spotlight on the arts TDB#2

Having spent the last ten years working in schools as an artist, I am passionate about how arts connect to the learning process. One name that has followed me in my travels is the Missoula Children’s Theatre. This company has a national reputation as a provider of a valuable performance based learning that connects theatre as art-form with character education. The mission statement of the company is “the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.” This program allows young people to gain confidence, learn tolerance and respect, explore their individuality, and enjoy the challenge of completing a project. It’s very exciting that the Friends of the Tryon Fine Arts Center enabled this group to come and work with the youth of Polk County. Two professional actor/directors started on Monday taking the kids through an audition process, and all this week they have been guided through a rigorous rehearsal process. This Saturday, as a celebration of their work, they will present two performances of a musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” performed with the local youth. I took a sneak peek at rehearsals on Tuesday and saw an amazing amount had been learned by the kids in just one day. I also noticed that the MCT actors had quickly established a rapport with the young performers and were tailoring their direction to specific needs of each individual child. I’ll be thrilled to see the final production.

Speaking of youth, the young and rebellious part of me wants to run away to the Wonderland Ball this Friday at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. Asheville based Mad Tea Party returns from the road with vaudevillian style to present a “wacky and whimsical multi-media affair” for the town that nurtured them. They will be performing their original “rock/indie/psychobilly” music and sharing the stage with the NYC based Wiyos who play what they call “ragtime-swing.” The audience is encouraged to wear costumes, and there are sure to be a few “Mad Hatters” in the crowd. Having witnessed the talents of these amazing musicians, this event will no doubt be a joyful visual and aural feast, but don’t forget you’re dancing shoes because the music will definitely keep your feet moving.

If costumed wackiness is not your style, you might feel more at home relaxing in Saluda at Frank and Amy’s Front Porch listening to South Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner and Hall of Fame member Drink Small, also know as “The Blues Doctor.” Born in 1933 in Bishopville, SC, Drink Small has become an international name performing at such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and will be arriving in Saluda fresh from the Chicago Blues Festival. Don’t miss the chance to catch this living blues legend right here in Polk County.

Looking for an artistic day for the whole family? Why not take a trip up to Carl Sandburg Farm in Flat Rock? This week marks the beginning of their summer performance schedule. The talented apprentice actors from Flat Rock Playhouse perform Wednesday through Saturday at 10:15am in the park’s outdoor amphitheatre. Both shows are free to all visitors and leave plenty of time in the day to explore the hiking trails and pet the goats. The fast paced “World of Carl Sandburg” show Wednesdays and Fridays offers a potpourri of Carl Sandburg’s poetry served up with a heap of imagination. On Thursdays and Saturdays the actors will be performing selections from the fanciful “Rootabaga Stories” Sandburg wrote for his daughters. Both shows provide an excellent day of artistic expression in the great outdoors. ~w