COLLIN COUNTY INCHES CLOSER TO GOAL: Arts of Collin County sends word that it raised more than $135,000 in December. The money will go toward the construction of the 2,100 seat performance hall and adjoining park to be built at the intersection of Sam Rayburn Tollway and Exchange Parkway. In February, the group will announce the “guaranteed maximum price for construction,” but early estimates say that $8 million to $10 million more needs to be raised to fully fund the project.

MUSIC BITS: Smile Smile‘s video for “Beg You To Stay” is one of the slickest local productions you’ll see. Try not to read too much into the fact that Ryan Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusme broke up before shooting the video. (dfw.com) … Meanwhile, Fair to Midland has a video of a different sort. The band has set its song “Loophole in Limbo” to footage of its recent van accident in the Arizona desert. Details are forthcoming about a couple of benefit shows in February. (DC9 at Night) … Ever wonder why major keys sound happy while minor keys sound sad? Now we have the answer, thanks to Science! (newscientist.com)

QUOTABLE: “The rush of being onstage was immediately infectious. My parents like to say that as a baby I would often scream at restaurants and then clap when people stared.”

– Playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, discussing his very early desire to be a performer with theaterjones.com. Nachtrieb’s Hunter Gatherers is currently being produced by Second Thought Theatre. Kitchen Dog Theater will stage another of his plays, boom, next month.