Holiday Concert
December 4th

If getting in the holiday spirit is a challenge for you, Arts in McNairy has the answer! The AiM Holiday Singers and Community Band Concert is sure to do the trick. This annual event is one of the highlights of the holiday season for many local residents not to mention the community band and chorus participants.

The holiday concert in being held 7:00 PM, December 4th at Lakeview Baptist Church in Selmer. The Holiday Singers, children's bell choir, community band and several soloists and ensembles are scheduled to perform. Admission is free and as Music Committee Chair Pam Stackhouse says, "The concert is AiM's Christmas gift to the community."

Constance Beck
Elected TACA
West President


Constance Beck (Connie to her friends) operates one of the most unique businesses in McNairy County. Appalachian Threads in downtown Adamsville is part spinning and weaving studio, part art gallery, part teaching facility, and all fun.

Connie masterfully spins and weaves natural fibers into wearable works of art. She raises her own angora rabbits and goats and purchases alpaca and llama fleece from local farmers. Her hats, shawls, scarves and throws are both beautiful and functional, not to mention one of a kind originals. Her products are available in her shop at 134 E. Main in Adamsville or online at: http://www.appalachianthreads.com/. Appalachian Threads is a featured stop on the biannual AiM Artisan Trail but they are open year around. Call ahead for hours of operation at: 731-632-2102

Ms. Beck is a member of Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) and has exhibited at their annual show in Nashville. She was recently elected president of the West Tennessee Chapter of that organization. Connie is also a regular at Dollywood in East Tennessee, where she uses her skill to demonstrate traditional craft techniques for appreciative audiences.

Maiden Tennessee Gallery, also located at Connie's Adamsville shop, showcases more than 20 other local artists and artisans including beautiful stoneware from 2B Pottery, whimsical metal sculpture from Eco-Art by Tim Pace, fine hand-sewn garments by Sarah Norris as well as many other handmade items from around the region. It is a great place to shop for unique gifts on all occasions.

As if this were not enough, Appalachian Threads also sells high quality spinning and weaving equipment. Connie offers regular classes where she shares more than 20 years of experience with beginning and intermediate textile artists. Call or inquire at the studio about scheduling a lesson.

Stop by Appalachian Threads and let Connie know how much we appreciate her contribution to McNairy County's art community. And don't forget to offer your congratulations on her recent election to the TACA West presidency! Thank you Connie for all you do!

Subscribe to AiM

Email Newsletter

Members and followers of Arts in McNairy activities now have a new way to stay in touch. Through the end of the 2008 we are building our mailing list for "Taking AiM," our new email newsletter. If you do not receive the newsletter already, we've made it very easy to subscribe. Point and click on the newsletter link in the right hand column. You will be directed to our email archive and subscription center. There you can review our past newsletters and sign up to receive future mailings. Get on our mailing list today to stay abreast of all the Arts in McNairy happenings, keep up with the cultural events in Southwest Tennessee and read our monthly artists spotlight.

First Book

Club Meeting

November 20

The restructured Literary Arts Committee will host the first meeting to organize a new book club Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 PM in McNairy Regional Hospital's conference room. The club will meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month. You do not have to be an AiM member to participate. Everyone is invited and there are no fees for participation beyond book purchase and these may be bulk ordered at group rates.

The first two book club selections and the moderator will be announced at the November meeting. The group then plans to take a holiday break and meet again in January for the first discussion. More information about a possible poetry reading and the spring 2009 creative writing contest will also be available at the meetings. All readers, writers and literary buffs mark your calendars now and make plans to attend!

Community Band Updated Rehearsal Schedule

We want to welcome all the new participants to the Arts in McNairy Community Band. It is truly a pleasure to work with such a diverse group of musicians through the holiday season. Special thanks to the AHS and MCHS band students who have recently swelled the ranks as they wrapped up very successful marching seasons.

November Rehearsal Schedule

7:00 PM, Monday November 17th (Selmer Middle School)
7:00 PM, Tuesday November 18th (Selmer Middle School)
7:00 PM, Tuesday November 25th (Selmer Middle School)
5:00 PM, Tuesday December 2nd (Meet at SMS travel to Lakeview Baptist)
5:30 PM, Tuesday December 2nd (Dress rehearsal at Lakeview Baptist)
6:15 PM, Thursday December 4th (Be in chairs for warm-up/tuning at Lakeview)
7:00 PM, Thursday December 4th (Performance)

A Christmas

Carol Opens

November 21

The second offering of the Arts in McNairy theatre season will be Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, A Christmas Carol. Three public performances are scheduled for November 21 & 22 at 7:30 PM and November 23 at 2:00 PM. All shows will be at the McNairy Central High School Little Theatre, 493 High School Road in Selmer. Tickets will be available at the door for $8.00 (adults) and $5.00 (students).

The perennial holiday favorite was adapted for the stage by director Tom Cook, who remains faithful to the much beloved 19th Century novel. This delightful retelling features the familiar cast of characters, Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful Christmas spirits all portrayed by local performers. The show is appropriate for all ages and will serve as a great kickoff for the holiday season. Don’t miss the show!

Fall Artisan Trail
Maps Available
Online!

Point to the map at left, double click, print and you are on your way to the November 15th, Arts in McNairy Artisan Trail, holiday tour! Visit all or some of the locations listed and you will find the finest artisans in Southwest Tennessee ready to greet you and welcome you into their shops and studios. Purchase one of a kind Christmas gifts and experience some of the best of rural heritage and culture firsthand at the Adamsville Main Street Music Festival. Both events are free to the public and fun for the whole family. Artisan studios are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the Adamsville festivities are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Click and print the flyer at right for more details. Make sure to visit the AAT trail head at the Masonic Lodge in Adamsville and pick up one of the AAT color brochures with more details about some of the participating artisans. This fall, come home to McNairy County, cultural crossroads of Southwest Tennessee.