Recently in Arts Category

The Stow PTO sponsored the 23rd annual Lip Sync yesterday, which gave elementary school kids the opportunity to shine on stage.

External link: For more from this event, see Lip Sync Images and Video on Stow PTO

The second annual Stow Story Slam last night packed in a crowd at the community hall of the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. Featured was author M. T. Anderson who grew up in Stow. Anderson was presented with an official Resolution from the House of Representatives of Massachusetts acknowledging his literary gifts and local roots by our local Representative Kate Hogan. Ten short tales were told by audience members whose names were drawn from the story hat and stories were judged by friendly audience volunteers.

Ralph Deflorio told a story about his childhood memories of playing the trumpet and how he would maybe still be playing today had he known about the greats like Miles Davis when he was young. Felicia Reynolds told a fable about princes and a rock. Brian Schimpf won the slam and told a story about his school days playing baseball and recalled the time he hit his first double. Paula Tosti told a story about being single in the 80s and how she learned that being perfect is not what is important in life. Jack Zettler came in second place and told a hilarious story about being 8 and shooting a shotgun. Linnea Kennison told a story about being lost with a GPS. Barb Sipler told a genealogy story. Willem Ledeboer told a story about getting to MIT. Tom Shepherd told a story about snow, coyotes, and owls. Peter Senghas came in third place and told a story about his sister's imaginary friend.

External link: Stories Told and Funds Raised (February 2, 2011 article by Ellen Oliver of The Stow Independent newspaper)

In Stow, one of the surest signs of Spring is the annual Arts Buffet. With dozens of arts and crafts tables, hundreds of excited kids made everything from sailboats to modge podge light switch plates to ceramic tile sculptures. As usual, on stage art teacher Marion Rayner displayed art from all K-5 kids, including gargoyles fired in the new kiln, Sculpey owls, and several other kinds of art showing using all sorts of techniques. We were also treated to musical performances on piano, violin, saxophone and electric guitar as well as several vocal acts.

For last year's images see: Stow's Arts Buffet Festival (April 4, 2009) and Center School Art Show (April 3, 2009).