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

The Ritz Review
 The "Ritz Review" is the monthly newsletter of
The Arts Council of Mississippi County in Blytheville, AR.
 6th Edition – Volume 2 – August, 2008

Director's Corner

     We started off our 08-09 Series year with a great show by “Blend”!  It was a really fun night of good, solid a cappella singing by a truly professional group of young men.  Several folks have already asked if we might bring them back sometime.  Next on our agenda is Barbara Bailey Hutchison.  (No, she is not the former governor of Texas!)  But she is a Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter, who has toured internationally and performed twice at The White House.  Although her name may not be familiar, her voice will be recognized from commercials for McDonald’s, Hallmark Cards, Heinz and other national advertisers.  Not only will we have the joy of seeing Barbara in concert at The Ritz on Friday, October 3, 2008, at 7:00 pm, we will also have her share her special program about women in history with students from Osceola, Rivercrest and Blytheville Middle Schools.    

2008-2009 Sponsor Update

     Our Corporate Sponsor drive has increased by five since last month to a current total of 44  underwriting our 08-09 Series of programming.  We have Platinum Level donation from Nucor Steel Arkansas, Gold Level from Peggy Lemons and Temps Plus Staffing, First National Bank, and Farmers Bank and Trust,  Silver Level from Westminster Village and Nucor-Yamato Steel Co., Bronze Level from Lee Wilson and Company, Thomas, Speight and Noble, ACT2!, Schlosser Photography and Frame, Bistro Eleven21, Comfort Inn and Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn of Blytheville, Perkins Family Restaurant, Quality Inn, That Bookstore In Blytheville and American Greetings.  For Copper Level we have Arkham Comics, Bugmobile of Arkansas, Michael Williams, D.D.S., Scott Johnson Vision Care, State Representative Charlotte Wagner, Dr. & Mrs. James D. Hess, D.D.S., Glenda’s Hallmark, Dave Simmons, CPA, PA, Pollard-Geeslin Insurance, Klassi Kopies, Inc., Omnium, Bill Nelson and Crye-Leike Missco Realty, Fondren’s Hardware, East Ash Animal Hospital, Mary Ellen Ziolko, PhD., The Cullom Clinic, Kiwanis Club of Blytheville, NIBCO, Dr. T.E. Westbrook, Jr., P.A., Liz N Company, Langston Enterprises, Inc., Dr. Van O. Parker, D.D.S., Hays Stores, Inc., Fosters Liquor Store, Jeri-Lin Donuts and Russell’s Rents and Sales.

     Please encourage your business or organization to become a Sponsor for the Arts in Mississippi County.

Patrons for 2008-2009

     We currently have 46 Patrons for our Year.  Fifteen are new and 31 are returning.  Patrons are Sarah Jackson, JD and Tonya Harris, Harrell and LaGene Hampton, Shirley Overman, William and Betty Koval, Jack and Nancy Goodman, Douglas and Shelly Bush, Kenneth and Louise Gipson, Sallye Russell, Dr. and Mrs. Mark K. Wilson, Frances Jackson, Ann M. Moore, A.J. Parrett, Ron and Becky Williams, Bill and Clorita Hardy, Jack D. Simers, Chuck and Lisa Ryan and family, Jonathan and Margaret Abbott, Ramona Clower, Paul and Veda Jenkins, Tibor and Jill Mazar, Eileen O’Neal, Bob and Eleanor Royer, Kathy Cooper, Liz Smith, Charles Moody, George Klee, Donna Mosley, Laura Martin, Jerry and Betty Brown and Jerry Musser.

Our 2008-2009 Series

     The next program scheduled for the 2008-2009 Series is “Barbara Bailey Hutchinson Sings”, a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter who will be in concert on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  She is also scheduled to present a program at Osceola High Auditorium for Osceola Middle School, Osceola Charter School, and Rivercrest Middle School and another program at Blytheville Middle School.  Then we will see a national touring production of the stage comedy “A Tuna Christmas”, presented by Springer Theatricals on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  It will be followed by a national touring production of the Tony Award winning musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie” on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm.   “The Barber of Cactus Canyon”, presented by Wildwood Park “Opera To Go” is set for  April 28, 2009, with school day performances for area students on both the 28^th and 29^th.   Other programs are being considered for addition to our 08-09 Series. 

September Arts Council Events –

     September 8, Monday at 6:00 PM—Marketing Committee of The Arts Council at The Ritz.

     September 8, Monday at 6:45 PM—Monthly meeting of The Board of The Arts Council of Mississippi County held in the Board Room of The Ritz.  Visitors welcome.

     September 13, Saturday at 7:00 PM—Support Live Music featuring area “garage” bands live on the stage of The Ritz. Donation of $5.00 for admission.

September Rentals

     September 6, Saturday at 7:30 PM—“Ninth Anniversary Celebration” for Anointed Disciples, beginning at 7:30 pm.

     September 27, Saturday at 7:00 PM—“An Evening of Comedy” presented by Syblyngz Productions.

Our Affiliate, ACT2! –

     Casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for “Dracula” by Philip Grecian, under the direction of Ken Jackson.  This mystery will hit the stage of The Ritz for one performance only on Saturday, October 4^th at 7:00 pm.  The cast is made up of twelve voice talents, as well as sound effects specialists, commonly referred to as “Foley” artists who will create all of the special sounds for such a story.

     The show will be presented in “Readers Theater” style as a staged radio play.  The story is based, of course, on the original novel by Bram Stoker and was first produced on radio stations in 1973.  Be sure and get this event on your calendar.

        Anyone needing additional information about ACT 2! can call 870-762-1744.

Coming to our Gallery

     The Gallery of The Ritz Civic Center will feature the works of artist Barbara Bailey Hutchison September 15-October 15, 2008.  Although better known as a Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, Ms Hutchison displays insight and depth in her collection of portraits and landscapes.  In her visual art, her first love is the human face, and her interpretations are contemplative and sincere.  The show is entitled “All Kinds of Kinds” and takes its’ name from a song on one of Ms Hutchison’s CD’s.

     The presentation is free of charge, and works are available for purchase.  The Gallery is open weekdays from 9:00 am to noon and from 1:00-5:00 pm, evenings during scheduled events at The Ritz, and by appointment at other times.  To schedule a visit to the gallery, or for other information, call 870-762-1744.

SEE YOU AT THE RITZ!