Briefly in the arts
Visual Arts Society of Texas member Tonya Littmann of Denton will exhibit a collection of her fine art quilts at the PointBank Black Box Theatre, 318 E. Hickory St., through July 11.
Lynn Sheffield Simmons: Argyle receives its second Little Free Library site
Argyle’s second Little Free Library, “Take a Book-Leave a Book,” was recently established outside Edward Jones Investments, 100 Country Club Road, Suite 100.
Houston in person
About 300 students at Sam Houston Elementary School recently watched “The Lion of Texas: The Story of Sam Houston,” performed by Gainesville performer and author Sam Houston. Houston, who works as a mediator, said he’s long wanted to bring the story of his namesake to Texas schoolchildren. “Sam Houston has such an incredible story, and it seems to me that the students of today will better understand that story and the rich heritage they all share as Texans by not only reading history but by seeing and experiencing their history,” he said.
Briefly in the Community: Cowboy church arena to open for events
Ridin’ for the Brand Cowboy Church of Sanger has announced summer rodeo events at its arena.
Denton actor faces cocaine charges
Los Angeles County prosecutors say they’ve charged a former Days of Our Lives actor with selling cocaine out of his Agoura Hills, Calif., home.
A crescendo
Mark Graham already has a full plate as the director of the music ministry of First Christian Church of Denton. But the Denton native made room for one more project: a new music school.
Local schools nab musical awards
DALLAS — At 4-foot-9, Dakota Ratliff said, “I love being short. “It doesn’t limit me onstage, and I like surprising people.” The 17-year-old Ryan High School senior with the big voice certainly delighted the crowd Tuesday night at Dallas’ Fair Park Music Hall by winning best actress for her touching turn as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Dallas Summer Musicals was presenting its second annual High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Gallery night
Denton Calvary Academy converted its art classroom into a gallery Thursday night to showcase work by students. Students invited family and friends for a reception during the event. Elementary and secondary students were included in the art show, which featured painting, drawing, three-dimensional art, paper mosaics and more. After refreshments and gathering, students and their families were free to view the art. The private Christian school’s art teachers are Kellee Cash and K’Lynn Grant.
Briefly in the arts
Texas Woman’s University instructor Lei Zhang will lead the upcoming installment of “Professor’s Corner” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Lane.
UNT students sweep DownBeat awards
Students and ensembles in the jazz studies program of the University of North Texas College of Music were recognized 16 times with DownBeat Student Music Awards this year — more than any other institution. The prestigious awards will be announced in the June issue of the national jazz magazine.
Pam Rainey: We can all spare a little mothering
We celebrate mothers this month. I’ve given a lot of thought to the women who have influenced and continue to influence my life.
Mad about music
Justin Weed was the youngest and least established guitarist at the Texas Top 10 Under 20 contest during the Dallas International Guitar Festival a week ago. Neither age nor experience kept the contest’s three judges from awarding first place to the Calhoun Middle School student, though.
Security ‘top priority’ at jazz fest
With more than 200,000 people expected to flow through Quakertown Park during the three-day Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, security is an issue organizers have been working on for years.
One O’clock plays show for Dallas jazz month
The University of North Texas’ One O’clock Lab Band presents “Grammy Jazz,” selections from nominated works, as part of a jazz concert Thursday night at the Dallas City Performance Hall.
UNT presents EarthFest, International Fair
EarthFest is on Monday at the University of North Texas as it wraps up a series of events for Celebrating Great Global Citizens Month.
Guest educator comes to dance celebration
The University of North Texas’ upcoming faculty dance concert, “Celebrating the Power of Dance,” will be the focal point of four days of events bringing together students, faculty and alumni.
Best of Denton 2013
There’s nothing quite like the hometown flavor of Denton. Each year, residents choose their favorites among the many businesses in the community, selecting those that provide quality customer service.
Making time for ‘Love’
DALLAS — It’s hard to believe that Ben Patton needs help from a TV dating show to find a mate. He’s a successful business pro, currently the CEO of Integrity Transitional, a private hospital in Denton. He has matinee-idol good looks. And — this is very important — he’s not afraid of commitment. In matchmaker terms, he’s what you call a real catch.
Top Hand volunteers sought for jazz fest
With a couple of hundred thousand people crowding into Quakertown Park for the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, the Denton Festival Foundation is in the market for more volunteers to help keep the crowds fed, watered and dazzled by the music and fine arts that glut the three-day event on the last weekend of April.
Creatures, great and small
For poet Paisley Rekdal, her latest collection of writings is an intimate admission of a very human tendency. When people look at animals, the poet said, they humanize them. And when people look at other humans — especially humans with whom they don’t easily relate — they dehumanize them. In some of our more shameful scenarios, we reduce other people to simple beasts.
Worm to star in area film
PILOT POINT — The idea to shoot a short film about a giant tomato worm that served as a soldier in World War I started as a joke among a few friends in Pilot Point. But as scenes were written and ideas were bounced around, sometimes over alcohol, many felt that the idea was “so crazy that it just might work” as a short feature.
Making monsters
A local student has learned that making monsters real has some perks for children. University of North Texas communications design senior Katie Johnson has been turning those creepy, crawly, slimy things that can scare kids into works of art with the help of friends, artists and lots of schoolchildren.
Enrollment open for DCT Theatre School
Early enrollment closes at 5 p.m. Friday for the spring semester of Denton Community Theatre’s Theatre School.
Artist to demonstrate techniques at NCTC
Painter Don MacLaughlin will demonstrate painting techniques at the upcoming Gainesville Area Visual Arts meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the lecture hall at the Visual Arts Department of North Central Texas College.
Voice acting class to be offered in Corinth
The city of Corinth will present an introduction to voice-over reading and acting with Voice Coaches on the evening of April 4.
UNT celebrates global citizens with art, food
The University of North Texas will observe Celebrating Great Global Citizens Month in April. The university will offer events focusing on diversity, internationalism and sustainability.
Texas Storytelling Festival wraps up on personal note
The 28th annual Texas Storytelling Festival concluded Sunday with storytellers sharing personal and intimate details about their lives to illustrate that behind everyone’s outward appearance, the same fears, responsibilities and desire to be loved exist.
Moscow cool
This week we begin in 1955 Moscow: “Hipsters” (****) Not rated, 125 minutes. Now available on DVD.
Tarp wrangling
Jake Laughlin tries to hang on to a wayward tarp being put up over the stage of Denton Radio on the Square on Thursday. Denton Radio on the Square provides a supplement to 35 Denton with a stage for local musicians.
Baptist Generals to debut new album at Dan’s
Local ears are set to hear some new music from the Baptist Generals today. The Denton band is releasing its long-awaited record, Jackleg Devotional to the Heart, in May after a 10-year wait. The album will get its public debut with a listening party at 2 p.m. today at Dan’s Silverleaf.
Street closures set for festival
Hickory Street will be closed to traffic east of the Square from today through Sunday for 35 Denton. No street closures are planned for the Texas Storytelling Festival, which is also being conducted today through Sunday two blocks away at the Denton Civic Center.
Texas Storytelling Festival coming to town
Storytelling time is here again and it’s not just for children. Entering its 28th year, the Texas Storytelling Festival will feature ghost stories, story concerts, workshops and more from an assortment of accomplished storytellers including DeCee Cornish, Willy Claflin, Andy Offutt Irwin and Motoko.
Day panels expected to draw crowds at 35 Denton
Most people who come to 35 Denton are there to see their favorite musical acts — and to discover new ones. That doesn’t keep the day panels from drawing standing-room-only crowds during the four-day festival that begins Thursday in the heart of Denton.
Briefly in the Arts
Sun to Moon Gallery recently opened its most recent photography exhibit. “Dan Burkholder: Pushing the Photographic Envelope” runs through March 30 at the Dallas gallery.
Denton Community earns nominations in 17 categories
Denton Community Theatre was nominated for the 2013 Column Awards in 17 categories and brought home two awards from Monday’s ceremony in Irving.
Exhibit highlights modern Islamic art
Challenging the norms yet honoring the traditions of their Islamic heritage through their work, six contemporary artists will have pieces on display through March 30 at the University of North Texas Art Gallery.
