A comedy will be the next production by Salina Central High School Theatre.

Larry Shue's The Nerd is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. April 2 in the auditorium of the school, 650 E. Crawford Street. Running time is approximately two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students, with credit service charges added to the price if using a credit card. Tickets are on sale <a href="https://our.show/chstroupe639/nerd">online</a> and also will be available prior to the performances.

About the play courtesy Salina Central Theatre

Now an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Ind., Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” — so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his 34th birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd” — a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence — a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising “twist” ending of the play.

Blaise Alderson- Rick Steadman an old friend of Willum’s who once saved his life

Zander Flener- Willum Cubbert an architect

Mackenzie Martinez- Tansy McGinnis Willum’s girlfriend

Benjamin Campbell- Axel Hammond Willum’s best friend

Jackson Angell- Warnock Waldgrave Willum’s boss

Alyssa Maas- Clelia Waldgrave Warnock’s wife and mother to Thor

Sam Reynolds- Thor Waldgrave son to Warnock and Clelia

Assistant Stage Manager: Kasheia Peterson and Paige Hinca

Shop Foreman: Trace Horniman and Benjamin Campbell

Running Crew/ Dressers: Nathan Goldbach, Mac Sheforgen, Lin Miller, Bowie Vega, Angelica Dao, Keaton Myers, Marcos Lira, Jayda Rasmussen, Mili Ocon

Costume Design: Addilyn Jagodzinske and Isabell Riedel

Costume Crew: Barbara Hilt, Addilyn Jagodzinske, Isabell Riedel

Set Construction/ Scenic Painting: Blaise Alderson, Anastasia Corl, Lillian Crow, Makyla Dixson, Tara Dutcher, Trace Horniman, Cadence Lane, Vy Le, Chelsea Lewin, Dontai Martinez, Selena Maupin, Imani McFadden, Lin Miller, Montana Morgan, Nikolas Lochlan, Isabell Riedel, Hunter Rogers, Gavin Schneider, Kale Shafer, Ethan Shank, Bowie Vega,&nbsp; Chloe Highsmith, Harper Johnston, Benjamin Campbell, Kasheia Peterson, Camille Morris, Michelle Simmons, Nathan Goldbach, Wyatt Angell, Anna Kraft, Mac Sheforgen, Zander Flener, Mackenzie Martinez, Paige Hinca, Chloe Highsmith, Alyssa Maas, Ellie Riekhof, Barbara Hilt, Josh Lewis, Jackson Angell, Keaton Myers, Leah Mull

Properties: Chloe Highsmith, Blaise Alderson

Photography: Matea Gregg (For Greater Glory Photography)

Poster and t-shirt design: Camille Morris

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679870376948.jpeg" alt="Salina Central rehearse "The Nerd." Photo courtesy Salina Central Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Salina Central rehearse "The Nerd." Photo courtesy Salina Central Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA comedy will be the next production by Salina Central High School Theatre.Larry Shue's The Nerd is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. April 2 in the auditorium of the school, 650 E. Crawford Street. Running time is approximately two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students, with credit service charges added to the price if using a credit card. Tickets are on sale <a href="https://our.show/chstroupe639/nerd">online</a> and also will be available prior to the performances.About the play courtesy Salina Central TheatreNow an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Ind., Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” — so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his 34th birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd” — a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. And Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence — a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising “twist” ending of the play.Cast membersBlaise Alderson- Rick Steadman an old friend of Willum’s who once saved his lifeZander Flener- Willum Cubbert an architectMackenzie Martinez- Tansy McGinnis Willum’s girlfriendBenjamin Campbell- Axel Hammond Willum’s best friendJackson Angell- Warnock Waldgrave Willum’s bossAlyssa Maas- Clelia Waldgrave Warnock’s wife and mother to ThorSam Reynolds- Thor Waldgrave son to Warnock and CleliaCrew/creativeDirector: Barbara HiltAssistant Director: Chloe HighsmithTechnical Director: Bill WeaverStage Manager: Harper JohnstonAssistant Stage Manager: Kasheia Peterson and Paige HincaShop Foreman: Trace Horniman and Benjamin CampbellHouse Manager: Cadence LaneAssistant House Manager: Katherine WhiteLight Board Operator: Wyatt AngellLighting Design: Barbara HiltSound Board Operator: Vy LeSound Effects: Anna KraftRunning Crew/ Dressers: Nathan Goldbach, Mac Sheforgen, Lin Miller, Bowie Vega, Angelica Dao, Keaton Myers, Marcos Lira, Jayda Rasmussen, Mili OconHair &amp; Makeup: Michelle SimmonsCostume Design: Addilyn Jagodzinske and Isabell RiedelCostume Crew: Barbara Hilt, Addilyn Jagodzinske, Isabell RiedelScenic Design: Bill WeaverSet Construction/ Scenic Painting: Blaise Alderson, Anastasia Corl, Lillian Crow, Makyla Dixson, Tara Dutcher, Trace Horniman, Cadence Lane, Vy Le, Chelsea Lewin, Dontai Martinez, Selena Maupin, Imani McFadden, Lin Miller, Montana Morgan, Nikolas Lochlan, Isabell Riedel, Hunter Rogers, Gavin Schneider, Kale Shafer, Ethan Shank, Bowie Vega,&nbsp; Chloe Highsmith, Harper Johnston, Benjamin Campbell, Kasheia Peterson, Camille Morris, Michelle Simmons, Nathan Goldbach, Wyatt Angell, Anna Kraft, Mac Sheforgen, Zander Flener, Mackenzie Martinez, Paige Hinca, Chloe Highsmith, Alyssa Maas, Ellie Riekhof, Barbara Hilt, Josh Lewis, Jackson Angell, Keaton Myers, Leah MullProperties: Chloe Highsmith, Blaise AldersonPublicity: Camille MorrisPhotography: Matea Gregg (For Greater Glory Photography)Poster and t-shirt design: Camille MorrisTicket and program design: Barbara Hilt

Salina Central Theatre presents 'The Nerd'

LAWRENCE – With the 2019 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on “BlacKkKlansman” on his mantel, Kevin Willmott can focus on the screenwriting projects he likes. And while the&nbsp;University of Kansas professor of film &amp; media studies has carved out a niche telling little-known&nbsp;<a href="http://news.ku.edu/2020/08/12/history-police-brutality-informs-willmotts-24th" target="_blank">stories</a>&nbsp;of African American history that resonate with current events, Willmott’s latest project takes a fresh look at perhaps the most famous African American and most popular athlete of all time – boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

The producers (Willmott shares executive-producing credit) have&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Flifestyle%2Fmuhammad-ali-scripted-series-being-210048136.html&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kLhFL2P5YUvXDlmxOMXJkaemsXr%2FbTp3wHIVpZu2guM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a deal to develop the eight-part series “Excellence: 8 Fights” about Ali's life for NBC’s Peacock streaming video service.

Willmott said he had been working with actor/producer Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, which owns the rights to Jonathan Eig’s acclaimed 2017 biography,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpercollins.com%2Fproducts%2Fali-jonathan-eig%3Fvariant%3D39935221858338&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FLZiLc2DUInWvsNQdWab%2FJd258MaPIfKop8M5hE2DcU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“Ali: A Life,"</a>&nbsp;for some time on a script. No star or release date has been announced.

“I chose eight different fights Ali had, using the book as my source material,” Willmott said. “They’re not all bouts in the ring. One of them will be his struggle with Parkinson’s disease.”

Apart from the Will Smith film&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAli_(film)&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FcEI0SR9etDBebmFJUlplq4nZcvuNjuOhPLl3EX0Zoo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“Ali”</a>&nbsp;in 2001, Willmott said there have not been many treatments of the heavyweight champion and global cultural icon’s life on film. 2020’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt10612922%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2FBnYVFvtQGMsjTmS1hZLaU1c9pveE4QlCL1fHwhLyAs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“One Night in Miami”</a>&nbsp;focuses on just that – a single meeting among Ali, football and movie star Jim Brown, singer/producer Sam Cooke and Black Muslim leader Malcolm X.

Willmott said “8 Fights” will be a modern biopic.

“The old style is cradle-to-grave,” he said. “Now you try to be a lot more selective and pick certain parts of their life.”

The fact that Ali remains so well-known, nearly seven years after his death, will enable the filmmakers to use a certain shorthand in explication, Willmott said. “He’s got a big life, and the segments narrow it down to specific things.”

“8 Fights” will delve into Ali’s complicated relationship with his greatest ring nemesis, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, if only for its racial implications, Willmott said.

Despite the fact that Frazier had loaned Ali money when Ali was facing fallout from his decision to avoid the Vietnam-era draft, in the buildup to their fights, “Ali called him Uncle Tom and monkey,” Willmott said.

“There was a love-hate relationship – hatred from Joe Frazier’s standpoint. Ali didn’t hate anybody. He got angry at people like Floyd Patterson and Ernie Terrell that wouldn’t call him by the name Muhammad Ali, and he punished them in the ring. Ali was a bit ahead of the game in terms of the Black pride movement. It was about starting to connect to our African heritage.

“The series will allow Ali to look back on his life and reflect on the pros and cons,” Willmott said.

Willmott said he has several other writing irons in the fire, all based on historical events, including a completed script for a biopic of the first Black tennis star, Arthur Ashe, and one about the relationship between jazz musicians Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington and Lena Horne.

Willmott graduated from Marymount College in Salina and grew up in Junction City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597885870680.jpeg" alt="Kevin Willmott. Photo courtesy&nbsp;KU News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Willmott. Photo courtesy&nbsp;KU News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>KU News ServiceLAWRENCE – With the 2019 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on “BlacKkKlansman” on his mantel, Kevin Willmott can focus on the screenwriting projects he likes. And while the&nbsp;University of Kansas professor of film &amp; media studies has carved out a niche telling little-known&nbsp;<a href="http://news.ku.edu/2020/08/12/history-police-brutality-informs-willmotts-24th" target="_blank">stories</a>&nbsp;of African American history that resonate with current events, Willmott’s latest project takes a fresh look at perhaps the most famous African American and most popular athlete of all time – boxing champion Muhammad Ali.The producers (Willmott shares executive-producing credit) have&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Flifestyle%2Fmuhammad-ali-scripted-series-being-210048136.html&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=kLhFL2P5YUvXDlmxOMXJkaemsXr%2FbTp3wHIVpZu2guM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a deal to develop the eight-part series “Excellence: 8 Fights” about Ali's life for NBC’s Peacock streaming video service.Willmott said he had been working with actor/producer Morgan Freeman’s Revelations Entertainment, which owns the rights to Jonathan Eig’s acclaimed 2017 biography,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpercollins.com%2Fproducts%2Fali-jonathan-eig%3Fvariant%3D39935221858338&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FLZiLc2DUInWvsNQdWab%2FJd258MaPIfKop8M5hE2DcU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“Ali: A Life,"</a>&nbsp;for some time on a script. No star or release date has been announced.“I chose eight different fights Ali had, using the book as my source material,” Willmott said. “They’re not all bouts in the ring. One of them will be his struggle with Parkinson’s disease.”Apart from the Will Smith film&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FAli_(film)&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FcEI0SR9etDBebmFJUlplq4nZcvuNjuOhPLl3EX0Zoo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“Ali”</a>&nbsp;in 2001, Willmott said there have not been many treatments of the heavyweight champion and global cultural icon’s life on film. 2020’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt10612922%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmedia1-l%40lists.ku.edu%7C94d198df35dc43c43d2108db2ba07309%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638151740351640576%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2FBnYVFvtQGMsjTmS1hZLaU1c9pveE4QlCL1fHwhLyAs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">“One Night in Miami”</a>&nbsp;focuses on just that – a single meeting among Ali, football and movie star Jim Brown, singer/producer Sam Cooke and Black Muslim leader Malcolm X.Willmott said “8 Fights” will be a modern biopic.“The old style is cradle-to-grave,” he said. “Now you try to be a lot more selective and pick certain parts of their life.”The fact that Ali remains so well-known, nearly seven years after his death, will enable the filmmakers to use a certain shorthand in explication, Willmott said. “He’s got a big life, and the segments narrow it down to specific things.”“8 Fights” will delve into Ali’s complicated relationship with his greatest ring nemesis, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, if only for its racial implications, Willmott said.Despite the fact that Frazier had loaned Ali money when Ali was facing fallout from his decision to avoid the Vietnam-era draft, in the buildup to their fights, “Ali called him Uncle Tom and monkey,” Willmott said.“There was a love-hate relationship – hatred from Joe Frazier’s standpoint. Ali didn’t hate anybody. He got angry at people like Floyd Patterson and Ernie Terrell that wouldn’t call him by the name Muhammad Ali, and he punished them in the ring. Ali was a bit ahead of the game in terms of the Black pride movement. It was about starting to connect to our African heritage.“The series will allow Ali to look back on his life and reflect on the pros and cons,” Willmott said.Willmott said he has several other writing irons in the fire, all based on historical events, including a completed script for a biopic of the first Black tennis star, Arthur Ashe, and one about the relationship between jazz musicians Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington and Lena Horne.Willmott graduated from Marymount College in Salina and grew up in Junction City.

Filmmaker Willmott draws lessons from African American history

K-State News &amp; Communications Services

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;The 2022-2023&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">McCain Performance Series</a>&nbsp;continues its spring slate of headliners as it presents the Commodores at&nbsp;7:30 p.m. April 6, in Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium. The Commodores have influenced artists young and old and in all genres with their classic songs in rhythm and blues, Motown and funk. Legends and icons for more than 50 years, the Commodores have sold 70 million albums and boast seven number one hits. Band members Walter "Clyde" Orange, James Dean "JD" Nicholas and William "WAK" King continue to blaze trails all over the world as one of the most successful vocal groups of all time. &nbsp;

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the newly expanded McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours. Kids 17 and younger get 50% off the general price of admission. For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu" target="_blank">mccain@k-state.edu</a><a href="mailto:%20mccain@k-state.edu" target="_blank"></a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679694261241.jpeg" alt="Acclaimed vocal group the Commodores take the stage in K-State's McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. April 6.&nbsp;Photo by Denise Truscello courtesy McCain Auditorium" />
 <figcaption>Acclaimed vocal group the Commodores take the stage in K-State's McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. April 6.&nbsp;Photo by Denise Truscello courtesy McCain Auditorium</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State News &amp; Communications ServicesMANHATTAN —&nbsp;The 2022-2023&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">McCain Performance Series</a>&nbsp;continues its spring slate of headliners as it presents the Commodores at&nbsp;7:30 p.m. April 6, in Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium. The Commodores have influenced artists young and old and in all genres with their classic songs in rhythm and blues, Motown and funk. Legends and icons for more than 50 years, the Commodores have sold 70 million albums and boast seven number one hits. Band members Walter "Clyde" Orange, James Dean "JD" Nicholas and William "WAK" King continue to blaze trails all over the world as one of the most successful vocal groups of all time. &nbsp;Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the newly expanded McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours. Kids 17 and younger get 50% off the general price of admission. For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu" target="_blank">mccain@k-state.edu</a><a href="mailto:%20mccain@k-state.edu" target="_blank"></a>.&nbsp;

Commodores to perform in K-State's McCain Auditorium on April 6

ABILENE - Learn about eastern European Easter eggs and how to make them during a class Sunday in Abilene.

The Arts Council of Dickinson County is offering a Pysanky class at 1 p.m. Sunday at 401 N. Cedar Street. During the three-to-four-hour class, participants will learn the history of the Pysanky, which is rooted in eastern Europe, as well as design and create their own pieces of artwork.

For more information or to reserve your space in the class, call (785)263-1884, text (785) 280-0543 or email <a href="mailto:artscouncilofdc@gmail.com">artscouncilofdc@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679539146457.png" alt="Photo courtesy Arts Council of Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Arts Council of Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTABILENE - Learn about eastern European Easter eggs and how to make them during a class Sunday in Abilene.The Arts Council of Dickinson County is offering a Pysanky class at 1 p.m. Sunday at 401 N. Cedar Street. During the three-to-four-hour class, participants will learn the history of the Pysanky, which is rooted in eastern Europe, as well as design and create their own pieces of artwork.The cost of the class is $40 per person.For more information or to reserve your space in the class, call (785)263-1884, text (785) 280-0543 or email <a href="mailto:artscouncilofdc@gmail.com">artscouncilofdc@gmail.com</a>.

Arts Council of Dickinson County offers Pysanky class

A Grammy Award-winning Americana group is coming to Salina in October. 

Nickel Creek is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at: www.stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the artists from the Stiefel Theatre

GRAMMY Award-winning trio, Nickel Creek — mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins — will continue their extensive headline tour through the fall with newly confirmed shows. 

The tour — their first as a group since 2014 — adds to a landmark year for Nickel Creek, which will release Celebrants, its first new album in nine years, this Friday via Thirty Tigers. Their fifth studio album, Celebrants marks a highly anticipated return for the beloved trio and explores the inherent dynamics of human connection. Across the 18 tracks, the trio addresses love, friendship and time with lyrics both poetic and plain-spoken, as they see bridges built, crossed, burned and rebuilt. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was produced by longtime collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Grace Potter, Weezer) and features Mike Elizondo on bass.

Together a sum of more than their staggering parts, Nickel Creek revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. In a 2020 retrospective titled The Year Folk Broke: How Nickel Creek Made Americana The New Indie Rock, NPR Music praised, “20 years ago this month, an album arrived that seemed to speak all these languages at once: unafraid to push the boundaries of its primary genre, and packing the musical chops to bring such an eclectic vision to life. Behind it were three musicians just barely old enough to vote.

NPR Music continued, "That makes Nickel Creek and its unofficial debut a critical point along a storied timeline, one whose innovations offer countless connections between the genre’s origins and its future. Once dubbed ‘progressive newgrassers,’ the three musicians now fit firmly within the ranks of Americana music—however nebulous, layered and diverse that realm may be. They have only themselves to thank.” 

After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, the trio signed with venerable label, Sugar Hill Records, in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced self-titled LP. Since that effort, the trio has released three more studio albums to date: 2002’s This Side, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, 2005’s Why Should the Fire Die? and 2014’s A Dotted Line.

Each member of Nickel Creek has also taken part in many outside projects over the years. Thile is a 2012 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and served as the host of the American radio variety show Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion) from 2016 to 2020. He has also released collaborative albums with world-renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau and Stuart Duncan as well as six studio albums with his Grammy-winning band, Punch Brothers. 

Sean Watkins is a co-founder of Watkins Family Hour alongside Sara, who has released three albums and maintains a long-running collaborative show in Los Angeles. Sean has also released a string of solo albums, while Sara’s extracurricular projects include the aforementioned Watkins Family Hour, as well as the Grammy-winning roots trio, I’m With Her, which she co-founded alongside Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Sara has released four studio albums and has contributed fiddle to recordings by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers and John Mayer.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679417800542.jpeg" alt="Nickel Creek. Photo by Josh Goleman courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Nickel Creek. Photo by Josh Goleman courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA Grammy Award-winning Americana group is coming to Salina in October. Nickel Creek is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at: www.stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the artists from the Stiefel TheatreGRAMMY Award-winning trio, Nickel Creek — mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins — will continue their extensive headline tour through the fall with newly confirmed shows. The tour — their first as a group since 2014 — adds to a landmark year for Nickel Creek, which will release Celebrants, its first new album in nine years, this Friday via Thirty Tigers. Their fifth studio album, Celebrants marks a highly anticipated return for the beloved trio and explores the inherent dynamics of human connection. Across the 18 tracks, the trio addresses love, friendship and time with lyrics both poetic and plain-spoken, as they see bridges built, crossed, burned and rebuilt. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was produced by longtime collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Grace Potter, Weezer) and features Mike Elizondo on bass.Together a sum of more than their staggering parts, Nickel Creek revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. In a 2020 retrospective titled The Year Folk Broke: How Nickel Creek Made Americana The New Indie Rock, NPR Music praised, “20 years ago this month, an album arrived that seemed to speak all these languages at once: unafraid to push the boundaries of its primary genre, and packing the musical chops to bring such an eclectic vision to life. Behind it were three musicians just barely old enough to vote. NPR Music continued, "That makes Nickel Creek and its unofficial debut a critical point along a storied timeline, one whose innovations offer countless connections between the genre’s origins and its future. Once dubbed ‘progressive newgrassers,’ the three musicians now fit firmly within the ranks of Americana music—however nebulous, layered and diverse that realm may be. They have only themselves to thank.” After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, the trio signed with venerable label, Sugar Hill Records, in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced self-titled LP. Since that effort, the trio has released three more studio albums to date: 2002’s This Side, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, 2005’s Why Should the Fire Die? and 2014’s A Dotted Line. Each member of Nickel Creek has also taken part in many outside projects over the years. Thile is a 2012 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and served as the host of the American radio variety show Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion) from 2016 to 2020. He has also released collaborative albums with world-renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau and Stuart Duncan as well as six studio albums with his Grammy-winning band, Punch Brothers. Sean Watkins is a co-founder of Watkins Family Hour alongside Sara, who has released three albums and maintains a long-running collaborative show in Los Angeles. Sean has also released a string of solo albums, while Sara’s extracurricular projects include the aforementioned Watkins Family Hour, as well as the Grammy-winning roots trio, I’m With Her, which she co-founded alongside Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Sara has released four studio albums and has contributed fiddle to recordings by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers and John Mayer.

Nickel Creek to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre in October

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinapubliclibrary">Salina Public Library Facebook page</a>:

See what's new this week at the Salina Public Library at:

*** <a href="http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-496&amp;fbclid=IwAR2ZyTgIFhR7sopZBhDt4SgjDtPfnW0M9lHwpN93YAI4L6ZcrCBVq7PjQ88" target="_blank">http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-496</a> ***

There are nine new bestsellers, 26 new movies, one new music CD, and 178 other new books. The new bestsellers this week include "The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival," "I Have Some Questions for You," and "Burner." The new movies this week include "Midsomer Murders: Series 23," "Living," and "The Son."&nbsp;&nbsp;

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinapubliclibrary">Salina Public Library Facebook page</a>:See what's new this week at the Salina Public Library at:*** <a href="http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-496&amp;fbclid=IwAR2ZyTgIFhR7sopZBhDt4SgjDtPfnW0M9lHwpN93YAI4L6ZcrCBVq7PjQ88" target="_blank">http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-496</a> ***There are nine new bestsellers, 26 new movies, one new music CD, and 178 other new books. The new bestsellers this week include "The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival," "I Have Some Questions for You," and "Burner." The new movies this week include "Midsomer Murders: Series 23," "Living," and "The Son."&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679149334594.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Check out what's new at Salina Public Library

Members of the African Children's Choir are scheduled to perform Sunday in Salina.

The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday in Salina's First United Methodist Church, 122 N. Eighth Street. There will be no admission charge, however, a free-will offering will be taken to support the choir.

The choir comprises 19 elementary school-aged children from Uganda who give "an energetic and inspiring program of popular children's music, traditional spiritual songs and African cultural pieces," said Pam Kraus, the church's host coordinator for the choir.

"The children come from vulnerable backgrounds and have faced hardship and lack of education. Through their participation in the African Children's Choir, they will be provided food, shelter, medical needs, and an education through university," Kraus said.

The choir scheduled to perform in Salina Sunday actually had its beginnings three years ago.

"They first began their US tour in February 2020, but after a few concerts COVID hit, and the choir was isolated at a camp in South Carolina for eight months, before returning to Uganda, never having another opportunity to perform.  So they are grateful to be back in the US this year to finally get to do their tour!" Kraus said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679144931820.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTMembers of the African Children's Choir are scheduled to perform Sunday in Salina.The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday in Salina's First United Methodist Church, 122 N. Eighth Street. There will be no admission charge, however, a free-will offering will be taken to support the choir.The choir comprises 19 elementary school-aged children from Uganda who give "an energetic and inspiring program of popular children's music, traditional spiritual songs and African cultural pieces," said Pam Kraus, the church's host coordinator for the choir."The children come from vulnerable backgrounds and have faced hardship and lack of education. Through their participation in the African Children's Choir, they will be provided food, shelter, medical needs, and an education through university," Kraus said.The choir scheduled to perform in Salina Sunday actually had its beginnings three years ago."They first began their US tour in February 2020, but after a few concerts COVID hit, and the choir was isolated at a camp in South Carolina for eight months, before returning to Uganda, never having another opportunity to perform. So they are grateful to be back in the US this year to finally get to do their tour!" Kraus said.

African Childrens Choir to perform Sunday night in Salina

Illustrator, printmaker, and musician Dan Grissom has designed the 2023 Smoky Hill River Festival print.

Grissom resides in Austin, Texas, but is originally from rural Louisiana. Childhood summer days spent exploring the forests around a nearby creek fostered a love of nature and animals that continues to find its way into his work. His primary focus is screen printing, although his background is in relief printing and painting.

He received a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. After graduating, he pursued a master's degree in painting and printmaking at Stephen F. Austin State University in East Texas.

The print is a hand-painted 4-color screen print with custom mixed colors. With screen printing, each color layer is printed one at a time and allowed to dry before moving on to the next color layer.

“I've titled this piece Great Blue Heron on the River because I sometimes like to keep my titles simple and descriptive. I'm quite pleased with how this turned out, and I hope it transports you to a peaceful place like creating it did for me,” Grissom said.

Grissom’s work is colorful and marked by minimal, naturalistic compositions and sometimes very intricate line work. His subject matter varies but often involves nature and animals with subtle storytelling elements.

“While researching the wildlife around Salina, Kansas, for this print, I was transported right back to those childhood summer days sitting by the creek," Grissom said. "The landscapes and animals around Salina are pretty similar to what I grew up surrounded by in central Louisiana, so I knew I'd feel at home creating this piece. I've always loved spotting a Great Blue Heron in the wild, and when I saw that those were prominent around Salina, I knew I wanted that to be the focus. I grew up frequently seeing their paler cousin, the Egret, in Louisiana. Other details you can find in this piece are some deer, a dragonfly, some turtles on a log, and a beaver dam.”

The festival print is currently available for a donation of $100 or more to the Smoky Hill River Festival. For more information, call 785-309-5770 or visit <a href="http://riverfestival.com">riverfestival.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679022842429.jpeg" alt="Dan Grissom. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Dan Grissom. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Arts &amp; HumanitiesIllustrator, printmaker, and musician Dan Grissom has designed the 2023 Smoky Hill River Festival print.Grissom resides in Austin, Texas, but is originally from rural Louisiana. Childhood summer days spent exploring the forests around a nearby creek fostered a love of nature and animals that continues to find its way into his work. His primary focus is screen printing, although his background is in relief printing and painting.He received a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. After graduating, he pursued a master's degree in painting and printmaking at Stephen F. Austin State University in East Texas.The print is a hand-painted 4-color screen print with custom mixed colors. With screen printing, each color layer is printed one at a time and allowed to dry before moving on to the next color layer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679022938579.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I've titled this piece Great Blue Heron on the River because I sometimes like to keep my titles simple and descriptive. I'm quite pleased with how this turned out, and I hope it transports you to a peaceful place like creating it did for me,” Grissom said.Grissom’s work is colorful and marked by minimal, naturalistic compositions and sometimes very intricate line work. His subject matter varies but often involves nature and animals with subtle storytelling elements.“While researching the wildlife around Salina, Kansas, for this print, I was transported right back to those childhood summer days sitting by the creek," Grissom said. "The landscapes and animals around Salina are pretty similar to what I grew up surrounded by in central Louisiana, so I knew I'd feel at home creating this piece. I've always loved spotting a Great Blue Heron in the wild, and when I saw that those were prominent around Salina, I knew I wanted that to be the focus. I grew up frequently seeing their paler cousin, the Egret, in Louisiana. Other details you can find in this piece are some deer, a dragonfly, some turtles on a log, and a beaver dam.”The festival print is currently available for a donation of $100 or more to the Smoky Hill River Festival. For more information, call 785-309-5770 or visit <a href="http://riverfestival.com">riverfestival.com</a>.

Smoky Hill River Festival print artist announced

Josh Turner is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre in July.

Turner is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. July 29 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $49 and go on sale at noon on Friday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>.

About Josh Turner courtesy the Stiefel Theatre

With his deep bass voice, Turner has sold more than 6.5 million records, reached 4.8 billion global streams, and has become a favorite and unforgettable hitmaker on country radio. 

With timeless songs like Long Black Train&nbsp; and Why Don’t We Just Dance, Turner’s five No. 1 singles include Your Man, of which the official music video surpassed 100 million views. Turner released Your Man Deluxe Edition, celebrating 15 years of Turner’s iconic double Platinum-selling album, as well as the mini-documentary Josh Turner Your Man 15th Anniversary (Mini Doc).

The Double-Platinum-selling Would You Go With Me, featured on Your Man Deluxe Edition, experienced a viral surge across TikTok leading to a jump in streaming which landed the classic country tune on Spotify’s US Viral 50 along with Spotify Viral charts in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The song continues to be a fan favorite, currently posting more than a million streams per week and 1.5 million global streams weekly.

A native of South Carolina, Turner has been nominated for three GMA Dove awards and won his first GMA Dove Award in 2021 for I Saw The Light featuring Sonya Isaacs, off his I Serve a Savior album. Turner has received six Inspirational Country Music Awards and has been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards, five CMA Awards, two ACM Awards, one CMT Award, and seven ACA Awards.

Turner released his first Christmas album, King Size Manger, in 2021 and accompanying vinyl and DVD in 2022. To support music and arts education, he created The Josh Turner Scholarship Fund For The Arts to help students pursue their studies in these fields.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678982039906.jpeg" alt="Josh Turner. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Josh Turner. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJosh Turner is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre in July.Turner is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. July 29 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $49 and go on sale at noon on Friday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>.About Josh Turner courtesy the Stiefel TheatreWith his deep bass voice, Turner has sold more than 6.5 million records, reached 4.8 billion global streams, and has become a favorite and unforgettable hitmaker on country radio. With timeless songs like Long Black Train&nbsp; and Why Don’t We Just Dance, Turner’s five No. 1 singles include Your Man, of which the official music video surpassed 100 million views. Turner released Your Man Deluxe Edition, celebrating 15 years of Turner’s iconic double Platinum-selling album, as well as the mini-documentary Josh Turner Your Man 15th Anniversary (Mini Doc). The Double-Platinum-selling Would You Go With Me, featured on Your Man Deluxe Edition, experienced a viral surge across TikTok leading to a jump in streaming which landed the classic country tune on Spotify’s US Viral 50 along with Spotify Viral charts in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The song continues to be a fan favorite, currently posting more than a million streams per week and 1.5 million global streams weekly. A native of South Carolina, Turner has been nominated for three GMA Dove awards and won his first GMA Dove Award in 2021 for I Saw The Light featuring Sonya Isaacs, off his I Serve a Savior album. Turner has received six Inspirational Country Music Awards and has been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards, five CMA Awards, two ACM Awards, one CMT Award, and seven ACA Awards. Turner released his first Christmas album, King Size Manger, in 2021 and accompanying vinyl and DVD in 2022. To support music and arts education, he created The Josh Turner Scholarship Fund For The Arts to help students pursue their studies in these fields.

Josh Turner concert set for Salina's Stiefel Theatre

Referred to as the "ambassadors of downtown Salina," Salina Downtown Inc. has been part of the downtown community for 48 years. Salina Post sat down with Leslie Bishop, executive director for Salina Downtown Inc., to talk about First Fridays, more downtown murals coming this fall and her reflections on the downtown revitalization project.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Bishop, Salina's downtown runs from Elm Street to Prescott Avenue and then part of Eighth Street to part of Fourth Street. It also includes all the cross streets in between like Walnut Street, Iron Avenue, and South Street. This area is officially referred to as a&nbsp;business improvement district. Bishop said last year the Kanas Department of Commerce designated Salina downtown as a&nbsp;Kansas Main Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To become a designated Kansas Main Street community, registrants must participate in a&nbsp;competitive, annual application process. A community's application must demonstrate&nbsp;

●Public and private support for the program, as well as the capability of the applicant to successfully implement the local Main Street program.

 ●Financial capability to employ a paid professional director, fund a local Main Street Program, and support downtown-related projects. 

●A cohesive and distinct variety of business activity conducted in a proposed Main Street Program area. 

●An interest in, and commitment to, historic preservation, specifically in the designated downtown district.&nbsp;

"Being a designated Kansas Main Street and being a member of Main Street America allows Salina Downtown to be set apart from just being a 'downtown' in a community," Bishop said. "Being designated a Kansas Mainstreet is a small and elite group. It allows for free monthly and quarterly training from Main Street Kansas and we also receive weekly newsletters that keep us informed of other downtowns in Kansas."

Bishop said the designation also provides opportunities for grants.

You may have seen the green grass start to peak up in your yard and less of a need to wear your winter coat, which means Spring is just around the corner and First Fridays are back in Salina.&nbsp;

First Friday is a collaborative evening showcasing the best entertainment, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions in downtown Salina.&nbsp;

Bishop said First Fridays have been a tradition in Salina for years. However last year was the first year they had occurred consistently.

"It was so exciting to see the community come together last year for First Fridays," Bishop said. "To be a gathering place, that's our goal for downtown Salina- to be the community neighborhood."

In October of last year,&nbsp;the first BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival was organized by the Salina Kanvas Project in cooperation with Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, the Stiefel Theatre, Theatre Salina, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, The Salina Art Center, Salina 2020, and Salina Downtown, Inc.

Bishop told Salina Post more murals could be expected to make their grand debut this October.

"I can't take any credit for the downtown murals other than the Downtown Salina Inc. had the good fortune to be the recipient," Bishop said. "The Kansas Canvas Project, Travis Young, Eric Montoy-they were the catalyst. We were able to give a little bit of funding in our office, especially the wall in Campbell Plaza. We helped get that wall ready to be painted. And I'm excited to know that BOOM! is coming back Oct. 5 of this year."

After she graduated from Salina Central High School, Bishop married her husband and raised a family as a stay-at-home mom for a number of years.&nbsp;

"I took a career break and was a stay at home mom for many years-I'm very grateful," Bishop said, "Then&nbsp; in March of 2021, I was hired at Salina Downtown Inc., and it was just a wonderful career change and brings back some of that marketing and hospitality background that I have.&nbsp; I've loved every minute of it. I have two incredible support staff, April Rickman and Dian Gebhardt. I'm very fortunate to have both of them and together the three of us we're doing really great things."

Bishop's mother, Ann Knowles, also served as the first executive director for Salina Downtown Inc., back in 1982.&nbsp;

"It's very surreal but it's a lot of fun, too, because she gives me&nbsp; some history," Bishop said. "She's still here in Salina. And a lot of people still know her from that role. I'm a proud daughter, that my mom was the one that kicked all this off."

<div><iframe title="Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc." allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=8jy4a-13e20f5-pb&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b&size=150"></iframe></div>By NATE KING Salina PostReferred to as the "ambassadors of downtown Salina," Salina Downtown Inc. has been part of the downtown community for 48 years. Salina Post sat down with Leslie Bishop, executive director for Salina Downtown Inc., to talk about First Fridays, more downtown murals coming this fall and her reflections on the downtown revitalization project.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678803372739.jpeg" alt="Leslie Bishop Salina Downtown Executive Director&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy of Salina Downtown Inc." />
 <figcaption>Leslie Bishop Salina Downtown Executive Director&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy of Salina Downtown Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Where exactly is downtown Salina?</h2>According to Bishop, Salina's downtown runs from Elm Street to Prescott Avenue and then part of Eighth Street to part of Fourth Street. It also includes all the cross streets in between like Walnut Street, Iron Avenue, and South Street. This area is officially referred to as a&nbsp;business improvement district. Bishop said last year the Kanas Department of Commerce designated Salina downtown as a&nbsp;Kansas Main Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;To become a designated Kansas Main Street community, registrants must participate in a&nbsp;competitive, annual application process. A community's application must demonstrate&nbsp;●Public and private support for the program, as well as the capability of the applicant to successfully implement the local Main Street program. ●Financial capability to employ a paid professional director, fund a local Main Street Program, and support downtown-related projects. ●A cohesive and distinct variety of business activity conducted in a proposed Main Street Program area. ●An interest in, and commitment to, historic preservation, specifically in the designated downtown district.&nbsp;"Being a designated Kansas Main Street and being a member of Main Street America allows Salina Downtown to be set apart from just being a 'downtown' in a community," Bishop said. "Being designated a Kansas Mainstreet is a small and elite group. It allows for free monthly and quarterly training from Main Street Kansas and we also receive weekly newsletters that keep us informed of other downtowns in Kansas."Bishop said the designation also provides opportunities for grants.<h2>First Fridays</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678736342030.jpeg" alt="First Fridays 2023 Schedule&nbsp; Image Provided by Salina Downtown Inc." />
 <figcaption>First Fridays 2023 Schedule&nbsp; Image Provided by Salina Downtown Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>You may have seen the green grass start to peak up in your yard and less of a need to wear your winter coat, which means Spring is just around the corner and First Fridays are back in Salina.&nbsp;First Friday is a collaborative evening showcasing the best entertainment, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions in downtown Salina.&nbsp;Bishop said First Fridays have been a tradition in Salina for years. However last year was the first year they had occurred consistently."It was so exciting to see the community come together last year for First Fridays," Bishop said. "To be a gathering place, that's our goal for downtown Salina- to be the community neighborhood."<h2>BOOM! Salina</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665089370286.jpeg" alt="Tony Sjöman's Three&nbsp;Kinds of Sons is the first of five murals to be completed by artists in downtown Salina during the BOOM! Salina event.&nbsp;Salina Post file photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony Sjöman's Three&nbsp;Kinds of Sons is the first of five murals to be completed by artists in downtown Salina during the BOOM! Salina event.&nbsp;Salina Post file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In October of last year,&nbsp;the first BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival was organized by the Salina Kanvas Project in cooperation with Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, the Stiefel Theatre, Theatre Salina, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, The Salina Art Center, Salina 2020, and Salina Downtown, Inc.Bishop told Salina Post more murals could be expected to make their grand debut this October."I can't take any credit for the downtown murals other than the Downtown Salina Inc. had the good fortune to be the recipient," Bishop said. "The Kansas Canvas Project, Travis Young, Eric Montoy-they were the catalyst. We were able to give a little bit of funding in our office, especially the wall in Campbell Plaza. We helped get that wall ready to be painted. And I'm excited to know that BOOM! is coming back Oct. 5 of this year."<h2>Legacy of leadership</h2>After she graduated from Salina Central High School, Bishop married her husband and raised a family as a stay-at-home mom for a number of years.&nbsp;"I took a career break and was a stay at home mom for many years-I'm very grateful," Bishop said, "Then&nbsp; in March of 2021, I was hired at Salina Downtown Inc., and it was just a wonderful career change and brings back some of that marketing and hospitality background that I have.&nbsp; I've loved every minute of it. I have two incredible support staff, April Rickman and Dian Gebhardt. I'm very fortunate to have both of them and together the three of us we're doing really great things."Bishop's mother, Ann Knowles, also served as the first executive director for Salina Downtown Inc., back in 1982.&nbsp;"It's very surreal but it's a lot of fun, too, because she gives me&nbsp; some history," Bishop said. "She's still here in Salina. And a lot of people still know her from that role. I'm a proud daughter, that my mom was the one that kicked all this off."

🎙King in the Community: Leslie Bishop Salina Downtown update

A wine-tasting and education event with a world-renowned wine expert will take place at a Salina speakeasy in June.

An Evening of Wine with Doug Frost is scheduled for June 15 at Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar, 509 S. Broadway Boulevard. Advanced tickets are $50 and are now on sale. Frost will lead the group on tastings from his own winery, Echolands Winery, followed by discussion and Q&amp;A.

Frost is a Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, author, and wine consultant based in Kansas City, Mo. Frost was awarded his Master Sommelier in 1991 and his Master of Wine in 1993. He is one of only three people in the world to achieve both distinctions, according to information from Big Booty Trudy's. Additionally, Wine Spectator named Frost a Master of Spirits.

"We are excited and honored to have Mr. Frost join us for an amazing evening of wine tasting and education from one of the world's most renowned wine experts," said Matt Stewart, owner of Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar.

More about Doug Frost from Big Booty Trudy's

Frost consults with many restauranteurs and wineries about education and sensory perception.

He is the Emmy Award-winning creator and host of the KCPT-TV short series FermentNation. Frost also is the founder and director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, a 20-year-old national competition. He also is the head judge and founder of the Mid-American Wine Competition, which is in its 13th year.

Additionally, Frost is the author of three books: Uncorking Wine (1996), On Wine (2001), and Far From Ordinary: The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009). He also is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2020).

In 2006, with Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour, and David Wondrich, Frost created BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource). He was then awarded Beverage Innovator of the Year in 2009 by Cheers Magazine. He continues to teach and examine for BAR and within the Master Sommelier and Master of Wine programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678752765113.jpeg" alt="Tickets are now on sale for an event with world-renowned wine expert Doug Frost at Salina's Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar. Photo courtesy Big Booty Trudy's" />
 <figcaption>Tickets are now on sale for an event with world-renowned wine expert Doug Frost at Salina's Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar. Photo courtesy Big Booty Trudy's</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA wine-tasting and education event with a world-renowned wine expert will take place at a Salina speakeasy in June.An Evening of Wine with Doug Frost is scheduled for June 15 at Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar, 509 S. Broadway Boulevard. Advanced tickets are $50 and are now on sale. Frost will lead the group on tastings from his own winery, Echolands Winery, followed by discussion and Q&amp;A.Frost is a Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, author, and wine consultant based in Kansas City, Mo. Frost was awarded his Master Sommelier in 1991 and his Master of Wine in 1993. He is one of only three people in the world to achieve both distinctions, according to information from Big Booty Trudy's. Additionally, Wine Spectator named Frost a Master of Spirits."We are excited and honored to have Mr. Frost join us for an amazing evening of wine tasting and education from one of the world's most renowned wine experts," said Matt Stewart, owner of Big Booty Trudy's Speakeasy and Cigar Bar.More about Doug Frost from Big Booty Trudy'sFrost consults with many restauranteurs and wineries about education and sensory perception.He is the Emmy Award-winning creator and host of the KCPT-TV short series FermentNation. Frost also is the founder and director of the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, a 20-year-old national competition. He also is the head judge and founder of the Mid-American Wine Competition, which is in its 13th year.Additionally, Frost is the author of three books: Uncorking Wine (1996), On Wine (2001), and Far From Ordinary: The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009). He also is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2020).In 2006, with Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour, and David Wondrich, Frost created BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource). He was then awarded Beverage Innovator of the Year in 2009 by Cheers Magazine. He continues to teach and examine for BAR and within the Master Sommelier and Master of Wine programs.

Big Booty Trudy's hosting event with wine expert

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Nestled along the hills in northeastern Saline County is a creative oasis known as Harmony Hideaway. It is a place for listening to live music performances in an intimate atmosphere. It is a gathering space for meetings and company retreats. It is a haven for musicians, visual artists, authors and poets, and basically anyone who needs some time away.

Harmony Hideaway is the brainchild of Milt Allen and his partner, Nancy Steele. 

"It's not a bed and breakfast. It's our home that we share is how we look at it," Allen said.

Harmony Hideaway has its roots in the longtime family ties of Allen's and Steele's families.

"We've known the Stephensons (Steele's family) forever. That is the first family that my family ever knew," Allen said.

When Allen's parents, Deane and Cora May Allen, were killed in a car wreck in 2013, Milt and his family stayed with Keno Stephenson (Steele's father) at what is now Harmony Hideaway. Milt Allen said that during that stay, he was walking around the property.

"I came back and I was talking with Nancy Steele, and I said, "I don't want to be morbid, but what's going to happen to this place when Keno passes?'" Milt said. "She goes, 'why do you ask?'"

Milt went on to explain that he thought the home and property would be an ideal location for an artists and writers retreat, with lodging and events. Steele agreed.

When Milt returned to Salina about three years ago to serve as chair of the music department at Kansas Wesleyan University, he ended up staying with Keno Stephenson, who was living on the property by himself.

While Stephenson was out of state for health reasons, a fire at the residence in May of 2020 forced Allen to live in a trailer on the property.

"Eventually, Nancy and I formed a social relationship, as it were, so we were really working hard and wanted to get Keno back home. His health wasn't good, and we just kept running into problem after problem with the contractors and Keno never made it back," Milt said.

It was then the couple decided to create Harmony Hideaway, and in September 2021, they were able to move back into the spacious residence.

Harmony Hideaway is open for a variety of events, including meetings, weddings, office retreats, family gatherings, and lodging. The arts, however, are at the heart of Harmony Hideaway.

For instance, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus Huascar Medina recently did a reading at Harmony Hideaway.

Additionally, house concerts, smaller, more intimate performances are offered regularly at Harmony Hideaway.

"We're recognized as an official house concert venue, which means that any artist who plays here, all the performing rights are protected by BMI and ASCAP," Milt said.

He went on to explain that because Harmony Hideaway is an official house concert venue, the address cannot be included as part of the promotion of the house concerts.

"When we advertise, people have to text us or respond to get a reservation and then we can give our address," he said. "We generally, depending on the artist, charge $20 per person, but it's a 100 percent donation to the artist. It all goes to them."

Milt said that the performers who are brought in for the house concerts are vetted.

"So they're either big award winners or I-know-a-musician-who-recommended-them-who-recommended-them kind of thing," he said.

Those attending are invited to bring a dessert for sharing at intermission.

"It's really cool. There's nothing like this around, because it's an extremely intimate performance. You get to talk to the performers, you get to mingle with them afterward, and the focus is directly on music. So it's really a very neat different kind (of event). And we're actively pulling people from all kinds of different genres."

For more information about upcoming house concerts or Harmony Hideaway itself, go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyHideaway">Harmony Hideaway Facebook page</a> or email <a href="mailto:harmonyhideaway.ks@gmail.com">harmonyhideaway.ks@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678675669092.jpeg" alt="This part of the spacious residence is used for house concerts. Furniture is moved around and added to accommodate the number of concertgoers. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post unless otherwise noted" />
 <figcaption>This part of the spacious residence is used for house concerts. Furniture is moved around and added to accommodate the number of concertgoers. Photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post unless otherwise noted</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostNestled along the hills in northeastern Saline County is a creative oasis known as Harmony Hideaway. It is a place for listening to live music performances in an intimate atmosphere. It is a gathering space for meetings and company retreats. It is a haven for musicians, visual artists, authors and poets, and basically anyone who needs some time away.Harmony Hideaway is the brainchild of Milt Allen and his partner, Nancy Steele. "It's not a bed and breakfast. It's our home that we share is how we look at it," Allen said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678675873265.jpeg" alt="The Sun Room.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Harmony Hideaway&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Sun Room.&nbsp;Photo courtesy Harmony Hideaway&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Born from longtime family tiesHarmony Hideaway has its roots in the longtime family ties of Allen's and Steele's families."We've known the Stephensons (Steele's family) forever. That is the first family that my family ever knew," Allen said.When Allen's parents, Deane and Cora May Allen, were killed in a car wreck in 2013, Milt and his family stayed with Keno Stephenson (Steele's father) at what is now Harmony Hideaway. Milt Allen said that during that stay, he was walking around the property."I came back and I was talking with Nancy Steele, and I said, "I don't want to be morbid, but what's going to happen to this place when Keno passes?'" Milt said. "She goes, 'why do you ask?'"Milt went on to explain that he thought the home and property would be an ideal location for an artists and writers retreat, with lodging and events. Steele agreed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678676144605.jpeg" alt="One of the Harmony Hideaway bedrooms." />
 <figcaption>One of the Harmony Hideaway bedrooms.</figcaption>
 </figure>When Milt returned to Salina about three years ago to serve as chair of the music department at Kansas Wesleyan University, he ended up staying with Keno Stephenson, who was living on the property by himself.While Stephenson was out of state for health reasons, a fire at the residence in May of 2020 forced Allen to live in a trailer on the property."Eventually, Nancy and I formed a social relationship, as it were, so we were really working hard and wanted to get Keno back home. His health wasn't good, and we just kept running into problem after problem with the contractors and Keno never made it back," Milt said.Stephenson died in August of 2021.It was then the couple decided to create Harmony Hideaway, and in September 2021, they were able to move back into the spacious residence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678675972381.jpeg" alt="The kitchen area. Guests have the run of the house while staying at Harmony Hideaway." />
 <figcaption>The kitchen area. Guests have the run of the house while staying at Harmony Hideaway.</figcaption>
 </figure>A unique concept in the areaHarmony Hideaway is open for a variety of events, including meetings, weddings, office retreats, family gatherings, and lodging. The arts, however, are at the heart of Harmony Hideaway.For instance, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus Huascar Medina recently did a reading at Harmony Hideaway.Additionally, house concerts, smaller, more intimate performances are offered regularly at Harmony Hideaway."We're recognized as an official house concert venue, which means that any artist who plays here, all the performing rights are protected by BMI and ASCAP," Milt said.He went on to explain that because Harmony Hideaway is an official house concert venue, the address cannot be included as part of the promotion of the house concerts."When we advertise, people have to text us or respond to get a reservation and then we can give our address," he said. "We generally, depending on the artist, charge $20 per person, but it's a 100 percent donation to the artist. It all goes to them."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678676241953.jpeg" alt="Another gathering space. At the back is another view of the Sun Room." />
 <figcaption>Another gathering space. At the back is another view of the Sun Room.</figcaption>
 </figure>Milt said that the performers who are brought in for the house concerts are vetted."So they're either big award winners or I-know-a-musician-who-recommended-them-who-recommended-them kind of thing," he said.Those attending are invited to bring a dessert for sharing at intermission."It's really cool. There's nothing like this around, because it's an extremely intimate performance. You get to talk to the performers, you get to mingle with them afterward, and the focus is directly on music. So it's really a very neat different kind (of event). And we're actively pulling people from all kinds of different genres."For more information about upcoming house concerts or Harmony Hideaway itself, go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyHideaway">Harmony Hideaway Facebook page</a> or email <a href="mailto:harmonyhideaway.ks@gmail.com">harmonyhideaway.ks@gmail.com</a>.

Harmony Hideaway: A retreat and meeting space, arts haven in NE Saline Co.

Reality in RGB is the current exhibition in The Gallery at Kansas Wesleyan University.

The exhibition, by Jeroen Nelemans, assistant professor of graphic design at KWU, will be open to the public through April 1. The Gallery is located in KWU's Sams Hall of Fine Arts. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends by appointment.

Reality in RGB explores digital media by showcasing the inner workings behind the screen, according to information from the university. The exhibition "displays the building blocks of an image by exposing the RGB sub-pixels and creating graphic illusions. RGB (red, green and blue) represent the colors used on a digital display screen. Nelemans experiments with multiple layers to create distortion in something that would otherwise be seen as normal. The digital world, with its RGB component, is very much a reality in his art," KWU noted in a news release.

Nelemans, a visual artist who works in a variety of media, has had works exhibited in a variety of institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, the De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Space in Miami, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Greece, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663537079266.jpeg" alt="The Gallery is located in KWU's Sams Hall of Fine Arts. Salina Post file photo" />
 <figcaption>The Gallery is located in KWU's Sams Hall of Fine Arts. Salina Post file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTReality in RGB is the current exhibition in The Gallery at Kansas Wesleyan University.The exhibition, by Jeroen Nelemans, assistant professor of graphic design at KWU, will be open to the public through April 1. The Gallery is located in KWU's Sams Hall of Fine Arts. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and weekends by appointment.Reality in RGB explores digital media by showcasing the inner workings behind the screen, according to information from the university. The exhibition "displays the building blocks of an image by exposing the RGB sub-pixels and creating graphic illusions. RGB (red, green and blue) represent the colors used on a digital display screen. Nelemans experiments with multiple layers to create distortion in something that would otherwise be seen as normal. The digital world, with its RGB component, is very much a reality in his art," KWU noted in a news release.Nelemans, a visual artist who works in a variety of media, has had works exhibited in a variety of institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, the De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Space in Miami, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Greece, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids.

Exhibit of KWU professor’s work currently showing in The Gallery

Salina Presbyterian Manor's 43rd Art is Ageless opens this week for a three-day exhibition.

Eighty-six pieces of art by both amateur and professional artists ages 65 and older are included in the exhibition.

Art is Ageless will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday in the Crossroads Ballroom of Homewood Suites by Hilton, 115 E. Mulberry in Salina.

Additionally, a reception is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Thursday in the courtyard at Homewood Suites by Hilton.

By SALINA POSTSalina Presbyterian Manor's 43rd Art is Ageless opens this week for a three-day exhibition.Eighty-six pieces of art by both amateur and professional artists ages 65 and older are included in the exhibition.Art is Ageless will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday in the Crossroads Ballroom of Homewood Suites by Hilton, 115 E. Mulberry in Salina.Additionally, a reception is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Thursday in the courtyard at Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Art is Ageless opens this week in Homewood Suites

*** <a href="http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-494&amp;fbclid=IwAR24pzr0nz2zhHDpNg5o8g5YyLEtIU2EGepOm74yAbPcMAe-Fk3IlC5N1vs" target="_blank">http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-494</a> ***

There are 11 new bestsellers, six new movies, 93 new children's books, and 86 other new books. The new bestsellers this week include "All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir," "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism," and "The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization." The new movies this week include "PAW Patrol: Aqua Pups," "Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat," and "Blue's Clues &amp;amp; You! Blue's Big City Adventure."&nbsp;&nbsp;

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinapubliclibrary">Salina Public Library Facebook page</a>:See what's new this week at the Salina Public Library at:*** <a href="http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-494&amp;fbclid=IwAR24pzr0nz2zhHDpNg5o8g5YyLEtIU2EGepOm74yAbPcMAe-Fk3IlC5N1vs" target="_blank">http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&amp;p=5578-494</a> ***There are 11 new bestsellers, six new movies, 93 new children's books, and 86 other new books. The new bestsellers this week include "All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir," "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism," and "The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization." The new movies this week include "PAW Patrol: Aqua Pups," "Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat," and "Blue's Clues &amp;amp; You! Blue's Big City Adventure."&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677951088271.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is continuing the First Friday tradition with a reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event is open to the public.

Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is continuing the First Friday tradition with a reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event is open to the public.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677725301713.jpeg" alt="Poster courtesy Salina Downtown, Inc." />
 <figcaption>Poster courtesy Salina Downtown, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>

March First Friday to feature reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg

In its 39th year, the 2023 Salina Spring Poetry Series features a lineup of socially minded poets who will read in downtown Salina. 

In-person readings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in April at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 135 N. Santa Fe Avenue.

The series is sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and was curated by Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus. Medina selected poets with a broad range of perspectives featuring the perspectives of a migrant farm worker, an award-winning spoken word poet, a poet whose work is centered on comics and graphic novels, and the current Kansas Poet Laureate. Admission to each reading will be $5 at the door and free for students with ID.

"Thank you, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, for spotlighting poetry. What a gift it is to see poets shine,” said Medina. “The Salina Spring Poetry Series continues to be a poetic lighthouse across Kansas, and this year will be one of the most radiant to date.”

The lineup of poets for the 2023 Salina Poetry Series is as follows.

Traci Brimhall is the author of four poetry collections: Come the Slumberless from the Land of Nod (Copper Canyon); Saudade (Copper Canyon); Our Lady of the Ruins (W.W. Norton), winner of the Barnard Women Poets Prize; and Rookery (Southern Illinois University Press), winner of the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Believer, The New Republic, Orion, New York Times Magazine, and Best American Poetry. She’s received fellowships from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and the National Endowment for the Arts. She currently serves as Poet Laureate of Kansas. Brimhall is scheduled to perform April 4.

Born and raised in Topeka, Gary Jackson is the author of the poetry collections origin story (University of New Mexico Press, 2021) and Missing You, Metropolis (Graywolf Press, 2010), which received the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He’s also the co-editor of The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry (Blair Publishing, 2021). His poems have appeared in numerous journals including Callaloo, The Sun, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Copper Nickel. He’s received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and Art Omi. He’s published work in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology and was featured in the 2013 New American Poetry Series by the Poetry Society of America. He’s an associate professor in English and creative writing at the College of Charleston where he’s currently the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing and teaches in the MFA program and serves as the Poetry editor of swamp pink. Jackson is scheduled to perform April 11.

Miguel M. Morales grew up in Texas working as a migrant and seasonal farmworker. He is a Lambda Literary Fellow and an alum of VONA/Voices and of the Macondo Writers Workshop. Morales’ work appears in Imaniman: Poets Writing in the Anzaldúan Borderlands, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction, The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat &amp; Fierce, in Duende Journal, Acentos Review, Green Mountains Review, Texas Poetry Review, Hawai’i Review, and World Literature Today among others. Morales is the co-editor of Pulse/Pulso: In Remembrance of Orlando and of Fat &amp; Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives, which was named the 2021 Book of the Year by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Morales has earned several awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award. He is currently co-editing a portfolio of farmworker writing for The Common Magazine’s Fall 2023 print edition. Morales is schedule to perform April 18.

Sheri Purpose Hall is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, radio personality, actress, educator, and minister who uses her work to provide perspective and engage conversational empathy. She has four books: a book of poetry, epistles, and essays titled Black Girl Shattered (2017); two poetry chapbooks Mélange du Femme Noir (2019) and Chosen for Both (2015); and a workbook/workshop Writing Wrongs: Writing to Heal (2016) which won an award from Bike for the Brain, a non-profit organization that works to reduce mental health stigma. She is the founder of Arsyn Spit Fire, East of Red ArtHouse, and PenFire Publishing; executive director of poetry for Personal Power. Hall is scheduled to perform April 25.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677721455901.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Arts &amp; HumanitiesIn its 39th year, the 2023 Salina Spring Poetry Series features a lineup of socially minded poets who will read in downtown Salina. In-person readings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in April at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 135 N. Santa Fe Avenue.The series is sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and was curated by Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus. Medina selected poets with a broad range of perspectives featuring the perspectives of a migrant farm worker, an award-winning spoken word poet, a poet whose work is centered on comics and graphic novels, and the current Kansas Poet Laureate. Admission to each reading will be $5 at the door and free for students with ID."Thank you, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, for spotlighting poetry. What a gift it is to see poets shine,” said Medina. “The Salina Spring Poetry Series continues to be a poetic lighthouse across Kansas, and this year will be one of the most radiant to date.”The lineup of poets for the 2023 Salina Poetry Series is as follows.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677721960267.png" alt="Traci Brimhall. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities unless otherwise noted" />
 <figcaption>Traci Brimhall. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities unless otherwise noted</figcaption>
 </figure>Traci Brimhall is the author of four poetry collections: Come the Slumberless from the Land of Nod (Copper Canyon); Saudade (Copper Canyon); Our Lady of the Ruins (W.W. Norton), winner of the Barnard Women Poets Prize; and Rookery (Southern Illinois University Press), winner of the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Believer, The New Republic, Orion, New York Times Magazine, and Best American Poetry. She’s received fellowships from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and the National Endowment for the Arts. She currently serves as Poet Laureate of Kansas. Brimhall is scheduled to perform April 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722019088.png" alt="Gary Jackson. Photo by Sebastian Stuertz" />
 <figcaption>Gary Jackson. Photo by Sebastian Stuertz</figcaption>
 </figure>Born and raised in Topeka, Gary Jackson is the author of the poetry collections origin story (University of New Mexico Press, 2021) and Missing You, Metropolis (Graywolf Press, 2010), which received the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He’s also the co-editor of The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry (Blair Publishing, 2021). His poems have appeared in numerous journals including Callaloo, The Sun, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Copper Nickel. He’s received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and Art Omi. He’s published work in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology and was featured in the 2013 New American Poetry Series by the Poetry Society of America. He’s an associate professor in English and creative writing at the College of Charleston where he’s currently the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing and teaches in the MFA program and serves as the Poetry editor of swamp pink. Jackson is scheduled to perform April 11.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722060645.png" alt="Miguel M. Morales" />
 <figcaption>Miguel M. Morales</figcaption>
 </figure>Miguel M. Morales grew up in Texas working as a migrant and seasonal farmworker. He is a Lambda Literary Fellow and an alum of VONA/Voices and of the Macondo Writers Workshop. Morales’ work appears in Imaniman: Poets Writing in the Anzaldúan Borderlands, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction, The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat &amp; Fierce, in Duende Journal, Acentos Review, Green Mountains Review, Texas Poetry Review, Hawai’i Review, and World Literature Today among others. Morales is the co-editor of Pulse/Pulso: In Remembrance of Orlando and of Fat &amp; Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives, which was named the 2021 Book of the Year by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Morales has earned several awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award. He is currently co-editing a portfolio of farmworker writing for The Common Magazine’s Fall 2023 print edition. Morales is schedule to perform April 18.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722096852.png" alt="Sheri Purpose Hall" />
 <figcaption>Sheri Purpose Hall</figcaption>
 </figure>Sheri Purpose Hall is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, radio personality, actress, educator, and minister who uses her work to provide perspective and engage conversational empathy. She has four books: a book of poetry, epistles, and essays titled Black Girl Shattered (2017); two poetry chapbooks Mélange du Femme Noir (2019) and Chosen for Both (2015); and a workbook/workshop Writing Wrongs: Writing to Heal (2016) which won an award from Bike for the Brain, a non-profit organization that works to reduce mental health stigma. She is the founder of Arsyn Spit Fire, East of Red ArtHouse, and PenFire Publishing; executive director of poetry for Personal Power. Hall is scheduled to perform April 25.

Salina Arts & Humanities announces Spring Poetry Series lineup

By NATE KING Salina Post

Enrollment in The Salina Art Center's spring ceramics program has proven to be popular.

Ceramics classes are held at the art center's warehouse facility located at 149 S. Fourth Street. 

"We've had the warehouse for some time, but we renovated it in 2020 to become a makerspace," said Misty Serene, executive director. "Thanks to donations from the City of Salina and Kansas Wesleyan University, we were able to put in a fully functioning ceramic studio with wheels and kilns and that has just been extremely popular."&nbsp;

The ceramics program is broken down into three classes: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. All classes meet on Saturdays for a 12-week period of time. The cost to enroll in one of the ceramics programs is $225.

Serene said that all classes are currently at full enrollment, but there will be ceramics workshops in the future. For a full list of Salina Art Center events, click <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/events-1?view=calendar&amp;month=02-2023">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677615209235.png" alt="Photos by Stafford Thompson/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Photos by Stafford Thompson/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostEnrollment in The Salina Art Center's spring ceramics program has proven to be popular.Ceramics classes are held at the art center's warehouse facility located at 149 S. Fourth Street. "We've had the warehouse for some time, but we renovated it in 2020 to become a makerspace," said Misty Serene, executive director. "Thanks to donations from the City of Salina and Kansas Wesleyan University, we were able to put in a fully functioning ceramic studio with wheels and kilns and that has just been extremely popular."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677615043612.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The ceramics program is broken down into three classes: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. All classes meet on Saturdays for a 12-week period of time. The cost to enroll in one of the ceramics programs is $225.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677615112239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Serene said that all classes are currently at full enrollment, but there will be ceramics workshops in the future. For a full list of Salina Art Center events, click <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/events-1?view=calendar&amp;month=02-2023">here</a>.

Salina Art Center sees nearly full enrollment in spring ceramics program

The spread of the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas is the topic of the next First Thursday presentation at Salina's Smoky Hill Museum.

The presentation is scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Smoky Hill Museum, 211 W. Iron Avenue. The presentation also will be available remotely via Zoom. To request the Zoom link, go to www.smokyhillmuseum.org.

In his first presentation, Tom Fleming explored the cultural, political, and economic reasons for the KKK’s rise in Central Kansas during the 1920s. Back by popular demand, Fleming will expand on this important topic. He’ll talk about the spread of the KKK throughout Kansas, focusing on individual towns and communities, and he’ll discuss the causes of its eventual downfall, the museum noted in a news release. 

In addition to being an author, Fleming has also taught at Bethany College. He has studied, as well as lectured and written about central Kansas history.

By SALINA POSTThe spread of the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas is the topic of the next First Thursday presentation at Salina's Smoky Hill Museum.The presentation is scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Smoky Hill Museum, 211 W. Iron Avenue. The presentation also will be available remotely via Zoom. To request the Zoom link, go to www.smokyhillmuseum.org.In his first presentation, Tom Fleming explored the cultural, political, and economic reasons for the KKK’s rise in Central Kansas during the 1920s. Back by popular demand, Fleming will expand on this important topic. He’ll talk about the spread of the KKK throughout Kansas, focusing on individual towns and communities, and he’ll discuss the causes of its eventual downfall, the museum noted in a news release. In addition to being an author, Fleming has also taught at Bethany College. He has studied, as well as lectured and written about central Kansas history.

Smoky Hill Museum presentation to look at spread of KKK in Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where "Everything Everywhere All at Once" comes in the lead nominee and the film industry will hope to move past "the slap" of last year's ceremony. Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Oscars, including when they are, where to watch the live show and this year's controversies.

The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST and be broadcast live on ABC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677696932901.jpeg" alt="Photo by&nbsp;Amdrewcs81, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons" />
 <figcaption>Photo by&nbsp;Amdrewcs81, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood is gearing up for the 95th Academy Awards, where "Everything Everywhere All at Once" comes in the lead nominee and the film industry will hope to move past "the slap" of last year's ceremony. Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Oscars, including when they are, where to watch the live show and this year's controversies.WHEN ARE THE OSCARS?The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST and be broadcast live on ABC.CAN YOU STREAM THE OSCARS?The broadcast can be streamed with a subscription to Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&amp;T TV and Fubo TV. Some of these services offer brief free trials. You can also stream the show on ABC.com and on the ABC app by authenticating your provider.WHO'S HOSTING?Jimmy Kimmel will host for the third time and his first time since 2018. That was also the last Oscars to feature a solo host. The show went hostless for several years after Kimmel's last outing. Last year, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes hosted as a trio. In an ad for this year's show styled after "Top Gun: Maverick," Kimmel made his humble case for being the right person for the job while noting that he can't get slapped because "I cry a lot."WHAT'S NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE 2023 OSCARS?The 10 movies competing for best picture are: "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Avatar: The Way of Water," "The Banshees of Inisherin," "Elvis," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "The Fabelmans," "Tár," "Top Gun: Maverick," "Triangle of Sadness," "Women Talking." Here's a guide to how you can watch them.WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE SHOW?The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is yet to announce presenters. But it has said that winners to all categories will be announced live on the show. (Last year, some categories were taped in a pre-show, something that caused an uproar among academy members.) All signs point to a full slate of musical performances, with Rihanna performing "Lift Me Up" from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" on the show. Whether a dance party breaks out in the Dolby Theatre during the performance of Kala Bhairava's "Naatu Naatu" from "RRR" remains to be seen. So does word on whether Lady Gaga will sing "Hold My Hand," from "Top Gun: Maverick" during the show.WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's indie sci-fi hit "Everything Everywhere All at Once" comes in with a leading 11 nominations. Close on its heels, though, is the Irish friends-falling-out dark comedy "The Banshees of Inisherin," with nine nods, a total matched by Netflix's WWI film "All Quiet on the Western Front." Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") may have a slight edge on Cate Blanchett ("Tár") for best actress. Best actor is harder to call, with Brendan Fraser ("The Whale"), Colin Farrell ("Banshees") and Austin Butler ("Elvis") in the mix. In the supporting categories, Angela Bassett ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever") and Ke Huy Quan ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") are the frontrunners. Steven Spielberg ("The Fabelmans") may win his third best director Oscar, though the Daniels could also pull off the upset.WHAT'S BEEN CONTROVERSIAL THIS YEAR?Aside from the usual snubs and surprises, this year's biggest to-do has been the debate surrounding Andrea Riseborough's unexpected nomination for best actress. Riseborough was nominated for the little-seen Texas-set drama "To Leslie" after many A-list stars rallied around her performance. When two other best-actress contenders — Danielle Deadwyler ("Till") and Viola Davis ("Woman King") — were snubbed, some saw that as a reflection of racial bias in the film industry. The academy launched an inquiry into the star-studded, grassroots campaign for Riseborough but found no reason to rescind her nomination.WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?Just the reading of the title to one of this year's short film nominees should prompt a wave of giggles. John Williams ("The Fabelmans"), up for best score, is the oldest nominee ever, at 90 years old. After historic back-to-back best-director wins by Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland") and Jane Campion ("The Power of the Dog"), no women were nominated this year for best director. Also don't expect to see Will Smith at the Oscars anytime soon. After striking Chris Rock at last year's ceremony, Smith was banned by the film academy from attending for 10 years.