ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: out & about
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS
Have you had your Twainism today?
"There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
"When in doubt, tell the truth."
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society."
Yes, that great Hannibal humorist - Mark Twain - entertained and enlightened readers with his insights on American life. An opinionated man, Twain never missed an opportunity to offer his candid (and sometimes caustic) counsel, solicited or not!
He once sent a card to the Young People's Society of Greenpoint Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. His advice to them:
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
R. Rex Stephenson, a professor of drama at Ferrum College, will bring the literary legend to life Saturday when he presents his Mark Twain show at Floyd's Oak Grove Pavilion.
Stephenson, who has been performing the show for the past 15 years, recreates the spirit of Twain's 1907 lecture tour. Decked out in the writer's trademark white linen suit, Stephenson portrays Twain at age 72, telling stories ranging from his boyhood on the Mississippi River to his adventures as a young man on the frontier. He'll also share some of Twain's sharp one-liners.
In addition to his teaching, Stephenson founded Ferrum College's touring company of Jack Tales and is the director of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre. He has written many historical dramas and children's plays and was recently elected into the Dramatists Guild, the association of professional American playwrights.
Saturday's performance starts at 8 p.m. at the pavilion. It's right behind Zion Lutheran Church on Virginia 615 and 693 in Floyd. Some seats are available under the shelter, but bring your own lawn chairs or blankets if you want to sit under the stars.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted for six community organizations. The next (and final) show of the season at the pavilion is a concert by Michael Brown on Aug. 31.
HOT TIME IN THE OLD FIREHOUSE TONIGHT: Floyd County's Volunteer Fire Department Station 1 is the place to be for hand-clapping, foot-stomping, partner-swinging fun tonight.
The Friday Night Band from Salem will be playing for the Firemen's Frolic, a monthly event put on by the volunteers at the station.
The lively music runs from 8 to 11, and you'll want to wear your fancy dancing shoes.
As always, admission is free.
LITTLE BUT LOUD: The little Giles County community of Eggleston is having its big "Fun Day" Saturday. The annual event, sponsored by the Eggleston Volunteer Fire Department, offers engaging entertainment, spirited games and delicious food.
Pssst...you'll also meet some of the nicest people anywhere.
The highlight of the day is the antique tractor pull at 11 a.m. Other attractions include a flea market and live music throughout the day.
Breakfast will be available from 8 to 10 a.m. Dinner runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Eggleston Volunteer Fire Department is just off Virginia 730 from U.S. 460 or Virginia 100. Follow the signs to get to the site.
WHITT-LING THE NIGHT AWAY: The Whitt Singers will render those wonderful old Southern gospel tunes at a concert Tuesday night in Radford's Bisset Park. It starts at 7 at the gazebo.
The concert is the last of the summer series put on by Crestar Bank and the Radford Parks and Recreation Department. Admission is free.
QUIT SINGING IN THE SHOWER! Bring your voice to the first rehearsal of the Blacksburg Master Chorale's new season. It's happening Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.
Auditions will be held after this first rehearsal. Chorale singers will meet each week to prepare for the fall concert, Oct. 26, and the annual holiday concert, Dec. 14.
Kevin Fenton is the musical director for the upcoming season. An assistant professor at Virginia Tech, Fenton directs the Meistersingers and the University Concert Choir. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in music education and supervises student teachers. He also has organized several choral clinics involving music education majors and public school students.
The Blacksburg Master Chorale will be working on Mozart's Requiem for the first concert. The work involves four soloists and an orchestra of 23 instrumentalists, in addition to the full chorus.
For more information, call Libby Drapeau at 552-0560.
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