Transmogrification
Great word, huh? “The ability to transform in a surprising or magical manner.” It’s the term I use to describe what happens here every autumn. We barely have time to reclaim our beach and boardwalk before it’s time to pack away the tropical prints and mankinis and pull the long pants and sensible socks out of mothballs. The arts make their own transition. Instead of spending weekends at the bandstand, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Coastal Concerts, and the new Mispillion Performance Series will provide us with music. Freeman Stage goes dark, Clear Space soldiers on, and JAZZ takes over the city from October 14-17. The music and the magic continue. ▼
At The CAMP Rehoboth Gallery
Wake Up!
It’s bear season at CAMP Rehoboth—not the four-legged variety, but those fuzzy fellows you meet at local watering holes. Wake Up! celebrates the bear community with work by local and regional artists including Michael Muller, Scott Brooks, Jeffrey Moore, Craig Simmons, and many more. The exhibit has been extended through October 11. ▼
Exum Art
CAMP hosts a solo show by artist Sheila Exum of Magnolia. Sheila’s love for art has always been a driving force behind her creative custom art commissions, computer-aided designs, and non-fungible token (NFT) paintings. You should Google NFT so you understand what the heck they are! Opening October 16. ▼
CAMP Rehoboth highlights our community’s unique history and culture, and serves to further diversity, equity, and inclusion, by building unity and understanding. Exhibits may be viewed Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. or by appointment by emailing artshow@CAMPRehoboth.com. You may view and purchase the art on the CAMP Rehoboth website under the “SHOP” heading.
(Above, clockwise) Betta; Bryant; and Does He Know by Shelia Exum.
PERFORMING ARTS
CAMP Rehoboth 1st (Second) Fridays (Epworth UMC; 19285 Holland Glade Road) features singers from CAMP Chorus performing solos, duets, and small group numbers centered around the theme “Cheatin’, Drinkin’, and Wild Wimmen.” Plan to attend in person on October 8 (7:00 p.m. and FREE)—or watch the cabaret live-streamed and archived on the CAMP Rehoboth Facebook and YouTube pages.
CAMP Rehoboth Theatre (37 Baltimore Ave.; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) incollaboration with the Delaware Division of the Arts and the Robert Hoffer Theatre Fund, presents Tiny Beautiful Things (November 5-7) under the direction of Russell Stiles.
Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032; rehobothfilm.com) 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 Thornton Wilder’s classic Our Town through September 26, followed by The Rocky Horror Show, October 15-31. Check their website for details.
Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; coastalconcerts.org) opens their season with early-music ensemble Tempesta di Mare, October 23 (2:00 p.m.). Check out the rest of their fantastic offerings online.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony (P.O. Box 3381; Easton, MD 21601; 888-846-8600; midatlanticsymphony.org) presents A Heroic Return with music by Mussorgsky, Ravel, and Beethoven under the baton of Maestro Julien Benichou, September 25, 7:30 p.m. at Cape Henlopen High School.
The Milton Theater (110 Union Street, Milton; 302-684-3038; miltontheatre.com) has reduced capacity for social distancing and presents a diverse array of talent. Their outdoor Quayside stage remains open through October.
Mispillion Performance Series debuts with the Washington Saxophone Quartet (wsaxq.com), Saturday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Milford, 101 S. Walnut Street, followed by Duo Sorolla (duosorolla.com) on Saturday, October 23, 7:00 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. Both concerts are FREE and open to the public.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth.com) features Wake Up! and Exum Art. (See listing elsewhere in this column.)
Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050; gallery50art.com) currently showing Recent Works by Gary Fisher—oil on canvas and paper—through September 22.
Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551; peninsula-gallery.com) presents Between Two Shores, scenes of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays by Meg Nottingham Walsh and Bernard Dellario through September 26. Opening October 2, Wine, Women, and All That Jazz—four artists celebrate the Jazz Festival with images of nightlife and famous musicians.
Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408; rehobothartleague.org) has several exhibits closing September 26: The Wonders of Watermedia, a juried showcase from the Delaware Watercolor Society; Mezzanine, works by Antonio McAfee; More Beyond, works by Jan Crooker; and Reflections, works by Laura Erickson. Opening October 1: The Quiet Hour & Abstract Landscape, Juried Members’ Showcases; Geometric Abstractions, works by Jack Knight; Beyond Words, a retrospective by Michael Krausz; and Interpretations of Nature, works by William Patterson. ▼
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.