Introducing Madison County Foundation for Community Arts
The Madison County Foundation for Community Arts (MadCo Arts or MCFCA for short) hosted the weekly Chamber Coffee and held their ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday, January 19th. The organization, a non-profit, is a re-grouping of what was formerly known as the George Stout Fellowship for Art in the Public Sphere. While much of the overall intention of the group has remained close to the original—to provide support to artists, cultural organizations, and creative industries—this group has their sights set on a more active role in promoting and encouraging the arts in Madison County.
The board of the MCFCA is made up of Madison County residents representing a cross-section of arts and cultural organizations already in existence: The Winterset Stage, Madison County Music Co, The Winterset Art Center, and Winterset Community Band just to name a few. Other members of the board represent the educational and business sectors of the community.
The initial projects of MCFCA will include a quarterly newsletter highlighting arts events and artists in the county, an online calendar of arts events, and an artist directory. It should be noted that the group’s definition of arts is very broad. Chris Bertelson, current MCFCA president shared, “The arts in Madison County is a big tent, and it is thriving. We consider ‘the arts’ to include visual art, music, theater, dance, literature and everything in between…even a tattoo artist should one ever set up in Madison County.”
Long-range goals for the organization include: funding—providing grants or other financial support to artists and cultural organizations, advocacy—raising public awareness of the arts, and advocating for increased community support, promotion—organizing exhibitions, festivals, and other events to showcase the work of local artists and cultural organizations, and networking—acting as an arts ‘pollinator’ to provide opportunities for artists and cultural organizations to network and collaborate with one another.
Community arts supporters can become an MCFCA member, for as little as $20. Anyone can sign up to receive the MCFCA quarterly newsletter and access the artist director and calendar events. Learn more about all of these options at www.MadCoArts.org
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This Weekend
The Color Purple
January 26 & 27 • 7:00pm, January 28 • 2:00pm
The Iowa Theater
I did not realize until today that the 2023 film version of, The Color Purple, is the latest in a long string of adaptions of this story. The novel of the same name was written by Alice Walker and published in 1982. In 1985, Stephen Spielberg made the first film version, starring Oprah Winfrey. The original Broadway production ran from 2006-2008 earning 11 Tony Award nominations, and a Broadway revival, which ran from 2015 to 2017 won 2 Tony Awards in 2016, including Best Revival of a Musical.
Spielberg and Winfrey have teamed up again for this film, this time both as producers, joined by Quincy Jones (who wrote the score for the 1985 film) and Scott Sanders (who produced the show on Broadway, along with Winfrey.) The screenplay for this film, is based more heavily on the stage version than the earlier film.
Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood. Rated PG-13, 2 hr 23 min.
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Next Week
Kinder Choir
Wednesdays • Starting January 31 • 3:45 – 4:15
Madison County Music Co.
Kinder Choir is a singing experience for the youngest songbirds in our community—four, five & six year olds—to explore the musical elements through singing, listening, moving and playing and learn how to sing in a group!
This choir will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45 – 4:15 for 10 weeks starting January 31 and ending April 11.
Kinder Choir will perform along with the musical theater class and community choir, on Saturday, April 13. Tuition is $100 for ten weeks. The first two weeks of rehearsals, singers are welcome to come ‘try it out’ before they commit. (Go ahead and register so they know to expect you—no payment is required with registration.)
Doctor Zhivago
Wednesday • January 31 • 6:30pm
The Iowa Theater
The Iowa Theater recently announced a new line-up of selections for Way Back Wednesday and the theme for January is…stay warm, and stay at the Iowa a little longer, with monumental titles with longer runtimes! As such, Wednesday flicks will start at 6:30 in the month of January.
During the Russian Revolution, Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), is a young doctor who has been raised by his aunt and uncle following his father’s suicide. Yuri falls in love with beautiful Lara Guishar (Julie Christie), who has been having an affair with her mother’s lover, Victor Komarovsky (Rod Steiger), an unscrupulous businessman. Yuri, however, ends up marrying his cousin, Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin). But when he and Lara meet again years later, the spark of love reignites. 1965, Not Rated, 3 hr 17 min
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Community Hymn Sing
Friday • February 2 • 11:30am
Winterset Public Library with First UMC Choir
Several months ago, the church choir from the Winterset United Methodist Church began holding community hymns sings. These gatherings have grown into great times of fellowship and shared music-making. Everyone is welcome and music will be provided all you have to do is show up and sing.
Acoustic Jam
Friday • February 2 • 1:00pm
Winterset Public Library
After the community hymn sing, take a lunch break, then head back to the library for the acoustic jam. If you play and instrument, bring it along and join the picking. Or just come for a listen and enjoy the tunes.
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Musical Theater Experience
Fridays • 4:00 – 6:00pm
Starting February 2, Performance April 13
Madison County Music Co, The Winterset Stage, and Winterset Ballet & Dance
The Winterset Stage, Madison County Music Co., and Winterset Ballet and Dance are teaming up to provide young people a terrific chance to get acquainted with Musical Theater. Students will take part in preparing a 30-minute version of a musical, complete with singing, acting, costumes, choreography…the works! Class will meet on Friday afternoons from 4:00 – 6:00 (younger students will not need to attend the full two hours.) Registration is being handled through Madison County Music Co.—use the button below.
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Coming Soon
Parents Night Out
Friday • February 9 • 5:00 – 9:00
Madison County Extension
Youth in grades K-5 are invited to hang out at the Madison County Extension Office on Friday, February 9th, while parents have a night out. Or, moms, if your husband and daughter are going to the father daughter glow dance, you can drop off the rest of the kids and have a night to yourself! Kids will be treated to a variety of fun activities and breakfast for dinner but space is limited so resever your spot today. Register online at: https://forms.gle/Z9vn4vDFu9YEhWbF7
Father Daughter Glow Dance
Friday • February 9 • 6:00 – 8:00pm
Jackson Building
Knights of Columbus Valentine Gala
Saturday • February 10 • 6:00pm
Knotty Pine Venue
Mark your calendar for February 10th and invite your friends and family to the annual St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Valentine Dinner, Dance & Raffle. There will be great food, a fun venue, a DJ (Mesz Entertainment) and cash bar. Gala tickets are available at Union State Bank Main Bank (Hwy 92), or from any Knights of Columbus member.
This event is open to all adults, but seating is limited to 200 guests so buy your tickets early. If you prefer, you can pay via Zelle or Venmo. Please send your name and cell phone number to Jeff Nolan (jnolan@usbiowa.com) and he will send you the payment info.
We are also selling raffle tickets and will give back 50% in a drawing the night of the gala. You do not need to be present to win. All proceeds from this event will benefit the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Compassion Fund.
Auditions for Drinking Habits
Sunday • February 11 • 6:00pm
Monday • February 12 • 7:00pm
The Winterset Stage (at The Iowa Theater)
Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent’s doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancees, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves. This show calls for 5 female and 3 male actors.
Auditions will be held at The Iowa Theater Sunday, February 11, at 6pm, and Monday, February 12, at 7pm. Actors do not need to prepare anything; readings will be provided at auditions. Performance dates: April 11-14. Rehearsals will start February 18, and are typically Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Music Together Classes
Starting in mid-February
Madison County Music Co.
Mid-February, new sessions of “Music Together” classes will start for children ages 1-4. These early-childhood musical experiences are designed for children to attend with a parent or caregiver and use music, rhythm, movement, and rhyme to help form a sense of beat, tune and artfulness. Madison County Music Co. is offering both morning and evening sessions of Music Together classes.
For additional information about any of these programs, or to register for one of the classes, visit the MCMC website: www.MadisonCountyMusicCo.com or email MadisonCountyMusicCo@gmail.com.
Mother-Son NERF War
Saturday • February 24
Winterset Parks & Recreation
It’s almost time for the return of the biggest Nerf War in Winterset! WPRD’s annual Mother-Son Nerf War will be held on Saturday, February 24th this year. Registration is open until February 18th.
It’s a GREAT day to be a Winterset Citizen—
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