Everything Nac

Several Stephen F. Austin State University Rusche College of Business students in the American Marketing Association recently placed first in the marketing strategy and salesmanship competitions at the Regional AMA Conference in Houston.

Mary Morgan, Houston sophomore; Theresa Vinh, Houston junior and vice president of promotions for SFA’s AMA chapter; and Jared Upham, League City sophomore; placed first among 30 teams in the marketing strategy competition, where each team had 30 minutes to determine and present the best marketing strategy for its client, James Coney Island, a Houston restaurant.

“It was a great experience,” Vinh said. “This was my first AMA conference, and when they announced that we won first place, it was awesome.”

Stephen Ross Jones, Cypress senior and vice president of finance for SFA’s AMA chapter, and Braxton Robinson, Dallas senior and president of SFA’s AMA chapter, won first among 25 teams in the salesmanship competition, which challenged students to select a product, describe the setting, and present and close the sale in two minutes.

“I’m looking to go into entry-level sales, so getting that experience of going to a cold-call sale really boosted my confidence,” Jones said. “Winning the competition validated everything I’ve learned and done during college.”

Dr. Marlene Kahla, AMA adviser and professor in SFA’s Rusche College of Business’ Department of Management, Marketing and International Business, attended the conference and boasted the many benefits this event provided students.

Kahla said students had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and other university students, increase self-perceptions, develop confidence in their chosen fields, secure a win for their résumés, and represent SFA and their department.

“The students learned they are winners in a competitive marketplace,” Kahla said. “They realized they are able to understand new material quickly and that they can make decisions and present them effectively to other educators and people in the industry.”

This year’s Día de los Muertos Fiesta will once again feature the popular Chikawa Aztec Dancers returning to perform at the fourth annual celebration slated for 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in downtown Nacogdoches in and around The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead observance, is considered a cheerful celebration of life, honoring the souls of the deceased. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican term derived from the Roman Catholic All Saints’ and All Souls’ days, traditionally observed Nov. 1 and 2. An array of activities, ranging from decorating graves to creating home altars, typically highlight the celebration that can last for days.

For the past three years, hundreds of East Texas residents have attended the Nacogdoches festival, and this year’s event will provide the perfect addition to a fun-filled weekend, according to Lisa Steed, events coordinator for Stephen F. Austin State University art galleries.

“This year’s Day of the Dead celebration is on the night of SFA’s homecoming,” Steed said. “We want everyone to come downtown after the game and join us for fun, food and great entertainment.”

Among the entertainers will be the fascinating Chikawa Aztec Dancers, the Martinez Mariachi Duo, Charlie Jones & Friends and musicians Juan Carlos and Jenna Ureña. Based in Conroe, the Chikawa Aztec Dancers with their colorful costumes are always a crowd pleaser, Steed said. This year’s fiesta T-shirt will feature an image of an Aztec dancer.

“We will also have the traditional Day of the Dead procession, and anyone can participate,” she said. “Costumes are highly encouraged, especially Day of the Dead themed costumes.”

The community altar returns this year in the window of Cole Art Center where remembrances or a photo of a loved one who has passed on can be included.

The fiesta is organized by SFA Art Galleries, and a fundraiser for the gallery will feature original art and Day of the Dead vintage items. The Día de los Muertos Fiesta has become an event that brings diverse segments of the East Texas community together to celebrate life and art, Steed said.

“This event has become inclusive of all minority communities, not just those considered ‘art people,'” she said.

Steed said a favorite memory of hers from last year’s event occurred when she observed three Hispanic young men who were studying and discussing a piece of art in the hallway of Cole Art Center. They were talking about their different perceptions of what the work was about, when one of them pointed out the written description mounted on the wall beside the piece.

“Seeing those kids ‘find’ art for the first time is what we have wanted to do with this event and with the gallery,” she said.

Vendor booth spaces are still available. Among the vendors already committed to participating are SFA Art Metals, SFA Art Alliance, Friends of the Visual Arts, The Old Stone Fort, Nacogdoches Public Library with free children’s activities, SFA School of Theatre with face painting, and several food vendors, including Casa Morales and Birdie’s Bakery, and more.

Those interested in reserving booth spaces may email sfaartgalleries@sfasu.edu to receive a reservation form, which are also available at the Nacogdoches Public Library and The Cole Art Center.

Sponsors are also being solicited for the event. Confirmed sponsors include SFA Sound Recording Technology, R&K Distributors, the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau and Friends of the Visual Arts.

For more information, call (936) 468-6557.

The husband-and-wife piano duo of Matthew and Katarina Loudermilk will present a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a feature of the Cole Performing Arts Series.

The duo will perform works by Franz Schubert, including the Fantasia in F minor for piano four-hands, D 940. Works by Sergei Rachmaninoff will be performed in the second half of the concert.

Matthew and Katarina Loudermilk have performed numerous times on KUHF Radio, and their Schubert Fantasy was featured on Houston’s PBS television station. In the summer of 2015, Matthew and Katarina toured China with a program of Rachmaninoff’s music, and this past summer they performed in Moscow, Russia.

As a soloist, Matthew has performed throughout the United States, including appearances at the NFMC national convention in New Orleans, Severance Hall in Cleveland, the Gilmore Festival in Michigan, the Cincinnati Art Museum and a live performance on WCLV-FM, Cleveland’s classical music station.

Born in Moscow, Katarina made her Russian debut at age 13 in the Bolshoi Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. She has performed throughout Russia and Europe including appearances at the National Art Museum and Rudolfino Hall in Prague and the Maliy Hall of the Russian Music Academy

In addition to their performing careers, Matthew and Katarina are co-founders and directors of the International Music Academy in Houston, which is revolutionizing the approach to children’s music education. As highly sought after speakers and judges, they have presented at the TMTA Convention, Society for the Performing Arts and Tuesday Musical Club, as well as giving guest lectures at Rice University.

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.