Bifurcation
Congratulations if you know the word bifurcate! It literally means “to fork into two branches,” but often gets used as “splitting into two.” I’m going to encourage locals and tourists to bifurcate their summer brains. Locals frequently have the “We don’t go into town during the summer” mindset, whereas guests to the area maintain “We don’t do that on vacation” brains. Locals: Why would you live in this incredible beach resort and not want to enjoy the bounty of summer? Tourists: It’s really okay to engage in an activity not involving sand or vodka. I don’t want to think I’ve wasted my life encouraging people to be active in the arts… Don’t disappoint an old man—or yourself! All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Bethany Area Repertory Theatre (Woodsong Country Inn; 37269 Dirickson Creek Road in Frankford) presents the longest-running show in history— Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, September 21-30.
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) is accepting applications from singers who want to be a part of the largest choral group in our little state. The Chorus rehearses Monday evenings (6:30-8:30 p.m.) from late September through the concert in February. Don’t dawdle, they’re nearing capacity!
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has their summer repertory season in full swing with A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, and The Little Mermaid. Saturday nights you can catch the Delaware Comedy Theatre’s Late-R Night Show. A 6 p.m. show has been added for Well-Strung—the singing string quartet—Sunday, August 6, since the 9 p.m. show is sold out.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets in Lewes; 888-212-6458) offers an “Early Bird” subscription discount for their 2017-2018 season—five concerts for the price of four.
Concerts by the Sea (All Saints Episcopal; 18 Olive Avenue; 302-227-7202) Annual Summer Organ Recital Series—Thursday afternoons (12:15 p.m.) through August 3. Parish Director of Music, Jackson Borges, appears in concert Sunday, August 13 (4 p.m.). The U.S. Army Chorus Baritones perform September 14-15.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Avenue in Dover; 800-838-3006) is in rehearsals for Sister Act which runs September 15-24.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) has a Drama Camp for grades 2-5 (July 31-August 4). Their next main stage show is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast—October 6-15, and from the cast list released last week, it’s going to be spectacular.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone on their calendar! July 28: Stand-Up Comedy with Corey Alexander and Keith Purnell; July 29: Ted Vigil in a tribute to John Denver; July 30: The Waterman’s Daughter (presented by the Milton Historical Society); August 3: April Verch; August 4: Rhenda Fearrington; August 5: Defending the Caveman (5 and 8 p.m.); August 11: Kiss the Sky: The Jimi Hendrix Re-Experience; August 12: Beatlemania Now (3 and 8 p.m.); August 13: Singer/ Songwriter Evening and Sposato Wine Tasting.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue and The Boardwalk) has provided free entertainment since 1963, and the tradition continues: July 28: Love Seed Mama Jump; July 29: Vinyl Shockley; July 30: Trailer Grass Orchestra; August 4: Dance Candy; August 5: Peter Johann Band; August 6: Still Surfin’; August 11: Parrotbeach (for all of you Parrotheads!); August 12: U. S. Navy Band Sea Chanters; August 13: Lights Out—tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) screens new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre— opening August 4: Landline; opening August 11: Harold and Lillian—A Hollywood Love Story. National Theatre Live Screenings: Salome—August 14-15. Check their website for updates and show times. Cinema By the Canal: (Lewes Canalfront Park) Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy Brave (August 10) and Jaws (August 24).
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (302-227-6766; in residence at Epworth United Methodist Church—19285 Holland Glade Road) continues their commitment to quality theatre and training for children with summer camps through August 25. The season includes Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Toad’s Escape.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) offers America’s favorite musical: Grease—July 28-August 6.
VISUAL ARTS
Back Porch Café, (59 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-3674; backporchcafe.com) features new work by Rodney Cook through August 15.
Biggs Museum of American Art (406 Federal Street, Dover; 302-674-2111) houses one of the area’s most fascinating permanent collections of Americana. Christo and Jeanne Claude retrospective begins August 4.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) features Creatures by Susan Frey through July. PEZ • Make America Sweet Again! featuring photo illustrations by Terry M. Isner runs August 1-28. Opening reception is Saturday, August 5 from 5-8 p.m.
The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) hosts a fantastic collection of artists: Amandeline Gallery features original paintings by local and nationally-recognized artists, Romanian and Czech glass art, and hand-made ceramics as well as unique home furnishings. Paintiques transforms vintage reclaimed furniture into unique treasured heirlooms. WibergArt and Studio 3 displays the work of marine artist, Jack Wiberg, as well as the work of many fine local artists. They’re part of the Clear Space complex. Enjoy the galleries pre-show or at intermission.
*Gallery 50 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features the work of at least three dozen talented artists, as well as special events: Opening August 4: Susan Webster. Their master framer, Ed McGann, is onsite to assist with framing needs.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase. I’m looking forward to the Jeweled Corpses Trunk Show opening August 24!
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) features 12 x 12 x 12—twelve artists present 12 x 12 art—through July 29. Opening August 5: Coastal Camera Club—a juried photographic exhibition.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) is preparing for their 44th Annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show—August 5-6 and 12-13. Illustrations, Portraits, and France—works by Ethel P. B. Leach—through October 1. Opening July 28, the 79th Annual Members’ Fine Art Exhibition.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) Their newest exhibit, Angry Waters, tells the story of a seaside village (Rehoboth Beach) and its volatile relationship with the ocean. Little hands are welcome, they are handicap accessible, and the gift shop has some great stuff. Admission is by donation, and well worth supporting. Their 12th Annual Beach Ball will be held on August 5 at the Kings Creek Country Club.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) has reopened in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard. The gallery features art in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin.
Photo: Space Cadets by Terry Isner. Email Doug Yetter