Sum, Sum, Summertime!
As I was writing this column, I accidentally opened another column from a mid-winter edition and realized that this town is always busy—at least from an arts-centered perspective. Soooo much to see and do—and still get a tan and eat ice cream! All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
American Pops Orchestra (Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD) presents their second concert: You Spin Me Round: an ‘80s Prom on Wednesday, August 26 (8 p.m.) featuring the American Pops Orchestra under Maestro Luke Frazier with Broadway stars Mary Michael Patterson and Hilary Morrow. $20-55—tickets through ticketmaster.com or 1-800-OC-OCEAN.
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) presents Well-Strung—The Singing String Quartet for one show only at the Rehoboth Convention Center on July 25. They are not to be missed!
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) offers Grease, Rent, and Seussical “in rep” through Labor Day. Catch a free performance of their summer camps every Friday from July 10- August 7 (11 a.m.). Delaware Comedy Theatre opens The Late-R Night Show Saturday, July 11 (10 p.m.).
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) offers a 20% discount for their 2015-2016 season until September 18.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) presents Once Upon a Mattress—July 17-August 1. $10-$20.
Ovation Dinner Theater (302-500-1528) presents their new interactive comedy Joey & Gina’s Italian Comedy Wedding at the Dunes Manor Hotel Oceanfront in Ocean City and Murder Mystery Dinner Theaters all over the area. Check their website for locations.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) is in rehearsal for their Possum Juniors’ production of Bye, Bye Birdie—July 23-26. Auditions for Hairspray will be held July 11-12.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has very reasonably-priced summer camps through August 10 on everything from photography to theatre! Check out this vibrant community organization.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) Festival Film Reviews: (South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach—free!)—through Monday, July 6 and at the Metropolitan Community Church (Plantation Road) through Tuesday, July 7 ($2: members and $4: non-members). Cinema by the Canal—films start at dusk at the Lewes Canalfront Park and admission is free! Bring your own chair or blanket for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part I on Thursday, July 16, Big Hero 6 on Thursday, July 30, and The Boxtrolls on Thursday, August 13. Cinema by the Surf (Rehoboth Beach Bandstand): Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Thursday, July 23.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (302-227-6766) presents three shows in rotation this summer: Snow White, The Jungle Book, and Cinderella at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Rd). Fantastic summer camps in Film, TV, and Theater for the emerging artists in your life from July 13-August 28. Check the schedule on their website!
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) presents Faith County: Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere, July 10-19. Tickets: $17. Their Children’s Dessert Theater produces James and the Giant Peach July 31-August 2. Auditions for Noises Off! will be held Sunday, July 12 and Monday, July 13.
VISUAL ARTS
Galleries marked with an asterisk (*) are members of The Rehoboth Gallery Collective. Join participating galleries for Second Saturdays: Destination Artwalk—July 11 (6-9 p.m.).
*Amandeline Gallery (Galleries at 20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-226-0330) premieres new paintings by Sibyl Mackenzie through July.
*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 by Anita is a fun-filled encounter, which leaves you with a colorful naturalistic/ expressionistic keepsake—by appointment. Saturdays and 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 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.), with a free introduction by Adam from Tango Lewes (7-8 p.m.).
CAMP Rehoboth Community Center (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) presents new works by Brian Petro through July. Meet the artist at a reception on Saturday, July 11 from 5-8 p.m.
*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, as well as 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 feature a joint father/son exhibit by John and Eric Nyberg—opening July 11. Their Master Framer, Ed McGann, is always happy to assist you with all of your framing needs. 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 all summer!
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) offers day and nighttime classes in metal-smithing. Learn to make rings, earrings, and bracelets! Lynn Batchhelder has a Solo Show—through July 6.
*Paintiques and The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) is all about summertime inspiration and they’ve expanded their hours well into the evening through August.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Rd in Lewes; 302-645-0551)
*Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue; 302-727-0905) is exhibiting the ethereal and atmospheric landscapes of Judith Judy through July 7. Lee Wayne Mills opens Show & Tell—old and new works from his personal collection, and never before exhibited—on Friday, July 10 (6-8:30 p.m.) The show runs through July 23. Check their website for complete information on their offerings!
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) holds their 42nd Annual Members Craft Exhibition Animal Kingdom and Members Showcase through July 19 at the Henlopen Acres Campus. From June 26-July 28—Lines of Inquiry—works by Wayne Weeks. The 66th Annual Cottage Tour of Art is July 7-8. Don’t miss it!
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has a fantastic new exhibit—Women of Rehoboth Beach—celebrating the great ladies of Rehoboth’s past—do-gooders, bootleggers, divorcees, business owners, and publishers of lesbian novels! They also have an exhibit spotlighting the lost movie theaters of Rehoboth Avenue.
Scénique Art Gallery (7 North First Street, 302-226-ARTS [2787]) is a brand new gallery—owned by my friend Randy Reed—featuring impressionism to realism with an emphasis on seascapes, landscapes, and nautical work, as well as having exclusive rights to the work of Beth Carver. Artist Andrea Costa joins the growing list soon!
*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 contemporary glass, metal sculptures, and the ever-popular Spiritiles by Houston Llew.
*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.