It’s That Time of Year!
Whether you think of this as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” or you just want to scream “Bah! Humbug!” there’s something for everyone. Enjoy the numerous holiday traditions from The Nutcracker to The Messiah to Scrooge!, or give a beautiful piece of art as a holiday gift. After the New Year there are always quality musical presentations from Coastal Concerts, theatre with Clear Space and Possum Point, and continuing showings at our wide selection of art galleries. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) Sussex County’s only year-round professional troupe presents their original musical adaptation of Scrooge! The holiday tradition has lots of new surprises this year. Opening November 25 (immediately following the Rehoboth tree lighting at the Bandstand) through December 11. Tickets: $5-$25. Join the Clear Space family to ring in the New Year with Showstoppers—a one-time revue featuring unforgettable show tunes sung by one dozen talented performers, followed by three hours of dancing, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets: $50. Opening their 2012 season is Noel Coward’s brilliant comedy Blithe Spirit—February 3-19. Tickets: $15-$25.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets in Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) present Chicago’s most celebrated chamber ensemble—The Lincoln Trio (violin, cello and piano) performing works from Beethoven to Higdon—November 19 at 8 p.m. Audience favorite Clancy Newman (cello) and pianist Noreen Cassidy-Polera return to play music by Bloch, Mendelssohn, and Brahms (January 28 at 2 p.m.). Tickets: $25; 10-18 admitted free with one paying adult.
Epworth United Methodist Church and Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church of Stephensville, MD, under the direction of Judith Moore, present a cantata for Christmas, Journey of Promises, featuring soprano Mary Anne Barcelona-Collins at 4 p.m., Sunday, December 18 at Epworth Church, 19285 Holland Glade Rd. in Rehoboth Beach. The concert will be followed by a reception—suggested donation of $15.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) offers Possums’ Christmas Hit Parade from December 2-11. The show is modeled loosely around Your Hit Parade and features a countdown of the 20 top holiday songs. Tickets: $19/$20. Their 2012 season opens January 7 with Waiting for Godot, followed by I Hate Hamlet from January 20-30.
The Rainbow Chorale (888-512-5093; presents Home for the Holidays at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Rd. in Rehoboth at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 10. $15 online pre-sales/$20 at the door. Children under 12 free.
Southern Delaware Choral Society (PO Box 444; 302-645-2013) performs Handel’s Messiah Saturday, December 10 at Cape Henlopen High (3 p.m.) and Sunday, December 11 at Del Tech in Georgetown (3 p.m.) offers an audience sing-along. The 80-member chorus and four professional soloists are accompanied by an orchestra. Tickets: $20 (adults); $8 (students) available at Browseabout Books, Puzzles in Lewes, online or by phone 302-226-5231.
VISUAL ARTS
Galleries marked with an asterisk (*) are members of The Rehoboth Beach Gallery Collective, MOSAIC. Join participating galleries for Second Saturdays: Destination Art Walk, Dec. 10 and Jan. 14.
*AerieArt Gallery (45½ Lake Avenue; 302-227-5376/ 302-584-6402; rehoboth.com/aerieart) On display during the winter season is a special collection of paintings from the 19th Century to the present. Open weekends November-March, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment.
*Gallery 50 (50-A Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050.
*G-50 Fine Art Photography (46 Baltimore; courtyard behind Univeral Gear; 302-227-2050).
*Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) features handmade, contemporary jewelry by studio artists from around the world.
*Juleez (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 302-227-3792) features hand-painted cellos, violins, miniature pianos, beautiful acrylic on canvas originals and giclee prints by Julie Borden.
*Kevin Fleming & Friends (239 Rehoboth Avenue) is a new gallery featuring National Geographic photographer, and local resident, Kevin Fleming’s photographs, books, and calendars, as well as art and photography from Deb Applebee, Tony Pratt and Pam Bieler.
Midge Smith Fine Art Gallery (135 Second Street, second floor, in Lewes; 302-245-4528) Art for a Purpose assists tax-exempt organizations by turning donated art into cash for their use. Gallery hours are 2 to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, through Christmas.
Packard Reath Gallery (Located in The Hotel Rodney, 142 Second Street; Lewes; 302-644-7513) Specializing in Fine Art Photography.
*Paintiques (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) invites you to come in and see the extraordinary transformations from old to new in the Gallery at 20 Baltimore, as well as what’s new in Studio 3 down the hall. Check out their new website, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Thursday-Saturday 12 p.m.-8 p.m. or by appointment.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Rd in Lewes; 302-645-0551; holds their last exhibit of the year—a traditional holiday show designed for the gift giving season. Titled Small Jewels 8, it is a group show involving 12 artists who have each produced several paintings no larger than 8x10, priced at less than $500.
*Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue; 302-727-0905).
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.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) holds their annual Holiday Open House, Saturday, November 19 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Members Holiday Flair Sales Gallery: The galleries will be filled with holiday cheer—fine art and crafts created by its members. Just in time for the gift-giving season.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) presents: Around the World: Series featuring critically acclaimed, international, independent films. The Human Resources Manager: Wednesday December 7 in the upstairs screening room at Movies at Midway (7 p.m.). Admission: Free. Monthly Screenings: Incendies: Friday December 30 (7 p.m.) in the upstairs screening room at Movies at Midway. Admission: $3 (RBFS Members)/$5 (non-members). What Makes us Tick?: The Visitor: January 13, As It Is In Heaven: January 15, The Fisher King: January 16. Location and admission to be announced on their website.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (302-227-7310; Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal).
Surrattsart (20 Baltimore Avenue at the Celebration Mall; 302-227-3522) featuring the work of artist Sherry Surratt with Photographs and Paintings, large and small, realism and abstract.
*Thunderbird Gallery (200 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-1900) has award-winning custom framing by master framer Ed McGann whose legendary creativity in framing comes from his 27 years of experience. Ed will frame or re-frame your important works of art as well as your children’s masterpieces. Mention that you read this in Letters for a special discount through April 1, 2012 (no fooling!).
*Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features works by Ward Ellinger, Sondra N. Arkin, Murray Archibald, and select artists.
*WibergArt (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.