OWL Press Honors Black History Month

“Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed- –

Let it be that great strong land of love.”

– Langston Hughes

Hope is Never Silent: Queer Art Across Texas Now Accepting Entries

Hope is Never Silent: Queer Art Across Texas is currently seeking artists to participate in this unique and revolutionary art show to highlight the best of Texas queer artists with its origins right here in Lubbock.

Partnered with regional advocacy groups, Hope is Never Silent, is a traveling exhibit that, according to show organizer Jerome Larez, will give voice to Queer Art.

The exhibit is expanding the range and depth of knowledge about contemporary Queer Culture. The exhibit will also be enhanced by a number of pamphlets that allow visitors to witness the creative process in the context of myriad factors, “An amalgam of gender, racial, ethnic and sexual – that have ultimately changed America forever,” the show’s promotional material states.

The show has also been selected to participate in Houston Pride, will be displayed at the Charles Adams Gallery in Lubbock, and will be on display at the Ilume Gallery in Dallas.

“No pride march would be complete without celebrating its own rich artistic and avant-garde culture. Indeed, what is a celebration of Culture without Art? And what better way to celebrate Culture than with Art?”

For additional information about Hope is Never Silent: Queer Art in Texas, contact the organization at submissions@hopeisneversilent.org

Are you ‘The One’?

The Office Grill and Sports Bar has announced that the final rounds of auditions for the singing competition, “The One,” will conclude tonight, Thursday, February 2, at 7:00 pm, according to competition organizer, Lindsay Boreing of Triple Threat Studios.

“With the growing popularity of prime-time talent competition programs like, American Idol, X Factor, The Voice and America’s Got Talent; it’s easy to see that America is obsessed with the question: Who will be “The One” to make it big next?” Boreing said.

According to contest organizers, “The answer to that question starts in a hometown just like Lubbock, Texas.”

The contest is sponsored by The Office Grill and Sports Bar and is affiliated with Lubbock’s premier performance studio, Triple Threat Studios http://www.triplethreatlubbock.com/.

The winner of The One will be rewarded handsomely with a professional head-shot by Amanda Appel Photography, studio time with Amusement Park Studios, and professional vocal/performance/instrumental coaching provided by Triple Threat Studios. The winner will also be rewarded with a cameo on a radio commercial for The Office Grill and Sports Bar as well as a cash prize of $2,000.

Second and Third Place winners will also be awarded.

The judging will be based on the combined total scores of the judges and audience.

Judges:

• Lesa Wood – Assistant Professor of Music and Departmental Coordinator of Creative Arts Dept.
• Terry McEldowney – Creator of I Love Lubbock Music
• Ethan Domentrius, a.k.a E – A popular DJ for KissFM and station manager for FMX

The Office Grill and Sports Bar is located at: 5004 Frankford Avenue

From Remembrance to RESPECT Downtown Prepares for First Friday Art Trail

Lubbockites, once again, will hop on trolleys and make their way through the red bricked streets of downtown to immerse themselves in art, wine, culture, and a famous musical past.

It’s First Friday for February.

In coordination with The Day the Music Died, The Buddy Holly Center will continue its annual day of remembrance with ‘A Few of My Favorite Things,’ in the Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit features works by local artist Renee Steger Simpson.

Also, according to the First Friday Art Trail website http://ffat.org/, the Texas Musicians Hall of Fame Gallery will be the scene of the rotating exhibition, West Texas Walk of Fame.

“The exhibit highlights those individuals inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame, recently relocated to the plaza directly west of the Buddy Holly Center. This first installment will feature photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia of the first inductee Buddy Holly (1979), the second inductee, Waylon Jennings (1980), and the latest inductee, Bill Griggs (2010).”

Across town in the Icehouse Gallery, on the campus of the LHUCA http://lhuca.org/, the community is invited to participate in, “Respect is… A Community Project.” In coordination with the Women’s Protective Services Expect Respect, an interactive art exhibit will be exhibited to help Patrons define, “RESPECT.”

At the Helen DeVitt Jones Clay Studio, also on the campus of LHUCA, the TTU Black Students Association will showcase artwork, dance, poetry and music in celebration of Black History Month.