I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend filled with friends, family and, of course, good food! And, I hope you made some time to explore and enjoy the beautiful arts community we have in our area. We joined a group of "orphans;" an eclectic group of folks without family in the region who got together for a potluck (and delicious) meal. The hostess is quite the visual artist with paintings and sculpture displayed throughout. Rumor has it that the host plays a mean sax. Their home was filled with lovely pieces that reflected their diverse tastes and the music on the stereo set the stage with sounds from around the world.

It was a joyful evening catching up with old friends while getting to know some new ones. Many give back to the community through a variety of ways; volunteers and professionals working for the Lupus Foundation, The Fulton Mansion, and the Rialto Theater; active in historical renovations for needy houses; and, of course, through their patronage of places like The Rockport Art Center.

As I've gotten older, I've grown more and more disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas and the holidays. So, I'm going to encourage you (the economy aside) to please think about the true meaning of the season and rededicate yourself to give more of your time and money to deserving non-profit organizations in our region. There's such a need across the board that everyone can find a cause that touches their heart. Whether it's art-related or not, please think about giving more than money this year. Volunteers always seem to be in short supply - organizations need your presence. Think about that instead of vying for a parking place at the mall to spend money on more stuff nobody really needs.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Friday-Saturday, December 4-5, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 6, 2:00 p.m. - "Misery" by Simon Moore, Adapted from Stephen King's novel. Live Stage Production. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Saturday, December 5, 5:30 p.m. - Opening Reception for "Currents" Member Show. On exhibit through January 23. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Sunday, December 6, 2:00 p.m. - "Student Art Show" Opening Reception. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Friday & Saturdays through December 11, - Opening night for "Christmas Carol." Live Theater. Fridays & Saturdays through December 11. Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
• Saturday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. - "Acoustic Country Blues Guitar Workshop" by Steve James. Intermediate to advanced guitar players. Advance registration required: Minimum six, maximum twelve participation. Rialto Theater. Admission: $30.
• Saturday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. - "Steve James in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, December 13, 2:00 p.m. - "My Life As a Dog." Cinema Flashbacks Club, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Members, $5 to join.
• Friday & Saturday, December 18-19, 7:30 p.m. - "The Jolly Holly Follies" Revue. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12. Daily through January 6 -
• Daily through Jan 6 - "Bright Energy," The works of Narice Hopp. Rialto Theater Main Gallery. "Meet the Artist" Reception, November 7, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free.

Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.

Gulf Coast Art Transcends

Yesterday morning, I stole an hour out of my schedule to make it over to the Rockport Art Center so I could walk through the "Shorelines" exhibit just before it ended its run. We have such talented artists available for viewing in our area; I'm continually amazed at the variety of styles and the innovative work I see. Certainly, we have many talented "birds & beaches" artists on display but there are just as many contemporary, avante garde artists available if you take the time to look. And kudos to those non-profit art centers and boutique galleries that support them!

If we open ourselves to it, the artistic endeavors; whether a painting, music, or play, can transcend time, politics, language, and religious differences. We can find solace and peace for awhile in losing ourselves in a melody, a stage play or in an art exhibit. Maya Angelou said, "Not everything you do is going to be a masterpiece, but you get out there and you try and sometimes it really happens. The other times you're just stretching your soul." Beyond the artist's potential to make something happen, I think every artist's work, regardless of style, has the potential to touch another; to ease their mind, to stretch their boundaries, to expand the light.

Our little area of the Gulf Coast has a great variety of artistic talent to explore. There are non-profit art organizations in practically every community here - go out, explore, expand your soul and show your support for our region's creative talents.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Friday-Saturday, November 27-28, 7:30 p.m. - "Misery" by Simon Moore, Adapted from Stephen King's novel. Live Stage Production. On stage through December 6 with final Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
  
• Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
  
• Saturday, December 5, 5:30 p.m. - Opening Reception for "Currents" Member Show. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
  
• Sunday, December 6, 2:00 p.m. - "Student Art Show" Opening Reception. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
  
• Friday & Saturdays through December 11, - Opening night for "Christmas Carol." Live Theater. Fridays & Saturdays through December 11. Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
  
• Saturday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. - "Acoustic Country Blues Guitar Workshop" by Steve James. Intermediate to advanced guitar players. Advance registration required: Minimum six, maximum twelve participation. Rialto Theater. Admission: $30.
  
• Saturday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. - "Steve James in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
  
• Sunday, December 13, 2:00 p.m. - "My Life As a Dog." Cinema Flashbacks Club, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Members, $5 to join.
  
• Friday & Saturday, December 18-19, 7:30 p.m. - "Christmas & Other Tidings of Joy" Variety Theater. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
  
• Daily through January 6 - "Bright Energy," The works of Narice Hopp. Rialto Theater Main Gallery. "Meet the Artist" Reception, November 7, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free.
  

Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.

Celebrating Arts in the Coastal Bend

It's a foggy, rainy day this morning and my head is full of memories from last evening's "Black Tie & Blue Jeans" Gala at the Rialto Theater. Members were admitted free, volunteers who went above and beyond in the last year were recognized, some area restaurants donated samples from their menus for the reception table and Claude Bourbon put on one heck of a show! And, as always, everyone had fun with the dress code and did ourselves proud with an eclectic range of attire from top hats and evening gowns to t-shirts and denim.

Kudos to the Gumbo Factory and El Maguey's in Aransas Pass; Fai Foo's Cafe and Shempy's Grill in Rockport; and Blackbeard's Too in Ingleside for their delicious offerings to patrons of the annual anniversary celebration. It's a challenge coordinating foods and participation with lots of phone tag that doesn't always result in a donation but these restaurants came through for the Rialto and it's much appreciated!! Please show them your appreciation, too!

Thank you to the volunteers who don't do it for the recognition or the certificate and to Cindy Bankes who somehow manages to coordinate their participation at all of the Rialto's events every single time. Thanks to the artists who share their work and exhibit on the walls. Thanks to Stuart Michael Burns who has the fun job of coordinating the music concerts all year long around all the other events that take place. Thanks to Jim Elder who not only runs the monthly board meetings, but also builds sets, directs plays, and recruits other directors to join in the fun. Karen Froeschner and Cassie Dietrich deserve recognition for their work in keeping the Rialto in the public eye with press releases, advertising, and other marketing magic. Kay Wise-Denty plays a major role in the Rialto's renaissance; on stage and behind the scenes, she helps us remember that what we're doing is important while striving for improvement. The Rialto thanks Paula Stone who has written all of the grants to help pay the bills and expand the programs!

Thanks again to the City of Aransas Pass who, with their generous donation from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund earlier this year, helped the Rialto Theater get the word out to an even broader audience. That only strengthened the Rialto's ability to encourage more people to visit Aransas Pass this year - the little town that shrimp built has got a whole lot to offer and the theater is happy to play their part in getting that message out.

Upcoming Artisan Events:

• Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
• Thursday, November 19, 7:30 p.m. - Members' Free Preview of Live Stage production of "Misery" by Stephen King. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Marquee Members, $12 other.
• Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m. - Opening Night Reception for "Misery" by Stephen King. Live Stage Production. Fridays & Saturdays through December 5. December 6, 2:00 p.m Matinee. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Friday, November 20, 7:00 p.m. - Opening night for "Christmas Carol." Live Theater. Fridays & Saturdays through December 11. Harbor Playhouse. Admission: $16.
• Daily through November 21 - "Shorelines" Art Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, November 22, 2:00 p.m. - "The Gods Must Be Crazy" Cinema Flashbacks Club. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Members, $5 to join.
• Daily through November 27 - "The Music in Me" Art Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Saturday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. - "Acoustic Country Blues Guitar Workshop" by Steve James. Intermediate to advanced guitar players. Advance registration required: Minimum six, maximum twelve participation. Rialto Theater. Admission: $30.
• Saturday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. - "Steve James in Concert." Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Sunday, December 13, 2:00 p.m. - "My Life As a Dog." Cinema Flashbacks Club, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Members, $5 to join.
• Friday & Saturday, December 18-19, 7:30 p.m. - "Christmas & Other Tidings of Joy" Variety Theater. Rialto Theater. Admission: $12.
• Daily through January 6 - "Bright Energy," The works of Narice Hopp. Rialto Theater Main Gallery. "Meet the Artist" Reception, November 7, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free.

Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.