Passionate Poets

The National Poetry Month Celebration at the Delaware Art Museum was nothing short of passionate. With readings by four 2010 poetry fellows, including Delaware’s Poet Laureate, a recitation by the 2010 Poetry Out Loud Winner and an exciting open mic, the event was a wonderful opportunity for poets and audience alike. Gail O’Donnell, Director of External Affairs and Special Events (and poet!) reminded us of the Pre-Raphaelites love of poetry.

JoAnn Balingit, Poet Laureate of Delaware, led the event, featuring her poem, C.O.L.B.E.R.T., a witty piece inspired by Colbert’s Space Treadmill. Her weekly column in the News Journal touches on many aspects of poetry, from its healing powers to its childlike qualities.

Alex Cummiskey, winner of the 2010 Poetry Out Loud recited works by Sandburg, Swift and Noyes. His use of dynamics, tempo and facial expression brought life to the words. I rarely wish for young people to pursue an acting career, but I found myself hoping this teen will find his way into a Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde play, so blatant is his talent.

L.J. Sysko’s clever, moving words included Sculpture Garden, a poem inspired by the museum’s very own Crying Giant, by Tom Otterness. Her piece, Ode to Boxtox, is riotously funny: she writes, “Grant me medically assisted paralysis.” Memories from a childhood growing up in Ethiopia and Kenya are a poet’s palate for Abby Millager. Her vision of the wild landscape serves as her muse for Rainless Season, I covet.

Liz Dolan, read her colorful prose, including The New Yorker Glamorizes the Subway and the Holy Grail. Holy Grail gives us a glimpse into her daily experience at White Castle, waiting forever for her first coffee of the day. A retired schoolteacher, Dolan only began writing 7 years ago. She noted, “It’s never too late to start all over again.”

Notable during the open mic were Helen Griffith and Jasmine Lopez. Griffith read a wildly funny poem born from a falling feather. She debated its origins, its destination and her potential arrest resulting from stealing it off the ground. Lopez, a 16-year-old Cab Calloway student, brought down the house with her riveting performance. Hers were words of sorrow and survival, an unabashed glimpse into life with an abusive stepfather.

To paraphrase Balingit: Poetry manages to collect and form language that tells us something about ourselves. It is possible to dislike it and like it at the same time. I loved this fun afternoon and hope for many more such events.

See: http://www.delart.org/prog_events/museum_calendar.html.

Snowfall Affords Us Sweet Notes in the Spring

We were lucky Westminster Presbyterian Church held its “Greatest Hits” concert a second time so that Wilmingtonians trapped indoors by the winter’s crippling snowfall could get another chance to hear some fabulous singing.

The excellent acoustics of the church caressed the lovely tones of these very experienced singers. The program was a mix of favorite Broadway songs, operatic areas and ensembles. On the organ and piano, Music Director Paul Fleckenstein was flawless accompanying the singers in this repertoire, quite different from standard “church music”. The large choir was dynamic and enthusiastic, enjoying every moment on and off the stage. I sat next to a chorister who whispered excitedly to me of the soloists, “We get to sing with them EVERY Sunday!”

Justin Gonzalzez’s Italianate tenor served La Donna è Mobile (Rigoletto) perfectly. The crowd -- many of them congregants and choristers -- loved his showmanship and bravado. With his full, clear baritone, Brian Carter did an excellent job with his rendition of Si può from I Pagliacci. Mezzo-soprano Ruth Bailis handled Tchaikovsky’s Podrugi milyye from Pique Dame beautifully, and was touching in Evening Prayer from Hansel and Gretel. Soprano Barbara Winchester as the Sandman made an adorable, pixie-like appearance in the scene and sang her part sweetly.

As always, I was bowled over by Diana Milburn. Her pianissimos are so elegant, her presentation so moving. Hers is a sound that harkens to a bygone era of true Bel Canto singing. In Donde Lieta Usci from Puccini’s La Bohème, her deep understanding of Mimi’s character was evident, and her command of the style was impeccable.

Wilmington needs more opera! Kudos to the singers, directors and organizations who make it happen. Check out Westminster’s website for more concert information.

See www.wpc.org.

Art & Community at the April Loop

I always find adventure on the Art Loop, not only in art, but also in community---this one was no different. To start the night, hubby and I enjoyed drinks at the newest Market Street hotspot, Chelsea Tavern. Both bar and tables were filled, a festive atmosphere echoing the space. We ran into Gary Cardi, Partner at Public House, enjoying mussels with friends at the bar and DSO Directory of Community Engagement, Mark Mobley who chatted about the DSO’s new CD (#14 on the classical charts) and the upcoming “Life, Death & Mack the Knife” performance on April 16 & 17.

Post drinks, we headed to Red Mohawk Gallery, where it seemed the entire Art Loop had congregated. Twenty-somethings alongside retirees, veteran artists and students enlivened the room, fueled by the mixed-media pop art works of Brad Turner (and perhaps red wine and Pabst Blue Ribbon). His three-eyed “Casper” and “Dutch Boy” pieces are jocular and graffiti-like. I admired a rustic-looking acrylic on board that advised you to “Question Everything”. People sightings: Delaware Art Museum Development Director Susan Zellner and a pal, and newlyweds artist Nicole Royer and photographer/musician Christian Kaye. Before we left, we said hello to Red Mohawk himself, Geoff Blake, who is looking forward to participating in the Fringe Wilmington Festival this fall.

Just around the corner, Poppycock Tattoo was buzzing---literally. As we walked in, a young guy relaxed in the chair, getting “inked” with an audience watching. The artwork---contorted, mask-like acrylics of Jeff Madonna and quirky, folk art-inspired pen and inks of Joe Breitenbach---jumped from the walls like giant tattoo samples. My hubby particularly liked Maddona’s piece “Gold Mask”; I enjoyed Breitenbach’s PA-Dutch-meets-New-Age-mystic, color-packed work.

Throughout the night, Loopers were treated to members of Delaware Valley Chorale, adorned in apple wreath headdresses and witty signs, roaming in and out of galleries promoting their upcoming concert, Haydn’s The Creation, on May 16. As we walked back to our car, I was thrilled to see the streets still alive with people, most I am sure headed to the re:FRESH afterparty at the DCCA. Hooray for spring activity in downtown Wilmo!

See http://www.redmohawk.com/.
See http://www.poppycocktattoo.com/.
See http://www.delawarevalleychorale.org/.