Arts

This weekend, the Foundation of Arts will present its annual production of The Nutcracker.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Kristi Pulliam of the FOA, who said that this year’s show will be a bit different than the one presented in recent years.

The annual "Messiah Sing " occurs Sunday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro.  In this Spotlight on the Arts feature, KASU's Mike Doyle sits down with director of "Messiah Sing" Kelly Kraft and Paul House, with the Helping Neighbors Food Pantry.  Click to hear this feature.

Arkansas State University's Theatre Department presents the production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".  This performance will be held at Fowler Center's Riceland Hall on Friday and Saturday, November 15th and 16th, and Monday through Wednesday, November 18th through the 20th, except for Saturday, November 16th, which is a morning show starting at ten.  KASU's Marty Scarbrough speaks to assistant professor of theatre at Arkansas State Univertsity, Lisa Bohn, who is also directing the play.

The Department of Music at Arkansas State University will present the University Choirs in concert on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Fowler Center, Riceland Hall.  The University/Community Choir is under the direction of Dr. Dale Miller, professor of music and director of choral activities at A-State. University Men’s and Women’s Choirs are under the direction of Sean Pollock, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Kyle Chandler, assistant professor of music.

The Riceland Distinguished Performance Series at Arkansas State University’s Fowler Center will present the 1940’s Big Band-style musical, “All Hands On Deck!” written by Jody Madaras.  The two-act revue based on Bob Hope’s 1942 USO tour uses four performers, an announcer and a nine‑piece Big Band-style orchestra to recreate a road show for American troops. The show features the songs, dances and laughs that America has loved since the ‘40s.  KASU's Marty Scarbrough talks with Madaras about Saturday night's concert during this Spotlight on the Arts feature.

The ASU Opera Theatre fall production will have an unexpected alien invasion.  On Thursday and Friday, October 24th and 25th at 7:30 pm, the fall production of "Aliens Invade Opera Scenes" takes place in the Fowler Center at Riceland Hall.  KASU's Marty Scarbrough speaks with director of the ASU Opera Theatre Marika Kyriakos in this Spotlight on the Arts feature.

The ASU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers present their fall concert in the Fowler Center at Riceland Hall.  In this Spotlight on the Arts feature, KASU's Marty Scarbrough talks with director of choral activities, Dr. Dale Miller, about the free concert on Tuesday, October 15th. 

Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming season of performances at the Fowler Center on the campus of Arkansas State University-Jonesboro.  KASU's Marty Scarbrough has more in this report. 

Tonight, KASU welcomes Jeanie and the Guys to Bluesday Tuesday at the Newport Country Club.  In this Spotlight on the Arts feature, KASU's Mike Doyle speaks with drummer and vocalist Jeanie Hendrix about the band; specifically, how the band was recently recognized by the Arkansas Legislature for how the band has helped numerous non-profit organizations. 

From the 1930s to the 1970s, the Rhodes family has played key roles in the music scene. With roots in rural Arkansas, members of this musical family are still performing. They'll be profiled in a special program tonight at 6:00 p.m. on KASU. Here's a brief preview of the special...

A local filmmaker will have his work shown Friday night during the Ozark Foothills Film Festival in Batesville.  KASU's Mike Doyle interviews Bob Hager about his film Black Marks on White Paper. 

In the February Spotlight on the Arts feature, KASU's Marty Scarbrough talks with the Foundation of the Arts  about art classes and the upcoming performance of "Wind and the Willows".

After historic river flooding in April, the Imperial Dinner Theatre in Pocahontas is being renovated and getting ready for a grand re-opening in early 2012.  KASU's Johnathan Reaves talks about it with Kelly Grooms, Artistic Director of Studio of the Arts in Pocahontas.

The ninth annual Breakfast with Ballerinas will be held in Jonesboro on Saturday, November 19th. KASU's Marty Scarbrough talks about the event with Jonesboro's Foundation of Arts Community Development Director Kristi Pulliam.

The ASU Opera Theatre will present "Opera Idol," a program spoofing the popular TV show "American Idol."  Student "contestants" will demonstrate their opera skills before a panel of "celebrity" judges.  The program will be presented Thursday, October 21, and Friday, October 22, at 7:30 each evening at Riceland Hall of the Fowler Center at ASU-Jonesboro.  KASU's Marty Scarbrough spoke with Marika Kyriakos, director of ASU Opera Theatre, who explained the concept behind this production.