Texarkana Entertainment Blog

Good news on a Friday. I found out this morning that Dr. Maya Angelou will speak at Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant, Texas, at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2010. Angelou is the celebrated author of many books and a thrilling, moving public speaker. She’s penned more than 30 bestsellers, including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which chronicles the early part of her life. Angelou has roots in Southwest Arkansas, in fact, having grown up for part of her childhood in Stamps, Ark. She chronicles those days in “Caged Bird,” which is considered a classic autobiography. Tickets are already on sale and it’s a good bet they’ll go quick. They cost $45, $35, and $25. Students get in for $15. More info and tickets: 903-434-8181 or NTCC’s Whatley Center for the Performing Arts Website.

- Aaron Brand

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Back when I was a MFA student in a creative writing program, one of the most nerve-wracking aspects to acquiring my degree was reading my poems aloud at different functions and during class. It was pretty much a requirement, and I’d shyly read the poems I wrote for my thesis book of poetry. Let me tell you, it’s no easy task and anyone who can perform their writing smoothly gets kudos and respect from me.

Well, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana English Club presents some brave writers at noon on Wednesday. The club is holding a reading from the latest edition of Aquila Review, a literary magazine and arts journal published by TAMU-T’s Department of English. The new issue, which is their third volume, is out now and copies will be on hand (along with CD versions) to purchase. The reading will be held in Room 108 of the Aikin Building on the TAMU-T campus.

If so inclined to hear some poetry, stories, or creative nonfiction, go check them out. More faces in the crowd and reader interest always helps. The Aquila Review also has a Website at www.tamut.edu/aquila.

- Aaron Brand

The “Dichos” exhibit up on the walls of the Regional Arts Center here in Texarkana may contain words in the form of pithy sayings scrawled on Latin American buses and trucks, but like all art those words can serve as inspiration for more art, action or just plain old reflection and creative thinking. TRAHC is taking a cue on that for its Sixth Annual WRITE! on Art Competition. People from 7th grade to adult ages can enter the competition by writing poetry or prose inspired by the photographs in this exhibit. Of course, you have to see the exhibit to participate, and it closes Oct. 3. Entries are due at the RAC by 4 p.m. on Oct. 16. There’s even a prize for winning—and that’s a $100 savings account at Red River Credit Union. Age groups are 7th/8th Grade, High School, University/Adult.

Entry forms and guidelines can be downloaded at Trahc.org. (Once there click on the ArtsSmart link.) Ultimately, winners are honored at a December awards ceremony and their works are collected in an anthology. More info: 903-792-8681. So take out your pencils, a pad of paper, and get to work.

- Aaron Brand

Edward Humes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and journalist, will discuss his career and new book “Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires Who Are Saving Our Planet” at 7 p.m. on Monday at Soul Surroundings (121 N. Polk) in Jefferson, Texas. The discussion is part of the Pulpwood Queen Book Club’s Arts, Letters, and Soul Author Lecture Series. “Eco Barons” chronicles some of the visionaries who push for stronger environmental stewardship and a deeper eco-consciousness. I’ve not read the book, but it certainly is a timely issue and there are a number of fascinating characters (Ted Turner, for example) who’ve devoted their considerable fortunes and time to enacting positive environmental change. Humes has a blog about his book here: Eco Barons blog. 

Tickets are $30 per person and $40 per couple; a supper and refreshments are included. For more information or buying a ticket, call Soul Surroundings at 903-665-8107 or Beauty and the Book (where copies of “Eco Barons” are available) at 903-665-7520. 

- Aaron Brand

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Interesting news for Shakespeare fans. Scholars say they’ve found the only portrait of William Shakespeare made while he was alive. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust unveiled the portrait today, according to the Associated Press. Source and story: The Bard? Portrait said to be Shakespeare unveiled. 

- Aaron Brand

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is surely one of my favorite movies of all time. I bet it’s up there near the top for many people. It’s a timeless masterpiece, featuring an amazing performance by Gregory Peck as small-town Southern lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends the wrongly accused Tom Robinson. The film also has low-key, competent and subtle direction from Robert Mulligan, who died this past weekend.

Here’s the story from the A.P.: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_en_mo/obit_mulligan.

And here’s a neat clip from YouTube that has photos from the film and Peck’s famous court speech. It’s powerful.

- Aaron Brand

Inspiration to write can come down many avenues, compelling someone to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

For those who participated in TRAHC’s Fifth Annual Write! on Art Competition (which used to be called The Writer’s Eye), the inspiration came from artists whose work has been displayed for months at the Wachovia Securities landscape exhibit housed at the Regional Arts Center. Warhol and Lichtenstein, both famed Pop artists, are two of the artists who served to motivate the writers. It wasn’t just adults and college-aged folks who wrote poetry and prose. High school students and 7th and 8th graders also took part from mid-September to mid-October. To my eyes, some of the freshest, best writing can come from young writers.

The winners will read tomorrow night, Thursday, starting at 7 p.m. at the RAC. Nineteen were selected by a judges panel.

This event is free, like all Occasional Thursday events organized by TRAHC, and open to the public.

Oh, and if you haven’t seen “Landscapes: Selections from the Corporate Collection of Wachovia Securities” at the RAC, Saturday will be your last chance. So get out there if you can. It’s fantastic, interesting work.

- Aaron Brand