Everything Nac

A blend of bluegrass-tinted holiday favorites will usher in the Christmas season when the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts presents “Dailey & Vincent: A Bluegrass Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in W.M. Turner Auditorium in the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

The performance by the musically acclaimed group that features Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts 2012-2013 University Series, “Expressions.”

With more than 30 music awards to its credit, the Dailey & Vincent partnership is one of the most applauded acts in the bluegrass community.

“Anyone who is a fan of bluegrass music is well aware of kind of entertaining evening that is promised at a Dailey & Vincent performance,” said John Goodall, associate dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts. “We’re pleased to offer a show of this caliber in our University Series. It’s going to be an enjoyable evening.”

Among the accolades Dailey & Vincent has received from the International Bluegrass Music Association are both Entertainers of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010; Gospel Performance of the Year in 2008 and 2009; Gospel Group of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; Bluegrass Band of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012; and Vocal Group of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. IBMA named Jamie Dailey Male Vocalist of the Year five consecutive years, and he is the current reigning Entertainer of the Year.

Their combined expertise, along with that of band members Jeff Parker, Christian Davis, B.J. Cherryholmes and Jessie Baker, has made Dailey & Vincent “an esteemed act,” according to information at www.daileyandvincent.bombplates.com.

“A live Dailey & Vincent performance has something for every fan, featuring exceptional vocals, harmonized with an unexpected range of material and backed by the skillful musicianship for which bluegrass is known,” the site says.

Before the performance, there will be an informative talk presented by Herbert Midgley, lecturer in the SFA School of Music, in the Griffith Gallery located across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to honor the event’s corporate sponsor, Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Tickets range from $17.50 to $35, with discounts available for seniors, SFA faculty and staff, students and youth. For tickets or information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Join the Nacogdoches Naturally staff for a family outdoor cooking and campfire program from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Stephen F. Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St.

Planned activities include outdoor cooking demonstrations with sample tasting and a campfire program featuring storytelling, singing and s’mores.

Dutch oven cooking methods will be shared along with opportunities to enjoy other fire-roasted foods. In addition, there will be games, stories and other special activities to engage the whole family during an evening under the winter night sky.

“The Pineywoods Native Plant Center is the perfect setting for our last family event for 2012,” said Kerry Lemon, project director for Nacogdoches Naturally. “We invite everyone to come out and experience the beauty of an East Texas winter evening.”

Families are encouraged to come early and hike the Tucker Woods trails from 5 to 6 p.m. before attending the outdoor education program. All programs are family friendly and appropriate for all ages. Cost for the event is $10 per family.

Nacogdoches Naturally Family Outdoor Adventures is a project sponsored by SFA Gardens and is funded through a More Kids in the Woods grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Forest Service. Activities are designed to cultivate outdoor skills and an awareness of forest ecology with the goal of helping families develop a lifetime appreciation for the natural world.

For more information, call (936) 468-5586 or e-mail lemonkb@sfasu.edu.