Getting your children involved in the theatre is something they will treasure for the rest of their lives. Since they are not allowed in the threatre for normal performances if they are under 6 years of age, there are special productions done for just the little ones. These are posted for parents to see and make plans to attend well in advance of the actual date.

On Saturdays Alabama Shakespeare Festival offers Theatre in the Mind, a free adult humanities program featuring lectures, author talks and actor discussion designed to help audiences understand the plays. This opportunity will make the plays you see even more enjoyable.

The theatre has a special Children's Theatre and SchoolFest where students are given matinee programs to expose them to the works of the great playwrights. Over 36,000 children a year come to the theatre for this type of event from all around the region.

Headline stage performances by leading Western poets and musicians are presented Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon in the comfortable modern auditorium of the Buena Performing Arts Center in Sierra Vista. Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering. Tickets are available online or at the following outlets in Sierra Vista: Spur Western Wear, Ace Hardware, Safeway, Sierra Vista Convention and Visitors Bureau, and National Bank of Arizona.

The theme of this year's gathering is Territorial Ranches. Our history section features two illustrated articles by Frederic Remington portraying the colorful life of vaqueros on ranches in Mexico. Beginning in the fall of each year, Cochise County public and private school students have been introduced to the history and language of the West by artists from the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering. Free materials are provided for librarians and teachers by the Gathering. As many as 3,000 students from grades 3 through 12 compete for awards and scholarships in the poetry and music contests. There are prizes for three divisions: elementary school, middle school, and high school. From time to time a high school senior with a special talent is awarded a scholarship presented by the Gathering. The winning poems are also published in a softcover book entitled, A Saddlebag of Poems.

Twas the Night Before Congress

Hope for Hard Times Through the Magic of Christmas
- By Paul Schlegel

Twas the night before Congress, with Santa awake
Planning a scheme for his bailout take
The Elves were all panicked from weeks without pay
And Rudolph had flown off to sell off the sleigh

The reindeer were frightened to not have a sled
And mistakenly thought that old Rudolph had fled
Mrs Clause she was miffed with few presents to wrap
And worried of China and the growing trade gap.

Santa came in and asked “Dear, what’s the matter”?
“Well, we’re so short on food and you’re not getting fatter.”
Oh Santa he laughed as he threw up the sash.
“Just pull out your Visa and advance us some cash.”

Mrs. Claus shook her head and said, “Oh my, don’t you know?
Our cards were revoked and our cashflow is slow.
Basically Santa, we’re well in arrears,
You might want to think of some different careers.”

Visit SantasBailout.com For the Full Text and Video With Music.

Well just then ol’ Santa - he had to think quick,
“Congress wants plans - and I just have my schtick.
But if I show them MY plan they’ll make me explain:
‘You give AWAY presents? No profits? Insane!’”

“Hey Dasher, Hey Dancer, Hey Prancer and Vixen!
Hey Comet, Hey Cupid, Hey Donder and Blitzen!
Come here with the elves and give Rudolph a call.
I might have a plan, but I need you ALL!

We don’t need the Congress to make Christmas fly,
It’s all about Christmas demand and supply.
Elves, how many toys were you able to do?
35 Million Three Thousand and two?”

“Well, technically that number is just not enough.
But what if we do all that magical stuff?”
Of course Santa’s magic is world-renowned.
And the elves and the reindeer could help it compound!

Visit SantasBailout.com For the Full Text and Video With Music.