TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
her come into her own, but seeing how she finally gets to this point feels tragic. How often do we see this in real life? People are ostracized, ridiculed, and boxed into roles they never chose, simply because it’s easier for people to label than it would be to understand. Seeing Elphaba lean into her wickedness while staying true to herself is a triumphant yet heart wrenching moment. It’s a warning about the dangers of labeling—how pushing people into corners can lead them to become what we fear most. And while this plays out in the fantastical world of Oz on the big screen, it’s a stark reality we face every single day. My own experiences with being labeled have shaped who I am. Growing up, I knew what it was like to feel boxed in by others’ perceptions, to have my intentions misunderstood and my actions judged harshly… to be “othered.” Like Glinda’s bubble, those labels can become a prison, trapping people in roles they never wanted to play. As we step into 2025, I want to challenge all of us (myself included) to be slower to judge and quicker to listen. Let’s take a page from James 1:9, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Instead of pointing fingers, let’s extend a hand. Instead of assuming, let’s ask questions. And instead of labeling, let’s strive to understand. I never thought a musical—a genre I’ve avoided my entire life—would teach me such profound lessons. But Wicked isn’t just a musical. It’s a mirror held up to society, challenging us to see beyond what we think we know and seek the actual truth. It’s a story about friendship, identity, and the gray areas of morality. And it’s a cinematic masterpiece that deserves to be seen in theaters, where its grandeur and depth can be fully appreciated. But if you find you have missed that opportunity, take my advice and find it on your streaming services. There is so much more I could say, but I’d only be scratching the surface. Wicked is a testament to the power of storytelling, and its message is one I’ll carry with me long after the credits roll. As you watch, remember, no one is just one thing. We’re all just works in progress, navigating our way through a colorful, complicated world. Let’s give each other the grace to grow, to change, and to defy the gravity of the labels that try to define us.
LIVE MUSIC January 4 Jeff Ruby La Fogata Bar & Grill 6 pm January 4 Birds of a Feather Fat Jacks Oyster and Sports Bar
January 11 Saving For Tuesday Fat Jacks Oyster and Sports Bar January 16 Phil Wickham “Singalong Tour” First Baptist Church 7 pm
January 18 Rock Bottom String Band The Arrow Bar 9-12 pm January 25 Clint & The Cosmic Wake Fat Jacks Oyster and Sports Bar January 31 Bobcat One- Man Band The Wild Hare
LOCAL EVENTS January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Free Wednesday Yoga Southwest Center 5:30-6:30 pm January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Children’s Story Time Salty Boutique & Books 10:30 am January 3 Music and Moves Texarkana Regional Arts Center 10:00-10:45 am
January 7- February 22 Art Club Winter Art Show Texarkana Regional Art Center January 8, 15, 22, & 29 Storytime with Mrs. Nancy Texarkana Public Library January 10 Downtown Live! Downtown Texarkana 6-9 pm January 13 Texarkana College Ribbon Cutting for the Aviation Mechanic
Technology Program TC Hangar at the Texarkana Regional Airport 10:30 am
January 16 Expressive Drawing with Kay Thomas Texarkana Regional Arts
Center 6-8 pm
January 23 Valentines Candlesticks with Chris Thomas 518 Pine St, Texarkana, TX 6-8 pm
RECOMMENDATIONS
Malorie Looney The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
Russ Looney Shōgun on Hulu
Natalie McQueen Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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