“What is TRIPOD?”

TRIPOD 2015 is an arts festival hosted by University Baptist Church. We will kick off the weekend with our monthly Back Door Coffeehouse night where we will enjoy the music of nationally acclaimed songwriter / singer / poet Tom Kimmel, and the theatrics of best-selling author / comedian / actress Susan E. Isaacs. The following day, we will offer workshops taught by each artist. Our festival will conclude with special music by Tom Kimmel in our Sunday morning worship.

Tripod Workshop Registration

Cost (includes morning and afternoon workshops, lunch,  Q&A)

General: $40

College Student: $20

“Who are these artists and what might I expect to get out of attending their workshop classes?”

SUSAN E. ISAACS ( Author / Comedian / Actress )

susanisaacsSusan Isaacs might be most familiar to you from one of her many television appearances on such shows as “Seinfeld” or “Parks and Recreation.” A lifelong writer and comic actress, Isaacs is also the author of the national best-seller Angry Conversations With God, a humorous but compelling autobiographical recounting of her spiritual journey that she now performs as a one-woman play. Isaacs also teaches classes in writing and improvisation. She has conducted numerous workshops at colleges and other venues around the country. Tripod participants will have the opportunity to work with Susan in both these art forms, perfecting their own crafts.

TOM KIMMEL ( Songwriter / Singer / Poet )

tomkimmelYou know Tom Kimmel’s music even if you’ve never heard him play it. In an amazingly prolific career Tom has created songs for every imaginable media including major motion pictures. He has written for internationally acclaimed performers such as Linda Ronstadt, Nancy Griffin, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. He even wrote a song for Captain Kangaroo. All of this is in addition to his own recordings with The New Agrarians, The Waymores, The Sherpas, and his own solo CDs. Kimmel’s book of poetry The Sweetest and the Meanest, has received high praise. His status as an able teacher is attested to by his time as Artist in Residence at Vanderbilt University. He will be leading workshops on both songwriting and poetry writing. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on experience with a renowned creative artist.

“Why does University Baptist Church want this event to happen?”

University Baptist is a church with a spiritual vision and heart for humanity that wants to extend affirmation of the shared creative gifts we believe are inherent to all of us from our birth. The creative spark is part of what defines us as human, a signature flourish of the Creator! We believe the sharing and exercise of this trait works to the ultimate good of all. It demands honesty, integrity, and trust. It invites understanding and communication that can bridge chasms of fear and doubt that often separate us from others. We invite everyone to consider connecting through this experience.

 

“So, what follows? ”

Through the Back Door Coffeehouse (a connection with talents both local and national) we have come to understand the universal and deeply personal appeal of interactive live performances with our writers, poets, and musicians in a relaxed and friendly environment. We have come to appreciate that our community has a great many talented artists and a large number of interested adults who would like to continue connecting, mentoring, and sharing experiences in these arts. Our hope is to encourage and promote these rising opportunities for connection in the city of Hattiesburg. TRIPOD is our first commitment to becoming a resource for such connection and development on the interpersonal level.

 

“So, how do I get involved with this? ”

First, if you wish to attend the events and participate in the workshops, registration opens September 14. If you have friends or are a member of a club or group that you believe would enjoy participating, please consider sharing our flyers and inviting them to attend with you. If you know performing artists that would like to be involved with this initiative in helping establish Tripod as an on-going yearly festival please put them in contact with us as we look towards the future. If you have ideas that are related to this event please feel free to contact us. We are not in competition with any other venues and look forward to meeting you and developing a friendship. Help us learn more about the creative expression of our community through your own individual perception.

SCHEDULE for TRIPOD 2015

Friday November 6

The Back Door Coffeehouse (Doors open at 7:00pm – performances begin at 7:30pm). Our opening event of the weekend will be the monthly Coffeehouse/Listening Room with music from Tom Kimmel and one-woman play performed by Susan E. Isaacs. Admission Cost: Donation

Saturday November 7

Registration: (9:30 – 10:00)

Morning Workshops: (10:15 – 11:45)
Susan Isaacs: “Writing Your Story”   or Tom Kimmel “Songwriting”

Lunch (Catered): (12:00 – 1:00)

Afternoon Workshops: (1:15 – 3:00)
Susan Isaacs: “Improv” or Tom Kimmel “Poetry Writing”

Question & Answer session with Artists: (3:15 – 4:00)

Sunday November 8

Everyone is invited to Sunday morning worship with special music performed by Tom Kimmel.

(Sunday school: 9:45 – Worship service – 11:00 )

Tripod Workshop Registration

Cost (includes morning and afternoon workshops, lunch,  Q&A)

General: $40

College Student: $20