Excuses, Excuses
I love walking the boardwalk more than just about anything in life, and I have reached the age where exercise is a necessity. That having been said, I’ve also become an expert at making excuses why I can’t possibly take a walk.
“I don’t care what your phone says—it’s gonna rain.” “Bet this fog is worse at the beach!” “Where’s my other jacket/hat/sunscreen?”
I’ve never been a big fan of physical activity, but was blessed with a fantastic metabolism—for the first 50 years of my life. Nowadays, I don’t really “wear” clothing so much as feel like I’ve been taken hostage by it, and the only thing more exhausting than coming up with a new excuse not to head for the boardwalk is trying to cram my keister into my Calvins.
Then came last Friday, and one of the most beautiful mornings we’d had in weeks. I had to stop by the CAMP Rehoboth office, but needed to be home by 10 a.m. so I couldn’t even blame the parking meters for not hitting the boards. My husband had also presented me with new walking shoes, a sensible hat, and plenty of sunscreen. I had but one choice—shut up and walk.
I walked the entire boardwalk without dying and really enjoyed it. I was headed back to the car when a far too well-dressed matron—with an “ample” young man in tow—stopped directly in front of me, firmly grabbing the boys’ beefy bicep and bellowing in her most stentorian tones, “I’ve had it with your excuses! Shut up and walk.” Was this a sign? Was she talking to him or me?
That moment made me vow to channel my inner Dolly Levi and rejoin the human race, though I don’t see any other races in my future. Instead of “excuses, excuses,” it’s time for some “promises, promises!” I’m dedicated to enjoying the season and exploring the bounty of activity I seem to only write about these days. Well, that and promising to trade in my muumuu for some slim cut jeans.
And now, the arts.…
Spotlight on the Arts
HeART on a String Fundraiser Raises Funds for CAMP Rehoboth Arts
Memorial Day weekend brought CAMP Rehoboth’s “HeART on a String” project to an exhilarating climax. While art lovers enjoyed refreshments at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, mingling with the crowd and keeping a watchful eye on the bidding for their favorite pieces of art, the excitement grew by having “off-site” collectors raising the ante online.
As the close of bidding drew near, the enthusiasm reached an animated pace, with connoisseurs studying the tally sheets to ensure they would be leaving with the pieces they had their “HeARTs” set on.
Many thanks to every artist who joined in raising funds for CAMP Rehoboth’s arts programming, to the proud owners of new artwork by emerging and established artists, and to everyone who joined in making this another successful event! ▽
Bywater Awards
Bywater Books—the little lesbian publishing house that could and does—has been awarded an impressive four Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) for its titles. Committed to bringing the best of contemporary lesbian writing to their avid readers, Bywater Books—which published 14 books in 2017—has already won the four IPPY Awards, Best Book of the Year awards in two categories (from the Delaware Press Association), two Best Book Awards (from National Federation of Press Women), and secured two Foreword Independent Book Awards finalists, two Lambda Literary Award finalists, and one finalist for the Triangle Publishing Awards. An impressive ratio of recognition to books published—and with numerous literary award organizations yet to announce their winners and finalists!
Of special interest for Letters readers, the IPPY Awards were presented to Bywater author and Letters columnist Stefani Deoul in the Young Adult Books category for her novel On a LARP, and Letters Interim Editor Fay Jacobs, for Humor Book of the Year, for Fried & Convicted—her latest collection of biographical essays. Bywater picked up one silver and three bronze medals in this mainstream publishing contest, with books featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists and storylines.
Publisher Salem West states, “Bywater Books has long pursued quality and diversity in the literature we publish, and it is especially gratifying to win these four Independent Publisher Awards. We know that lives are enriched when our lesbian stories are read, and it is clear that mainstream awards like the IPPYs help us to reach a widening world of readers.”▽
Next up at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Gallery
Creativity2 | Renata Price and Yona Zucker | June 1-29
Artists’ Reception: Friday, June 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m
Two artists x two art forms = one remarkable show!
Renata Price (renatawatercolor.com) began her art career painting watercolors, then dabbled in acrylics, and now focuses primarily on oils. Her background in engineering, and fascination with complex shadows and reflections, bring a level of detail to her hyper-realistic paintings, accurately reflecting scenes as she sees or imagines them.
Yona Zucker (yonastainedglass.com) creates “Tiffany” or copper foil stained glass based on patterns created by Renata Price. Her delicate one-of-a-kind works are filled with intricate traditional and contemporary designs.
Join these two remarkably talented artists as they embark on a collaborative exploration, while following their own creative paths and respective mediums—Renata showcasing recent paintings reflective of her unique classical realism, and Yona interpreting the same subject through her glorious glass.
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) has some upcoming events you don’t want to miss! The Skivvies (a duo who actually performs in their skivvies!)—June 30 (8 p.m.) at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. This “stripped down” group features New York-based singers/actors/musicians Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley and their special guest, Broadway singer/actor Nick Adams. The Gay Men’s Chorus of D.C.’s Cabaret: It Takes Two!—July 14 (5 and 8 p.m.) happens at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) is about to launch its ambitious summer season of Footloose, Mary Poppins, and The Rocky Horror Show—(June 26—to September 1). Now’s the time to sign up those “stars of tomorrow” for one of their outstanding summer camps, as well.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road in Georgetown; 302-856-4560) has a terrific cast assembled to perform the classic farce Lend Me a Tenor—through June 17. The Possums always have great summer camps too!
Premier Centre for the Arts at Milton Theater (110 Union St in Milton; 302-684-3038) has something for everyone on their calendar! June 15: Magnolia Applebottom is “Ridiculous”; June 16: Rocky Horror Picture Show; June 17: All Our Exes Live in Texas; June 21: Bye, Bye Birdie; June 22: Psychic Medium Deanna Fitzpatrick; June 23: Black Sabbath Tribute; June 26: 78th Army Dixieland Brass Band (Free concert); June 28: Transcendental Jam Session with Kirtan; June 29: Johnny Gemini Lombardi Magic & Comedy; July 6: One Dame Summer Night; July 7: Milton Theatre Renaissance Initiative with Sean Reilly in the Sinatra Style; July 12/13: Simply Streisand.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue & the Atlantic Ocean; 302-644-2288) has some wonderful acts for their 56th season—June 15: The Counterfeiter$; June 16: U.S. Air Force Band Max Impact; June 16: Mike Hines & The Look; June 22: U.S. Air Force Band Singing Sergeants; June 23: Edwin Perez Band; June 24: Rehoboth Concert Band; June 29: Love Seed Mama Jump; June 30: Real Diamond; July 1: The Funsters (before and after the fireworks display); July 4: United States Navy Concert Band; July 6: U.S. Navy Country Current; July 7: Jesse Garron as “The King;” July 8: Tim Laushey Orchestra. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Beach Film Society (17701 Dartmouth Drive in Lewes, 302-645-9095) screens the best new Independent films at their Cinema Art Theatre. Check their website for updates and show times.
Rehoboth Concert Band has a concert that should be on your calendar—Sunday, June 24 (8 p.m.) at the Bandstand with guest vocalists Lorraine Steinhoff and Jerry Birl.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (in residence at Epworth UMC; 19285 Holland Glade Road; 302-227-6766) opens their 37th season with Cinderella, Androcles and the Lion, and Aladdin on June 27. Their great Theatre and Film/TV camps run July 9 - August 24.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street in Milford; 302-422-0220) is rehearsing Shrek—opening July 13. Directed by John Moller.
Stango Park Concerts (Kings Highway, next to the Lewes Library) has a FREE concert every Tuesday evening: June 19: Zydeco-A-Go-Go; June 26: Shawn Lacy; Monday, July 2: Delaware Army National Guard 287th Army Band. Bring a chair!
VISUAL ARTS
The Brush Factory on Kings (830 Kings Highway. in Lewes; 302-703-7715) is an arts and crafts co-op with just about everything—furniture, art, clothing, antiques, sea glass, decoys, vintage garden, books, home goods, candles, herbs, and more.
Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-853-5099) offers new and classic Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming. Need we say more?
Gallery 50 Contemporary Art and Frame Shop (50 A-B Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) features a variety of artwork from renowned, established, and emerging artists in paint, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and mobiles, as well as special events.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has beautiful and unique hand-made pieces for purchase (including wedding rings) and offers classes in jewelry making.
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), one of the largest Fine Art galleries in the area, is currently showing Silence and Solitude—multiple artists give us a bit of peace and quiet in these unpredictable and aggressive times—through June 30. Whet your appetite with the virtual tour of the gallery online.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) always has a fantastic schedule of classes—everything from pottery to pen and ink technique to jewelry making; something for everyone and for every age and skill level. Current exhibits include Fun in the Sun at the Rehoboth Beach Municipal Building (through June 20), Preservation Matters—with over 700 pieces in RAL’s Permanent Collection, this exhibit focuses on the conservation efforts to maintain the collection and focuses on those in most urgent need of restoration—in the Marcia and Henry DeWitt Gallery. Check their website for a complete schedule of exhibits, Salons, Gallery Talks, or even their Summer Camps.
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. The Museum is currently closed for complete renovations to their second floor and revamping of the permanent collection exhibits, but reopens soon! In the meantime, they still have some great walking tours of the area and fascinating lectures.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features art in different mediums by Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin.
Zwaanendael Museum (102 Kings Highway in Lewes; 302-645-1148) commemorates Delaware’s first European colony, established by the Dutch in 1631, and serves as a showcase for the Lewes area’s maritime, military, and social history. ▼
Email Doug Yetter to add events to the calendar.
CAMP Rehoboth Arts Programs are supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com