "Spiderwick Chronicles." The series takes the month of August off, and returns in time for Labor Day weekend on Sunday Aug.31st with the animated feature "Ratatouille." For more information on Lucky 13 Outdoor Cinema call Charlotte Buchanan at (479) 981-1135.

THEATRE PRODUCTIONS:

The Vandivort Center Theatre, 305 E. Walnut 4th floor, presents "The Art of Murder," an impish and playful murder mystery by Joe DiPietro. Jack Brooks is a no-talent painter... he's also an utterly unpleasant guy. In fact, Vincent Cummings, an art dealer, says "everyone who's ever met Jack has thought about killing him!" The back-stabbing art world--and the counterfeiting of art--is the setting for this show, directed by Shawn Teague. Performances at the Vandivort are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm through May 11. For tickets call 831-8001.

LuMaxx Productions presents "The Author's Voice" by Richard Greenberg, as the next offering on the Dinner Theatre menu at Big Momma's Back Porch Theatre & Coffee House, 217 East Commercial Street. Show dates are May 9th through the 11th. Evening shows start with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinee: Lunch at 1:00 p.m. and performance at 2:00 p.m. On May 11, there will be a special Mother's Day Brunch from 11:00 a.m. til 1:00 p.m. with the show starting at 2:00 p.m. Directed by Maxine Whittaker, "The Author's Voice" is a funny yet suspenseful drama satirizing the world of book publishing--the story concerns a would-be author and the slave who actually does his writing for him, a sort of "Beauty and the Beast" phenomenon. As you might expect in the cynical publishing business, the situation is received with more diffidence than dismay, but don't worry--in the end everybody gets exactly what he or she deserves. For reservations call Big Momma's at 865-9911 or 864-1976. Seating is limited.

Springfield Little Theatre will present the area premiere of Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical "Tick, Tick... Boom!" through May 18 at the Landers Theater, 311 East Walnut. Larson, the creator of the Broadway blockbuster "Rent," tells the tale of a young composer about to turn 30 and fall into oblivion. His girlfriend wants to get married, his best friend is already making big bucks while he's still waiting tables and trying to write the great American musical. Chuck Rodgers directs the show, with a cast featuring Ryan Thomas King, David DePriest and Ashley Rose Smith. Curtain times are 7:30pm Thursdays through Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm through May 18. For tickets call 869-1334.

The Vandivort Center Theatre, 305 E. Walnut 4th floor, announces an open audition call for the role of Susannah in the musical "Tintypes" on Monday May 12th starting at 7:00pm. They're looking for an African-American female age 30 to 50, with a strong, uplifting alto singing voice. The character in the show sings "Nobody," "Smiles," "Bill Bailey" and other songs from the 1895 to 1920 period. Auditioners should prepare a short 16-measure song for the audition. The show will run in July at the Vandivort. For information on the audition, call 831-8001.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES...

The 3rd annual C-Street Jam, a festival presented by Urban Districts Alliance spotlighting live music and the revitalization of the Commercial Street historic business district, will take place Saturday May 10 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge at Commercial Street and Jefferson. Headlining the event is local music group, Jah Roots, performing at 8:30 p.m. Live music begins at 6:30 p.m. with Jam Room, and then continues 77 Jefferson at 7:30 followed by Jah Roots. Gates open at 6 p.m. Advance $8 tickets are available at Hoover Music Company (Jefferson at Elm) through Friday, May 9, or at the gate Saturday evening for $10. For information call 880-3435 or visit www.itsalldowntown.com.

"An Evening of Hope" is an evening of bluegrass benefiting those afflicted with cancer. Performers include Lost Hill featuring Mike Williamson; Big Creek; and Shawna Hamilton. It's scheduled for Saturday May 10 at 7pm at Remington's, 1655 W. Republic Road. General admission is $5. For more information visit www.remingtons.tv.

Bluegrass group Missouri Boat Ride will give a FREE concert and a CD release party for their new album "Ghost of Carney Branch" on Saturday May 10 at 7:00pm at the Rock House, 41 High Street in downtown Reeds Spring. Again this concert is free and open to the public; bring snacks, your favorite beverage, and enjoy the show. Of course they'll have copies of the new CD available for purchase Saturday night. For information call (417) 272-8386 or visit www.myspace.com/rockhous41highst.

The "Arts in the Park" concert series at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield includes five concerts, four of them on Saturdays at 7:00pm, and the fifth an all-day "Ray House Jamboree" on June 7th. The May 10 concert features bluegrass from Timberline. May 17 it's the State Community Band. and on June 21st, the 135th Military Army Band will play patriotic music. These are all free and open to the public. And on Saturday June 7 from 11am to 4pm it's the Ray House Jamboree, featuring a whole day of mainly bluegrass music--cost is the regular admission price to the battlefield park. For more information call 732-2662.

The Springfield Symphony invites you to take a swinging trip down Route 66 during their final concert of the season, "Route 66: A Trip Down Memory Road" on Saturday May 10 at 7:30pm in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Cast members from "The Taffetas" and the Sho-Me Statesmen will also be on hand. The concert will include the "St.Louis Blues," Bobby Troup's classic "Get Your Kicks on Route 66," selections from the musical "Chicago," and the world premiere of a video showcasing the "Mother Road" through Springfield over the years, projected above the orchestra while it plays. Maestro Ron Spigelman will even get into the act with his trumpet. For tickets call the Hammons Hall box office, 836-7678 or visit www.missouristatetix.com.

The Boys Choir of Springfield will present their annual “Sweet Sounds” Concert and fundraiser, on Tuesday May 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall at Central Assembly of God, 1301 North Boonville. The concert is free and open to the public, followed by a dessert buffet with a suggested donation of $5 per person. Proceeds will be used for ongoing performances and musical exposure for the boys in the choir. For more information contact Robert Reed at (417) 523-5000.

Children's Choirs of Southwest Missouri will hold auditions for the 2008-09 season for their six graded choirs and the Young Artist Showcase May 13 through 29 at National Avenue Christian Church, 1515 S. National. They're looking for kids age 5 to 18 for their performance-based music education program; the choirs are featured in two major concerts per season and perform extensively throughout Southwest Missouri. Touring choirs have traveled to New York City as well as England, Italy and Japan. The auditions are designed to be friendly and low-key, and are used to evaluate each singer for correct choir placement. The Young Artists Showcase affords outstanding high school vocalists the opportunity to gain solo and small-ensemble experience in classical and light operatic music. For more information or to schedule auditions, call 885-7880.

The 2008 edition of "Wednesday Noon in Founders Park," a free half-hour lunchtime concert series, continues every Wednesday from 12:15 to 12:45pm in Founders Park on Water Street between Jefferson and Boonville avenues. The series is sponsored by An Arts Patronage Initiative, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and Springfield-Greene County Parks. Upcoming free Wednesday concerts in Founders Park include: the Missouri State University Flute Ensemble on May 14th; Springfield Symphony harpist Lacey Lee on May 21st; and excerpts from the new Springfield Shakespeare Festival's "Midsummer Night's Dream" on Wednesday May 28. Again, these performances all take place Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Founders Park.

Missouri Mountain Gang presents the 2nd annual springtime Ozark Mountain Bluegrass Festival all day Saturday May 17 (10am to 10pm) on the square in downtown Ozark, Missouri. Acts scheduled to appear along with Missouri Mountain Gang include: Lindley Creek Bluegrass; Wilderness Road; Lights of Home; and Just Friends Bluegrass. Tom Trtan of KOLR-10 will be the emcee. Bands will be playing from 11am to 6pm. There will also be a classic car display; an artwalk featuring the Finley River Fine Artists; vendor booths; and the Ozark Square Farmers Market. Admission is free--bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. And if you play an acoustic instrument there will be jam sessions all day, so feel free to join in. For more information call Larry Mayfield at 840-2548 or Robert Snook at 582-6246; or visit www.creeksarisin.com.

Congratulations are in order to the Evangel University Concert Choir, who will be performing for the fourth time at Carnegie Hall in New York on Memorial Day, May 26, at 7 p.m. Their last Carnegie Hall performances were in 1992, 1996 and 2000. It's part of 21-city tour by the choir, taking them to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia as well as New York.

The 2008 spring season of Opera Theatre of St. Louis runs from Saturday May 24 and continues through June 29. The season opens with a new production of Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann," and includes Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," the premiere of a new performing edition of Sir William Walton's 20th-century classic "Troilus and Cressida," and the U.S. professional opera-company premiere of Vicente Martin y Soler's 1786 hit "Una Cosa Rara" (A Rare Treasure). The 2008 season also includes master classes by Christine Brewer (June 20) and Maria Spacagna (June 27). All performances are sung in English, accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and are presented in the Virginia Jackson Browning Theater in the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University, 130 Edgar Road in St. Louis. Once again, OTSL patrons can enjoy picnics on the lawn under the tent outside the Loretto-Hilton Center before performances, and meet and greet the artists after the performance. Free opera previews are offered before each performance too. For information visit www.experienceopera.org or call the OTSL box office at (314) 961-0644.

AREA VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITS:

The Springfield Visual Arts Alliance will hold a reception for its Spring 2008 Juried Art Show from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, on the fifth floor of the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The exhibit continues until July 26. The show and reception are free and open to the public, and the event is handicapped-accessible. For information visit www.svaaarts.org or call 894-8012.

The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will display nature photography from the Webster County Camera Clique throughout May. You can stop by anytime from 8am to 5pm daily to view the exhibit. The Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield near the intersection of James River Freeway, Republic Road and Glenstone. Call 888-4237 for information.

Watercolor Now! 2008, an invitational exhibit of works by current members of the Watercolor U.S.A. Honor Society, continues at the Springfield Art Museum through June 1st. Seventy-nine works have been submitted by Society members for the exhibition. Works were submitted in media including watercolor, acrylic, gouache, collage, ink and other water-based media; and there's a broad range of subject matter in the submissions. The Springfield Art Museum is located at 1111 East Brookside Drive near Phelps Grove Park. For information call 837-5700 or visit www.springfieldmogov.org/egov/art/.

The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is holding an exhibit during May featuring the botanical watercolors of Linda Ellis from her ongoing study of the native plants of Ozarks glades and forests. The Nature Center is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Call 888-4237.

Bellwether Gallery of the Arts, 600 W. College St., presents "Favorite Pieces," featuring local artists Cindy Kopenhafer, Deby Gilley, Woody Greenwood, Lois Reeves, Charli Stout and Sharon Warren. Bellwether Gallery of the Arts is a project of the Arts Forum of Second Baptist Church and exists to nurture the creative spirit in all. Call 831-1778 or www.bellwetherarts.com.

Big Smile Photography, 207 Park Central East, continues its display of Staff Photography. Phone 527-2885; www.bigsmilestudios.com.

The Creamery Arts Center, 411 Sherman Parkway, features a Kaleidoscope of Works by Rolla artist Paula Turney Brewer, SRAC Artist in Residence Ann Meese and works by eight elementary and middle school art teachers from the region. Call 862-2787 or www.springfieldarts.org.

Drury Pool Art Center, 940 N. Clay St., presents the Senior Capstone Exhibition, featuring ceramics, design, drawing, fibers, painting, photography and sculpture by seniors pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in art history, design arts and fine arts at Drury. Phone 873-7263; www.drury.edu/pacgallery.

Fashioned By Jaye, 212 S. Campbell, presents artwork by Eric Vaughn. Phone 862-4100 or www.fashionedbyjaye.com.

Fitzwilly’s Gifts & Antiques, 308 South Ave., features Work by Anne Cox in blacks and whites. Call 866-3696.

Global Fayre, 324 S. Campbell, features the found-art scrap metal work of Jack Chikaya from politically and financially troubled Zimbabwe. 873-7843; www.globalfayre.com.

Good Girl Art Gallery, 215 W. Olive St., presents paintings by Parkview High School visual arts instructor Stephanie Rieser, inspired by her life experiences: marriage, raising her children, traveling and ice storms, to name a few. Phone 865-7055 or www.goodgirlartgallery.com.

Hawthorn Galleries, 214 E. Walnut St., presents an eclectic collection of glass works by various artists, including Bernard Katz, Gartner Blade, Nina Cambron, Edward Kachurik, Ira Lujan and Robert Marcus, as well as Bob and Laurie Kliszewski, as well as live music by guitarist Ray Smith. Call 866-6688 or visit www.myspace.com/hawthorngallery.

Keyes Gallery, 229 S. Market Ave., presents "Out and About," featuring new paintings and art prints by award-winning Springfield artist, Debra Sutherland. Call 866-2722 or www.keyesgallery.com.

Missouri State University Art & Design Gallery, 333 E. Walnut, presents the Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition. 829-5092 or www.art.missouristate.edu/gallery.php.

Missouri State University Student Exhibition Center, 838 E. Walnut, presents the Art and Design department’s Senior Design Exhibition through May 8. A ceremony to award art and design scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year begins at 7:30 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. Call 836-6999, or www.sec.missouristate.edu.

Nonna’s Italian American Cafe, 306 South Ave., features paintings by Ina Crisman. Call 831-1222 or www.nonnascafe.com.

Ozarks Technical College Fine Arts Gallery and Studio, 325 Park Central East on the 3rd floor of the Gillioz Theatre building, presents its first Fine Arts Student Exhibition, featuring artwork produced in 2-Dimensional Design, Art and Experience, Drawing I and Drawing II classes. (417) 447-8873.

Park Central Gallery, 122 W. Park Central Square, features a new show by watercolor plein-aire artist Jerry Hagerman. Call 869-6888.

Randy Bacon Studio & Gallery, 600 W. College St., presents paintings by local artist Gayle Page. Phone 868-8179 or visit www.randybacon.com

Studio 405, 405 W. Walnut St., presents photographs by Michael Dickey and paintings by Jane Parker. Call 865-0450.

Susan Sommer-Luarca Fine Art Gallery and Frame Shoppe, 221 Park Central South, features a large volume of Susan’s work in fine giclee, hand-embellished prints. Phone 866-4ART (4278) or visit www.sslworldwide.com.

The Art Station-Josh Mitchell Gallery, 1427 E. Cherry at Pickwick, presents the new exhibit "Creative Thinking", with images that reflect the attitude "be open to whatever comes your way; listen to what your life is trying to tell you; collaborate; share what you know; be flexible; then just do it." It features the audacious, out-of-the-box, original cartoon drawings of Brian Koschak. The gallery will hang Koschak's drawings in a free form style because he illustrates that way on any piece or kind of paper that works or is just handy at the moment of his stream of consciousness. You can even feel free to step on the floor cartoons! The exhibit will continue through the end of May. For more information call 860-2121.

The Springfield Regional Arts Council will join forces with the National Arts Program to provide an accessible outlet for all City of Springfield employees and their families to express their artistic talents. Participation in this program is open to all artists at any level and any age who are employed by the City of Springfield. The show will open at the Creamery Arts Center with a reception and Awards Ceremony on June 6 and will remain until June 30. Deadline to register is May 12. Artists can enter artwork in five categories: painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture, and craft. This is a juried exhibit, and prizes will be awarded. For more information call the Arts Council at 862-ARTS (2787). For more information on the National Arts Program visit www.nationalartsprogram.org.

Springfield mosaic artist Christine Schilling will join the Springfield Regional Arts Council's May 24th "Arts Adventure" road trip to the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St.Louis, and will give a tour of the Gardens' featured exhibit of some 40 monumental mosaic sculptures by the late Niki de Saint Phalle. Once again this year, Bucky Bowman will deliver an en-route talk about the history of the Botanical Gardens and its huge variety of flora and fauna. The group will eat lunch in the cafe at the Gardens, and later dinner in St. James on the way back to Springfield. Coffee and muffins will be served at the Arts Council offices in the Creamery Arts Center at 6:30AM on May 24, and the group will depart in a 15-passenger van promptly at 7:00AM with a 9:30PM return that evening to the Creamery. Cost is $80 per person. Other "Arts Adventure" bus trips this summer include: "Roman Art of the Louvre" at the Oklahoma City Museum on June 21st; a trip to Kansas City on July 19 to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa on Aug.16; the Spring Center and Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City on Sept.27; and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa on October 25. For reservations, call the Arts Council at 862-ARTS (2787) or visit www.springfieldarts.org for information.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking artists or artist teams to create murals for one of two Welcome Centers, one in Newton County near Joplin, the other at Eagleville jus south of the Iowa border. Located in the lobby/entranceway, The artwork will be located in the lobby/entranceway of these Welcome Centers, and should inspire visitors to explore the cultural, historic, and/or scenic points of interest in the local areas. The project budget is $30,000 per location and includes all costs associated with the project. It's open to all professional artists and artist teams who have at least five years of public art experience or can demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a project of this type and scale. Preference will be given to artists residing in Missouri. Submissions must be received by 4pm on May 15. For more information on the Joplin Welcome Center mural project, contact Lori Marble at the Transportation Department, (417) 629-3329 or lori.marble@modot.mo.gov. The contact for the one in Northern Missouri is Elaine Justice, (816) 387-2353, or margaret.justus@modot.mo.gov. You can find more by downloading the .pdf file at http://www.missouriartscouncil.org/html/documents/MoDOTMuralsRFQ.pdf.

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