Calendar of Events: OzArts conference teaches self-employment in arts

Feb. 25

Missouri State University’s music department presents a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. in Room 217-B of Ellis Hall on the MSU campus. Richard Todd Payne, baritone, will perform, accompanied by Peter Collins on piano and Grant Peters on trumpet. The event is free and open to the public. For information, contact Payne at (417) 836-5311.

Feb. 27

MSU’s music department presents the all bands concert at 7:30 p.m. at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The event, which features several MSU bands, is free and open to the public. For information, call (417) 836-5454.

Through March 7

The Springfield Regional Arts Council is accepting entries for its second annual kite art design contest through March 7. The contest is part of the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival, which will be held March 29 at Nathanael Greene Park. Contest age categories range from kindergarten through eighth grade, with first and second place winners in each age group. Prizes also will be given in several categories, including the most artistic and most authentic Japanese design and five awards for the best kites in the show. Entry forms and kite templates are available online at www.springfieldarts.org/kitedesign.

March 7–8

Drury University’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation presents the first Self Employment in the Arts OzArts conference for college students, educator and high school students who are serious about becoming successful visual, performing and literary artists. The conference will take place on the Drury campus and at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway. The cost for the conference is $50 and space is limited. Among the featured guests is keynote speaker Tom Wilson, the syndicated cartoonist behind “Ziggy,” which appears in more than 600 newspapers. There also will be shuttle service available to the downtown arts district during the First Friday Art Walk (see below). To register, visit www.drury.edu/ejc or call (417) 873-6359.

March 7

Discovery Center of Springfield, 438 E. St. Louis Street, presents Parents Night Out 5–10 p.m. for children ages 4 years through sixth grade. This chaperoned event will provide exploration of Discovery Center exhibits. Preregistration and payment is required by March 3. The cost is $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child for members, and $30 for the first child and $10 for each additional child for nonmembers. For more information, visit www.discoverycenter.org.

First Friday Art Walk will be held 6–10 p.m. in downtown Springfield with 24 participating venues. Highlights include live opera at Hyde Gallery, 210 E. Walnut St., live music and demonstrations at Hawthorn Galleries, 214 E. Walnut St., and the debut art exhibit by Realtor-turned artist Doug Jones at Monarch Art Factory, 600 W. College St. For more information, call First Friday Art Walk Communications Director Clarissa French at (417) 849-8255.

March 30

Comedian Brian Regan will perform at 7 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East, as part of his nationwide tour sponsored by Comedy Central. In addition to sold-out performances nationwide, Regan also has had regular TV appearances, including gigs on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Tickets are $37.50 apiece and are available at www.metrotix.com.

Community

Feb. 28

MSU’s office of public affairs and the extended campus present Ethics Across the Curriculum-Criminal Justice at 7 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater. Patrick Oliver, an assistant professor of criminal justice and director of the criminal justice program at Cedarville University in Ohio, is the guest speaker for the event, which is the fourth lecture in MSU’s Public Affairs series. Oliver served 27 years in law enforcement, including positions of chief of police in the cities of Fairborn, Grandview Heights and Cleveland, Ohio. He also spent 11 years as a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (417) 836-5073.

MSU’s office of financial aid presents Financial Aid Night at 6:30 p.m. in Kentwood Hall. The free event is open to anyone, but is focused on high school juniors and seniors and their parents – regardless of whether those students are considering attending MSU. Topics will include available financial aid, how to apply for aid and helpful hints to smooth the process. Visitor parking is available in the event lot adjoining Kentwood Hall. For more information, call (417) 836-4583.

March 8

A social party bridge tournament will begin with check-in at 1 p.m. at the Montclair Retirement Community, 1000 E. Montclair, with play to start promptly at 1:30 p.m. The event’s $5 registration fee will benefit the Family Violence Center. Participants also are encouraged to donate baby or kitchen items or other supplies for the center, which provides shelter, advocacy and education to victims of domestic violence. To register for the tournament or obtain a donations wish list, call (417) 886-2100.

March 27–29

The Springfield Symphony Guild presents its Spring Antique Show and preview party at Remingtons, 1655 W. Republic Road. Dealers from the four-state area will participate in the show, and art and antique appraisals will be available at the preview party, 7–9 p.m. March 27; and during the show, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. March 28 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. March 29. Tickets to the preview party are $20 apiece and include one free appraisal. Additional appraisals at the preview party will be $10 each. For preview party ticket information, call the symphony office at (417) 864-6683. Tickets to the Friday and Saturday shows are $4, and are available at the door. Appraisals during the show also will be $10 each. All event proceeds will benefit the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Business & Professional Development

Through March 14

Nominations for Missouri’s 2008 Outstanding Older Worker are due March 14. In its 18th year, this award is aimed at recognizing and celebrating older workers for the contributions they make to the work force. Nominees must be Missouri residents who are 55 or older and working at least 20 hours a week in the state. There will be 15 regional finalists selected, and they, along with their employers, will be invited to take part in recognition activities May 1–2 in Jefferson City. One regional finalist will garner Missouri’s Outstanding Older Worker award and represent the state during Experience Works’ Prime Time Awards in Washington, D.C., in September. To request a nomination form, call Susan Jackson-Falls at (800) 368-7569.

Through March 31

Leadership Springfield, a nonprofit organization aimed at developing community leaders, is accepting applications through March 31 for its 24th class, which begins in the fall. There will be 32 participants selected for the nine-month program, which includes two retreats and daylong sessions once a month on topics that include leadership dynamics, civic awareness, criminal justice and public safety and health and medical services. Leadership Springfield is an affiliate of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Applications are available online at www.leadershipspringfield.com or by calling the chamber at (417) 862-5567.

March 3–May 19

Drury’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Lyle Foster, owner of Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar, are teaming up for two small-business series. Phase I will run March 3–May 19, with classes held 6–9:15 p.m. on Mondays at Big Momma’s, 217 E. Commercial St. Participants will learn about developing business plans, marketing, finding startup funds, strategic planning and understanding legal issues. The cost of Phase 1 is $195, which includes all materials. The registration deadline is Feb. 28. Phase II, which can be taken on its own or as a follow-up, will run June 2–Sept. 12 at Drury, and it will cost $300. To register or for more information, visit www.bigmommascoffee.com.