During the Mac-Spec-Tac Christmas Show, students from Mesquite, Bunkerville and Beaver Dam Schools receive awards for the art contest which was held at the Festival of Trees Nov. 18-21.  Students pictured received honorable mention awards. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

During the Mac-Spec-Tac Christmas Show, students from Mesquite, Bunkerville and Beaver Dam Schools receive awards for the art contest which was held at the Festival of Trees Nov. 18-21. Students pictured received honorable mention awards. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

The Mac-Spec-Tac Christmas show which was held at the Virgin Valley High School on Nov. 24 had spectacular performers but lacked the audience they deserved.

Jim Boatright opened the show with some country Christmas songs and a few classics from well-known Country Artist Johnny Cash as well as a beautiful version of ‘Away in a Manger’ which he sang with his teenage daughter Alexis.

Following Boatright was Heather Law who graced the audience with some of her favorite Christmas classics as well as a spiritual song which she thought, “Fit the season.”  Law was accompanied on many of her choices by husband Cody Law who played the piano.

Following the performances of Boatright and Law students received awards for the art contest which was held at the Festival of Trees Nov. 18-21. Art contest winners were:  Kiara Casias, Ciara Morse, Alejandra Avila, Jordan Beltran, Kaylee Shelley, Yahir Salas, Kimberly Vicuna, Anthony Romero, Gidan Oliver, Danna Lindberg, Alondra Landeros, Summer Glieden, Brooklin Montoya, Mae Galliner, Emily Jimenez and Jaelin Worthen.  Honorable Mention ribbons went to the following students:  Bryna Resnick, Alyssa Galena, Ben West, Natali Martinez, Timothy Fairse, Enrique Tobles, Angelica Gomez, Breanne Pierce, Jesus Castillo and Jimena Gutierrez.

Awards and ribbons were handed out to the children and then what appeared to be a good audience number dwindled rapidly.  After receiving the awards many of the parents and children left the concert leaving the Calvary Chapel Band an audience with a slightly disheartening number of those who remained in attendance.

Heather Law performed at the Mac-Spec-Tac Christmas show on Nov. 24 at the Virgin Valley High School.  Law was accompanied on several of her songs by husband and pianist Cody Law. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Heather Law performed at the Mac-Spec-Tac Christmas show on Nov. 24 at the Virgin Valley High School. Law was accompanied on several of her songs by husband and pianist Cody Law. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Arts Council members have been disappointed and discouraged this season with the lack of community support for their endeavors.  Council members work hundreds of hours each season to bring quality entertainment and events to the community but it seems as if the community doesn’t exist any longer.

It’s not just community events that the council sponsors. The Harvest Festival which was held on Nov. 7 received less than desirable community support as well.  Arts Council President Blair Adams said, “It’s very hard to continue to produce community events when it seems as if the members of the community don’t want to leave their homes and interact as a community.  Events, concerts and shows are expensive and they require hundreds of man hours to put together. I just don’t know how we can continue to survive without the support of the people we do this for, our community members.  We surely appreciate those who do continue to support us but we do need better community support to continue to exist.”

As it turned out the Calvary Chapel Band were consummate performers and didn’t allow the lack of audience members to spoil what they were there to do; spread Christmas joy and that they did by entertaining the audience with their own style of ‘Spec-Tac’ Christmas music.

For more information on events sponsored this season by the Mesquite Arts Council go to Facebook ‘What’s Happening at the Mesquite Arts Council’ or visit http://mesquitegmaf.com/pages/events.html for a full list of events.