Place Your Orders for Valentine's Baskets and Singing Valentines!

The Ebony Cultural Society is creating Valentine's Gift Baskets for the community to purchase. This is a fundraiser to help their organization with annual events. Baskets are onsale until Febuary 8. To reserve your basket for a special friend or loved one, or if you are interested in creating your own basket call 832-715-1210 or 254-563-0709.

Also the Chisholm Trail Chorus, and Texas Country Gentlemen Club are selling Singing Valentines to people in the community. This is also a fundraiser for these organizations.

For more information contact 254-773-9926.

The Contemporaries' Gala is Almost here!

Many Contemporaries are setting up for the Gala, which is taking place January 26 at the CAC. The Contemporaries' Gala, "Cabaret" is open to the public and proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Azalee Marshall Cultural Activites Center. The elegant evening will consist of a catered dinner, live auction, silent auction, entertainment, and a cash bar. Many local business owners and companies have donated various items for the live and silent auctions. For more information on the Contemporaries Gala, tickets, or how to become part of the Contempories, call the CAC at 254-773-9926 or visit cacARTS.org.

Ailey Dancers Return to Central Texas

Ailey II returned to Temple to perform to a sold-out audience at the Azalee Marshall Cultural Activities Center. Ailey, a native of Rogers and founder of the company, created the Ailey II group to give young people the opportunity to perform while traveling across the country. Ms. Sylvia Waters, Artistic Director, and Troy Powell, Associate Artistic Director both were appointed to the company by Alvin Ailey before 1989 and were present at the performance on January 20 at the CAC. Many program sponsors enjoyed meeting Sylvia Waters in a pre-performance reception and hearing her speak of her passion for dance and what it means to be part of Ailey II. A few of the Ailey dancers also instructed a master class at the Killeen Community Center on Monday with Ballet Renee participating and Greater Vision Community Church offering a performance for the Ailey Dancers. During their time in Central Texas the Ailey Dancers traveled to Rogers Texas, Alvin Ailey's birth place to see the church Ailey grew up in and also travel down the street named after Alvin Ailey.

Classes are off to a great start in 2008!

Artist Joy Schumacher is teaching Wonders of Watercolor on Monday Nights. She currently has 6 students and can always welcome more participants. Some of Joy's paintings are on
display in the McCreary Gallery until February 22. Come by to view Joy's Paintings along with other artists displayed throughout the CAC.

Marilyn Ritchie's clay classes are attracting more participants each six weeks. New members enjoy playing in the mud and learning the crafts of clay. Classes are offered on Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Pre-registration is required and new classes begin each six weeks.

Other classes going on at the CAC have seen increased numbers too. Ballroom Dance is featuring a sampler to introduce participants to a variety of dances that will be taught throughout 2008. Dance is a great way to increase physical activity and build social friendships. Classes are offered mostly on Thursday nights with a few Tuesday night classes.

Yoga continues with Paul Coates each Monday Night from 5:45-7 p.m. Yoga can be used as a relaxation technique that can improve overall body function and flexibility. Twenty-five students are enjoying Coates' class at this time, the CAC is excited to see many new faces in this class.