Longview brothers Damon and E’Tian (“Paco”) Parker created Nomad Productions in 2006.  They started the outfit in Houston, where they are now based, but both are Longview natives and proud alumni of Longview High School (classes of 1993 and 1996, respectively.)  These creative siblings have brought a cultural blessing to their hometown by coming here with their Christian production The Last Few Minutes.  In September they and Acting Bad Productions will release another gospel play, Only God Can Judge Me, written by playwright Curtis Von, who will also be on hand for its release.
The play’s setting is actually Heaven, where a young man faces trial after a close call with death.  Prosecution witnesses point out his earthly involvement with dishonesty, deceit and conspiracy.  He also has powerful, angelic representation.  Still, the central subject is that God only can pass spiritual judgment.
Their greatest reward is helping to share the message of Our Lord’s offered gifts of love and eternal salvation.  This is a non-denominational production that will appeal to and inspire all who attend.
Moreover, Nomad Productions’ mission is to give back to the community that supports its work, inspire patrons to share the message of Christian salvation, and to expose, enlighten and enhance public awareness of culture by presenting it via art, theater and various media.
The play is appropriate and nurturing to all ages, and spreads the news of God’s love for all of us regardless of one’s spiritual state.  The overriding theme is that only the Almighty is worthy to pass judgment.
The Parker brothers seek to proclaim to the world that the Lord is indeed all-powerful, to influence audiences for the better through powerful themes, and to proclaim the Truth, while making all this fun and entertaining.
For additional information on how to take part in this theatrical blessing, please call (903) 758-1905 or (832) 649-6377.

When you come to Austin this summer, you’ll likely be looking for entertainment in cool, air-conditioned comfort right in the heart of downtown.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s exhibits and IMAX Theatre are impressive, but right now the museum features a rare behind-the-scenes peek at a home that is arguably the centerpiece of our great state’s history.

The exhibit, Texas Treasure: Inside Our Governor’s Mansion, is a never-before-seen glimpse into the home life of the legendary leaders who put Texas on the map.

The mansion has been home to 40 governors, their families and their pets – and hosted dignitaries from around the world. Our state’s executive residence is actually older than the capitol and has a few stories to tell.

Although right now the Texas Governor’s Mansion is closed for restoration following an arson fire, the exhibit features some of its splendid furniture, impressive artifacts and captivating photos from the many famed residents.

I loved seeing Ann Richards’ Harley-Davidson, telegrams from the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and video testimonials from children who are now grown, but once called the mansion home.

This temporary collection offers a rare and memorable glimpse into a most historic mansion. It is also a peaceful retreat from the summertime heat.

Branden Johnson, Chairman for the Multicultural Festival, recently inspected the site of this years’ Multicultural Festival in early preparation for a festival that is getting larger each year. The festival is in its 4^th year. According to Johnson, the one-day event is important because it brings people together for the betterment of the community.

“Festival fever has well and truly hit East Texas, and I can’t wait for the Multicultural Festival to start. Each year I look forward to enjoying the wide variety of food and entertainment,’ said Johnson. “It’s especially exciting this year because I was afforded the opportunity to oversee the planning.”

Furthermore, because of increased attendance at the festival Longview will see hundreds of people from other parts of the region will attend. Johnson excitedly said, “I can’t wait to join other East Texans in sampling the world without leaving the area.”

In addition, music fans can be look forward to a free concert that day. Many local talents are joining forces to present a variety of performances with a distinct multicultural zest.

Moreover, food lovers will have delectable choices of cuisine including Mexican, Cajun, Cantonese, and Italian plus a special selection of Americana festival foods.

For the first time, the Festival has added a car show. Car lovers everywhere are invited to participate.

There will be great door prizes for attendees.

Entry forms are available on-line at http://pip.longviewtexas.gov/multicultural-festival or at the front desk of Partners in Prevention at 140 E. Tyler St., Suite 400 or call Branden Johnson at 903-399-6615; email multiculturalfestival@live.com or Pat Terrell Ph: 903-237-1255

Isabel Scurry Chapman has long been an enthusiastic hiker, bicyclist, river rafter, bird watcher and beachcomber.  When a 1993 rollerblading accident left her temporarily bedridden she refused to be idle, and so took up painting.
Her favorite artistic subjects are birds, and she has amassed a sizable collection of representations of avian wildlife from the Galveston area.
She uses empty cigar boxes because these are what so many people use to hold their valuables.  Also, because of what she calls their “rib cage size,” they are of the perfect dimensions for her paintings.  They even come with attractive, engraved borders like Native American artwork.
After fully representing Galveston’s birds she added paintings of Caddo Lake’s ornithology.  She will also show her collection of bird sculptures made from dryer lint, wire, colored foil, buttons and dried flowers. Yet the exhibition is not hers alone.
Jim Blackburn is a Houston-based lawyer with the firm Blackburn-Carter, P.C., which is devoted to environmental law and planning and is presently litigating over the future of the Whooping Crane.  He is co-director of the Houston Wilderness, the Matagorda Bay Foundation and the Galveston Bay Foundation.  He has put his passion for the natural world and its wildlife in a collection of poems that will also be on display at the exhibit.
The venue will be the Michelson Museum of Art from July 6 to September 26, Tuesdays through Fridays from noon until 5:00 p.m., and weekends 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m.  The opening reception will be Thursday, July 8 from 4:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. For more information call (903) 935-9480.

When I Rise is a newly released documentary film about Center Point, Texas native Barbara Smith-Conrad.  Its Northeast Texas free showing was June 18 at Mt. Pleasant’s Elizabeth Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.  Documentary presentations are nearly always exciting events because one sees the real faces the writers and producers. But in this case the subject of the showing was actually in attendance and a native to the area, and mingled with those who came, and answered their questions.  Barbara Smith Conrad, one of the world’s most renowned mezzo-sopranos was back in her home territory to interact with the audience after the film’s screening.

When I Rise is Smith-Conrad’s powerful biography–a brilliant University of Texas music student who, in the late 1950s, met racial discrimination head-on, overcame it and rose to superstardom in international opera.  Released by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin When I Rise was produced by Alpheus Media in association with Allentown Productions.  Directed by renowned Austin-based filmmaker Matt Hames it was produced in part by Academy Award winning producer James Moll and award-winning filmmaker Michael Rosen.

Smith-Conrad encountered institutionalized racism at the University of Texas at Austin when she learned the color of her flesh was more significant to the school’s administration than her boundless talent.  Originally cast in a scholastic opera production with a white leading man she was expelled from the cast.  This precipitated national news coverage and personal support from singer Harry Belafonte.  Refusing to be discouraged by this unfair treatment she persevered in her calling, staying at the university and earning her Bachelor of Music degree in 1959 before going on to become one of the greatest female vocalists in the world.

State Representative Bryan Hughes, District 5 speaks for Camp, Harrison, Upshur and Wood Counties.  He also attended and gave Smith-Conrad a ringing introduction.

“As her state representative I’m honored to help welcome Barbara back to her home state.  Her story is an important part of the history of human rights, and her faith and dignity throughout her ordeal are truly inspirational,” he said.

AT&T Northeast External Affairs Director Candice Gast was also there and made it clear why her corporation supports such productions as When I Rise.

“Her life is amazing.  The film showcases an extraordinarily talented woman whose journey to overcome bigotry on her way to becoming a world famous opera singer is nothing short of incredible,” she said.  “We are proud to support programs like this documentary and other multicultural outreach efforts that demonstrate that all individuals are valued and all voices should be heard.”

AT&T helped finance the film, and Southwestern Electric Power Company paid for Smith-Conrad’s appearance at the Whatley Center.

When I Rise has earned official selection by the 2010 Dallas International Film Festival, the Hot Docs International Festival in Toronto, the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin and the New York International Film Festival.  The quality of this movie is undeniable. Its executive producer and executive director of the Briscoe Center, Dr. Don Carleton, believes the location of the documentary’s release is fitting.

“We’ve only shown the film to a few audiences so far, and we’re very pleased that the people of Northeast Texas, where the story originated, are among the first to view it,” he said.

Smith-Conrad reminisced about her happy and innocent childhood in her tiny hometown of Center Point, sandwiched between Pittsburg and Mt. Pleasant.  It was a time and place where she could sing her heart out for her friends, family and church without being unfairly judged.

“My whole family was musical,” she said.  “As a teenager my mother took me to concerts.”

She soon realized, however, the outside world was very different.  Still, at home, she was shielded from racial tension as her loving father was her strength and protector, and her grandmother soothed any hurt feelings she might have by reading to her from the Holy Scriptures.  Those in her community loved her and she loved them.  She called Center Point her “place of strength.”

At the Northeast Texas premier of When I Rise – a title taken from one of her favorite songs, ‘When I rise give me Jesus, she was asked how she succeeded against such long odds.  She replied that it is best to use everything given by one’s family and community and to remember it is never too late to bandage old wounds.  She advised teachers and help providers to trust their instincts and be honest with those they are trying to reach.

When someone asked her how to become a big star like her, she replied with simplicity to ask oneself, “Do I really have the gift?”  If the truthful answer is yes, then develop that talent. Conrad  did develop her talents.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

She starred with the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1982 to 1989, with the Vienna State Opera, Venezuela’s Teatro Nacional, the Houston Grand Opera, the New York City Opera, the Pitsburgh Opera and other major musical venues throughout America, Europe, Canada and South America.  In 1977 she portrayed famed contralto Marian Anderson in the TV-movie Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. In 1987 President Ronald Reagan invited her to the White House to sing at Lady Bird Johnson’s 75th birthday celebration.

Particularly sweet was was when the University of Texas Ex-Students Association named her a Distinguished Alumnus in 1985 and, in her honor, created the Barbara Smith-Conrad Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts.  It took awhile, but the university did a 180-degree turnaround in its treatment of this remarkable woman.

Her unselfish side came through with her recommendation to not just accept, but give support and assistance to one’s family and community be it your school or church.

Center Point Highlights:

Center Point was founded by newly freed slaves in 1865, and took its name from its location at the intersection of two major thoroughfares.  By 1873 it had a church, and the first school was founded in 1889.  Education soon became a matter of major importance to the residents.  In 1916 the sale of public bonds and a $6000 grant from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation financed the construction of a four-room school and a library.

During the Great Depression the town’s population declined significantly, with the school’s enrollment down to 78 students in 1938.  In 1955 Center Point merged with the Pittsburg Independent School District.  One of the students that year was a lovely young lady named Barbara Smith.