Aaron Brand has been a reporter at the Texarkana Gazette since 2002. He covers the arts, entertainment and features for the Gazette. His stories appear in the Accent pages of the newspaper's Friday and Sunday editions. A Chicago-area native and Cubs fan, Aaron has also lived in rural Indiana and Pacific Northwest cities including Portland, Ore. He studied English and received a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College, then earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Eastern Washington University. His poetry has been published in various literary journals, and past work experience includes social work and teaching English composition at the college and university levels.
Voice honors civil rights leader
TEXARKANA, Texas — Martin Luther King Jr.'s spirit, wisdom and accomplishments will be celebrated Friday night in honor of the holiday named for this beloved civil rights leader.
Jan. 15 2020 @ 11:04pm
Expert talks about steamboats on the Red River
TEXARKANA, Texas — Dubbed the Red River Historian, Robin Cole-Jett will lead attendees on a virtual historical excursion up and down the Red River as she talks steamboats on Saturday.
Jan. 15 2020 @ 10:21pm
Shreveport duo plays Saturday at the Arrow
TEXARKANA, Ark. — They're not blood relatives, but Erica Butler and Karah Roop are soul sisters who together make up the talented vocal duo Kericah.
Jan. 15 2020 @ 10:19pm
VIDEO | Hop aboard | Take a streetcar ride into Texarkana's past
When Texarkana was a young, on-the-grow city, the streetcar system helped residents manage that expansion by connecting people to destinations all across the cities.
Jan. 12 2020 @ 5:07am
Sinners are welcome for Parson B show
Parson B and the Part Time Sinners may be led by preacher Barry Bobbitt, but that won't stop them from pleasing you with a diverse array of music, including outlaw country.
Jan. 10 2020 @ 1:54am
Get in the game with Miss Nelson musical
See how the Smedley Tornadoes school football team turns it around with a performance of "Miss Nelson Has a Field Day" Wednesday at the Perot Theatre.
Jan. 10 2020 @ 1:53am
Fresh Pour returns to 'comedy town'
This past fall's Fresh Pour Comedy Tour stop at Hopkins Icehouse was so successful, they're returning to what Fresh Pour mastermind Blake Lensing calls a good comedy town.
Jan. 10 2020 @ 1:53am
Author Charlaine Harris to sign books at BAM
Mystery and Southern gothic novelist Charlaine Harris will sign books at Texarkana's Books-A-Million store starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Jan. 10 2020 @ 1:52am
Mardi Gras plans take shape for Texarkana
The Tuesday morning announcement that Texarkana's Mardi Gras celebration was saved means Texarkana will, to coin a Cajun French phrase, "laissez les bon temps rouler" come Saturday, Feb. 22.
Jan. 9 2020 @ 3:50am
To a galaxy far, far away for the final time
With light saber sword battles silenced, a final mission dared and an iconic opening crawl disappearing from the metroplex screen, the Skywalker saga for all things Star Wars is now done and literally buried in the sand.
Jan. 5 2020 @ 4:54am
Young local photographer finds inspiration in fantasy, landscapes
TEXARKANA — With titles like "Mystic Waterfall," "Oasis of the Gods" and "The Town's Dark Past," the art and photography of Texarkana's Victor Vera evokes a mysterious quality.
Jan. 5 2020 @ 4:53am
Writing about Rocky: Local author pens "A Rocky Divorce" mystery
What started out as a series of vignettes written for local writer Matt Coleman's wife turned into a full-fledged mystery involving an anti-social divorcee, the Junior League, drug deals, home invasions and murder -- all in Texarkana.
Jan. 4 2020 @ 3:19am
Writing about Rocky: Local author pens 'A Rocky Divorce' mystery
TEXARKANA — What started out as a series of vignettes written for local writer Matt Coleman's wife turned into a full-fledged mystery involving an anti-social divorcee, the Junior League, drug deals, home invasions and murder — all in Texarkana.
Jan. 4 2020 @ 1:56am
Pushing the Limits: Globetrotters visit in February
The Harlem Globetrotters are known around the world for a pure love of basketball and on-court hoops magic.
Jan. 3 2020 @ 1:27am
Painting time is bonding time
Usher in the new year with an art project that creates something memorable for parent and child.
Jan. 3 2020 @ 1:26am
Start 2020 by preserving memories: TMS hosts scrapbooking event
If preserving history is one aim of the Texarkana Museums System, it makes sense to start a new year with an event titled Making Memories: Scrapbooking & Conversation.
Jan. 3 2020 @ 1:24am
'Boggy Creek' showing in Dallas
The restored and remastered 4K version of "The Legend of Boggy Creek" has another regional screening lined up.
Jan. 3 2020 @ 1:24am
HER | Camera collector finds and restores vintage Polaroids
For local photographer Maddy Green, a love for what's vintage extends to the device one may use to capture the perfect moment.
Jan. 3 2020 @ 12:21am
From 'Hollywood' and elsewhere, 2019 was a winning year for film
Any Top 10 movie list shouldn't pretend to be authoritative because each is a necessarily subjective reflection of the reviewer's tastes, obsessions and aesthetic sensibility.
Jan. 2 2020 @ 11:35pm
'The extraordinary in the ordinary' | ArtsSmart artist Kay Thomas discusses importance of art
For anyone who's worked with the ArtsSmart program at the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Kay Thomas has likely been a unique and ever-resourceful fountain of creativity.
Jan. 2 2020 @ 4:19am