If I Only Had a Brain
Unlike the monster Frankenstein, the vast majority of us possess a moderately functional brain, though today’s world tends to overwhelm us, and leaves many grasping to make sense of it.
Allow me to see if introducing you to a few simple psychological concepts may help you through the confusion. We’ll start here: Cognitive Dissonance—the mental discomfort you feel when you hold two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.
Example: You read a study that links rum to cancer, but you really love your nightly rum and tonic. You are so disturbed by this revelation that you polish off an entire bottle of Bacardi. A monstrously bad choice.
Confirmation Bias—the tendency to search for or recall information that confirms what you already believe. Example: That cousin who smokes two packs a day, and swears that cigarettes “don’t hurt nobody” because he isn’t dead. Yet.
Dunning-Kruger Effect—when people believe their cognitive ability is greater than it is in actuality. Also known as “Illusory Superiority”—an inability to recognize your lack of ability. Example: You don’t know you’re dead when you’re dead. Same thing with stupid. As with many people in this world, Frankenstein’s monster may have been smarter before reanimation.
I have a whacky uncle in Florida who has become a different sort of monster—a vampire! Those ridiculous conspiracy theories he posts may be confirmation bias for him, but they just suck the life right out of me.
So when I see a new one, I hit the internet—not so much to prove him wrong (okay, it’s to prove him wrong), but to see if he’s finally posted something with an iota of truth at its core. Luckily, he also posts a ton of fantastic recipes—“Best Shrimp EVER” really was, and “Simple, Perfect Chili” was both simple and perfect. However, Snopes and I know that if he posts something that’s not about food it’s probably a monstrous lie.
But how does any of this connect with the arts? The arts—particularly music—helps preserve our sanity in these truly horrifying times. An hour listening to a recording or concert, or wandering through a gallery, or losing yourself in a theatrical performance creates new synapses—mental bridges between brain cells.
Welcome the arts into your lives and vanquish those demons—monsters past, present, and future. Be strong, gentle readers. Winter is coming… ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at The Heart of Our Community
Inspiration, Vision, and Voice
Local artist Dan Bartasavich’s new show—Great Repair 2019—has opened at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery and is getting great reviews. His multiyear project focuses on “found objects” and giving new life to items which otherwise may be headed for the trash can.
Dan has embraced Kintsugi—the Japanese art of reconstructing broken pottery—and uses the technique as a way to embrace flaws and imperfections. He believes that by using this metaphor, he can create a stronger, more beautiful piece of art.
I know that many of us have personally experienced being broken and finding that the experience made us stronger, and more resilient. Come on down and see how Dan reframes hardship and embraces imperfections through his unique artwork. Great Repair 2019 runs through October 31. ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery Hours:
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
ALL THAT JAZZ, ETC…
There are times when I’m doing research for this column and have to sit back and just say, “Wow!” and this is one of those times. While I expect summers to be jam-packed with events, there are wonderful fall events catering to an incredibly wide variety of tastes.
If you’re a jazz devotee, I’ll leave it to you to do the searching—Rehoboth Jazz Fest 2019 (rehobothjazz.com), and the 2019 True Blue Jazz Festival (truebluejazz.org)—since I don’t have near enough space to list everything going on around town. Hopefully both of these “monster” festivals have already made it onto your calendar, because it’s gonna be rough finding tickets to most of the bigger events. Through October 20.
Then we have the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival—11 days of fantastic films in three locations. And visit their website—rehobothfilm.com—to grab some tickets. It’s incredibly popular, so it may be worth it to invest in one of the upper-level passes. You’ll have access to tickets sooner, and you’ll be supporting a very worthy organization.
All locations (below) are Rehoboth Beach unless otherwise noted. ▼
PERFORMING ARTS
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032) screens new independent films through the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. Try their Food & Film Wednesday special—$10 dinner at Lefty’s Alley and Eats, and $8 admission to a film. You absolutely cannot miss the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival—October 31-November 10. The Met Live in HD: Puccini’s Turandot—October 19, 21, & 22. Check their website for Festival details, screenings, and show times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) presents Ghost: The Musical—October 18-27. Their Spotlight on Young Performers has James and the Giant Peach on the boards November 8-10.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458) opens their season by welcoming back the award-winning Brasil Guitar Duo—October 19—followed by pianist Benjamin Hochman on November 16. Check out the rest of their fantastic season online.
Dickens Parlour Theatre (35715 Atlantic Avenue, Millville; 302-829-1071) offers magic and comedy in an intimate setting. Mentalist Brian Curry—through October 19; Rich Bloch—October 25 & 26; Randy Forster—October 31-November 2; Keith Fields & Lady Sarah—November 7-9.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony (PO Box 3381; Easton, MD. 21601; 888-846-8600) features Appalachian Spring in Easton, Ocean View, and Ocean Pines—November 7, 9, & 10. The program also includes Dvorak’s String Serenade, Vivaldi’s Two Cello Concerto, and Haydn’s D Major Piano Concerto.
The Milton Theater (110 Union St., Milton; 302-684-3038) “keeps Milton weird”! October events: 19: Milton Theatre Zombie Fest (in Dewey Beach); 20: Mr. Puppet Halloween (both family and adult versions); 25: Magnolia Applebottom’s Hallowqueen; 26: Kick it Out: A Tribute to Heart; 27: Monster Mash Murders Dinner Theater; 31: Live Wire: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience. November events: 1: Guitar Legends: Hendrix Meets Clapton; 2 & 3: Comedy & Hypnotism with Flip Orley; 8-10: 13 the Musical; 9: The Music of Joni Mitchell; 14: The Rock Orchestra—Music of INXS; 15: Clean Stand-Up Comedy; 16: Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis. Check their website for details.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown; 302-856-4560) is in rehearsal for their holiday production—Christmas from the Heart. Check out their 2020 season: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Godspell, The Producers, Hay Fever, and Elf.
Rehoboth Concert Band presents Music That Goes “Boo!”—October 27 (3 p.m.) at Love Creek Elementary.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street, Milford; 302-422-0220/800-838-3006) Elf: The Musical—November 29-December 15.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Abraxas Studio of Art (515 Federal Street, Lewes; 302-645-9119) features the oil portraits and landscape paintings of Abraxas.
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 Great Repair 2019—through October 31. (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) original paintings, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. New Works by Susan Webster featuring her latest 3D paintings—through October 31.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has unique hand-made pieces and classes in jewelry making. Currently showing: Earrings Galore—through December 31, with pop-up shows in Chicago and NYC. Heidi is rebuilding the gallery and will re-open fall 2020, but is “in the studio” creating custom pieces.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551) offers over 3,000 square feet of display and custom framing. Figuratively Speaking—works depicting the human figure by Haley Manchon, Syd McGinley, and Beth Trepper—through October 29. Pastel artist Nick Serratore: Interpreting My Observations—opening reception: November 2 (5-7).
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) continues Rehoboth Dreaming—Juried Members’ Showcase through October 20; Somewhere Else & Most Wanted (works by Mark Harris)—October 18-November 24; From Substance to Silver (works by Leyla D. Rzayeva)—October 18-November 8. 35th Annual Holiday Fair—Fine Craft Show: November 2 & 3 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)—rain or shine. Check their website for details and class offerings.
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. 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 and 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 if you want to add your events to the calendar. Check out CAMP Arts on our website at camprehoboth.com for links to all the listed theatres, galleries and museums.
Details by Dan Bartasavich, Dreaming by Dan Bartasavich, Young Baby and Mother, by Sydney McGinley at Peninsula Gallery, Illuminated by Haley Manchon at Peninsula Gallery, Kneeling Figure by David Stevens at Peninsula Gallery.
