Dr. Stephen Lias will be honored as the Outstanding Music Alumnus by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music during the Friends of Music's annual Extravaganza, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 30, at the Hotel Fredonia Convention Center. Photo provided by Portraits by Cole

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will honor composer Dr.

Conrad Herwig

World renowned jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig will be the featured guest artist during a joint concert of the Stephen F. Austin State University jazz bands, the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces, on Thursday, April 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. The three-time Grammy-nominated trombonist and the Swingin' Axes will perform works by Coltrane, George Gershwin and Charles Minus, including some of Herwig's own arrangements.

Festival of New American Plays

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - East Texans have the rare opportunity to get a preview of three playwrights' newest works during Stephen F. Austin State University's Festival of New American Plays Tuesday, April 27, through Saturday, May 1, in the Downstage Theatre of the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The program for "With Wind and Song," a concert by the Stephen F. Austin State University's Wind Symphony, on Monday, April 26, will feature compositions for band and chorus. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Joining the band to present Aaron Copland's "Old American Songs (Set II)" will be SFA's Choral Union and Women's Choir. David Howard, SFA associate director of choirs, will guest conduct the piece that was originally written for voice and piano.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Symphonic and University Bands in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. The program includes a wide range of musical works for bands, including marches, tributes to America and contemporary pieces.

Stephen F. Austin State University this week established a Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award to honor featured guests in the new Archie McDonald Speaker Series.

"The award will honor persons of significance in American culture, who will be invited here to present a lecture, talk or public conversation about their roles in the development of American culture and the impact of American culture on their lives," said Dr. Richard Berry, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Danceworks, a studio concer, will be held on Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, at 3 and 5 p.m. in the Lucille Norton HPE Complex Dance Studio, Room 201, on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Dance Program will present Danceworks, a studio concert on Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, at 3 and 5 p.m.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Art invites the community to recognize Earth Day by attending a free one-night screening of "Food, Inc." at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, in the Ledbetter Gallery of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. The documentary will be followed by a community discussion about related topics.

McKinney senior Josh Dennis and Sulphur Springs graduate student Monica Lancaster

SFA music students rehearse a scene from Carlisle Floyd's American opera, "Susannah," which the SFA College of Fine Arts, School of Music and School of Theatre will present at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, through Saturday, April 17, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.