Arts

Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit at the Winter Wonderland Vendor Market hosted by VFW Post 2775 in Orange, Texas! Join us on Saturday, November 16, 2024,, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day of shopping, entertainment, and community camaraderie.

The Winter Wonderland Vendor Market promises to be an event for the whole family, featuring over 75 vendors, a bounce house for children, and live music by local favorite Larry Tillery. Attendees can enjoy the warm flavors of Grit-N-Grind Coffee and indulge in tasty food served by the Auxiliary Group, making this market the perfect place to kickstart your holiday shopping and support local businesses.

Details at a Glance:

• Event: Winter Wonderland Vendor Market
• Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: VFW Post 2775 – All American Post, 5303 N. 16th Street (Hwy 87), Orange, TX
• Admission: Free and open to the public

Visitors are encouraged to explore the wide variety of vendor booths offering unique gifts, handmade items, and more, while enjoying live music and family-friendly activities. “We’re excited to open our doors to the community and create a festive environment where everyone can come together, shop, and have a great time,” said [VFW Post Spokesperson’s Name].

For more information or questions about the Winter Wonderland Vendor Market, please contact cdegey@gmail.com.

Support your local VFW Post 2775 and enjoy an unforgettable day celebrating the holiday season.

The Lutcher Theater is thrilled to announce that the renowned country music band Lonestar will perform live for one show only on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. This concert will feature new takes on some of the band’s biggest hits from their latest release, “TEN to 1,” a reimagined collection of their 10 chart-topping country songs.

“With the release of ‘TEN to 1,’ Lonestar is bringing their most celebrated songs to the Lutcher Theater. Hits like ‘Amazed,’ ‘I’m Already There,’ and ‘My Front Porch Looking In’ will be performed, making this a night to remember for all country music enthusiasts,” said Lynae Sanford, executive director of the Lutcher Theater.

Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar, comprised of Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar & backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards & backing vocals), has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995, and achieved ten #1 country hits including “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and their crossover smash “Amazed” (which was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first record since 1983’s “Islands in the Stream,” to top both charts). The band’s awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year for “Amazed” (the song also won the Song of the Year award) and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year. With more than 100 tour dates worldwide per year, they are celebrating more than 20 years together.

“The Lutcher Theater is celebrating its 45th season this year. Thanks to support from our community, we are able to bring national talent and unforgettable performances like Lonestar to our region,” said Sanford.

Tickets for Lonestar range from $45 to $85 and can be purchased by visiting lutcher.org or calling the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409.886.5535.

The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Avenue in Orange, Texas.

The Stark Foundation is pleased to announce exciting updates to the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation awards. In its continued mission to enrich the community and support education, the Foundation has increased the scholarship amounts for both local and county levels, providing greater opportunities for Orange County students.

At the local level, first-place winners will now receive a $2,500 scholarship, and second-place winners will receive $2,000. At the county level, the first-place winners in each category will be awarded $6,500, while second-place winners will receive $3,500. This increase reflects the Foundation’s commitment to celebrating student achievement and encouraging academic excellence.

“The Stark Foundation is committed to investing in the future of our students and supporting their educational journeys. By increasing the scholarship amounts, we aim to provide even greater opportunities for the talented young people of our community,” said Tabitha Henderson, education and programming manager for Stark Art and History.

The Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation, a long-standing tradition in Orange, TX, for more than 120 years, promotes the value of literacy and public speaking. Each year, students from schools across Orange County participate in this competition, which challenges participants to engage with literature through reading and declamation, promoting both academic and professional development. The contest began in 1904 and remains a cornerstone of the Foundation’s efforts to promote and foster public speaking skills in Orange County’s public high schools. Since 1967, the Stark Foundation has awarded more than one million dollars to local students.

For more information about the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation, please visit starkfoundation.org.

The Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts presents The Magic of Kevin Spencer: A Sensory-Inclusive Performance on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. The Magic of Kevin Spencer is designed to welcome audiences of all ages and abilities, offering a blend of illusion, storytelling, and interactive fun that ensures everyone can enjoy the wonders of magic.

Kevin Spencer, Ph. D., is not only a world-renowned illusionist but also the leading international expert on the academic and therapeutic benefits of magic tricks. His groundbreaking work in the fields of arts-integrated education and magic therapy has made him a global figure beloved by educators, therapists, and audiences alike.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome back Dr. Kevin Spencer to the Lutcher Theater for this sensory-inclusive performance,” said Lynae Sanford, executive director of the Lutcher Theater. “Kevin is an award-winning illusionist and a trailblazer in using magic as a therapeutic tool for children with disabilities. His dedication to making the arts accessible to everyone aligns perfectly with our mission at the Lutcher Theater, and we are thrilled to have him return. This performance will be a magical experience for all, especially for families of children with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities.”

Spencer holds a degree in education and has spent more than 25 years researching how magic tricks can be used to teach critical skills and enhance motor development. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to both magic and education, including the international Anthem Award, recognition from the International Brotherhood of Magicians and accolades for his work with individuals with disabilities. His sensory-inclusive performances are specifically designed to accommodate individuals on the autism spectrum and others with sensory sensitivities. The show features lowered sound levels, gentle lighting and the freedom for audience members to move, speak or take breaks as needed.

As part of Spencer’s educational outreach, he also conducts Hocus Focus workshops, where he teaches educators and therapists how to use simple magic tricks to boost cognitive, motor and social skills. As part of this outreach, Spencer will be visiting Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD to consult with teachers on using the art of magic to impact change in the lives of people with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual challenges, emotional disturbances and those who have histories of trauma. He will also meet with teachers from area schools in Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana, as well as students from Vidor ISD, as part of the Lutcher Theater’s Intersections Professional Development for the Inclusive Classrooms session.

“Kevin’s commitment to inclusivity and his belief that magic can unlock potential in everyone makes this performance a must-see event,” said Sanford.

Tickets for The Magic of Kevin Spencer: A Sensory-Inclusive Performance range in price from $10-$15 and are available for purchase by visiting lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409.886.5535.

The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Avenue in Orange.