Volume 3 No. 5 |February 5, 2021 |
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ARTS NEWS
& PROFILES
FROM
FLORIDA'S
TREASURE COAST & BEYOND
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Sharing our wealth of arts and culture. We're having an ARTS BLAST!
Promoting The Arts & Arts Councils Everywhere
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In This Issue
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We Have a Winner! (Make That 3!)
And a Tim Dorsey Giveaway (His Book. Not Him.)
Welcome a New Arts Blast Sponsor
Go Fish! At the Elliott
New! Take a Seat for Live in the Loop
Young Musician Kristian Gonzalez
Under the Oaks is On Its Way!
Short & Sweet - Oneliners from the Arts Blast Calendar
In the Next Issue:
William Kwamena-Poh and Michiel Bullock
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Make On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com a frequent stop. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are now online.
Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page.
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I'm a masker, one of the few ways I feel I can contribute to the fight against this virus. If you aren't one already, won't you consider joining me? |
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Please encourage friends and even friendly strangers to Like our Facebook pages and become Arts Blast subscribers!
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Sunday on Cultural Connection on the Air -
J.Marshall Adams for A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, and Spence Guerin, at Center for Spiritual Care this month.
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NEW!
Listen to Cultural Connection on the Air Sundays at 8 a.m. on WAXE 1370 AM and 107.9 FM and on iHeartRadio.com. Replays are now online on the Cultural Council's website.
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It's a challenge I give myself every winter. I had hoped to get through the winter months without using a space heater but I gave up this week. I guess the cold temperatures beat what an old high school buddy had to deal with in Pennsylvania. Two feet over two days. (See photo) Every time they have a snowstorm, she brings up a long-ago, 2 a.m., apparently raucous, snow angel-making adventure in our youth, reminding me that a neighbor called the police, thinking someone was being attacked. I swear we were only having high school kid fun, officer.
My second shot of vaccine seems to have gone well. Other than a little tenderness in my arm, I'm okay. I consider myself very lucky to have grabbed an appointment fairly early on and have my fingers crossed for everyone still trying to hit that lottery.
Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page.
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**** Scroll Down for Short & Sweet -
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Meet the Newest Arts Blast Sponsor, A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery! |
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About the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and is home to the state’s only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Florida Highwaymen. In addition to preserving and perpetuating the artistic and humanitarian legacy of Backus, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of national and international acclaim. Celebrating 60 years on the Indian River this season, the Backus Museum was recognized as the 2021 Best Tourist Attraction / Best of the Treasure Coast by the readers of Indian River Magazine.
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The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery will present the annual Highwaymen Celebration Weekend Friday, February 19 through Sunday, February 21, 2021 with special hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. Visitors to the Museum can enjoy a range of special offerings, including viewing the special exhibition Right of Way: The Highwaymen. Special admission to the Museum is $3 (free for children and Museum members), with activities outside and inside at 500 North Indian River Drive in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce.
The Highwaymen Celebration Weekend will have extended hours on Friday evening to participate in the Fort Pierce Downtown Art Walk; special hours 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
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Congratulations to the winners in our first Arts Blast giveaway! Chuck H., Louise R., and Mary Lou P. each won a copy of Brad Taylor's latest Pike Logan thriller, American Traitor. |
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Look for an announcement of the next giveaway, Tim Dorsey's new one, Tropic of Stupid, released in January. Entries open with the next issue of Arts Blast. |
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You might remember the disheartening end to the 2020 Vero Beach Art Club's Under the Oaks show. Disheartening probably isn't a strong enough word for what everyone involved must have felt when they were told, one day into the event, that Covid was shutting them down.
Artists come from all over the country as well as from across the pond to show their wares in this prestigious show. Putting that bad memory behind them, Alicia Quinn and Jody Woodall, co-chairs of the 2021 event, are ready to roll. Paulette Vescaglia, VBAC president sent this update:
"UTO is a go for March 12, 13 and 14. We got the permits from the City with guidelines for Covid-19. I'm very excited that the event will take place with over 200 artists in the show."
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Keep an eye here and on the VBAC website for updates. In the meantime, get primed for action with this slideshow I put together last year with great photos of the exciting first day by John Wartman. |
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Go Fish! There's Something A-lure-ing at the Elliott |
I discovered the Elliott Museum in the early days of my Florida life in covering the arts. For a lot of readers, feelings of nostalgia are for the '60s and '70s, but for a lot of us, they go back even farther.
I loved seeing the kitchen exhibit that reminded me of spending time in my grandmother's kitchen when there was still an outhouse at the end of the backyard. I could almost see my do-it-yourself-with-the-help-of-your-little-girl father picking up the tools in another of the exhibits.
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An exhibit now running at the Elliott is a lure for anyone interested in seeing the early days of fishing in these parts.
From the Elliott Museum: Martin County is noted as the Sailfish Capital of the World and has attracted the most avid of anglers — including presidents, commercial fishermen, and world class sports fishermen to fish the waters off our beautiful coast. The Lure of Florida Fishing exhibit showcases the rich history, evolution and art of this age-old sport and its impact on a local and statewide scale. Explore vintage as well as state-of-the-art equipment, mounts, sculpture, and hand-crafted lures for fresh as well as saltwater fishing.
The Lure of Florida Fishing is at the Elliott through May 31.
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Musician Kristian Gonzalez |
Catching up with one of my former WQCS Young Musicians, Kristian Gonzalez, was one of those happy accidents on Facebook recently. Back then, Gonzalez, now 24, was a student at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, where he finished the International Baccalaureate program in 2015 before earning a Bachelor of Music degree (Magna Cum Laude) at Stetson University. The talented young man recalls receiving performance awards in high school and said, “My ability to attend a private university was made entirely possible through merit scholarships.” At Stetson, he was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, an honor society for musicians.
His path to a career in music began at Morningside Academy, where, at the age of ten, he first picked up a violin. “I think I tried piano around 8, but it didn't last. I remember starting violin in fifth grade and trying to catch up to everyone else who had started in kindergarten. I definitely think the competitiveness pushed me.” Gonzalez gives credit to Dr. John Enyart and his family at Morningstar as “immensely important to my beginnings as a musician.” His instruments now are piano, voice, violin, and his primary instrument, viola.
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Gonzalez said he had planned to focus on composition at Stetson but his viola professor, Jesus Alfonzo, had other ideas. “He encouraged me to add performance as a major part of my education.” While at Stetson, “I became part of the endowed Barron string quartet and I have premiered compositions as both a composer and performer.”
Since graduation, Gonzalez has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra as a fill-in violist and, as a pianist, collaborates professionally with other musicians. He also teaches English as a second language online through VIPKid.
Gonzalez is working on building a YouTube channel , where fans can hear him perform the music of well-known composers as well as his own compositions. He enjoys listening to the music of Maurice Ravel and pop artist Rihanna, “because of the variety of styles in her output.” When he picks up his viola on his own, Gonzalez likes to play Brahms, Schnittke, Walton, and J.S. Bach, a favorite. Jamming with friends would add fiddle music and his own compositions to the classical mix. “I like rhythmic based music. Some of my favorites: Ravel, Beethoven, and hip-hop artists use rhythm in intricate ways. The music I write incorporates elements of Latin/Caribbean rhythm as well as more neo-romantic/pop sonorities.”
Traveling and touring Europe as part of Stetson University's chamber orchestra tour stand out as his most memorable experience to date, with more memories waiting to be captured in a post-Covid world.
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New Live in the Loop News from Riverside:
Now you can reserve where you want to sit in The Loop for our Outdoor Concerts.
We are operating with limited capacity to keep our staff and patrons safe.
1. Make your reservations online by selecting a table seat or lawn chair area. For groups larger than 4 at a table, please call 772-231-6990. See the map online for seat selection.
2. Arrive between 5:30pm and 6:30pm for guaranteed seating. Reservations are free and held at the entrance for you.
3. After 6:30pm, unused reservations are released and made available for walk-up seating. First come, first served.
RESERVATION QUESTIONS & CANCELLATIONS:
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Arts & Cultural Councils on the Move |
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As the long-time host of the Cultural Council of Indian River County's Cultural Connection on the Air, I'm very happy to report that, once again and by popular demand, after the shows air Sunday mornings, they will be available on the CCIRC website for replay.
Listen to Cultural Connection on the Air Sundays at 8 a.m. on WAXE 1370 AM and 107.9 FM, and on iHeartRadio.com.
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The Arts Council of Martin County is getting ready for a Feb ruary ArtsFest in Stuart. This year it will look somewhat like the traditional event but there's a surprise bonus for those who aren't ready to venture out. ArtsFest Stuart at Home runs for the entire month of February. Check in at the arts council for details on attending or exhibiting. ___________
We have a rare opportunity to virtually meet Clyde Butcher during his virtual “Meet & Greet” on February 11 at 2 PM. We are so excited to have Eve Samples, executive director of the Friends of the Everglades, serve as our host for the hour-long talk with Clyde. Register for that session to get your link to join the conversation. Ticket proceeds are being shared with the Friends of the Everglades. Tickets are $25.
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Karibu: A Celebration of Black Artists in Palm Beach County
Presented by the Cultural Council and curated by ATB Fine Art Group Inc.
Now through March 13
Karibu (pronounced kah-ree-boo) means “welcome, come in” in Swahili. This celebratory concept of Black culture, not unlike the Southern tradition of Sunday dinner after church, invites everyone to embrace the journey of life and learn through the eyes and creativity of local Black artists.
The Harlem Renaissance-style exhibition is intended to build cultural bridges (not walls) between different communities.
In the Cultural Council's Main Gallery
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The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance is promoting artist members in an online gallery that allows for sales of their original artwork.
Arts Made in St. Lucie is one of the Alliance’s newest initiatives to establish creative spaces and promote the extraordinary talents in our communities with opportunities to exhibit, sell, and perform at highly trafficked and unusual venues in the county, like hotels and hospital gift shops, specialty stores, public buildings, offices, lobbies, vacant storefronts, and more.
We are proud to announce the House of Seven Gables as our first partner in this exciting movement. Visit Seven Gables at 482 N Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce to support our local arts family, and buy beautiful, authentic masterpieces from various artists of the Alliance Art Guild.
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Newsies - The Broadway Musical opens at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse Jan. 29 and runs through February 14. Seating is limited.
Auditions for Stars of Tomorrow are Feb. 8-10.
Brevard Cultural Alliance and weVENTURE Women's Business Center in the Florida Tech Bisk College of Business invite artists, cultural administrators and business owners within the arts and cultural community to a virtual town hall entitled “Navigating Next: Understanding the Challenges and Exploring Solutions for the Cultural Community” February 25 at 3 p.m.
To register for this FREE virtual town hall, please visit: https://fit.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApcemurj8sGtCeVELZZAeTdbv6-MkTeVQT For more information, please contact weVENTURE at 321-674-7007 or weventure@fit.edu
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At The Society of the Four Arts - Palm Beach
Garden exhibitions
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting
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Indian River County
Through Feb. 11 - Cultural Council of Indian River County’s Art in Public Places exhibit by Plein Air Treasure Coast North artists is at the Indian River County Courthouse.
Through Feb. 25, 3-6 p.m. - Wed.-Fri - The Grid Comes Full Circle II at Raw Space, 1795 Old Dixie Hwy., Vero Beach.
Through March 2 - Covid-Inspired Exhibit at The Emerson Center Gallery. There is an open call to artists.
Through May 2 - Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes from the NY Historical Society at Vero Beach Museum of Art.
Feb. 5, 2021, 5-8 p.m. - First Friday Gallery Stroll on and around 14th Avenue in the historic Downtown Arts District in Vero Beach.
Feb. 5 - Spence Guerin exhibit opens at Center for Spiritual Care
Feb. 5 - March 22 - Vero Beach Art Club's Gallery Exhibit & Gift Show at the Annex Studio
Feb. 7, 3 p.m. - Atlantic Classical Orchestra Chamber Series at Vero Beach Museum of Art. American Landscapes - Pre-registration required.
Feb. 10, 1 p.m. - Gallery Tour with Spence Guerin at the Center for Spiritual Care on Wednesdays @1 Facebook Live with Andrew Galuska, Community Church of Vero Beach
Feb. 10-21 - Almost, Maine at Vero Beach Theatre Guild
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Brevard County
Through Feb. 5 -Northern Brevard Art League's Winners Showcase at The Downtown Art Gallery, Titusville.
Through Feb. 7 - Ghost, the Musical at Titusville Playhouse
Through Feb. 21 - Educating Rita at Melbourne Civic Theatre
Through Feb. 27 - Robot Love V at Foosaner Art Museum
Feb. 5, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - 1st Friday art walk in Melbourne
Feb. 6-7 - Brevard Renaissance Fair
Feb. 6, 2021, 2&7:30 p.m. - Brevard Symphony Orchestra The Belle of Broadway at the King Center.
Feb. 13, 7 p.m. - American Songbook - Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne
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No. Palm Beach County
Through Feb. 6 - Stephania Conrad: @ Sanders Foundation Artist Resource Ctr
Feb. 5-June 13 - Celebrating the Norton: Eighty Years at Norton Museum of Art.
Through Mar. 10 - Soul on Art: Ghosts of Africa at Lighthouse ArtCenter
Through Mar. 20 - Radical Jewelry Makeover at Lighthouse ArtCenter
Feb. 3-19 - 2021 Palm Beach and Martin Counties Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition at Armory Art Center, WPB. Reservations required. A virtual tour will be available at a later date.
Feb. 4, 5 p.m. - Boca Raton Museum of Art - Florida Talks - Dr. Tameka Hobbs: Strange Fruit in Florida - Online
Feb. 5-June 13 - Celebrating the Norton: Eighty Years at Norton Museum of Art.
Feb. 6-19 - Ceramics, Sculpture, & Jewelry Instructor Showcase - Armory Art Center
Feb. 10, 7 p.m. - Art Deco Celebrates France: Paris & Perpignan - Sharon Koskoff - Virtual - Armory Art Center
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Use this format for Calendar entries:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web/Facebook address
Contact for public use (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, unless more are requested.
Media contact with email for Arts Blast followup (not for publication)
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Martin County
Through March 13 - Clyde Butcher: America's Everglades at Court House Cultural Center Galleries, Stuart
Through May 31 - The Lure of Florida Fishing at the Elliott Museum.
Feb. 6-7 - Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts
Feb. 13-14 - Get Ready, A Tribute to The Temptations and The Four Tops, fundraiser at The Barn Theatre, Stuart.
Feb. 13, 8-10 a.m. - Cars & Coffee at the Elliott Museum
Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Jensen Beach Art League's Second Sunday art show in the Elliott Museum parking lot
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St. Lucie County
Through Feb. 8 - Ginny Piech Street's Birds and Blossoms at Seriously Mixed Media.
Through March 7 - Right of Way: The Highwaymen at Backus Museum
Feb. 4-7 - Farm to Grass Music Festival, 4575 Minute Maid Rd., Fort Pierce
Feb. 4-March 14 - Port St. Lucie Arts Leaguepslartsleague.org Member Art Exhibition at MIDFLORIDA Event Center Gallery, 9221 Southeast Event Center Place, PSL. Safe distancing practices and masks are required
Feb. 6, 9 a.m. - Peacock Arts & Crafts Fair at Cool Beans Brew, FP
Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. - The Pure Led Zeppelin Experience at Sunrise Theatre
Feb. 12, 8 p.m. - The Wailers, featuring Julian Marley at Sunrise Theatre
Feb. 13, 7 p.m. - Steve Zimmerman in the Comedy Corner at Sunrise Theatre
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Beyond the Treasure Coast
Through Feb. 27 - Forgotten Florida: Teen Photo Contest at Immokalee Pioneer Museum. Deadline Jan. 19.
Through Feb. 27 - Indomitable: The Life & Art of Camille Brock Baumgartner at Museum of the Everglades.
Through March 14 - Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Textiles at Museum of Fine Art St. Pete
Through March 27 - Skin Deep: Contrasts in Seminole Culture at Collier Museum at Government Center
Through April 16 - Requiem for Steam: The Railroad Photography of David Plowden at Naples Depot Museum.
Through April 22 - Twice monthly - Stories of a Sportsmen's Paradise: A Florida Folk Art Experience at Museum of the Everglades. colliermuseums.com
Through April 19 - Forgotten Florida: Photos from the Farm Security Administration at Immokalee Pioneer Museum.
Monthly, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - History on the Go! at Naples Depot Museum
Monthly, 4:30 p.m. - Railroding's Finest Hour: Walking Through History at the Naples Depot Museum
Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. - Victorian Valentines at Henry B. Plant Museum
Feb. 12, 8 p.m. - Valentine's concert with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops - livestream-ticketed
Feb. 12, 6 p.m. - Virtual Road Trip Visit from OPERA America. Online, free. RSVP by February 11.
Feb. 13-14 - Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts
Feb. 13-14 - Spanish Springs Art&Craft Festival - The Villages
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DOES KEEPING FINANCIAL RECORDS MAKE YOU NERVOUS?
Even smaIl operations need to keep their financial house in order. Image First can record deposits, write checks, pay taxes, and provide reports in Quickbooks. Artists, spend more time in your studio and less on paperwork. Let’s talk, free consultation. Image First, 772-538-4148.
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Dr. Marcos Daniel Flores is a piano performance graduate from The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico B.M., The Eastman School of Music M. M., and Arizona State University where he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Flores is an active performer as well as an experienced and inspirational piano teacher.
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Event schedules can change, often at almost the last minute. Verify, double check, and then do it again before you head out the door. And when you do go out, take a mask. Without one, you risk being turned away. |
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Scroll down for guidelines for submitting calendar items and feature suggestions to ARTS BLAST.
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To opt out of receiving Arts Blast, "unsubscribe" at the end of the page. |
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Like Willi Miller's Arts Blast Facebook page for updates and Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras for interesting, inspiring, and fun shared posts, then go to willimiller.com to catch up on every issue of Arts Blast, and see the latest ON THE CALENDAR listings.
Please share this to help Arts Blast reach more readers and spread the word.
As always, For Helen Miller
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Information is to be received in an email at least one week before publication.
Use this format for Calendar entries:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web/Facebook address
Contact for public use (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, unless more are requested.
Media contact with email for Arts Blast followup (not for publication)
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Here's a suggestion for uploading information to calendars that allow you to input your own events.
In the body of the listing, sometimes called Description, make sure to include all dates in each upload. For example: Performances are on March 12-31; or the exhibit is open March 12, 14, 15, and 17. That information should be in all dates you post individually.
If you are a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, you need this information:
The deadline is MONDAY - 10 days prior to the Wednesday publication.
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Copyright ©2019-2020 Willi Miller's ARTS BLAST!, all rights reserved.
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