In Brief

Known primarily for brilliantly colored airbrushed paintings, Emergence is quite a departure for the artist. "I’m not airbrushing at all," he says, "or at least very little. On one level Emergence is about developing new techniques for myself as an artist. On another level it’s about discovery of who we are—about our relationships to one another—about a kind of deeper "coming out" not just for gay and lesbian people, but for all of us."

The show includes the 2003 Sundance painting Heartbeats, that will used in this year’s graphics and then auctioned on Labor Day Weekend. "That painting too, is different. I had to have something with more texture and layers," Murray says. "There is so much going on in the world right now...we need to seek new solutions, new ways of looking at things. For me, that starts with my own art."

The opening reception for Emergence is Saturday, June 28 from 2-4 p.m. at the Blue Moon Restaurant on Baltimore Avenue. The show will run for the month of July.

Take Your Boots to the Beach!
The Atlantic State Gay Rodeo Associa-tion will host an afternoon tea dance in the shade of the Cape Henlopen State Park picnic pavilion. Skip the afternoon traffic rush and join them for food, drink, music and dancing outdoors from 1-5 p.m. A boot-scootin’ good time! Music is by DJ Shark of Dune Tunes Mobile Disc Jockeys. Dance is free, but there is a fee to enter the state park.For more info, email dj@dunetunes.net.

Lesbian Lays Out Utopian Vision
With the Catholic Church in America consumed by seemingly endless scandal, fruitless talk about reform, and no real direction, Susan J. Leonardi, a former postulant, has written a utopian vision of Catholic community seen through the eyes of those all too often marginalized by the church.

And Then They Were Nuns takes place at the fictional Julian Pines Abbey, where, from 1965-2000, women would come and stay or come and go in a quiet experiment to remake religious and communal life. No tradition is safe from revision—not the tradition that says God is male, or that women can’t be priests, or that nuns must be celibate.

Leonardi drew on her own experiences with Catholicism in writing the book, "I grew up with nuns. I wanted to become one. I entered a convent when I was eighteen (and left at nineteen). When I graduated from a college (taught by nuns) I taught for several years at a high school run by nuns. I’ve visited monasteries all over the country. This is a story with Catholic elements, but at its heart, this is a universal story about community."

Leonardi will be signing copies of And Then They Were Nuns at Lambda Rising, in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue, in Rehoboth from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2.

Susan Leonardi is a professor of English at the University of Maryland, where she teaches literature and writing. She is the author of Dangerous By Degrees and The Diva’s Mouth (with Rebecca A. Pope), and numerous articles, reviews, and short stories.

Braswell’s First CD Takes Off
Mark Braswell’s first CD, "Before Tomorrow," is off to a successful start following the high marks it recently received from The Advocate magazine. In the article "Unsigned, they deliver," Braswell’s CD "Before Tomorrow" is identified as one of the independent releases in the U.S. that is "worth your time."

"No story line or theme here, just solo piano and versatile vocalists Sean MacLaughlin and Mary Jayne Raleigh getting impressive mileage out of Braswell’s love songs and character sketches."

Braswell, a Washington lawyer, has written several musicals and revues and has produced shows in New York, DC, and Chicago. His CD, "Before Tomorrow," presents a collection of audience favorites ranging from passionate ballads to comedy songs.

The CD originated following a showcase of Braswell’s music and lyrics at theKennedy Center during last year’s Page- to-Stage Festival. "Sean MacLaughlin and Mary Jayne Raleigh did such a great job at the Kennedy Center that I decided to bite the bullet and go for a full recording," Braswell said. Adding the talents of Sherri Edelen, Keith Jameson (with New York City Opera) and Tracey Moore (last seen on tour in Ragtime), Braswell spent months in the studio and packed 21 touching and funny songs onto this diverse CD.

Audiences will soon be able to catch Braswell’s new songs when they are presented in conjunction with his play "Paying the Price" at the Kennedy Center next Labor Day weekend.

"I am excited to be participating again in the Second Annual Page-to-Stage Festival at the Kennedy Center and launching this new work based on my dad’s true story," Braswell said.

The play is a dramatic depiction of his father’s service as a tail gunner on a B-17 during WWII and his capture after his plane was shot down over Romania. "At the first reading, the play really struck a patriotic chord with folks, and it has already been booked by the National Theatre for November 17, 2003, as part of its fall series, Monday Night at the National."

"Just last month I got a letter from Chita Rivera about my CD," he said. "Who knows; maybe she’ll record a number from it and be my lady luck!"

Golf Instruction for Beginners and Novices
Annika does it! Tiger Woods does it! You can do it too! They learned the fundamentals of the golf swing and will continue to enjoy playing golf for the rest of their lives. Norma Clark, who recently moved to this area, is ready to prove to all that they too can learn the golf "fun"damentals and enjoy playing golf for the rest of their lives.

Clark provides both individual and group lessons. Special introductory group clinics are scheduled for Saturday July 6 and July 13, at 10 a.m. for men, and 11 a.m. for women. Clinics are limited to 5 persons per session, so call her at 302-644-6575 to reserve a spot. She will guarantee success. Group clinics are $25 for a one hour session. Norma will provide golf clubs and range balls. This is your chance to find out why golf is the new rage!