Everything Nac

The two-night presentation of Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” at Stephen F. Austin State University is a complete sellout.

“We knew this event would be popular with East Texas audiences, so we are not surprised that both performances will have full houses, but we didn’t think they would be sold out a full week in advance,” said Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Series.

An Encore Event presented by the SFA College of Fine Arts, “The Great Russian Nutcracker” is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Both performances are sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center.

For those who may have missed out on this popular holiday tradition, another opportunity awaits to enjoy the musical cheer of the season in Nacogdoches, but time is of the essence, Shattuck said. Ticket sales are also brisk for the upcoming “Christmas with the Annie Moses Band,” a University Series event at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

“Good seats are still available for our Christmas show in December, but tickets to this performance by the sensational Annie Moses Band are also moving quickly,” Shattuck said.

“Christmas with the Annie Moses Band” has been televised as one of the most popular PBS specials of the holiday season. From spirited renditions of “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” and “Deck the Halls” to the breathtaking beauty of “O Holy Night,” this evening of live music promises to be “thrilling, exultant and transporting,” according to Shattuck.

“Seeing the Annie Moses Band live is another perfect way to spend a holiday evening,” he said, “But don’t delay in ordering your tickets, because this could be another sellout.”

The performance in W.M. Turner Auditorium is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Medical Center.

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

Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre’s production of Anne Washburn’s “Mr. Burns, a post-electric play” can be seen at 7:30 nightly through Saturday, Nov. 11, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Performing in one of the scenes are, standing, Wichita Falls senior Travis Brasher and Crandall sophomore Gareth Phipps; middle, Austin junior Abigail Junk, Houston sophomore Anais Saenz and Nacogdoches sophomore Alexis Beck; and front, Houston senior Terrance Simon and Mesquite junior Zaria Harp. Tickets are $15 for adult, $10 for senior and $7.50 for student/youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University students and faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science participated in the Texas Society for Public Health Education annual conference in Waco.

During the two-day conference titled “Advancing Population Health through Diversity, Innovation and Collaboration,” students networked with professionals, attended panel presentations and workshop sessions, and viewed research posters.

Workshop sessions included “Collective Impact: Utilizing Community Coalitions and Collaborative Efforts to Advance Change,” “Quality Improvement: The Value and Use of Data to Drive Health Education Programming,” and “Skill Building: Improving the Capacity and Need for Public Health Education.”

Emily Miller, McKinney senior, said she was glad she attended the conference because of the networking opportunities.

“I made several contacts with people from diverse health professions, including someone from Chicago, where I hope to live after graduation,” Miller said. “There were many kind and helpful people willing to provide career guidance and network with me about having a meaningful career in health science.”

Jillian McKenzie, Beaumont senior, agreed the conference was a helpful tool in making career contacts.

“The conference opened my eyes to all of the possibilities and opportunities I have with a degree in health science,” McKenzie said. “I would strongly encourage my peers to attend these kinds of conferences. They open doors to internships and career opportunities.”

Marym Lakhani, visiting lecturer in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, is serving as president-elect of the TSOPHE, a nonprofit professional association representing a diverse membership of health education professionals and students from across Texas, according to txsophe.org.

As president-elect, Lakhani served as co-chair of the program planning and audit committees. As program chair, she was responsible for helping organize and execute the conference.

Drs. Mary Hawkins, coordinator of SFA’s health science program, and DawnElla Rust, health science professor at SFA, also attended the conference.