Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Beef Research Center barn was destroyed in a fire that occurred early on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 14.

“The fire caused significant damage to the structure and contents of the building,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “We are very thankful that no people or animals were injured.”

The Beef Farm is a part of SFA’s 726-acre Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center, and it is an integral part of the learning experience for SFA’s agriculture students.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Friends and alumni who wish to donate funds to aid in the recovery of the facility and its contents may contribute in a variety of ways.

To donate online, visit www.sfasu.edu/give. Select “other,” specify “Beef Farm” and follow the designated steps to complete the donation.

Checks made payable to the SFA Office of Development also may be sent to P.O. Box 6092-SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962. Please include a note stating the contribution is for the SFA Beef Farm.

Donors also may call the SFA Office of Development at (936) 468-5406 to make a gift by phone. Once again, please designate the donation is intended for the SFA Beef Farm.

For any inquiries regarding other ways to help, contact Dr. Joey Bray, chair of the SFA Department of Agriculture, at (936) 468-3705 or Dr. Erin Brown, professor of animal science, at (936) 468-3705.

The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, Stephen F. Austin State University’s historic downtown gallery, will be open during a portion of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, gallery officials have announced.

Cole Art Center will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 20 through 22. The gallery will be open during regular hours Friday through Sunday, Nov. 23 through 25.

Exhibitions currently showing feature artwork by Kymia Nawabi and the SFA School of Art’s biennial exhibition of jewelry and metalwork.

“Kymia Nawabi: Not for Long, My Forlorn” features a series of large-scale drawings that “acted as meditations on life and death channeled through ravenous, otherworldly beings and animals that inhabit a purgatory-like space,” according to the artist. An exhibition reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.

Works selected for inclusion in the 10th annual Art Metals/Jewelry Competition and Exhibition can be seen in the upstairs Reavley Gallery.

A vintage Christmas display featuring antique ornaments, decorations, dolls and toys of bygone eras will be added to the exhibitions Dec. 1 through 30.

Regular gallery hours are from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The exhibitions are free and open to the public and are sponsored in part by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, William Arscott, Nacogdoches Junior Forum and The Flower Shop. The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For additional information, call (936) 468-1131.

The Contemporary Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform a rhythm and blues concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Music Recital Hall on the SFA campus.

The program will feature R&B music from multiple decades starting with the 1960s, according to Nick Lambson, instructor in the Sound Recording Technology program in the SFA School of Music.

“A lot of music in this genre has a large instrumentation, so in addition to vocals, guitars, bass and drums, we have keys, violin, trumpet and trombones,” Lambson said.

Among the selection highlights are “My Girl” by the Temptations; “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire; “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder; “Smooth Operator” by Sade; “He Wasn’t Man Enough” by Toni Braxton; and “Good Man” by Raphael Saadiq.

Lambson did the transcription arrangement for “Good Man,” and SFA student Travis Wattingly provided the arrangement for the Braxton piece.

The concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Admission is free. For more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Cutline: The Contemporary Ensemble at SFA will perform the music of the Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and other R&B favorites when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Music Recital Hall on the SFA campus.

Finding that special gift for the person who has everything may not be as difficult as you think, especially if that certain someone likes live music.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and its University Series will present two concerts prior to Christmas, and purchasing tickets as gifts is as easy as going online to finearts.sfasu.edu or picking up the phone to call the Fine Arts Box Office.

The options are as varied as a full-on rock concert to a bluegrass holiday show. But you need to act quickly, because tickets to The Purple Xperience, the most authentic Prince tribute in the world, on Nov. 30 and award-winning bluegrass sensations Dailey & Vincent on Dec. 11 are going fast, according to Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Series.

“Fans of musical variety will want to see both of these knockout concerts,” Shattuck said, “but many people will instantly know that one or the other is just right for them. What the two evenings have in common is incredibly high quality. These are all nationally known, world-class musicians who have played and recorded with the top superstars.”

A presentation of the College of Fine Arts and sponsored by Lehmann Eye Center, The Purple Xperience is a five-piece group that transports the spirit and sound of Prince direct from Minneapolis. Front man Marshall Charloff, who once recorded with Prince, channels the vocals and moves of the critically acclaimed icon in an unmatched, uncanny fashion, from his appearance to his multi-instrumental capacity, Shattuck said. The Purple Xperience is presented as a special Encore Event, and tickets are $45 for Section A seating; $36 for Section B seating; and $27 for Section C seating. Discounts are available for seniors, students, children and SFA faculty and staff members.

A little closer to Christmas, Dailey & Vincent will present “A Springer Mountain Farms Christmas,” featuring holiday favorites performed as only this bluegrass duo can. Known from their Saturday night show on RFD-TV, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have won 13 International Bluegrass Association Awards, including three for Entertainer of the Year, three for Vocal Group of the Year, two for Album of the Year and one for Male Vocalist of the Year (Jamie). Individually, they have performed or recorded with Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, the Gaither Vocal Band and others. Dailey and Vincent have been nominated for two Grammy Awards and won a Dove Award for Bluegrass Album of the year. Commercial Bank of Texas sponsors the University Series performance.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.

University Series and Encore Event performances are at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium in the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Friends of Theatre will host a fundraiser to benefit theatre students at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Maklemore’s Ale-House & Bistro.

“Christmas Chronicles,” a program of sentimental songs and stories, features local talents and beloved performers Brad Maule and Rhonda Plymate Simmons. In addition to the holiday-themed entertainment, the audience will be treated to a full meal that includes a dinner entree, drink and dessert, according to Cleo House Jr., director of the SFA School of Theatre.

“Our purpose with this event is to raise money for our Friends of Theatre fund, which goes to support student scholarships, student travel to conferences and student research,” House said. “This is a great way to bring in the holiday season, support SFA students and be entertained. It is a good cause that gives back to others and to you.”

“Christmas Chronicles” was originally conceived by Dr. Alan Nielsen, professor emeritus in the School of Theatre, who died in March of this year. Nielsen directed 25 productions at SFA, from “Lovers and Other Strangers” in 1991 to “She Stoops to Conquer” in 2011, when he retired. Nielsen created the traveling musical troupe The Original Cast and both composed and produced their shows throughout his years at SFA.

“This nostalgic holiday presentation is meant to offer a little music, a little poetry, and a lot of fun,” according to Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts, professor of theatre and director of this presentation of “Christmas Chronicles.”

Maule is a faculty member of the schools of Theatre and Art at SFA. Before returning to his alma mater in Nacogdoches, he spent 22 years as a star of television’s “General Hospital,” earning two Daytime Emmy nominations for his acting, and as a guest star on dozens of primetime series. He is well known in Deep East Texas for his television and commercial appearances and his support of countless local charity events and businesses.

Simmons was a professional actor and singer in Dallas and New York City for several years before coming to Nacogdoches to start a family, open a business, and earn a master’s degree in theatre at SFA. As a student here, her roles included Mama Rose in “Gypsy” and Portia in “The Merchant of Venice.” She later appeared with SFA faculty and staff members in “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” and later in the Summer Repertory Theatre production of “The Beauty Queen of Leenane.” She is also owner of Express Employment Professionals serving Nacogdoches and Lufkin.

Simmons and Maule acted together in the 2015 SFA presentation of “August: Osage County” and hosted a reading of A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” in the fall of 2016.

The Friends of Theatre is the local community support organization for SFA’s School of Theatre. Generous Nacogdoches community members contribute and raise funds for scholarships, awards and other projects that benefit theatre students and the school’s theatre productions. Simmons is the longtime president of the Friends of Theatre.

Tickets for “Christmas Chronicles” are $50 per person. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Seating is limited.

“So book for you and your guests soon as possible,” House said, “but don’t assume if you’re late buying tickets that you’re too late. You never know.”

A community sing-along of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will raise funds for the A Cappella Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University to travel to Europe in 2020.

The community event, with guest conductors, organist, pianist and soloists, and featuring the audience and SFA A Cappella Choir as the chorus, is at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The fundraiser is designed to help defray the costs of the choir’s 2020 Italy tour, according to Dr. Michael Murphy, director of choral activities in the SFA School of Music.

“Ring in the holiday season with the perennial favorite, Handel’s ‘Messiah,'” Murphy said. “The SFA choral area is hosting a community sing-along for Nacogdoches and surrounding communities. Bring your ‘Messiah’ score or rent one for $2 from the SFA choral area and sing or listen to Handel’s glorious masterpiece.”

The program will feature guest artists Dr. Ron Anderson, Tommy Butler, Dr. Debbie Dalton, Dr. Tod Fish, Jacob Rivas, André Simon, Mary Turner and Murphy as conductors; Dr. Thomas Nixon, pianist; Greg Simmons, organist; and Megan Bucher, E.J. Grayson, Michael Nanney, Grant Peterson, Nathan Ponder, Summer Price and Viveca Richards, soloists.

Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 senior citizens, $5 students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform the music of Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, Sammy Nestico, Thelonius Monk and other jazz artists when the student ensembles perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Directing the Swingin’ Axes is Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone at SFA. Swingin’ Aces director is Dr. J.D. Salas, associate professor of tuba and euphonium.

Guest saxophonist Carlos Casso will perform with the Swingin’ Axes on Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood,” arranged by Mike Tomaro, and “Do Nothin’ ‘Til You Hear From Me,” arranged by Tommy Newsom.

Casso is a professional saxophonist who is active in the Amarillo area music scene. His small jazz group, The Martinis, performs regularly at many jazz events, including Amarillo College’s “June Jazz,” Center City’s “Jazztober” and Chamber Music Amarillo’s “Jazz on 6th Street,” as well as a variety of other private and public performance engagements.

Under his leadership, the Amarillo Jazz Orchestra has shared big band literature with a wide array of fans and was featured on two PBS specials for KACV-TV. Casso’s eclectic style is influenced by his vast playing experiences ranging from jazz to classical, country swing to rock and roll. He received his music business degree from West Texas State University and owns Audio Refinery, a professional recording studio in Amarillo.

Casso will be joined on stage by his son, Dan, who is a senior music education major at SFA, trumpet player in the Swingin’ Axes and a recipient of the Sidnell Memorial Dean’s Award in Music Education. Together, they will perform “Emancipation Blues” by Oliver Nelson.

The Axes will also perform “Channel One Suite” made famous by the Buddy Rich Big Band and arranged by Bill Reddie; an arrangement of an African song, “Mra Khali” by Dudu Pukwana, arranged by Julien Arguelles; “Tall and Lanky” by Jeff Coffin; and “Show Up” by Michael Davis.

The Swingin’ Aces will perform “Blue Chip” from the library of The Count Basie Orchestra and “Tangerine,” from the 2009 Sammy Nestico album “A Portrait of Sammy. Maximo Mucino, jazz teaching assistant, will also conduct Mark Taylor’s arrangement of “Well You Needn’t” by Thelonius Monk.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

The SFA Gardens will host a garden seminar, “Deck the Halls — Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays,” from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Stephen F. Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Evergreen branches and garlands once served as symbols of enduring life and a fruitful year to come. Join Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, to learn how to create elegant wreaths and garlands using materials from the garden.

Participants will learn principles of wreath, garland and centerpiece construction and make a wreath to enjoy and take home for the holidays.

In addition to the traditional wreaths and garlands, Stover will introduce new crafts using natural items from the garden and forest. All materials will be provided.

Class size is limited, so please register in advance by calling (936) 468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu. The cost is $30 for SFA Garden members and $35 for nonmembers.