“Hilarious.”

“Cute.”

“Funny.”

I had to agree.

The musical starts with an introduction to Armadillo Acres by three of its tenants: Bad-Ass Betty (Patti Van Slyke), who according to the opening number, “This Side of the Tracks,” is a “sex-faker, headacher,” Lin (Andrea Graham), whose husband is on death row at the nearby prison, and Pickles (Kellie Degenhardt), who has what she claims is a hysterical pregnancy. The early performances of this Greek Chorus is strong, and their stamina remains throughout as they represent different characters to fill in the storyline.

The story revolves around four other characters: Norbert Garstecki (Jim Ramos), his agoraphobic wife Jeannie (Robin Bonsall), the new girl in town, stripper Pippi (Jennifer Forman), and Pippi’s Magic Marker-sniffing boyfriend Duke (Jamie Andrews, in his TCT debut). Again, the performances are strong, but Bonsall and Forman really make the most of the opportunities to shine vocally and otherwise. Bonsall gives it all to her character, and the audience, with a pole-dancing bit, and Forman’s acting performance ranges from hilarious to sad with just a look on her face and a tinge in her voice, drawing viewers into her tragedy (no spoilers here).

Before intermission, the audience is treated to a song by the full cast, “Storm’s A-Brewin’” reminiscent of the Disco anthem, “It’s Raining Men,” complete with a mirrored ball and shiny costumes.

In the second act, the audience gets to know Duke a little more with the song, “Road Kill.” The play ends rather predictably, but the vocal performances are the real pay-off. Pippi, Norbert and Jeannie share their heartbreak and confusion in the song, “But He’s Mine/It’s Never Easy.” Pippi and Jeannie later duet in the, “Finale,” which may include one of the best lines in musical theater history: “Make like a nail, and press on.” Mostly women will get the reference, but this is a play with a little bit of everything for its audience.

Much may be made of the supposed, “trashiness,” of the Great American Trailer Park Musical, and the language might get a bit rough, but this is a play about love, forgiveness, and leaning on those around us. Grab your friends and get to the trailer park, I mean theater for this musical before it’s gone!

[Review by Rio Cervantes-Reed | May 2012]

Backs by Popular Demand | 301 SW Gage | Stop in and get mom a gift certificate for a luxurious massage. With styles ranging from gentle (Swedish, Reiki, etc.) to therapeutic (Deep Tissue, Craniofacial, etc.) she’s sure to enjoy this moment of pampering.

Casa Bellesa | 2500 W 17th | Get your mom “summer ready” with highlights + gel shellac nails, the latest rage. Gift certificates available.

Designer’s Showhouse | 3126 SW Shadow Lane | The annual Designers’ Showhouse raises much needed support for Child Care Aware (formerly known as ERC) to continue supporting the community by offering resources to families and child care providers. Certainly this is a cause your mom could support! Click here for hours and ticket information.

Downtown Farmers Market | 12th & Harrison | Nothing makes a hippie-dippie mama feel better than knowing she’s providing her family with healthy, locally-sourced food products. Take her to the Farmers Market Saturday morning, open from 7:30a-12p.

Envy Salon | 2601 SW 17th | Your mom told us she wants a “quickie.” Get her a gift certificate for the new express pedicure, in-and-out within an hour, only $25.

NOTO Saturday Market | Under north end of Kansas Ave. bridge | Mom is sure to enjoy the diversity of offerings at the the North Topeka Arts District market, with local heritage food booths, local arts, antiques, flea market finds and crafts. Open Saturday mornings from 7a-2p.

Pastense | 2900 SW Oakley | Their new location in Brookwood Shopping Center is packed full of beautiful vintage jewelry, aprons that will make mom feel like Donna Reed, and barware that will make her the hostess with the mostest!

Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy | With two hilarious performances this weekend, you can’t go wrong! Enjoy the slightly naughty Great American Trailer Park Musical (adults only, read our review here). And then there’s the funny and unpredictable Topeka-original improv group, Laughing Matters. Click here for performance times and tickets.

Warehouse 414 | 414 SE 2nd | You are sure to find something your mom will love at this high-style furnishings store with an eclectic mix of new designs, antiques + vintage pieces. They also carry vintage and locally-made jewelry and art.

Whitehall Fine Gifts & Collectibles | 3401 SW 10th | You’ll find something here at every price point for that special mom in your life. It may be a Swarovski crystal-encrusted ring box, a Fenton Art Glass vase,  a Boyd’s Bear, an Armani statue or (and?) a box of  select luscious truffles.  Don’t miss this gem of a store.

Mom will enjoy visiting with family while dining at one of our fave locally-owned restaurants: Bosco’s | 5th & Kansas; Boss Hawg’s/Pigskin’s | Brookwood Shopping Center (open Sundays); Flying Monkey | 17th & Washburn (open Sundays); Ice & Olives | 29th & Croco (open Sundays for brunch); New City Cafe | 4005 Gage Center + 715 S Kansas; Rowhouse Restaurant | 515 SW Van Buren.

Landshark Lager
Let’s start with the very drinkable Landshark Lager. This refreshing lager is brewed with a complex blend of hop varietals. It is easily enjoyed by itself, or makes a nice accompaniment to fish tacos. Top those tacos off with some sliced jalapenos, and the tingly coolness of the Landshark Lager on your tongue will be that much more appreciated.

Bud Light Lime
Next we have Bud Light Lime. Keeping with the Mexican tradition of adding lime to anything that doesn’t move, it is essentially a Bud Light, without the hassle of squeezing your own limes. This goes excellent with a fully-loaded plate of nachos or a sweet mango salsa with salty tortilla chips.

Lime-A-Rita
The Bud Light Lime is a versatile beer as Budweiser recommends adding it to their Lime-a-Rita. A tall glass of ice (salted rim is optional) beholds a refreshing treat (margarita with a twist, as the can says) with this blend of products. The Lime-a-Rita is available for a limited time over the summer, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to give this a try, with or without the addition of the Bud Light Lime.

[Story by Kevin Reed | Photograph by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photography | April 2012]

seveneightfive poetry editor Dennis Etzel, Jr., had the special honor to interview Patricia Traxler, one of the first poets he read. She is known for her environmental, feminist poetry and work. Two poems, “Articles of Faith,” and, “The Waters,” appear at the end of the interview.

Dennis: Your literary career has spanned from poetry to fiction. What are you working on now?

Patricia: Poetry is always at the heart of my fiction, and it’s what drives me. For the last decade I’ve been working on three books concurrently. One of them is a novel set in Montana, which I’ve just finished and sent off to my agent. Then there’s my fourth poetry collection. The third book is my short-story collection, which looks with a kind of irony and dark humor at faith and broken faith in love relationships.

Dennis: What “role(s)” do you think poetry plays in society? And what role does your poetry serve?

Patricia: Poetry at its best should be dangerous, it should unsettle us and make us see the world, for better and worse, with fresh eyes and employing our fullest humanity. In relation to that, I think of Yeats’ line about the 1916 Easter Rising, “A terrible beauty is born.” Real awareness is like that-painful and necessary, with a ‘terrible’ beauty at the heart of that knowing.”

As for my own poetry, it doesn’t address themes from a grand point of view. I try to address larger themes in an intimate, close-up sort of way. I think if we could just understand what passes between two people in an intimate setting-honesty and lies, fidelity and broken faith, longevity and attrition, the whole range of human behaviors-we could more easily understand war, economics, history, sociology, psychology-probably even continental drift!

Dennis: I enjoyed reading your ecopoems in Begin Again: 150 Kansas Poems. Maybe you could apply the “two people” idea to the I-thou connection in poetry about nature?

Patricia: Hmmm, now you’re getting all Martin Buber on me! Buber believed that we form relationship (not relationships, plural-but relationship, however fleeting) with lots of people, even complete strangers who pass through our lives briefly. Those relationships change us, form us, enliven us and illuminate us. Buber’s ideas suggest a generosity of spirit, an expansive way of seeing others, even those we may not care for, because we change one another all the time, just by co-existing.

Poetry’s place in all that, I believe, is to sort of peel back the layers of protective insulation we wrap ourselves in, and in that way to help us see connections. That’s why I focus on the common denominator of relationship; in those connections so much is revealed of who we are and what it means to be human, alive on the earth together and alone.

Articles of Faith
What about these jonquil bulbs that bear and bloom
year after year beside the porch, as if the hand
that planted them decades ago were still
in the world to hail their bounty? And what
of the doe who comes from the woods to the edge
of the north field every evening, standing
calm beside the rude highway that cuts
through her heaven, as if nothing were there
but the silence of wheat. Not knowledge,
but belief. Or our voices leaping back
and forth over the wire, conjuring
presence, as if distance and time and a life
were nothing. (Think how time must prove itself
constantly through movement, inventing observable
change.) Not having, but desiring. Your palm
on my belly, fingers warm over hipbone, pulse
of your wrist twinned in the cells of my skin. Not
photograph, but memory. Consider this: the Word
made flesh. Oh, I know what love is. I once saw
the heart still beating in the carcass of a butchered hen.

The Waters
You could say we asked for it; we did
everything but dance for it. Now,
after the long drought, our world
is drowning. Woods and fields
lie deep in brackish water, and that odor
holes up in the throat for days, caught
like the rot of truths unspoken. The life
we made is under water, wind and thunder
batter the land all night, shake the walls. But I
am calm with clarity. Faith and despair
settle similarly in the skin, easing slowly
past doubt. I can stand here at the window now
and note the way the light from the moon has caught
the rippling surface of the water as it rises
to take the jutting cottonwoods, oaks, and elms.

[Interview by Dennis Etzel, Jr. | April 2012]

Entitled Illuminated, this is only the latest of several musical endeavors Anthemous has brought forth over the years. And make no mistake about this one:

Illuminated will be available everywhere!

To better prepare you for when this disc hits the streets, I coerced my staff into working  over the weekend to create a musical/pictorial montage of a few tracks from the CD.  You can watch it here. To better acquaint you with the artist and his work, we’ve asked him a few questions. You can read it here.

6Q w/Anthemous

Is this your first release as Anthemous?

This is my first release on the Internet. I’ve been doing this for awhile. When I first got into music, there were none of these “basement studios.” You had to pay, or someone had to really believe in your talent to give you the time of day.
Thankfully, I fell into the latter category. But I’ve released a full length LP titled: “Power Of Influence.” It was my first release that wasn’t a CD-R with sharpie all over it. But I’ve had since then a free download mixtape called, “The Half-Tape.” It was a mix of productions by me and some by internet producers.  I’ve always liked Just Blaze as a producer and whenever I could find a beat that emulated his sound, I went for it. But as far as getting picked up by the major online retailers, yes this would be my ‘debut.’

Describe how you create your beats and rhymes.

 In the past, I used to write to nothing and then find or make a beat to fit. This is why if you ever get hold of older material, my delivery is real discussive (is that a word?). It sounds like I’m talking nonchalantly to the listener. My writing style developed around that train of thought. Nowadays, I find some sounds, put them together, program some drums behind it, arrange it to the length I want each verse and chorus to be; I pop my headphones on so my entire psyche is consumed by the sound, and write. It may only take me a few minutes to write a full song if I’m on a roll. Otherwise, you might see me with a finished song from the beat to the writing to the final mixdown in maybe two hours. It comes from a place that makes me feel . . . Amazing.

Who has been your biggest supporter of your music?

 To be honest, I don’t even know. I mean my woman has always supported me, but one should expect that. At least I hope it’s a normalcy issue. But as far as people out and about? I don’t know, it’s hard to tell, I didn’t grow up in Topeka, so if I put on a show, it’s not like I can call all of my childhood friends and school chums and hope for even a percentage of attendance. Being an “outsider” doesn’t help my case with the law of averages. You know what? A lot of other bands and acts and venue owners are the ones who like me a lot. Although, I would like to see a conversion between people who leave positive feedback and people at my show. I’m still grateful for the “taste makers” Because they enjoy my music the most.

What have you been listening to lately?

Honestly? I have been listening to NPR and Jim Croce. No joke, I love Jim Croce. He had an honesty in his music, and given the current state of economy and the way we’ve been treating each other lately, he speaks the most to how I view the world around me. I’m going back to early Jack Johnson too. He’s got a minimalist sound that leaves the focus on his content, which is pretty rich. Banana Pancakes? Hell yeah!

My woman and I are adopting babies, so I don’t have a lot of room in my life for music without meaning right now. It’s hard to find the space in my head for hip hop nowadays. I don’t like to hear about money being spent precariously, or that this guy or that girl is hood.

My biggest pet peeve is the saying, “Keeping It Real.” It doesn’t help the state of affairs folks in the “hood” have to face. It actually depletes them of a solution through the means in which one could reach them best: through music. If you could find a Will Smith language discipline, with a Nas or Common awareness, that would probably be the most “real” message the underprivileged need to hear. However, it’s only my opinion.

How can people get your release, “Illuminated.”

 It’s going to be released in early May on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Spotify, iLike, Rhapsody, Last.fm, Zune, Virgin Mega, Deezer, and get this, Fox News? I’m not kidding! Just look for Anthemous after May 1st.

Do you have any shows coming up?

I’m competing in Ultimate Hip Hop KC in April 24. And I’ve got a gig in Omaha in May. A few showcases throughout the year. I haven’t booked in Topeka for 2012 because I want to make sure I have a good lineup with me. Like I said, I don’t have that ready-made fan base full of lifelong buddies here in the T.O.P. I work hard, so if you see a flyer or a show invite online with my name on it, just come and check it out. I try to make it worth it by performing my heart out.

 

[March 2012 | Robin "Puff Phat Z "  Cremer]

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
On stage at Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, 3028 SW 8th St.
April 20 through May 5
For showtimes and tickets, visit the venue website, or call 785-357-5211.

Some days there just ain’t enough Prozac to go around.

Such is Hamlet’s world. Everyone in it, including himself, has some major psychological problem, but that makes life interesting, doesn’t it?

As Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy’s artistic director Shannon Riley introduced the show, he commented that he had waited his entire life to stage this play. So has TCTA. In 76 years, this is first time the disturbed Dane has stepped into its schedule. It was well worth the wait.

First, the casting is perfect. Matt Briden simply is Hamlet. He is the iconic, brooding image of the Prince reminiscent of Laurence Olivier. He delivers Shakespeare’s lines perfectly. Likewise, Ryan J. McCoy as Laertes was compelling and I found myself wishing he and Hamlet could just have a conversation while we watched. You don’t want him to leave the stage.

Randy Lambrecht brought the busy-body Polonius to life believably and looked the part. We all want Horatio for a friend – loyal to a fault and warmly portrayed by Jon Lothenore. Amy Gilchrist as the fragile Ophelia is wonderful in her portrayal of the insanity brought on by her grief. Her lilting voice matches Ophelia perfectly and watching her was like a painting come to life, very beautiful and haunting.

Trent Leach leaves no one doubting who is the king in this picture; his physical presence is commanding and the scene in which he is overcome by guilt is very well done. The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father is played well by Thomas J. Hughes, Jr., and like Leach, has a “kingly” presence. Erin McGinnis is probably a much better person than Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, and her character is much more the victim than the willing participant in the plot hatched by Claudius to claim her and the throne of Denmark. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are well done by Steven Stanek and Shawn Nyberg.

Second, the set design is fantastic. I came home wanting to move my walls. Costumes were beautiful and appropriate for each character.

All these elements mean nothing and cannot come together without the skill and passion of the director. Well played, Shannon, well played!

If I had any criticism at all, it would be this: one of the reasons Hamlet has not only endured but been beloved for centuries is that we feel Hamlet’s grief and depression, his questioning whether to live or die in his overwhelming sadness. Matt Briden is so capable an actor, I would like for him to have spoken to the audience, brought us into his world more directly. I wanted him to look at us and ask, “To be, or not to be?”

Prozac be damned. Sit back and enjoy the intrigues and dysfunction of these characters. Do not fear Shakespeare, my friend. TCT has provided scene summaries on the TV screens beside the stage to help understand the action. They do not detract and I’m sure were helpful to some of the audience. Bring a sweater. We were a little chilly but far better than being too warm. And the Cupcake wine was delicious.

[ Review by Deb Goodrich Bisel. April 2012 ]

Admission is $15 and includes a t-shirt, a ticket to vote for your favorite band, and the cover charge for the after party, to be held at Bullfrog’s Live at Huntoon and Gage.  The t-shirt doubles as your ticket. They may be purchased in the Memorial Union on Washburn campus from 11:0am to 1:00pm, April 9 through April 13, or at the door (t-shirts are not guaranteed at the door). You must be 18+ to get in, 21+ to drink. Only those 21 and older will be admitted to the after party at Bullfrog’s Live.

Bands competing for your “favorite band” ticket include:

• Monk’s Wine
• Chris Aytes & The Good Ambition
• Astra Clutch
• New Inhabitants

The proceeds from the event will benefit the efforts to revive the Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas, located in downtown Topeka. For more information about the Jayhawk Theatre, please read Leah Sewell’s article from September 2010 and watch the video produced by Gizmo Pictures.

Sponsors of the event include Rundown Studios, WIBW, Gizmo Pictures and Washburn Student Media.

Buttons can be purchased at any of the following locations (only $2) and you can pick up your map to guide you on your journey:

Topeka Community Cycle Project | 423 S. Kansas Ave. | Sidewalk chalking  + check out the TCCP!

Bosco’s | 435 S Kansas Ave. |  Cookie decorating while supplies last, kids’ activities, and the following:

• 1:00 Poetry Reading by Brian Williams

• 1:15  Poetry Reading by Dennis Etzel, Jr.

• 1:30  Poetry Reading by Sylvia Tuchscherer

• 1:45  Poetry Reading by Iris Wilkinson

• 2:00 Poetry Reading by Wendy Dunwiddie

Nexlynx | 123 SW 6th Ave. |  Via’s Pizza for sale, art up, button making for all, and acoustic music sets throughout the day.

• 1:00-1:50  Kirk Drager ( acoustic )

• 2:05-2:55  Pararo (chamber music – guitar/clarinet)

• 3:10-4:00  Bekah Zachritz (acoustic, singer/songwriter)

• 4:15-5:05  Rick Bruner (acoustic, singer/songwriter)

Art By: Anthony Rolsing, Ann Palmer, Alex Olson, Amanda Jolley, Bill Scoular, Cathy Robertson, Carole Purdum, Carolyn Berry, Deedra Baker, Donald Martin, Gail Beutler-Eyman, Jamie Crispin, Jane Flanders, Jenny Unrein, Jeanette Devilbiss, Justin Marable, Larissa Wilson, Paula Butler, Staci Dawn, Stella Robbins, Theresa Shetler Logan, and Tony Peterson.

Celtic Fox | 118 SW 8th Ave. | Food to share and music from 1-7:15.

• 1:00   Rick Bruner (singer/songwriter)

• 2:05   Comanche the Horse (rock n’ roll)

• 3:10  BackRoads (folk rock)

• 4:15   Chris Aytes & Good Ambition (indie rock/pop)

• 5:20  Everyday/Everynight (alternative/ambient/indie rock

• 6:25  Monk’s Wine (piano pop/rock)

Jayhawk Tower | 700 SW Jackson | Food for sale from 12:30-2:30, art up, children’s art activities, music, and tours of Jayhawk Theatre.

“Prairie Futures”- An audio-visual installation containing imagery of the seemingly endless flint hills set within a fantastical sky by Andrea Steudel and Luke Anderson. On view during tours in the Jayhawk Theatre.

• 1:00  BackRoads (folk rock)

• 1:55   Tour Jayhawk Theatre (meet at the top of the east stairwell)

• 2:05   Olassa (indie folk)

• 3:00  Tour Jayhawk Theatre (meet at the top of the east stairwell)

• 3:10  Interior Sea (alternative/indie folk rock)

• 4:05  Tour Jayhawk Theatre (meet at the top of the east stairwell)

• 4:15   Hidden Pictures (duo) (indie pop/rock/folk)

• 5:10   Tour Jayhawk Theatre (meet at the top of the east stairwell)

• 5:20  Pararo (chamber music – guitar/clarinet)

• 6:15   Tour Jayhawk Theatre (meet at the top of the east stairwell)

• 6:25  Heartscape Landbreak  (folk/experimental)

Art By: Brad LeDuc, Chris Crabtree, Christopher Young, Craftivists, Cathy Robertson, Donald Martin, Eleanor Heimbaugh, Hi Stockwell, Jane Flanders, Joe Williams, John Maddox, Jolene Grabill, Jordan Brooks, Katie Schaefer, Kim Williams, Kristine Luber, Lisa Adame, Lois VanLiew, Merrilee Brandt, Michael Mize, Rick Sargent, Ron Frier, Stella Robbins, and William Miller.

Blue Planet Café | 110 SE 8th Ave. | Events outside, in the Café , and in the back room (The Crane Ballroom).  Youth Art will be on display in this venue.

All day-Bubbles and Chalk out front and the ReThink Trunk Show in Crane Ballroom (arts and crafts by regional artists)

• 12:30  Story-Time in the Café

• 1:00   Kyler Carpenter in Crane Ballroom (acoustic rock)

• 1:50  Story-Time in the Café

• 2:05  Chris Aytes & Good Ambition in Crane Ballroom (indie rock/pop)

• 2:55   Story-Time in the Café

• 3:10   Everyday/Everynight in Crane Ballroom (alternative/ambient/rock)

• 4:00   Story-Time in the Café

• 4:15    Comanche the Horse in Crane Ballroom (rock n’ roll)

• 5:15    Story-Time in the Café

• 5:40   Poetry Reading by Melissa Sewell in the Café

• 5:55  Short Story Reading by Elijah Kampsen in the Café

• 6:25-7:15  Hidden Pictures (duo) in Crane Ballroom (indie pop/rock/folk)

Art by: Aparna Dasaraju, Ashley Hocking, Blake Fox, Bryce Badgley, Cassandra Barkley, Chandler MCElhaney, Chloe Hay, Colin Maize, Daphne Tibbetts, Electa Ward, Gretchen Hierl, Hazlett Henderson, Ian Mutschelknaus, Ian Schneck, Ivan Shutak, Keyty Ashcraft, Marissa Dake, Mark Lexow, Mary Claire Carter, Mason Lexow, Mercedes Rosebrough, Sarah Sutterfield, Savannah Jones, Tessa Lieber, Wendybeth Hamm,  and Zach Twidwell.

The Breakroom | 911 S Kansas Ave. | Food for sale, art up, and events all day in the theater.

• 1:00   Dan Billen (singer/songwriter)

• 2:05   Heartscape Landbreak (folk/experimental)

• 3:10   DOREEN, 1 character monologue by Marcia Cebulska

• 3:20  PICK UP THE PIECES, 2 character dialogue by Darren Canady

• 4:15    4th & Inches (pop-punk)

• 5:20   Olassa (indie folk)

• 6:25  DOREEN, 1 character monologue by Marcia Cebulska

• 6:35  PICK UP THE PIECES, 2 character dialogue by Darren Canady

• 7:00  Poetry Reading by Tom Nyquist

• 7:15   Poetry Reading by Valarie Ireland

Art By:  Amanda Jolley, Angelia Perkins, Anthony Rolsing, Becky Drager, Brad LeDuc, Carolyn Berry, Carole Purdum, Jennifer Somers, John Maddox, Joel Berry, Joe Williams, Jolene Grabill, Kristine Luber, Lois VanLiew, O.C. Williams, Phillip Porterfield, Sandy Kendall, Shanon Fouquet, and Valerie Ireland.

The Eclective Showroom and Studios, 900 N. Kansas Ave., will celebrate their first anniversary on Friday. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., Renee Johnson will give tours of her studio. PTs Coffee and doughnuts will be available. Live entertainment will also begin at 9:00 a.m., along there will be face-painting for the kids. At 4:00 p.m., the Helping Hands Humane Society will bring their furry friends to share. Mother Kali will perform live from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the 9th annual “Concealed/ Revealed Art Auction,” scheduled for April 27 will be on sale to benefit the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment. Renee Johnson will be unveiling her piece “Freedom of Dreams,” made especially for this Auction.

Also celebrating their first anniversary during the First Friday Art Walk is Two Days Market, 824 N. Kansas Ave. They will open at 9:00 a.m. and will feature artists Myra Warner and her granddaughter Tori in the Gallery Room. Cake, punch and other refreshments will be available courtesy of Vision Bank and Midas.

NOTO will welcome Galaxy Glass, 912 N. Kansas Ave as they hold their inaugural First Friday Art Walk event. They will feature paintings by artist and Washburn University adjunct professor David Hartley on their newly refurbished original stone walls.

Other First Friday Art Walk events include:

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, First Friday Art Walk events are generally held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

• Artist Lofts & Rusty Haggle Antiques | 826 N. Kansas Ave. | Two new artists will be joining the lofts upstairs, Heather Kerns and Elizabeth Roe. Downstairs at Rusty Haggle Antiques you’ll find greeting cards by Cheryl Delcour and hand embroidered jackets and clothing, and beaded jewelry by Kelly Thomas-Sanders. Visitors are also invited to stop by the video booth and share their memories of North Kansas Avenue.
• Foole’s Dream Studio | 833 1/2 N. Kansas Ave. | Featured artists are Joyce Volmut, Richard O. Nelson, Michelle Leivan, Susan Anderson, Becky Drager, Shelly Bedsaul, Joe Williams, Rachel Johnston and Teresa Johnston.
• Kaw River Mercantile | 833 N. Kansas Ave. | Featured artist is Larry Kerr, who will be welcoming guests from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The work of local photographers, including 2 Flashy Chickz, will also be on display. Refreshments will be available.
• NOTO Community Arts Center | 922 N. Kansas Ave. | Works by Sunflower Silkers will be on display, along with the winning logo for the NOTO Saturday Market. Refreshments will be available.
• Robuck Jewelers | 845 N. Kansas Ave. | Refreshments will be served as they showcase the latest in fashion, estate, and antique jewelry. You can enjoy several lines that are exclusive to their store in the Topeka area, including the hand-crafted silver jewelry line by Kris.
• Second Chance Antiques & Collectibles | 840 N. Kansas Ave. | Shop from a wonderful selection of antiques in all price ranges, and see the amazing décor featuring converted doors and ornate pillars from a house formerly located at 10th and Topeka Blvd (current sight of the Docking State Office). Refreshments will be served.
• Serendipity | 820 N. Kansas Ave. | Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Dinner will be served beginning at 6:00 p.m. for $10, and samplings of New Belgium beer will begin at 6:30 p.m. Live music from Ellie Smith and the Commotion begins at 7:30 p.m. Serendipity will also be hosting a sneak peek of auction items that will be available at the,”Concealed/Revealed Art Auction.”
• Southwest Traders | 830 N. Kansas Ave. | Featured artist is Arthur Short Bull, Oglala Lakota. His appearance is sponsored by Kaw River Landing Southwest Traders, Jack Cobos Design & Publishing, the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Kansas, and the Prairie Band Casino & Resort.
• Studio 831 | 831 N. Kansas Ave. | Featured artists are Anne Kufahl, Diane Lawrence, Angela Lexow, Pam Renovato, Hi Stockwell, Cindy Stubbs, Lois VanLiew,  Barbara Waterman-Peters, Michael Bradley, Merl Miles and Larry Peters.

On Saturday, April 7, the NOTO Saturday Market will open at 7:00 a.m. It will be located at the north end of the Kansas Avenue Memorial Bridge. A ribbon-cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Arts, antiques, crafts, and food will be available for sale until 2:00 p.m. and live entertainment will be featured. The NOTO Saturday Market will be open weekly until November 3.

For more information about the North Topeka Arts District, please visit the NOTO website by clicking here.

Roger Ortega, a Topeka native, has spent the last few years in New York pursuing his musical career and is on the brink of taking off.  Invited to perform and headline the Macy’s Grand Opening Celebration in New Jersey, his musical talent has also taken him to fundraising performances in Miami.  Most Topekan’s last saw him perform at the 2008 Fiesta Mexicana celebration or might remember him from the band Slo Motion.  His musical talent was nurtured at an early age with his father and uncles performing as The Paradize Band (recently inducted into The Kansas Music Hall of Fame). He remembers being nurtured to love the arts early on.

“Music is the soundtrack to our lives,” notes Roger on his website.  Roger has a knack for catchy hooks, memorable melodies and storytelling through his vivid pictures of moments in time. For the past four years, Roger has put his musical creation on paper, meaning every word he writes ends up in his songs.  His newest single, “Calling All Girls,” is part of his debut album which he will drop on Topeka on April 4.  Listen to his music here.

Returning to Topeka for a, “thank you concert,” you can hear his new single and additional musical acts on April 6. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Brother Mike has also followed his dreams of his life-long passion for professional wrestling and has been featured on WIBW’s Ralph Hipp show.  All proceeds from Mike’s events go to local charities.

Brother Chris picked up his professional boxing career recently and has won several Golden Glove Championships. He is currently undefeated going into a match on April 21 at the Expo Center, “Redemption” Pro Boxing and MMA Fighting. Click here for Facebook invite.

Youngest brother, Rico, followed in his father’s and brother’s musical footsteps as a rap artist and has recorded and performed with Roger at various shows. He will be opening up for Roger on April 6th at the 6th Ave Ballroom.

It’s without a doubt that The Ortega boys are coming onto the music and entertainment scene in Topeka. With a background deeply rooted in the Oakland neighborhood, and a mother who was as tough as nails as their boxing coach, their hard work has no doubt helped them accomplish their dreams, making them an inspiration to our community and young artists.

Nuts & Bolts for the Ortega Showcase:

Wednesday 4/4 | 7pm | Music Video Premiere/Album Release Party at Reed’s Lakeside Bar & Grill | 29th & Croco Road | Album and T-shirts will be available for purchase.

Friday 4/6 |  3 – 4pm | Meet and Greet with the artist at 6th Avenue Ballroom | 117 SW 6th Avenue | 7pm | Doors open for show |  7:30 | Showtime
After-party to follow at Bullfrogs Live | Huntoon & Gage | Ticket holders get in free w/ concert ticket
Ticket sales are doing well and are expected to sell out, so don’t wait!

There are 4 opening acts at the concert:

1. Topekan Louie Hidalgo III, comedian
2. Roger’s youngest brother Rico, aka 4 Faces, rap
3. Topekan, Marcus Mt. Sanders aka Yung Sauve
4. NYC, Amy Leo, singer/songwriter

Saturday, 4/7 | Mike Ortega is hosting an O.C.W. (Ortega Championship Wrestling) event at the Oakland Community Center. 4/6 concert ticket holders get in free to this event. Roger will be singing the National Anthem and participating in the event.

Saturday, 4/21 |  Chris’ boxing match at Redemption pro-boxing and MMA Event. Click here for tickets.