Variety show in Hurtsboro

If you're ever in the Country's location on Broadway, go into the back of the place and look at the mural. It was painted by Hurtsboro artist Cheryl Hardin.


Cheryl just called to let me know about an event in Hurtsboro, which is in rural Russell County.

I'm not sure I've ever been there. Looking at the map, you take U.S. 431 to Seale and then get on Ala. 26 to Hurtsboro. It's probably about 35 southwest of Columbus.

Anyway, Cheryl said the Hurtsboro Council for the Arts has been inactive for a few years and because she was the president when it kind of stopped meeting, she's the president now.

The first fundraiser is going to be the Cowikee-Talking Creek Community Variety Show will begin at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday in the Hurtsboro Volunteer Fire Department, which is on Daniels and Main streets.

But before that, there's the art exhibit at 6-7:45 p.m. EDT in the Hardin Building, 402 Main St. It's on the second floor, and unfortunately, it's not handicapped accessible since it was built in 1890 as a cotton gin.

Cheryl was laughing when she said the Auburn University art students have said they'll carry anyone who wants to see the show up and down the flight of stairs. Of course, they'll only do it for people who actually can't make up up the stairs.

The students are working from a grant from an anonymous donor who used to live in Russell County who wants to see public art in Russell County. The Auburn art students are under the direction of Suzanne Haygood. They planned the exhibit to coincide with the variety show. All of the projects will be documented by photos and on videotape.

The project includes interviews of senior adults living in Russell County, making stained glass for the church that burned last year and making an exterior mosaic wall for the library. There's also a laser tag event that will become a kind of graffiti wall on the fire station.

The exhibit will move from the Hardin Building to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, 901 S. College St., for a two-week exhibit.

The show includes vignettes about Hurtsboro and Russell County in between musical acts. Joe Ann Lias will be reading stories from her book, "Wood Rats Dragging Their Long Tails Behind."

The emcee is Tag Williams, with music provided by his band.

Tickets for the show are $10; there is no admission to the art exhibit.

For tickets or more information, call Cheryl Hardin at 334-667-7370.