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What a beautiful canvas Mother Nature has painted for us! Yes, art has sprung to life with vivid colors all around. This new season has inspired more than just the weather, however. Arts in McNairy volunteers are happily filling up their calendars with new projects and events.
We've recently enjoyed another tour of our popular Artisan Trail with old enthusiasts and new-comers alike. We give many thanks to the artisans and the traveling guests who participated. We also made our first appearance at the "Taste of McNairy" which supports Habitat for Humanity. Guests enjoyed locally made honey, sorghum, and sourdough bread. We appreciate Logan's Lake Honey, Stoll Sorghum, Lisa Kennedy and JoRica Moore for providing these delicious treats. Several local artists also loaned us some of their pieces, helping us win the "Most Tastefully Composed" table at the event. Our production of Steel Magnolias will make its debut this weekend, so make your plans now to attend one of the performances. You'll be glad you did! Who knows, you may be inspired to audition for a part in the next play or musical!
As committees meet, decisions are made, and questions are answered, we continue to move forward with our plans for our permanent home in the Latta Building. We are excited about making our dream a reality and are looking forward to sharing this wonderful experience with the community.
Thanks to the city and county officials, volunteers, artists, and community at large for your continued support of the arts. Our efforts would be fruitless without you.
Leanne Emmons
Arts in McNairy President |
| Steel Magnolias This Weekend! April 9-11 |
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 Arts in McNairy is proud to announce three upcoming performances of Steel Magnolias 7:30 PM, April 9 & 10 and 2:00 PM April 11. All shows will be at McNairy Central High School's Little Theatre, 493 High School Road in Selmer, TN. Tickets will be available at the door for $8.00 (adults) and $5.00 (students).
The show is based on Robert Harling's original stage play that first appeared Off Broadway in 1987 and was later popularized by the 1989 Tri Star Pictures release. The familiar and much beloved characters are portrayed by an outstanding cast of six local ladies. Three are new to Arts in McNairy and three are veteran performers. Making return appearance to the AiM stage are Megan Woolworth (Annelle), Christy Carmack (Ouiser) and Melanie Murray (Truvy). Making their AiM debut are, Sara Morris (Shelby), Dr. Nicolle Feeney (M'Lynn) and Sara Norris (Clairee). Tom Cook returns to direct his second show with Arts in McNairy. Tom directed the memorable 2008 production of A Christmas Carol and has been seen on stage in numerous roles over the last several years. |
| Music and Public Art Take Center Stage at June 2010 Rockabilly Highway Revival |
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Above: Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats will perform at the 2010 Rockabilly Highway Revival
 | The musical lineup for the 2010 Rockabilly Highway Revival has just been announced. Information is also being made available about two new public art installations that will take place in conjunction with the event.
The 2009 Rockabilly Highway Revival and Rockabilly Highway Mural dedication were run-away successes attracting music fans, art lovers, period car enthusiasts and just about everyone else, it seemed. Some estimated attendance as high as 5,000 for the inaugural, June, festival sponsored by Arts in McNairy, McNairy Regional Alliance, Selmer Business Alliance and the city of Selmer.
This year's Rockabilly Revival is planned for June 12 and a schedule of events will be announced at a later date. The festival pays homage to the McNairy County's famed Rockabilly music roots with an all day celebration including, live music, food vendors, public art dedication, period car and motorcycle shows, "Artist's Alley," 5K run, carnival and a multitude of other exiting attractions.
Music offerings will again include Nashville's Rockabilly bad boy, Phil Hummer with his all female accompaniment The White Falcons. New to this year's stage will be North Georgia's Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats, who are well known to the Chattanooga music scene. The headlining act will be Carl Perkins' and Johnny Cash's original drummer and Sun Records recording legend, W.S. Holland with his excellent group of sidemen from Jackson, Tennessee. A few musical surprises are expected to round out the day. Check the bands out at the links below.
Arts in McNairy will also dedicate two more pieces of public art that are part of a multiyear plan to develop a scenic walking trail in downtown Selmer. Each piece will commemorate some aspect of the county's rich musical heritage and are funded in part by Tennessee Arts Commission grants. McNairy County metal artists Tim Pace and Bob Brooks have been commissioned to complete two very different sculptures to be placed in Selmer's new green space and farmer's market at the corner of Court Avenue and Front Street. See examples of the artist's work by clicking on their website links below. This year's Rockabilly Revival festivities are slated to open with the park and sculpture dedications.
Rockabilly Revival Artist Links:
Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats
Phil Hummer and the White Falcons
The W.S. Holland Band
Eco-Art by Tim Pace
Bob Brooks Metal Art
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AiM Takes Top Honors at "Taste of McNairy" |
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Left to Right: AiM President, Leanne Emmons; Treasurer, Joanna Pitts; artists, Linda Craig and Constance Beck; staff the Arts in McNairy booth at Taste of McNairy
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The yearly fundraiser for McNairy County's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, A Taste of McNairy was held March 16 at the Selmer Community Center.
Always a hit, the event features a sampling of some of the best foods McNairy County has to offer, prepared and served by a various businesses, civic groups, individuals and churches from around the area.
While, raising money for Habitat is the primary goal, a friendly spirit of lively competition always prevails among the many participants when the judging finally roles around. Habitat members and attendees select and honor the best booths in several categories. This year, Arts in McNairy was, fittingly, awarded the coveted "Most Tasteful Composed" entry. Everything in the AiM booth from the decorations to the food was made in McNairy County. Local food products included homemade breads by Lisa Kennedy and Jorica Moore, Stoll Sorghum Mill Molasses and Logan's Lake Honey. McNairy Regional Alliance cosponsored the booth and MRA staffer and Saddle Mountain Bakery owner, Tracy Helmuth, served her famous focaccia bread alongside the AiM display. For more information on these great, homegrown, McNairy County, foods contact MRA.
Not to be outdone, the arists of McNairy County beautified the booth with displays of their work which were intended to promote the AiM Artisan Trail the following weekend. Artists featured in the mini-exhibit were: Stephanie Sweeny, Constance Beck, Jeremiah Briggs, Jack Martin, Linda Craig, Sandee Barton, Tim Pace, Shawn Pitts, Vicki Cowan and Patricia Fischer. |
| Book Club April 15 - The Plague of Doves |
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 You are invited to attend the Arts in McNairy Book Club 7:00 PM, Thursday April 15 in the conference room of Selmer's Jack McConnico Public Library. There are no fees to join the discussion and participants are encouraged to check out available titles at county libraries or purchase their own.
This months selection is Louise Erdrich's The Plague of Doves. A book club member will moderate the discussion and light refreshments will be served. Come out and join the book club. You'll be glad you did!
4/15 The Plague of Doves - Louise Erdrich
5/20 Crazy Ladies - Michael Lee West
6/17 The Secret Holocaust Diaries - Nonna Bannister
7/15 The Chili Queen - Sandra Dallas
8/19 The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
9/16 The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
10/21 In Cold Blood -Truman Capote
11/18 Skipping Christmas - John Grisham
Contact Arts in McNairy, Literary Arts Chair, Leanne Emmons at (731) 646-3851 for further details.
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| Community Band Now Rehearsing - Join the Fun! |
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 The Arts in McNairy Community Band has started preparing for the upcoming season with twice monthly rehearsals. Meetings and practice sessions are held at the Selmer Middle School Band Hall, typically on the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of each month. Go to the band's website to check the updated calendar, see pictures of performances and sign up for email reminders for rehearsals.
The band is directed by Ronnie Brooks and open to musicians of all skill levels. It is not usuals to see retirees sitting next to student musicians at community band. You must furnish your own instrument and purchase a community band shirt for some performances but there are no other fees associated with participation. The band performs 2-3 shows a year for the public.
The next Community Band Practice is scheduled for:
6:00 PM, Thursday, April 8
Learn more at:
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