News, happenings, and feedback from the Staff at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas.

10/28/2006

Neon Glo-necklaces and everything!


Shooting ping-pong balls into the audience was my favorite part of the show, I think. Or, it might have been one of Julia's dances, or it might have been when Julia stepped on Regan's head! Then again, it very well might have been when Julia and Regan balanced off of each other in such a way that they were parallel to the floor!

The Tweaksters brought the house down tonight at the CAC. The second show of the Performing Arts Season, the Tweaksters entertained a crowd of both young and old.

The greatest part for me was seeing all of the different faces in the crowd, enjoying the acts, clapping to the beat, cheering them on as they seemingly defied gravity.
Tomorrow is Lincoln Trio! Join us at 3pm to meet the artists at UpClose with Lincoln Trio. Tickets are still available.

10/25/2006

CTOS Presents Lincoln Trio




UpClose with Lincoln Trio (meet the artists) - 3pm
Reception - 3:15pm
Performance - 4pm

The Lincoln Trio is coming to the Cultural Activities Center on Sunday, October 29. This is the second performance in the 2006-2007 Central Texas Orchestral Society Concert Season.




Formed in late 2002 the Lincoln Trio has emerged as one of Chicago's most celebrated ensembles. Their crafted balance of repertoire and presentation has allowed the group to make fans of sophisticated audiences, younger admirers of the Trio's contemporary programs, and students just discovering chamber music for the first time. Each member of the trio is a musician of international renown. Violinist Desiree Ruhstrat has performed throughout the US and Europe, appearing at the White House and performing on a live radio broadcast heard around the world with the Berlin Radio Orchestra; cellist David Cunliffe has performed with BBC and Royal Scottish orchestras as well as touring as a member of the Balanescu Quartet; and pianist Marta Aznavoorian has appeared with the Chicago Symphony and has performed at the Kennedy Center and Sydney Opera House.



Joined together by their experience and a common desire to perform, the Lincoln Trio is ensemble in residence at the Music Institute Of Chicago. The group draws it's name from their diverse backgrounds all brought together to make music in the heartland of the US, the land of Lincoln.

Tweaking all the way



Coming Saturday night to the CAC - The Tweaksters!
Saturday, October 28 @ 7pm
Tickets available online or in person.

With the Tweaksters, you can’t imagine what you’ll experience next. From ping-pong air raids to glow-in-the-dark illusions to skillful feats of strength and balance, this 70 minute pulse-quickening adventure keeps audiences oohing and aahing. Sometimes regarded as “the Blue Man Group without the paint” the Tweaksters use their athletic prowess and fertile imaginations to deftly manipulate flower pots, meteors, luminescent ropes and galvanized pipes -- not to mention each other -- tweaking all the way.With abs of steel and muscles rippling, they explore -- and seemingly ignore -- the laws of physics. It’s original, zany fun and all without words.

Don't miss it!

10/20/2006

Some Very Important Visitors

Today, my four year old decided that her two beloved bears (Bear and Other Bear) needed to come to work with Mommy. So, I gave Bear and Other Bear the "grand" tour.





Bear and Other Bear waiting for coffee. (what, you didn't know they like the java too?)




The Bears "advised" me on an ad idea.





The Bears as Volunteers.



The Bears in Sauls-BEAR-y (Saulsbury) Gallery


In the dressing room, getting ready for their curtain call.



Admiring Orpheus.

What a fun day! Stay tuned - you never know when (and where) the Bears will show up!

Have a great weekend!!

10/19/2006

A little Cafe Music

Coming to the CAC on Sunday, October 29, is Lincoln Trio. The second concert in the 2006-2007 Central Texas Orchestral Society Concert Season, Lincoln Trio is impressing audiences everywhere they go. Each member of Lincoln Trio is a musician of international renown. Formed in 2002, they are artists in residence at the Music Institute of Chicago.

The event begins at 3:00pm with UpClose with Lincoln Trio - an opportunity for concert guests to meet the artists. Then, a brief reception at 3:15 in the beautiful Howard Gallery. At 4:00pm, Lincoln Trio takes the stage in Strasburger Hall.

Sunday's program includes the following pieces:
Mozart Trio in C major, K.548
I. Allegro
II. Andante cantabile
III. Allegro

Paul Schoenfield Cafe Music
I. Allegro
II. Andante Moderato: Rubato
III. Presto

Intermission

Rachmaninoff Trio Elegiaque in G Minor (1892)
Lento lugubre

Astor Piazzolla The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
I. Primavera Porteno
II. Invierno Porteno
III. Otono Porteno
IV. Verano Porteno

Click here to visit Lincoln Trio's website and view a clip of Cafe Music.

Tickets are available online (click here to visit our online ticket vendor, BoxOfficeTickets), by phone or in person at the CAC BoxOffice.

Defying Gravity


The Tweaksters are coming to the CAC on Saturday, October 28. How these guys do what they do baffles me and I've watched their video about 100 times. (hey, I'm the Marketing Director)

Who Are the Tweaksters?

They are Regan Patno and Julia Snyder, two talented performing artists whose quirky take on the world blends balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics, and creative choreography with odd objects. Their zany sense of humor is designed to tweak and delight audiences of all ages. It’s fresh, funny, and all without words.Whether launching a ping-pong air raid, deftly manipulating flower pots, or making percussive music with plumbing pipes, the Tweaksters love to play. They have been having a great time together for over a decade.

The show is at 7pm and Family Paks are the best value! 2 adults and 2 students for $40 (a $22 savings!) Call the CAC for tickets. Tickets are also available online at our website. Click here to go to our online ticket vendor, BoxOfficeTickets.




Up & Coming Artist


Texas's Eric Paslay has something amazing to offer listeners. Paslay stands out in a crowd with his fiery red hair atop his 6'4” stature, without his cowboy boots. He describes his music as real and says it speaks to every kind of listener. His down to earth lyrics and sound will take you for a ride.
If you haven't heard Eric Paslay, you should definitely check him out. This young artist, a Temple native, has a great voice with a lot of depth. Definitely someone to watch. You can check out his website here.

Eric spent the week performing for Belton, Temple and Troy middle school students as a part of the 2006-2007 Arts-in-Education Series.

Thanks, Eric - it was terrific!

Regina B.
Marketing Director

Last Friday, a group of 15 headed north from the CAC to the Kimbell Museum, in Fort Worth, to the special exhibit, Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharoah.




What a great day! The weather was stunning, the company was friendly and the exhibit - WOW. Being an Egypt nut, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.


The exhibit is on display until December 31, 2006 and I would STRONGLY recommend it. The museum docents were helpful and friendly and seemed eager to answer any questions (although we couldn't figure out how a certain pair of earrings would EVER fit into the ears!).


We will be organizing more tours in the future. To get the skinny on all upcoming tours, email or call the CAC.


10/10/2006

Tres Tales de Grimm @ the CAC


The second show in the 2006-2007 Arts in Education Season, Zach Scott Theatre (of Austin) brings Tres Tales de Grimm to the Cultural Activities Center.

The tales of Little Red Ridinghood, Rumplestiltskin and The Fisherman and his Wife are woven together with folkloric flair, incorporating music and Spanish.

Funding for this program provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, as well as Temple and Belton ISD and the Temple Chapter of Kiwanis International.

10/09/2006

Walk Like an....

well you know THAT song...




It's Hands On time again at the Azalee Marshall CAC and this year, students are "traveling" to Egypt.

Hosted by volunteers from the CAC Contemporaries, Hands On is a multidisciplinary field trip for 3rd and 4th grade “travelers” learning about the culture of different times, people and places. This one-stop arts education field trip uses music and movement, theatre, visual arts and a museum visit to teach children about the world beyond their community.

During the Gallery portion, "travelers" learn that there are things that you can touch and there are things you cannot touch. Here, Contemporaries volunteer, Kristi Easley, (playing Queen Nefertiti) talks to students.
Using music and movement is a fun way to learn!
During the Theatre portion of the "expedition," students are told the story of Thutmose III. They are invited to be a part of the story as the CAC Contemporaries' Archeologist leads the "travelers" on a hunt for the lost tomb of Thutmose III.

Students get "hands on" as they create their own Egyptian-inspired art pieces.

Most importantly, it is the hope of the program to inspire students to explore the world outside of their front yard.


Each year this program is created and presented by CAC staff and The Contemporaries to over 2,000 area students. The Contemporaries have made children’s art a primary focus since 1974.



Steinway Guts

Ever wonder what the inside of a Steinway looks like?

Joel Rappaport sent some pictures of our 9 foot Steinway D, which he is rebuilding.

"Attached below are some photos of your concert grand as of this morning. Everything has been taken apart and the sets of parts are being accumulated. The plate has been stripped of old lacquer and primed. The red primer is sanded smooth as in this picture from another piano.
The next email will show gold lacquer being sprayed onto your plate. When that cures, the plate will be flipped over and a new pin block custom fitted to this plate. When that is finished, block, plate and case will be assembled and the piano will be strung.----Joel"




Byron L.
Technical Director/Facilities Manager