Taking AiM...The Newsletter of Arts in McNairy

Taking AiM...The Newsletter of Arts in McNairy

In This Issue

Dames of Broadway July 24-26 & 2009-10 Theatre Schedule

July Book Club

Help Us Take AiM on the Arts

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July 2009

Thank You Arts in McNairy Committee Chairs and Members!

As we pause to take a deep breath this summer, we would like to say congratulations and a special word of thanks to all our committee chairs and their dedicated committee members. They are the people who really make Arts in McNairy tick!

The Performing Arts Committee just wrapped their 8th season in a spectacular way with Starmites and planned an impromptu summer treat before the next season begins in earnest this fall. As that group continues to grow and evolve they constantly amaze and delight local audiences with their range and versatility. Drama, comedy, musicals, children's and adult theatre; these folks can do it all and do it all very well. See their 2009-10 line up listed below and support them by attending some of these outstanding shows.

The Literary Arts Committee has been successfully resurrected this year, sponsoring the spring poetry contest and establishing the monthly book club meetings. The much revered Southern author, Clyde Edgerton, even got in on the action when his new novel, The Bible Salesman, was discussed. A great deal of time and effort has been devoted to insure that McNairy County residents have an opportunity to engage the literary mind and for that we are grateful to this hard working committee. Come join in the book club discussion. An updated schedule is listed below.

Not to be out done, the Music Committee artfully engages the community with the band and chorus programs and live music offerings like the Rockabilly Highway Revival show and summer concert series. The well attended 4th of July patriotic concert in the park was a tremendous success and involved some 30+ musicians from around the region. You would have to look far and wide to find a community of our size with a better music program. We now look forward to the, always spectacular, Christmas concert with hundreds of local voices and musicians.

The Visual Arts and Heritage and Culture Committee's are also quite active. The annual photography contest is just around the corner and the new Brian Tull mural in downtown Selmer speaks for itself. The AiM Artisan Trail keeps getting bigger and better while the ongoing research and assessment continues to reveal our shared cultural heritage and shape our collective future.

Thanks to one and all for you dedication and hard work. You make McNairy County a better place to live, work and visit and we are lucky to have quality people like these so involved in our community.

Dames of Broadway - July 24-26
2009-10 Theatre Season Announced

Just when you thought the theatre season was over, Arts in McNairy presents, The Dames of Broadway! The show is a musical revue of the greatest Broadway hits from the most memorable ladies of the stage. From the tantalizing Dream Girls theme to the beautiful "Some things are Meant to Be" from Little Women; the unforgettable "Sisters" made popular in Irving Berlin's White Christmas to the energetic "Dancin' Queen" in Mama Mia; "For Good" from Wicked; "I Got the Sun in the Morning" from Annie Get Your Gun; and the list goes on and on! All of Broadway's best! All your favorites! Sung by some of the most gifted ladies of the Arts in McNairy stage with a few special guest appearances, the show is being directed by Ben Wilkinson and Choreographed by Jennifer Threadgill.

Saturday night audiences at "Dames" will have the added pleasure of sampling the outrageously decadent, dessert bar. Several mouthwatering treats prepared by Sonya Ruby will be available during intermission for an additional fee.

Please support cultural development in McNairy County by attending The Dames of Broadway: July, 24 and 25 at 7:30 P.M. and July 26 at 2:00 P.M. Admission is $10.00 for everyone and dessert bar tickets are an additional $10. All shows will be at the McNairy Central Little Theatre and tickets for the show and dessert bar are available on a first come first served basis.

Don't miss the show! It will be a great ending for a great local theatre season. Don't forget to mark your calendars now for the newly announced 2009-10 season listed below:

Irving Berlin's White Christmas

November 20-24

7:30 nightly; 2 P.M. Sunday

Auditions: September 28 and 29;

Ages: 12 and up;

Directed by Bryan Essary

Music by Sarah Lemons

Choreography by Jennifer Threadgill

Mother Goose and Friends

February 19-21

7:30 nightly; 2 P.M. Sunday

School Shows: February 19 and February 22

Auditions: January 5 and 6

Ages: 6 - 18

Directed by Bryan Essary and Joanna Pitts

Steel Magnolia
April 9-11

7:30 nightly; 2 P.M. Sunday

Auditions: February 22 and 23

Ages: 18 and up (Ladies)

Directed by Tom Cook

Oklahoma!

June 25-30

7:30 nightly; 2 P.M. Sunday

Auditions: April 3 and 4

Ages: 12 and up

Directed by Bryan Essary

Music by Sarah Lemons and Shawn Pitts

Choreography by Jennifer Threadgill

July Book Club - Water for Elephants

The July Book Club selection is Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants." Come join the group for a lively discussion and light snacks Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 PM. The club meets each month at the Jack McConnico Memorial Library, 225 Oak Grove Rd in Selmer, between McNairy Regional Hospital and Home Banking Company. Participation is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

The following titles have been selected for the remainder of the 2009:

Aug. 20 - The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
Sept. 17 - The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
Oct. 15 - Walking Across Egypt - Clyde Edgerton
Nov. 19 - Fair and Tender Ladies - Lee Smith

Contact Arts in McNairy, Literary Arts Chair, Leanne Emmons at (731) 646-3851 for further details.

Help Us Take AiM on the Arts in 2009-10

Arts in McNairy has been able to survive and flourish over the years due to the generosity of the dedicated citizens and businesses of McNairy County. Your tax deductible contributions* have helped AiM provide:

Community Theatre which reaches literally thousands each year through adult and student cast, crew and audience members
Summer Concert Series bringing first rate live musical entertainment to Selmer every summer for concerts free to the community
Rockabilly Highway Mural showcasing the tremendous talent of county native, Brian Tull and shining the spotlight on our unique musical heritage
AiM Artisan Trail which engages local artisans and crafts people through festivals and two annual tours enhancing local tourism
Art Workshops which provide educational opportunities for our musicians, actors and visual artists young and young at heart
Visual Art Showings featuring area artists in individual and group shows and "meet the artist" receptions in cooperation with UTM McNairy/Selmer
Annual Photography Contest which attracts hundreds of stunning amateur photo entries each fall for judging, show, reception and awards presentation
Heritage and Cultural Assessment that provides deeper understanding of the best McNairy County's rich cultural traditions have to offer
Community Band and Chorus giving amateur musicians and vocalists an opportunity to participate in organized musical efforts and local concerts

Please consider making your contribution today in one of the following categories.

Individual Donor Categories:

Student......................$10.00
Individual...................$15.00
Family........................$25.00
Donor.........................$50.00
Patron........................$100.00
Benefactor..................$250.00
Sustainer....................$500.00

Corporate Patrons Sponsorship Levels:

Corporate Bronze........$250.00
Corporate Silver..........$500.00
Corporate Gold............$750.00
Corporate Platinum......$1,000.00

Corporate Diamond......$1,000.00+

Make checks payable to Arts in McNairy and mail to:

Arts in McNairy
P.O. Box 66

Selmer, TN 38375

*Arts in McNairy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Consult your tax professional for more information about tax deductible gifts

Arts in McNairy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation chartered in McNairy County Tennessee to:

foster and encourage the development of local arts programs
provide opportunities for all citizens to participate in the arts
preserve and promote the cultural strengths of McNairy County

Please help us "take AiM on the arts," by making a tax deductible contribution to Arts in McNairy or participating in our Corporate Partners Program. More details are available on the AiM website at: www.artsinmcnairy.com or our interactive blog: www.artsinmcnairy.blogspot.com.