Don’t Ask—Do Tell!
I come from a long line of straight people who farmed, could fix anything with an engine, and always served their country. I grew up painfully aware I wasn’t made for any form of manual labor, and my sexual proclivities branded me 4-F—“physically, psychologically, or morally unfit for military duty.” The endless stream of uniformed cousins at family dinners only made me look gayer, if that was even possible. Everybody knew what happened to gays in the military.... But, surprise! Forty years later I’m married to a Navy vet and have dozens of LGBTQIA+ friends who proudly served and continue to serve. I even know a gay ex-Marine who plays organ. (Insert joke here.…) To all our LGBTQIA+ veterans—thank you for your service! ▼
Transcending Gender
Cielo by Zach Oren at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery.
Biohazzard by Gemma Lockhart at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery.
Los Angeles-based photographer Zach Oren has been traveling around the US since 2017 working on the Ides of Gender—a photo essay honoring the beauty and diversity that is the transgender community. Five of his powerful, vibrant, and thought-provoking photographs are on display at CAMP Rehoboth, as part of an exhibit that also includes 10 large panels displaying the history of the transgender community created by the Stonewall National Museum and Archives Transcending Gender traveling show. Works, including books, comics and prints from other trans and non-binary artists, are also part of the exhibit. On display in the lobby and in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium through May 31.
Oren will host a virtual discussion of Ides of Gender on Monday, May 17 (6:30 p.m.) to share additional works from the collection, his vision, and the challenges experienced with this project. ▼
Euphoria by Edward Alban at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery.
Upcoming Exhibitions at CAMP Rehoboth
In June, CAMP Rehoboth remembers local artist Lee Wayne Mills with an exhibit and sale of artwork, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth youth programs. Mills was a renowned abstract expressionist artist whose work has been displayed in numerous galleries, and in public and private collections.
The mother/daughter duo of Aina Nergaard-Nammack and Marta Nammack will be featured at CAMP in July. Aina is a colorist working with abstract forms—both representational and non-representational—and Marta is a talented photographer.
CAMP Rehoboth focuses on themes that give light to our community’s unique history and culture, and serves to further diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build unity and understanding. Our exhibits may be viewed Monday-Friday (10a.m.-4p.m.) or by appointment by emailing artshow@CAMPRehoboth.com. ▼
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth Open Mic Nights
(CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Facebook page—under “videos”) 1st Fridays (7-8p.m.) hosted by moi, featuring singers from CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, live-streamed and archived on the CAMP Rehoboth Facebook page.
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032; rehobothfilm.com) now has “cleaner and safer air,” and continues to follow all CDC guidelines, with reduced seating capacity for in-person viewing, and dozens of films available for streaming. See website for information.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270; ClearSpaceTheatre.org) presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee through May 23, followed by The Vagina Monologues—June 4-6. Their summer season starts June 29 and comprises Mamma Mia!, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Sound of Music, and Christopher Peterson’s Eyecons: The Thank You Tour.
The Milton Theater (110 Union Street, Milton; 302-684-3038; miltontheatre.com) has reduced indoor seating for social distancing, as well as their outdoor Quayside stage. Their remarkably diverse array of talent will make acquiring tickets a bit of a challenge. Check their website for events.
Possum Point Players (441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown; 302-856-4560; possumpointplayers.org) presents the comedy Vania and Sonia and Masha and Spike, through May 16. Silent Sky graces their stage June 4-13. Don’t miss “All the Fixins”—a special one-night country and blues show, replete with a delicious Bar-B-Q dinner on their new outdoor stage—June 26.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) features Transcending Gender. (See listing elsewhere in this column.)
Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050; gallery50art.com) offers complete framing services and a fluid selection of works by the many talented artists they represent. Out of respect for the health and safety of the community, they are not hosting any special exhibits until further notice.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551; peninsula-gallery.com) presents I Am Woman—Five women artists explore the female identity—through May 25. Opening May 29, Obscured Light—a solo exhibit of landscapes by Damon Pla. Preview all shows on their website.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408; rehobothartleague.org) has several new exhibits: Mentors and Makers (Salisbury University graduate students paired with faculty), Meltdown (Washington Wax Works), Claiming Grace (works by Terry Schupbach-Gordon), Preservation Matters & Springtime at the Homestead (works from RAL’s permanent collection) all through June 6. Opening June 11: Earth, Water, and Fire (works by Lisa Battle), 48th Annual Members’ Fine Craft Exhibit, and The Human Form—A Moment in Time (works by Jeff Kibler). Visit their website for upcoming exhibitions and class offerings. ▼
Doug is the Artistic 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. Check out CAMP Arts on our website at camprehoboth.com for links to all the listed theatres, galleries and museums.
Featured Image: Kelly by Zach Oren at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery.