And We’re Off!
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the holiday formerly known as “Decoration Day.” Following the Civil War, May 30 was set aside to honor those who died in the Great War by placing flowers on graves. It was a sacred and solemn time when generations of families would gather to spruce up graveyards, recall fond memories, and share a meal. The date had no special military significance, but was chosen with the knowledge that gardens even in the northern-most states would be in full bloom by the end of May.
Now, the mere mention of Memorial Day strikes fear in the hearts of the “locals” here at the beach. Social media has been flush with “Where’d these tourons learn to drive?!?,” “The ‘No Left Turn’ signs went up today!,” and the ever popular “Looks like I’ll have to bring a wheelbarrow of quarters to park downtown this year!”
I, for one, welcome the influx of those “damned tourists” as they spend their hard-earned dollars and assist in maintaining our economy through these next 100 days. This having been said, I also know I will join the rest of the locals and exhale deeply at 5 p.m. on Labor Day. In the meantime—Take heart! Screw your courage to the sticking point! Stiff upper lip! Suck it up, buttercup—and check out the wonderful variety of upcoming events here in paradise. Save yourself a lot of trouble and just call a cab. There are some pretty cute Uber drivers… All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) has some upcoming events you don’t want to miss! The Skivvies (a duo who actually performs in their skivvies!)—June 30—and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Cabaret: It Takes Two!—July 14.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has Fun Home—the 2015 Tony® winner for Best Musical—on the boards through May 20. Check out Baroque 2 Broadway on May 26 and Not That Girl—a one-woman cabaret starring Erin Bobby (June 1-3). Now’s the time to sign up for one of their outstanding summer camps as well, and to make reservations for their summer season—Footloose, Mary Poppins, and The Rocky Horror Show—from June 26 right up through September 1.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) are in rehearsals for the classic farce Lend Me a Tenor—June 8-17. Sounds like they’ve assembled a terrific cast.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone on their calendar! May 19: Psychic Deanna Fitzpatrick; May 24: Transcendental Jam Session; May 25: Sail On—a Beach Boys Tribute; May 26: Broadway Juke Box; June 1: It Was a Very Good Year—a Frank Sinatra Tribute (matinee); June 1: Fellow Travelers; June 2: It Was a Very Good Year—a Frank Sinatra Tribute (evening); June 8: Kiss the Sky; June 9: Not That Girl; June 14: Late Night Catechism; June 15: Magnolia Applebottom.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes, 302-645-9095) screens the best new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre and provides the community with National Theatre Live: Macbeth (June 4-5). Check their website for updates and show times.
Rehoboth Concert Band has concerts that should be on your calendar—Sunday, June 3—Concerts by the Sea in the gardens of All Saints Episcopal (18 Olive Avenue) and Sunday, June 24 at the Bandstand.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) are rehearsing for Shrek—opening July 13. Directed by John Moller.
VISUAL ARTS
Anna Hazzard Museum (17 Christian Street, 302-226-1119) is a captivating look at the early history of Rehoboth Beach as a religious retreat. The museum is housed in one of the original “tent” houses from Rehoboth’s 1870’s camp-meeting era—named for former owner and civic leader, Anna Hazzard.
The Brush Factory on Kings (830 Kings Highway. in Lewes; 302-703-7715) is an artist and craft co-op with just about everything—furniture, art, clothing, antiques, sea glass, decoys, vintage garden, books, home goods, candles, herbs, and more.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) currently features the HeART on a String silent auction of intimate art with a closing reception Saturday, May 26 (4–7p.m.). Bidding online.
Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-853-5099) offers new and classic Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming. Need we say more?
Gallery 50 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features a variety of artworks from renowned, established and emerging artists in painting, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, mobiles, as well as special events. Veg Fest 2018 has an opening reception—June 9—watch for further info!
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase (including wedding rings) and offers classes in jewelry making.
Painting With a Twist (17723 Coastal Highway; 302-313-5769) offers painting classes and “pARTies” for all occasions—days, evenings, weekdays, and weekends (age 7+). Visit their website for details.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road in Lewes; 302-645-0551) is one of the largest Fine Art galleries in the area is currently showing The Artist Abroad—a selection of work by artists who travel abroad to paint. Featuring: Carole Boggemann Peirson, Roger Dellar, Lois Engberg, Heather Lynn Gibson, Laura Hickman, Martha Spak, Sharon Strine, and Meg Walsh—through May 30. Whet your appetite with the virtual tour of the gallery online.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) always has a fantastic schedule of classes—everything from pottery to pen and ink technique to jewelry making—something for everyone and for every age and skill level. Current exhibits include Untitled: works by Ruri Yi in the Ventures Gallery; Ethereal Luminescence—works by Peter Treiber in the Tubbs Gallery; Simplicity—works by Howard Eberle in the Corkran Gallery; Recent Works—featuring Nick Serratore—also in the Corkran (all through June 10), and Fun in the Sun at the Rehoboth Beach Municipal Building (through June 20). Check their website for a complete schedule of exhibits, salons, gallery talks, or even their Summer Camps.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has a “history” of fun at the beach—vintage bathing suits, post cards, photos and maps. However…the Museum is currently closed for complete renovations to their second floor and revamping of the permanent collection exhibits and will reopen early summer. In the meantime, they still have some great walking tours of the area.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) resides in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard and features art in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin.▼
Email Doug Yetter to add events to the calendar.