Irreplaceable
An integral and beloved part of my life left this vale of tears just days after the start of the New Year. There were signs that the end was near, but I kept hoping and praying for a little more time. The loss was devastating as the two of us were nearly inseparable. Yes, friends, my iPhone 4s died—of old age.
I bet a lot of you get a new phone every year or two, and I applaud you and all that cutting-edge technology in your lives, but I see no reason to replace something if it still works. Point in case—I drive a 1995 Honda Del Sol with 183,000+ miles.
I was grousing to a friend about the cost of a new phone, and getting locked into another two-year contract with a carrier I loathe, when he pulled out his phone and said, “This was free and I have no contract. Just change carriers.” He had me at “free.”
As I began to explore my gigantic new phone, I started thinking about everything this gadget has replaced in my life—my wristwatch, alarm clock, atlas, checkbook, camera, radio, flashlight, encyclopedia.… Which made me ponder not only the objects in my life made obsolete by technology, but all of the workers who will be replaced by automation—cashiers, travel agents, postal workers, farmers, file clerks, garment and petroleum workers, lumberjacks, miners, meter maids.…
I’m sure you’re beginning to wonder what any of this has to do with the arts?! I realized that no computer will ever be able to replace an artist, or specifically what artists do. My computer can replicate digitized instruments and voices so I have an idea of what an arrangement will sound like when I have real singers and instrumentalists performing, but it will never replace the beauty of the human voice.
Computers may have the ability to whip up a copy of the Mona Lisa, or to be programmed to sculpt another Pieta, but they can’t develop an aesthetic. No machine will ever replace daVinci or Michelangelo or even Willie Nelson.
Perhaps instead of shelling out another grand on a new phone this year, you might consider donating that money to the arts, or spending it on tickets to shows, or buying a new watercolor, or encouraging a child to dance, or sing, or learn to play the oboe.
It’s a New Year. Make new goals. ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at The Heart of Our Community
Shine a Light
Co-hosted by CAMP Rehoboth and the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ), we proudly feature Shine a Light in the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery to honor Black History Month and to bring attention to the talent of black artists and the fullness of black humanity. Through broad brush strokes, textiles, and their personal lenses, the exhibiting artists will share their interpretations in a multitude of mediums and bring focus to the strength, resilience, achievement, and creativity of African-American artists.
The exhibition features works by Wilmington-based photographer Shannon Woodloe—a 2019 Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging Artist Fellow; Theresa Angela Taylor, whose art is inspired by social, political, and cultural aspects in a rhythmic Afrocentric theory and form; textile artist and quilter Ann B. Martin; emerging Delaware State University student artist Taylor Gordon; folk artist Nina Spencer; and student artist Justin Davis.
CAMP Rehoboth works to build safe, inclusive communities with room for all and the SDARJ educates, informs, and advocates for racial justice, equality, and fair opportunity. It’s a great match, and a fantastic show to start the year!
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery Hours:
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.:
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620) presents “Legends”—February 14-16 at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Rd.). The concert salutes legendary performers Elton John, Madonna, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, and more! The Chorus is adding another new concert to their season (June 5-7), so here’s your chance to join this wonderful group.
Capital Ringers (PO Box 35, Lewes) is hosting the “Spring Ring Festival” at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Road) on March 14 (7p.m.). The concert will feature local handbell choirs playing a wonderfully diverse program. Admission is free.
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032) screens new independent films through the Rehoboth Beach Film Society. The African-American Film Festival: February 14-16. Met Opera Live in HD: Porgy and Bess—February 8 and 10; Handel’s Agrippina—March 7 and 9. National Theatre Live: All My Sons—February 22, 24, and 25. Jewish Film Festival: March 11-15. Check their website for screenings and show times.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270) opens their 2020 season with Clue (through February 9), followed by The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (February 29-March 1), and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate (March 6-22). Check their website to purchase tickets.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458) continues their season with Trio Valtorna (February 15, 2p.m.), followed by “Songs of Travel” with baritone Andrew Garland and pianist Warren Jones (March 14, 7p.m.).
Dickens Parlour Theatre (35715 Atlantic Avenue, Millville; 302-829-1071) offers magic and comedy in an intimate setting. Comedy Tonight Show with Matt Scarpelli (February 14-15); A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters (February 21-29) with Bob Kemp and Liane Hansen.
The Milton Theater (110 Union St., Milton; 302-684-3038) “keeps Milton weird”! February events: 8: The Launch (A tribute to Boston, Styx, & Queen); 14: He Said—She Said…Stand-Up Comedy; 15: Peek-a-Boo Revue (18+); 21: Kathie Martin & The Hot Rods; 22: The Brit Pack; 23: Tea For Three—Lady Bird, Pat, & Betty; 28: Games with Magnolia Applebottom; 29: Folsom Prison Revival. March events: 6: One Lucky Night with The Dame!; 7: The Funsters Benefit Dance Party; 8: The Janglebacks. Check their website for details.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown; 302-856-4560) offers the stage version of the film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, through February 9.
Second Street Players (2 South Walnut Street, Milford; 302-422-0220/800-838-3006) has Moon Over Buffalo, through February 9.
Southern Delaware Chorale (P.O. Box 444; 302-260-7022) salutes Black History Month with “A Choral Tapestry,” February 23.
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) honors the strength, resilience, achievement, and creativity of African-American artists with Shine a Light. (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.
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) has original paintings, jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media.
Heidi Lowe Gallery (328 Rehoboth Avenue; 302-227-9203) has unique hand-made pieces and classes in jewelry making. 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 3000 square feet of display and custom framing.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408) Juried Members’ Showcase—through April 19; the Regional Juried Photography Exhibition—through March 8. Check their website for details on their extensive class offerings in ceramics, stained glass, pottery, mosaic, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics, and more.
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. ▼
Featured artwork by: The Horn by Theresa Angela Taylor, The Legend Returns by Taylor Gordon, Drop Your Weapon by Shannon Woodloe, Guiter Lessons in the Shade by Dane Tilghman
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.
