Local artwork up for sale\nThe Bloomington Area Arts Council opens its annual holiday art sale this weekend in the Rosemary P. Miller Gallery and Gallery Shop of the John Waldron Arts Center. Handcrafted gifts created by over 50 local and regional artists will be available for purchase. Items for sale include pieces of pottery, glasswork, and metalwork, as well as ornaments, jewelry, paintings, quilting and photography. The Gallery Shop will offer complimentary gift-wrapping as well as gift certificates. The Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www.artlives.org.
Alumnus plays classical guitar concert\nClassical guitarist Sulaiman Zai, known for his exploration to the boundaries of east and west in his music, will perform live 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane. Zai debuted his music in 1973. After receiving an artistic diploma with distinction from the IU School of Music in 1985, he taught at IU. His original pieces showcase the versatility of the classical guitar. He often mixes styles and techniques in his compositions. Tickets cost $10 at the door. For more information, call 323-9707.
Youth to play in symphonic orchestra\nThe Musical Arts Youth Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Lowenheim, will bring their music to the stage of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Sunday. Entering its second season, the group provides musical training to a wide array of students from all levels and backgrounds. In addition to offering young musicians in south central Indiana a full symphonic orchestra experience, the Musical Arts Youth Orchestra also provides chamber music coaching and jazz combo experience. The Jazz Program is overseen by Jazz from Bloomington's Pat Harbison. Sunday the group will be playing Rossini's Overture to "The Barber of Seville," Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony," Sibelius' "Finlandia" and "Symphonic Dance," an original piece by Professor David Dzubay. Tickets to the event cost $10 at the door, with free admission to children and children under 18 years of age.
Screenplay to be revealed\nLocal actors are staging a reading of telecommunications lecturer Kalynn Huffman Brower's new thriller "River Cats." The psychological thriller tells the story of a scientist investigating a mysterious illness afflicting children near a research site. During the investigation, the scientist becomes involved in an unhealthy relationship. The screenplay explores toxic environments and how they are caused from both an emotional and environmental perspective. Brower has written several other screenplays, including "My Life Among Outlaws," which won a quarterfinalist award at the 2001 Moondance Film Festival. Her half-hour documentary "Among the Magic Mountains" was part of a show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Terry Porter, an agent who represents film and television writers and directors, will also be on hand for the reading. Both Brower and Porter will be on hand to talk to aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters about the business realities of the film world after the show. The reading will take place 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bloomington Playwrights Project, 312 S. Washington St. with an admission cost of $2. For more information, call Brower at 876-0675.
