Grace Lutheran Pre-School hosts Craft Fair this Saturday

Come join Grace Lutheran Preschool for a Vendor/Craft Fair on Saturday, November 10th from 9:00am -2:00pm.

Vendors include: Pampered Chef, Close to My Heart, Two Birds, OneSewn; Autism Speaks, Thirty One, InCare RX, It Works!, Origami Owl, and Silpada Designs.

These are just a few of the vendors that will be at this event.

Food will be available for purchase.

Begin your Christmas shopping early and support the Grace Lutheran Preschool!

 Grace Lutheran Preschool is located at 660 North Charlotte Street in the North End of Pottstown.  There is plenty of free parking in their lot.

 

Dec. 9th Zumba Master Class to benefit Pottstown Olivet Boys & Girls Club

SAVE THE DATE!

On Sunday, December 9th from 1-3 pm, Remi and Star are hosting a Charity Zumba Master class at The Ballroom on High to benefit Pottstown youth! The 2-hour Zumba party that day will benefit the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Pottstown Chapter.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THIS ZUMBATHON CHARITY EVENT! CHECK OUT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Remi and Star believe in giving back to the community that has supported a Salsa and Zumba program for 4 years. This is why this Zumbathon charity event is so important for them – because they feel they are contributing to the future of their town. They are making a difference and so can you.Doors open at 12:30 pm. Zumba class will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You can dance as much or as little as you like. You do not have to dance the entire event.

Tickets sold in class $15 in advance/$20 at the door. If you cannot attend, but would like to make a donation, please contact Star or Remi.The Olivet Boys & Girls Club programs address Pottstown’s most pressing youth issues, each one focusing on teaching youth the skills they need to succeed in life. They fall under five main areas: Character and Leadership Development; the Arts; Education and Career Development; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; and Health and Life Skills.

Through their programs, they are helping to empower the youth of Pottstown to make positive choices in their lives and resist negative influences. Check out what they have to offer: http://www.olivetbgc.org/programs.htm

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADVANCED ZUMBATHON TICKETS, SEE REMI OR STAR AT ANY OF THEIR ZUMBA CLASSES AT THE BALLROOM ON HIGH. Same goes for donating a door prize to this event. CLASSES ARE MONDAYS AT 6 PM, THURSDAYS AT 7 PM, AND SATURDAYS AT 10 AM.

75% of your ticket fee is donated to Olivet Boys and Girls Club.

Donations of any amount will be happily accepted too. For now, help spread the word!

Public information meetings to be held for historic African Union Church of South Coventry

Have you ever heard of The Friends of the African Union Church of South Coventry (FAUCSC)?   In 2010, FAUCSC was established as a non-profit to preserve the remnants of an historic African-American church and cemetery that had been abandoned many years ago on Coventryville Road in South Coventry.

They are working to increase interest in their preservation  project as well as increase the public awareness surrounding the importance of the site.  They are also raising funds for their Restoring Dignity: Historic Marker and Fence Campaign. They have set a goal of raising $15,000 for:

-Sign to identify the site and provide basic information
-Fencing to identify the locations of the graves
-Entrance steps and walking path

You can visit them on the web at http://www.faucsc.org/ to learn more or make a donation.

Artist’s rendering by Susan Donmoyer

FAUCSC will host two public information meetings at the South Coventry township building on Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, November 10 at 10:00am.

Members of the FAUCSC will discuss their work to preserve the early 19th-Century church and cemetery located in the township. Residents and anyone interested in local history are invited to attend.

There are some photos and some more information in this Mercury article  by Brandie Kessler about 2012 Earth Day activities in the area. You can also visit www.faucsc.org to learn more.

Documentary on “green building” to be screened on Election Day at Grace Lutheran

This Tuesday, November 6th at 7:00 PM, you can view the award-winning documentary, “The Greenest Building,” at The Lounge at Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte Street in Pottstown. A discussion will follow.


Tuesday is Election Day! After casting your VOTE, why not check out this hour-long documentary? It is narrated by David Ogden Stiers.

The Greenest Building explores the myth that a “green building” is a new building and demonstrates how renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures can fully achieve the sustainability movement’s “triple bottom line” – economic, social, and ecological balance.  Check out this trailer.


*There will be information about running for Ward Representative to fill Borough Council seats in next year’s elections. Members of a new “Reform Movement” in Pottstown will be on hand to discuss how to get involved and run on the issues facing Pottstown, not on party affiliation.*

See Phillie Phanatic in Pottstown’s Halloween parade tonight!

According to The Mercury, the Phillie Phanatic will be at tonight’s Halloween Parade, which begins at 7 pm at Goodwill Fire Company and ends at Borough Hall. (Goodwill is at 714 E. High Street.)

Other entertainment includes the Boyertown Alumni Band and  the Pottstown and Pottsgrove middle and high school marching bands.

Everyone in the Pottstown region is invited to come out, watch, and participate in this SPOOKTACULAR hometown event!

Resisting peer pressure: Program set for Oct. 27th at Olivet Boys & Girls Club

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club is located at the Richard J. Ricketts Center,

640 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Book Signing at ArtFusion 19464 this Saturday

 MOSAIC Community Land Trust and ArtFusion 19464 have teamed up to host Ralph E. Godbolt, author of Kickin’ the Ballistics:  Reflections on the Hip Hop Generation, Poverty and Power. He will speak this Saturday night at ArtFusion, formerly the Gallery on High. 

Author Ralph Godbolt will discuss his book and the realities of urban violence, the high school drop out crisis, misogyny, the war on drugs, sexual orientation and the Hip Hop Generation in the aftermath of the American Civil Rights Movement. “He takes aim at generations of harsh public policies, unequal access to opportunity and discriminatory practices that has led to a generational cycle of poverty, violence, addiction, under education and unemployment in America’s urban centers by using Hip Hop culture and rap music as a means to communicate the deep despair, but enduring faith of young urban Americans.”

The book signing and talk will take place this Saturday, October 20th, 7– 9 PM at 254 E. High St., Pottstown, Pa. Light refreshments will Be Served.  A portion of the proceeds from each book sold will be donated to both  MOSAIC and ArtFusion.

MCCC To Host Program on Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention

This comes to us from Montgomery County Community College

In partnership with the Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will screen “Speak Out and Stand Up,” a 25-minute video and program about the serious topic of sexual assault. A discussion panel, comprised of law enforcement, probation, parole and health and victim advocates, will follow the video.

The program will take place this Thursday, Oct. 11 from 12:45-2 p.m. at MCCC’s West Campus, South Hall Community Room, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. The program is free and open to the public.

Hosted by “Twilight” actress Kristen Stewart, “Speak Out and Stand Up” will raise dialogue about sexual assault as a community issue. The docudrama includes diverse student voices and experts in the field of sexual assault. Dramatized scenes highlight the impact of sexual assault on the victim, as well as the important roles of friends and bystanders.

The program is part of a collaborative effort among the following organizations: Montgomery County Adult Probation and Parole Department, Montgomery County Juvenile Probation Department, Pottstown and Whitpain Township Police departments, Victim Services of Montgomery County, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Resources for Human Development, Magellan Health Services, and Montgomery County Community College.

For more information, call MCCC’s Director of Health & Wellness at 215-641-6606 or Office of Public Safety at 215-641-6604.

Calling all singers, musicians & actors in grades 9-12: Win $1,000!

The Rotary Club of Pottstown has teamed up with the support of the Steel River Playhouse and The High Street Music Company to sponsor a special talent competition.

The Rotary Club is seeking students from grades 9 through 12 to participate in the competition, which will be held Nov. 9. There will be three performance categories in which students can compete – vocal, instrumental and acting. Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012.

Students from Pottstown and all of the surrounding school districts, public, private and parochial schools are eligible and invited to participate in this event. Entry is free.

The Rotary Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship to the winner in each category. Honorable mention awards sponsored by the Steel River Playhouse and the High Street Music Company will also be presented.

For an application and the performing guidelines, please go to The Rotary Club of Pottstown’s website at: www.pottstownrotary.org. You can also see the details below. Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012.

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pottstown

Nov. 2, 2012through Nov. 9, 2012

For Students in Grades 9 through 12

ELIGIBILITY

The scholarship competition is open to all students in Grades 9 through 12, including homeschoolers of applicable age.

HOW TO ENTER/DEADLINES

Audition appointments are strongly encouraged by submission of your Entry Form no later than October 15, 2012 to: Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905. Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows. All entrants much submit a completed Entry Form, including parent/legal guardian signature if under 18, in order to participate in the competition.

 

AWARDS

$1,000 Instrumental Music Scholarship

$1,000 Vocal Scholarship

$1,000 Drama Scholarship.

Runner-Ups will receive prized sponsored by the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-PAC ) and High Street Music.

Note: Scholarship money must be used for performing arts education with any private instructor, group class, summer camp program, or college coursework.

DATES/TIMES/LOCATION

Both the Preliminary Auditions and Finals will be held at the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center), 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Audition appointments are strongly encouraged and will be assigned after submission of your Entry Form.  Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows. After completion of the Preliminary Auditions, a select number of entrants will be invited to participate in the Public Presentation to compete for scholarships and other awards.

All entrants are invited to attend the Public Presentation free of charge, and will have the opportunity to receive direct feedback from the evaluators immediately following the event.

Preliminary Auditions (Entrants need only be present at one of the specified days for audition):

Friday, November 2, 2012 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)

Saturday, November 3, 2012 (2:30 – 6:00 pm)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (6:00 – 9:00 pm)

Public Presentation (Finals): Friday, November 9, 2012 (7:00 – 10:00 pm)

Admission $8

Note: admission is free of charge for all students who participated in the competition, and for children age 12 and under.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The scholarship competition is open to solo artists only; no group numbers please. Rules for each category are listed below. All entrants may bring a headshot or recent photo, or we will take your photo on arrival. You may also bring a typed resume listing your training and experience, although this is not required. BE PREPARED FOR AN INTERVIEW IN THEIR PRELIMINARY AUDITION, AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE DIRECTION TO SEE IF YOU CAN LISTEN AND ARE DIRECTABLE.

ocal: Perform 32 bars (not including intro measures) of a ballad from any musical genre/style (e.g., Broadway, jazz, pop, country, classical); however, be prepared to perform more if requested by the evaluators. Your selection must be memorized.  You may bring your own accompanist. Alternatively, a CD player will be available to you. If using the accompanist, bring one copy of your sheet music in the correct key, with all cuts or repetitions clearly marked.  If using a CD player or other electronic devices, you may bring a track with instrumental music only (no vocals). A cappella singing is not permitted. Recommended: bring a second copy of your sheet music for the evaluators.

Acting: Perform 1 contemporary monologue of any type, memorized, maximum of 90 seconds. Please do not perform works of Shakespeare or his friends (contemporaries). Hand props are permitted but no full costumes or set pieces. 2 chairs will be available for use (please don’t stand on or throw the chairs as part of your presentation). Be prepared to answer questions about your monologue.

Instrumental: Perform 32 bars of music from any genre/style; however, be prepared to play more if requested by the evaluators. Your selection must be memorized. Although only the soloist will be evaluated, you may bring up to 2 additional instrumentalists as accompaniment for your solo work, or you may bring a music track. No vocals are permitted and any instrumental accompaniment must be a different instrument than that of the soloist. A CD player and a 2-plug outlet will be made available.

 

EVALUATION PROCESS

 Preliminary Auditions: Entrants will be evaluated during the preliminary auditions by instructors and staff of the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center) and High Street Music using a standardized evaluation form, in order to determine who will progress to the Final Presentations. Rooms will be provided for you to warm up and change your clothes, if needed. Preliminary auditions are closed to the public. Finalists will be announced via email or website posting upon completion of the all Preliminary Auditions, no later than Thursday morning, November 8, 2012. All entrants are encouraged to attend the Final Presentations to support their fellow students, receive direct feedback and written evaluations, and enjoy a special reception in honor of their participation in the competition.

Final Presentations: Finalists will perform their complete audition pieces for the public and for evaluators on Friday, November 9, 2012, starting at 7:00 pm. Finalists are asked to report no later than 6:00 pm that evening, to prepare. Rooms will be provided for you to warm up and change your clothes, if needed. Presentations will be grouped in the following order: (1) instrumental, (2) monologue, and (3) vocal. Finalists must perform the same piece and wear the same attire as presented during the Preliminary Auditions. Evaluators for the Final Presentation may include the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-PAC ) and High Street Music instructors and staff, and/or may include other professional artists and instructors from the area. There will be a brief intermission after each category of finalists, so that evaluators may confer. Scholarships winners for all categories will be announced at the end of the evening, after all finalists have presented their work.

PREPARATION AND AUDITION TIPS

  • What you wear matters! Think about how your outfit enhances your overall presentation.
  • Choose material that is appropriate for your age and prepare thoroughly. Seek assistance from your teachers, choir and band directors, or others in the community who can provide help.
  • Actors – make sure your monologue is from a published work, and read the complete work to understand the context. Do not use a teen monologue book.
  • Vocalists – choose work that sits well within your vocal range and shows your best singing technique.
  • When entering the room, wait until the evaluators have completed their notes from the prior candidate before introducing yourself and your piece. Vocalists and Instrumentalists should confer with the accompanist or set up their CD or instrumental accompaniment immediately upon entering the room, in order to be completely set up before addressing the evaluators.
  • When performing, don’t look directly at the evaluators (it can make them uncomfortable). They will be listening and taking notes, and are not part of your performance.
  • Don’t offer to shake the hand of the accompanist or evaluators unless they offer it first.
  • Once the audition is over, thank the evaluators and the accompanist before leaving the room.

On-line Assistance: Please take a look at these websites and research others to learn more about selecting audition material and audition etiquette. Also you can check out sheet music websites to find music for your song choice (make sure it’s in the right key!), and can find a variety of karaoke instrumental tracks on Youtube.

http://theatre.psu.edu/programs/mt/auditiontips

http://www.drama.cmu.edu/news/view/67

http://youngadults.about.com/od/collegeprep/a/auditions.htm

http://www.oberlin.edu/career/students/documents/AuditionsGuide6.09.pdf

Application below:

Please print and submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012 to: 

Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905.  

ROTARY CLUB OF POTTSTOWN

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

ENTRY FORM

Nov. 2, 2012through Nov. 9, 2012

For Students in Grades 9 through 12

 Student Name: Phone:
 Address:
 Email:
Birth Date (include year): Current Age: Current Grade:
 Current Performing Arts Instructor/s:
 Emergency Contact:
Address: Phone:

Competition Category: Please check the talent category(ies) in which you wish to compete. Refer to Competition rules for a complete understanding of the categories before selecting.

 

Voice: Acting (monologue) Instrumental:

Brief Description of Your Talent and Skills: (for example, type of instrument, number of years, type of training and performance experience, if any:

Audition Date: Preliminary Auditions take place Friday, November 2, 2012 (4:00 – 7:00 pm), Saturday, November 3, 2012 (2:30 – 6:00 pm), and Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (6:00 – 9:00 pm) at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA . There are a limited number of audition slots for each category. Audition appointments are strongly encouraged by submission of your Entry Form no later than October 15, 2012. Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows.

Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choice for an audition date and time (allow for at least 1 hour of availability in case of audition delays). You will be notified of your audition time by email.

1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

Note: the Public Presentation (Finals) will take place Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 (7:00 – 10:00 pm) at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA . All entrants are encouraged to attend the Final Presentations to support their fellow students, receive direct feedback and written evaluations, and enjoy a special reception in honor of their participation in the competition.

Permission to Compete (required for students under age 18):

 

I,                                                                             as parent/legal guardian of the above-named minor, do hereby give my permission for said minor to participate in the Rotary of Pottstown Performing Arts Scholarship Competition.

Name (print): Phone:
Signature: Email:

Representation and Release: By signing below (or by Parent or Legal Guardian signing below, in the case of a minor, on both the Parent’s or Legal Guardian’s as well as the minor child’s behalf), I agree to the following:

In consideration of the Rotary Club of Pottstown, the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Village Productions (Tri-PAC), and High Street Music (separately and collectively referred to as the “Parties”) allowing me to compete in the Rotary Club of Pottstown Performing Arts Scholarship Competition (the “Event”), I hereby agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Parties (and their officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and Board members), from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and including any injury to myself or another party, associated with my participation in the Event (including but not limited to those arising in connection with use of any facilities, as well as those arising from a third party due to my own conduct). I hereby authorize the Parties to use any photographs and/or media recordings in which I appear, for any purpose including but not limited to promotional purposes and release via the internet and/or other media outlets, without further notice, permission, or compensation. I hereby grant the Parties (and their officers, employees, agents, volunteers, independent contractors, and Board members), permission, in their discretion, to release medical information to the program staff or others deemed necessary and in my interests, and to seek and authorize emergency medical treatment for me, and I hereby agree to assume all medical costs incurred. I hereby agree to abide by all the rules of this competition, and acknowledge that all decisions of the Evaluators are final.  I further agree that if any part of this agreement is found by a court or other appropriate authority to be invalid, the remainder of the agreement nevertheless will remain in full force and effect. I further acknowledge that I have read and understood this Representation and Release, and voluntarily agree to be legally bound by its terms.

Signature of Student: Date:
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian (for students under age 18):
Date:

Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012 to: 

Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905.  

LASER LIGHT SHOW AND GHOSTS AT POTTSTOWN LIBRARY this Thursday night

Check out this fun and spooky event coming up this Thursday night at the Pottstown library at 500 E. High Street… from Leslie Stillings, Director of Youth Services.

On a chilly autumn night in a dark library, the Pottstown Regional Public Library will be hosting a ghost storyteller and Laser Light show on Thursday, October 4 from 7-9 pm. Charles Adams III, famed author of numerous East Coast ghost story books will be telling tales and signing copies in this Laser and Legends event. Also, Wondergy will be performing a Laser Light Show set to the music of “Thriller” and various artists.

This is an event that will entertain and enthrall.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children.  The Laser Show and Ghost stories by Charles Adams III will be a great way to spend an evening out. Proceeds benefit the youth department of the Pottstown Regional Public Library.  Tickets are available ahead of time or at the door.  For more information, contact the Pottstown Regional Public Library:

500 E. High Street
Pottstown, Pa. 19464

Phone: 610-970-6551

Fax: 610-970-6553

E-mail: pottstownlibrary@mclinc.org

Website: ppl.mclinc.org

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/prplibrary?ref=ts

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