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The Temptations
August 27, 2006
The amazing Grammy-winning Motown legends, The Temptations, performed to a sell-out crowd for the first event of the Dixie’s Inaugural Season. Singing all of their greatest hits like “My Girl”, “Cloud Nine”, “Get Ready” and “Can’t Get Next To You Babe” they had the crowd on their feet from the beginning. Their dance steps and routines brought back memories to all who saw them in 1970 at the old Memorial Gym at Louisiana Tech.
Dixie Gospel Jubilee Showcase
Community Trust Bank Sponsors First Dixie Season Show Set for Saturday, September 9, 6:00 pm
Dixie Horizon Entertainers for 2006, Practissing 4Heaven will be featured in the first show of the Dixie Center for the Arts regular season, Dixie Gospel Jubilee Showcase. This popular gospel quartet from Lincoln parish will emcee and perform with other local and regional gospel musicians and groups. The show is being produced by CJ Matlock.
This lively evening of old-time (and some new) gospel music will include more than ten other musical acts such as Taylor Fife, a Country Christian group from Monroe and around northeast Louisiana. These young men have recently recorded their newest CD,“In These Fields”.
Another not-to-miss act is legendary 84 year old Homer Bailes of the famous Bailes Brothers of the Grand Ol’ Opry Hall of Fame. One of his most famous songs, “Dust on the Bible”, is part of the Smithsonian Institute Music Hall. He is also a member of the Louisiana Hayride Hall of Fame, the Country Gospel Music International Hall of Fame, and Nashville Walkway of Stars.
Other local gospel entertainers already scheduled to appear include: Mack & Mike, Ruston; The Thomas Family Gospel Singers, Quitman; Myrtle Branch, Ruston; Sisters 4, Calhoun; Ben Stuart, Bernice; Chris Sherrill, Athens; Ron Badgley, Dubach; Kayla Hart, Farmerville; Thomas Linton, Hodge; Shane Huffstetler, Athens; and Rev. Connie Breaux, Grambling.
 Practissing4Heaven, 2006 Horizon Entertainers |
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 Myrtle Branch & Sisters 4 |
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 "The Lord's Army" Kids from Calvary Baptist Church |
 The Thomas Family Gospel Singers |
 Chris Sherrill |
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Ruston Community Theatre presents
The Exact Center
of the Universe
directed by Nancy Wallace
The Exact Center of the Universe by Joan Vail Thorne incorporates Southern values, and family relationships are tested in a comical manner. Vada Powell is an adoring mother to the center of her universe, Apple, her son. However, her world is shaken when Apple follows his heart instead of his mother's expectation. Vada holds true to her motto, "I don't interfere. I intervene!" Through her constant manipulations, she risks losing her son and his new family completely. Can she change or is it too late?
Go Dog Go!
Sponsored by D’Arbonne Kennel Club and Sexton Animal Health Center. Our first school show was a huge success. The two shows on Friday were a complete sell out! Eleven hundred preschoolers and elementary students from 8 parishes and El Dorado, AR saw one of Dr. Seuss’s beloved books, Go Dog Go, brought to life with “big dogs, little dogs, red dogs and green dogs” by the Young Troupe of The Strauss Theatre of Monroe. Saturday’s public performance brought even more children and their parents and grandparents to the theatre to see La. Tech’s Champ and the real bulldog along with many breeds of dogs provided by the D’Arbonne Kennel Club.
Emile Pandolfi Piano Concert
This concert is a cooperative effort between the DCA and Union Parish Arts Council in cooperation with the Louisiana Presenters Network and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council
Big Band Showcase at the Dixie Leaves ‘Em Wanting More
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The Lawrence Gibbs Orchestra’s debut at the Dixie Center for the Arts on November 4 filled the dance floor more than once in this musical showcase. Big Band music fans enjoyed tunes from the biggest names of that era—Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie and more. Lisa Lee McCalmon provided her voice for songs like “I’m In The Mood For Love” and “Almost Like Being in Love” among others.
The newly formed Ruston Jazz Singers (Lisa McCalmon, Laura Ulrich, Luke Lusted and Stuart Amidon) performed Tommy Dorsey’s “Sunny Side of the Street”. It was an evening of good music and sweet memories for many. This event was sponsored by Bruce Cowan and Bobby Conville of A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc.
NCLAC Performances presents
Mahogany Ensemble Theatre’s production of CROWNS
by Regina Taylor
CROWNS is a spirit-filled tribute of the faith and fashion of African American women and their church hats. This popular musical peers into the lives of women as it celebrates family, faith, love, loss, and finding one’s true identity. Directors Robert Alford and Angelique Feaster have assembled an ensemble cast featuring Neverlyn Townsel as Mother Shaw, Danielle James as Yolanda, Myra Robinson as Mabel, Tunya Williams as Wanda, Jackquenline Sudds as Velma, Angelique Feaster as Jeanette, and Jamal Hall as Man.
All kinds of good things are happening at The Dixie! |
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We Three Kings Concert
Providing us with holiday season selections, both sacred and secular, will be the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council's second "dream team" Ensemble-In-Residence. The group, which started out being playfully called "We Three Kings", consists of Rick Novak, tenor; Corey Trahan, baritone; and Louis Nabors, bass. Pianist Coralie White will provide the accompaniment.
Come join regular season members and get in the Christmas spirit. We Three Kings perform as an Ensemble-In-Residence of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council through a grant from Chase Bank.
 The Three Kings invited James Fallin, Rose Kassab, and Carole Harris up on stage to help sing Christmas songs to the crowd |
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Artists give to the Dixie
Rick Hohlt, Publisher, The Ruston Daily Leader
12-08-2006
The Bank of Ruston is continuing its tradition of holding art exhibitions featuring local artists with “M3: an exhibition” which is open now through Jan. 4, in the Bank of Ruston Main Lobby.
The artists who will display their work include Catherine McVea, Charlie Meeds and Mary K. Morse; however, another local artist, Patricia Tait Jones, is also directly involved in the organization of the holiday presentation.
“This exhibition has a dual purpose,” said Bank of Ruston President Benny Denny. “We want to continue to support our local artists and to display their work for the pleasure of the community; however, in this case, the artists have generously agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of their work to the Dixie Center for the Arts. This will promote and support the broader body of the arts in this region.”
Denny said that he takes great pleasure in bringing the high quality of the work done by local artists to the attention of the public.
“This is a particularly great time to have this exhibition,” Denny said. “People are shopping for gifts and the paintings in this exhibition are ideal for truly special Christmas gifts, not to mention that the purpose will also aid the Dixie Center for the Arts for years to come.”
The three artists whose works will be shown — McVea, Meeds and Morse — each have their own views as to the role of artistic expression in their lives and they each have their own unique styles and subject matter which come from that.
In this case, the artists involved have stepped beyond simply sharing their work and personally reaping all the proceeds from sales and have donated a portion of the many hours spent and the resulting striking paintings and sculptures to the benefit of the Dixie Center for the Artists.
Let us all express our appreciation to those involved in this special event.
Dixie Center for the Arts Names 2007 Dixie Horizon Entertainer
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On Saturday, January 20, Cyndi Johnston of Bernice was named the new 2007 Dixie Horizon Entertainer. Twelve contestants from all around North Louisiana competed in this second annual competition. Last year’s winners, PractisSing 4 Heaven from Dubach entertained the crowd with several songs. Cyndi won singing Gretchen Wilson’s recent country hit, “Here For The Party”. She is a veteran performer on the Dixie stage having sung in the Wildwood Express shows 18 years ago.
The other award winners were: First Runner Up--Shannon Stahl, Minden; Second Runner Up--Billy Hugh Williams, Tullos; Third Runner Up (tie)--The Four Swordsmen, Dubach and Karlie Stuckey, Ruston; Fourth Runner Up (tie)--Alexa Lambert, Ruston and Haley Scriber, Ruston.
Mrs. Johnston was officially presented at the Joe Woods Wildwood Express Country Music Showcase on January 20. She sang her winning song and led the closing song, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” with the entire cast. She will be presented several times in the coming year at Dixie events.
Second Annual
Joe Woods Wildwood Express Showcase
Saturday, January 20, 2007; 6:00 p.m.
 Linda Graham emcee's the show |
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The Dixie Center for the Arts and Community Trust Bank presented the second annual Joe Woods Wildwood Express Country Music Showcase to over 500 country music lovers, Saturday, January 20. The Dixie was bursting at its seams with theatre goers enjoying the talents of more than 20 local and regional artists. Good ole’ favorites and new ones, too filled the grand old theatre with the sounds reminiscent of one of the Dixie’s longest running shows of its first lifetime--The Joe Woods Wildwood Express.
Linda Graham emceed a program packed with singers and musicians such as Denene Stringfellow, Alice Prophit, Buddy Terzia, Laymon Godwin, Travis Woods, Rita Spillers, Thomas Linton, Hank Staples, DeeAnn Smith, David Butler, Joe Burton, David Hodnett, Jeff Woods, Roy Waters, Rick Nelson and the Cornerstone Quartet Plus One consisting of Bill Carter, Rev. Fred Wideman, John Freeman, Neal Deforest, and Dee Belcher. They entertained the audience for more than two hours. The pre-show featuring the sounds of the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Band, had the audience on its feet dancing. Another featured act of the evening was the new 2007 Dixie Horizon Entertainer, Cyndi Johnston from Bernice. A raffle to benefit the Dixie Center for the Arts was held for the deer feeder provided by On Time Feeders and Sonny Bearden won it.
 Buddy Terzia |
 Hank Staples |
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The show was sponsored by Community Trust Bank. It was produced by CJ Matlock with assistance from MaryAnn Woods and Mildred May.
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Ruston Community Theatre presents
The Odd Couple
directed by Daniel Shockley
Neil Simon's play, "The Odd Couple", centers on a pair of desperately mismatched roommates - one sloppy and one neat. They are arguably the most memorable pair of characters about whom the successful playwright has ever written. The two best friends, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, end up having some hilarious arguments over their living habits, and soon the arguments begin to mirror the discussions that they each previously had with their spouses. The story is very funny, and it is one that audiences have loved for years.
Dixie Takes Delivery of New 7’ Yamaha Grand Piano
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 Larry Rust, George Winston's Road Manager, presents Stephanie Griffin, Christian Community Action director, with a check from the proceeds of the CD's and merchandise sales during the concert at the Dixie |
Harriet Tubman: The Underground Railroad 
By the Arkansas Arts Center State Services of
Little Rock, Arkansas
In honor of Black History Month, the Dixie Center for the Arts presented the Arkansas Arts Center of Little Rock performing “Harriet Tubman: The Underground Railroad” as the second in its series of school shows. Middle school and high school students from several parishes and southern Arkansas were entertained and informed with this program.
Some Enchanted Evening
Hear the songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway musicals that have become a part of our lives. Performed by the Springer Theatricals of Columbus, Georgia.
Ruston Community Theatre presents
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
directed by Nancy Wallace
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds was written by Paul Zindel and won a Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award in the 1970s. The drama follows a tortured woman of two teenage daughters, who is as much a victim of her own nature as of the cruel lot which has been given her. Her younger daughter has an intuitive gift for science and her experiment for the science fair proves something beautiful and full of promise can emerge from even the most barren, afflicted soil. This is the timeless lesson of this powerful story.
Russ Town Society Wins Dixie Center for the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award
DCA Board President, Tommy Folk presents the award to 2006 Russ Town President, Allison Ambrose. Also present to accept the award were: Claire Givens (founding member), Jennifer Byrd, Mandy Brown (2007 Russ Town President), Tanya Bickham (founding member), Kim Klug, Candace Moak, and Lisa Nelson. The award will be presented each year and will be known as the “Russ Town Society Volunteer of the Year Award”.
The Russ Town Society was formed in 1997 by Tanya Graham Bickham and Claire Kilpatrick Givens. Their desire was to form an organization to help preserve the history of downtown Ruston… so that it might remain as it was as they remembered it during their growing up years. They held a tea at the Lincoln Parish Museum and invited young women that they thought would want to be a part of this effort. Their membership was limited to 35 members, which was quickly filled. Russ Town Society’s attention was focused from the very beginning on the renovation efforts that were beginning on the Dixie Theater and this purpose and focus has remained the priority now for ten years. They have held various fund raising events, beginning with one of their members giving violin lessons on the stage of the old Dixie, haunted houses at Halloween being held at the Lincoln Parish Park and the Bobby James Gym, to the now very successful “Downtown Delights” which will be held in May again of this year in Downtown Railroad Park. Due to their continuous efforts for the preservation of “Historic Old Ruston” this organization has not only enlightened newcomers to our town to cherish this possibility, but they have led the way in contributions, aimed solely to the restoration of the Dixie Theater--they have netted close to $40,000.
Into the Woods, Jr.--Ruston High School
Presented by Ruston High School students, directed by Lisa Lee-McCalmon
Bluegrass Showcase
Blue Grass music has been around for a long time, but recently had hits again on the popular charts. The Dixie wants to showcase our area Bluegrass talent. Scheduled to appear: Malachi, Grass Fire, The Hargill Family, The Blake Brothers, and a special interpretive dance performance by the Louisiana Delta Ballet.
Large Crowd Braves the Weather to See Dixie Bluegrass Showcase
Despite cold, rainy weather, a large enthusiastic crowd was entertained by five regional bluegrass bands and the Louisiana Delta Ballet Saturday April 14 at the Dixie Center for the Arts. As “the show must go on”, the pre-show performed by Richard Zachary and Red Dirt Highway originally scheduled for Intermission Park was moved inside to the lobby and patrons enjoyed music and barbeque.
Prior to the performance a slide show of North Louisiana folklife was provided by Dr. Susan Roach, North Louisiana folklife specialist. Ruston’s own Malachi and Red Dirt Highway were joined by GrassFire from Winnsboro, The Blake Brothers from Shreveport and The Harrigill Family from the Vidalia/Ferriday area filling the Dixie with bluegrass music. The evening was completed by a performance by the Louisiana Delta Ballet to songs from “‘O Brother Where Art Thou”. The show was produced by Michele Sills and emceed by Donnie Barmore.
A Big Thank You to AT&T for sponsoring this show!
Shakespeare's Sweethearts & Swords
A Dixie Center for the Arts School Show. With both love scenes and swordplay, there is something to appeal to every student. Presented by the New Stage Theatre of Jackson, MS. $3 for students and teachers, school reservations.
Ruston Civic Symphony Society
Spring Picnic & Pops Concert
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of popular music. And the popular picnic returns!
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Intermission Park made possible by: Mike Hoogland, in honor of Diane Hoogland |
 New Intermission Park Opens |
 First patrons to sit on new benches in Intermission Park. L to R- Leonard McAdams, Marilyn Lewis, Jim Lewis, Byrd Terry, and Janice Terry |
Hooray For Hollywood
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 Lisa-Lee McCalmon & Corey Trahan |
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council's Artists-in-Residence
baritone Corey Trahan and soprano Lisa Lee-McCalmon sing
their favorite songs from the "silver screen".
 Lisa-Lee sings to Bill Stokes |
 Margaret Anne Emory, Libby Roane, Sunant Ranjitkar, Linda Newton enjoy visiting before the performance |
 Bill & Linda Graham attend Hooray For Hollywood |
Russ Town Society “Downtown Delights”
David Hedgepeth emcees and gives away prizes!
Russtown Ladies making the event a hit!
And Ruston Road Kings provide entertainment!
Dixie receives donation from proceeds of "3-M Art Show" sponsored and hosted by Bank of Ruston. Local artists Catherine McVea and Charlie Meeds present Marlen Waters, director of the Dixie Center for the Arts with a check from the sale of their art works. Bank of Ruston president, Benny Denny looks on. Unable to attend was the third "M" artist, Mary K. Morse.
Dixie Dinner at the Norton Building
On March 2, the Dixie Center for the Arts had its first dinner event in conjunction with the George Winston concert. This was the first dinner/theatre package offered by the Dixie. The fifty tickets were sold out quickly. The patrons started with a social hour, followed by a dinner catered by Campatori Catering, walked to the Dixie for the George Winston concert then returned to the Norton Building for Frothy Monkey coffee and desserts by Campatori. According to Dean and Larkin Norton, owners of the Norton Building, the evening was a success and they hope to do it again. Richard and Janine Lewis said the food was great and look forward to doing it again. DCA Board member David Hedgepeth said he was very pleased with the sell out and hopes it will become a regular feature of Dixie events. John Shirley of Campatori Catering said the evening went very well and was well received.
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 Catherine McVea, Dean Norton, Richard and Janine Lewis, Becky and Danny Crawford |
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 Callie Parkman, Darryl Johnson, George Parkman, Maureen Johnson |
 Monte Banks, Cherrie Sciro, Carole Tabor |
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 Pete Thiels, Bill Rogers, Kay Thiels, Ashley Manning |
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 Julie Holmes, Mary Poe, Nancy Wallace, Jon Wallace |
 View of Norton Building as patrons are seated for dinner |
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First Guaranty Bank makes a donation
Board member Dr. F. Jay Taylor, Ruston, presents a check to Dixie Artistic Director, Mary Fran Crook. Also present was Lynne Gnemi, newly elected DCA Board of Directors vice president; John Sachs, DCA Board Treasurer; Tonda Franklin, First Guaranty Bank of Dubach; and Loy Weaver, North La. Area President of First Guaranty Bank. |
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JIGU! THUNDER DRUMS OF CHINA
Twenty-seven performers hailing from the Shanxi Province of China thrilled the crown of over 350 at the Dixie. Patrons were treated to a pageant of dance, music, unbelievable costumes, light show and even some comedy. Each performance told a story of life in China. Many types of traditional drums, percussion, and musical instruments were used--from the tiny to the huge 6 foot bass drum. This was a great ending to the Dixie's Inaugural Season. This performance was partially funded by a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council, La. Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Dept of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
The Dixie had its first wedding on June 2, 2007. Jena and Daniel Shockley exchanged their vows on stage in front of a large crowd of family and friends in a beautifully decorated setting. They first met at the Dixie through Ruston Community Theatre. Daniel is currently president of RCT and a member of the Dixie Center for the Arts Board of Directors. Congratulations and Best Wishes, Jena and Daniel!
(Photo courtesy of Josiah Kennedy Photography.) |
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M. Douglas Walton
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Ruston Community Theatre presents
Cheaper by the Dozen
Tuscan Twilight
Event for American Cancer Society Held at Dixie Theatre
by Kathy and Hannah Reeg
Rhe Dixie Theatre in Ruston was the site of Tuscan Nights, a benefit for the American Cancer Society. Preparation had been made to transform “Intermission Park” at the Dixie into a Tuscan al fresco event. The American Cancer Society Gala “Tuscan Twilight” an Evening of Italian Elegance was exactly that, with tents and fountains, chardonnay and fabulous items to be auctioned, cheese and fruits as well as pastas and gourmet desserts. Cicero's lavishly catered the event. There were generous company and individual sponsors, volunteers in addition to and donations of flowers and rentals. Guests could imagine being in the Italian countryside. When everyone retired into the Dixie Theatre for the talents of the acclaimed Broadway star Franc D'Ambrosio, we certainly felt as if we had been transported to Milan’s La Scala. Maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but I was definitely reminded of the half a dozen times I had experienced “Phantom of the Opera” in London. Did I mention D’Ambrosio is the longest running Phantom, and after his performance that evening for such a heartfelt cause, you could understand why his talents are in such demand.
Performance Art Camp 2007
The public is cordially invited to the final performance of the first Dixie Performing Arts Camp on Friday, August 10 at 5:30.
Forty-one campers are spending the next two weeks learning theatre, dance, music and stage design from master teachers. Paul Crook, Louisiana Tech theatre professor; Lisa Maxedon, Louisiana Tech music professor; Don Stevens, technical director in Louisiana Tech’s School of Performing Arts; and Mary Fran Crook, Dixie Center for the Arts artistic director comprise the camp faculty.
This intensive two week camp will culminate in a presentation of all the disciplines. Admission is free to the performance and we hope the public will come and appreciate the hard work of these campers and their teachers.