Complaint Department
The adage “Everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it!” is (unfortunately) always true. We had one “real” snowstorm back in January, and all I heard was, “I HATE snow and this terrible cold weather! I should have stayed in Rochester!” And even though the rest of the winter was relatively mild, everyone kept repeating, “I can’t WAIT for summer!” Then after a rather cool spring, Memorial Day arrived and the cries arose, “THEY’RE BACK! I’m not driving on Route 1 until October!” accompanied by the ever popular, “I can’t take this HEAT!” No, dear friends, we’re rarely pleased with the weather. However, I’ve gone to a lot of work to list dozens of activities which provide air conditioning, some with free parking, and not all of them are on weekends. Be brave and resolve not to allow another “frickin’” summer to pass you by. For God’s sake—you’re at the beach. Be happy. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) opens their summer repertory season on June 27 with A Chorus Line, followed by Legally Blonde, and The Little Mermaid. See all three and imagine them as one gigantic show—A Chorus Line of Legally Blonde Little Mermaids. Check their website for show schedule and summer camps.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) produces the comedy Over the River and Through the Woods—June 16-25—under the direction of Mike Polo.
Ovation Dinner Theater (302-500-1528) presents interactive comedy and Murder Mystery Dinner Theaters all over the area. June 21: Dover Downs Hotel and July 8: Brick Hotel (Georgetown).
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) has You’ve Got a Friend—a fundraiser scheduled July 7-9 to defray the cost of much-needed roof repairs. Check their website for summer camps!
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone on their calendar! June 16: Summer Sizzler DJ, June 17: The Sinatra tribute: It Was a Very Good Year, June 22: a former student of mine, Cole Haden, performs with his group from Boston Model/Actriz and is joined by Orchin (Los Angeles), June 23: Psychic Medium Deanna Fitzgerald, June 24: Rocky Horror Picture Show, July 1: Counter-tenor Terry Barber and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, July 2: Forlorn Strangers, July 7-9: Carla Delvillaggio is Simply Streisand, July 7: Roo Brown. Check their website for Summer Camp info.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue and The Boardwalk) has provided free entertainment since 1963, and the tradition continues: June 16: The Uptown Band; June 17: U.S. Air Force Band Max Impact; June 18: Triple Rail Turn; June 23: U.S. Air Force Band The Singing Sergeants; June 24: Kids in America; June 25: Rehoboth Concert Band. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Concert Band has a pair of concerts this month: June 4 (2 p.m.) performs June 25 at the Bandstand with guest vocalists Jerry Birl and Lorraine Steinhoff.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095), 302-645-9095; rehobothfilm.com) screens new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre— June 16: Paris Can Wait—with Diane Lane and Alec Baldwin, June 30: The Hero, July 21: Maudie. Special Screening: July 3: True Conviction. National Theatre Live screenings: Peter Pan— July 10-11; Salome—August 14-15. Check their website for updates and show times.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (302-227-6766) continues their commitment to quality theatre experiences and training for children with summer camps from July 10-August 25. Their summer season opens June 27 and 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
Biggs Museum of American Art (406 Federal Street, Dover; 302-674-2111) houses one of the areas’ most fascinating permanent collections of Americana, and currently features a retrospective of photographer Ansel Adams work—through July 30. Well worth the drive!
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) is hosting Art of the Community—a collaborative exhibition with Peninsula Gallery in Lewes through June 25. (See the description under Peninsula Gallery.) The gallery and the artists involved will donate a portion of sales to support Project CAMPfire—Fostering, Inspiring, and Rewarding Emerging Arts and Artists.
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. 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. If you’re seeing a show at Clear Space, 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: July 14: Marion Osher’s Time Out for the Beach. Their master framer, Ed McGann, is onsite and ready to assist you with your framing needs.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has their annual Earrings Galore, featuring earrings by 40 artists from around the country. On view throughout the summer. Opening June 22 (5-7)—Alliance—featuring Kate Furman and Kate Mess Bauman. Heidi always has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase.
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) is hosting a collaborative exhibition with CAMP Rehoboth—Art of the Community. The gallery and the artists involved will donate a portion of sales to support Project CAMPfire— Fostering, Inspiring and Rewarding Emerging Arts and Artists. Featured in this show are numerous artists whose work has been associated with CAMP over the years including Sondra Arkin, Terry Isner, Vincent Hughes, Caroline Huff, Brian Petro, Sam Dixon, Scott Brooks and many others. Through June 25. Opening July 1: 12 x 12 x 12— Twelve artists present 12” x 12” art!
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) has tickets available now for their Gala in the Garden—Saturday, June 24 (5-8 p.m.)—with live music, cocktails in the Homestead’s formal garden, appetizers, and a three-course dinner in the backyard. The 68th Cottage Tour of Art is just around the corner as well—July 11-12.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has a “history” of fun at the beach—vintage bathing suits, post cards, photos, and maps are on display. Their newest exhibit, Angry Waters, opened June 8, and 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. The museum is open daily. For tickets to the ball visit rehobothmuseum.org.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) has reopened in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard just in time for the 2017 season. The gallery features art in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin, as well as the popular Spritiles by Houston Llew.