Wowing Us on Wednesdays in Wilmo

By Guest Blogger, Ken Grant
Ken Grant has worked in Delaware media, politics and marketing for 25 years. He and his Lovely Bride enjoy Wilmington's arts and culture scene as much as they can.

Wilmo Wednesdays host Melissa Bernard

Here’s a solid Wilmo recipe: Start with a cool venue. Add one comedian and a variety of talented musicians in different styles, mix in an energetic crowd. When done correctly, this concoction yields one great evening of entertainment.

On August 5, Gable Music Ventures cooked up this eclectic blend of talent as part of Wilmo Wednesday at World Café Live at the Queen. Melissa Bernard does an excellent job of entertaining while the acts set up and tear down, making connections with the audience and keeping the evening on track.

Unskilled Labor

NOTE: This is not an open mic night — the evening is a curated showcase of talent from all over the mid-Atlantic  region.  Davey Dickens, Jr., sounds like a cross between Steve Earl and John Prine — an interesting blend of hard-edge country with laid-back folk.  Nave, on the other hand, brought a sophisticated hip-hop performance to the stage.  Gable's own Jeremy Hebbel went beyond his musical talent and shared a part of his soul with the audience.

Then there’s the talent of youth — from Unskilled Labor, consisting of high school students from Delaware All-State Band playing a fusion-rock sound 

Danielle Cuoco

that had many in the audience in awe, to Danielle Cuoco, a 15-year-old who seems ready to take on the music world with gusto — we saw a glimpse of what the future of music can look like, and it is good. Wilmo Wednesday is a place for musicians to connect with audiences in a casual, intimate setting and for audiences to enjoy a variety of talent, from the genres they already enjoy to some they are learning to appreciate.

See www.gablemusicventures.com.

Art POPS in Downtown Wilmo

A rendering of the pop-up gallery to be created in HB DuPont Plaza.

In keeping with this summer's "In the Plaza" arts- and entertainment-related happenings, Downtown Visions is sponsoring a free-standing art gallery and juried exhibition on Thursday, August 6, 4:30-7:30pm in HB DuPont Plaza (corner of Delaware Avenue and Washington Street) in downtown Wilmington.

By constructing a professional art venue in the park, The Shaft Space -- an artistic and curatorial collaboration between regional artists Maiza Hixson and Lauren Ruth -- seeks to generate civic dialogue, community and corporate engagement in the arts. Artists from all backgrounds were invited to submit up to three works for consideration.

As a result, approximately 40 Wilmington artists will display their work in the pop-up gallery at the Plaza. Artists' names to be announced soon.

If you have questions, email theshaftspace@gmail.com or contact Maiza Hixson at 302.415.4674.

Longwood & Brandywiners Team Up for a Fine "Fiddler"

By Guest Blogger, Julia Mason
Julia has been working in the marketing world for over seven years and has a deep passion for Wilmington, Delaware. When she is not working on revitalization efforts and exciting projects for Wilmington with The Buccini/Pollin Group, she enjoys working on her personal project, Positivelyglamorous.com.

Brandywiners' cast of Fiddler On the Roof

The charming and thought-provoking Fiddler on the Roof is now on performance at the magical Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre.  The talented Brandywiners are putting on the production, and like the Longwood Gardens have a unique history.

The group began in 1932 with the goal to bring joy into people’s lives during the Great Depression. Chick Laird, co-founder of the group, just so happened to also be the favorite nephew of Pierre S. du Pont, owner of Longwood Gardens and the Open Air Theatre, The Brandywiners have been performing there ever since!

Fiddler on the Roof is The Brandywiners 84^th annual performance and all of that experience strongly shows through the play. The jubilant Marissa Broujos’ energy as The Fiddler can be felt strongly throughout the entire show, and her dancing was perfectly on point. William Fellner, as Teyve was impeccable at bringing out the character’s wit. Susan Brown captivated the audience with her motherly yet quick-witted personality. The real head turner was Tricia Beichner, who perfectly carried out the role as old Grandma Tzeital and was both mystifying and terrifying all at the same time!

The entire cast and orchestra did an excellent job and if you haven’t been to The Open Air Theatre to see The Brandywiners, or you haven’t seen Fiddler on the Roof, I would highly recommend attending. The play is just as wonderful as the setting and by being outdoors it somehow brings you that much more entrenched with the performance. The star-filled night sky and fireflies dancing above your heads make it all very enchanting.

P.S. The ending of play is not the end of the show, there is a dazzling fountain display, but I won’t spoil the surprise! You have to go see The Brandywiners yourself!

See www.brandywiners.org.