The Old Year Passes
2016 has been a year filled with memorable events—the Rio Olympics, a nail-biting World Series, the end of Brangelina, and whatever that was that happened on November 8. Still, it’s a time to gather together and give thanks for our blessings, followed by a variety of holidays to celebrate in December. One thing I ask you to consider is making an end-of-year donation to any (or all!) of the non-profit arts organizations in our area. Having spent the past 45 years of my professional life in the arts, I have first-hand knowledge of the very real financial struggles they face.
PERFORMING ARTS
Ayre Craft This unique vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Marcelle Schiff presents In Search of Joy—A Musical Journey—December 3 (7 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware (30486 Lewes-Georgetown Highway). Tickets available at the door, $15 (cash only); under 18 free.
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus The largest vocal group in the state performs their all-new concert Come Fly With Me with music from around the world, January 27-29 at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Road). Tickets ($25) are now available at camprehoboth.com.
Capital Ringers (302-632-3106) are hitting the road with their winter concert Jingle All the Way—November 26-December 11. If you love handbells, this is a group you need to support! Check their website for concert locations and times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) offers the Delaware Comedy Theatre’s Holiday Hell! on November 19 and their Let’s Celebrate Every Holiday show, Meet Me in St. Louis— November 25-December 11—to ensure you have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) continues to bring the “classiest” groups to our area! Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman and the American String Quartet perform January 21 (2 p.m.) and violinist Elena Urioste and cellist Nicholas Cannellakis grace the stage on February 11 (2 p.m.). $30 ($35 for premium seating), free for ages 10-18 (one adult per youth), and student/military discounts.
Concerts by the Sea (All Saints Episcopal; 18 Olive Ave.) presents Meditation in Music—December 1, 8, 15, and 22 (12:15-1 p.m.) with Jackson Borges at the organ.
DC Gay Men’s Chorus Cabaret at CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) presents Let’s Misbehave! January 14 at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets at camprehoboth.com.
Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Rd.) has Yule Love It!— on December 10 (7 p.m.) featuring the Epworth Chancel Choir and Praise! Team, the Sussex Tech Women’s Chorale, the CAMP Rehoboth Ensemble, and the Rehoboth Beach Concert Band Ensemble. Tickets ($20).
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) offers The Best Christmas Pageant Ever— December 2-11. Auditions for Neil Simon’s Fools— December 12 and 13 (7 p.m.).
Ovation Dinner Theater (302-500-1528) presents interactive comedy and Murder Mystery Dinner Theaters. Check their website for locations.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) has a little gift for all of you with Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street—December 2-11. Auditions for Enchanted April will be held December 5-6.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) offers a huge variety of entertainment! November Events: 18: Stand-up Comedy. 19: The Funsters Dance Party. 26: Gypsy Wind: A Celtic Christmas. 29: Mooncat Comedy Open Mic. December Events: 2: Ted Vigil is John Denver. 3: One Dame Christmahanuk wanzakas with Dame Edna Impersonator Scott Mason. 4: Cartoon Christmas Trio— featuring the Mariner Middle School Choir. 9: Holiday Cabaret Dinner Theatre. 11: There’s Rescigno Place Like Home for the Holidays—with The Rescigno Boys. 13: Mooncat Comedy Open Mic. 16: Revival House—screening Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.16: Magnolia Applebottom: Holiday Drag Show. 17: Dial “S” for Santa Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. 18: Holiday Tea— audience-interactive holiday show. Light snacks and heavy fun! 21: Transcendental Jam Session—Kirtan. 23: Stand-up Comedy. 31: A New Years’ Eve Celebration. Call for info.
Rehoboth Beach Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along. The perfect way to catch the holiday spirit! Friday, November 25 (6:30-7 p.m.) at the Bandstand. Join me and a few thousand of your friends for this wonderful local tradition.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) has great Independent films like The Eagle Huntress opening every Friday at their new Cinema Art Theatre (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes). National Theatre Live Screenings: A View From the Bridge—November 21, 22 and 26. Women’s Film Series: In the Image—November 29. Met Opera Live in HD: L’Amour de Loin—December 10.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) produces A Christmas Carol—November 25-December 4.
Southern Delaware Chorale (PO Box 444; 302-645-2013) holds their winter concert O Come, Emmanuel at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Road)—November 20 (4 p.m.). Check their website for information on their Messiah Sing-Along in December!
VISUAL ARTS
The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) hosts a fantastic collection of artists: Amandeline Gallery has some fantastic original still life works in Fall Harvest featuring art by Victor Del Castillo, M. P. Gerald, Sergey Cherep and Nick Paciorek. Paintiques has painted furniture, as well as a great selection of pieces. WibergArt and Studio 3 displays the work of renowned marine artist, Jack Wiberg, as well as the work of many fine local artists.
*Gallery 50 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features great modern/contemporary art with gifts for the holidays.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has classes in jewelry making, and beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase as well as the Drusy and Gemstone Trunk Show—December 1-6 —with a sparkling Happy Hour to kick off the event (6-8 p.m.).
Painting With a Twist (17723 Coastal Highway; 302-313-5769) is a fun, new studio offering painting classes and “pARTies” for all occasions, for anyone over the age of seven. Monthly events include Paint Your Pet, Open Studio, Family (age seven and up) classes, Teen Nite, Date Nite, Manic Monday, Coffee and Canvas, as well as regularly scheduled classes.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road in Lewes; 302-645-0551) hosts Pastel Progressions—a solo show by Nick Serratore—through November 21. More than 20 artists are represented in their traditional Holiday show—Small Jewels—over 100 small works with prices to match. Check their website for images of both shows.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) has numerous “don’t miss” events through the fall and into the winter—Denkfigu— by Morgan Everheart through November 27. December 3: 7th Annual Open House. December 1-February 10: Members’ Sales Gallery. January 6-February 5: Second Annual Juried Camera Club Members’ Exhibition and Focal Point 2. Opening February 10: Mid-20th Century Women in Art at the RAL.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) is currently featuring Wish You Were Here—an exhibition of over 400 postcards spanning more than 100 years.