An Embarrassment of Riches
It seems that with every issue I spend more and more time trying to edit and cram enough into each column to pique your interest in supporting the arts in our community. As usual, I’m way over my limit, but…there’s so much going on! And we get an ocean and beach in the deal too! Are we blessed, or what? All locations are Rehoboth, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Capital Ringers (302-632-3106) is an auditioned, non-profit handbell group based in Dover, but presenting their Broadway to Hollywood concert at the Epworth United Methodist Church (19285 Holland Glade Road) on Sunday, May 31 (3 p.m.). If you like handbell music, you’ll love them! If you’re ambivalent, you’ll still love them!
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) starts their Summer Repertory Season with a benefit reception and 1950s costume contest on June 25 for the opening night of Grease. The Summer Repertory also includes Rent and Seussical. $15-$30.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) has opened ticket sales for its 2015-2016 season (October 17-April 16) and their “Early Bird” subscription offers a 20% discount (five concerts for the price of four!) until September 18. Buy their 6th concert for $20. What a deal!
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) presents Forever Plaid (May 29-31) as a benefit to raise funds for a new HVAC system.
Ovation Dinner Theater (302-500-1528) presents their new interactive comedy Joey & Gina’s Italian Comedy Wedding, Wednesday, June 17/24 (7 p.m.) at the Dunes Manor Hotel Oceanfront in Ocean City. This is a great group—and not just because I have great friends performing with them!
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) are in rehearsal for a fantastic new adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (June 5-14) with an all-star cast, and directed by John Hulse.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone: Magnolia’s Beach Bash on June 5 (8 p.m.); Como to Homo (the story of a ten-year old juggling her career on the Perry Como TV Show, her stage mom, gender confusion, mortality, and tap dancing!) on June 12 (8 p.m.), Broadway Cabaret on June 14 (6 p.m.), their First Birthday Bash June 20 (7 p.m.) to benefit their scholarship fund ($24K awarded last year!); summer camps starting June 22 and continuing through the summer on everything from photography to theatre! Check out this vibrant community organization.
Rehoboth Concert Band begins their outdoor season on Sunday, June 7 (3 p.m.) in the garden at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (10 Olive Ave.) and continues at Stango Park (next to Lewes Library) on June 16 (7 p.m.)— bring your lawn chairs! Sunday, June 28 (8 p.m.), Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, featuring guest vocalist, Dara Schumairer, of the Southern Delaware Chorale.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) Monthly Screening Film Series: (Upstairs Screening Room at the Movies at Midway, $4 RBFS members, $6 future members): 1971 Friday, May 22 (7 p.m.). Festival Film Reviews: (South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach–free!) Mondays, June 1-July 6, and at the Metropolitan Community Church (Plantation Road) Tuesdays, June 2-July 7 ($2: members; $4: non-members).
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) has their Children’s Dessert Theater presentation of Cinderella’s Glass Slipper, May 22-24. $5 (children under 18); $10 (adults).
VISUAL ARTS
Galleries marked with an asterisk (*) are members of The Rehoboth Gallery Collective, MOSAIC. Join participating galleries for Second Saturdays: Destination Artwalk, June 13 (6-9 p.m.).
*Amandeline Gallery (Galleries at 20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-226-0330) has lovely works on paper by artist Lillian Fitzgerald on display. Florals by Watercolorist Patricia Hansen and acrylic painter, Yan Ding. Sergey Cherep returns to Rehoboth for a show on June 21.
*Anita Peghini-Räber Gallery (49 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2888) brings Luz. H. Arkal of Art Miami to the beach with Planetary Connections. Catch-a-Sketch of you or with your partner by Anita is a fun-filled encounter, which leaves you with a colorful naturalistic/ expressionistic keepsake, by appointment. Saturdays /Sundays; Young at Art (9-10:15 a.m.) children (6-8 years old) join Anita on a tour of the changing exhibits of important contemporary, global artists, then create their own artwork. Donations help cover the cost of material. Weekly Creative Fusion Dance every Thursday (7-8 p.m.) with Viviana. Monthly Milonga, Tango de Arte (last Saturday of the month: 9 p.m.–1 a.m.), with a free introduction by Adam from Tango Lewes (7-8 p.m.).
Art for a Purpose (135 Second Street, second floor, in Lewes; 302-245-4528) is a one-of-a-kind art gallery which assists tax-exempt organizations by turning donated art into cash for their unrestricted use.
Barking Dog Gallery (29 Lake Shore Drive; Lewes; 856-577-1411) offering classes in watercolor/zentangle and jewelry by Donna Whiteside.
*Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; or kevinfleming.com) presents new and classic favorite Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming, photography by Jay Fleming, Tony Pratt and Pamela Bieler and hand-blown glass by Deb Appleby. Visit their new gallery in Lewes!
*Gallery 50 and G-50 Fine Art Photography (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302- 227-2050) is proud to be the featured gallery for VegFest 2015, and hosts an opening for featured artist, Dane Ellyn, Saturday, June 13. Currently exhibiting new works from Pat Whitehead’s “museum” series, and abstract works by Beth Cartland. Master framer Ed McGann is happy to assist you with all of your framing needs. Mark your calendars now for the 7th Annual Silent Auction for AIDS Delaware and the opening of the Deborah Rolig show— both August 1!
The Happyrock Pottery (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 410-375-7120) features the work of potter Susan Gladstone. Take a step into the studio and watch Susan throwing pots for the soon-to-be summer season!
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) offers day and nighttime classes in metal-smithing. Learn to make rings, earrings, and bracelets! Call the gallery for details.
*Paintiques and The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) has moved... things around! Lots of changes at the gallery, with fresh new artwork. Thursday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), Friday/Saturday (noon-8 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.).
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Rd in Lewes; 302-645-0551) offers a one-person show—Terra Incognita by gallery artist John Davis held through May 26. Seventeen artists of the American Society of Maritime Artists will be featured in Views of the Maritime June 6-30.
*Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue; 302-727-0905) is kicking off the summer 2015 season with Caroline Huff in her Contemporary Realism show May 30-June 18, with a public opening night reception (6-8:30 p.m.). From June 20-July 7, Judith Judy is their featured artist with an opening night reception (6-8:30 p.m.). Two beautiful collections of paintings you won’t want to miss!
Proud Bookstore (Baltimore Avenue in Village By the Sea; 302-227-6969) featuring the artwork of Geri Dibiase, Jeffrey Todd Moore, David Kraft, Lynn Finaldi, Michael Gardner, Patrick Keating, and John Gress, as well as books, cards, and gifts.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) presents three new exhibitions: The Sensible Forest, by Alice Valenti; Reflecting Light, by Cathy Leaycraft, and In the Abstract, a juried exhibition of abstract works created by RAL member artists. The shows run through June 14. Next: an Exhibition of New Emerging Student Artists—at the new RAL Art Studios on Route 9.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) currently features an exhibit of items related to the founding of the CAMP Rehoboth community center to celebrate the 25th year of Creating A More Positive Rehoboth. Opening Memorial Day weekend is Women of Rehoboth Beach celebrating the great ladies of Rehoboth’s past with tributes to notables including: Ethel P.B. Leach, Myrtle Belle Wingate, and Anyda Marchant and Muriel Crawford of the Naiad Press.
*Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features Abstract Expressionism in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin, as well as many others!
*WibergArt and Studio 3 (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 302-226-0206 or 302-245-3615) features renowned marine artist, Jack Wiberg, and his original oils of sailing vessels and ships, as well as the work of Dolores Andrew, Joyce Blakeslee, Rose Doster, Wendy Kesler, Melissa McLean, and LaVerne McIntyre.