Arts in Emanuel
Enjoy 2007 Arts Emanuel!
Joan Dunn

For months Emanuel Artist Guild members have been working on Arts Emanuel and it finally is here, this Saturday, October 13. In our third year organizing the festival, we are planning to bring more excitement and fun, and most importantly ART to our community.

This year the Second Saturday Art Stroll has been incorporated into the event. With its multiple venues and musical climax for the evening, the Stroll brings a new aspect to Arts Emanuel. It has also brought about another change. Rather being open for various events during the day, the Emanuel Arts Center will only be open for the Art Stroll with a very special reception beginning at 5 p.m. All of the day's action will be centered in downtown until then.

For the first time, I will be able to help with the interactive art activities (we're making kaleidoscopes at my table). Geared for children, these projects include some of the tried and true from previous events and some new things to add to the adventure. Student art from Emanuel Schools will be on display in the sheltered market area of the Boneyard. This space also includes the Emanuel Arts Gift Shop. There is more detailed information about all of the activities and events elsewhere in this issue.

Along with performances by area dance studios, we will have Magic Marc from Savannah, Mr. Donald Jenkins and B to the 4th Power. Made up of Amanda Bell, Brandon Bell, Cassie Brantley and Logan Brantley, this band will make its debut at the festival. These are all very talented performers. This I know for a fact because Amanda and Brandon are original "Live from Swainsboro...It's Saturday Night!" (annual fundraiser for the Jason Wicker Memorial Scholarship) cast members. Each year Amanda sings the moving song "Jason's Smile" which she wrote to honor her classmate. Brandon has played harmonica as one of the Blues Brothers, and has also become proficient on the cowbell. He also plays guitar. Logan joined the cast last year. His musical abilities were showcased in the area of dance during his performances as the First Man to Dance and one of the Chippendales. He plays the drums for B4. The reigning Miss Emanuel County, Cassie also sang at Amanda and Brandon's wedding (that is where I heard her so can I testify to her talent.) I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Jenkins and for his music and look forward to his performance; he specializes in Sam Cooke songs. Always crowd pleasers, the dance studio performances add color (their costumes are fantastic) and excitement (their energy and talent are compelling) to our festival. We are honored to have Magic Marc join us this year to bring "magication" (his word for the combination of magic and education) to our kids. He is a local TV personality who has also performed at various festivals and events throughout the region. I know that our children will be thrilled to see him in person, here in our community. To top off the day, the Gallery RFD has arranged for The Afromotive to appear on the Boneyard following the Art Stroll. I have been to their website (theafromotive. com) and they sound amazing. This nine piece group has a horn section and drums and sounds like the perfect end for a really great day.

While I have mostly discussed the entertainment because I wanted to share my personal experiences, there is a lot more to our festival (there will be some surprises as well- for you, but not for me I hope.) Come to downtown Swainsboro and ENJOY!

Joan Dunn is an artist, member of the Emanuel Arts Council Board of Directors and President of the Emanuel Artists Guild. She is interested in learning about creative arts efforts throughout the area. Contact her at joan-of-art@nctv.com.

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