Arts Appreciation Festival to debut April 4-7 in Franklin

Infinite Creations Entertainment’s inaugural production of an Arts Appreciation Festival is set for April 4-7 and will highlight several forms of the arts being performed by local entertainers.
The new professional traveling theater troupe based in Franklin seeks to promote live theater, dance, music and art throughout south Louisiana. An emphasis on art education in schools is part of its program.
Executive Director Ed “Tiger” Verdin is a 20-year veteran of theater and film, having been involved in acting, directing, stage management, scenography, lighting design and much more.
He was previously on the board of directors for the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts, Techeland Arts Council and numerous community board committees.
For the upcoming event, Verdin and his wife Stacey will perform a reader’s theatre version of Mark Twain’s The Diary of Adam and Eve.
Ladaisha Bowles-Webber, a theatre graduate from University of Loyola-Chicago will perform classical jazz, Broadway and R&B song selections.
Meg Morgan, lifetime dancer and currently one of the teachers at the Dance Factory in Franklin will be performing contemporary dance numbers.
Caroline Simoneaux, owner and operator of Studio C will have numerous works of art on display and for sale.
Rhonda Dennis, author of The Green Bayou series of novels and Magnolia Blossoms will perform a question and answer session along with McKenna Aloisio, teen author of the children’s book dealing with bullying and race relations Swimming in Color.
Both authors will be signing, selling and greeting patrons one hour prior to the production.
Emilie Miller and Suzanne Wiltz will recite classic and original works of poetry. Amber Lanclos will perform an original dramatic monologue with Verdin entitled “Functional Dysfunction.”
Crystal Newton-Bell will perform “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to each show and will also accompany Verdin in an improv session with the audience which will be a preview of Infinite Creations’ original improv and skit comedy show entitled “What’s my Motivation?!”
Grammy award winners Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band will attempt a death-defying feat of performing at two venues at one time.
Members from the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts, Techeland Arts Council and West St. Mary Parish Relay for Life/American Cancer Society will be on hand to discuss and promote their upcoming productions/events.
Troupe 242 of the Boy Scouts of America will be in attendance performing service hours and presenting the colors prior to each production. Proceeds from the April 7 show will be donated to Troop 242
Show dates and times are April 4, 5 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For further information, visit:
www.infinitecreationsentertainment.com
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