By Katie Pemberton

What do Annie, holiday ornaments, and Zumba have in common? They’re all ways to support the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County this holiday season!

First up, take in a show at Playhouse on the Square! Now through Dec. 23, Annie will be showing at Playhouse at 66 S. Cooper St., and guess who plays Sandy the dog? One of the Humane Society’s very own residents – Hester. Just 10 months ago Hester was living with her seven puppies in a hole in the wall of a garage when the Humane Society rescued her from a hoarding situation. Now she’s healthy and happy and a part of Playhouse’s Annie cast. Performances will take place at Playhouse Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm. The Humane Society will be on hand offering merchandise, educating about its mission, and accepting donations at selected performances. For tickets, visit playhouseonthesquare.org or call the box office at 901-726-4656.

Up next, check a few items off your gift list by making a donation to the Humane Society in honor of your loved ones. The Humane Society is offering a special gift item for holiday donations. People wishing to make a donation for loved ones as a holiday gift will receive a commemorative holiday ornament for donations of $10 and up. The honorarium ornaments are available now through the end of the year at the Humane Society.

Lastly, shake your winter blues away at Zumba for a Paws to benefit the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County. Zumba for a Paws is a 2-hour Zumbathon featuring many of Memphis’ Zumba instructors, including Kimberly Hawkins, Deontario “Deejay” James, and more; drawings for prizes; healthy snacks; vendors and adoptable pets; plus an exclusive halftime performance by a talented Humane Society dog. Zumba for a Paws will take place Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10am to noon at Mullins United Methodist Church gymnasium at 4 N. Mendenhall Road. Participants who purchase tickets for the drawing, starting at just $1, will be eligible for prizes from The Wine Market, Hollywood Feed, Melanie’s Hallmark, Knick Knack Patty Whack Pet Services, the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, Arbonne, Advocare, and more. There’s one more way participants can help raise money for the Humane Society with Zumba for a Paws – through sponsorships from family and friends. Zumba for a Paws will award prizes to participants who raised the most funds through sponsorships. For more information about Zumba for a Paws or to download the sponsorship form, visit memphishumane.org.

Most of us will remember our pets when the holidays come around; we’ll watch them “open” gifts of plush ducks, frogs, or hamburgers, rawhide bones, and new collars and leashes. The Humane Society hopes that during this time the community will also remember our pets still looking for their forever homes. You can help them by volunteering, donating, or adopting, of course, but also simply by becoming a fan on Facebook or a follower on Twitter and helping the Humane Society get the word out about its programs, fundraisers, and adoptable pets.

By Tamara Cook

The Cooper-Young Business Association is proud to announce this year’s winners of the 2011 Young Artist Contest. This post-Festival event is held annually to encourage the love of art in school age children. The CYBA received 266 entries for the contest which had a theme of “Communities Going Green.” A reception for winners and artists was held at Peabody Elementary located on Thursday, November 3.

This free contest is open to children from all over Memphis and the surrounding communities, grades 1-12, and is sponsored by Lenny’s Sub Shop. Contestants competed against students in one of three grade level divisions: grades 1-4, grades 5-8, and grades 9-12. Prizes are awarded in each division in the following categories: $500 first place, $100 second place, $75 third place, and $50 honorable mention. These scholarship bonds were presented to all contest winners on the evening of the reception. Lenny’s Sub Shop provided refreshments, and the whole community was invited to view the art and meet the winners.

This year’s winners are:

Grades 1-4

First Place – Antrell Kendrick, Grandview Heights Elementary

Second Place – Abigail Cassius, Grahamwood Elementary

Third Place – Amanda Cassius, Grahamwood Elementary

Honorable Mention – Jonathan Johnson, Presbyterian Day School

Grades 5-8

First Place – Edgar Guerrero, Colonial Middle School

Second Place – Amelia Brittain, Grahamwood Elementary

Third Place – Kaylre Franklin, Graceland Elementary

Honorable Mention – Dori Hardage, home school student

Grade 9-12

First Place – William Ross Harvell, Christian Brothers High School

Second Place – James Ward, Wooddale High School

Third Place – MeKAyla Swain, Wooddale High School

Honorable Mention – Noe Suavez, Kingsbury High School

By Randall Hartzog

An opening night soiree will benefit Theatre Memphis on November 4, with the first public performance of A Sondheim Celebration, conceived and directed by Bennett Wood with musical direction from Dr. Gary Beard. The performance will be in the Next Stage and the party will include a cocktail buffet prior to the show with desserts and champagne to follow. The cost for the evening is $100 ($50 of which is tax-deductible) to the general public. Season members can attend for $85. The proceeds from the event will benefit all of the artistic programs at Theatre Memphis, and the evening is a tribute to the national award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) that was bestowed on Theatre Memphis for its making “major steps in new directions” as one of America’s best community theatres.

Debbie Litch, Theatre Memphis’ Executive Producer, says it is a proper time to rejoice in the accomplishments of Theatre Memphis. “Going into our 92^nd consecutive year of performing for the Memphis community seemed an appropriate time to observe the gains that we have had in the most recent of years. With our single ticket sales and season memberships all increasing over the previous six years, the upgrades to our facility to keep it current and safe for all the volunteers and patrons, and now the national award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), A Sondheim Celebration will be a great night to bring all of that into focus. It is representative of what we can do and have done within the community, and what could be more celebratory of theater than a compilation of Sondheim?”

A Sondheim Celebration will include staged numbers from composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s popular productions such as A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Passion, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Originator of the production, Bennett Wood, agrees with Litch. “As a community theater, Theatre Memphis has been able to reproduce, create, perform, and archive productions with the community resources for almost a century. One of the greatest and most-honored theater artists of that time is Stephen Sondheim, whose dazzling range of work is an inspiring example of the variety that has graced TM stages for many, many years,” Wood relates. “The class and finesse of A Sondheim Celebration evening on November 4 will truly pay homage to the longevity of Theatre Memphis and its accomplishments.”

Regular performance dates for A Sondheim Celebration are November 4-20. Shows are at 7:30pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees on Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for students with a valid ID. Call 901-682-8323 to purchase tickets or go online to theatrememphis.org.

By Donna Padgett Bowers

Donna Padgett Bowers was asked to tell the LampLighter a little about Painted Planet and Healing Planet as well as her feelings about Cooper-Young and being a CYCA Membership Sponsor (if you are a CYCA member, Donna will give you a 25% jewelry discount on regularly priced items every time you show your card). Here was her response.

Painted Planet has been in business for almost ten years and started right here in Cooper-Young at the corner of Cooper and Vinton. I don’t believe there is another retail store anywhere around where you can get better art, gifts, and jewelry, or get it at better prices with friendlier service than at Painted Planet. We have layaway and gift wrapping, and we will customize and repair your jewelry. Plus, we’re right here in your neighborhood, within walking distance for most of you.

We support the CYCA because we love them and appreciate all they do in this community. We love being a part of this wonderful neighborhood and seeing familiar faces in our gallery. I have actually watched some of your children grow up and feel like many of you are family rather than patrons.

ABOUT PAINTED PLANET

Painted Planet offers many things to its friends and patrons. We offer colorful, affordable art, unique gifts, and beautiful, handmade jewelry. But we’re so much more than that! We offer art openings each month, and during those openings we provide great food and live music in addition to great art. Our events are always free and everyone is invited. On the second and fourth Saturday nights each month from 8-10pm we offer something called Saturday Night Live at the Planet where selected artists paint live and there’s live music too. It’s held in the fenced-in, private performance area behind the Planet (located at 798 S. Cooper). Folks can bring their kids, their coolers, and their lawn chairs and enjoy live art and music under the stars! We also offer art classes and are getting ready to start again soon with artist/teacher Tonya Angel, one of Painted Planet’s favorite acrylic artists. The upcoming classes will be posted on our Painted Planet Artspace Facebook page.

We have two events coming up that we would like to invite the community to. For This We Give Thanks is our November opening on Friday, November 4 from 8-10pm. Our gallery artists and many local artists have created paintings showing what they are most thankful for. It will be a great Thanksgiving Show with great art, holiday food, and live music. It is free and just in time to get you excited about the holidays. Then on Friday, December 2 from 8-10pm we’ll be showcasing the work of Greg Bowden and Jeff Forbes in Two Men with Paint. Greg is our top selling artist, and his work has been featured all over Cooper-Young. Many folks in CY will also remember Jeff, who was my curator for years when we were located on Young.

ABOUT HEALING PLANET

A few years into our business I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and during that challenging time my artists loved, supported, and helped me survive it. I knew I had to do the same for others. Healing Planet – Cancer Ministry was born out of the desire to bless others challenged by cancer. If you go on HYPERLINK “http://www.paintedplanetart.com/”paintedplanetart.com and click on Healing Planet, you can read the whole story of how and why the cancer ministry was started.

As a part of Healing Planet we offer Spa Night on the second Monday each month. We serve a healthy dinner at 6:30pm (sometimes including a nutrition demo) and Spa Night starts at 7pm. The event is free. As soon as women arrive, they sign up for whatever services they want including reflexology, facials, brows, manicures, pedicures, paraffin treatments, foot baths, hand and foot massage, full body massage, spot massage, chair massage, personal training, yoga, nutritional instruction, and prayer. Though we are a Christian ministry, we do not discriminate in any way. No one is asked what their beliefs are, and no one has to participate in prayer if they choose not to.

It’s funny how in the beginning, Healing Planet was just about the pampering and the free services we offer. But now many women come but don’t even get “pampered” by our caregivers. They come for the fellowship, the encouragement, and the prayer. It’s such a blessing to experience what goes on at Spa Night; seeing how these precious women interact with each other, how they touch each other with their words of encouragement, their heartfelt prayers, and their empathy – empathy that can only come from someone who’s been where you are. Some of these women are in total remission, some are newly diagnosed, some are in chemo and radiation now, some have been given little more than a death sentence by their doctors, and some have even left their hospice nurses at home to attend. We’re all at different places on that same road to healing, whether it will be an earthly or heavenly healing. We are all survivors and victors in our own way!

We also are a host site for Look Good Feel Better for the American Cancer Society. This service offers free makeup and healthy beauty products to women who are undergoing chemo and radiation for cancer. At one time Painted Planet was the only host site that was not a doctor’s office or hospital. Our Healing Planet schedule is posted on our Healing Planet – Cancer Ministry Facebook page.

Our top selling artist, Greg Bowden, has created paintings and subsequent prints to raise money for Healing Planet in the past. Recently, Greg brought in his newest creation. The painting is called Resounding Hope, and you can see it on Painted Planet’s Facebook wall. Prints of this painting will be sold during the year to raise money for Healing Planet, which helps us significantly.

After business expenses are paid, the rest of the money we earn goes to Healing Planet. For the last few years there’s not been enough to cover expenses. In response, I’ve sold my personal possessions just to keep the doors open. I have never received one penny in salary or personal compensation. This is totally a labor of love, but with financial times like they are right now, it’s challenging to say the least. We desperately need Cooper-Young residents to embrace us as we embrace them.

I hope with Christmas around the corner, everyone in Cooper-Young will check us out. You will not only find great holiday gifts, but you will have the added satisfaction of knowing that your dollars have blessed women challenged by disease. We welcome your business, and we promise to continue to serve you and this community! For more info about Painted Planet/Healing Planet, check out HYPERLINK “http://www.paintedplanetart.com/”paintedplanetart.com or search on Facebook for Painted Planet Artspace or Healing Planet – Cancer Ministry. You can also email us at HYPERLINK “mailto:paintedplanet@bellsouth.net”paintedplanet@bellsouth.net or call us at 901-725-0054.

Opportunity to give to the Memphis Food Bank
By Pat Mitchell Worley

Little Helpers, a children’s volunteer organization, will be in Cooper-Young on Saturday, October 29, from 11am-12:30pm. The kids (ages 2 to tween) will travel our streets in their Halloween costumes collecting food for the Memphis Food Bank for their monthly service activity. Please prepare and give as generously as you are able.

Making strides against breast cancer
By Stephanie Wilson Nichols

The American Cancer Society’s 11th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K of Memphis will be held on October 15 at Laurelwood Shopping Center at the corner of Poplar and Perkins Extended. This inspiring, noncompetitive 5K walk unites the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about the importance of early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund life-saving research and support programs to further our progress against this disease.

Community members are invited to be part of Memphis’ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. There is no pre-registration or registration fee. Donations are strongly encouraged. Registration begins at 7am and the walk begins at 8am. To form a team or learn about how you can participate in this family friendly walk, contact the American Cancer Society at 901-278-2091 or visit MakingStridesMemphis.org. Through events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer the American Cancer Society is saving lives and creating a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

CY Community Farmers Market updates
By Barb Elder

In case you are like me and never carry cash, don’t let that stop you from getting fresh foods at the CY Community Farmers Market! According to their weekly newsletter (and my personal experience) “every Saturday, friendly staff members are standing by at our market information booth to assist you with credit, debit, and SNAP card transactions. Swipe your card, get a receipt, and get market tokens to spend with our vendors.” In addition, neighbors with SNAP benefits can get more for their money thanks to a new matching funds program called Double Green$. If you would like to learn more, drop by the market information booth.

And the good news just keeps on coming. The Memphis Flyer recently reported that the Board of the CY Community Farmers Market has decided that the market will remain open year round in their effort to provide fresh produce to the people in this area of the city. So keep those Saturday morning plans loose so that you can drop by and do a little shopping this winter.

News affecting upcoming Memphis elections
By Dee Nollner

Beginning January 1, 2012 registered voters will need a photo ID in order to vote. The first election after that date will be the Presidential Preference and County Primary on March 6, 2012. A TN driver’s license with photo is sufficient; even an expired photo license from another state will meet the requirement for registered voters. Any state or Federal government photo ID will be accepted, but student or local government ID will not be accepted. Registered voters over 60 who do not have a photo driver’s license can take the license to a Driver’s License location and have a photo applied. The 3200 East Shelby Drive location, south of the airport between Airways and Getwell, might be the most comfortable. Call 901-543-7920 for additional information.

Dee Nollner is the Shelby County Election Commissioner.

New food options coming to Cooper Street
By Barb Elder

More change is on its way to 940 South Cooper. This location, formerly filled by Grace and Au Fond Farm Table, is being transformed into a new restaurant called Alchemy. Perhaps some of you saw their sign out during the CY Festival with a sample menu scrolled across the window (Irish car bomb bread pudding and Parmigiano Reggiano French toast just to name a few of their tempting items). The opening date is unclear, but you can follow them on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

Artisans on a mission
By Steve Garcia

In 2006, some members of St. John’s United Methodist Church (1207 Peabody Ave.) were having lunch, and one of them remarked that their congregation seemed to have an unusually large number of talented artists/crafters. One Sunday a few weeks later, their senior pastor at the time offered the following words from Frederick Buechner: “Vocation is where our greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” In other words, there are many ways to minister and effect change in the world, even through something like painting or knitting.

Soon after, a group of artists (painters, knitters, quilters, jewelry-makers, etc.) came together and called themselves Artisans on a Mission (stjohnsmidtown.org/artisansonamission). Their goal is to channel their artistic passions toward serving our community. As an organized group, they set up a booth annually at the Cooper-Young Festival to sell their artwork and handcrafted items. The money they make is applied toward various service projects. Artisans on a Mission is open to all members of the community. For more information or to join in, please call 901-726-4104 or visit the church’s website at stjohnsmidtown.org.

Newest addition to the Palladio Group
By Tamara Cook

The Palladio Group has just opened its newest shop, The WaterWorks Annex. The Annex, located at the corner of Central and Cox, showcases smaller items for the garden. The store has a large assortment of both glazed and clay pots, antique and new urns, garden statuary, bird feeders, as well as wild bird feed. A fenced courtyard which faces Central displays a large inventory of fountains. The Annex is open Monday through Saturday, 10am until 5pm at 2231 Central Avenue.

The Annex is a welcome addition to The Palladio Group’s ever growing collection of shops, gallery, and studio, which includes: Palladio - 2169 Central; Market Central - 2215 Central; Gallery Fifty Six - 2256 Central; WaterWorks – 741 South Cox; The WaterWorks Annex – 2231 Central; Architectural Arts – 749 South Cox; Café Palladio - 2169 Central; Memphis Art Factory - 777 South Cox; and Crafted Classic – 2215 Central. For more information, call 901-276-3808 or visit them online at thepalladiogroup.com.

David Perry Smith Gallery October show
By Barb Elder

In a recent press release, David Perry Smith Gallery announced the opening of their new show called summariness’ end that features new work from artists Alex Walter, Brad Robertson, Martica Griffin, Mary Long-Postal, and John Sadowski. The opening reception is to be held Friday, September 30, from 5-8pm, and the show will be available for viewing September 26 thru October 29. David Perry Smith Gallery is located at 703 New York, and gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 10am-5pm. For more information go to davidperrysmithgallery.com or call 901-606-9690

Press Release from Company d

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Company d
Darlene Winters
Artistic Director
901-335-8388
Companyddancers.com

*** MEDIA ALERT ***

Company d  in partnership with the Buckman Arts Center Presents “Let It Be A Dance!”

WHAT: Company d will perform “Let It Be A Dance!” at the Buckman Arts Center
Tickets are $10 for general admission seating and can be purchased at www.buckmanartscenter.com or call (901) 335-8388.

WHEN:  Saturday, November 5, 2011at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

WHERE:  Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School, 60 Perkins Extended, Memphis, Tennessee

WHO:  This unique collaboration unites some of Memphis’ most talented artists working with the dynamic and impressive dancers of Company d.  Guest choreographers include Tarrik Moore of Udig Dance Academy, Wayne Smith of Project Motion and Kevin Thomas of Collage Dance Collective, with direction by Marques Brown.

Available for media interviews:  Darlene Winters, Artistic Director; Tracey Ford, Public Relations, and Guest choreographers

About Company d

Company d is a nationally recognized dance company of young adults with Down syndrome, under the artistic direction of Darlene Winters.  Founded in 2001, Company d is committed to creating awareness of the talents and gifts of all individuals.  The ensemble is celebrated for their musicality, inspirational impact and unique ability to alter the perception of individuals with disabilities.  Company d strives to shape the culture of their community ‘one step at a time.’

Background information related to the production

Company d’s production of “Let It Be A Dance” is the result of a three week intensive workshop that occurred from May 31 to June 17.  During this period of time, master teaching artists were contracted to work with the Company d dancers in the area of dance, theatre, music, and the visual arts.  All teaching artists were given the book The Dancing Man by Ruth Bornstein as inspiration and motivation to develop a choreographed piece, an adapted script and a collaborative visual art piece.

C of young adults Mansponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South. Company d members include students from four different high schools, from three different counties in West Tennessee and a variety of work placements in the community.

Company d was officially formed seven years ago by Darlene Winters (Artistic Director and Choreographer) and Brenda Farley (Company Director). Dancers commit to classes weekly along with extra rehearsals, which have led them to perform at national, regional and local conventions. Company d has also had numerous service opportunities to be the featured entertainment in order to raise money for other non-profit organizations. Each performance gives the dancers a venue to create awareness of the talents and gifts in all individuals.

# # #

By Richard Kendrickson

Gallery Fifty Six will host the Memphis/Germantown Art League’s 2011 Autumn Juried Exhibition in October. The exhibition will include approximately 50 pieces of art, and Best of Show, 2^nd Place, 3^rd Place, and Honorable Mention awards will be presented. The artist’s reception will be on Friday, October 7, from 5 until 8pm. The judge this year will be Rollin Kocsis, curator for Gallery Fifty Six.

The Memphis/Germantown Art League (MGAL) is a nonprofit organization of visual artists and associates supporting the work of its member artists. The League’s purpose is to aid its member artists in their professional growth and in the development of their artistic skills by providing juried exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and other continuing education opportunities. In addition, MGAL works to enrich the community by presenting original fine art in public exhibits and by participating in other community art activities.

MGAL has three annual juried and judged, local, members-only exhibitions. Judges typically are well-known artists and educators such as Dolph Smith, Remy Miller, Jamie McMahan, Paul Edelstein, and Pam Cobb.

A National Exhibition and workshop is held every two years open to artists from across the country. Judges who conduct the workshops are nationally-known artists such as Alex Powers, Frank Francese, Wyatt Waters, and Laurin McCracken. Past venues include GPAC, WKNO Gallery Ten Ninety One, Memphis Botanic Garden, St. George’s Episcopal Church Gallery, A2H, Collierville Town Hall, and Askew, Nixon, Ferguson among others.

The organization began as the Germantown Art League in 1976. In 1988 the organization’s name was changed to Memphis/Germantown Art League in recognition of the wider geographical distribution of its members. Today the composition of the membership is far broader including surrounding towns in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. MGAL depends on all its members to serve on the Board of Directors, committees, and to assist in the work of the organization. MGAL is grateful to the local businesses who continue to generously support their organization.

Gallery Fifty Six is located in the Cooper-Young neighborhood at 2256 Central Ave. The artist’s reception and exhibit is free and open to the public.

By Tamara Cook

The CY Festival Artist Invitational 2011 reception is Thursday, September 15 from 6-9pm at the David Perry Smith Gallery, 703 New York. This art show celebrates the work of artists living or working in the Cooper-Young area, and will remain up the entire Festival weekend. The Cooper-Young district boundaries are Central to Southern and McLean to East Parkway. All sales from the work submitted go to that artist. There is no fee required to be in show.

If you live or work in this area and would like a piece of your work considered for this year’s Art Invitational, please contact David Smith at 901-606-9690 or email him at davidperrysmithmemphis@gmail.com. Due to space restraints, we cannot consider overly large pieces.

Join members of the Memphis Arts Collective from August 14th through September 3rd at the Memphis Jewish Community Center, 6560 Poplar Ave. for our latest group show.

The gallery hours are daily from 10am till 9pm.

For more info please call 901-761-0810.

Artists include:

Alisa Houseal Botto • Buckeye Hollow • Angi Cooper • Candace Jefferies • Marjorie Mebane • David Taylor • Rene Nickel • Chuck Parr • Nicola Tupis • Cindy Uphoff • Linda Wilson • Dinah Makowsky • Sandra Marion • Nancy Clifton • Barbara Olive • Peace Bee Farm • Lizi Beard Ward • Alex Smyth • Don Blalock • Feefifibby • Lauren Beyer

By Renée Massey
In the heat of a Memphis August, many of us bristle at the thought of turning on the stove or oven to prepare dinner. The good news for Cooper-Young Community Association members is that several of our membership sponsors are available to do the work for you. If you’re not sure what a membership sponsor is, these are businesses that generously offer CYCA members discounts during the year of their membership. For example, the wonderful Camy’s Food Delivery at 3 S. Barksdale offers CYCA members a free dessert with the purchase of any specialty pizza any one time during the year. Pizza is good, but pizza with dessert is even better!

When I asked Camy why her business is a CYCA membership sponsor, she noted that a large number of her customers live in the area. She also said, “We get to have our name in front of some of the coolest customers around!” Speaking of cool neighbors, Camy herself lives among us. She gushed, “I love the entire neighborhood, especially how friendly everyone is. Every day I walk out my door and see neighbors walking their dogs, pushing their strollers, running, walking, and they all wave!” Camy’s Food Delivery has been in business for 18 years, but they are still evolving. You can now dine in at Camy’s! They have ice cold beer, free wi-fi, a large-screen TV, and a very cold air conditioner. Plus, Camy’s is bicycle-friendly. You can visit Camy’s on Facebook or online at camys.com, but it’s even cooler to bike there in person for your specialty pizza and dessert.

And while you’re out and about in Midtown, get familiar with another great sponsor that can keep you in from the hot outdoors – Playhouse on the Square at the intersection of Union and Cooper. Playhouse on the Square and the CYCA share a similar goal: to make the area the best it can be. Playhouse on the Square offers 50% off up to 4 regular tickets to any Thursday or Sunday performance at Playhouse on the Square, The Circuit Playhouse, and the POTS@TheWorks Series throughout the year for all members of the CYCA. With 17 productions and two school tours each year, there should be a little something for everyone.

I contacted Whitney Jo with Playhouse on the Square to find out why POTS supports the CYCA. She said, “Everyone is accepted in Cooper-Young. Everyone has a chance to be a part of the neighborhood. Everyone has a chance to make a difference. Cooper-Young is filled with artists and patrons of the arts.” And did you know that the interns and some of the staff for Playhouse on the Square live in Cooper-Young? In fact, Whitney Jo declares, “I personally would not live anywhere else! The neighborhood is open, friendly, accepting, hip, quiet, exciting, dramatic, comedic, comfortable, and musical….sounds a lot like Playhouse on the Square!” Playhouse on the Square’s 2011-12 season starts August 12. There is no better time to become a Season Subscriber! For $150 you can get 8 admissions that you can use throughout the year for any of the productions. The subscription is flexible, so you choose how you use your tickets.

Make something cool out of the August heat. Join the CYCA by returning the form on page 3 of this paper, by going to cooperyoung.org, or by stopping by the CYCA office at 2298 Young Ave. Then get yourself over to Camy’s and Playhouse on the Square to enjoy the membership discounts. And don’t forget to thank these businesses for joining the CYCA in their efforts to make Cooper-Young a more desirable and safer place to live, work, worship, and play!