Claiborne Jubilee to Include Patriotic Program Saturday

In honor of the Memorial Day observance next Monday, the Jubilee Players will be sharing a program of patriotic readings and songs beginning at 11 am on Saturday, May 25, as part of the Claiborne Jubilee Arts and Music Festival in Homer. Among those participating are Suzanne Ford, Darlene and Jim Norcross, Sadie Flucas, Penny and Chet Andrews, Wanda Smith, Jim Ford and John McClellend.

Selections will include readings from throughout American history focusing on many lesser known pieces.The Players issue a special invitation to join them in this observance which will take place on the northeast corner of the Courthouse lawn. It is expected to last about 30 minutes.

The festival will include a quilt exhibition in the Homer City Hall as well as art displays and musical performances on the courthouse lawn from 9 am until 2 pm.

There will also be a silent auction of special art chairs from 9 until 2 with funds going to support parish art activities.

Associate Professor Nick Bustamante from LATECH will display a panel from the current mural in process which is to be hung on the old Coca Cola Bottling Company building on East Third Street in Homer. The mural depicts children playing in the former Coke Park during the 1950’s and ’60’s.

Claiborne Parish native Judy Peterson Buckner who designed the Kinnebrew Building mural, “High Cotton” has also done the painting from which this new mural is being taken. There will be an opportunity for festival goers to place orders for prints to be made from Ms. Buckner’s painting.

Contact Cynthia Steele, Jubilee Coordinator, for more information at 318-927-2566.

Jaws is coming to the Dixie! Art Talk Monday

This week’s Art Talk Monday is by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director.

Summer Movie Night at the Dixie

Have you heard about the movies that have been showing at the Dixie Center for the Arts? The Dixie Center is such a versatile venue: touring musical acts, community theatre, art classes, and movie showings, as well as rentals for weddings and church events. 

All of the art-related events are coordinated by a handful of nonprofits housed in the Dixie Center: the Dixie Center itself, Ruston Community Theatre, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Ruston Civic Symphony Society and Troupe Dixie. The newest of these is Troupe Dixie, a group of young professionals who support the Dixie Center for the Arts and are working to generate awareness and excitement about the space among Ruston’s twenty-to-forty-somethings. Troupe Dixie is responsible for the super-fun movie events that have been happening, like the Merry Movie Marathon and Three Amigos.

Coming up next from the group is a summer double-feature on Saturday, June 8 with something for the entire family. Troupe Dixie will partner with the Junior Auxiliary of Ruston in showing Finding Nemo at 1:30. Then make a date for the evening when Jaws will be on the screen at 7. June marks 38years since the summer thriller premiered. Don’t miss the opportunity to see it on the “big screen” again….or maybe for the first time.

I work in the Dixie daily. I have seen numerous plays, concerts, presentations, rehearsals, etc. in the theater. However, it still feels truly “special” watching a movie there. If you haven’t been to the Dixie in a while, or if you’ve never been, use this double-feature as an opportunity to come check it out. Of course if you’re a regular Dixie visitor you’re welcome, too, and be sure to bring a friend.

Upcoming events for the group include the Loud and Live Music Spectacular: 90s edition, to be held October 17^th, and the annual Reels and Chills movie event on October 26^th. A Thanksgiving movie presentation is in the works, as well as a follow-up to last year’s Merry Movie Marathon.

Tickets for the Summer Movie Night are $5. They may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Dixie Box Office, or through these ticket outlet partners: Chartreuse Pear and Fine Line Art Supply. Sponsors for Troupe Dixie movie events include Celebrity Theatres, Marsala Beverage and Super 1 Foods. For more information call the Dixie Box Office at 255-1450, or visit facebook.com/TroupeDixie

————————————

In other art-related news, the Piney Hills Harmony Chorus is offering free vocal lessons. Part of a two-part series, one lesson remains on Thursday, May 23, from 6-8 p.m., in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston, 212 N. Bonner. It is perfectly fine to attend only the one remaining lesson.

Piney Hills Harmony is one of the hundreds of Sweet Adelines International choruses that make up a worldwide organization of women who sing a cappella four-part harmony. “The free vocal lessons are a chance for area women to find your voice – or even your inner diva,” said Director Sheila Nugent.

The sessions include segments on breathing, resonance, posture, expression and more. The group approach means classes are “user-friendly” and non-intimidating, Nugent said. Women of all ages and with all voice ranges are welcome; the ability to read music is not required.

Nugent, a certified director of Sweet Adelines International, is teaching the lessons. More information can be found at www.pineyhillsharmony.org or by calling Nugent at (318) 237-3331.

 

Art Ed Wednesday: Outdoor Fun

 

   Art Ed Wednesday is written by Rachel Johnston, a Jackson-parish fiber artist and early childhood art educator.

 

With the weather getting warmer, it’s the perfect time for some outdoor art projects! Here’s an idea for ice    painting, to get your kids creating out in the sunshine!

Fill an ice cube tray with water. (Dollar stores usually offer a variety of trays in fun shapes.) Add one or two drops of food coloring to each cube, and freeze. When ice is frozen solid, remove from trays and take outside with some

paper. Let kids “paint” the paper with the ice cubes, creating a watercolor effect as the ice melts.  Children can also experiment with different types of paper to see how the colors blend on different textures.