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It's always exciting to see our local artists, musicians and writers honored with awards.

Maryann Miller reports over at Winnsboro Today about the awards won by Lynn Adler, Al Moore and Jory Sherman. She has written a great story, so I'm just going to give you the link so you can read it yourself.

Read the article here.

This is the first CRAZY DAYS event and it is HOT! HOT! HOT! 

Some merchants are selling select products at cost.  Others have some giveaways or other fun surprises.  Winnsboro has a very compact downtown, so it’s easy to stroll from one participating merchant to another.  CRAZY DAZE runs from Thursday-Saturday, June 17-19.

3^rd Friday means there will be artists selling their pieces from their booths outside the historic Depot.  You never know whether there will be paintings, sculpture, jewelry or performance art.  3^rd Friday is on Friday and Saturday.

Some of the merchants have gotten together and created something that is part performance art and part CRAZY DAZE to add some zip to the event.  It’s called the Winnsboro Merchants Shopping Cart Drill Team.  And it’s hilarious fun to watch.  There’s a video on the Art & Espresso facebook page.

Winnsboro Center for the Arts typically ties in with a special art-related event as well.

While the women indulge in a shopping frenzy, the men can relax at Art and Espresso, the coffee shop that’s the social center of downtown.  Or they can settle into the cool of Brewbaker’s Pub where they can watch televised sports.  There are also great Ribs and BBQ at CiboBQ for lunch.  Plan to have dinner at Double C Steakhouse or Cibo Vino Italian Restaurant.

3^rd Friday and CRAZE DAZE is planned as a monthly event year-round.  If you sign up for the free Weekend Planner at the site, you will also receive the monthly mailing that details the CRAZY DAZE offers.

I warned you that our merchants will get a little nuts when it comes to creating some fun downtown. And now I have proof positive in the video Stephen Marshall shot which is posted at facebook on several personal pages! 

Follow the link and see if you can keep from smiling!

The merchants participating included Art and Espresso, CopperLeaf Spa, The Leaves apartments, Jeb Sales, and Brewbaker's Restaurant and Pub.

And yes, they'll be back again for the monthly 3rd Friday Art Festival Event, June 18-19 as part of the Crazy Daze promotion.  (Crazy Daze will be Thursday-Saturday.)

           
Ronnie McDowell      T. Graham Brown

Mark your calendar - Saturday June 5th, 2010 for the 10th Annual Northeast Texas Music Festival.  If country music stirs your soul, this event is definitely for you.

The day-long event is held at the Winnsboro City Park under the Jack Cross Pavilion.  It's a great family event, with vendors, food and music all day long.

Headliners this year include Ronnie McDowell and T. Graham Brown, plus Kimberly Green and Cheyane Smith.

Tickets are $15 if purchased in advance; $20 at the gate.  Seats in the reserved are are $30.

For information, contact the Festival Information Line at 903-342-0263.

Or visit the NETXMF site.

Poetry is alive and well in Winnsboro.  A talented group of writers get together to share their poetry at Winnsboro Center for the Arts.  

They will be reading poetry at the WCA right after the close of the Student Art Show.  If you're attending the reception after the Art Show, you're invited to stay for the poetry.

Joe Dan Boyd sent me this to share with you. . .

. . .this group first gathered on March 19 at Winnsboro Center For The Arts (WCA), with each attendee instructed to bring a single poem, preferably a recent creation, for reading before the group and to discuss a mission statement.

Those attending the first meeting: Bonnie Sir Kegian-White, Liz Soutendiijk, Joe Dan Boyd, Karen Jerome, Johnnie Jerome, Angela Wylie, and Lucy Germany. If you’d like to attend the next meeting, scheduled for April 16, also at WCA, bring a poem to read and a favorite book, preferably on poetry, as recommended reading for the group.

Winnsboro Center for the Arts
200 N. Market
Winnsboro, TX
903-342-0686

Conrad Wolfman's Winnsboro Emporium is holding an exhibition of Bettie Hebert-Felder's oils through the end of August. 

The emotional theme of her paintings is always peace and contentment. She loves the joyful moments of life.  A professional artists for 30years, she is equally adept at painting landscapes, gardens and portraits. Her work a study in serenity.

She was commissioned by Gorham China to create a series of limited edition art plates.  In addition, she has painted portraits for a number of prominent Dallas families.  Drop in and enjoy a moment of tranquility.

The exhibition is free.

Mon- Sat 10 am - 8 pm

Winnsboro Emporium
316 N. Main St.
Winnsboro, TX

Put a note on your calendar. . .

The Winnsboro Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday - May 1-2, from 9 am - 5 pm in the historic downtown area along Market and Elm. 

This is always a fun, family event featuring booths with arts and crafts, food vendors and live music throughout the weekend. There will be a balloon release on Saturday.

The Raiderette's Booster Club is the beneficiary of this year's event, which is sponsored by the Winnsboro Area Merchants Association (WAMA).

If you're interested in being a vendor, call 903-342-5267.

Venture beyond the Festival area and stroll along Main Street while you're in town.  The Winnsboro Emporium, at 316 N. Main, will be open both days of the festival -  Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM Sunday Noon to 5 PM.

All visitors to the Winnsboro Emporium will get a
FREE gift.
No purchase is required.

Crossroads Music Company will be moving form its Main St. location to the Leaton Building by mid-summer. In the meantime, performances will be held in the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA).

The building is next door to the WCA (formerly Trails Country Center for the Arts). The 106 year old building was donated by the Leaton family to the Arts Center in 2004 for arts purposes. The WCA board has approved a seven-year lease with Crossroads, assuring live music will be in the downtown area for years to come.

If you're a big fan of Crossroads, you'll be glad to know that Crossroads will be just a few doors down from the current location on the Market Street side of the current venue.

From the announcement issued by Stephen Marshall and Denice Grugle today. . .

Founded by Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne, Crossroads has hosted hundreds of talented musicians during the past few years.  The artists travel the world but love coming to Winnsboro.  Performers such as Ruthie Foster, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Terri Hendrix, Big Wide Grin and so many more have enjoyed the Crossroad’s audience. 

The spirit and history of Crossroads will continue.  Plans include preserving the listening room style with the hardwood floors and high ceilings while enhancing sound, comfort and overall listener experience.  The new design will allow Marshall (art/photo/film) to capture high quality sound and video for professional reproduction.  Marshall has aptly described Crossroads as “feeling like you are inside a guitar with beautiful music surrounding you.”

There are only three more concerts scheduled on the original stage at 216 N. Main Street and the February 13th attraction, Rhett Butler - sponsored by Mayor Carolyn Jones, will be the final show in this building. 

The WCA stage, located at 200 Market Street, will be enhanced and upgraded to be utilized for Crossroads performances during the renovation period.  This partnership allows collaboration on grants and combined support for all downtown events.  Marshall & Grugle plan to have their first concerts in the Leaton Building around mid-summer.

One of the first, “Crossing the Road” concerts will host Billy Joe Shaver, sponsored by Don Roberts Abstract and Bank Texas.  Shane Shepard, Winnsboro Economic Development Director stated, “Crossroads has become the destination venue for live music entertainment.  The casual listening room experience appeals to both patrons and performers.  This collaborative effort demonstrates the spirit of Winnsboro and its support for Crossroads.”

A team of volunteers will be helping get the building ready. Call Stephen to volunteer materials or expertise - 903-342-1854. 

This coordinated effort marks the beginning of a new era for both WCA and Crossroads. And, among other arts-related projects, is another sign of the burgeoning Cultural Arts District.

The new city-wide web site is live. If you’re visiting the site in early August, 2009, you’re among the first to see the result.

A site of this scope is fairly uncommon for a town the size of Winnsboro.

However, this area is a weekend getaway haven for fisherpersons, music lovers, artists, and over-stressed city folk who need some fresh air and a little time to unkink their brains.

What you see on the site today is only the beginning. We will be adding businesses and attractions as we move forward to make it even more interesting.

Plus, we’ll be reporting on events on the blog. My name is Anita Williams and I'm the editor of the site.

However, you will also see posts from local guest bloggers to give you the inside scoop on the area, events, culture and lifestyle of Winnsboro.

If you’re a visitor or someone scouting for a place to retire, we make it easy to keep up with music concerts and other events.

When I was a weekend resident myself, we routinely learned about fun events about a week too late.

If you sign up for your complimentary Guest Pass, that won’t ever be a problem for you. You'll get the information you need in time to make plans.

Better yet, you’ll receive special offers from local businesses to make each visit a little more fun and more economical.

It’s just our way of letting you know the welcome mat is always out for you.

So take a quick spin around the site. Sign up for your Guest Pass. Come on out and put your feet up. We’ll be waiting for you.