HUNTINGTON-The Marshall Artists Series proudly announces its 2010 – 2011 season. Over the course of seventy four years, the Marshall Artists Series has been a gateway to the world of cultural entertainment in the Tri-State and at Marshall University. “The Marshall Artists Series 20010/2011 season will broaden your view of our world and through art: whether it be an opera, a foreign film, Broadway musical or a fascinating presentation of rarely seen corners of our planet, you will be transported and transformed emotionally, intellectually and spiritually,” says Penny Watkins, Executive Director for the Marshall Artists Series. “The Marshall Artists Series season endeavors to take you on many diverse journeys, journeys that invite you to explore the vast array of human experiences and emotions. These journeys offer the opportunity for laughter and humor, pathos and understanding, as well as run the gamut of personal growth to universal exploration.”

The following events will be featured on this season’s Baxter Series:

Liza Minnelli – 7 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. Liza Minnelli, the Tony®, Oscar®, Gram my® and Emmy® Award-winning super star of stage, film and screen, will perform at Huntington’s Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center with a sextet including long time collaborator pianist Billy Stritch. Minnelli, daughter of the legendary Judy Garland, is perhaps best known for her Oscar®, and Golden Globe winning performance as Sally Bowles in the hit musical movie Cab aret. Since her early stage performanc es, Minnelli has continued to appear on Broadway in musicals such as Chicago, Victor/Victoria and The Act. In 1999, she paid tribute to her father, legendary director Vincente Minnelli in a show titled Minnelli on Minnelli. Her most recent stint on Broadway in 2008’s Liza’s at the Pal ace garnered her fourth Tony Award. From her famous friendships with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. to her spectacular cameo in this summer’s smash “Sex & the City 2,” Liza Minnelli has always been a performer who is consistently among the best of the best.

Celebrate the Holidays with Marvin Hamlisch and J. Mark McVey – 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2010 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center Celebrate the holidays with the legendary Marvin Hamlisch and Huntington’s own Mark McVey! Enjoy holiday hits along with the best of Broadway for one unforgettable night. As a composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: 3 Oscars, 4 Gram mys, 4 Emmys, a Tony and 3 Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, A Cho rus Line, received the Pulit zer Prize. He is the composer of many motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for The Way We Were and his adaptation of music for The Sting. Huntington’s own, J. Mark McVey made his Broad way debut, as Jean Valjean, in Les Miserables, after having won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor while in Washington, DC, with the show. In 1997, Mr. McVey made his Carnegie Hall debut with Mr. Marvin Hamlisch, and is proud to be Mr. Hamlisch’s tenor of choice. J. Mark McVey hails from Huntington WV.

A Chorus Line – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, cast­ing for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for – with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed — to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-run ning American Broadway musical ever. Now A Chorus Line returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best.

Additionally, enjoy Marvin Hamlisch’s chat about the development of A Chorus Line (for which received the Pulitzer Prize) on Monday December 6, 2010. Chat time TBD.

The Color Purple – 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. From Oprah Winfrey & Quincy Jones comes Broadway’s THE COLOR PURPLE, a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds her unique voice in the world. Nominated for eleven Tony® Awards, THE COLOR PURPLE is a landmark theatrical event, a celebration of love, and a Broadway phenomenon. With a joyous GRAMMY®- nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is cap turing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a community of joy. “A SOARING, EPIC TALE. It made a JOYFUL noise in my heart.” –Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine.

The following events will be featured on this season’s Mount Series:

The Doobie Brothers – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. The Doobie Brothers, are one of America’s most loved rock and roll bands and have been able to achieve a phenomenal level of success and sus tain it for decades. The legendary hitmakers are known for their smash hits such as “Black Water,” “China Grove,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Minute by Minute,” and many more. it is no surprise the band has sold more than 50 million records world wide, won multiple Grammy awards, had 27 chart singles, 16 top 40 hits, 11 multi-platinum albums, 13 Gold albums and that most rare of dis tinctions, The Diamond Award, for the sale of 10 million units of a single title, Best Of The Doobies: Vol. 1.

Stomp – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, January 11 and 12, 2011 at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. “A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking – a joyous invention!”— Chicago Tribune. STOMP is explosive, provoca tive, sophisticated, sexy, ut terly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses ev erything but conventional per cussion instruments – match boxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. “STOMP is as crisp and exu berant as if it had opened yes terday,” says The New York Times. The return of the per cussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sec tions of the show now updated and restructured and the addi tion of two new full-scale rou tines, utilizing props like trac tor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful nois es in the strangest places.”

Video Games Live™ – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Video Games Live™ is a concert event spectacular featur ing music from the most popu lar video games of all time including – Mario, Zelda, Halo, Tomb Raider and Guitar Hero among others. A 28-piece orchestra will perform along with video footage and music arrangements, synchro nized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explo sive entertainment experience! It’s the power & emotion of a sym phony orchestra mixed with the excitement and energy of a rock concert and the tech nology and interactivity of a video game all synchronized to cutting edge visuals, state-of-the-art lighting and special on-stage interactive segments with the audience. This extravaganza is Broadway, meets Video Games, meets rock concert, all rolled into one amazing event designed for music lovers, game aficionados, and families looking for a fun event to attend together. Arrive early for the pre-show event featuring game demos, a costume contest and more!

Spring Awakening – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Winner of 8 Tony Awards includ ing Best Musical – told by Dun can Sheik and Steven Sater through “the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade” (Entertainment Weekly) – Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion you will never forget. The landmark musical Spring Awakening is an electrifying fu sion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years. Join this group of late 19th century German students on their passage, as they navi gate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, re markable Spring Awakening.

Belanger Specials:

Pablo Ziegler Trio – 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2010 at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Marshall University with Latin-Grammy award-winning pianist, Pablo Ziegler, who artfully blends classic tango rhythms with jazz improvisations. It’s tango, with a jazz twist! Born in Buenos Aires, Pablo began performing classical repertoire at a young age, but fell in love with jazz in the 1960s. He played as the primary pianist of the New Tango Quintet, headed by music legend Astor Piazzolla, who revolutionized tango music by introducing nuevo tango. Pablo Ziegler is creator of “the most successful blend of modern jazz and tango I’ve ever yet heard,” according to Audiophile Audition, pianist Ziegler takes audiences on an incredible journey with his genre-blending music.”

Daniel Tosh – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

The unusual mind of Comedy Central star Daniel Tosh has earned him the admi ration of his peers by winning over audiences with his unique brand of stand-up comedy. A quick look at Daniel: thus far: Born in Germany… grew up a preacher’s kid in Florida… two sisters and one brother…surf er… decent student… bad aller gies… began his foray into stand up … UCF graduate… took to the road… lives in Los Angeles on the beach and loves his dog. Daniel is currently one of the most requested headliners in the country. He has also quickly evolved into one of the most popular and successful col lege acts, performing at more than seven hundred campus es. Daniel’s casual style and sharp material have proven to be greatly appreciated by his audiences, young and old. Mature Content.

The Fall and Spring International Film Festival:

The Fall International Film Festival will be held October, 1—7, 2010 at the Keith—Albee Performing Arts Center and will feature the following films:

A Prophet – (France) Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang who rules the prison, he is given a number of “missions” to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader’s confidence in the process. But Malik is brave and a fast learner, daring to secretly develop his own plans. 155 minutes. In French, Arabic & Corsican with English Subtitles.

The Wind Journeys – (Colombia) For most of his life, Ignacio Carrillo travelled the villages of northern Colombia, playing traditional songs on his accordion, a legendary instrument said to have once belonged to the devil. He eventually married and settled in a small town, leaving the nomadic life behind. But after the traumatic death of his wife, he vows to never play the accursed accordion again, and embarks on one last journey to return the instrument to its rightful owner. On the way, Ignacio is followed by Fermín, a spirited teenager determined to become his apprentice. Tired of loneliness, Ignacio accepts the young man as his pupil and together they traverse the vast Colombian terrain, discovering the musical diversity of Caribbean culture. Hardened by a life of solitude, Ignacio tries to discourage Fermín from following in his footsteps, but destiny has different plans for them. 120 minutes. In Spanish with English Subtitles.

I Am Love – (Italy) I Am Love tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr., the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reins of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi, and grandson Edo. But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio, a handsome and talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredi’s wife Emma, a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her existence is shocked to the core when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Edo’s friend and partner Antonio, and embarks on a passionate love affair that will change her family forever. 120 minutes. In Italian, Russian & English with English Subtitles.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – (Sweden) Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet’s disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vanger’s are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves. 152 Minutes. In Swedish with English Subtitles.

Fish Tank – (UK) The film is an emotionally stunning coming-of-age story, electrified by the breakthrough performance of its young star Katie Jarvis. Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her, without any creative outlet for her considerable energies save a secret love of hip-hop dance. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life. A clear-eyed, potent portrait of teenage sexuality and vulnerability, Fish Tank confirms writer/director Arnold’s status as one of the leading figures of new British cinema. 123 Minutes. In English.

The Owl and the Sparrow – (Vietnam) Thuy, a scrappy ten year old who lives on the outskirts of the city, has no choice in life but to work in her uncle’s bamboo factory. That is, till she packs her bags to run away into the city. Forced to survive on her own, she sells roses on the streets and relies on the kindness of strangers. This is where she meets Lan, a beautiful flight attendant on a layover, and Hai, a lonely zookeeper hiding from a changing society. It’s modern-day Saigon, where eight million people are just trying to keep up with the pace. In five days, the young runaway attempts to bring these lonely hearts together in hopes of forming a makeshift family. The only thing that might stop her are city authorities who want to put her in an orphanage and an overbearing uncle tracking her down in the big city. 97 Minutes. In Vietnamese with English Subtitles.

The Spring International Film Festival will be held March 3—9, 2011 at the Keith—Albee Performing Arts Center and will feature the following films:

The Girl Who Played With Fire – (Sweden) Mikael Blomkvist is about to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society. On the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered and the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander. This is the sequel to the blockbuster The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. 129 Minutes. In Swedish with English Subtitles.

Mid-August Lunch – (Italy) Broke, and armed with only a glass of wine and a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni resides with his 93-year-old mother in their ancient apartment. The condo debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager’s mother during the Pranzo di Ferragosto (Italy’s biggest summer holiday, and the Feast of the Assumption), all will be forgiven. Then the manager also shows up with an auntie, and then a doctor friend appears with his mother in tow… Can Gianni keep four such lively mamas well fed and happy in these cramped quarters? 75 minutes. In Italian with English Subtitles.

Still Walking – (Japan) Fifteen years ago, Junpei, the youngest son of the Yokoyama family died while rescuing a boy from drowning. On the anniversary of his death, the remaining siblings visit the quaint home of their parents with their families in tow. Over the course of a beautiful day, new relatives become acquainted telling stories and squabbling over sizzling tempura and an elegant graveside ritual is performed for Junpei. 114 Minutes. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

The Concert – (France ) During the Brezhnev era, Andrei Filipov was the greatest conductor in the Soviet Union and he directed the famous Bolshoi Orchestra. But after refusing to abandon his Jewish musicians, including his best friend Sacha, he was fired at the height of his glory. Thirty years later, he is still working at the Bolshoi, but… as a cleaner. One evening, when Andrei has stayed late to the polish the director’s desk, he comes across a fax addressed to the Bolshoi management: it is an invitation from the Thtre du Chtelet in Paris for the orchestra to come and perform there. Suddenly, Andrei has a crazy idea: why not bring together his old musician friends, who now get by doing menial work, and take them to Paris, passing them off as the Bolshoi Orchestra? It is the long-awaited occasion for them to at last get their revenge. 119 Minutes. In French and Russian with English Subtitles.

The Secret in Their Eyes – (Argentina) Recently retired criminal court investigator Benjamin, decides to write a novel based on a twenty-five year old unresolved rape and murder case, which still haunts him. Sharing his plans with Irene, the beautiful judge and former colleague he has secretly been in love with for years, Benjamin’s initial involvement with the case is shown through flashbacks, as he sets out to identify the murderer. But Benjamin’s search for the truth will put him at the center of a judicial nightmare, as the mystery of the heinous crime continues to unfold in the present, testing the limits of a man seeking justice and personal fulfillment at last. 127 minutes. In Spanish with English Subtitles.

Waiting for Superman – (USA) Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim explores the tragic ways in which the American public education system is failing our nation’s children, and explores the roles that charter schools and education reformers could play in offering hope for the future. We see the statistics every day — students dropping out, science and math scores falling, and schools closing due to lack of funding. What we don’t see are the names and faces of the children whose entire futures are at stake due to our own inability to enact change. There was a time when the American public education system was a model admired by the entire world. Today other countries are surpassing us in every respect, and the slogan “No Child Left Behind” has become a cynical punch line. Bianca, Emily, Anthony, Daisy, and Francisco are five students who deserve better. By investigating how the current system is actually obstructing their education instead of bolstering it, Guggenheim opens the door to considering possible options for transformation and improvement. 102 Minutes. In English

Season Ticketing Information:

The Marshall Artists Series 2010-2011 season is proudly sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Superticket: Baxter, Mount + choice between International Film Festival, Pablo Ziegler Trio & Daniel Tosh.
Adult/Youth Price – $578, $528, $430, $375 (price includes Keith-Albee Restoration fee)

Baxter Series: 4 Events – Liza Minnelli, Marvin Hamlisch & Mark McVey Holiday Show, A Chorus Line & The Color Purple
Adult/Youth Price – $316, $266, $210, $170 + $10 Keith-Albee Restoration Fee

Mount Series: 4 Events – The Doobie Brothers, Stomp, Video Games Live & Spring Awakening
Adult/Youth Price – $277, $227, $185, $170 + $10 Keith-Albee Restoration Fee

International Film Festival (12 Films)
Adult Price – $75 (price includes Keith-Albee Restoration Fee).International films are not generally recommended for youth.

The Marshall Artists Series is once again offering the TWO-PAYMENT PLAN. Last year, the two-payment plan offered our patrons greater flexibility in their season planning, so we wanted to continue to offer it to our patrons. If you are interested in our TWO- PAYMENT PLAN please call 304-696-3313.

Season ticketing begins Tuesday, July 20th at 9 a.m.

The deadline to purchase or renew season tickets is Thursday, August 5th

New season subscription orders and season ticket renewal orders will be taken beginning Tuesday, July 20th at 9 a.m. Subscriptions may be ordered and current subscriptions may be renewed through the deadline date of Thursday, August 5th. After that day, all orders will be processed in order of date and time received.

The Marshall Artists Series accepts all major credit cards. Season tickets may be ordered via telephone by calling our administrative offices at (304) 696-3326. Orders may also be mailed in to Marshall Artists Series, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755-2210. Order may also be faxed to (304) 696-6658. You may also email us with any questions at artistsseries@marshall.edu. The Marshall Artists Series office is located in the Jomie Jazz Center on Fifth Avenue across from Marshall University’s Student Center. Our hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets to individual events will go on sale Monday, August 16th. For additional information please call the Marshall Artists Series at (304) 696-3326 or send us an email at artistsseries@marshall.edu. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

WVWS President Jeannine Romano was pleased for the organization to be exhibited at Gallery 842.

“During the past two years as president of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, I have been continually amazed and inspired by the caliber of talented artists we have in our state,” Romano said. “The motto ‘to promote and ensure a high standard of watercolor painting’ is demonstrated by many of our members, who mentor and teach watercolor painting throughout the region. It is exciting for us to bring our creative flair to the Huntington area.”

The exhibit was juried by John Farley, gallery director and adjunct art faculty member at Marshall University. A graduate of Marshall University’s Department of Art and Design, Farley’s work has been chosen for display in the Huntington Museum of Art and the West Virginia Culture Center, among others.

Farley encouraged the public to view this exhibit, noting the diversity and talent represented in the show.

“There are a wide variety of examples of various watercolor techniques – despite the fact that they are all under the umbrella of watercolor paintings,” Farley said. “Viewers will find everything from highly representational portraiture to gestural abstract paintings.”

Gallery 842 is both a community- and Marshall University-held space to promote local talent and initiative. The gallery is a free cultural experience for any artist or art enthusiast. Summer hours are as follows: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information or questions about Gallery 842, or any College of Fine Arts events, contact Jaye Ike by phone at 304-696-3296 or by e-mail at jaye.ike@marshall.edu.

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Live Committee will host its 3rd Annual Children’s Art Festival Extravaganza (CAFÉ)

When: Saturday, June 12 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Ninth Street Plaza between Third & Fourth Avenues
The 3rd annual CAFÉ event will have activities for children 12 years old and younger. Some of the arts featured are the following: book making, stamp art, tie-dye art, sculptures, a children’s community mural and others.

The event is free for everyone.
Other activities will include performances by the Cabell County Public Library Puppets, Jeslyn Performing Arts Center and visits from a clown. The Cabell County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to do children’s finger printing.

A Sidewalk Art Sale will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Various artists will display and sell their works on the plaza during the event. Arts for the sale will include: Photography, Oils, Pastels, Quilting, Jewelry, Hair Accessories, Miniature Framed Artwork and Outsider Art.

For more information, contact the Chamber at (304) 525-5131.

The Chat ‘n Chew this Thursday is packed with activity. Here are a few of the things going on:

• CAFÉ Huntington, which will provide micro-grants to artists and creative projects, is in the final stages of planning the first dinner, on June 7th.

• Culture Center, which will create a space where people from different backgrounds can share their culture’s food, music, dance, language, history, and art, is planning late summer and fall events.  

• Recycling. The group is looking at 2 opportunities to improve access to recycling facilities in the area:

www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x540212889/Cabell-County-pursues-recycling-program

• Downtown retail initiative. We’ve had lots of great news regarding downtown retail development: Wright’s is re-opening, Third and Ninth Deli and the Pottery Place are making progress, work is underway to announce a new center for artists and artisans, etc.

• The team working to create an outdoor market downtown continues to make progress. Check out Birmingham, AL as an example:

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MountainsideMedia/54a7de2a93/83dc25424b/22b3ddd362/MountainsideMedia/ea70e8ed98/83dc25424b/27e1fc96f5.

• A team from MUCH will join us to work on the community-wide event to welcome MU students, scheduled for August 20^th.

• There’s a group discussing an integrated space for the creative community and a live/work space for artists.

………………………………………

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Upcoming Events You Will Find of Interest

June 7   Inaugural CAFÉ Huntington Dinner    

CAFÉ Huntington has scheduled their first dinner for 6pm, June 7th at McClelland Park (follow 27th Street until you reach the Ohio River). CAFE Huntington provides small (micro) grants to artists and activists in the Huntington, WV area.   There are only three remaining spots open for artists and creative projects to pitch their ideas at the dinner. Here’s how it works:  One day each month we invite people to a great location for a meal. Guest chefs cook some fantastic meals and it only costs $10 per person to join us.  All of the income from that meal is given as a grant to support a local project. During the meal representatives from the different groups seeking the grants present their projects and then, when dinner is done, everyone who bought dinner gets to vote on their favorite project.  The project that receives the most votes gets all of that meals money. For more information, go to:

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MountainsideMedia/54a7de2a93/83dc25424b/80929b715b. 

So you want a fresh market? Take advantage of fresh produce from Ebenezer Medical Outreach’s fresh markets:

Every Thursday at Huntington’s Kitchen

Every Friday at Ebenezer Medical Outreach

AND STARTING THIS FRIDAY – on 5^th Avenue in front of Huntington Bank from 9-12!  Pull up and Honk your Horn and a nice tomato or a pea in a pod will bring you a bag of fresh produce right to your car to make your Memorial Day Picnic a healthy one! The bag only costs $15 and you get corn on the cob, green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and apples.

How does one make a difference? How does one have a meaningful impact on a child, a family, or a community?

I recall having this weighty conversation with a very good friend, Avinash Khatter, one a summer evening in college. We were sitting in a Taco Bell, eating tostadas (back when they served tostadas), and pondering the meaning of life. I called him Av. Av and I described “making a difference” as curing disease, solving global conflicts, and building giant corporate empires. We pontificated on the impact of presidents and senators, generals and theologians. We measured “impact” in very grand terms.

What we failed to see at the time was that real impact, meaningful impact, occurs when people reach out to others; when we take a moment to serve and inspire those around us. Through my involvement in Create Huntington, I’ve also come to understand that having a meaningful impact doesn’t always require a great deal of time or money. Sometimes, it’s as simple as having dinner.

Café Huntington, a projected begun through the Create Huntington Chat ‘n Chews, is providing a way for you to have a meaningful impact on individuals and our community. They’ve found a way for you to do great things like inspire children, help an artist achieve a goal, beautify a neighborhood, or help people find creative solutions to difficult problems. And they’ve found a way for you to do all of this in a few hours and with just a little bit of money.

Here’s how it works: Residents get together for a monthly Café Huntington dinner which is open to the public and hosted by an individual, restaurant, or group of people. They invite artists and others to submit grant requests for art projects, community programs, and other creative endeavors. Each dinner guest makes donation of $10 to the group’s grant fund, entitling the donor to vote on the grant proposals which excite them the most. Every month, 100% of the contributions are given to the artist or project voted on by the dinner guests.

The first dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m., June 7^th 2010 at McClelland Park, located at the end of 27^th Street at the Ohio River. You may get involved in any of three ways:

If you are an artist or have an idea for a creative project, you may submit your idea to be considered for the grant. The process is painless and simple. You may get ideas on the types of projects that could be funded and submit your proposal on the group’s website at www.cafehuntington.com. They are still accepting applications for the first dinner.

If you’re a chef, restaurateur, or if you just like to cook, you may volunteer to host future a dinner at your home, restaurant, or some other public space. To volunteer, simply contact the group through their website.

Everyone else may participate by joining us at a dinner, donating $10, and voting on the project you believe to be most worthwhile. Seating is limited. You may purchase tickets in advance at www.cafehuntington.com.  

Av ultimately found his way to have a meaningful impact on people. He became an outstanding physician, raising a lovely family and treating people in dire need of aid. Sadly, he passed away recently. While we had many good conversations between that summer evening and his passing, I wish we had one last opportunity to talk about a meaningful life. I think our outlooks would be vastly different.

In invite you to make a difference. Join us at the Café Huntington dinner on June 7^th and bring your ideas and energy to the Create Huntington Chat ‘n Chews, held 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., every Thursday in the lobby of the Frederick Building. There, you will be able to talk about your ideas with a group of 20 – 50 engaged residents who are working on a host of projects that are making Huntington an outstanding place to live. For more information, go to www.createhuntington.com.

At the Action Summit, attendees will learn about the strengths, challenges, and assets of each individual neighborhood and discuss issues they have in common. Attendees will also create an action plan to address problems we all share and to build on our individual successes. The goal of the Action Summit is to establish and implement a series of steps that will engage residents in an effort to strengthen their individual neighborhoods and the community at-large. A ‘toolkit’ of resources will also be provided. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The Strong Neighborhoods Program, which began in March, is being coordinated by the West Virginia Center for Civic Life through a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The project is being facilitated through a community-wide partnership including the Neighborhood Institute of Huntington, Create Huntington, Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, United Way of the River Cities, Huntington Police Department, the Weed and Seed Program, the City of Huntington, and Adopt Your Block. Sponsors for the project include Bulldog Creative Services, River Cities Printing and The Herald Dispatch. Support for the Action Summit is provided by St. Mary’s Medical Center and Huddleston Bolen LLP.

People often lament the loss of community. They talk about the days when you could leave your doors unlocked, when they knew everyone on their street, when they could walk to school or work, and when summer evenings were filled with picnics. They speak as if these days are gone, never to return again. They speak of the futility of trying to make things better, often sounding resigned to a future of ever-increasing violence, depravity and neglect.

And they’re wrong. There is no manifest destiny dictating that our communities will fail. The future has not predetermined that we live in fear, locked in our homes, peering through curtains at dark streets. Together, we have the ability to determine the type of community in which we will live. Together, we can make our streets as uncomfortable for criminals as they do for us. Together, we can rebuild the places where we live into vital communities of friends and neighbors.

For the complete column, go to: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1860198195/Residents-have-power-to-change-community

•  CAFÉ Huntington (formerly the Starving Artist Foundation) to provide micro-grants to artists and creative projects.
• Culture Center to create a space where people from different backgrounds can share their culture’s food, music, dance, language, history, and art with others. The group has planned their first fundraiser.
• Recycling. The group is looking at 2 opportunities to improve access to recycling facilities in the area: www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x540212889/Cabell-County-pursues-recycling-program
• Downtown retail initiative. We’ve had lots of great news regarding downtown retail development: Wright’s is re-opening, Third and Ninth Deli and the Pottery Place are making progress, work is underway to announce a new center for artists and artisans, etc.
• Creating an outdoor market downtown. A team has formed to pursue federal grant funding for the initiative. 
• Creating a community-wide event to welcome MU students – a partnership between MUCH (Marshall University Create Huntington) and Create Huntington
• Discussion to build an integrated space for the creative community and a live/work space for artists

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Upcoming Events You Will Find of Interest

May 22 Culture Center Fundraiser at Uncorked          Be sure to stop by the Culture Center table to sample Ethiopian, Peruvian, and Indian food – and to raise money for the Culture Center – at the Uncorked Food and Wine Festival. See below for details of the event.

May 22 Marshall Artist Series Food and Wine Festival: Uncorked Tickets are now on sale for the Marshall Artists Series annual fundraiser Uncorked!: A food fair and wine festival, from 1 to 4 p.m.,

Saturday, May 22, on 4th Avenue, between 9th and 10th streets, and inside the Arcade Galleria, in downtown Huntington. Patrons are invited to shop the street food fair for organic, locally sourced, fresh market and enhance their palates with appetizers, main dishes and desserts, prepared by regional chefs, local restaurants and specialty shops. There is no charge to visit the street fair. However, vendors are cash only. Festival goers will have the opportunity to taste more than 40 wines complimented by the jazz sounds of Laura Evans & Company. Tickets to the wine festival are $35 and may be purchased the day of the event in the lobby of the Keith Albee Theater or in advance at the Marshall Artists Series box office, by phone 304-696-6656 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

May 25 Strong Neighborhoods Town Hall Action Meeting      The community’s months long effort to engage residents and identify what can be done to build strong neighborhoods will culminate with a town hall action meeting, 7- 8:45, May 25^th at the St. Mary’s Education Center (5^th Avenue Campus). Join the community in the discussion, learn what other neighborhoods are doing to build a strong community, and find out how you can make your neighborhood a great place to live.

May 26 Business 4 Breakfast: Social Media for Business          I don’t generally plug activities presented by Huddleston Bolen but I thought you would find this one of particular interest. We will hold a Business 4 Breakfast seminar from 7:45 – 8:45 am, on May 26^th that will present ways you can use social media to grow you organization, group, or business. Rebecca McPhail, Asst. Vice President for the MU Foundation is the guest speaker. Registration is required but attendance is free (and includes breakfast). To register, go to www.huddlestonbolen.com/events.

June 7   Inaugural CAFÉ Huntington Dinner     CAFÉ Huntington has scheduled their first dinner for 6pm, June 7^th at McClelland Park (follow 27^th Street until you reach the Ohio River). CAFE Huntington provides small (micro) grants to artists and activists in the Huntington, WV area.   There are only three remaining spots open for artists and creative projects to pitch their ideas at the dinner. Here’s how it works:  One day each month we invite people to a great location for a meal. Guest chefs cook some fantastic meals and it only costs $10 per person to join us.  All of the income from that meal is given as a grant to support a local project. During the meal representatives from the different groups seeking the grants present their projects and then, when dinner is done, everyone who bought dinner gets to vote on their favorite project.  The project that receives the most votes gets all of that meals money. For more information, go to: http://cafehuntington.com.

• CAFÉ Huntington (formerly the Starving Artist Foundation) to provide micro-grants to artists and creative projects. The group plans to announce the date for the first dinner: www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x540213341/Starving-artist-foundation-could-be-useful-to-city
• Culture Center to create a space where people from different backgrounds can share their culture’s food, music, dance, language, history, and art with others. The group will continue working on a location for the events and announce their first fundraiser: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=104793586232582&v=info
• Recycling. The group is looking at 2 opportunities to improve access to recycling facilities in the area:  www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x540212889/Cabell-County-pursues-recycling-program
• Downtown retail initiative. We’ve had lots of great news regarding downtown retail development: Wright’s is re-opening, Third and Ninth Deli and the Pottery Place are making progress, work is underway to announce a new center for artists and artisans, etc. Bring your ideas and energy to keep the momentum going.
• Creation of an outdoor market downtown. Check out Birmingham, AL as an example: http://www.pepperplacemarket.com/.
• Huntington Art Festival, combining programs of various arts organizations into a single summer spectacle.
• Partnership with MUCH (Marshall University Create Huntington) to create a downtown festival welcoming new MU students to town.

 Upcoming Events You May Find of Interest

Marshall Artist Series Food and Wine Festival: Uncorked      Tickets are now on sale for the Marshall Artists Series annual fundraiser Uncorked!: A food fair and wine festival, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 22, on 4th Avenue, between 9th and 10th streets, and inside the Arcade Galleria, in downtown Huntington. Patrons are invited to shop the street food fair for organic, locally sourced, fresh market and enhance their palates with appetizers, main dishes and desserts, prepared by regional chefs, local restaurants and specialty shops. There is no charge to visit the street fair. However, vendors are cash only. Festival goers will have the opportunity to taste more than 40 wines complimented by the jazz sounds of Laura Evans & Company. Tickets to the wine festival are $35 and may be purchased the day of the event in the lobby of the Keith Albee Theater or in advance at the Marshall Artists Series box office, by phone 304-696-6656 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Strong Neighborhoods Action Summit            The Strong Neighborhoods Action Summit will be held on May 25th from 7- 8:45 pm at the St. Mary’s Education Center on 5th Ave and 29th St. This is the culmination of a month long series of neighborhood forums where residents identified ways to make their neighborhood safer and stronger. Join us at this city-wide meeting to share ideas and get involved.

Sustainability Training The West Virginia Sustainable Communities program (WVSC) is offering a Sustainability 101 training in Huntington on Monday, May 17, 2010 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The training is being promoted and coordinated by the City of Huntington, Create Huntington, HADCO and Unlimited Future, Inc. WVSC offers this program to garner support from diverse stakeholders to create a Sustainability Team for a community. After the training, our community will be challenged to put together an active group of volunteers who will then work with WVSC to engage in more outreach activities, greenhouse gas inventory, and multiple workshops and meetings to create a Sustainability Action Plan which is suitable for Huntington. Registration is limited to 30 people and the class is full. To be placed on a wait list or for information about future training sessions send an email to createhuntington@gmail.com with your contact information.

Patrons are invited to shop the street food fair for organic, locally sourced, fresh market and enhance their palates with delectable appetizers, main tastes and desserts, prepared by regional chefs, local restaurants and specialty shops. The street fair and food vendors are cash only please.

Festival goers will have the opportunity to taste more than forty wines complimented by the smooth jazz sounds of Laura Evans & Company. Additionally, participants may bid on a number of items during a silent auction to be held from 1-3 p.m., concluding with a live auction for exclusive items during the final hour of the festival.

Offerings include: a VIP Suite for a Justin Bieber concert, prime Cleveland Indians baseball tickets, an exclusive Sparkle and Stars Champagne pairing party, dinners courtesy of 21 at the Frederick Restaurant, Blackhawk Grille, Huntington Prime and Rocco’s Ristorante and multiple dinners hosted by local supporters of the arts and entertainment in the community.

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased the day of the event in the lobby of the Keith Albee Theater or in advance at the Marshall Artists Series box office, by phone (304) 696-6656, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Corporate Tables of 8 are also available for $500 (price includes private table for you and your guests, special wine not included on the tasting, and a freshly baked loaf of artisanal bread). A limited number of corporate tables are available. Reserve yours today by calling 304-696-3326. Contact artistsseries@marshall.edu to inquire about reserving corporate tables.

Uncorked! Is sponsored by Atomic Distributing, Kroger, Pepsi, Standard Distributing, The Herald-Dispatch, WSAZ, WKEE, WTCR and B-97.

The Marshall Artists Series is dedicated to contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community. In addition to presenting a variety of music, dance, theatrical productions, the organization has been providing workshops and outreach opportunities to the University’s students, area youth and residents for more than 73 years.