Basses thumping, speakers booming, bodies swaying to the rhythm: concerts are an adored pastime for a worldwide audience. There are events for any fan of any background. This sense of community and experience is so important to so many people, even amidst a pandemic.
As the world ends its second full year of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is easy to say that every soul has become restless in one way or another. So naturally, concerts are one way to release the pressure of this isolation.
Joseph Hudack of Rolling Stone reports thatsome artists such as Elton John and Kacey Musgraves have hit the stage in recent months under the provision that all attendees wear masks, are vaccinated, or show a negative Covid test result within 48 hours before the show. While some events and acts require nothing of the sort, with Kid Rock declining to play at any venue with a mask mandate, Omicron continues to surge.
Mixed feelings arise on the idea and execution of concerts during this time, while some concert-goers view it as a social issue others see it as a health issue. There will always be people that attend no matter the circumstance. Old Dominion manager Tommy Garris had this to say, “I believe we’re all doing what we have to do, otherwise the industry dies.” Whether people choose safer routes for assembly or not, the show must go on.
The Holiday season is upon us once again. Christmas parties, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa Meet-n-Greets, festivals, craft fairs, fantastic light displays, and other festivities abound. These activities are treasured traditions for many. Whether we do them with family, friends, or coworkers, traditions can be a wonderful thing. They are a great way to make memories, and bring people closer together. However, it can be nice to step outside of tradition and try something new. If you and yours are looking for something new this year, look no further! This weekend, TexRep will bring Greater Tuna back to Texarkana for A Tuna Christmas.
Michael Cooper (L) and Christopher Polson (R) in TexRep’s 2011 production of Greater Tuna.
(Photo taken from TexRep’s online production archives)
Greater Tuna is the first play in a series of four comedies by Jason Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. One of the things that make these plays so humorous is that the entire cast of twenty characters, of all ages and genders, are played by just two men. Michael Cooper and Christopher Polson starred in the Texarkana Repertory Company‘s production ofGreater Tunain 2011. These masters of costume quick-changes will once again take us back to Tuna, Texas to reprise their roles and introduce new characters in A Tuna Christmas. Much like Texarkana, there is always something going on in Tuna. The big to-do is the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. The contest soon comes under attack from the “Christmas Phantom”, a vandal who is out to shake up the competition. This and various other hilarious subplots make this a show a real knee-slapper.
In addition to playing over twenty-four roles, Cooper and Polson also double as TexRep’s artistic director and set designer (respectively). This show is incredibly challenging for many reasons, but if anyone can handle it, this dynamic duo can. However, they aren’t tackling this monster alone. It truly takes a village to put on a production like this, and a village they have! A crew of nine assist the pair in lightning-quick costume changes, moving set pieces, running lights, operating the soundboard, and wrangling the six different Christmas trees used in the show. In addition to its impressive role-to-cast-size ratio, this show is also unique in that the crew gets to bow at curtain call with the actors, which is only fitting since it would be impossible without them. As previously mentioned, one of the things that lend to this play’s crazy energy is the outrageous number (and short duration) of costume changes. While each crew members serves multiple purposes, the bulk of their work is helping the actors change their costumes. Cooper says that, while he isn’t sure exactly how many changes there are, he is certain it is upwards of fifty. Each actor plays twelve roles apiece, he explained, which makes some of the costume changes almost instant. In fact, there are some scenes that require an actor to exit as one character and then immediately reenter as completely different character. There are also multiple scenes in which one of the actors plays a single role, while the other plays as many as five characters over the course of a single scene. Naturally, some changes are more difficult than others. Cooper says that some of the most difficult changes to pull off are the female characters. “[They] tend to have more pieces, from wigs to shoes to garments to underwear,” he continued, “It’s all an adventure.”
In a typical season, which runs from May to February, TexRep does four full plays and a Drama Camp Showcase. A Tuna Christmas is a bonus show that was added outside of the regular season as a special fundraiser for TexRep. It is also special in that the production staff (those who design and direct the show) are donating their services for free. One might wonder why Cooper and Polson would ever subject themselves to this insanity again, but the answer is simple — Everyone enjoys it. When asked why this particular show was chosen for this slot, Cooper said, “Chris and I did Greater Tuna some years ago and it was received very well. People have mentioned that they would enjoy seeing it, or something of its ilk, again.” He added that the show is both fun and season-relevant. If you have never seen Greater Tuna, don’t worry! All characters are introduced or reintroduced, so you’ll feel right at home. If you have seen it, you’ll be delighted to know that — according to Cooper —A Tuna Christmas is even funnier than the first one.
If you’re still struggling to find a present for everyone on your list, the gift of laughter is one-size-fits-all (and they won’t want to return it). Whether you are returning to Tuna or visiting for the first time, this wild ride is a trip you won’t soon forget! Y’all come on out, and join the Texarkana Repertory Company for their production of A Tuna Christmas, ya hear?
Performances of A Tuna Christmas will be:
Thursday, December 12
7:30 p.m
Friday, December 13
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14
2:00 p.m. / 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15
2:00 p.m. / 7:30 p.m.
(The theatre doors will open thirty minutes prior to showtime.)
If you are interested in supporting your local theatre, please consider a sponsorship, a membership, or simply attending a show. If you are interested in supporting TexRep in a more hands-on capacity, they are always looking for extra hands, whether it be auditioning/performing, ushering for performances, working backstage/in the booth, or helping with set construction.
For information, or questions, please visit TexRep online. You can also connect with them on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram.
As set designer Chris Polson always says, “See you at the theatre!”
For anyone looking for something to do, or see, in Texarkana, take time to visit the Perot Theatre at 3rd and Main Street in downtown Texarkana.
The building has been a permanent fixture in the downtown area since 1924, when it was the Saenger Theatre. It was fully restored in 1979-1980 by the City of Texarkana with the help of H. Ross Perot and his sister, Bette.
The Perot Foundation took care of most of the restoration costs in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Ross Perot. The theatre was named in their honor by the City of Texarkana, Texas city council for their generous contributions. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
They have several different events taking place this holiday season. On December 15, they will host the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra Christmas. It is a traditional holiday concert for the whole family. The Perot will also bring back the Holiday Traditions Festival for the second year. It will be a day of fun with food trucks, vendors, crafts, refreshments, Santa, snow, and festive movies including The Grinch and The Santa Clause.
The Perot Theatre has something for everyone. The Perot Theatre recently announced its 2020 series of events to the public. The Perot Theatre Series has been offering shows that are nationally and internationally well-known for 37 years.
Shows coming to the Perot next year include Menopause the Musical, Potted Potter, and The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. The Perot Theatre has 4.5 stars out of 5 on TripAdvisor based in 85 reviews. Make this a priority when making future plans. You will not be disappointed.
Dua Lipa may be, if not, one of the world’s biggest pop stars out right now. Just recently, Dua Lipa has released her brand new hit single, “Don’t Start Now” on Halloween of this year. Ever since Lipa has released this worldwide smash hit, she has been traveling the world everywhere!
Just within a short span of two-weeks, Lupa has performed Don’t Start Now at the: MTV EMA’s in Spain, ARIA Awards in Australia, AMA’s in Los Angeles, MNet Asian Music Awards in Japan, Hamilton Island Australia, Mumbai India, and the Graham Norton show are just a few to name at the moment.
Dua Lipa is also set to release a brand new album titled, “Future Nostalgia” in 2020. The brand new album will include genres of disco and pop while also incorporating a new version of Dua Lipa as a pop star. Lipa wants to give her fans something as she called it, “Futuristic & Fresh”. She wants to give them something they have never seen or heard before. In other words, she wants to have it where her fans can just get up and dance while also feeling the lyrics at the same time.
Lipa performing Don’t Start now at the EMA’s
In the meantime, Dua has announced that she will be going on tour in Europe mid 2020. The new tour will showcase her brand new album that she is expected to released in 2020.
If you have not checked out “Don’t Start Now” yet, check out the brand new worldwide sensation or a.k.a., the best song out right now below.
Just recently, Spotify announced many awesome things to its users, to notify them about their top artists, their top track of the year, and their artist of the decade for the year of 2019. Spotify also announced users, top 5 songs of the year, top 5 artists of the year, and even made a presentation that was customized to user’s app experience.
Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video streaming service that gives its users access to millions of songs and other content from artists all over the world. It was really interesting to see users from all over the world excited to share what their top music choices were. Users were tagging their favorite artists all over social media and some of the artists were even posting their fans online!
Spotify announcing it’s users their 2019 wrapped
Spotify announced content like this every year for its users, but with new technologies and interfaces, they way it’s presented gets better and better.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Counseling Services hosted an event to reduce stress amongst the lives of students and faculty on campus. As we all know, college can be a really tough time for many, which adds to the stress levels on an individual. To reduce this, alcohol tile painting was brought to campus.
A&M-Texarkana Counseling Services brought in a professional painter to give a one-on-one / private session to students. Students were given three tiles to make beautiful tile “paintings.” The tiles could have been used as a coaster, a painting, or however one would like it to be. After being given the tiles, the painter gave students a brief tutorial on how the process works. She gave them an apron, a various array of colors, paintbrushes, and alcohol so students could spread their colors to make a masterpiece.
The event lasted from about 11-2 in Eagle Lounge of the University Center and students left with an urge for more. Who knew that painting tiles could reduce stress?
On Thursday, November, 7th, 2019 a group of artists of all types will be gathering at the newly opened coffee shop, Brewsters on the Boulevard. It will be a time for local artists to hang out, grab a coffee, and enjoy other local artist’s work.
Let us be honest. We all loved High School Musical. The music, the dancing, the friendships. Imagine that in theory, you could live out your own musical. That is to say, meet and be a part of a community that supports you and your occasional musical outbursts.
This gathering was inspired by a recent documentary done by a Texarkana native. In the documentary, OffCentered, the goal was to shed light on the LBTQIA community and minorities within our own community. The videographer, Cesar Jaralillo, was inspired to make this project more tangible. For those highlighted in the documentary and those alike to gather in a safe space. A place where they are understood and seen. With some collaboration the project, Altogether, was formed. The name was inspired by the desire to unify and to remind those involved that we are all in this together.
The event will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a live performance by, Shane Chestnutt. All are welcomed to join.
The cover of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Books have always had the power to connect audiences of all ages across time and space, and Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is no exception. Originally rejected by twenty-six publishers for dealing “overtly with the problem of evil” and being “too difficult for children” this beloved classic went on to win the Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. It was also nominated as runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. It has been adapted into audio books, a play, an opera, a graphic novel and two films (Disney released a TV movie in 2003, and a theatrical film in 2018 starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine). The Texarkana Repertory Company (TexRep) will bring this treasured story to the Stilwell Theatre at Texarkana College in November.
Hero Medina as Meg, Gabe Lohse as Charles Wallace, and Culen McElhannon as Calvin. (Credit: TexRep Facebook page)
As with any adaptation, there are some differences between the script and the original book, but the spirit of the work remains wholly intact. Some characters and scenes have been removed or rewritten for brevity’s sake, but the heart of the story is not lost. In this thrilling fantasy/science fiction adventure, siblings Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, along with their friend Calvin O’Keefe, travel through time and space to save their father who has gone missing following a mysterious scientific expedition. Along the way, they dive through wormholes, visit distant planets, and meet all manner of strange creatures. In order to save their father, and the world, the kids must overcome their fears and face an evil force as old as time itself. This is a story about the power of love, and the beauty that lies in unconventionality. As our heroes learn, sometimes the things we see as faults are actually our greatest strengths. Our differences make us unique, and they make us strong. This a story of empowerment for people of all ages, proving that everyone, even— and perhaps especially —children, has the power to change the world.
The cast of seventeen is made up of TexRep veterans and new faces alike. The show was originally intended to be performed by five actors playing multiple roles, but in this production, the roles were separated so that more actors could participate. In addition to a stellar cast, TexRep is relying on technical magic to bring this tale to life. Dazzling projections, colored lights, sound effects, and moving set pieces transport the audience to strange new worlds. These factors, in addition to special makeup and costuming, work in harmony to make this larger-than-life production as fantastical as the book it is based on. From a technical standpoint, this show is quite difficult, with literally hundreds of light, sound, and projection cues. The projections were generously loaned to TexRep by their friends at the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Artie Oliasen, who is an Artistic Associate of the DCT and a dear friend of Cooper, is the one who suggested the show. Cooper says, “I still look for new challenges, and this show both creatively and technically pushed us in great ways.” Although he doesn’t have a favorite scene, since the show isn’t divided into traditional scenes, he particularly enjoys the “Tessering” scenes (which refers to the sequences where the children travel through space-time) and he also finds the Man With Red Eyes (played by Austin Alford) to be very effective.
Director Michael Cooper and the cast of The Outsiders (2017) taking questions at Talk-Backs (Credit: TexRep Facebook page).
Although every play has meaning, the third show of every season is a particularly important one for TexRep. This slot is referred to as the “Educational show”. Generally, they choose a script that is based on some classic work that kids read in school. Recent “educational shows” include: The Great Gatsby, Twelfth Night (or What You Will), The Outsiders, andShakespeare in Love. This slot is special because, in addition to regular evening performances, TexRep invites local middle and high schools to private showings on a school day. In a world where Arts programs often struggle just to exist, especially in a town our size, this is a great way to introduce kids to theatre and spark interest in the Arts. Of the matinees, Cooper says “To get all these kids to live theatre, to see how involved they get in the productions is amazing.” He added, “There are teachers who contact me at the beginning of every school year to find out the dates because they and their kids love coming.” In addition, TexRep always collaborates directly with Texarkana College on educational shows in hopes that they function as a recruitment drive for prospective TC students, as well as celebrating the talent of current students. Perhaps the most fun part of these shows is the “Talk-Back” session. Following curtain call, the actors gather onstage in costume and the audience gets a chance to ask them questions. This opens a great (and often very entertaining) two-way dialogue between the students, teachers and the actors about the work itself and the creative process in general that they won’t get anywhere else. The educational slot is unique in that is the only show of the season that holds Talk-Backs. This particular show is also unique in that matinees will take place before the show officially opens.
This show has been a very rewarding experience for all involved. “It’s great to do a show that you can safely bring the entire family to,” Cooper said. While it is a kid-friendly show, he assures that it “plays on so many levels” that the adults will enjoy it just as much as the children. In today’s world, positive stories like this one are essential. Michael Cooper believes, “With all that is going on in the world that just feels so negative, any story that can mention Jesus, Mohammed, Da Vinci, and Gandhi in the same sentence needs to be told. The power of love can never be ignored.” Tickets for this show are available online, or at the door.
Performances of A Wrinkle in Time will be:
Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m.
The theatre doors will open thirty minutes prior to showtime.
Do you like money? Personally, I love money. Like many of my student peers, what money I do have goes towards boring necessities; bills, gas, dog food, human food, etc. While we’re being responsible poor young adults, we forget to treat ourselves…so let’s look at a few ways we can pamper ourselves without spending our life’s savings.
Now, being rich makes things a little easier in the pampering department and us poor folk may have to work a little harder– but it just makes the results that much more satisfying. (I tell myself it’s more satisfying to make it seem like a choice…) The saying: “look good, feel good” has some truth to it, especially to the younger generation that is typically obsessed with self-image. So, if you have your nails done your chances of feeling good are much higher. However, are we really going to use two weeks’ worth of grocery money to get our nails done? No, because we’re poor independent college students who don’t need no nail tech.
For this, Walmart is our best friend; there are options ranging from $2 to $25 that give you the freedom to do your own nails. Look up YouTube tutorials on the type of nails you want and then…do it yourself. Taking the time to learn a new skill and then executing it, in this case nail care, can be a frustrating emotional roller coaster but the more time and effort put into it will bring you that much more satisfaction in the end when you know you did something yourself.
So now that our nails are well taken care of we can move on to eyelashes. Eyelash extensions have been taking over the planet, and what’s not to love about eyelash extensions? The price. Extensions can start around $100 and go up from there with a monthly fill of about $50 or more. So how are we getting long luscious lashes on a budget? We’re growing them ourselves! We’ll take a few household ingredients– castor oil, coconut oil, and a Q tip- and put it on every night before bed which produces long healthy lashes for under $10. The results aren’t as instantaneous as eyelash extensions, it will take a few months to see results, but that’s the price we pay for not paying more money up front.
Our nails are done, our lashes are long, and we are feeling great! You don’t need to be rich to feel and look like a million bucks.
Watching hockey can be confusing for people who are new fans; with rules, regulations, and terminology that are intimidating to learn, it can seem like it is in a whole new language. Hockey is continually growing with a new National Hockey League (NHL) team joining the league in Seattle in the 2020-2021 season and more recently the Vegas Golden Knights playing their first season in 2017-2018. With continual growth, it’s better to go ahead and get a head start on learning the rules now.
Let’s start with some terms that may be confusing to new viewers.
Icing
If you’re a beginner, icing is one of the more confusing hockey terms, but it’s easy to understand once you’ve got some general knowledge.
You can’t shoot the puck from your end of the ice to the other end in hockey. This is called “icing.” You’re in the clear when your player first touches the puck when it reaches the other end but if it is touched by the other team, it returns to your end for a face off.
Offside
In hockey, you cannot stay in the area of the opponent waiting for the puck. If you do this, you’ll get called offsides by the referee. You are also offsides when you cross the opponent’s blue line before the puck crosses the same line.
Pulling The Goalie
Sometimes, teams decide to pull their goalie if they are losing at the end of a game. You’ll also see teams pulling their goalie when the penalty is delayed.
Only six players can be on the ice at one time from each team, but there is no rule dictating what position they must be filling.
Once the goalie leaves, they will be replaced by an offensive player. At this time, the team is actually playing 6 on 5.
Now that you have a basic understanding of some of the rules, let’s look at who the players on the ice are.
The Goaltender
Firstly and arguably most importantly, we have the goaltender, also known as the “goalie”. The goalie in hockey plays the same role a goalie plays in any other sport; keep the other team from scoring.
It sounds simple enough but a lot of the time, the only thing goalies can rely on are their hand-eye coordination or their instinct.
Two Defensemen
The role of the defensemen can be a bit more diverse than that of the other positions. There are essentially three different roles the defensemen can play: classic, offensive (it sounds contradictory, I know), and a hybrid version.
The classic defensemen’s role is to stop players from the opposing team from scoring and to create some aggression and intimidation on the ice; they rarely take any shots to the net and their first priority is to defend.
The offensive defensemen is someone who will act as an extra forward. They will handle the puck from their end of the ice and create scoring opportunities and even take shots on goal themselves.
The hybrid version is just that, a mix of the traditional style of play with the style of the offensive defensemen. They don’t shy away from big hits but are also there to help put points on the board.
The Right and Left Wings
The right and left wings are both considered skill positions and they are the positions that cover the right and left sides of the ice, respectively. They are usually fast and are responsible for generating most of the goals.
The Center
The center is the player who is responsible for creating scoring opportunities for their team. They are usually players who can read the game well and are able to steer the game in the direction they wish to take it; much like a quarterback of sorts.
Although these are just some of the basics involving hockey, you now have a general understanding of what is going on and that means you’re one step closer to enjoying this great sport without having to ask too many questions.
For a more in-depth look at hockey rules click here.
