AVENUE (LGBT) Q
It was 1973 when I came out (the first time)—the American Psychiatric Association had just voted homosexuality off the list of mental disorders. Unfortunately, I was only attracted to men who had a whole basketful of things still on that list.
After a decade of really disastrous relationships with drunks, psychos, and losers, I decided I’d give women a try. Correction: woman. I fell hopelessly in like with a wonderful gal, got married, had two kids, but after 14 years realized I wasn’t very happy. So, I removed the closet door and packed my bags.
My career had been entertaining in piano bars since moving to Baltimore in 1988, and now that I was back out of the closet, I procured gigs at the two biggest gay bars in town—Central Station and The Stagecoach.
Though I enjoyed the work, this was no place to meet a man. One of my regulars said I needed a weekend in Rehoboth Beach and offered me his condo at Star of the Sea.
I did indeed fall in love on that trip—with Rehoboth Beach, and I borrowed that condo every chance I had for the next few years. I knew the beach was the place I ought to be, so I loaded up the truck…and ended up in Manhattan. That’s another story.
Since the first time I walked those two magnificent blocks of Baltimore Avenue, they have always been my favorite place to hang. There are soooo many great places on Avenue (LGBT) Q—all anchored by CAMP Rehoboth.
I can’t possibly remember all of the shops and restaurants that have come and gone over the years—Lambda Rising, Café Sole, Camel’s Hump, Dream Café, and Seafood Shack come to mind—and the places that have taken root in the heart of our community, like Blue Moon, Aqua, (a)MUSE.), Clear Space, Eden, Jam, Lori’s Oy Vey! Café. Newer additions like Frank & Louie’s, Café Azafran, grandpa (MAC), DiFebo’s, La Fable, and The Pines. Add in great shops like Elegant Slumming, Beach Essentials, the home décor stores, the art galleries, the shops in the two mews.…
I’m mean, what’s not to love? And with the recent addition of Steve Elkins Way from Second Avenue to the convention center, my favorite street is now nearly perfect.
Don’t get me wrong—I love the whole city! But there’s just something special about good old Avenue (LGBT) Q. Say “hi” if you see me sitting on a bench, gorging myself on ice cream, and inhaling the “mo-zone!” ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at The Heart of Our Community
By the Sea and Beyond
The CAMP Rehoboth Gallery is currently featuring the artwork of talented locals Donna Deely and Richard Thibodeau. Deely studied art in college, and rekindled her artistic spirit after moving to New Hope, Pennsylvania, creating work inspired by her fond childhood memories of summers spent on the Jersey shore and a farm in Tennessee. Her art has been shown here in Rehoboth Beach, New Hope, and Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Thibodeau developed a love of art through childhood coloring books, and has pursued a variety of mediums—wood, decoupage, watercolors, oils, pottery, and more! Experimentation led him to reintroduce reverse painting on glass, (a 1900s period technique incorporating Art Deco) and modernized the archaic technique with vibrant colors and dimension. His award-winning art has been exhibited at the Vienna Art Society, the Fairfax Art League in Virginia, and the 205 Lavinia Street Gallery in Milton.
Both of these talented artists have created sea-themed work with everything from oysters to mermaids. The exhibit runs July 9-31, with an artists reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 19.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery Hours
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m-4 p.m. Sunday
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) is hosting auditions August 6-8 (7 p.m.) for It’s Complicated 3.0—three one-act plays with LGBTQ themes to be performed November 1-3. Auditions are a short interview and a cold reading with director Russell Stiles. Can’t make the auditions? Contact Russell: 814-935-8821.
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032) screens new Independent films through the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. Try “Food & Film Wednesdays.” Attend the 4 p.m. screening for $8, and have dinner at Lefty’s Alley & Eats for $10. National Theatre Live: Hamlet—July 22 & 23. Ticket sales are open for the 2019-2020 Met season. Check their website for films and show times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) has Mamma Mia!, Hello, Dolly!, and The Wedding Singer—running six nights a week through Labor Day weekend. Children’s Theatre every Saturday morning (11 a.m.), and the LateR Night Show every Saturday night after the mainstage show. The Well-Strung Quartet returns for two shows on July 28. Check out their summer camps for the kids or grandkids.
Dickens Parlour Theatre (35715 Atlantic Avenue, Millville; 302-829-1071) offers magic and comedy in an intimate setting. July 10-16: Chris Capehart; July 17-23: CATCH ME! The Magic Duel at The Dickens; July 24-30: Bruce Gold; July 31-August 6: Ran’d Shine; and running six nights a week through September 1—The Comedy Show Tonight.
Freeman Stage (31750 Lake View Drive, Selbyville; 800-840-9227) offers these July events: 13: Ran’d Shine—Family Magic Show; 15: Buddy Guy with Tom Hambridge; 16: SiriusXM Presents: Moe, Blues Traveler, and G. Love; 17: Havana Hop!; 19: The Hit Men; 20: Hollywood Nights: A Bob Seger Experience; 23: Hello, Dolly! (Clear Space); 24: The War and Treaty; 27: Mike Delguidice & Big Shot (Billy Joel tribute); 28: St. Paul and the Broken Bones with Yola; 29: Ben Folds and Violent Femmes. Check their website for details.
The Milton Theater (110 Union St., Milton; 302-684-3038) “keeps Milton weird!” July events: 12: Glimmer Twins (Rolling Stones Tribute); 13: Brian Hoffman’s Remember Red (Red Skelton Tribute); 19: Aunt Mary Pat Disabatino; 25: Lez Zeppelin (Rehoboth Beach Convention Center); 27: David Bowie Tribute Band; 28: Ottawa Valley—Celtic music. Check their website for details.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown; 302-856-4560) offers their Possum Juniors’ presentation of Annie—July 19-21. Visit their website for details on shows and summer camps.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Avenue at the Boardwalk) hosts these July concerts: 12: Vinyl Shockley; 13: Yellow Brick Road (Elton John Tribute); 14: Tim Laushey Orchestra; 18: Cinema by the Surf (film to be announced); 19: Kategory 5 Band; 20: Takin’ It to the Streets (Doobie Brothers Tribute); 21: Josh Christina; 26: Lower Case Blues; 27: 70s Flashback Band; 28: Indian River. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre (in residence at Epworth UMC; 19285 Holland Glade Rd.; 302-227-6766) presents The Jungle Book, Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. Theatre and film/TV camps through August 23.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street, Milford; 302-422-0220/800-838-3006) opens Happy Days—a New Musical—July 19-28 in their newly-renovated theater.
Stango Park Concerts (corner of Kings Highway & Adams Street, Lewes) presented every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. July 16: The Girlfriends. July 23: Pete Kirkpatrick; July 30: The Hit Time Revue. Bring a blanket or a beach chair! Rain location: Cape Henlopen High.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Abraxas Studio of Art (515 Federal Street, Lewes; 302-645-9119) features the oil portraits and landscape paintings of Abraxas.
The Back Porch Cafe (59 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-3674; rodcook.us) presents New Work 2019 by Rodney Cook, July 17-August 14. Reception with the Artist—Sunday, July 21, 4-6 p.m.
The Brush Factory on Kings (830 Kings Highway, Lewes; 302-745-2229) houses a co-op of 50 local artisans and merchants.
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) features By the Sea and Beyond. (See listing elsewhere in this column).
Cape Artists Gallery (110 W. 3rd Street, Lewes; 302-644-7733) is a half block from the Zwaanendael Museum and features the work of two dozen artists, with much of their art focused on beach scenes.
Delaware Art Gallery (239 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-853-5099) offers new and classic Delaware photographs by Kevin Fleming.
Gallery 37 (8 South Walnut Street, Milford; 302-265-2318) represents over 45 artists and artisans from around the country with fine art, wood-turned vessels, fibers, glass art, and more.
Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050) in addition to original paintings, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, they currently feature oil paintings and pours by Kim Klabe—through July 18. Opening July 19: Photography by Bruce Clayton. Opening reception: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has unique hand-made pieces and classes in jewelry making. Check out Amend—Connecting Past to Present—at the Rehoboth Art League through July 21.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551) offers over 3000 square feet of display and custom framing. Their July show is Beyond Skin Deep—an exhibition examining the art of tattoo artists. Through July 27.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) Current Exhibitions: 46th Annual Members’ Fine Craft Exhibit; Amend—works by Heidi Lowe; Vicissitudes—works by G. W. Thompson; A Moment—works by Sydney McGinley. All four through July 21. Coastal Living (Juried Members’ Showcase Exhibition)—through July 14.
Rehoboth Beach Museum (511 Rehoboth Avenue at the Canal, 302-227-7310) has fresh exhibits on their renovated second floor for you to enjoy, and lots of Rehoboth Beach history on the first floor. The 14th Annual Rehoboth Beach Ball will be at Kings Creek Country Club—August 3. Check the calendar on their website for walking tours and special events.
Tideline Gallery (111 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-4444) offers unique gifts, Judaica, jewelry, pottery, lamps, and art glass.
Ward Ellinger Gallery (CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 39 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2710) features art in different mediums by abstract expressionist Ward Ellinger and Sondra N. Arkin. ▼
Doug is the Artistic & Musical Director for CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Director of Music Ministries at Epworth UMC, and co-founder and Artistic Director emeritus of the Clear Space Theater Company. Contact Doug at dougyetter@gmail.com if you want to add your events to the calendar.
Images: Forever Young, by Donna Deely, Lifeguard Practice Swim by Rod Cook, Back Porch Café, Growth by Allyson Travis, Peninsula Gallery and Cyclosilicate by Anna Johnson, Heidi Lowe Gallery.
