News - Lifestyles

Tuesday, Apr. 08, 2008

Winthrop's Create Carolina to feature theater, films May 19 to June 7 at Winthrop

The second annual Create Carolina Arts Festival: A Southern Fried Arts and Film Festival, will be May 19 through June 7 at Winthrop University. It will focus on politics during the presidential year and showcase independent films.

Artists from around the country, inspired by the political climate, will write and produce a theater piece about the story of Victoria Woodhull and Fredrick Douglass.

Festival writer-in-residence Jonathan Davidson will collaborate with Winthrop students to create a multimedia theater production to examine parallels between the political processes of the late 1800s and now. For example, Woodhull, the first female stock broker, ran for president in 1872 and nominated Douglass, a former slave, as her vice president.

Some independent filmmakers will attend. Writer and director Todd Williams will answer questions about the May 23 screening of "Train Wreck -- My Life as an Idiot," starring Sean William Scott and Gretchen Mol.

"A Man Named Pearl," a documentary about self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar of Bennettsville, will be screened May 24. Fryar will talk about his work before the film screening.

Other theater events will include a staged reading of "God's Man in Texas," written by David Rambo, on June 5 and 6, and a staged reading of Rock Hill writer Terry Roueche's new play, "Discretion," on June 4.

For information, call Amanda Woolwine at 323-2399, or visit the Web site, www.createcarolina.com.

Local PRT events feature adventure, Mother Goose

Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism will host the following activities:

• Extreme Adventure Camps, for ages 9 to 17, which include activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and, in some sessions, an overnight camping experience. Most camps are 14 days in length and run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prices range from $55 to $170, based on activities and trips. Two parent and child activities are scheduled.

• Mother Goose Mother Daughter Tea Party, for girls ages 5 to 10 and their mothers or grandmothers, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3:30 p.m. May 3 at the Bigger House at Glencairn Garden. Guests are invited to dress for refreshments and entertainment with Mother Goose. They will learn about good manners and receive a favor. Cost is $10 per person, and seating is limited. Reservations are required by April 25 at Room 390, City Hall.

Ceramics, watercolors taught at Fewell Park

The following art classes will be held beginning this month at the Fewell Park Recreation Center, 1204 Alexander Road, Rock Hill:

• Ceramics with Ann Pike, from 10 a.m. until noon each Tuesday, April 22 through May 27. Cost is $2 registration, plus supplies.

• Watercolor painting with Johnny Wine, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, April 21 through May 19, or 6:30 to 8:30 Thursday evenings, April 24 through May 22. Registration is $44.

Call 329-5645 to check for availability. Registration is taken from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the center.

Church Italian festival to feature 'Idol' event

Auditions for Italian (You-Don't-Have-to-be-Italian-to-Win) Idol, a new competition that will be part of this year's Benvenuti! Italian Festival, will be from noon to 4 p.m. April 26 at St. Phillip Neri Church Hall, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill.

All ages and forms of talent are encouraged to try out for the competition. Applicants must apply in advance by April 18 to schedule an appointment.

Celebrity judges, including Leslie Nease of New Life 91.9 FM Radio and Jay Taylor and Mark Hanna of WRHI's morning talk show, will award the top three finalists with trophies and prize packages, including a performance slot at a showcase event of the Charlotte Music Awards, a full-day makeover with lunch at the Belle Vive day spa and wellness center and a personal, hour-long photo session from Michelle Ballard Photography.

The 13th annual Benvenuti! Italian Festival will be May 15 to 17. To schedule an audition, contact Stephanie Branniff at 802-3330, e-mail sbranniff12@yahoo.com or visit saintphilipneri.org.