NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Join SFA Gardens education coordinator Elyce Rodewald for "Gifts from the Garden," a soap-making workshop, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 9, in Room 118 of the Stephen F. Austin State University Agriculture Building on Wilson Drive.

Participants will create a variety of herbal soaps, learn recipes and techniques of soap making, and take home samples of luxurious soap they make themselves. The soap will be made from coconut and palm kernel oil, lye, essential oils, and dried herbs.

Stephen F. Austin State University will host Showcase Saturday, an open-house event for prospective students, on Nov. 16.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Future college students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of campus life during a free, action-packed open-house event at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Jedidiah Crisp

He's reached more than a thousand views on his YouTube channel and Crisp won 'Singer/Songwriter of 2013' as well as the 'Single of the Year' award by the East Texas Music Awards. He's also performed over 15 solos this year alone.

Crisp's secret to pulling heartstrings is in his lyrics.

"My songs are straight forward. What you see is what you get," Crisp, a senior majoring in kinesiology, said.

Piero Fenci, professor of ceramics in the SFA School of Art, will return in November to the state university of Chihuahua, Mexico, where he established a ceramics program more than a decade ago to present a week-long workshop with Maki Hajikano, right, SFA professor of sculpture.

NACOGDOCHES - The influence Stephen F.

Emily Mitchell

NACOGDOCHES - Albany Records has recently released "A Harp for Christmas," the newest CD of Emily Mitchell, harp instructor in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music.

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and SFA Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free one-night screening of "Calling Home the Dead" at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

This documentary, directed and edited by Jim Hill, tells the story of the villagers of Lake Pátzcuaro, Mexico, who lovingly clean and decorate the graves of loved ones with handmade gifts, marigolds and special foods as they prepare for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

The SFA Trombone Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and Cole Performing Arts Series will present the Trombone Choir in concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed full-length play "Wit" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Written by American playwright Margaret Edson, "Wit" will be directed by Emory senior theatre major Vanessa Hendricks.

The SFA School of Music's Stone Fort Wind Quintet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. Members include, from left, Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Christina Guenther, flute; Staci Spring, bassoon; Charles Gavin, horn; and John W. Goodall, oboe.

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F.

Juwan Blanton, Lufkin music education major at SFA, will be a feature soloist during a performance of the SFA Percussion Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES - The SFA Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a concert of recently composed works for chamber ensembles at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov.