Centralia Rotary Club program features Cultural Society
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Members of the Centralia Cultural Society Board speaking to the Centralia Rotary Club recently include Gayle Erxleben, Light and Lens Camera Club; Viki Loomis, Creative Endeavors and Arts in Education programs; and Mike Loomis, President of the Philharmonic Orchestra; joined by Tom Ballagh, Centralia Rotary Club President.
The Philharmonic Orchestra and Choral Society of the Centralia Cultural Society presented a Sacred Music Concert on March 23 at the City Hope Church Auditorium. The Cultural Society and Light and Lens Club will collaborate to present the sounds of summer nights at 7 p.m. on April 26 with a “U Can Dance” program.
Sentinel Staff Report
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Members of the Centralia Cultural Society Board presented a program to the Centralia Rotary Club on April 10 about several areas of Fine Arts and Education available to the community. Presenters were Cultural Society Board Members Mike Loomis, President of the Philharmonic Orchestra; Viki Loomis, member of the Creative Endeavors and Arts in Education programs; and Gayle Erxleben, member of the Light and Lens Camara Club. The Cultural Society membership includes more than 300 volunteers and 250 patrons who provide financial support.
Viki Loomis explained that the “fine arts are labeled as the humanities because they allow us to express what makes us human through our emotions.” The Cultural Society provides fine arts opportunities through photography, vocal and instrumental music, theatrical presentations, writing prose and poetry, visual arts and dance. The Cultural Society has member groups that provide space and opportunity for area residents. These member groups include Little Theater Players, Choral Society, Philharmonic Orchestra, Creative Endeavors, Light and Lens and Palette and Brush groups.
The Cultural Society works closely with the local school systems to augment the school curriculums with the Arts in Education program for opportunities throughout the school year for the students to experience the arts. These opportunities include live theater performances, creative art classes and violin classes.
The Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing continuously for more than 60 years since the inception of the Centralia Cultural Society. It currently is composed of 45 talented musicians who travel from more than 20 communities in Southern Illinois to participate in the orchestra practice and community concerts. The Orchestra is supported by local annual and single event sponsorships. The Orchestra is often joined by the Choral Society, featuring talented local vocalists. The final event of the season is scheduled for May 10 at the Community Arts Center as a Coffee and Donuts Concert at 10:30 a.m. with cabaret-style table seating. Coffee, juices and Schnucks Bakery donuts will be available. The concert will feature music from Strauss, Star Trek and some James Taylor songs. Mothers in the audience will receive a carnation in honor of Mother’s Day.
Gayle Erxleben presented a brief review of the activities of the Light and Lens Club, which focuses on photographic arts. This group meets monthly and members attend to learn or expand on their knowledge of photography. The club sponsors a photography competition each year as a way to display photos of its members. Both still photography and photography in action are featured. Many of the photographs from the competitions are on public display in schools and offices.
The Cultural Society and Light and Lens Club will collaborate to present the sounds of summer nights at 7 p.m. on April 26 with the “U Can Dance” performers presenting songs in a program titled “One Hit Wonders.” This program will feature songs from artists who only had one hit during their career and is guaranteed to bring back memories to all attending, shared event organizers. The evening will continue with dancing accompanied by DJ Rob for a fun-filled evening. The dance program gives anyone with a camera the opportunity to practice live action photography, capturing the costuming, body movements and emotional connections between partners is a valuable experience, share the Light and Lens Club.
More information on the Centralia Cultural Society is available online at www.centraliaculturalsociety.org.
