Every generation makes its mark in a community. In the JULY 2011 edition, A! Magazine for the Arts recognizes three people who have spent their lives keeping the area's art, culture and heritage alive for future generations.
Passionate about the Arts: Jimmy Fleenor
Jimmy "Mr. Jazz" Fleenor has played traditional jazz and blues for 71 years throughout Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
Passionate about the Arts: Mary Landrum
An accomplished pianist and organist, Mary Landrum has been surrounded by music all of her life — whether performing it herself or listening to others.
Passionate for the Arts: Mary Beth Rainero
Longtime volunteer and community activist, Mary Beth Rainero has been called "the mother of the Paramount" (Center for the Arts) and was once the "resident witch" of Theatre Bristol. All along, she's been "a cheerleader" when it comes to the arts and the
Youth Spotlight: Katherine Benson
Katherine Elise Benson, at only 17 years of age, is the prize winner of several local, state and national competitions.
AAME elects New Officers
Meet the new officers of Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (AAME), publisher of A! Magazine for the Arts.
Call Her the Coal Miner's Grand-daughter
Reagan Boggs' "Thank You (Miners' Song)" pays tribute to her grandfathers. Both worked in coal mines and her father drove a coal truck.
Wild About Harry Potter
With the last of the film franchise, a generation's journey is drawing to a close....
Help BCMA Preserve History
John Rainero, president of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance and chairman of BCMA's "Friends of 1927" campaign, asks for community support of the proposed Cultural Heritage Center.
Fernando Moraga joins Theatre of Ballet Arts in Bristol
Young Patriot Right Where She's Supposed to Be
Selena Hayes wasn't supposed to be a part of Liberty! the Official Outdoor Drama of Tennessee.
"Seven Veils" Art Collection
Kingsport Ballet's waiting rooms and hallways have been transformed into an art gallery, offering an additional venue for local and regional artists to display and sell their work.
ETSU grad is stage manager on London's West End
Jersey Boys is one of the top-selling shows on Broadway. Now the musical is a hit on London's West End. As audience members listen to popular tunes like "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Sherry," another dream is being realized by an East Tennes
"It's My Dream Job"
Emerging Power: Although women make up nearly half of the workforce across the nation, fewer than 20 percent hold executive positions. Yet, in Southwest Virginia nad Northeast Tennesssee in recent years, women have ascended to positions of power in every
Review: "The 39 Steps is a Riot"
Take two dozen giant cockroaches that've all just downed double espressos; the Marx Brothers including Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo, Gummo and Karl; a handful of genetically-altered Mexican jumping beans infused with kangaroo DNA; five or six bagpipe-toot
Virginia Highlands Festival Signature Art
Each year, the Virginia Highlands Festival commissions an artist to create an original, signature piece. The theme for the 2011 Festival is "Impressions of the Highlands" and Kyle Buckland of Abingdon was selected to paint "Festival Days."
Review: Saving Old Smokey
Arrowmont raises $100,000, names new Executive Director