Category: Arts

“When We Were Soldiers” opens tomorrow at ArtFusion 19464

I am so grateful and proud to have been part of “When We Were Soldiers,” an exhibit showcasing the stories, memories, and artifacts of local Vietnam veterans. It opens tomorrow at ArtFusion 19464, at 254 E. High Street, in Pottstown. See the Mercury’s awesome coverage here.

An opening reception and welcome home ceremony will run from 5-8 pm, beginning at the Borough parking lot at High and Charlotte Streets. There will be a motorcycle cavalcade and speakers to give the “welcome home” that these veterans never received. I, along with writer Parker Blaney, interviewed the vets this past summer and worked with them to draft narratives of their experiences, from getting drafted to their service, and their experiences coming home, re-integrating into civilian life, and the long-term effects of war. These men were brave once again to have this dialogue and agree to share it with the general public.

Cathy Paretti of ArtFusion has put their stories on homemade paper and combined them with photos and all kinds of articles that these veterans and others brought back with them. It will be a truly educational exhibit, appropriate for middle school students and older, about this time in our country’s history. Please plan to visit sometime between Sept. 20 – Nov. 9.

When We Were Soldiers: personal stories of our Vietnam Veterans

September 20-November 9
Opening reception September 20 from 5-8pm.
Please RSVP via email or by calling 610-326-2506.

ArtFusion 19464
254 E. High St.
Pottstown, PA 19464
610.326.2506
info@artfusion19464.org

Regular Hours

Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-3pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Family Fun Fair at First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church is holding its 2nd Fall Family Fun Fair – FREE to ALL – on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 414 E. High St., Pottstown.  There will be a Bounce House, Pipper the Clown, Juggler, Face Painters, a Duck Pond, games & prizes, crafts, and live music.  A LIVE reptile show will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room.  A free hot dog lunch will be served from noon to 2 p.m.

Dean Fields in concert this weekend

First United Methodist Church of Pottstown (414 E. High St.) will be hosting its 4th Coffee House Concert of the year on Sunday, September 15th at 6 pm (after the scheduled Eagles game has ended).  The concert will feature the singer-songwriter Dean Fields.  Dean is an incredibly talented musician, with a gift for lyrics and a great voice.  You can read more about Dean, listen to some of his music, and download some free songs at his website:  http://deanfields.com.  Join them for some wonderful music, good coffee, and some tasty desserts!

MCCC Hosts 10th Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show

Here’s an announcement from Montgomery County Community College. They have a lovely art gallery at their West Campus in Pottstown. Check it out this fall!

Montgomery County Community College will host the Tenth Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show, Aug. 28-Oct. 18, at the Fine Arts Gallery, North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown.

Sponsored by the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area, the art show features 83 original pieces of artwork that highlights the beautiful and unique qualities of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

Philadelphia artist Susannah Hart Thomer won Best of Show for her watercolor, “Escalation,” which depicts the spiral staircase located outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art leading to the Schuylkill River.

Second place went to Jonathan Bond, Kempton, Berks County, for his painting, “Lutz Tannery,” and third place went to Teresa McWilliams Farina, Royersford, for her pastel, “Pennypacker Mills Tranquility.” The Staff Choice Award went to Lori Quinque-Quinn, Perkiomenville, for her watercolor painting, “The Coyle Farm Winter Sheep.”

Honorable mentions were awarded to Walt Hug, Birdsboro, for his photograph, “Midnight at Memorial Hall,” and Arnold Winkler, Blue Bell, for his digital composite, “Valley Forge.”

This year’s show was juried by Terry Newman, owner of Newman Galleries in Philadelphia.  He spent several hours examining the 107 entries before making his selections.

The hours for the MCCC gallery are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends. For more information contact the SRHA at 484-945-0200 or the MCCC Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu.

You can help support the arts and art education programs at Montgomery County Community College by becoming a Friend of The Galleries. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact the College Foundation at 215-641-6535. Friend and follow MCCC’s arts on facebook.com/DestinationArts.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, cultural and historic preservation and  tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development. For more information about the SRHA visit www.schuylkillriver.org.

Duo to play guitar and Native American flute tonight at Juan Carlos

juancarlos2Guitarist Russell Ferrara and flutist David Rose will join musical forces for diners tonight at Juan Carlos Fine Mexican restaurant at 235 East High Street in downtown Pottstown. Check them out here. Russ has been a regular at Juan Carlos, which serves up fresh, inventive dishes from Latin America. The music begins at 6 pm.

Juan Carlos is a BYOB, that provides margarita set-ups, so bring your own tequila! They take cash/check only. Reservations are available at 484-624-4931. Come out for incredible music while enjoying a meal from one of Pottstown’s most talented chefs, Ron Garza.

 

Slavic Sacred Music at St. John’s this Friday evening

The Theoria Chamber Choir presents

Slavic Sacred Music
Hymns & Liturgical Songs of the Eastern Church

August 23rd, 2013
7:00 pm

Free Admission

(free will offerings will be accepted)

St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church
301 Cherry Street
Pottstown, Pennsylvania

News of this free event comes to us from the founder of Theoria Chamber Choir, Andrew Skitko, a Pottstown resident and Hill School grad.

Greek for contemplation, “theoria” refers to a stage of spiritual illumination in Eastern Christian theology. Theoria Chamber Choir seeks to lead others in spiritual contemplation through a cappella choral music.

Theoria was founded by Andrew Skitko in 2010. Having grown up in the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church, his passion for the Eastern-European choral repertoire inspired the formation of an ensemble that could explore this music with other professionally trained singers, and share the repertoire of the Slavic sacred choral tradition. Theoria Chamber Choir consists of students and alumni of Westminster Choir College.

In addition to concert performances, Theoria Chamber Choir serves as the primary liturgical choir at The Assumption of The Virgin Mary Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church in Trenton, New Jersey (www.avmbcc.org).

ArtFusion holding Beef ‘n Beer fundraiser

Join ArtFusion 19464 on Saturday, August 24 from 6-9pm at the Ballroom on High at 310 E. High Street in Pottstown for a Beef and Beer Fundraiser.

This fun end-of-summer beef and beer features beer courtesy of Victory Beer, food by Boneyard Joe’s (House of Great Sandwiches and BBQ) and Montesano Bros Bucktown Market & Cafe, live music and a fun 50/50 raffle.

Victory Brewing Company has an amazing philosophy on brewing beer. They meld European ingredients and traditions with American creativity, and their beers feature the finest ingredients to achieve their exciting flavors. Go here to learn more: http://www.victorybeer.com/about/brewery/.

Victory is generously donating all the beer for this event!

Live music by Elisha Kane!

Tickets are only $20 and include beer, hot beef sandwiches, great side salads, homemade desserts, and water and soda. Vegetarian wraps are available on request.

NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

Purchase your regular or vegetarian tickets here.

Check out and follow the event on Facebook!

FAME, Jr. for one weekend only at Steel River Playhouse

FAME, Jr. (student musical)

PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES:

August 9th – 7:00 pm

August 10th – 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

August 11th – 3:00 pm

LOCATION:

Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

TICKETS: $10

Buy online at www.steelriver.org or call 610.970.1199, or at the door subject to availability.

AGE APPROPRIATENESS:

Parental guidance for younger children is suggested due to thematic content.

 

Steel River Playhouse Presents FAME, Jr.

One Weekend Only, August 9th – 11th

Steel River Playhouse announces its summer camp production of FAME, Jr., four performances only on Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th. The popular musical is a high-energy production with strong singing and dancing from a talented ensemble cast.

Set at New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, the musical follows the bittersweet but inspiring story of a group of students committed to four years of grueling artistic and academic work in order to achieve their dreams. The students come to terms with life and relationships, and some are resilient, while others are not. With insight and humor, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today including prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, and perseverance. With its topical subject matter and contemporary pop score (including the hit title song), FAME Jr. is an exciting summer treat.

The summer camp production features 50 students actors from 8 school districts and 3 private schools. Steel River’s FAME, Jr. is directed by Robb Russ. The music director is Katherine Skrzat and the choreographer is Kelsey Riker. The musical will be presented on the Main Stage on the following dates and times:

  • Friday, August 9th at 7:00 pm

  • Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm

  • Sunday, August 11th at 3:00 pm

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.steelriver.org or at the door, space permitting. Parental guidance for younger children is suggested due to thematic content. Please note that children under 4 will not be admitted. Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464.

Free Slavic sacred music concert to be presented in Pottstown

Due to the overwhelming success of the 2012 concert, voices from the Westminster Choir College return to Pottstown! I attended last year’s concert and it was outstanding.

A concert of sacred hymns and liturgical music of the Slavic tradition will be presented by the Theoria Chamber Choir at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 23rd, in St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 301 Cherry Street, Pottstown, Pa.  The concert is free and open to the public; a free will offering will be accepted.  Please note that the church is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible via the ramp in the rear parking lot.

The Theoria Chamber Choir features students and alumni of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. Westminster is a four-year music college and graduate school that prepares men and women for careers as professional performers and as music leaders in schools, universities, churches, and professional and community music organizations.  Westminster choirs perform annually in venues including the Kimmel Center, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall, and various groups are professionally recorded as they perform well-known composers’ new and other arrangements.

Drew Skitko, Theoria Chamber Choir Director
Drew Skitko, Theoria Chamber Choir Director

Theoria Chamber Choir is directed by Andrew Skitko, a native of Pottstown, and graduate of The Hill School.  Skitko also serves as the cantor and music director at The Assumption of The Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church of Trenton, N.J., where Theoria Chamber Choir performs about once a month. Skitko also has been a cantor at St. John’s church.

In April 2012, the Westminster Slavic Choir, also under Skitko’s direction, performed at St. John’s church to a crowd that included many people who had never before heard the traditional Slavic music and asked Skitko to return to perform another concert.  Due to keen interest, Skitko was eager to return to Pottstown with the Theoria Chamber Choir, a four-part group of powerful, professionally trained voices.

“Performing in Pottstown allows us to share this beautiful music with my hometown and support Pottstown’s growing, diverse arts presence,” said Skitko.

Joining Skitko, a baritone, will be Liesl McPherrin, soprano, Lauren Delfing, alto, and Brett Avery-Lawyer, tenor.

The concert will feature sacred liturgical choral works by composers including Bortniansky, Tchaikovsky, Vedel, and Hurko. Selections will be performed in English as well as Old Church Slavonic.

The concert is expected to last about one hour.

For further information, please contact Andrew Skitko, choral director

Cell: 610-220-3479; E-mail: andrewskitko@gmail.com

Pottstown’s Annual Sidewalk Sale this Saturday

Please check out The Mercury’s recent article (partially re-printed below) about Pottstown’s Annual Sidewalk Sale, coming up this Saturday.

Summer is time for savings in downtown Pottstown, especially this Saturday, July 20th,

when the annual Sidewalk Sale takes to the streets from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Main Street Manager Sheila Dugan, the day will include offers from more than 40 downtown merchants, as well as face painting, a visit from Rainbow the Clown and collections of Pottstown School uniforms.

Demonstrations will be provided by CrossFit at 21 N. Hanover St. at 12:45, 2:45 and again at 4 p.m.

Also providing demonstrations at 307 E. High St. will be Red Cloud Kung Fu at 12, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Read more here:  http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-mercury/story/pottstown-merchants-will-take-the-streets-saturday-0/1

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