Sumer Is Icumen In!
You have to be a real music aficionado to recognize the heading for today’s column as the title of a mid-13th century round —perhaps the oldest surviving example of counterpoint. It’s also an excellent example of how our language has morphed —“Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu!” which translates to “Summer has come in, Loudly sing, Cuckoo!” Later in the piece, the author celebrates other notable activities associated with the advent of summer—“The ewe bleats after the lamb, the cow lows after the calf, the bullock stirs, the stag farts…” It was a simpler time. As we approach the summer here at the beach we have much to celebrate, though hopefully none of it will involve flatulent stags. Be warned, gentle readers! The entries below do include references to sex, vaginas, and two mermaids. Not that anything in that trio (quartet?) is particularly notable or even remarkable if you’ve lived through a summer or two here. All locations are Rehoboth Beach, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Bethany Area Repertory Theater (in residence at the Dickens Parlour Theatre; 35715 Atlantic Avenue in Millville; 302-829-1071) has the comedy Sex Please We’re Sixty on the boards from June 1-10. The title intrigues me!
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has my very funny and talented friend David Yazbek’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels playing through May 21. Don’t miss Elaine Faye in her one-woman version of The Vagina Monologues, June 2-4. Their summer season opens June 27 with A Chorus Line, followed by Legally Blonde, and The Little Mermaid. Check their website for summer camps and a special Tony-award fundraiser.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Ave in Dover; 800-838-3006) is in rehearsal for Joe DiPietro’s family comedy Over the River and Through the Woods—June 16-25 —under the sure-handed direction of Mike Polo.
Ovation Dinner Theater (302-500-1528) presents a wide variety of interactive comedy and Murder Mystery Dinner Theaters all over the area. May 25: Ocean Pines Yacht Club, May 26: Dickens’ Parlor Theatre (Bethany Beach), June 3: Salted Rim (Ocean View), June 9: Abbott’s on Broad Creek (Laurel), June 10: Wicomico Civic Center (Salisbury).
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) offers a truly terrific little musical: The Spitfire Grill—June 2-11. Directed by Kenney Workman and featuring an all-star cast.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) always has something for everyone on their calendar! Some highlights: May 18: Revival House (local filmmakers), May 20: Rat Pack: Together Again, May 24: Tyler Greene, May 26: Serafin String Quartet, June 2: Del Angels (a great Doo-Wop group!), June 3: Stand-Up Comedy with LaTice Klappa headlining, June 9: Magnolia Applebottom entertains, June 10: Elaine Faye and her one-woman version of The Vagina Monologues, June 15: Revival House: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, June 17: The Sinatra tribute: It Was a Very Good Year.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) screens new Independent films opening every Friday at their Cinema Art Theatre—May 19: Colossal—starring Anne Hathaway, May 26: Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, June 16: Paris Can Wait—with Diane Lane and Alec Baldwin. National Theatre Live Screenings: Obsession—starring Jude Law—June 12-13. Women’s Film Series: last Tuesday of each month. 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 includes Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Toad’s Escape.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) features The Neverending Story presented by their Children’s Theater in a very limited run—June 2-4.
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 adds to their appeal with a retrospective of photographer Ansel Adams work through July 30. Well worth the drive!
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) presents 12x12xHeART through May 27. Emerging and established artists on display with each piece measuring 12” by 12” in size. The art may also be previewed online with online bidding available at biddingowl.com/CAMP Rehoboth. Closing bid reception is Saturday, May 27 from 4-7 p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth.
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: May 20: Washington Blade Photo Night, May 27: Thrill Ride (Dana Ellyn & Matt Sesow), June 10: Vegfest Rehoboth Exhibition. 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) offers Fantastic Reality through May 29. Two artistic families (Donna Marie and Dennis Daub/ Brenda and Ed Kidera) join forces to give us everything from Steam Punk to Story Boxes. Visit their website (or the gallery!) to view these inventive works of art.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) brings us Getting in the Mood with Lights and Shadows (Member Showcase), and The Mermaid Project, Chapter 1: Confinement (works by Annaliese Tassano)—both run through June 11. For those of you who would like to explore or expand your creative side, the League offers classes: May 20: Silk Painting, June 5-7: Watercolor for Beginners, June 5-19: Beginning Mosaic Technique, June 6-27: Acrylic Painting Basics, June 7: iPhoneography, June 8-29: Watercolor Painting Basics.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310)finishes their 7th Annual Needlework Exhibition on May 21 with a presentation by Needle Arts instructor Dolores Andrew. Their permanent collection of Beachiana is always worth a stop.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) reopening in time for Memorial Weekend, features abstract expressionism in different mediums by Ward Ellinger.