We offer suggestions for arts lovers to discover (and re-discover) established and emerging artists, musicians and performers in and around Delaware. Although we particularly like to celebrate smaller arts organizations and individuals, we cover nearly anything that strikes us or that we feel you should know about. Periodically, we welcome guest bloggers and artists to join us.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
'Tis the Season for Auditions...
Delaware Valley Chorale Auditions
Auditions are now being scheduled for the Delaware Valley Chorale’s 2010-2011 season. All voice parts are open. Repertoire for the 2010-2011 season will include Ein deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms, Requiem by John Rutter, Old American Songs by Aaron Copland, And Jacob Dreamed by Josh Groffman, The Last Words of David by Randall Thompson, and Spirituals by H. T. Burleigh. Auditioners are asked to either prepare a solo which displays vocal quality and range, or to prepare a passage from one of the choral selections from next year’s repertoire. Excerpts from the 2010-2011 repertoire can be sent by e-mail in PDF format if requested. Singers will also be asked to sight read a simple passage of music (diatonic within a modest range). Please bring 2 copies of your audition material. Auditions are scheduled at The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew Sunday, August 22, 3:00-5:00 p.m.; Monday, August 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, September 19, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Additional dates/times available as needed. To schedule an audition, contact Barbara Kidd at 302.234.4866 or bmksop@aol.com.
See http://www.delawarevalleychorale.org./
New Ark Chorale Auditions
The New Ark Chorale announces auditions for the 2010-2011 concert season. There are openings in all sections. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday evenings and presents 6-7 concerts each season. Auditions will consist of singing a solo selection and the opportunity to demonstrate sight-reading skills. Contact Music Director Dr. Michael Larkin at 302.475.5658 or email mlarksing@aol.com to arrange an audition time.
See http://www.newarkchorale.org/.
Wilmington Children's Chorus Auditions
WCC, known as the Singing Ambassadors of Wilmington, will be auditioning male & female singers ages 8 to 18. This chorus is tuition-free for all members and has ensembles for singers from beginnger to advanced ability. Audition dates are Saturday, September 11; Sunday, September 12 & Wednesday, September 15 at First & Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 N. Market Street in Wilmington. Audition appointments can be made by calling 302.762.3637. Visit their website to download audition materials.
See http://www.wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org/.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Kids Take Over Oz at Candlelight
Logo design by Christina Wyatt |
One nice thing about "Oz" is that the Summer Camp Performances could incorporate both the younger Basic campers, who range in age from 7 to 11, and the older and more experienced Intensive campers, who are aged 12-18. After three weeks of rehearsals (two weeks for the Basic campers), the result was impressively polished, with colorful costumes, tight choreography and strong vocal performances.
This stage version (Directed by Paul Goodman and Choreographed by Shauna Goodman) is based closely on the Judy Garland film, featuring the classic songs "Over the Rainbow," "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," and "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," as well as the lesser-known "Jitterbug," based on a deleted scene from the film, that's complete with an elaborate dance sequence.
As this was my first time experiencing a NTC Summer Camp performance, I had to wonder if they always luck into enrolling campers who are such perfect fits for the roles. From the munchkins to the principle actors--Elise Brown as Dorothy, Kayla Saunders as Scarecrow, Richard Gantt as Tinman, and Chandler Smith as the Cowardly Lion-- they spot-on captured the characters we all know so well. While most of the traditionally dual roles were split between two of the 50+ youth actors, Adam Gorowara played both the title role (with the help of an impressive giant puppet head) and the mysterious Professor Marvel with humor and apparent ease. Not least of all, the two witches, Good Witch Glinda, played by Christina Wyatt, and Emma Eckert as the Wicked Witch (as well as Becca Shumosic as her alter-ego Miss Gulch), were scene-stealers, as all witches should be.
The NCT offers a full evening of dinner and entertainment for one price, with a full cash bar available. Normally, the show's actors double as servers, but on this night those duties were taken over by adult members of the staff and crew. For the Summer Camp Performances, the buffet featured kid-friendly options, including surprisingly good macaroni and cheese and, in addition to choices such as Thai-chili meatballs, tilapia in cream sauce and shrimp cocktail. The culinary highlight, for me, at least, is the show-themed cocktails. For "Oz," that means the citrus-and-cream Yellow Brick Road, the Ruby Slippers, and the green Emerald City drinks. Since I wanted to be sharp for the play, I only tried one--but I can vouch for the Yellow Brick Road and say that the cocktails are definitely worth the extra charge.
There is still time to see the adult cast perform "The Wizard of Oz," which runs through August.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Family Members’ Evening at the DCCA
Starting in the Elizabeth Dennison Hatch Gallery, the Julio da Cunha exhibit (yes, the former UD professor has a studio at the DCCA again), Isaacs talked about the contrasts of color da Cunha used in his tribute to Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal. Each of his works has striking color contrasts, but the combinations of color make a very carefully constructed effect. Having an artist with the experience and longevity of da Cunha gives a certain gravitas to the DCCA’s membership – and Dr. Isaacs’ knowledge and lecture and writing experience puts meat on this local art table.
The Carole Bieber and Marc Ham Gallery still has most of the exhibit chosen by Carina Evangelista for June (Spectrum: Contemporary color abstraction). Isaacs pointed out that Bill Scott’s A brief moment of titillation, an abstract with a bright pink/orange background was really influenced by Henri Matisse. Dr. Albert Barnes’ acquisition of Matisse in the early 1900s brought his influence to the United States. (The Cone sisters had begun collecting Matisse but kept them in their home until the 1950s). Isaacs has added works to the exhibit: Steven Baris’ abstracts on mylar and Emily Bowser’s Radiation, a sculpture of brightly colored beanbags.
The tiny E Avery Draper showcase was painted sea blue to show off Joseph Barbaccia’s Eight currents - fanciful sea creatures decorated with brightly colored sequins.
The Beckler Family Gallery housed the bright colors of Lawrence Cromwell’s Make it bigger. His cut paper mobiles, his videos and his vivid color oil and wax works were as refreshing and restorative as the summer evening.
Exhibits will be changed July 25 and August 1. The new works will be on display for the August 6 Wilmington Art Loop.