Page 8 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 4-27-2016

Arts/EntertainmentPage 8 • April 27, 2016 Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter

Book Bash will bring 50+ authors to Clear Lake Saturday
Calling all Book Worms! world for those who have considered BF Bookies, as well as writing her own Smith’s second book was a spin- Smith said she is excited to speak
Clear Lake author and reviewer The second annual North Iowa taking their love of writing to the next novels. off of the first and she said she strug- with the variety of authors who will at-
RACHEL SMITH Book Bash will be held in Clear Lake level. “I started writing because I was gled to meet the expectations of those tend Saturday’s Book Bash and hopes
Saturday, April 30, featuring more Rachel Smith, from Clear Lake, such an avid reader and I wondered if who read her first book. There was the public will stop in to get a taste
than 50 authors from the United is a book lover turned author. She I could do it,” said Smith, who moved also the self-imposed pressure to get of the rapidly growing self-publishing
States and Canada signing books and independently published “Home,” to Clear Lake three years ago. “One the book distributed beyond friends, business.
participating in panel discussions. a contemporary romance novel, in day I opened up a word document family and North Iowa. In her third “This business is all about net-
The event is hosted by BF Bookies, a March 2014. Her follow-up, “Broken and kept typing. I had a general idea, book she stepped away from her first working— who you know,” said
group of bloggers and reviewers. Home,” and “Unwanted Love,” which but no outline or anything. I just efforts and set the story in a lake town Smith, adding that she plans to meet
Authors— some of them with is set in a community much like Clear continued to type and three months and filtered many ideas into main some of her favorite authors at the
one published book and others with Lake, are also in print. Smith says she later I had my first book. The editing characters. event and is especially looking for-
dozens, will be available to visit with has always loved to read— especially began and I eventually printed and As a relatively new resident of ward to morning and afternoon semi-
those attending and sign their books, romance novels, but her hobby has stapled it so my mother could read it. Clear Lake, Smith said she got con- nars on book genres such as romance,
sell new ones, and even share their become a career as it has expanded I eventually looked into the world of nected with a fellow reader who be- children’s books, science fiction and
own journey into the publishing into reviewing books as a member of self-publishing. It was that easy.” came one the founding member of BF paranormal, as well as information to
Bookies. As they shared their love of anyone interested in being a writer or
Works of Northwest Iowa artist books through conversations, eventu- blogger. There will also be giveaways
Cherie Courter at Arts Center ally Rachel was asked to consider join- during the event, which runs from 9
ing them as a reviewer. She currently a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Western
The works of Iowa painter Cherie Courter, of her recent work focuses on the form of landscapes, reads about two books per week, usu- Holiday Lodge. Admission for the
Storm Lake, are on display through Saturday, May predominantly those in Iowa. ally after her children are in bed, and entire day is just $2. The first 100
14, in the Hanson Gallery at the Clear Lake Arts “If you stand in the middle of our Hanson Gal- writes reviews for Amazon and Good attending will receive welcome bags.
Center in downtown Clear Lake. lery, you feel like you are on a Sunday afternoon Reads. Two Kindle Fire e-readers will also be
For Courter, acrylic painting is therapeutic, al- drive through the Iowa countryside,” commented “It has been a fun process for me given away, as well as gift cards. Dis-
most like meditation. “It’s a means of connecting to Paula Hanus, executive director of the Clear Lake to write and I have especially enjoyed counted prices on books, as well as the
God, my Creator,” she said. Arts Center, about the exhibit. “Each painting, by being a member of BF Bookies. Every chance to have them signed by their
Courter has loved painting since she was a itself is wonderful, but together, as an exhibit, well, book and every idea is different,” she authors, are also featured at the event.
young girl, but didn’t really get into the ‘real heart it takes your breath away.” said.
of it’ until she was in college. “After that, there were The paintings depict the subtleties of color, tex-
times I’d take breaks from painting, but now I’d ture, light and pattern. ‘British Invasion!’ on stage Friday
never leave it.” Courter says, “I am drawn to winding gravel
Recently retired after 29 years as an art educa- roads, tall grasses, fields that “go on forever”, tree Cherie Courter in her studio in downtown Storm North Iowa Choral Society will John Rutter, Henry Purcell, Thomas
tor, Courter now devotes her time exclusively to groves, clouds and sky, and how they all fit together. Lake, Iowa present its 22nd Annual Spring Con- Morley, Jule Styne, Gilbert & Sulli-
painting. Her past works have won numerous hon- The Iowa countryside is full of pictures ready to be cert – “The British Invasion!” on van, and John Lennon, to name just a
ors and have been shown throughout the Midwest, painted, and I wait with anticipation for the view at Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the few.
with many of her paintings hanging in public and the top of a hill or just around the next curve in the North Iowa Community Auditorium For this performance, both en-
private collections. road.” on the NIACC campus under the di- sembles will begin with a round, fol-
For years the subject of Courter’s paintings were The Clear Lake Arts Center is located at 17 S. rection of Linda Ferjak. North Iowa lowed by several madrigal selections
Midwestern people in a variety of outdoor settings. 4th St. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 10 Choral Society is a select ensemble from the adult ensemble. It will also
Recently she began to realize a draw to the environ- a.m. – 5 p.m. performing a wide range of music feature a mixture of large group and
ment, itself, over the human figure. Consequently, including classics, spirituals, musical small group performances from the
theatre, jazz, swing, blues, folk, and adult ensemble peppered with perfor-
genres in-between. This season the mances from the Children’s Choir.
ensemble is enthusiastically featuring Tickets to the concert are $5 and
music from British composers such as may be obtained at the door.

Jazz month celebrated with ensemble at NIACC Buying or Selling a Home in
the Clear Lake Area?
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with the North 7 p.m. The event is free of charge.
Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Jazz Ensemble, The NIACC Jazz Club, a cabaret style concert, will Trust one of these Real Estate Professionals
conducted by John Klemas, NIACC Director of Bands. have something for everyone. The students are present-
The NIACC Jazz Ensemble will perform a short program ing a variety of jazz styles in a relaxing atmosphere, which
in the Activity Center at NIACC on Thursday, April 28, at should make for a very entertaining evening.

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“We’re excited to finally share www.McQuaidAgency.com
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executive director of the Clear Lake
Arts Center. “Fitting with the theme, View the wildife at the nature preserve that is adjacent to the property. $449,000
entertainment for the evening will be
North Iowa Blues guitarist Melvin Find these listings plus so much more in the
LaVert with Andy Blumenthal join-
ing Melvin later in the evening. As al- Home Buyers Guide Published monthly,
ways, our volunteers look at the food the last Wednesday of
for this event as if it is their work of
art. I guarantee the flavors will be fab- the month
ulous and the presentation exquisite.”
The event will be held Friday, Available FREE at these locations:
June 3, at 6 p.m. at the Clear Lake
Arts Center, 17 S. 4th St. Tickets will LOOK FOR MANY ADDITIONAL 1 DAY SALE ITEMS IN OUR STORE • Clear Lake Bank & Trust • Best Western • Budget Inn
be on sale soon for $35 per person. • 7 Stars Family Restaurant • The Other Place • CLTel
The Clear Lake Arts Center’s An- April 27th to May 2nd, 2016 Valid April 27th thru May 2nd, 2016 • Clear Lake Chamber • South Shore Inn • Fareway
nual Event is sponsored by CL-Tel, • Oakwood Market • Hall Realty • Kum & Go
CLB&T, First Gabrielson Agency, Kemp’s Pepsi or Mt. Dew • Farmers State Bank • Larson Mercantile • MBT
MBT, Schroeder Plumbing & Heat- Chocolate Milk • Mason City Airport • AmericInn • Super 8
ing and TQ Technologies. 1% or Skim Milk gallon $599 • Payless Foods • Quick Shop • Glen’s Tire
• Century 21 Preferred • Ventura Mart • Microtel
2/$5 12 oz. 24-pack + deposit. • Schoneman Realtors • McQuaid Realty • KFC/Taco Bell
• Half Moon Inn
Limit 1 with $10 purchase
CLEAR LAKE

PLU# 30714 Available on line at www.clreporter.com