Hailed as “one of the best pop-jazz vocal ensembles in the world” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “among the best a cappella groups in the country” (NBC’s Today Show), the pop-jazz tour-de-force, m-pact, has received countless honors, including Billboard’s Best Unsigned Band of 1999 and the coveted dual titles, 1996-1997 Grand National Champions and Audience Favorites of the Harmony Sweepstakes Festival. In 2001 this Seattle-based vocal band was crowned Artist of the Year at the SAMIE Awards, the Pacific Northwest’s annual contemporary pop music competition, and for the last two years, m-pact was voted Best Vocal Jazz Group (2002-2003) in the international ACA (A Cappella Community Awards) competition.

M-Pact will  be in Marshall County March 1-3, 2010, touring area schools and presenting a FREE concert Tuesday evening 7pm at the MHS Auditorium.  The concert is presented by the Marshall County Arts Cooperative .   Each of m-pact’s four original CD’s have received rave reviews and multiple awards, including Best Pop/R&B Song, Best Male Vocal, and Best Arrangement (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Artist Awards), as well as an Indie Nomination (the “Independent Grammy”) for Best Seasonal Album of 2000. Approximately 50,000 units have been sold between the three recordings

Cheryl Harness, noted children’s author and illustrator, will visit Marshall County March 26-28. Harness has written and illustrated over twenty books. As an author and illustrator, she is known for her engaging approach to history, seen in such books as Three Young Pilgrims, Ghosts of the White House, and Remember the Ladies. Just for You to Know is her first novel.

Originally thinking she would be an art teacher, Harness turned her attention to making a career producing art. “I went to college to be an art teacher,” says Harness. “After I did my student teaching, I wound up doing greeting cards for a living. About 15 years ago, I took samples of my paintings to New York and started illustrating books at night, teddy bears by day. As time went by, I began writing, just to see if I could.”

While here, Harness will visit classrooms at Marysville High School and Valley Heights High School; additionally, she will spend March 28 at Marysville Elementary School. “Marysville Elementary School is hosting ‘Absolutely Awesome Arts: A Triple ‘A’ Day’ on the 28^th,” says Sharon Vogelsberg, school librarian. “In September Mr. Lord and I started collaborating with the Marshall County Arts Cooperative to bring a noted artist to our school. We suggested Cheryl Harness because she has a body of work the students have read and she’s easily accessible to all students. Fortunately, MCAC was able to help!” adds Vogelsberg.

While working with students Harness will talk about the writing process she uses to produce her books as well as the techniques she uses to create her illustrations. “For me it’s watercolor + colored pencil + pastel, sometimes. Mostly watercolor and very pointy paintbrushes and my bony fingers,” explains Harness.

In addition to her school visits, Harness is the featured guest at the Marysville Public Library’s “Family Storytime” Thursday, March 27, at 6:45 p.m. “The public is welcome to attend,” says Pat Breeding, Marysville Public Library. “This is a great opportunity for our community to see Harness in action. She’ll read to kids and model great read aloud strategies for parents. We’re anxious to work with her.”

Plus, Harness’s work is on display at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. Some of the illustrations she created for They’re Off! The Story of the Pony Express are shown at the center. The public is invited to a reception honoring Harness on Wednesday, March 26, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. “Not only will people have a chance to see a collection of Harness’s work, they’ll also have a chance to meet her,” explains Willa Griswold, director of the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. “I met Ms. Harness when I traveled to Independence, MO to pick up her artwork. She’s a gem; she’s charismatic and full of energy, and she’s so easy to talk to. The reception is a perfect opportunity for residents to get to know her as well as get some insight into her work,” Griswold adds. There are over twenty of Harness’s works on exhibit. The Lee Dam Center for Fine Art is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The Marshall County Arts Cooperative is sponsoring Harness’s visit. “We are lucky to have so many artists visiting our schools!” notes Wayne Kruse, MCAC’s executive director. “A couple of weeks ago David Basse was here to share his love for jazz. Now, Cheryl Harness is coming to share her passion for art and writing. I’m glad we’re able to bring top-notch artists to our area to interact with our community.”

No one can say that the arts aren’t flourishing in our area!

In last week’s Marysville Advocate there were numerous stories about the various arts activities occurring in our county: MHS high school play, MJHS junior high musical, MACT’s spring play, David Basse’s concert, etc. I think that’s impressive!

While watching “Marshall County Live,” the concert between the MHS and VHHS bands and David Basse, I was touched by the talent of our young musicians. These budding musicians accompanied a top-notch jazz singer … and did an AWESOME job! Not only was it rewarding to watch the kids take pride in their performance, it was also stimulating to watch the crowd. People were smiling … and clapping … and I even saw a couple of people wipe tears from their eyes as they sat back and absorbed the splendor of the show.

After the concert, a couple of parents talked to me about the impact the concert had on them. One noted, “We’ve been attending a lot of basketball games this past week … and we’ve lost all of them. It’s nice to come to this concert and walk away feeling like a winner.”

That’s the beauty of the arts — everyone wins. There are no losers … only winners … because the arts are alive for everyone.