Everything Nac

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.

A reception for artist Kymia Nawabi whose work is showing at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House through the end of the year is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the art center in downtown Nacogdoches.

“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.

Recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Grant and Fellowship in Drawing in 2017, Nawabi has exhibited her work widely in both group and solo exhibitions. This particular exhibition has been shown at The Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, North Carolina, and The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York.

Nawabi earned first prize on season two of Bravo’s “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist,” taking home $100,000 and earning a solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. On the final episode of “Work of Art,” she organized her works for this exhibition.

Admission to the exhibition and reception, which is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Visual Arts, Nacogdoches Junior Forum, William Arscott and The Flower Shop, is free. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

The Texas Forestry Association presented Dr. Kenneth Farrish, Arnold Distinguished Professor and director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Division of Environmental Science, with the Project Learning Tree Forestry Innovation Award during the association’s annual convention held in October at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

“Dr. Farrish realized that graduates often lack certain skills that enable them to build successful, satisfying careers,” said Misty Bowie, PLT co-coordinator. “That understanding of his student’s needs and the needs of their future employers led him to develop and continually improve his senior seminar course.”

Noteworthy class activities include attending the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals’ conference, professional networking and a business dining etiquette seminar. Writing résumé and cover letters, interview etiquette, presentation and interpersonal skills, and appropriate business attire also are addressed.

“The course, which is required for seniors in the environmental science program, is experience-based, helping students develop skills that make them more well-rounded in their individual lives and build their self-confidence as they prepare for the transition to the workplace,” Bowie said. “Positive feedback from the course has led administrators in the forestry program, as well as in other colleges on the SFA campus, to take steps to develop and implement similar programs for their respective fields.”

The Texas Forestry Association, the voice for forestry for 100 years, promotes an economic, social and political climate that advances forestry in Texas through education, political action and public relations. The organization also serves the broad needs of forest landowners, producers and consumers, and seeks to enhance and perpetuate the resources of Texas forests.

Stephen F. Austin State University voice students will present a program of musical theatre and opera scenes in a performance that features the Broadway hits of Leonard Bernstein at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

“Bernstein on Broadway … and More!” will showcase students enrolled in the Opera Workshop class taught by Dr. Deborah Dalton, associate professor of voice and director of opera.

The first part of the program features the Opera Ensemble in scenes from selected Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, including “Carousel,” “Oklahoma!” and “The Sound of Music.” Pianist Shirley Watterston will accompany.

“I chose to do an all-Bernstein program with Opera Workshop in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth,” Dalton said. “This program consists of duets, quartets and quintets as well as full company performances. There are 13 scenes and 25 singers on the program.”

Selections from “West Side Story,” “Candide” and “On the Town” will be performed with piano accompaniment by student pianists Rachel Clark and Parker Dickenson.

“The most well-known scenes are from ‘West Side Story,’ a modern take on ‘Romeo and Juliet,'” Dalton said. “Two rival gangs, the Jets – native New Yorkers led by Riff – and the Sharks – Puerto Rican immigrants led by Bernardo – claim the same turf. Tony, formerly of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, Bernardo’s sister. Unfortunately, the story ends in tragedy.”

The balcony scene features the song “Tonight,” in which Tony searches for Maria and then climbs up the fire escape to talk to her after they met at a dance. In the “Tonight” quintet, the principals are getting ready for an exciting evening. The scene features Tony and Maria, because they planned a meeting; Anita, who has a date with her boyfriend, Bernardo; and Riff and Bernardo, who are getting worked up for a fight between the strongest boys in their respective gangs. In “A Boy Like That,” Anita finds out about Tony and confronts Maria. She makes sure Maria knows “this” kind of boy is bad news.

“There are some lovely surprises to be discovered in scenes from the less well-known shows,” Dalton added.

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.