A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Tri-Cities' musical Mecca celebrates 25th anniversary

The East Tennessee Children's Choir began with a dream; and after a few stumbles – including an armed robbery – it has grown beyond its original dream and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

In This Issue

• Arts for Youth Spotlight: Jenson Lavallee Jenson Lavallee first set foot on a stage in middle school, but when he came to King University his dream wasn't to study theatre. He was a pre-med major on a volleyball scholarship. But, oh how his dream has changed.
• Backcountry Makers: Edward W. Mort The pottery group shown here is a good representation of local stoneware.
• JCCT hires new theatre manager The Johnson City Community Theatre has appointed Thomas Townsend as theatre manager.
• Jim Martin honored by state Tennessee's highest honor in the arts, the Governor's Arts Award, presented by Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam, honored Johnson City, Tenn., resident James C. "Jim" Martin in the Arts Leadership category.
• Milligan student studying music in Nashville Milligan College sophomore Johnny Miller, of Johnson City, Tenn., is soaking in the sights and sounds of Nashville this semester as part of an off-campus study program that is preparing him for a career in music.
• Tusculum College students honored at literary festival Seven Tusculum College students, all English/creative writing majors, attended Hollins University's 53rd Annual Lex Allen Literary Festival in Roanoke, Va. with English Department chair, Heather Patterson.
• Milligan students' photographs finalists in competition Six Milligan College students were selected as finalists in the Photographer's Forum Magazine 33rd Annual College and High School Photography Contest.
• Abingdon seeking community service nominations The Abingdon, Va., Town Council is accepting nominations for the annual Arthur Campbell Community Service Award, the highest honor given by the council.

A! Extra

• Tricia Matthews shines in one woman drama at Barter In an absolutely brava! performance long-time Barter favorite Tricia Matthews positively mesmerizes as she portrays seven wildly different characters in eight scenes of an intense two-act drama called The Blonde, the Brunette & the Vengeful Redhead
• Look for JUNE A! Magazine on Wednesday, MAY 29 Expect your JUNE A! Magazine on Wednesday, MAY 29, 2013. And plan now to submit press releases and to advertise in the JULY 2013 print edition of A! Magazine for the Arts.
• Barter Upgrades assistive listening system at main stage Barter Theatre announced the recent upgrade of the assistive listening system at its main stage.
• ETSU Foundation commits $1 million for ETSU Arts Center The East Tennessee State University Foundation committed $1 million to support the proposed ETSU Arts Center during its annual business meeting.
• Undergraduate storytelling minor to be available this fall at ETSU Building on the success of its master's concentration in storytelling, East Tennessee State University has established an undergraduate minor in the field, which will be available to students in the 2013-14 academic year.
• VI professor to participate in special seminar Virginia Intermont College art professor Perry Johnson is one of a select group of faculty members nationwide to participate in a special week-long seminar on Teaching European Art in Context.
• 'Big' hardly describes biggest thing in Barter's big summer musical The biggest thing in Barter Theatre's big summer musical is ... well, the word "big" hardly describes it.
• Dance along to American roots music Hop in, hold on, hit the gas and go! That's the music of Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys.
• Verner Blankenship Park Music Jam in Hurley, Va., new Crooked Road venue Hurley, Va., is in Buchanan County, an area rich in coal resources. It is also rich in traditional music, including gospel, old-time and bluegrass.
• Barter Theatre denies involvement in giant head found floating in New York River Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia, has issued a statement denying any connection to the giant 7-foot-high Styrofoam head found floating in the Hudson River earlier this week.
• Barter scores with well-loved story The March sisters. For many women, these young ladies, from Louisa May Alcott's beloved book, Little Women, are cherished friends from childhood.
• Museums of Tusculum bring home awards At the Tennessee Association of Museum's annual conference, the Museums of Tusculum College received an Award of Commendation.
• New Band Sets First Concert A new community band is up and running in Bristol and is planning a concert in May.
• Milligan announces awards for Juried Art Exhibition Milligan College recognized several students for their outstanding work in the college's annual Juried Art Exhibition.