Croptoberfest
Personally, I don’t remember a bigger crop of arts-related activity in the 13 years I’ve resided at the beach. Every weekend has a name around here now—Greyhound Weekend, Sea Witch Weekend, Jazz Weekend…and the Film Festival weekend has spread out over two weekends!
Don’t be like the autumn leaves and just drift by the windows—walk into the galleries and get a head start on your holiday shopping. Get online and make reservations for a show or a concert—or get a gift certificate and treat that special someone to an evening out. There’s way too much going on to just binge watch Hulu. Locations are Rehoboth, unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS
Bethany Area Repertory Theatre (Woodsong Country Inn; 37269 Dirickson Creek Road in Frankford) presents a brand-new show by playwright-in-residence, Bob Davis—Making News—a fast-paced dramedy about the start-up of a news business. Opening December 1.
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) has scheduled their winter concert—Can’t Stop the Beat! February 9-11, 2018 at Epworth United Methodist Church. The theme this season is Music about Music and features the songs “Listen to the Music,” “Yesterday Once More,” “I Love Rock and Roll,” “Hallelujah,” and Pentatonix’ new hit Sing! Mark those calendars now!
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) announces auditions for a production of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove December 5 and 6 (7 p.m.). Needed are eight women of various ages. For more information contact director Russell Stiles.
Capital Ringers (302-632-3106) performs Holiday Classics on tour beginning November 18 and continuing through December 10. The concert features “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “O Hanukkah.” Local venues include Bethel UMC (November 25) and The Milton Theatre (December 9). Check their website for a complete listing!
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) continues their fall season with the longest running musical in theatre history The Fantasticks—October 20-29. They round out the year with their Spotlight on Young Performers production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (November 10-12), and Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street (November 24-December 10).
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets in Lewes; 888-212-6458) opens their season on October 21 with ZOFO—two talented pianists at one piano. Successive concerts include Akropolis Reed Quintet (November 18), and the Dali String Quartet (January 20).
Epworth United Methodist Church Concert Series (19285 Holland Glade Road; 302-227-7743) salutes our veterans with a WWII-themed Stage Door Canteen—November 11 (7-9 p.m.) with singer Carolyn Cattafi fronting an all-star swing quintet. Tickets: $10 at the door. Their annual holiday concert Yule Love It, Too! (December 9 at 7 p.m.) featuring the contemporary Christian group Mercy’s Well, the CAMP Rehoboth Ensemble, the Epworth Chancel Choir, Praise Team, and local singers. Tickets: $20 and worth every cent.
Kent County Theatre Guild (140 E. Roosevelt Avenue in Dover; 800-838-3006) presents a WWII spy thriller Strictly Murder November 10-19.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) is in rehearsal for their holiday offering—Fruitcakes—December 1-10. Directed by John Hulse.
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone on their calendar! October 20: Dynamo; October 21: Milton Zombie Fest; October 22: The Amazing Kreskin; October 26: The Milton Hayride; October 27: Psychic Deanna Fitzpatrick; October 28: Rocky Horror Picture Show; November 3: Stand-Up Comedy with Jessa Reed; November 4: The Fantasticks; November 9: Bettenroo and Meredith Rounsley; November 10: Fifth Avenue; November 11: The Johnny Cash Experience; November 12: Disney Kid’s Cabaret; November 13: Transcendental Jam Session—Kirtan.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (107 Truitt Avenue, 302-645-9095) screens new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre—opening October 20: The Unknown Girl; Ex Libris and Columbus (opens October 27). Broadway HD: She Loves Me (October 28-31); National Theatre Live: Yerma (November 18-21); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (December 16-19). And don’t miss the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival—November 2-12! Check their website for updates and show times.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) wins the award for holiday show with the longest title: The Farnsdale Avenue Housing Estate Towns-women’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol—November 24-December 3.
VISUAL ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) is partnering with the Biggs Museum of American Art to showcase the Delaware Division of the Arts 2017 Award Winners in Sussex County. The works will be on display from October 28-November 28.
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.
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. Artist Deborah Brisker’s Land, Sea, and Figure is featured through November 3. Andrew Criss’ Homecoming opens November 4.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase and the popular Earrings Galore (through December).
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 one of the largest Fine Art galleries in the area, currently hosting Face to Face to Face (through October 31)—with work by Syd McGinley, Karen Snoots, and Michael Sprouse. Opening November 4—Three Artists, Three Views, Three Mediums—works by Bill Patterson (oil), Nick Serratore (pastel), and Isobel Pizzoloto (watercolor). Whet your appetite with the virtual tour of the gallery online.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) currently features Illustration, Portraits, and France—works by Ethel P. B. Leach (through November 6); Abandoned Places—works by Michael Hower; Conversations—works by Joachim Gawryolek; In Our Backyard—a juried exhibition from the Coastal Camera Club; the Artists’ Exchange of Delaware’s Mixed Metaphors (all through November 12). Their Holiday Fair Fine Craft Show will be November 4-5—one of my favorite events of the year.
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. 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 current exhibit is Angry Water—highlighting the effects of weather on our area. Check their website for special events!
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) resides in the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard and features art in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin.