Art Notes: Holidays are the perfect time for good reads and new movies
The holidays are the perfect time of year for checking out new books or seeing new movies.
And just in time for those holidays is a new film starring Ernie Hudson and Kevin Sorbo which, interestingly enough, has ties to the Lowcountry.
Due out next week, "Gallows Road" was written by Grace McAdams, a Sun City resident, and her son, Bill McAdams, a veteran movie industry professional.
The film is set in rural Texas and tells the story of a family man who withdraws from the world to overcome an agonizing loss while another man struggles with the unbearable guilt of his role in a related crime.
Due out next week, the movie was something of a family project since Bill McAdams directed the film and has a supporting role as does his sister, Mary Jean Bentley, who also produced the film and is a veteran industry professional herself.
A "meet and greet" with Bill McAdams will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 25, at Cinemark Bluffton, 106 Buckwalter Parkway, when the movie comes to Bluffton.
For tickets, visit www.tugg.com/events/44614.
To get a sneak peek at the movie, click here.
Curl Up with a new read
If you're looking for something new to read or a literary event to attend, a book launch for "Sway of the Siren" -- the debut novel of Bluffton writer Laurie McCall -- will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 21, on the grounds of Stiles Harper's home at 36 Oyster St., in Bluffton.
McCall, a longtime high school English teacher, will read from her novel, set among the sea islands of the Lowcountry.
Joining McCall will be Elijah Heyward Jr., author of "Stories and Poems of a Gullah Native" and local jazz and gospel singer Lalie Mole.
The event is free and will include wine and hors d'oeuvres as well as door prizes.
The novel is due out on Dec. 1 but advanced copies of "Sway of the Siren" will be available for purchase at the event.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Pan-African Family Empowerment and Land Preservation Network, a local charity that helps preserve Gullah-Geechee ancestral land.
Another book recently launched just in time for the holidays is "Hilton Head Island, Emerald of the South."
Written by Hilton Head's Martin McFie, author of "The Jazz Corner Story," the 112-page coffee table quality volume features the history, people and places of the island as well as full-page color imagery.
The book is available for $26 at such Hilton Head businesses as Lettrs Gifts, J.Banks Design Group, The Oilerie, Gifted Hilton Head, Pyramids, Catch 22 and Markel's Card and Gift Shop.
In addition, sales of the book at upcoming Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra performances will benefit the orchestra.
In other book news, Beaufort-native James E. McTeer II's novel "Minnow" -- about a young boy who comes of age after setting out on a quest -- has been named to Kirkus Reviews' "Best Books of 2015" list.
McTeer, who is a media specialist at an elementary school in Columbia, drew from the life of his grandfather, the famous "witch doctor sheriff" Ed McTeer, for inspiration for the book.
"Minnow" is the 2014 winner of the South Carolina First Novel Prize and has already received a number of accolades and favorable reviews.
For details on the book or where to purchase, visit www.hubcity.org.
Cool Jazz Sounds
Jazz seems to be the name of the game as we head into the holidays.
Playing tonight and Saturday is the Jody Espina All-Star Quintet.
A highly-regarded jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist, Espina is also a jazz educator.
The quintet features Sasha Strunjas, Linus Enoksson, Eric Jones and Ira Miller.
The show "Celebrating the Cool Sounds of Stan Getz" is at 8 p.m. tonight Nov. 20 and Saturday Nov. 21, at The Jazz Corner, 1000 William Hilton Parkway in The Village at Wexford, Hilton Head.
The show is $12.50. Dinner starts at 6 p.m.
For details call 843-842-8620 or visit www.thejazzcorner.com.
And speaking of The Jazz Corner, don't forget the club's 11th Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit The Junior Jazz Foundation, also this weekend.
The foundation works to broaden the awareness of jazz within local schools and raises funds for new equipment, instruments, scholarships, classes and seminars for interested and promising young adults.
The tournament is at 10 a.m. Saturday Nov. 21, on the Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes Plantation, 4 Queens Folly Road, Hilton Head.
For sign up, sponsorship or donations call 843-842-8620 or email: Kelli@thejazzcorner.com.
Local jazz singer Jan Spencer and pianist Rick Radcliff will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday Nov. 21 at the Spaghetti Club, 27 Market St., Beaufort.
Spencer is a smooth jazz and blues singer-songwriter who hails from Detroit but now resides in Beaufort.
Radcliff, originally from New Jersey, is a piano and keyboard player who has been playing around the region for 17 years.
The show is free but comes with a minimum dinner or beverage charge of $15.
Call 843-466-3663 for reservations.
And if soul and gospel is more your thing, you may want to check out the 3rd annual "Oh! Give Thanks Gospel Celebration" featuring recording artist and Bluffton-native Latrese Bush and spoken-word artist, Bluffton-native, Vascola Stoney.
Dove Award nominee Lisa McClendon will also make an appearance at the event at 6 p.m. Nov. 27, at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 10 Robertson St., Bluffton.
Doors will open at 5:30.
The family-event is a free but offerings are accepted.
Proceeds will support the church's scholarship fund.
For more information call 843-757-2638.
Handmade Treasures
If you're looking for a special gift for that certain someone with an artistic flare, you'll definitely want to check out the Society of Bluffton Artists' upcoming "Holiday Boutique" from Saturday Nov. 21 through Dec. 30.
The boutique will feature a variety of local handmade items such as crafts, unique furniture pieces and small paintings.
The annual showcase is in the society's Center for Creative Arts building, next to the gallery, at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets, in Old Town Bluffton.
Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
For details call 843-757-6586 or visit www.sobagallery.com.
High-Energy Performance
Hilton Head's Move & Motion Performance Company will present a high-energy holiday show at 7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 21, at Hilton Head Preparatory Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head.
"Magical Seasons" will feature a variety of new and original dance, acrobat and aerial arts performances reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil.
Student performers include children, teens and adults who will perform award-winning routines from recent regional competitions.
Tickets are $25; free for children ages 3 and younger if seated with parent.
Tickets can be held at the theater's box office one-hour before showtime or be picked up weekdays from 4-7 p.m. at Move & Motion, at 21 Cardinal Road, suites 105 and 106.
For details call 843-290-6898 visit www.moveandmotion.com.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
- Art Notes: Big music weekend -- plus book events, new art and an audition, Nov. 12, 2015
- Art Notes for Nov. 5: Festivals offer a sampling of the good life -- plus new art, music, lectures and performances, Nov. 5, 2015
This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Art Notes: Holidays are the perfect time for good reads and new movies."