SATURDAY JANUARY 1, 2022 (YAY! I GOT THE DATE RIGHT!)

“It’s about working out, but also about being the best you possible. It brings out the inner beauty.”

Colleen Pannell will lead a new six-week belly dancing class at Sammons Community Center starting Jan. 11. Colleen said the class is for anyone 16 years old or older. “I can adjust the dance to fit your ability, so don’t let age, size or ability be a deterrent.”

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

A new class at Sammons Community Center in Temple offers participants a fun way to get in shape — belly dancing.

The six-week class begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, and will be taught by professional instructor Colleen Pannell of Elgin. Colleen is the owner of Belly Dance 4 Everyone, and she says the class is open to anyone 16 years old or older.

“With belly dance, a lot of issues don’t really matter,” she said “I can adjust the dance to fit your ability, so don’t let age, size or disability be a deterrent. I’ve had clients well into their 80s and they have done just fine.”

Colleen said belly dancing is as much of an art form as it is an exercise.

“It’s about working out, but also about being the best you possible,” she said. “It brings out the inner beauty.”

But, belly dancing also can be quite physical.

“It’s a tremendous form of exercise,” she said. “We really drill the core and work out parts of your body you may not normally exercise, especially in the abs, chest and pelvic regions. And, it’s great for your legs and ankles.”

Colleen has been belly dancing for about 12 years, and it all started by picking up a Bastrop newspaper.

“I was coming off multiple knee surgeries and was looking for a non-invasive way to exercise,” she said. “I couldn’t run or do anything like Jazzercise, but I needed to do something. I saw an ad in the paper for folk dancing. I signed up, and it actually turned out to be belly dancing. I took the class and fell in love — I found my home. To me, it is an art form, not just an exercise.”

Colleen’s love for the belly dance led to her teaching a beginners class about eight years ago. She joined the Fort Hood-based Central Texas Belly Dance Association and eventually became its president.

“A Temple resident attended one of our workshops and requested that a class be held in that part of Bell County,” she said. “I checked into it, and the Sammons classes were scheduled.”

Colleen’s classes typically last about two hours, but not all of that time is spent dancing.

“We will learn some basic drills and a little choreography,” she said. I also teach positivity in my workshops, and we add acting and emotions into dance.”

In the past, Colleen has spent time teaching the art form and participating in belly dance competitions. Like everything else, that changed in March 2020.

“Everything became virtual,” she said. “I did classes online for a couple years, and even the competitions I entered were virtual. It was a different world.”

The Sammons classes are Colleen’s first foray back into live teaching, but there will be others to come in the very near future.

“I’m starting a class in Bastrop in late January, and I’ll get one going again in Giddings as soon as possible,” she said.

Her belly dance classes feature a mix of music, including traditional melodies from the Middle East to hip-hop, “fusion tribal music” and country.

“The belly dance works well with most music styles,” she said. “I like to mix it up and have fun.”

To register for Colleen’s Temple classes, visit https://bit.ly/3HV5gzl.

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POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST

There were four railway lines in Temple by 1897, connecting the young city to the rest of the state and beyond: The main line and the San Angelo branch of the Santa Fe, plus the main line and the Belton branch of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. About 23 passenger trains stopped in the city every day, so there were always new faces in town. This post card shows the original Missouri, Kansas & Texas (The Katy) Depot, which was torn down and replaced by the current depot just off East Adams Avenue in 1913. The city is considering renovation of the 1913 structure and converting it to a business that would draw more traffic to the area. This renovation is part of a Downtown neighborhood plan Council will consider later this month.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

The Purifoy building at 4 S. 9th Street is the oldest house in Temple. Originally known as the Fisher House, the building was built in 1881, the same year Temple was founded. The building originally was a boarding house, providing rooms for railroad workers. John W. Hill built the house, and lived there with his wife and two daughters. After his passing, Mrs. Hill rented the home to J.N. Fisher and his family, but she also stayed in the home for several years. One of the Fisher girls engraved her name — Curtis — on a front window with a diamond ring given to her on her 10th birthday by one of her brothers. She was told if it was a real diamond, it would write on glass. It did. David Stone | Our Town Temple

THE BEST-KEPT CALENDAR IN CENTRAL TEXAS

DEAN’S SERIES: KATHRYN FOUSE: Let the Games Begin with Kathryn Fouse, piano. Join us for an entertaining evening of music from popular video games. 7:30 p.m., Jan. 18 at Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

EXHIBIT OPENING: The next art exhibit opening will be Jan. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. The featured artist is PHOKUS and the exhibit will feature a  mixed media presentation entitled "So tonight that I may dream.”

THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS: The College of Visual & Performing Arts at UMHB features a band that plays music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation while synchronizing the music to video projections of the original film. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, at the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center.

AIZURI QUARTET: This group will perform at the CAC on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Described as "genuinely exciting" by the New York Times and "elegant" and "inquisitive" by The New Yorker, the quartet presents a vibrant selection of new music and standards. The group was nominated for a Grammy in 2019. 

LION KING JR.: The Temple High School Theater Arts department will present a production featuring actors from across the school district on Jan. 27-30. The Jan. 27-29 shows will start at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee will begin at 2. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at CentralTexasTickets.com.

POPS CONCERT: The Temple Symphony Orchestra will feature trumpeter Allen Vizzutti in a January 29 Pops Concert at the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

THE CONTEMPORARIES TELETHON “THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT” will be held on stage Jan. 29 at the CAC. The telethon proceeds provide financial support for the building and the programming.

DEAN’S SERIES: EMILY & JONATHAN GRAY: College of Visual & Performing Arts at UMHB presents Emily & Jonathan Gary in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4  inside the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center.

INHERIT THE WIND: The Temple Civic Theater will hold auditions on Feb. 2- and 21, and the show will be presented April 1-10.

LAST OF THE RED-HOT LOVERS: The Temple Civic Theater show will run Feb. 4-13 at TCT.

MUSIC TO HELP OTHERS: Christ Episcopal Church is presenting a concert to benefit local charities at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 at the church.  The concert will celebrate Black History Month and honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. The concert also will be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/christchurchtx and will benefit the Un-Included Club, a nonprofit organization that provides literacy, urban agriculture, and leadership programs for underserved youth. Donations will be accepted at the door or online. The Sunday afternoon concert series is a continuing ministry of the church. The concerts, featuring local musicians, have raised more than $14,000 for area charities, food banks and medical clinics serving those in need.

THE VANDOLIERS - The Cultural Activities Center’s Texas Music Series opens on Feb. 12. Season tickets are on sale at cacarts.org.

NO LIMITS MONSTER TRUCK WINTER NATIONALS & MUD RACES are coming to The Expo on Jan. 14 & 15. See some of the nation’s most competitive monster trucks and motocross racers as they invade Bell County. 7:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets at bellcountyexpo.com

LONE STAR GUN SHOW is going Jan. 15-6. Bring in your old gun and trade up. Look at all kinds of merchandise from New and Used Guns, Knives, Swords, Hunting Gear, Books, Coins, Medals, Ammo, Reloading Equipment and Supplies. 9-5 on Saturday, 10-4 on Sunday.

A SAMI SHOW: ARTS & CRAFTS MARKET will be in Assembly Hall from 10-5 Saturday, Jan. 22, and 11-4 Sunday, Jan. 23.

PARKER McCOLLUM RED DIRT MARDI GRAS features Texas mainstream country at its best. Saturday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. Buy tickets and select seats at bellcountyexpo.com

BELL COUNTY YOUTH FAIR & PRCA RODEO is coming to The Expo on Feb. 11 and 12. Details on this big show will be coming soon!

MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR will be held Feb. 19 and 20 with a dazzling array of workshops and lectures on how to grow and raise your own food, build your own root cellar and more. Details are coming!

January 3-4 — Learn the art of glass fusing (ABOVE PHOTO) during evening classes at A Work of Art Studio. Contact: Jillmoon4655@gmail.com

January 6, Thursday - In partnership with the Temple Community Clinic and other sponsors, the Living Well in Bell wellness series will debut at the CAC. The first presenters for the 2022 series will be Dr. Patricia J. Sulak and Dr. Jeffrey Waxman who will discuss all aspects of well-being. 6 p.m.

January 6, Thursday - Central Texas Arts League meets to plan a year of creative ventures. Open to the public.  6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.  Come learn about the plans and meet with fellow artists in the Central Texas area.

January 7, Friday - On the first Friday of every month, historic downtown Temple transforms into a giant party. Enjoy street music and performances, drinks, food, and after-hours shopping.

January 8, Saturday - Cabin Fever: Stargazing Family Day at Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. Learn about constellations, meteor showers and other celestial objects while checking out the night sky. 10 a.m.

January 8, Saturday — Great British Rock ’n’ Roll Name that Tune Bingo at Fire Base Brewing Co. 7:30 p.m.

January 9, Sunday — Larry Burgin & Texas Tradition at Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton. $10, 6-9 p.m.

January 11, Tuesday - Shimmy and shake your way over to Sammons Community Center for a 6-week fun-filled Belly dancing course. Tighten your core by learning a mixture of movements with Colleen Pannell, Instructor. $90

January 14-15 - No Limits Monster Truck Winter Nationals & Mud Races. Some of the nation’s most competitive truck and motocross racers as they invade Bell County Expo Arena on Friday and Saturday. 7:30 p.m.

January 15, Saturday - Game Show Night by Texas Red at Fire Base Brewing Co. We have the night for you! 4 rounds of the game show questions and prize-winning for all! Free to play and Family Friendly! Who will walk away with the evening's Oscar? Play as a team or individual. Win free drinks and other prizes! 7-9 p.m.

January 16, Sunday — Downtown Drag at Corkys featuring Lacey Luxx, Luiz Fatale, Naima Fatale, Beauty and Rah’jai Mirage Jackson. $25 VIP, $15 general admission. 8 p.m.

January 16, Sunday — Jerry Haisler & The Melody Five at Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton. $10. 6-9 p.m.

January 19, Wednesday - The city of Temple is undertaking the development of a Mobility Master Plan designed to produce a multimodal transportation system. The second public involvement meeting will be hosted online with a live event and in person at the Wilson Park Recreation Center on from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

January 22, Saturday — Name that Tune Bingo: 80s and 90s Mixtape at Fire Base Brewing Co.

January 23, Sunday — Bobby Dean & Timeless Country at Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton. $10, 6-9 p.m.

January 29, Saturday - Parker McCollum Red Dirt Mardi Gras at Bell County Expo. 8 p.m.

January 30, Sunday — Old Friends dance at Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton. $10, 6-9 p.m.

February

February 4, Friday - On the first Friday of every month, historic downtown Temple transforms into a giant party. Enjoy street music and performances, drinks, food, and after-hours shopping.

February 5, Saturday - Geek Out Family Day at Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. Want to show off your geeky side? Come out to the museum for Geek Out Family Day. Dress up as your favorite superhero, cartoon, or video game character. Enjoy the nerdier side of life.

February 11-12 - Bell County Youth Fair Livestock Show & PRCA Rodeo. The Bell County PRCA Rodeo is currently in its 34th year of continuous operation at the Bell County Expo Center. Last year, the Bell County Youth Fair awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to local area youth. https://agrilife.org/bellctyyouthfair/