Art's Alive blooms under sun

By: John Sweeney

Posted: 4/15/09

Under a beautiful April sun, Francis Marion's annual "Arts Alive Festival" was packed with entertainment for all ages, FMU students, graduates and faculty appearing in and working the successful event.
From the Honor's Society book sale in the breezeway between Founder's Hall and CEMC to the musical styling's of FMU students and grads, not to mention the variety of food, arts-and-crafts vendors, magicians and clowns, seemed to have something for everyone.
Even the performers were taken up by the welcoming atmosphere.
"This place is like home" Courtney Dease, and FMU Alumnus and performer for the festival, said. "We feel so at home here and at ease."
Dease, along with fellow FMU-grad Joey Webster and former student Chrissy Sennel, were all members of Francis Marion's "Cut Time" show-choir and one of the early morning entertainers. The three belted music ranging from Broadway to Country in the Kassab Recital Hall in the Fine Arts building.
"I know we did 'Arts Alive' twice while I was in 'Cut Time.'" Webster said. "So, not to be in 'Cut Time' and still be asked to come back makes it that much better."
Webster, the third in the trio, is very familiar with performing in this space, appearing in a solo showcase at Kassab his senior-year. Dease graduated soon there-after and Sennel left school for the married life. The three keep in touch regularly and rehearse with one another often. Their choice of music, Broadway and Country, came from a mix of what they love and what people seem to enjoy.
"It's what we're familiar with, it's what we love," Sennel said. "We all love country and we all really love Broadway and it just kind of fit perfectly with all of us."
"It's a good variety," Dease added. "Not everybody loves theatre and not everybody loves country, pop or whatever. It gives a good variety for them. It is so good to get back here and do what we learned to do here and what we love to do here."
The trio received a standing ovation at the end of their performance before heading out and enjoying the rest of the festival for themselves. Other attractions included a number of local dance companies, regional musical performers and FMU's very own jazz ensemble, along with face painting, a magician and clowns for the kids.
A very popular attraction was the Honors book sale, run by Dr. Pamela Rooks, Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program. Rooks says that the sale is not so much about making money or increasing the profile of the Honor's Society as much as it is about getting people to keep reading.
"It is a recycling effort, with the most expensive book being two dollars" Rooks said. "I love to see people buying books."