Category: Arts

Grand opening of Mercury’s Media Lab and PDIDA Visitors’ Center tomorrow at 11 am! HUGE Sidewalk Sale this Saturday!

The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) office at 17 N. Hanover Street will be opening its re-furbished Visitors’ Center tomorrow. The Center will include information on local events, businesses, and organizations, and the framed photos on its walls will give visitors a visual taste of Pottstown’s history.

Just across the street, The Mercury will unveil its newly-tricked out Community Media Lab, where members of the community can use computers, do research in Mercury archives on microfilm,  and grab a cup of coffee. Workshops on blogging and other aspects of linking the public with technology and communication tools are being planned.

PDIDA and The Mercury will celebrate with a “ribbon-joining” ceremony that begins at 11 am tomorrow and runs for about a half-hour. The first block of N. Hanover Street will be closed from 10:30 am – 1 pm.  Refreshments will be available in both locations. The ribbon-joining, as opposed to a ribbon-cutting, is meant to symbolize the spirit of cooperation between The Mercury and PDIDA in helping residents and visitors alike learn more about the history of Pottstown, take pride, and participate more in civic life.

Speaking of civic life… it’s everyone’s duty to BUY LOCAL! whenever they can! The recent, incredible BUY LOCAL! challenge in the Pottstown public schools, which netted over $55,000 in one month for downtown merchants, shows that there’s plenty of wonderful stuff to be had in downtown Pottstown. Why not come out and do it again this Saturday, July 21 from 11 am-4 pm when there is a GIGANTIC Sidewalk Sale taking place? PDIDA is still getting calls from vendors wanting a table at the event. There will be a face painter, juggler, clown/balloon artist, raffles and loads of FREE FUN, so come on down!

MOSAIC Gallery hosts weekend reception for local photographer

“Feed Shop,” Pottstown, PA

Local photographer Sharon K. Merkel will be on hand at MOSAIC Gallery, 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown, this Saturday, July 21 from 6-8 pm. All are welcome to attend this free reception.

Ms. Merkel’s work is on view now at the gallery along with the paintings of Sharon McGinley in MOSAIC’s latest show, Nurturing Hope.  The show highlights the beauty in nature and in urban spaces, much like a community garden. MOSAIC Community Land Trust, which runs the gallery, built Pottstown’s first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street this past spring. Gardeners are now realizing the fruits of their labor at the garden site.

In the artist’s statement on her website, Ms. Merkel says, “My photographic work looks at my world with a very direct approach. Photography is the art of exclusion – knowing what to include and what to leave out to create the correct balance and narrative.” Her photos of urban buildings and barns often feature intersections with a brilliant sky or a lone tree. Several prints of industrial buildings in Pottstown are included and for sale at MOSAIC Gallery.

MOSAIC receives a standard 30% commission on all art sales, so a purchase not only supports these local artists, but also the community garden, arts, and affordable housing mission of MOSAIC Community Land Trust.

“Electric,” Pottstown, PA

This show is being curated by MOSAIC summer interns Amanda Hoffman and Blake Wrigley, who spent their early years in Pottstown and graduated from Boyertown High School. Blake is a recent graduate of Messiah College and Amanda is a senior art major there.

Nurturing Hope will run through July 28. The MOSAIC gallery is located at 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown. Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 4-7 pm. MOSAIC’s website is www.mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org. Sharon Merkel’s website is www.skmerkel.com.

 

Memoir and essay-writing class for adults to begin this Wednesday

I’m teaching a writing class through The Gallery School and it begins this Wednesday evening, and it’s not too late to sign up! If you want to try to make meaning out of anything that’s happened in your life – give it some shape, make it resonate for others – and have something to read at the next MOSAIC open mic, this class is for you!

FLASH MEMOIR AND ESSAYS FOR ADULTS with Sue Repko

In this workshop, writers will share short pieces (no more than 3 double-spaced pages) of nonfiction for discussion. Word limits force us to see how every word really does count, and the very short form provides practice in establishing setting and character, scene-building, creating mood and tension, and exploring a theme. Along the way we’ll talk about the submission process and getting our stories out into the world. We will also read and discuss some short nonfiction provided by the instructor. Please bring some of your work for the first class. Writers at all levels are welcome!

Here’s a prompt to get you started: Think back to the closet of your youth, and write an essay about what was inside. Let the contents of the closet become a metaphor for who you were as a child, who you might have wished to be, and who you have become.

Sue Repko is a writer and urban planner, who founded the Positively!Pottstown blog. Her work has appeared in many online and print journals. She recently received her MFA in creative nonfiction from Bennington College.

SUMMER SESSION Begins July 11. Class runs Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm. $140 (member), $150 (non-member). Sign up at The Gallery School website. Got a question? Call 610.326.2506 during regular hours (Tuesday-Friday 10am-4:30pm; Saturday 10am-3pm)

Pottstown Parade set for tomorrow at 10 am; ride your bike in it!

 Pottstown’s 4th of July Homecoming Celebration is described here. The Festivities Schedule is here. There’s plenty to do all day and night downtown and at Memorial Park, capped off by the region’s biggest fireworks. Pottstown’s Independence Day parade is a true home town tradition, and the experience of being in the parade, seeing friends and families three-deep along the parade route, is an incredible experience. Thank you to Tom Carroll for info on how you can be in the parade!!

You are invited!

Bring your bicycle, skate board, roller skates or scooter to the Dana Parking lot, Keim St and Center Ave. on July 4th by 9:45a.m. and support Bike Pottstown. Roll in the parade and be part of the fun! If you need a bicycle for the event, stop at TriCounty Bicycles, 256 High St and see John for a nifty, yellow Bike Pottstown beach cruiser.

The event is FREE and fun will be had by all – guaranteed!

One more note…

To do your part and help cover the cost of the fireworks, which are enjoyed by thousands from around the region, please consider making a donation to:

Make your check payable to Independence Day, Ltd., and send to:

MaryAnn Peters

Pottstown School District

230 Beech St.

Pottstown, PA 19464

 

MOSAIC Gallery art show opens July 4th in downtown Pottstown

by Sharon McGinley

 If you’re in town for the parade tomorrow, check out the new show at MOSAIC Gallery, 10 S. Hanover Street, from 10am-1 pm. (Disclosure: I work for MOSAIC as part-time Executive Director!)

Are you an art enthusiast who is interested in supporting local artists? Do you want to take part in Pottstown’s growing arts scene while helping to boost the local economy? Then come and check out Pottstown’s very own MOSAIC Gallery.

Opening this 4th of July, MOSAIC presents Nurturing Hope, a show featuring area artists Sharon Merkel and Sharon McGinley. You may know MOSAIC Community Land Trust for bringing Pottstown its first community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, but MOSAIC also utilizes its office space at 10 S. Hanover Street as an art gallery. This show highlights the beauty in nature and in urban spaces, much like a community garden.

Like a garden nestled into a congested city block, the spiritual paintings of Sharon McGinley contrast with the graphic urban photos of Sharon Merkel to embody the hope and vitality of an urban garden.

In her artist’s statement, photographer Sharon Merkel says of her work, “The images explore the place where man and nature meet. I am fascinated with this intersection, the place where each affects the other.” Her photos of urban buildings and barns often feature intersections with a brilliant sky or a lone tree.

Sharon McGinley’s paintings include bright colors, whimsy, and nature on a biblical or essential level. “I explore the inner-connectedness of all things, the impermanence of earthly life and the joys and sorrows we experience on our journeys,” she says.

Primary Colors by Sharon Merkel

MOSAIC receives a standard 30% commission on all art sales, so a purchase not only supports these local artists, but also the community garden, arts, and affordable housing mission of MOSAIC Community Land Trust.

This show is being curated by MOSAIC summer interns Amanda Hoffman and Blake Wrigley, who spent their early years in Pottstown and graduated from Boyertown High School. Blake is a recent graduate of Messiah College and Amanda is a senior art major there.

Nurturing Hope will run from July 4-July 28. All are welcome to an opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7-9pm; food and drinks are sponsored by LointerHOME. The MOSAIC gallery, located at 10 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown, will be open from 10am-1 pm on July 4th during the Pottstown Homecoming Parade.  (Rain date is July 5th.) Regular gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 4-7 pm.

Trinity Reformed UCC announces FREE summer programming

This info comes from Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ. I’m sorry I did not get up an announcement about their Playground Day that they held on June 23rd. They were teaching kids “old-fashioned outdoor games like marbles, jacks, double-dutch jump rope, hula hoop, and a variety of versions of hopscotch.” Then they gave all the equipment away. Does anyone else want to sponsor something like this? I think it sounds quite fun — even for the grownups! I’d be willing to pitch in, too.

Okay, so here’s what’s still on tap…

ACT — Arts and Crafts at Trinity
We are sharing the hobbies we love with anyone who wants to learn! We meet from 2-4:30 pm on Tuesdays all summer. Activities will include watercolors, crocheting, collage, and “Christmas in July” handcrafts. We are supplying all materials so there is no cost. This is for adults and children ten and up. Our weekly free community meal follows at 5 pm. Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464, 610-326-2243, church@trinityuccpottstown.org

Youth Mission Week
Youth from five area churches will be coming together July 29 through August 3 to participate in Youth Mission Week. Youth live at the church during the week and help with simple repairs, landscaping and clean-up for low-income or elderly Pottstown residents, and also at local non-profit agencies. There are still spaces available for youth who want to participate and homeowners or non-profits that would like some help. We can also use adult volunteers (subject to our safe-church policy.) All forms and more information can be found at http://pottstownyouthgroup.weebly.com/. Youth must be entering 6th grade in the fall. There is no cost for the program, but donations are very welcome.
Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464, 610-326-2243, church@trinityuccpottstown.org

Free movie under the stars at First Presbyterian this Saturday

Free Movie Under the Stars

Photo from Universal

Saturday, June 23rd

First Presbyterian Church

750 North Evans Street

Pottstown, PA  19464

Bring your chairs and blankets

We will supply the popcorn and drinks

Movie starts at dusk (around 8:15)

RAIN OR SHINE!

Smash musical HAIRSPRAY continues at Steel River Playhouse this weekend! Community Day on Saturday!

As Hairspray continues its run at Steel River this weekend, the Playhouse will also be celebrating its new name and new facade, and the community is invited to participate tomorrow, June 16th, during a Community Day. Details below can be found at the Steel River website.

Join us for Community Day!
Saturday, June 16
at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Celebrate our Grand Re-Opening with free workshops, guest artists, refreshments, tours, and giveaways!  Come see our new façade and marquee, a welcoming outdoor plaza, and a renovated lobby.

Guest artists include Robb Curtis Brown, High School Musical 3, It’s Complicated, Dreamgirls, Bruce Almighty; BJ Ellis, executive director and performer for The N Crowd, and widely regarded as one of the top short-form improv specialists in Philadelphia.  John Moletress, founder of the Washington D.C. – based Factory 449: a theatre collective (2011 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company), and force/collision, an interdisciplinary performance ensemble.  Guest artist at Steel River Playhouse directing The Crucible, and Pippin.  Neal Newman, director of classical, Shakespeare, modern theater, musicals, and opera, including off-Broadway and Shakespeare in the Park.  Guest artist and instructor at Steel River Playhouse directing Ragtime, A Christmas Carol, Toys in the Attic.   Robert Snow, script and screenwriter and director, his first short, The Blue Die, won the Film of Highest Distinction Award at the Siouxland International Film Festival.  His thesis film, Bunny, premiered at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.  Bob is now a staff writer for New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel; and Lisa Waltz, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Reckless, Yours, Mine and Ours, Pet Sematary Two.  Currently, she’s working on a new series with Eric McCormack and a film about working actors.

Community Day Schedule

9:30 AM – Summer Camp Info Session – Steve Reazor, Education Dir.

10:00 AM – Music, Movement and Me with Deedee Mann (Grades K through 4); Comedy-Improv Workshop with BJ Ellis (Grades 5 through 8); Vocal Evaluations with Deborah Stimson-Snow (Grades 5 through Adult) Private 10-minute voice sessions with Artistic Director; Cold Reading and Monologue Workshop with Robb Curtis Brown (Observers – all ages, and Participants – Grades 8 – Adult pre-register with marta@steelriver.com)

11:00 AM – Exploring Drama with Steve Reazor (Grades K through 4); Acting Fun & Games with Phil Ballantine (Grades 5 through 8); Vocal Evaluations with Deborah Stimson-Snow (Grades 5 through Adult) – Private 10-minute sessions with Master Instructor; Comedy-Improv Workshop with BJ Ellis (Grades 8 through Adult); Cold Reading and Monologue Workshop with Robb Curtis Brown (see above)

12 NOON – Music, Movement and Me with Deedee Mann (Grades K – 4); Getting Ready to Sing Workshop with Margaret Curry (Grades 2 through 4); Finding your Inner Shakespeare: First Steps to Approaching the Bard with Neal Newman (Grades 5 through Adult); Surviving College Auditions: Practical Advice on School Selection, Audition Prep, Managing Expectations, and Family Bonding with Marta Kiesling and John Moletress (Grades 8 through 12, and parents)

1:00 PM – Acting Fun and Games with Steve Reazor (Grades K – 4); Inside the Directing Process with Neal Newman (Grades 5 to Adult); Out of your Mind: Movement and Visualization Workshop with John Moletress (Grades 5 to Adult)

2:00 PM – The Inside Scoop: Celebrity Stories with Lisa Waltz, Robb Curtis and Neal Newman (All Ages) Backstage chatter about working with Al Pacino, Zac Efron, Patrick Dempsey, Ashton Kutcher, Ashley Tisdale, Sylvester Stallone, Laurence Olivier, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jim Carrey, Robert Redford, Barbara Streisand, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Blythe Danner, Angela Lansbury, and more!

3:00 PM – From Page to Stage (and Screen!): Real Stories on How to get your New Work on its Feet with John Moletress, & SKYPE interview with Bobby Snow. (Grades 5 – Adult); Summer Camp Info Session with Steve Reazor, Education Director

Juan Carlos offers special Father’s Day menu

Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine is offering a special menu for Father’s Day, this Sundaym, June 17th from 9am-2pm. Complimentary Mexican beer will be served with a Father’s Day entree! (Please note: lunch items served after 10:30am.)

*Carne asada tacos (2)- Tender chopped steak, topped with freshly chopped onions, cilantro, lime wedge and Anaheim red sauce on the side.  Served with rice, black beans, Pico de Gallo, Jalepeno peppers and sour cream.  $12-

*Tacos de pescado (2)- Corano beer battered cod lightly fried and sliced into soft corn tortillas and topped with mixed lettuce, Pico de Gallo, lime and our chipotle ranch. $12.99-

*Fajita trio de Ranchero–  Grilled skirt steak, chicken breast and shrimp smothered with our ranchero sauce and mixed cheese.  Served with sauteed peppers/onions, lettuce, Pico de Gallo, and sour cream. $16-

* Bistec con salsa roja– 12oz ribeye steak cooked to your liking and topped with our special Anahiem red sauce, sauteed peppers and onions.  Served with rice, black beans, Pico de Gallo, Jalepeno peppers and guacamole. Choice of soup or salad.  $24-

*Carnitas de cerdo– My father’s favorite!  Tender chuncks of pork lightly fried and simmered in a Mexican spiced gravy.  Served with rice, black beans, Pico de Gallo, Jalapeno peppers, guacamole and flour tortillas. $15-

Children’s Menu  $6.75

All children’s meals served with either soft drink, milk, apple juice, orange juice and ice cream Sunday.

*Tacos– Grilled beef or chicken.  Served with lettuce, tomato, creama, rice or French fries.

*Chicken fingers– Lightly fried chicken tenders served with honey mustard and French fries.

*Mexican pizza– Flat bread topped with tomato sauce and mixed cheese.  Served with rice or French fries.

*Steak or chicken burrito–  Flour tortilla stuffed with lettuce, tomato, mixed cheese, rice, and creama.  Served with French fries.

*Avocado cheese burger–  Beef burger served with lettuce, tomato, cheese and french fries.  Ketchup or mustard on request.

All this deliciousness is brought to you by Ron R. Garza, Chef/Owner.  Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine is located at 235 E. High Street, Pottstown, Pa 19464. Phone: 484/624-4931.

After lunch, why not take a stroll and then go to the Steel River Playhouse at 245 E. High Street for the Sunday matinee of the smash Broadway musical Hairspray at 3 pm! Pick your seats online now at steelriver.org.

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