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The Arts Council of Mississippi County
The Ritz Civic Center 306 W. Main Street Blytheville, AR 72315 (Phone) 870-762-1744 (Fax) 870-763-1950
Director's Corner April, 2008 --In the world of the visual arts, we worked with the Continuing Education Department of ANC with Sharyn Stevenson to host the Arkansas Arts Center Artmobile at the campus for a week. That exhibit of forty works from the permanent collection of the Arkansas Arts Center had over 800 people tour while it was here. We also assisted in setting up an exhibit at the Osceola Chamber office of works by Lepanto artist, painter and printmaker Norwood Creech. We hope to have Ms Creech featured in a showing here at The Ritz sometime in the future. “Pinocchio”—Once again our friends at Wildwood Park brought us a delightful program, which we presented six times over two days. The musical version of “Pinocchio” was a hit with the younger elementary students we invited to attend. The program was seen by over 2200 people—most of whom are under 4½ feet tall. It was wonderful to experience the excitement the children brought to their own, personal theater experience. One of our area school administrators commented that one of her “special” students seldom responds to anything, but was obviously intrigued with “Pinocchio”, and the performers totally captured the young students’ imagination and attention during the performance.
Important 2007-2008 Series Update— We are down to our eighth and final offering of our 2007-2008 Series. May 2nd is almost here! Our Spring Gala evening features a concert of classical and popular music presented by a string ensemble called “Quintessence”. Their program will be preceded by our special “Meet the Artists Reception” at the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce office. The catered reception will be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, and the Concert will begin at 7:30 at The Ritz. Formal attire is optional at both the reception and the concert, so do not let that keep you from participating and having a great evening. But, if you want to get all gussied up, this is your chance! To attend the reception requires that guests either be a Patron or Corporate Sponsor, or purchase an advance ticket for that program. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students or groups. Special Weather Alert—The forecasters are calling for a strong chance of rain Friday evening when folks will be trying to come to the special events. Please don’t let a little rain keep you home! We will have volunteers out front to meet you at both the Chamber and The Ritz with umbrellas to escort you to the entrance of the buildings. We will also have coat and umbrella racks in the lobby for your convenience. This is certain to be a memorable evening and we hope you can all be a part of it.
Our 2008-2009 Series Our Board has finalized some of the plans for our next Series year. Programs being scheduled include: “Blend”, a 50’s-60’s doo wop accapela male quartet for Friday, August 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm; “Barbara Bailey Hutchinson Sings”, a three-time Emmy award winning singer/songwriter who will be in concert on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm; and a national touring production of the stage comedy “Tuna Christmas”, presented by Springer Theatricals on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm. We are negotiating for a national touring production of the Tony Award winning musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie”, to be scheduled for February, 2008. The Wildwood Young Artists will return with another children’s opera fairy tale during the last week of April, 2009; and a touring production presented by The Arkansas Repertory Theater is being considered for the Spring of 2009. Other programs may be considered and added to our 08-09 Series, depending upon our response to our Corporate Sponsor solicitation just getting underway.
From The Other Corner How’s your world today? With all that David told you about, you can see that we are a busy Arts Council. I want to take a minute to thank everyone in the media profession who helps us get the word out to you on what we have going on here at The Ritz. I would also like to thank the sponsors and patrons who make all of this possible. I most of all would like to thank YOU, for without your love and support for live stage theater, I wouldn’t have a job. Speaking of you, we do welcome people to help us in the arts, either by being on our board or by volunteering at one of our events. Or both. If you have ever wondered what you can do to help, stop by the office and see either David or me and we will see what part you can do to support the arts. In our art gallery, we are booking up fast for art display shows, so if you or someone you know would like to have an art show at The Ritz, please come by and see where we can schedule you in. As always, any questions you have on any events at The Ritz, please call us at 870-762-1744, or drop us an e-mail at artsmissco@yahoo.com. See you in the lobby… Ken
May Arts Council Events – May 2, Friday at 6:00-7:00 PM—Spring Black Tie Gala Reception to “Meet The Artists” of “Quintessence” at The Blytheville/Gosnell Chamber of Commerce Office, 300 W. Walnut in Blytheville. Open to our Patrons, Corporate Sponsors and advance ticket holders. (See below) May 2, Friday at 7:00 PM—“Quintessence” String Ensemble in Concert at The Ritz. Selections will include works from the Baroque and Classical periods, as well as Folk songs and contemporary Movie and Musical hits. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students or groups. Children under five admitted free. May 5, Monday at 5:00-7:00 PM—Opening Reception in The Gallery for “Small Works On Paper”, a statewide touring exhibit of the forty winning entries from a statewide competition conducted by The Arkansas Artist Registry, a program of the Arkansas Arts Council. Display will remain through May 31, 2008. May 8, Thursday at 6:00 PM–-Regular monthly meeting of The Board of The Arts Council of Mississippi County held in the Board Room of The Ritz. Visitors welcome.
Our Affiliate, ACT2! – The next ACT 2! production titled “Our Leading Lady” by Charles Bush is being directed by Tonya Harris with special arrangement by Samuel French, Inc. Tentative play dates are set for May 16 – 18, so mark it on your calendar for an enjoyable live stage play. “Break-a-leg” goes out to the cast and crew of this show. Due to Mother’s day coming up, the next ACT 2! meeting is set for Sunday, May 4 at 4:00pm in the boardroom at The Ritz instead of Sunday, May 11. Everyone is welcome to attend and become a part of live-stage community theater in Mississippi County.
Special Thanks to 2007-2008 Sponsors— As you visit or see the following 52 businesses or individuals, be sure to thank them for their support for our programming for the Series year: (listed in order received) Glenda’s Hallmark Shop--Eileen O’Neal—Proweld Custom Welding and Fabrication—Snyder Wholesale, Inc.—Bugmobile of Arkansas, Inc.—NIBCO—Entergy—Nucor Yamato Steel—Mr. & Mrs. Billy Holifield—Charlotte Wagner—Hays Store, Inc.—Thomas, Speight & Noble, CPA’s—Tenaris Hickman—Nucor Steel Arkansas—Arkham Comics—Lee Wilson & Co.—Russell’s Rents and Sales, LLC—Dave Simmons, CPA, PA—Dr. & Mrs. James A. Hess—The General Insurance Agency—American Greetings Corporation—The Depot—Pollard-Geeslin Insurance—First National Bank—ACT2! Community Theater—Dr. & Mrs. Van O. Parker—Dr. Michael Williams, DDS—Farmers Bank and Trust—Bistro Eleven 21—Scott Johnson Vision Care, PA—Kiwanis Club of Blytheville—Terry Abstract Company—Gene and Barbara Cox—That Bookstore In Blytheville—Crosskno Farms—Westminster Village—An Anonymous Donor—RE/MAX—L.H. Smith—Holiday Inn—Temps Plus—Jeri-Lin Donuts—Lowe’s—FASCO—Fondren’s Hardware—Ridout—Sherman-Williams—Hood’s—Kroger—Schlosser Photography and Frame—Osceola Progressive Club. Remember, our goal for Corporate Sponsors for the 2007-2008 Series was fifty (50). We have surpassed that by one! We do not have to stop there. If you do not see your company or organization listed above, we would be glad to provide information on how to become a sponsor.
2007-2008 Patrons— Our goal for this year was to have 30 Patrons. We are currently at 41! Thanks to these Patrons for their support: JD and Tonya Harris, LaGene and Harrell Hampton, Sarah Jackson, Charles Moody, Joe and Rebecca Caldwell, Ramona Clower, Bill and Clorita Hardy, Jack and Nancy Goodman, Jill and Tibor Mazar, Douglas and Shelly Bush, Ann M. Moore, Dr. Donald and Kathryn Musholt, Bob and Eleanor Royer, A Friend, Kenneth and Louise Gipson, Paul and Veda Jenkins, Dr. Mark Wilson, DDS, R.J. Odle, Liz Cato, Shirley Overman, Sallye Russell, Frances Jackson, Donna Mosley, Chuck Ryan, Jerry and Linda Musser, Danna Darty, Melanie Vaughn and Allen and Ann Bush.
2008-2009 Patrons— Last week we announced a renewal plan to our current Patrons to sign up for next year. Patrons receive admission to each of our Series programs, invitation to each of our “Meet the Artists” receptions, free popcorn and drink at each program, among several other benefits. For returning or new Patrons who enroll by May 15, 2008, our Board decided to continue last years’ patron cost of $100.00 per person. After May 15, it will increased to $150.00. We have already had 18 enroll as 2008-2009 Patrons! Welcome back for the coming year to: Sarah Jackson, JD and Tonya Harris, Harrell and LaGene Hampton, Shirley Overman, Jack and Nancy Goodman, Douglas and Shelly Bush, Kenneth and Louise Gipson, Sallye Russell, Mark K. Wilson and Frances Jackson; and welcome to William and Betty Koval.
Children’s Summer Art Workshop— We will be conducting our third summer art workshop for children at The Ritz under the leadership of Kelly Williams, and he will be joined for the second summer by Robert Phelps. Both of these local artists will make this a special summer experience for area children. Open to ages 8 to 15, there will be two groups—beginners and advanced—and each will meet each Monday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 during June and July. The program is free for the children, and all materials will be provided for them. For more information, or to register a student, call us at 870-762-1744. Back |
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