The performance year ended on Dec. 27 with "Rockphoria," a rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza through the musical past. Dave Rasche, Jim Wisker, Laura Harmon, Gary Shrader, Jim Whitacre, Mark Bailey, Larry Brandt, Bryanna Justice, Dave Logan, Willandra Macklin, Amanda O’Connor, Scott Shrader, Aimee Yarwood and Glenn Yarwood entertained the 197 attendees with classics of the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Carole King, Tina Turner, Meatloaf, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker Queen, Rush, Jethro Tull, The Moody Blues, Elvis Presley and others.

This month, the Strand hosted only three private events, which were all held on the same day. This allowed volunteers more time to complete tasks and projects that were impossible to tackle during the facility’s busy event schedule in 2008. Also this month, the Strand was able to reduce operating costs by turning down the thermostat and saving on heating costs. During the down time, volunteers completed time-consuming maintenance projects, including painting auditorium and balcony floors.

Since opening on Jan. 17, 2008, the Strand has hosted a variety of events including musicals, plays, rock concerts, classical concerts, lectures, meetings, dinners, luncheons, tours, historical buildings tours, variety shows, church services, public celebrations and a film.

"Our goal during the first year of operation was to utilize the diversity of our facility, and we accomplished that goal," David Finkel, a Strand board director, said. After a busy – but enjoyable – 2008, Strand directors and volunteers welcomed the opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath and prepare for another year of concerts and events

"As we look back, we look forward to very exciting things in the 2009 season," Finkel said.

Upcoming events include a Shelby County Reads lecture on Feb. 8; "For the Love of Arts" Shelby Arts Council dinner and dance, on Feb. 14; Rule of Seven, with special guest, Shadowbox, a Smashed Productions concert, on Feb. 21; and the Shelby Community Band’s winter concert on Feb. 22.

Soon, the Strand will be showing movies again. A launch date hasn’t been set yet, but the public will be invited to provide input on the films that will be shown. Finkel plans to show classics and some newer, hard-to-see, independent films.

"Our only film offering in 2008 was ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,’" Finkel said, "But by gosh, we showed a film at the Strand in our first year," Finkel said, "and we had fun."

As the Strand raises money for its own renovations through concerts and other events, the venue welcomes opportunities to give back to the community that supports it.

"The Strand is very pleased to give back to the community by providing a venue for people who need to raise money for other causes," Finkel said.

In 2008, the Strand helped raise money for local flood victims, the local food pantry and the Ryan Fischer Foundation

The Stand is always looking for events to host. To schedule an event, contact Gary Nolley at gary.nolley@strand-theatre-shelbyville.org. Rock bands should contact Joey Gaudin at joeyg@smashedproductions.net.

The Strand directors always welcome volunteers to help with renovations and operations. They are especially looking for someone with a background in accounting or finance to be the organization’s treasurer and someone with marketing expertise to promote the venue. If interested in volunteering, contact David Finkel at david.finkel@strand-theatre-shelbyville.org or Steve Frazee at steve.frazee@strand-theatre-shelbyville.org.

For more information about the Strand and upcoming events, visit the venue’s Web site, www.strand-theatre-shelbyville.org.

SCR is a nonprofit group based in Shelbyville that seeks to excite people of all ages about literature.

The official kickoff for the season took place Sunday, with a sold-out tea and appetizers event that featured Japanese crafts displays, kimono demonstrations and Japanese snacks. The scheduled Indianapolis Minyo Dancers, a Japanese folk dance troupe, canceled their performance Sunday afternoon due to inclement weather in the Indianapolis metro area.

The Japanese arts fit SCR’s theme for its 2009 book selections, all of which are tied to Japanese culture and history. The committee chose the theme last year, which marked Shelbyville’s 20th anniversary of its sister-city relationship with Shizuoka City, Japan.

Book selections for 2009 include: "Yoko" by Rosemary Wells for preschool and first-grade students; "Baseball Saved Us" by Ken Mochizuki and Dom Lee for grades 2 through 3; "The Time Warp Trio: Sam Samurai" by Jon Scieska for grades 3 through 5; "Thin Wood Walls" by David Patneaude for grades 6 through 8; "Kira Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata as an alternate choice for grades 6 through 8; "Mismatch" by Lensey Namioka for grades 7 through 12; and "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson for grades 9 through 12 and adults.  

On Feb. 2, the Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library Youth Department, 57 W. Broadway St., will host a class on origami for preteens and children at 6:30 p.m. A class on anime crafts is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m., also for preteens and children.

Opportunities for teens are available Feb. 12 with an anime crafts class at 6:30 p.m. at the library, Feb. 19 with a "Thin Wood Walls" book discussion at 6:30 p.m. at the library, and an origami class for teens is scheduled for Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m., also at the library

On Feb. 5 at 6 p.m., the library will host a movie screening of "Snow Falling on Cedars," a PG-13 film based on the book.  

A highlight of the SCR season is a lecture by Indiana resident Jean Umemura at the Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St., on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. There is no admission charge, but free will donations will benefit The Salvation Army.

Umemura and her husband, George, are Japanese Americans who lived in internment camps in Washington and Idaho during World War II.

A second film screening is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The featured film is "Time of Fear," a documentary featuring footage and interviews of Japanese Americans who were relocated to internment camps during World War II.

A calligraphy workshop led by Grover Museum director Candice Miller will take place Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the museum, 52 W. Broadway St. The event is free apart from a $2 supply fee.

The same night, Grover Museum will introduce its Japanese exhibit put together by Japanese women living in Shelby County.

Two book discussions are scheduled for "Snow Falling on Cedars" on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at Three Sisters Books & Gifts, 7 Public Square, and March 3 at 7 p.m. at the library.

This year’s deadline for Shelby County Reads writing contest entries is Feb. 27 to the library or Three Sisters bookstore. The contest is open to all age groups, and essay topics and guidelines are available at the library. The contest culminates with an awards ceremony March 12 at Shelbyville High School, 2003 S. Miller St., at 7 p.m.

Details and updates to the SCR calendar are available at the library and at www.shelbycountyreads.org and www.sscpl.lib.in.us.

A limited number of tickets are available for a buffet dinner catered by Kopper Kettle Restaurant from Morristown with cocktails beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 each or $240 for a table of eight.

Patrons who don’t attend the dinner but still want to show their support for the arts in Shelby County and enjoy an evening of music and dancing may purchase tickets for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

A special dance floor will be laid at the Strand for the event.

Tickets are available at Mickey’s T-Mart, 748 S. Harrison St.; Grover Museum, 52 W. Broadway St., the Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St.; Karma Music, in the Bel-Aire Shopping Center; Smashed Productions, 55 E. Washington St.; and the Shelby Arts Guild, 18 S. Harrison St. For information and reservations for tables, contact Rhonda Schwegman at (317) 398-1261.

The Rush County Big Band will provide the music for the evening and present ballroom and swing music in addition to big-band tunes from the 1940s. Band organizer Jim Sterrett noted that "sometimes the music migrates to the 1950s." In addition, several vocalists usually perform with the 16-piece orchestra.

The Shelby Arts Council is supportive of the various arts activities in Shelby County. These groups include the Blue River Community Choir, Shelby Community Band, Shelby County Players, Strand of Shelbyville, Shelby Arts Guild Association, Grover Museum, Cornstock, Arts Fest and the Blue River Folk Music Festival. During For the Love of Arts, the different arts organizations in the community will have a chance to display brochures and fliers to promote their upcoming events.

The Valentine’s Day dinner and dance will serve as the Shelby Arts Council’s annual meeting and fundraiser. The umbrella arts group is trying to revitalize its membership and strengthen its position as a promoter of the arts in Shelby County.

The formation of the Shelby Arts Guild Association in 2008 and its opening of a gallery at 18 S. Harrison St. currently requires support from the Shelby Arts Council in addition to the fees paid by artists who are displaying their work in the new space. Money raised during For the Love of Arts will help to subsidize the monthly rental fees on the gallery.

Other arts groups in Shelby County are eligible to apply for grant money from SAC. In addition to sponsoring the Folk Music Festival in May and Explore the Arts classes throughout the year, SAC also puts on Arts Fest in October.