Culture Flash!

• The Lone Star State has its official artists for this year and the next. In 2001, the Texas Lege passed Senate Bill 1043, which formalized the selection process for Texas state artists. The Texas Commission on the Arts has announced the following appointments, for successive one-year terms: Texas poet laureate: Steven Fromholz, Kopperl (2007), Larry Thomas, Houston (2008); Texas state musician: Dale Watson, Austin (2007), Shelley King, Austin (2008); Texas state two-dimensional artist: Lee Herring, Rockwall (2007), Janet Eager Krueger, Encinal (2008); and Texas state three-dimensional artist: David Keens, Arlington (2007), Damian Priour, Austin (2008). The appointees were selected for years of excellence and dedicated commitment to the arts in Texas.

• Playwright/screenwriter/teacher Amparo Garcia-Crow, in the midst of one of her busiest years ever, has landed a new gig that will keep her busier still: program manager for the Mexican American Cultural Center. Construction on Phase I of the $63 million project is expected to be finished in June, but the center's grand opening will not take place until September. Herlinda Zamora, formerly of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and Mexic-Arte Museum, is also joining the MACC as exhibitions coordinator.

• You can go for the Golden Girl this weekend when saucy Blanche herself – aka actress Rue McClanahan – visits the Zachary Scott Theatre Center to discuss her career and new memoir, My First Five Husbands … and the Ones Who Got Away, with Zach Artistic Director Dave Steakley on the Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside. It's a one-day-only appearance – Sunday, April 29, 2pm – and seating is limited. For more information, call 476-0594 or visit www.zachscott.com.