Echo Valley Art Group Exhibition, St. Elouise Concert, MAGNOLIA CITY Book Release and More Set for First Friday at The Ware Center

The next First Friday at The Ware Center features three art shows, music by an up-and-coming trio, orchestra music featuring a Van Cliburn Winner and a multi-media presentation launching a local author's debut novel. Learn more below!

Echo Valley Art Group Exhibition Features Over Two Dozen Different Artists

The Artwork of the Echo Valley Art Group is returning to the Ware Center for their group show. This year's show is scheduled to feature the works of Carol Anspach, Dan Burns, Ann DeLaurentis, Milt Friedly, Bruce Fry, Jim Gallagher, Carol Galligan, Jeff Geib, Claire Giblin, Susan Gottleib, Joanne Hensel , Ken Hoak, Richard Huck, Ken Kristen, Heidi Leitzke, Robert Lyon, Ellen Sloupe, Carol Morgan, Richard Ressel, Peg Richards, Abby Rudisil, Carol Toner Shane, Brant Schuller, Ron Sykes, Richard Whitson. The show is designed and installed by Brant Schuller and Jeff Geib.

Several of the artists will be on hand First Friday, May 2 from 6 - 8 PM to discuss their works and meet the public. This show opens at 6 PM on First Friday. FREE coffee is served. The Show continues through Friday, May 30th. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. It is also open weeknights and weekends when events for the public are scheduled.

Two Student Art Shows Featuring Rising Art Stars

The MU Art Department's Graphic & Interactive Design Students and the School District of Lancaster Student Art Show showcase the work of young artists. The MU Art Department show features students whose work is focused around computer generated art. The School District show features dozens of students work in a variety of media. Both shows are open Friday, 6 - 8 PM.

Elegant, Sultry & Edgy Music by St. Elouise

The St. Elouise Trio - based here in Lancaster -- has been described as elegant, sultry, and edgy. Band members include lead singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter Christina Berg, bassist Derek Stoner, and newest addition, Scott MacFeat on drums!

Their style is a unique blend of pop, jazz, and soul along with classical inspiration and Latin grooves. Saint Elouise has been compared to Norah Jones, Dido, Diana Krall and Tori Amos, among others.

Saint Elouise is the next artist of the decade - expect big things from this very talented and matchless band! The band plays off and on - for FREE - in the Lyet Lobby from 6 to 7:30 PM.

Van Cliburn Winner is Guest Artist at MU Orchestra Benefit Concert

Santiago Rodriguez, a Cuban-American pianist and medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, performs a benefit concert for and with the Millersville University Orchestra in Steinman Hall. The Orchestra is conducted by Vera Volchansky. It features Greig's Piano Concerto in A Minor and other works for orchestra. The program begins at 7:30 PM in Steinman Hall.

Book Release Party

Author Duncan Anderson reads from his latest book MAGNOLIA CITY, a new, debut novel that explores the "HIDDEN HOUSTON" set in 1920s Texas.

Local author Duncan Anderson will present his newest book MAGNOLIA CITY, published by Kensington Publishing, in a multi-media presentation beginning at 6:30 PM on First Friday, May 2 in the Richard c. von Hess Library at the Ware Center. The presentation is open to the public and is FREE. Copies will be available for purchase and signed by the author.

Within Duncan W. Alderson's epic debut novel, the roar of the 1920's is heard for the first time in a female voice - and a Southern Latina one at that - sounding from the Lone Star State. MAGNOLIA CITY is a stirring saga set along the wide boulevards of pre-Depression Houston, a city of established cotton kings and newly rich oil barons, in which a strong and willful woman named Hetty will do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true.

Inspired by photos that the author found of his mother dressed as a flapper in 1920's Texas, MAGNOLIA CITY gives a fascinating glimpse of a "hidden Houston" as it tells the story of Esther (Hetty) MacBride, her marriage, her "sacred rage," her coming of age. In a quest for status and wealth, she brings about the death of a friend and realizes that love is more important than power. Alderson weaves real people and events from history to evoke the turmoil and drama rippling through the history of the Lone Star State. Magnolia City is a story of love, greed, jealousy, and redemption, brought to life through the eyes of its unforgettable heroine.

About the Author: Duncan W. Alderson was born in Oil Town, USA, where he began his career writing clever advertising copy to amuse a coterie of Houston socialites. He then escaped Texas to become an expat in England. He researched his Master's Thesis in the Reading Room of the British Museum, fancying that he sat in the same chair as E. M. Forster. After teaching for twelve years at the Toronto Waldorf School, Duncan founded the Rabbit Hill Writers' Studio in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Inspired by photos of his mother as a flapper in El Paso, Texas, he spent ten years researching and developing his epic.

All First Friday events at the Ware Center (with the exception of the MU Benefit Concert) are FREE. Tickets for the Concert are: $15 | MU students are admitted free. Call 717-872-3811 or 717-871-2308. Online at www.artsmu.com. In person at the Ware Center Box Office (42 N. Prince St., Lancaster) or the SMC building on the MU campus. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the show, one hour prior to the performance.

Discount parking vouchers are available for the Prince Street Garage, located at the corner of North Prince Street and West Orange.

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