Fast Film Finale with Fringe Festival Festival Fanfare

The crowd already gathered in Theatre N was hip, happy and sporty – is this Philadelphia? Tina Betz and Rich Neumann, coordinators of Wilmington’s First Fringe Festival, were witty, arty, and articulate as they hosted the awards ceremony and screening of the top ten Fringe Fest films on Sunday, October 4. The winners were:

Brad Padoski’s eponymic opus was a comic infomercial about his personal music systems, or PMS. His klutzy choices of music are hilarious. Finally, Brad finds a girl who has PMS, that is, a personal music system of her own.

The Dead Art, a film with mimes Scott Michaels, Nate Davis and Brahmin Jackson, veered to the bizarre when a mime murders passers by and finally hangs himself.

Ric Edevane’s film, The Rockford Case, was a take-off on Mission Impossible. His use of a heartless command control operative gave a great comic touch.

Devoted by Sharon Baker portrayed a lonely woman toasting in birthdays and other holidays at a table set for two to an excellent violin score.

My personal favorite was Playing Games, a film made by the family of photographer Amy Theorin. Two boys roughhouse in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery until one disappears. The remaining brother must challenge a devilish sprite to a chess game to get his brother back. Kudos to Theorin’s fifteen-year-old neighbor who improvised the score on piano.

The filmmakers and the organizers and volunteers of the Fringe Festival should be proud of the great work they inspired with the contest – all ten of the top films are still in my head.

Arty at the Blue Ball Barn with Melomanie

Arty went to the Blue Ball Barn for the October 3 Mélomanie Special Concert and Party, a fundraiser for their new recording of music by five regional composers: Ingrid Arauco, Chris Braddock, Mark Rimple, Mark Hagerty, and Chuck Holdeman. The Holdeman and Hagerty pieces have already been recorded at UD’s Gore Hall by Meyer Media. Composer Ingrid Arauco is eagerly anticipating the recording of her Florescence.

Tommie Almond, President of the Mélomanie Board, was the adroit mistress of ceremonies. Arty enjoyed hot hors d’oeuvres by Greenery Catering staff before sitting down to hear the full Mélomanie ensemble play a short overture and gigue by Georg Muffat, (1653-1704) followed by some Michel Corette (1707-1795) duos for viola da gamba and cello played by Donna Fournier and Doug McNames- an excellent illustration of the difference between the modern cello and its older cousin, the viola da gamba.

This first musical interlude concluded with a movement of Chris Braddock’s Close Tolerances, whose name he took from the concept of gears meshing in close tolerance just as musicians achieve a close tolerance of voices in ensemble.

Party guest Sally Milbury-Steen is also working on close tolerances of power sources in her efforts to wake Wilmington up to the need to transition away from carbon as advised by Rob Hopkins Transition Town movement.

The second musical interlude featured Fran Berge playing baroque violin in Marco Uccelini’s (1603-1680) toccata for violin and basso continuo, one of the first pieces to feature solo violin.

Chuck Holdeman described the third movement of his Sonate en Trio as “like a Hostess Twinkie with a surprise inside.”

The finale, Chaconne in E minor from Quartet 6 of Georg Philipp Telemann’s Paris Quartets, put the party in a joyful mood. Michael Foster, music librarian and radio host, suggested to composers Mark Hagerty and Chuck Holdeman to compose more pieces using the now obsolete technical innovations for violin by Marco Uccelini.

Composer Mark Rimple pulled the event’s winning raffle ticket: The prize of a party at Blue Ball Barn went to WSFS executive Drew Aaron. Aaron and his wife were at the party representing WSFS, a corporate sponsor of the Mélomanie CD project. He and his wife, Judy, will host their going-away party for his parents who are moving to Florida.

Arty had so much fun, he angled for an invite to the Aaron’s Blue Ball event, but didn’t get a nibble.

http://www.transitionus.org

www.destateparks.com

http://www.greenerycaters.com

www.melomanie.org

Christi Awards Celebrates Key Arts Supporters

By Guest Blogger, Kimberly Cauley
Kimberly is a member of the CCAC Board of Directors, a freelance writer and communications consultant. She also volunteers her marketing expertise in support of Junior Achievement of Delaware.

Most love the aura of celebration and celebrity that the Grammys, Oscars and Golden Globes exude. If you crave the same “atmosphere” within your own backyard, for a more reasonable ticket price, the 2009 Christi Awards offers it! On October 22 at 6:30 pm, Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) will present its biannual(?) Christi Awards at the baby grand at The Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market Street, in Wilmington.

The event will honor four individuals for their dedication, commitment and love of the Arts in Delaware. This year, the honorees are:

Richard Rothrock, Outstanding Achievement by an Artist
Michael Kalmbach, Outstanding Achievement in Arts Advocacy
Fostina Dixon-Kilgoe, Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education
Jeff Santoro, Outstanding Philanthropy in the Arts

The Honorary Co-Chairs are The Honorable Governor Jack Markell & Mrs. Carla Markell, Mr. William Allen & Dr. Kim Allen, and Mr. & Mrs. Ed. Loper. Co-Hosts for the evening are Lauren Wilson of Channel 6 Action News and Michelle Schiavoni of Christiana Care Health System.

For seventeen years, CCAC’s Christi Awards has simultaneously honored its recipients and raised awareness for the institution. As the four elements – wind, fire, water and earth are necessary for the world to exist, the four elements of the Arts – inspiration, passion, hope and knowledge – are necessary for a community to thrive with the Arts.

A reception with student and faculty performances, light fare and drinks will be held at CCAC, 705 N. Market Street, immediately following the awards program. Tickets are $60 or $50 for 2 or more. Purchase by calling The Grand Box Office at 302.652.5577.

See http://www.ccacde.org/.