Masked Ball And Literary Contest To Highlight First Anniversary Of Local Literary Magazine

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Newtowner Arts and Literary Magazine will celebrate its first anniversary on Saturday, February 11, with a special Masked Ball event, scheduled from 7 pm to midnight, in The Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall.

Inspired by Venice’s Carnevale, the ball will feature roving entertainers, Venetian Carnevale-style décor, local instrumentalists Yossi Kohrman-Glaser on classical guitar, Korey Brodsky on mandolin, and Jim Allyn on mandolin and accordion, and Venetian Commedia dell’arte dramatic performance by local actors — with audience participation.

The idea for a Venetian Carnevale was a bit serendipitous, said The Newtowner editor Georgia Moneghan.

“One of the features in our anniversary issue will be about the Venice Carnevale. Then, the staff was talking about the anniversary issue and how we should celebrate our first year, and the theme of Carnevale came up. [My husband] Darren [Wagner] and I have been to Carnevale, so we just looked at each other and the light bulbs went on over our heads,” she said. “It seemed to go well with the anniversary issue, the timing is perfect, because the real Carnevale is in February, and it’s so celebratory,” Ms Moneghan said.

As they started to get the word out about the Masked Ball, they ran into more people connected to Venice’s Carnevale, which only has added to their excitement about hosting this event. “I think it will be an over the top, really fun night,” said Ms Moneghan.

Masks plus costume or formal attire is required for the ball, and costume and mask competitions will take place during the evening. Guest will also have the opportunity to learn traditional 18th Century group dance.

Operatic interludes by local opera singers, and live music by New York dance band High Society Rhythm, playing contemporary, music of the ’80s, Motown, and swing dance pieces will be part of the celebration.

Guests at The Newtowner Masked Ball will enjoy gourmet Italian-style finger foods and Italian desserts, Italian Champagne and Bellinis, Italian coffee and gourmet teas, as well as a silent auction, with items donated by local merchants and craftspeople.

Tickets for The Newtowner Masked Ball are $100 each, and are available for purchase online at www.thenewtownermaskedball.com. The number of tickets available is limited by the size of the Alexandria Room, so early purchase is encouraged.

The proceeds from the ball will support the ongoing costs of publication of The Newtowner Arts and Literary Magazine.

Local and regional businesses are invited to sponsor the Masked Ball, with advertising and promotional packages to suit every level available. To sponsor the ball, contact editor@thenewtownermagazine.com or advertising@thenewtownermagazine.com.

Literary Award Competition

As part of its anniversary celebration, The Newtowner announces it first Literary Awards competition. The Newtowner Open Poetry Award and The Newtowner/Newtown High School Poetry Award have been established, and entries are being accepted through midnight, June 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by September 7, and prizes will be awarded at the Newtown Arts Festival on September 15.

Poets of all ages are eligible to enter the Open Poetry Award. There is a $10 entry fee for up to three poems. Poems should be no longer than 35 lines, and each entrant may submit no more than three poems. All judging will be blind.

The Newtown High School Poetry Award is open only to students of Newtown High School. The theme for 2012 is “Spirit.” Poems should be no more than 35 lines, with a maximum of three poems per entrant.

Final judging is by Lisa Schwartz, poetry editor, The Newtowner.

“We’re really excited about the literary award in conjunction with the high school, and about creating this competition,” said Ms Moneghan. “Lisa and I went in one day [to the high school] and spoke with students who are interested in following a literary career. It’s a good connection, and we’re looking forward to building on this,” she said.

There is a $500 cash prize to the winner of the Open Poetry Award, as well as publication in The Newtowner, and two free copies of the issue in which the winning poem appears.

The winner of the high school poetry contest will receive $50, a trophy, and a certificate, as well as publication in The Newtowner, and two copies of the magazine.

Names of the second and third place winners, and honorable mentions in both categories will be published in the Fall 2012 issue of The Newtowner and announced at the Newtown Arts Festival.

All entries will be considered for publication in the magazine, whether placing in competition, or not.

Entries must be submitted through The Newtowner website (www.thenewtownermagazine.com), via the Submissions page. Complete information on entering the contest is available there.

The Newtowner is proud to have showcased established and emerging local, regional, and national writers and artists during its first year of publication, and to now offer a Youth Expressions section in the quarterly magazine. The magazine hosts community literary readings and regularly shares the creative writing of men from Garner Correctional Institution.