Common Ground, MY TWO-TAILED HALLOWEEN CAT, And The Kindergarten Art Club Among The Lawrence Arts Center's October Events

The following are the October happenings at the Lawrence Art Center.

Common Ground
An uncommon landscape of art & community
The Lawrence Arts Center is pleased to announce an event showcasing seven years of visual arts education at the current Lawrence Arts Center location. Common Ground, a two week celebration, is a unique exhibit designed to pay tribute to the artistic achievements of LAC students, young and old. It is the first ever exhibition of its kind at the center.

The theme, Common Ground, was chosen to recognize the Lawrence Arts Center as a place where people from all walks of life come togecommon ground studentther and find common ground in their passion for the arts.

The focus of this event is a retrospective exhibition to highlight the creativity of students and faculty featuring works created by anyone who has taken or taught a class since moving into this building. The works are displayed salon style in the public areas of the center, including hallways, lobbies, and stairwells.

Common Ground event dates are as follows:
Thru October 11th - Exhibition of student work

Saturday, October 3rd - Exhibition opening reception from 5-9pm.
This family-friendly event is open to the public and will include studio tours, food, and musical performances, as Singer Songwriter Night II will be in the theater. Featured artists include Joe Comparato and his band, Stranger Tractor, Sommer Brecheisen, Johnny Ricker, Vi Tran, John Stephen Howard, Grant Fitch and Dave Leach.

Tuesday, October 6th, 7-9pm. LAC Theater
Presentations by local arts organizations, B.A.L.M and the Lawrence Percolator, followed by keynote speaker, Kerstin Niemann, Research Curator and Co-Curator of Heartland Project, Van Abbemuseum Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Wednesday, October 7, 7-9pm. LAC Theater
Presentations by local arts organization, the Lawrence Pottery Guild, music by Kelly Werts, followed by keynote speakers, Randy Mason, Michael Murphy and Don 'the camera guy' television show hosts from Rare Visions & PBS Roadside Revelations.

Thursday, October 8, 7-9pm. LAC Theater
Presentations by local arts organizations, the Lawrence Art Guild and Art Tougeau followed by keynote speaker Bruce Hartman, Museum Director, Nerman Museum, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS.

All events are free & open to the public.

This event is sponsored by the Eye Doctors and Peoples Optical.

Singer Songwriter Night II
(Part of The Common Ground Experience)

Saturday, October 3rd from 6-9pm
Lawrence Arts Center Theater

The group, Stranger Tractor, featuring Sue Malloy, Brad Burger, Billy Pilgrim & Joe Comparato will once again host a Singer Songwriter night on stage at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Guest Singer/Songwriters will include Kansas City's Vi Tran, Sommer Brecheisen, John Stephen Howard, Grant Fitch and Dave Leach. The evening will be split into three sets and there will be seating between each set. Come early and catch all three hours, or enjoy one or two sets and look at the more than 400 works of art being celebrated by Common Ground, a retrospective of student and faculty work at the Arts Center since 2002.

The evening is a pleasurable mix of styles, forms and instrumentation. Most of the groups and individuals performing will have CD's available for sale.

The event is free, though beer, wine and soda are sold for a reasonable price.

My Two-TailEd Halloween Cat
A New Play by Ric Averill

Ric Averill's Halloween play comes to life under the co-direction of Elizabeth Sullivan and Susanna Pitzer. Third-grader Sydney (Celie Davison) loves football - which makes her the target of teasing by a few older girls who run the school playground. When an odd Scientist (Jennifer Glenn) shows up at school, Sydney decides to show off and claim she owactns a 'two-tailed' cat. Her efforts to transform her pet fail and she searches on the Internet until she finds a link to William the Witch-You-Could-Have-Everything-You-Want-Wtich, played by the amazing Jerry Mitchell. William helps her with her cat, her Dad and her friends. My Two TailEd Halloween Cat is a heart-warming comedy perfect for the season.

Don't miss their Opening Night Pet Party on October 22nd with special guests from Pet World, plus homemade root beer and popcorn for everyone immediately following the 7 pm show. (And remember: there's no school the next day!)

Oct. 22nd & 23rd at 7:00 PM
Oct. 24th at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Oct. 29th & 30th at 7:00 PM

Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $6.50 students & seniors.  Stop by the Lawrence Arts Center or call (785) 843-2787 to reserve your tickets today!

Poinsettia Salecookie sale
Fundraiser for the Pre-school
Beautiful Plants!! Get your poinsettias here!! Orders due November 4 for delivery December 1-2.
Beat the holiday rush and help benefit the LAC Preschool! Download an order form from the link below or call 785-843-2787 to order by phone or have an order form mailed to you.

Click here to download an online order form.
Halloween Benefit Concert and Costume Contest
October 31 from 9pm til midnight!

The Crumpletons will play their brand of 60s/70s/80s rock while the adults get to have a little Hactalloween fun of their own. Costume contests, prizes, drinks and dancing will abound.

Suggested donation is only $10 per person!
Halloween Costume Contest and Kids Concertd
October 31st - 4pm
Ric Averill, Steve MAson, Jennifer GLenn and other players will entertain with songs and stories , then judge Lawrence's longest-running youth costume contest. Following the costume parade, kids and families are encouraged to go downtown for their 5pm Trick or Treating.
 
The prizes for the winners of the costume contest are supplied by "Fun and Games"

Tickets: $5 at the door
Langston Hughes Creative Writing Awardlangstonhughespic
The Lawrence Arts Center and The Raven Bookstore announce their sponsorships of the Langston Hughes Creative Writing Award. Two awards of $500 each will be given, one in the area of poetry and one in the area of fiction.
The awards are to recognize excellence and encourage achievement of the new and emerging writers living in Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas. These awards strive to enhance the public awareness of Langston Hughes, his life as a writer and his early life in Lawrence.

Writer eligibility

    * Writers of poetry or fiction.

    * Writers currently living in Lawrence and Douglas County, and who have lived here for one year prior to submission of materials.

    * Writers who are 21 years old or older.

    * Writers who have published a book-length volume of poetry or fiction are not eligible.

Previous winners are not eligible.

Selection
Selection will be based on artistic quality as presented in the materials submitted and will be made by a committee of outstanding regional writers. The committee reserves the right to issue no awards.

Application Deadline is November 15, 2009

Application procedure

    * Complete and sign the application form.

    * Provide current resume, no more than two pages.

    * Provide writing samples according to the following guidelines: Typed manuscripts, double-spaced, in at least 12 point type with 1 inch margins. No more than 20 pages or 5,000 words will be accepted.

    *  Manuscripts must be in English.
    *  First chapters of a novel are to be accompanied by a brief synopsis of entire work.
    * Do not staple pages.
    * Writer's names should be on resume and first page of writings only.
    *  Writers may enter either or both categories, but an individual may win in only one category.

No entry fee required.

Award announcement
February 1, 2010, Langston Hughes' Birthday. A celebration and reading will be held at the Lawrence Arts Center in honor of the award winners. All applicants will be notified by letter before the announcement.

Click here to download an application

First Saturday Players Present Anansi Stories

Join them at the Lawrence Arts Center this Saturday, October 3rd, at 2pm in the performance studio for our production of 'Anansi Stories' by the First Saturday Players.
 
Along with the wonderful African folk tales featuring Anansi the Spider, actors and audiences will enjoy a few sing-alongs and a bit of comedy by Jennifer Glenn's  highly trained 6th-9th grade actors!

Tickets are only $4 and can be purchased at the door. Hope to see you all there!

Bill Evans Solo Tap Concert
 
Nationally known dance artist, Bill Evans, will perform a solo concert Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 7pm, at the Lawrence Arts Center. Tickets are $10.00.
 
Evans' concerts are famously fun, entertaining and personal as evidenced in the following quote:
"Evans knows how to entertain, and he does it in such a distinct and personal way that by evening's end every fan should feel almost like a friend....He is quite simply a master of his craft, and if anything he gets better with age. He does it all and it is this kind of versatility that allows him to go it alone for an evening with such success." - Helen Forsberg, Salt Lake Tribune

Some pieces that audience member will enjoy are Three Preludes with Music by George Gershwin, Blues for My Father and Los Ritmos Calientes. Evans is in Lawrence as a guest artist of the Kansas University Department of Dance. Regional guest artist, Suzanne Ryan, will join two of Bill's dance pieces.

Bill Evans was artistic director of the Bill Evans Dance Company (based in Seattle and Albuquerque) for 30 years ending in 2004. BEDC performed in all 50 states, and throughout Mexico and Canada, and was among the most-booked companies in the U.S. for several years under the Dance Touring and Artist-in-the-Schools Programs of the National Endowment for the Arts. He founded the Evans Rhythm Tap Ensemble in 1992. He was formerly artistic coordinator, choreographer and dancer for Utah's Repertory Dance Theatre and artistic director of Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers and its professional training programs.

He has choreographed more than 200 works for more than sixty professional companies throughout the world and been awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship, numerous grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 75 other awards from public and private arts agencies in the U.S. and Canada. He earned BA and MFA degrees from the University of Utah and is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst with both LIMS and IMS. He was a professor of dance at the Universities of Utah, Washington, Indiana and New Mexico.

School's Out!
Have you prepared for all of those public school teacher in-service days this semester? How about parent/teacher conferences? Well, the Lawrence Arts Center has you covered with several awesome all day arts camps for your kids. (Remember: Bring a lunch!)  Read the descriptions below and then click here to enroll online or call 843-2787 to enroll by phone.
 
1st-6th Grade
School's Out, Camera's Rolling!
Wild Western! - Jeff Dobson / Christie Dobson
Spaghetti Westerners Christie and Jeff rope the kiddos in to create cowboy/cowgirl magic about kids issues like bullying and friendship, incorporating themes from the old Westerns. Last year brought us "Bully the Kid and the Stand Up Gang" - this year we'll see "What's Happening at the Not-OK Corral" - a project about respect. The camp is co-sponsored by GaDuGi SafeCenter, working with the community to end all forms of violence. Students will be contacted to pick up the final video after Jeff finishes editing.
Thu-Fri, Nov 12-13, 9am-3:30pm (bring a lunch), Fee: $50
 
3rd-5th Grade
School's Out! (dance)
Build a Better Barbie - Susan Rieger /Molly Gordon
Barbie is about cool clothes and glamour, but what is she thinking? Where does she work? What else could she be? Bring your favorite Barbies to share, then invent and design an intriguing Barbie full of ideas, attitude and interests - and ready to be all she can be. Together we'll create a "Re-inventing Barbie" dance.
Fri, Oct 23, 9am-3:30pm, Fee: $32

School's Out, Art's On!
Experimental Techniques in Printmaking  - Alison Filley
Join our Artist-in-Residence for a two-day experimental printmaking camp. From Sharpie printing to monoprinting, this camp will explore new and different ways to think about prints.
Thu-Fri, Nov 12-13, 9:30am-noon, Fee: $50

School's Out! American Girls Dance Camp - Cindy Crews /Molly Gordon
Join us to learn the dances of American Girl dolls like Kaya, Kit and Kirsten. We'll also recreate a story or two in pantomime and dance.
Thursday: Thu, Nov 12, 9am-3:30pm, Fee: $32 for 1 day
Friday: Fri, Nov 13, 9am-3:30pm, Fee: $32 for 1 day
Both: Thu-Fri, Nov 12-13, 9am-3:30pm, Fee: $60 for both days

6th-9th Grade
New:
School's Out, Art's On!
Collage Workshop - Jenny Jenks
Join Jenny for a day of fun exploring the diverse medium of collage. This workshop will give students an opportunity to create one-of-a-kind collage projects utilizing a variety of techniques, materials and concepts. All materials provided. Students need to bring a sack lunch.
Fri, Oct 16, 9:30am-noon AND 1-3pm, Fee: $55
 
7th-12th grade
School's Out, Camera's Rolling!
Document This! - Jeff Dobson / Christie Dobson
Bring in ideas, photos and/or a script synopsis, and work with Jeff and Christie to plan, organize and storyboard your important documentary.
Fri, Oct 16, 9-3:30pm (bring a lunch), Fee: $25

Andreas van Zoest and the Carl Maria von Weber Guitar Orchestra

Classical guitarist Andreas van Zoest and members of his Carl Maria von Weber Guitar Orchestra from Eutin, Germany, will perform a concert in the Lawrence Arts Center at 2pm on Sunday, October 11, 2009. The concert honors the 20th anniversary of the Sister Cities exchange between Eutin, Germany, and Lawrence. Tickets are on sale now and are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

The event will include a guest performance by the Lawrence Guitar Quartet, which debuted at KU's Max Kade Center on March 1, 2009. Quartet members are Morgen Bahn, Bob Cross, Marc L. Greenberg, and Gary Reich. Bahn and Greenberg traveled to Eutin in June to tour with Mr. van Zoest's Orchestra as part of the 20th anniversary celebration.

Click here for additional information.

Kindergarten Art Club

Explore the arts (visual, music, dance, drama) and enhance the "specials" (art, music, p.e.) taught in the public schools. Play clothes a must!

There are two remaining four-week cookie salesessions this fall for students currently enrolled in Kindergarten...

Construction
Tue, Oct 20-Nov 10 (4wks), 4-5pm, Fee: $50. Construction: working in 3-D with a variety of materials like wood, clay, recycled materials, etc.

Creating Holiday Giving
Mon, Nov 17-Dec 15 (4wks, no class Nov 24), 4-5pm, Fee: $50. Creating Holiday Giving-gifts for others, individually created.

October Preschool Classes

Coloring Outside the Lines - this child/adult class allows you and your 2- or 3-year-old to explore the arts together. We will paint and play, and sing and play, and print and play in this hands-on atmosphere. Plan to get messy, so play clothes are a must!
Fri, Oct 23-Nov 13 (4wks), 9:30-10:30am, Fee: $50 Fun for the whole family! Include a sibling for $10/day.
Fri, Oct 23-Nov 13 (4 wks) 10:45-11:45 am, Fee: $50

Saturday Coloring Outside the Lines - Join us for some good ol' messy fun! This child/adult class is an excellent opportunity to explore the arts with your child. We'll explore a variety of creative activities for children ages 2-3. Play clothes a must!
Sat. Oct 17, 9:30-10:30am, Fee: $16
Sat, Nov 7, 9:30-10:30am, Fee: $16
Fun for the whole family! Include a sibling for $10/day.

In the Galleries........
September 11th - October 16th
Common Ground Faculty Exhibition (2002-2009)

"Heaviness" by Donika Wiley, Artist in Residence in Printmaking 2008-2009

October 30th - December 18th
New Works by Jan Gaumnitz Reception: Friday, October 30 at 7pm

Call for Volunteers!
Thirty-five years ago the Lawrence Arts Center grew when a group of community members who saw a need to foster a love of the arts came together in the old Carnegie Library building. Today we are pleased and excited to have continued community support in the form of hard-working and dedicated volunteers, people just like you, who help us to serve over 100,000 members of Lawrence and surrounding communities each year.
 
The following are some of the volunteer needs coming up at the Lawrence Arts Center in the next month:
 
Common Ground:
*Servers, bussers, docents, set-up and clean-up for the exhibit opening Saturday, October 3
*Volunteers for Common Ground events Tuesday-Thursday October 6-8
*Redistributing artwork and contacting artists after event Sunday October 11-???
 
My Two-TailEd Halloween Cat: Ushers needed Thursday October 22- Friday October 30, 7-9:30 pm (volunteers may usher one or more shows and are welcome to stay and enjoy the performance)
 
Crumpletons Dance Party: Bartenders needed Saturday October 31, 9 pm-12 am (volunteers may come in costume and stay to enjoy the performances and costume contest)
 
Holiday Shop Wrapping Parties: Sundays from 1-4pm ( Oct 4, Oct 11, Oct 25 and Nov 22)