Heartwood's Performing Arts students pose during rehearsal for the mask piece to be presented Friday and Saturday night. From left seated are Bethany Starikey, Rebekah Adams, Sally Morris and Haley Knotts. Standing from left are April Frymier, Andrea Frymier, Mercy Roberts, Josh Adams, Samantha Gordon, Laura Webb and Haley Wilson
Heartwood in the Hills will hold their final December Celebration tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.. Friday night will be an abbreviated
show. The Saturday show will include the Children's Program and special
guests.
Both nights will celebrate the last of a tradition. In 1992 families and
friends of Heartwood gathered as an informal audience to enjoy a December
evening showcasing the work of the students and faculty of the Fall Program.
The tradition of hosting a December Celebration as the final event of
Heartwood's Fall Program began that night. Over the years the Celebration
has grown and has become a favorite December activity for many in the
community as well as friends from across the state and beyond. Heartwood's
December Celebrations have attracted audiences of up to 200 in the past.
This last December Celebration will feature the work of the students in
Heartwood's Performing Arts Program, alumni Amy Jacobs Nicholas, Emily Ames
Mallon and Lauren Randall-Myers and many others. Also participating in the
Celebration will be Ilene Evans, of Voices From the Earth, and "The Frisbee
Guy" Gary Auerbach, an accomplished athlete, juggler, dancer and the 1995
World Freestyle Frisbee Champ.
Over the years Ilene has been a treasured part of the December Celebrations.
In 2003 she made her first appearance as a guest artists and also as a
member of the Heartwood faculty. Each year since she has entertained
December Celebration audiences with song, dance and storytelling and has
joined our cast in theatre pieces including "The Great Blueness" and "Eyes,
Ears, Arms, Legs". On many visits during December Celebration week Ilene has
taken her artistic gifts into the local elementary schools - performing for
all the children in the county.
This last December Celebration will be the first for Gary Auerbach, but he
is no stranger to Heartwood students and audiences. Gary first appeared as a
guest artist presenting "The Airborne Festival" at Heartwood in Spring
2008. The festival was a wonderful family affair enjoyed by a large group
of children, teens and adults. That Spring Gary was a guest faculty member
sharing his juggling and dancing skills in classes with our dance and
movement students. Gary was also a part of Heartwood's Spring 2009
performance at Calhoun County Middle-High School.
A number of Heartwood alumni and faculty will join the performers to perform
Heartwood's signature dance "The Salutation". On Saturday night the Creative
Arts for Children's class will sing "Wonderful World" - a favorite song at
Heartwood. Anyone who has ever sang "Wodnerful World" is invited to come
up and join in the singing.
There is no admission charge but donations will be gratefully accepted at
the door. Heartwood's Spring program will begin in March and will include a
Spring Performance for the community and school children.
For more information about the December Celebration please call 304 354-7874
or e-mail heartwoodwv@frontiernet.net Heartwood is located on Lovada Road
off Route 16 North. Heartwood will offer its Spring Program of classes in
March.
Information about Heartwood and photos of last years' December
Celebration can be viewed at heartwoodinthehills.org
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