Category: Arts

Call for Crafters for Christmas Bazaar

Well, it would be nice if just the thought of a Christmas Bazaar was enough to drop the thermostat. Alas, it is not… but if you’re a crafter….

Immaculate Conception Academy in Douglassville holds several annual fundraisers to raise money for their technology department. They are looking for looking for crafters for their Annual Christmas Bazaar to be held at:

Immaculate Conception Church
905 Chestnut Street (Route 345)
Douglassville, PA  19518
on Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
$30 per space; $5 additional for electric

Contact Karen at 610-689-3833 or ICAXmas@gmail.com

Job and Volunteer Fair at Steel River Playhouse

If you’re interested in a paid or volunteer position in the performing arts, read on. Steel River Playhouse is looking for folks to fill a variety of positions. This is a great opportunity for middle and high school students to explore the performing arts and perhaps build their resumes for college!

Steel River Playhouse, a nonprofit performing arts education and performance facility located in the heart of Pottstown’s historic district, is holding a Job and Volunteer Fair on Sunday, July 28th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Monday, July 29th from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.  Interested candidates will have the opportunity to learn about open positions, meet with Steel River’s leadership, and tour the facility.

Paid and stipend positions include Education Coordinator, Music Coordinator, Tech Director, Concessions/Retail Manager, Stage and Music Directors, Production Designers (e.g., sets, costumes, lighting, sound, props, hair and makeup), and Stage Managers. Instructors of music, voice, and acting are also encouraged to apply for future positions that are expected to become available.

Adults and students from middle school age on up can explore a host of volunteer learning and social opportunities in virtually every area of the performing arts center. High school and college students are also eligible to sign up for internship opportunities to satisfy their volunteer or external learning requirements. Some examples of volunteer opportunities include:

·         Technical theater (set construction and painting, costuming, lighting and sound operation, props, hair and make-up)

·         Stage management and backstage run crew

·         Production Assistants

·         House management and ushers

·         Music support, especially piano accompaniment

·         Riser moves, maintenance and repairs

·         Administrative support (such as receptionist, phone support, filing, photocopying)

·         Software and data entry/utilization

·         Concession and retail sales

·         Box office

·         Education support/teacher aides

·         Event planning and hosting

·         Fundraising

·         Marketing and public relations (including social media)

·         Graphic design

·         Literary analysis and dramaturgy

Candidates for paid and stipend positions may sign up for initial interview slots ahead of time by contacting marta@steelriver.org or are welcome to request an interview slot on the day of their visit. Additional interviews may be scheduled at other times for those who are not available during the Job and Volunteer Fair. Department representatives will also be on hand to meet with volunteer candidates to provide information and answer questions.

Steel River also welcomes area performers to visit during the Job and Volunteer Fair to learn more about Steel River’s mission and facilities. A variety of audition opportunities and instrumental openings are available for the upcoming season. Come learn about sharing your talent with the community and region.

 For more information, please visit www.steelriver.org. Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

 About Steel River Playhouse

Steel River Playhouse, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable education and performance facility, is a key component of the revitalization of downtown Historic Pottstown. Steel River seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Each year, Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from the region and beyond. www.steelriver.org, 610-970-1199.

MCCC Hosts ‘Iron and its Accomplices’ Art Exhibition

There’s still time to catch this unusual exhibit of local artists at MCCC. Thanks to Alana Mauger for passing this on…

Montgomery County Community College continues to host “Iron and its Accomplices,” an art exhibition featuring metal artist Paul Beatty of Hemlock Forge and several area artists. The show runs through July 25th at the West Campus Fine Arts Gallery, North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown.

“Sun and Moon” metal sculpture by Paul Beatty. Photo courtesy of MCCC.
“Sun and Moon” metal sculpture by Paul Beatty. Photo courtesy of MCCC.

Metal artist Paul Beatty owns Hemlock Forge in nearby Barto, Pa., and specializes in copper, steel and sheet metal. He initially studied traditional blacksmithing under blacksmith Ed Land of Huffs Church, Berks County. He later served an apprenticeship with renowned metal artist Greg Leavitt of Earl Township, Berks County.

Beatty’s masterful skills are reminiscent of a time when craftsmen poured their hearts and souls into the hard labor of their wares. He specializes in commissions of decorative and functional art, including arbors, fences, armillaries and sculptures, and all his work is hand-forged and custom-made. Beatty has been a metalsmith for more than 14 years and is a member of the Pennsylvania Artists Blacksmith Association and the Artist Blacksmith’s Association of North America.

Several local artists have joined Beatty for the exhibit, including photographer Tammy Snyder of East Greenville; mosaic artist Amy Bruckner of Downingtown; stain glass artist Marlys Thomas of Harleysville; wood sculptor Mark Hughes of Barto; metal artist Ed Land of Huffs Church; and Damascus steel artist Robert Eggerling of Mertztown.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed weekends.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Montgomery County Community College Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu.

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.  Follow us at facebook.com/DestinationArts.

 

Montgomery County Community College is proud to be designated as an Achieving the Dream Leader College for its commitment to student access and success.

POW/MIA flags to be hung in downtown Pottstown

The press release below was received from ArtFusion 19464. Positively Pottstown is proud to help sponsor the purchase of the POW/MIA flags that will soon be flying downtown. A few weeks ago I, along with writer and counselor, Parker Blaney, interviewed a dozen local veterans, who are participating in a storytelling project for an educational exhibit – When We Were Soldiers – about the Vietnam War. We are in the midst of writing up those narratives and getting further feedback from the veterans to make sure we get it right. The exhibit will open on September 20th with a one-of-a-kind “Welcome Home” for area Vietnam veterans. Please mark your calendars for September 20th at 5 pm at ArtFusion 19464, 254 E. High Street in Pottstown. ~ Sue Repko

Shown below at presentation of flags at Borough Hall: Frank Strunk, President of Pottstown Keystone Chapter 565 of Vietnam Veterans of America; Billy Worrell, of American Legion Post 244; and Mark Flanders, Pottstown Borough Manager.

In preparation for ArtFusion 19464’s fall educational exhibit When We Were Soldiers, downtown Pottstown will soon be flying POW/MIA flags. The flags will be hung the week of July 4th and be on display through Veterans Day.

This display was made possible through the support of the greater Pottstown community and beyond. Representative Mark Painter’s office donated 2 flags. Generous donations were also made by the following individuals and organizations: David Garner, Esq., Pottstown Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Positively Pottstown, Federation of Concerned Organizations, POW/MIA Forget Me Nots, American Legion Post 244 and Jack and Cathy Paretti, Theresa Orlosky, Sharon Shulby. Billy Worrell, member of American Legion Post 244 and a Vietnam Veteran, was very instrumental in getting the donations and arranging the purchase of the flags.

When We Were Soldiers will focus on the personal recollections of veterans of the Vietnam War. The show will open September 20 with a Welcome Home reception and run through Veterans Day. As part of the reception, local motorcycle clubs will be participating in a welcome home ride. The reception will run from 5-8pm. Light refreshments will be served. While this reception is free, ArtFusion will be collecting donations for a free arts program for veterans as well as to fund maintenance for the Pottstown Vietnam Memorial.

The Pottstown Keystone Chapter 565 of Vietnam Veterans meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7PM at the VFW located on High Street in Pottstown. Anyone is invited to attend a meeting.

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.

 

Steel River musical about family, acceptance, and enduring spirit of love

Please check out this review of Steel River Playhouse’s current musical La Cage aux Folles from guest blogger Parker Blaney. The original 1983 Broadway production of  La Cage aux Folles won 6 Tony Awards and it has since won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice, the only musical to do so, proving again and again that this story lives on. Thanks for covering it for us, Park!

What a delight it was to see Pottstown’s own Steel River Playhouse production of La Cage aux Folles. I have to confess I usually don’t enjoy musical plays, but this one delightfully breaks all boundaries, in more ways than one! At its heart, this is a story about family, what it means to grow up and thrive in a community of love, and what happens when two families with different ideals are thrust together as the result of young, passionate love.

Courtesy of Steel River Playhouse
Courtesy of Steel River Playhouse

Within the musical, Albin, a buxom drag queen, played by the wonderful Kirk Lawrence, is the star attraction of a show called La Cage aux Folles; he is also the star of the musical at Steel River. Lawrence’s  voice ranges from the purr of a cat that builds to the roar of a wounded, suffering lioness. Georges, played by Robb Hutter, is his husband, and the manager of the show. He tugs at our hearts with his tender ballads of longing, recounting his and Albin’s youthful love.

Their son—who is the biological son of Georges from a previous relationship with a woman—is Jean-Michel, played by David Landstrom. Jean-Michel has fallen desperately in love and wishes to marry Anne, played by Josephine Patane, the daughter of a local conservative politician. That’s where the trouble begins.

Anne’s family demands to meet Jean-Michel’s family, and Jean-Michel doesn’t want Albin, effectively his mother for many years, to meet them out of fear the conservative politician will not only disapprove of their nontraditional family but also discover that Albin is the host of La Cage aux Folles, and thus refuse to give his consent. It is heartbreaking to see the dear, conflicted, vulnerable Albin react to Jean-Michel’s denial of him. This is the heart of the play—will the family defend its members as they are, or hide them away as if they are a kind of social leper? Well, suffice to say that events often run ahead of the best made plans, much to the delight of the audience. The conflict and its resolution are unexpected and yet believable.

Courtesy of Steel River Playhouse
Courtesy of Steel River Playhouse

Also a show-stopper is the performance of Adam Newborn, who plays Jacob, the “maid.” His mad dashes onto the stage and his frolicking, wild energy take over his scenes. He is simply drop-dead funny. Newborn’s sense of comedic timing is impeccable and seamless. I had the sense I was watching someone special, someone I will see again in a much larger role in the future. Indeed, all of the actors’ performances felt like they came out of a big-time production and not regional theater. Regional theater can sometimes feel slightly amateurish to me, but not here at the Steel River Playhouse.

I can’t remember the last time I felt as wide a range of emotions as I did watching La Cage aux Folles. There are some rather mild sexual situations, but really the meaning of the play, the tension of being who we are versus what society might demand of us, is timeless. Its message never grows old and never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Please, there are only a few more performances of La Cage Aux Folles at Steel River Playhouse in downtown Pottstown. Get your tickets now for an abiding message about love, family and the soaring, enduring spirit of human relationships. 

La Cage aux Folles runs for one more weekend, through June 23rd, with performances on Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 to $26, with special cabaret seating at $68 for a table for 2 (includes complimentary beverages and snacks). Tickets are available online at http://www.steelriver.org or by calling the box office at 610.970.1199, or at the door when available. Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Legendary Locals of Pottstown available for pre-order!

I am so excited to announce that the Legendary Locals of Pottstown is now available for pre-orders at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Arcadia Books. It will be released Oct. 14, 2013.

Arcadia Publishing, the largest publisher of local history books in the country was great to work with. They came across this blog about a year ago and asked if I’d be interested in profiling “legendary locals,” broadly defined, and things just took off from there.

This was an incredibly cool project. The photographer, Ed Berger, and I met so many amazing Pottstown people, who I can’t thank enough for taking the time to share their stories. This is my first book, so I have to keep pinching myself to make sure this is really happening.

I will keep you updated as book signings/events are held this fall so that the community can hear some of the stories of the people in the book and to get the book into your hands.

 

La Cage Aux Folles now playing at Steel River!

Reserve your table at the hottest club in town!

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman; Book by Harvey Fierstein

Open Now! Thursdays thru Sundays

June 6 – 23

Parental Guidance suggested for comedic sexual references

Please note – children under 4 will not be admitted to the performance

Best known as the feature film, The Birdcage,

starring Robin Williams and Nathan

Lane!

STEEL RIVER PLAYHOUSE

245 E. High Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

610-970-1199

www.steelriver.org

 

PHOTO LINK: http://www.steelriver.org/current-season/2142-2/la-cage-photos/

CAST

 Robb Hutter – Georges

Kirk Lawrence – Albin

David Landstrom – Jean-Michel

Adam Newborn – Jacob

Josephine Patane – Anne

Jennifer Dinan – Jacqueline

Brent Adams – Edouard Dindon

Sharon Sigal – Marie Dindon

Hal Holzer – Francis

LES CAGELLES

Zach Reynolds – Chantel

Robb Russ – Monique

Brett Kenna – Dermah

James Barkesdale – Hanna

Troy Cooper – Mercedes

Denise Mann – Angelique

Will Scantling – Phaedra

Taylor Helmers – Nicole

ST. TROPEZ TOWNSPEOPLE

Burt Merriam – M. Renaud

Sharon Brown Ruegsegger – Mme. Renaud

Kendal Conrad – Babette

Charles Delaney – Hercule

Sean Hafer – Etienne/Tobarro

Taylor Helmers – Colette

AJ Sermarini – Young Renaud

Randy Miller – Fisherman

Drew Carr – Fisherman

Sponsored by Exelon Generation

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman; book by Harvey Fierstein

Thursday

7:30 pm

June 6, 13 & 20

Friday

8:00 pm

June 7*, 14 & 21

Saturday

8:00 pm

June 8, 15 & 22

Sunday

3:00 pm

June 9, 16 & 23

Special Events

*Annual Gala – Friday, June 7th (6:00 pm, before the show)

Talk-back with cast & crew – Sundays, June 9th & 16th following the show

Tickets (show only; see Gala info below)

ADULT: $26 (Thurs $23)

SENIOR (65+): $23 (Thurs $20)

STUDENT/CHILD: $17 (Thurs $15)

$3 off per ticket for groups of 10 or more!

 

 

Steel River Playhouse to hold gala honoring Bentleys of VideoRay

Area businesses and community members are invited to celebrate another sensational season of educational and performance programming at Steel River Playhouse, during their Annual Gala on Friday, June 7th at 6:00 pm.

This year’s honorees are Susan and Scott Bentley, philanthropists and principal owners of VideoRay, recently relocated to Pottstown as part of the renaissance of this historic downtown. The celebration also includes recognition of Deborah Stimson-Snow, Steel River’s Artistic Director and recipient of the 2013 Advocacy for Equal Opportunity Award from the PA Human Rights Commission.

Gala highlights include live music, prizes, and delectable treats from Clique Vodka, Lindt Chocolate, Sly Fox Brewery, Sakura Asian Cuisine, Chocolates on Bridge Street, McDougall’s Victory Cakes, Angry Monkey Bakery, Java’s Brewin’, Olde Gold Tavern, Penny’s Pizelle’s, Copperfield’s, Cutillo’s, Baird’s Catering, Moyer’s, Bellewood Golf Club, Grumpy’s, Enzo’s, Positively Pasta Plus, iCreate Café, and Turtle Creek Golf Course, among many other participating restaurants and caterers.

Attendees can choose to attend the Gala only, or pair the Gala with that evening’s performance of the well-loved Broadway hit musical, La Cage aux Folles (curtain 8:00 pm). The story of La Cage is probably most familiar to audiences as the feature film comedy, The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. With popular, hummable melodies by composer Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame), this Broadway hit wraps contemporary themes in a funny and engaging plot, timeless love songs, and big chorus numbers. The evening concludes outside on the Playhouse plaza, with a building light show and joyful reprise of the La Cage finale with cast, crew and community.

La Cage aux Folles is being sponsored by Exelon. Sponsors for the Annual Gala include Sager & Sager Associates, The Hankin Group, Jackson Cross Partners, Maillie LLP, Andrew J. Monastra, PC, The Hill School, Keller Williams Realty, Main Line Financial Advisors, Neurosurgical Care, O’Donnell Weiss & Mattei, PC, Penn Liberty Bank, Wolf, Baldwin & Associates, PC, Bentley Systems, Inc., David G. Garner, Esquire, Diamond Credit Union, Down to Earth Landscaping, Express Data Systems, Frees Insurance, HMK Insurance, Independence Planning Group, Susan Storb and Michael Horn, Potty Queen, Pottstown Dance Theater, Royal Medical Supply, State Farm – Ricco Insurance, Tri-County Toyota, and Yergey, Daylor, Allebach, Sheffey and Picardi. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mary Beth Kerekes, Development Director, at marybeth@steelriver.org or 610.970.1199.

Gala and La Cage aux Folles tickets are available at www.steelriver.org or by contacting subscriber@steelriver.org or by calling 610.970.1199. Tickets are $75 for Gala paired with La Cage, or $50 for the Gala only. La Cage aux Folles runs for three weekends, June 6th through 23rd with performances on Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 to $26, with special cabaret seating at $68 for a table for 2 (includes complimentary beverages and snacks). Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464, www.steelriver.org.

About Steel River Playhouse

Steel River Playhouse, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable education and performance facility, is a key component of the revitalization of downtown Historic Pottstown. Steel River seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Each year, Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from the region and beyond.  www.steelriver.org, 610-970-1199.

Oliver Stone addresses Hill class of 2013

Oliver Stone, the Academy Award-winning director and member of The Hill School’s class of 1964, addressed the Hill community yesterday and the graduating class, in particular. For photos and an account of the event, check out The Mercury article here.

Call for Artists: “Art on the Hill -The Pottstown Art Show”

The 3rd annual open juried event, “Art on the Hill-The Pottstown Art Show” is being presented by the Pottstown Area Artists Guild in collaboration with the Hill School Center for the Arts from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 9, 2013. The opening reception on May 31st from 5 – 9 pm is free, open to the public, and includes music, food, beverages and a 7 pm awards ceremony where the show’s outstanding artists will be recognized with prizes of over $1,000.

Awards are Best of Show ($250), First Place ($200), Second Place ($150), Third Place ($100), 6 Honorable Mention Awards ($50), Hill School/ Curators Choice Awards ($100), and Arthur & David Nuzzo Award for photography ($250). Ellen O. Nelson, The Hill School Boyer Gallery Coordinator and Art Department Chair, will be this year’s Juror.

The show is open to all area artists, both members and non-members. Artists may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork but the 3rdpiece must be $250 or less. All artwork must be for sale. Artwork can be delivered to The Boyer Gallery on Tuesday, May 28, from 2-7 pm and Wednesday, May 29, from 9 am- 12 pm.

New this year: In “Scenes of The Hill,” PAAG will designate a small section of the art show to art painted en plein air at The Hill and art that depicts The Hill School. Artists are also invited to paint en plein air during the week of the art show on The Hill School campus. Call BarbaraTschantre for more information about plein air painting at 610-764-7586.

Please visit the Pottstown Area Artists Guild website, www.paag.info, to view their prospectus for more information on artwork size requirements, cost to submit artwork, and other information.

The art show will be open daily 11 am to 4 pm from Saturday, June 1 through Sunday, June 9 at the Boyer Gallery in the Hill School Center for the Arts at Beech and Sheridan Streets in Pottstown, PA.

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