Perception
As a musician, I’ve joked that “I don’t work—I play.” But the truth is the life of an artist is hard work—especially if it is your sole source of income—and creating art is even harder. In my distant youth I did what many young artists do and simply emulated the style of artists I admired. My life changed when a professor encouraged me to “find my own voice” and develop an aesthetic. Aesthetic?!? “It’s how you perceive your work. How you feel about your art.” In my college days, one of the courses I enjoyed most was “Aesthetics.” We were challenged to view art, dance, theater, and music as participants, rather than as casual observers, peeling back the layers of a piece to discern the creator’s intent and purpose and whether they had achieved their objective. I remember having that “light bulb” moment when it hit me that the opposite of having an aesthetic was being anaesthetic—without perception or feeling. So, my challenge for you is to be actively involved in your perception of the arts. Develop your own aesthetic. Stop simply “looking” and learn to use all of your senses. It’s a lot more fun than changing your oil. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Bethany Area Repertory Theatre (302-539-7324) has announced a staged dramatic reading of David Hare’s Racing Demon (April 6-7) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland). All proceeds benefit the participating local churches and the BART Scholarship Fund.
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus—if you missed the largest vocal group in the state performing Come Fly With Me! you can catch the encore performance at Delaware Technical Community College—Sunday, April 2 (3 p.m.). Tickets: camprehoboth.com. And if that doesn’t work for you, catch the final 2017 concert by the CAMP Ensemble at the Milton Theatre—May 5 (8 p.m.).
Capital Ringers (302-632-3106) are hitting the road with their spring concert Ringin’ Rhythms—April 22—May 6. Check their website for concert locations and times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) features their Spotlight on Young Performers and their presentation of Once Upon a Mattress—April 7-9, and their new Acting the Classics group does a reading of The Importance of Being Earnest—April 9. Opening May 5: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; P.O. Box 685; Lewes, DE. 19958) ends their season on April 29 with Red Priest (8 p.m.). $30 ($35 for premium seating), free for ages 10-18 (one adult per youth), and student/military discounts.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) produces Johnny Guitar: The Musical—April 14-23. (Try it—you’ll love it!)
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) Driving Miss Daisy—directed by Becky Craft—graces the Possum stage from March 31-April 9.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) offers a huge variety of entertainment! Every Monday is LoDel Live, every Tuesday is Mooncat Comedy Open Mic, and every third Wednesday is Transcendental Jam Session—Kirtan. Here’s the rest of their calendar: Comedy Classroom. March 31: Magnolia Applebottom. April 1: Psychic Medium Deanna Fitzpatrick. April 7: The Scott Bloodsworth Band. April 8: Murder at the Long Branch Saloon. April 9: Easter Bunny Tea. April 14: Delaware Comedy Theatre. April 21: Gemini Family Magic. April 22: Randy Rainbow Live!
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) screens Independent films every Friday at their Cinema Art Theatre (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes). Cinema Art Theatre: I Am Not Your Negro and The Red Turtle (both through April 6). National Theatre Live Screenings: Hedda Gabler—April 24, 26, and 29. Women’s Film Series: last Tuesday of each month. Met Opera Live in HD: Eugene Onegin—April 22 (Cape Henlopen High Theater).
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (302-227-6766) continues their commitment to quality theatre experiences and training for children with summer children’s camps from July 10-August 25.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) is currently in rehearsals for Nunsense: A-Men!—opening May 5.
VISUAL ARTS
The Galleries at 20 Baltimore (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-258-4203) hosts a fantastic collection of artists: Amandeline Gallery invites you to stop by and see their latest 3-D mixed media, collages, and sculptures by artists Barbara Olsen, Kelli Pavon, and Lesley Hellstern. Paintiques has “Painted Furniture Galore”! as well as a great 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 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features the work of the late Brian Petro, Ward Ellinger, Mariah Fee, Tim Jaeger, Olan Montgomery, Jill Finsen, Susan Finsen, Rose Minetti, a triptych by Michelle Marshall, and new mobiles by Santo Mirabile. As always, 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) offers classes in jewelry making this spring, and 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) celebrates Lewes’ Annual Tulip Celebration with Springing into Summer—April 1-28 (Opening Night Reception—5-7 p.m.). 10% of their share of sales will be donated to the new Garden for All Ages project.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) will host an opening reception for four new exhibitions, including two solo and two group shows—Friday, April 7 (5-7 p.m.). Beaches-Boards & Treats, (Tubbs Gallery) features RAL member artists Nina Mickelsen, Tara Funk Grim, and Jan Crooker. Skies and Waves (Ventures Gallery) with works by Baltimore-based artist Susan Waters-Eller. The Corkran Gallery will hold two exhibitions - Eclectic Views from My Life by RAL member artist Jean Doran and Visions and Voices, a group exhibition by members of the Coastal Camera Club. The opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. The opening reception is sponsored by Dogfish Head. All exhibitions are on view through May 7. Gerilyn Gaskill will teach you how to paint watercolors on April 10 & 17 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), as will William Dec on Tuesday evenings from April 11-May 16 (6:30-9 p.m.). Register online or call the number listed above and use ext. 112.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) presents the 7th Annual Needlework Exhibition (through May 21).