Shoulder Season
The “shoulder seasons” are my favorite time of year, and considering the incredible growth we’ve seen in the arts community here, they’re darned big shoulders. It’s remarkable that we have seven theater companies, dozens of fine art galleries, six terrific choral groups, a concert band replete with some fantastic instrumentalists, composers, writers, virtuosos, and a world-class film festival! Get your mind off the elections, turn off the TV, put down the phone, and escape into the arts. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
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 Hwy.). Tickets available at the door: $15 (cash only); under 18: free.
Bethany Area Repertory Theater (in residence at the Dickens Parlor Theater; 35715 Atlantic Avenue; Bethany Beach; 302-829-1071) presents Noah’s Arc— October 27-November 6.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) Jason Robert Brown’s two-character musical The Last Five Years plays October 21-30 featuring Artistic Director David Button and Erin Williams, Bobby and Beauty, and the Beast JR—November 11-13.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) continues their season with pianist Ingrid Fliter in the newly renovated Bethel UMC Hall—November 19 (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 a Pipe Organ Spooktacular —October 29 (3 p.m.) and the 1929 silent film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror— October 31 (6 p.m.)—with Jackson Borges at the pipe organ.
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 all over the area. Check their website for locations.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) are in rehearsals for Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street—December 2-11.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) offers a huge variety of entertainment! Here are some highlights: Friday, October 21: Tied Up in Knotts –A tribute to Don Knotts by his daughter. October 22: Sean Reilly and the Sinatra Centennial Orchestra. October 23: Gospel Brunch— featuring The Delaware State University Gospel Choir. October 26: The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (1 and 7:30 p.m.). October 28: The Apocalypse Ball—with Love Seed Mama Jump in a benefit for Casa San Francisco. October 29: Rock Bottom— Kiss Tribute. October 30: Rocky Horror Picture Show. November 5 and 6: The Last Five Years (Clear Space Theatre Co.—see above). November 9: Dynamo— Nashville-based jazz/rock/ funk. November 11/12: Duke Ellington’s Jazz Nutcracker Dinner Theatre. November 12: Corrie Sachs Is Reba McEntire. November 19: The Funsters Dance Party. November 26: Gypsy Wind: A Celtic Christmas.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) has great Independent films at their new Cinema Art Theatre (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes). National Theatre Live Screenings: One Man, Two Guvnors—October 24, 26 and 29. Women’s Film Series: Cancer? Seriously— October 25. Met Opera Live: Don Giovanni—October 22 (12:55 p.m.—Cape Henlopen High). Do not miss the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival! November 5-13.
Rehoboth Concert Band announces a concert to benefit the Cape Henlopen Senior Center’s 50th anniversary, with proceeds going to the New Building Fund—Sunday, November 13 (3 p.m.) at Epworth United Methodist. $20 at the Senior Center, Browseabout Books, or cash at the door.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) is producing that perennial holiday classic A Christmas Carol—November 25-December 4.
VISUAL ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Community Center (37 Baltimore Avenue: 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) presents new works by the Delaware Shore Artists Guild.
Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) hosts a fantastic collection of artists. Amandeline Gallery kicks off autumn with original still life works in Fall Harvest featuring art by Victor Del Castillo, M. P. Gerald, Sergey Cherep and Nick Paciorek. The Gallery celebrates their tenth Anniversary on October 22 with an “all-day reception and unprecedented and gigantic sale!”—a portion of the sales benefits the Food Bank of DE. Paintiques has “Painted Furniture Galore”! as well as a fantastic new selection of pieces. They can customize anything and do beautiful work. 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 and G-50 Fine Art Photography (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features great modern and contemporary art and is currently featuring an exhibition of work by Dane Tilghman, Jazz, Blues & Times to Remember—through November 1.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) classes in jewelry making, and beautiful, unique hand-made pieces for purchase. Local jewelry artist Arden Bardol presents Suspension: The Experiment through October 22. The Drusy and Gemstone Trunk Show runs December 1-6 with a sparkling Happy Hour on December 1 (6-8 p.m.).
Painting With a Twist (17723 Coastal Highway; 302-313-5769) is a fun, new studio offering public painting classes and private pARTies for all occasions—days, evenings, weekdays, and weekends for anyone over the age of seven, and provides complimentary wine, beer and soda. Monthly events include paint your pet, open studio, family age: seven plus, classes, teen night, date nite, manic Monday, coffee and canvas, as well as regularly scheduled classes. Painting with a Purpose fundraisers also offered. Visit their website for details and prices.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road in Lewes; 302-645-0551) features Same Image, Three Views—works by Jean Doran, Laura Hickman and Steve Rogers—through October 31. Opening November 5—Pastel Progressions by gallery resident artist Nick Serratore.
Philip Morton Gallery (47 Baltimore Avenue; 302-727-0905) has been reacquired by Philip Livingston of Elegant Slumming and is heading in exciting new directions. The new home gallery offers distinctive home furnishings, accessories, antiquities, and one-of-a-kind curiosities, and artwork—inventory not found anywhere else!
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) hosts Landscapes— through October 31; Recent Acquisitions—works from the permanent collection—through December 31; In the Abstract—a Members’ Showcase Exhibition—through November 27; Denkfigu—works by Morgan Everheart—through November 27. Their 27th Annual Holiday Fair Fine Craft Show is November 5 and 6, and the Seventh Annual Open House is December 3.
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. For Sea Witch Weekend they are hosting a Jolly Trolley tour of our fair city on October 28 (9 and 11 a.m. Reservations required. A Not-So-Spooky Scavenger Hunt for children in costume ages 5-12 (4-5 p.m.), and the Ad Hoc Radio Theater performing a live radio mystery both October 28 and 29 (7 p.m.)