Texarkana Entertainment Blog

When I traveled through Louisiana with six writers to see “off the beaten path” destinations a few weeks ago, we found ourselves in the van for many miles as we careened from place to place. A couple writers spent that downtime-on-wheels almost solely on Twitter, updating others about our trip and interacting with their Twitter followers. (Heck, they’d update their Twitters when simply walking from place to place.)  

Twitter seems to have become quite the rage in recent months. Personally, I’m not sure I understand the appeal. The information broadcast through Twitter seems the equivalent to me of a Facebook or MySpace status update—not a whole lot there to get me excited. But there is something neat about its mobility that makes it handy and interesting if you’re really into the subject. Now comes Ashton Kutcher to promote his own Twitter.  He’s issued the challenge to CNN. Who can get to 1 million followers first? AP story: Kutcher, CNN Square off on Twitter. 

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Texarkana College Music Department  on Saturday will hold an audition day for students who want to start classes this fall at Texarkana College. Students have several different areas where they can receive instruction: brass, organ, strings, voice, piano, composition, and woodwind. 

More info: e-mail Celia Richardson at crichard@texarkanacollege.edu. Students must contact Richardson about setting an appointment. Auditions begin at 9 a.m. in TC’s music hall. 

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: -0% [?]

April 24-26 will be a busy weekend down in Linden, Texas, with the Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival on those days and the 9th Annual Cass County Championship Rodeo on that Friday and Saturday. 

Wildflower Trails celebrates the natural floral beauties native to the East Texas area in Linden and nearby cities. Phlox and Indian paint brush are just two of such wildflowers found here in the spring, making a drive through the countryside even more special. 

On tap both Friday and Saturday for the Wildflower Trails are a quilt show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and an amateur art show and contest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, both the craft show and “Food Fest” go from 8:30 a.m. to close, children’s activities, Lion’s Club Cake Walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., homemade ice cream from the chamber of commerce, a 10 a.m. horseshoe tournament, classic car exhibit, and Music on the Square (with local musicians playing). The Wildflower Trails Parade kicks off at 2 p.m. with the Cowgirl Chicks (who will also appear at the rodeo) as grand marshals. On Sunday, there’s Gospel Music on the Square starting at 1:30 p.m. 

For the rodeo at the Cass County Rodeo Grounds, the action goes from 8 p.m. on both nights. Friday’s theme is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” and a portion of ticket proceeds benefits cancer research. Put on some pink and show your support. Muttin’ Bustin’ and the Critter Scramble will both give kids some rodeo fun. (Muttin’ Bustin’ starts at 7 p.m.) Ticket prices: $8 for adults, $4 for kids 6 to 12, free for the 5 and under crowd. 

On the Net: www.lindenwildflowertrails.com and www.casscountychampionshiprodeo.com. 

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photos courtesy of Rebecca Narramore and the Cass County Championship Rodeo Association: 

Asteraceae, a wildflower of East Texas.

Critter Scramble at the rodeo gives kids a chance to catch a critter and take it home.

Popularity: -0% [?]

Downtown Youth Theater is busy rehearsing the musical “Annie Jr.” in its second-floor theater room at the First United Methodist Church Building at 401 N. Stateline Ave. DYT always strives to be creative with its use of the long theater room in that church building and will have a two-tier stage at each end of it for this production; once again, the whole room will be utilized to stage the action. “Annie Jr.” is also right in line with the other musicals (“The Sound of Music” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” for example)  the theater company has produced recently. DYT will present the musical for two weekends this time, and the production features two different young actresses in the title role: Ellen Andrews and Bethany Carlton.

Here’s the performance schedule: April 24 at 7 p.m., April 25 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., April 26 at 3 p.m.; April 30 at 7 p.m., May 1 at 7 p.m., May 2 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 suggested donation. More info and reservations: 903-792-7136.

Down below are two rehearsal photos from this past Saturday.

- Aaron Brand

Staff photos by Megumi Rooze:

Eva Garrett (Miss Hannigan) and Bethany Carlton (Annie) during a rehearsal of the play "Annie Jr." April 11 at the First United Methodist Church.

During a rehearsal of the play "Annie Jr.," Ellen Andrews sings as Anna Crande (Molly), leans against her April 11 at the First United Methodist Church.

Popularity: -0% [?]

Jefferson, Texas, hosts a big show Friday through Sunday for folks lovin’ cars. It’s the Outlaw Nationals Rod Run and Car Show where about 300 cars (classic, antique, muscle and street rod) will be hanging out looking their best and waiting for the public to peruse, examine and daydream all over them. They’ll be parked in Jefferson’s historic, brick-street downtown neighborhood. Jefferson native Mark Fort will show his Rat Rod, a creation made of the body of a 1940 Chevrolet with parts from other vintage autos. Proceeds benefit the Percy Johnson Burn Foundation and Children’s Camp. Big Cypress Street Rod Association sponsors this event. 

More info: Rudd Key (903) 665-3411; Mark Fort  (903) 665-7595; Bob Wolcott (903) 407-1908. Or you can e-mail ekey998064@aol.com. 

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: -1% [?]

Last night I attended the bunco tournament sponsored by the Texarkana Volunteer Center, and in more ways than one it was an exciting night and more than I bargained for when I decided to research a feature story on the game.

First, bunco players are beyond enthusiastic. When the game gets rolling and a few rounds have been played, the general atmosphere in the room borders on manic with cries of “Bunco!!!” skittering around the room and the sound of bells (similar to a cowbell) rising from table after table. The team I sat with for much of the night was dressed as Easter baskets, fake Easter grass and plastic eggs covering the front of their shirts. Other teams, such as the Hot Dice Girls, made a point of wearing team shirts as well. Players get downright rowdy. As the night was starting to wind down at Special Events on the Boulevard, the bad weather rolled into town and phoned-in reports from husbands and friends indicated tornados may have struck here and there. With safety in mind, organizers urged us all into a back room and away from the big glass windows where we were. We mingled in back for several minutes, wondering what the real scoop was outside; sirens cried through town. But when further reports suggested the main damage was being done south of town, points were tallied, prizes were given, and the bunco crews (apart from those headed to the Atlanta area) began to disband. Bunco, a wild game, had a wild night in Texarkana. 

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: -0% [?]

For this Sunday’s Accent page I’m taking you for dip down into Bayou country in Louisiana, chronicling the media tour I took a few weeks ago. These stories focus on the south-of-Shreveport leg of the trip, and there’s lots to cover: great pie, Natchitoches, the state nursery festival, the Southern forestry heritage, plantations along the Cane River, and a fabulous nature preserve among the topics. But I have to say, the (peach) pie I tasted at Lea’s Lunchroom in Lecompte, La., holds a special place in my heart. If you’ve ever been there, you know what I’m talking about. So, I hope you check this Sunday Accent for some further vignettes from the Pelican State.

- Aaron Brand 

Popularity: unranked [?]

TRAHC has its own Youtube spot on the Web now. And the folks there posted four clips of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble performing a week ago in front of the Downtown Post Office. Here’s a couple clips of DTH’s fun performance. . 

- Aaron Brand

Popularity: -0% [?]

The good times are rolling at the new TRAHC exhibit “Carnaval!” It’s a colorful, flamboyant, and interactive exhibit celebrating Carnival, known here in the States as Mardi Gras. Some fantastic, fascinating clothing and masks populate the Regional Arts Center. The exhibit is a look at how eight different cultures celebrate the festivities. In their own ways, these modern celebrations are unique but there are cross-cultural similarities. All combine some sense of fun and play. The exhibit is organized by the Museum of International Folk Art. The exhibit runs through May 9. Open hours at the RAC: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 7 p.m. close on Thursday. Admission is free.

- Aaron Brand

Staff photos by Evan Lewis:

Although Carnival festivals are different across cultures, masks are commonly used in such celebrations.

Bryan Phillips, TRAHC's community programs director, discusses the French plague doctor masks at left.

Popularity: 1% [?]

If you’d like to hear the new Collin Raye song “She’s With Me” and help kids who have extraordinary medical expenses to meet, you can do so through a $5 donation to Operation Kids. Make the donation (at http://operationkids.org/collinraye) and you’re entitled to a free download of that Raye song. The song is from Raye’s new album, “Never Going Back,” set to be released April 28 on Time Life. 

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photo: 

Popularity: 1% [?]