Author: Sue Repko

Melange Contemporary Dance at Steel River for 2 shows only THIS WEEKEND!

Back by popular demand, the contemporary dance company Melange will perform at Steel River Playhouse for two performances only, Saturday April 12th at 8:00 pm and Sunday April 13th at 3:00 pm.

Featuring the music of Peter Gabriel, the Melange professional dance company and student apprentices will present a Genesis concert experience of inspired movement coordinated with breathtaking visual lighting and videography effects. Experience storytelling through the power of movement, led by artistic director, Michelle Jones Wurtz.

The professional company includes Michelle Jones Wurtz, Emily Meola, Kelsey Patrick, and Daria Vartanian-Gibbs. Student apprentices include Jenna Balog, Aimee Kulp, Alexa Lurie, Makena Lurie, Alessandra Ondey, and Raeanna Woodall. Kathleen Kerner is the rehearsal assistant.

And while you’re at Steel River, be sure to check out the new concession and retail area, where you can pre-order your intermission treats for fastest service. There’s great shopping too, including Steel River logo items (wine glasses, cheese trays and more).

Tickets are $13 – $17 and may be purchased online or at the door if available. Purchase tickets at http://www.steelriver.org or by contacting boxoffice@steelriver.org or 610-970-1199.

About Steel River Playhouse
Steel River Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable education and performance facility that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Designated as a “gateway” performing arts center, Steel River provides affordable, high quality performances, comprehensive educational offerings, and enriching volunteer opportunities in all aspects of theatre arts. The organization embraces emerging and established artists, and supports community by serving as a magnet destination for economic development and a platform for shared experiences by diverse audiences. Students and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to explore and grow their skills by working side-by-side with professional instructors, performers, directors, and designers.

8th Annual “Pottstown Celebrates Young Children” event TOMORROW!

The eighth annual Pottstown Celebrates Young Children event will be held on April 12, 2014 from 1:00-3:00 at the Pottstown YMCA (724 Adams Street – across from Pottstown High School). The event targets families with young children and is sponsored by PEAK, Pottstown’s school readiness initiative. The afternoon will include a petting farm, moon bounce, mascots and clowns. More than 40 community organizations will provide family activities and everything is free.

This year PEAK is partnering with Pottstown Memorial Medical Center as the main sponsor for the Month of the Young Child events. According to PEAK Coordinator, Mary Rieck, “We are very thankful for the partnership with Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Pottstown Celebrates Young Children is great way to raise awareness for early education and services of the hospital, as well as an enjoyable afternoon for the whole family. We look forward to finding new ways to work with the hospital to help Pottstown’s children enter kindergarten ready to learn and achieve.” The Month of the Young Child is also supported by the Pottstown Rotary Club Community Endowment Fund which is providing funds to support the purchase and distribution of 400 copies of the featured book for the Pennsylvania One Book campaign.

PEAK has received donations to support the event from Wegman’s and Costco. PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness) is a partnership between Pottstown School District and community early learning programs and agencies seeking to prepare children and families for success in kindergarten. To learn more about PEAK or the April 12 event, visit http://www.peakonline.org, e-mail Ms. Rieck at mrieck@pottstownsd.org or call 610-970-6655. You can also follow PEAK on Twitter @PEAKPartners and on Facebook.

Spring into the arts this weekend in Pottstown!

I’m sorry I’ve been AWOL for so long – teaching and coaching take up just about all of my waking/thinking hours these days – but I have not forgotten you, Pottstown and its champions, and will continue to promote your fun, fascinating, and hard-won triumphs whenever possible! The following info comes from press releases from these organizations.

Whether you want to browse recycled and upcycled art at ArtFusion 19464, or take in a new, classic American drama – August: Osage County – at Steel River Playhouse, there’s plenty to keep your right brain busy this weekend.

First, there will be an opening reception at ArtFusion from 6-8 pm TONIGHT, Friday, March 21st, as they open their show, ReSourced, which helps prove true the old adage that “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Local artists have created work from recycled, upcycled and salvaged items. Visitors to ArtFusion will be delighted by the wide range of pieces on display, from functional clothing to gorgeous free-standing sculptures.

Each visitor will also have a chance to contribute to a fun public art project. Throughout the show, which runs from March 21 through May 3, visitors will have a chance to add to a large scale, recycled weaving project. The weaving will be created from plastic bags, paper, VCR tapes, and more. The piece can be seen as it grows in the front window of the ArtFusion gallery.

Participating artists are: Alita Abruzzzese, Lisbeth Bucci, Robyn Burckhardt, Tom Carroll, Arline Christ, Maggie Creshkoff, James M. Enders, Juanita A. Gaspari, Robert Hakun, Heidi Hammel, Joe Hoover, Millie Lea, Dora Siemel, Carla Schaeffer, Teresa Shields, Donna Steck-McMahon, and Julie Tonnessen.

There will be an opening reception for ReSourced on Friday, March 21 from 6-8pm. All receptions are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. A $100 Best in Show prize, sponsored by the NARI-BIE Green Team, will be presented at 6:30pm.

In conjunction with this show, ArtFusion is offering free field trips to local schools. Over 550 children have currently signed up for a fun, interactive experience. Students will learn about and discuss recycling, why it is important to the future of our planet, and how artists create with objects other people throw away. Each student will also create their own unique piece of recycled art. This show will help teach local children the importance of caring for our planet and will inspire them to look at the world–and how people create art–in a whole new way.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Now, maybe you want to drop in at ArtFusion right at 6 and then cross the street to Steel River for the 7 pm showing of August: Osage County.  IT IS IN ITS FINAL WEEKEND!! (Friday and Saturday at 7 pm; Sunday at 3 pm)

It has gotten some great reviews (see The Mercury’s review here.) This play swept the 2008 awards season, winning the Pulitzer plus all the “Best Play” awards –  the Tonys (5 in all), Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and New York Drama Critic’s Circle awards. It’s about wild and wacky family dynamics, which make it perfect for a grown-up night out, book clubs, service organizations – you get the idea (not for young kids).

Please note: It’s a long play so it’s got an early curtain for the evening performances (7 pm), but it’s fast-paced and engrossing. There are two intermissions so there’s plenty of time to kick back with a glass of wine or beer – especially appropriate for this play! And you’re welcome to bring your refreshments into the audience seating area. 

To order your tickets online: go here.

Steel River Playhouse

245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

610.970.1199; www.steelriver.org

 

 Pulitzer Prize-winning New American Classic

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (comedy-drama)

Thursdays – Sundays

March 13th – 23rd

Comedy-Drama by Tracy Letts

Directed by Harland Meltzer

Contains Mature Themes, Sexual Content, and Adult Language

Bobby Rydell performs in Pottstown March 29th

By Official Proclamation Pottstown Presents

Bobby Rydell Organ Donor Awareness Day

The Legendary BOBBY RYDELL
  and
The Unmistakable –
DUPREES
 Also featuring the #1 “Girl Group Revue”
FIRST LADIES OF ROCK AND SOUL

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014
Davenport Performing Arts Center – Pottstown High School
750 North Washington Street • Pottstown, PA 19464
Show Starts 6pm
Reserved $55 General Admission $45

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW:
By Phone: 610.853.6776 OR 610.306.9361
By Mail: P.O. Box 912 Pottstown, PA 19464
Check Payable to: Tom Coyle
Credit Card: http://www.FirstLadiesofRockandSoul.com

Pottstown MLK Day observance at Hill School today at 4 pm

This comes from Rev. Vernon Ross, Jr., Pastor of Bethel AME Community Church.

You are invited to attend and to encourage your congregation, family, friends, and others to attend the Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 4:00 PM.

The Celebration will take place at The Hill School Center for the Arts, and the Pottstown Community Martin Luther King Choir will be singing.  Our special guest will be Mr. David Carlisle, Director of Music, Ms. Melanie R. Hill, Violinist, and Minister Adrien Gale, Soloist.

The proceeds of a free will offering will be given to the Pottstown School District to support their Math/STEM Programs.  This is a wonderful opportunity to help our youth in the Pottstown Community!   We hope to see you!

The Hill School Center for the Arts is located at 860 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Pottstown area non-profits: Grant opportunity!

It’s not too late to apply to the Hill School Student Philanthropy Council! Deadline is THIS MONDAY, JANUARY 20th. See details at this link and below:

The Hill School now is accepting applications from Pottstown-area nonprofit organizations for its Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) grant program. Interested organizations may download and submit a Request for Proposal. View and print a PDF of the Request for Proposal here. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, January 20, 2014.The SPC was established in 2009 through a gift to The Hill School courtesy of Charles A. Frank III, Hill ’59, and his wife, Betty. Hill student participants solicit and evaluate local nonprofit requests for funding, and then award a total of $10,000 in grants each year. Last year, through the Franks’ leadership and the generosity of several other donors, The Student Philanthropy Council became an endowed program at the School with the establishment of The Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty.

Last year, representatives of the SPC presented a total of $10,000, to four local organizations: Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority ($2,110); The Growing Center ($2,690); Montgomery Child Advocacy Project ($2,500); and the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Organizations ($2,700). Read more about the recipients of the 2013 grants.

The SPC is comprised of 12 students –  including co-presidents Sanobar Shaikh ’14 and Omeed Alidadi ’14 – who meet once a week to study the process of philanthropy and visit the sites of various organizations. Mrs. Amy Lehman, Hill’s experiential education coordinator, is the faculty adviser to the group. SPC members are chosen based on the quality of their applications, interviews, and their sincere ability to commit time to the group.

Registration still open for Pottstown PAL spring dek hockey season

Registration for the Pottstown Area Police Athletic League dek hockey’s spring season will be held on Saturdays, January 11, 18, and 25, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the PAL office on 146 King St., Pottstown, PA 19464.

Boys and girls from age 5 to 17 are welcome to play in this sneaker hockey program. Further information is available at www.pottstownpal.org. Any questions should be directed to padhapal@gmail.com.

The Pottstown Area PAL serves over 200 area kids and also provide them with free equipment. They have just resurfaced our rink hand have fall seasons in addition to spring seasons. Check them out!

Local SCORE volunteers support small business

SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Call 610-327-2673 for the Pottstown SCORE chapter, or find a counselor online at http://www.pottstownscore.org.

Opportunities Abound for Sharpening Your Small Business Skills

Very few people begin the process of building a small business with a full knowledge of all the skills required for success. Even those who extensive experience or education in business management still need to bring themselves up to speed on the added responsibilities of entrepreneurship—tax issues, employee management, business development, accounting, etc.

Fortunately, the range of small business-oriented learning opportunities and training programs has never been broader for veteran and novice entrepreneurs alike. Seeking help is simply smart. No business owner can be adept at every aspect of operating successfully. Plus, conditions change, so keeping yourself informed is vital to long-term success.

The single most popular program in America is probably the SBA Small Business Training Network/E-Business Institute, which registers nearly a million users at its Web site each year. The Small Business Training Network is a Web-based conglomerate that can link you to online courses, workshops, publications, learning tools, information resources and access to electronic
counseling and other types of technical help. For details on the Small Business Training Network, go to http://www.sba.gov and click “Training” under the site’s Services section.

Free online courses are offered on about 75 topics in areas such as business startup, growing your business, home-based business and re-engineering your skills. Sample titles include: Growth Strategies; Analyzing Profitability; Building Your Brand; and, Understanding Business Insurance.

The Tools section of http://www.sba.gov gives you access to an extensive library of articles, podcasts, and Web chats on various small business issues.

Local SBA-sponsored training events are offered nationwide. These range from breakfast talks on local economic conditions, to brown-bag networking lunches, loan seminars, startup workshops and free business assessments. Simply go the Local Resources section of http://www.sba.gov and click your state on the Web site map for a calendar listing dates and event details in your area. You can also sign up for free newsletters issued by your state SBA office.

In addition, dozens of top colleges and universities offer business training courses you can take online or in more traditional classroom environments. Most require a fee, and some may have educational prerequisites. Advisors at the individual schools will help you identify one or more courses that are best suited to your needs.

To learn more about training opportunities your small business, contact SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Call 610-327-2673 for the Pottstown SCORE chapter, or find a counselor online at http://www.pottstownscore.org.

College Performing Arts Programs: Steel River alumni share their stories TONIGHT

Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High Street in the heart of Pottstown, PA 19464

The Road to College Performing Arts Programs

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

A Chat with Steel River Alumni

Thursday, January 16th

7:00 pm

Join us for a lively discussion and performance demonstrations featuring SRP alumni who have pursued advanced training at the college and conservatory level. Alumni will share their journeys, discuss their career paths, and answer questions of students and parents who are considering a performing arts career or are just curious about the process!

SCHEDULE

7:00 pm –

discussion

8:15 pm – alumni performance demonstrations

9:00 pm – refreshments

PARTICIPATING ALUMNI

Drew Carr – BM Music Education, Ithaca College (2017)

Craig Hacker – BFA Film and Media Arts, Temple University (2015)

Ryan Hagan – BA Theatre, DeSales University (2017)

Matt Kiesling – BFA Theatre, NYU/Tisch, New Studio on Broadway for Music Theatre (2016)

Michael Kiesling – BM Vocal Performance (Opera concentration), Westminster Choir College (2017)

Andrew Pierce – BA Theatre, DeSales University (2017)

Jordan Popky – BM Songwriting (minor in Choral Conducting) (2016)

Kelsey Riker – BFA Musical Theatre, Seton Hill University (2016)

Carrie Thorwarth – BFA Musical Theatre, University of the Arts (2016)

Kevin White – BA Musical Theatre, DeSales University (2015)

Matt Zarley – BA Theater (Acting concentration), Temple University (2015)

RSVP appreciated with the number in your party. Contact kathy@steelriver.org

Pottstown Parks Director Eileen Schlegel Remembered

Eileen Schlegel, the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Director since 2008, passed away suddenly last Saturday. Those wishing to pay respects and honor her life may do so at a viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Warker-Troutman Funeral Home at  726 E. High St. The funeral will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

According to Evan Brandt’s Mercury article, Eileen grew up on Queen Street and graduated from St. Pius X High School. She started working for the Parks Department in the early 1990s. I will always remember Eileen for being the go-to person for so many community activities and events. She oversaw a department that was responsible for all of the Borough’s parks, the spray park, Trilogy BMX park, Riverfront Park,  the Bark Park, and year-round recreational programming for all ages. She and her staff could be counted on to provide the chairs, sound equipment, power, games, hot dogs and hot chocolate at parades, 4th of July festivities, the Polar Bear Plunge, the Funky Santa 5K, the Volleyball Rumble and so much more.  Eileen Schlegel had a hand in all this, in the life of the community, and in the seasonal rituals that become traditions and make a town a home. She will be remembered for many years to come

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Helping Hands Inc., 415 Hoffmansville Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. For more than 30 years Helping Hands has been serving individuals with developmental delays and mental and physical challenges.

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