Tag: Arts

Ticket deadline tomorrow for Gallery School/Library Fundraiser

 Ticket Deadline for Fundraiser

The deadline to purchase your tickets for the Books and Brushes, Beef and Beer fundraiser is this Saturday, August 6. The proceeds benefit the Gallery School of Pottstown as well as the Pottstown Regional Public Library.  Tickets are only $20 and include great food, music and a fun night out. You can buy your ticket in person at the Gallery School (254 E. High St.), the Library (500 E. High St.), or online at http://www.galleryonhigh.com/fundraiser.html.  Please call 610-326-2506 with any questions.

Do you feel lucky? Every guest has a chance to win one of these great door prizes!

(1) Philips 10.4″ LCD Digital Photoframe (valued at $170)

(2) collectible leather-bound books

(3) gift certificates for bike tune-ups from Tri-County Bicycles (valued at $49 each)

(2) $50 gift certificates for Frecon Orchards (from the Pottstown Health & Wellness Foundation)

(1) $50 gift certificate from Weak Knee Home Brew

(1) $20 Wawa gift card

(1) $20 gift certificate to Achin’ Back Garden Shop

(2) $10 gift certificates to the Book Nook (the library’s used book store & coffee shop)

(1) Margarita Gift Basket

(1) Reader’s Gift Basket

(2) tickets for a performance of Pippin from Village Productions

. . . and more! We are still adding even more great door prizes.

Library and Gallery on High team up for fundraiser

The Gallery School of Pottstown and the Pottstown Regional Public Library are holding a joint fundraiser on Saturday, August 13 from 6-9 pm at the Ballroom on High. The Books and Brushes, Beef and Beer event will feature local food and businesses and benefit the programs and ongoing operations of the community art school and the library.

The theme for this event is “local.” Popular Pottstown restaurant Grumpy’s will be catering. The Ballroom, at 310 E. High St. next to The Farmers’ Market, is also the home to SwingKat Entertainment. Pottstown’s own radio station WPAZ will be creating the soundtrack for the event, so bring your dancing shoes!

Tickets are only $20 and include hot roast beef sandwiches, pasta and veggie salads, beer and soft drinks, and homemade desserts. There will also be vegetarian wrap sandwiches available. Guests can purchase their tickets online at www.galleryonhigh.org, or in person at the School at 254 E. High St. or the Library at 500 E. High St.

The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and gallery. 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. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.

Pottstown’s 4th of July makes Channel 6 News

Thanks to resident Debby Penrod for reporting that Pottstown’s long-standing Fourth of July celebration made the Channel 6 news. See the video here.

The comment near the end about the event being funded through private donations, rather than tax dollars, will surely strike locals as a skimming of the surface of the very real difficulty of funding the event. The many volunteers who make this and many other community events happen are to be commended for all their hard work and dedication throughout the years.  Unfortunately, it’s no longer business-as-usual for the private or public sectors. There’s got to be a new modelof broader and more innovative collaboration in order to keep these community events going — if they are to keep going at all.

Balloon lifts off

As part of the Heritage Action Plan process that took place this spring – the plan is in the final stages of being drafted – it was noted that Pottstown is the host for local and regional events just about every month out of the year.  See list below.

What does this have to do with raising money for the Fourth of July? The marketing of these events is left up to the individual organizations who run them. Pottstown, as the home of these events, does not “claim them” as their own, supplementing and coordinating with the existing marketing. Imagine the events on this list always being promoted together, wrapped up in a simple, cohesive branding message,  on the Borough, PDIDA, PACA and (eventually) PAID websites.

Pottstown would suddenly look like a place where something fun is always happening. Potential visitors would see the pattern and realize that there is fun and safe entertainment to be found in Pottstown on a regular basis. This is a crucial step (among many others) toward marketing Pottstown’s empty storefronts, industrial space and housing to newcomers — and this is where new donors, volunteers and organizational partners can be found to help keep traditional community events like the Fourth of July going. Donors, especially, want to feel like they are supporting not only a worthwhile cause but a “winning” cause.

Pottstown already has a winning line-up. It just needs to flesh out a couple months, come up with the message (speak with one voice!) and market the hell out of it. 

And just because I can’t help myself, here are a few ideas to toss onto the table:

January – continue the winter holiday spirit with Friday Night Lights downtown with literary readings, music and hot cider at multiple venues; bring in outside talent as well as locals, including students from all schools.

February – come up with a Valentine’s Day-themed event or weekend; schedule historical walking tours and coordinate with Pottsgrove Manor & Historical Society programming over Presidents’ weekend.

March – St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl (Brickhouse, Frankie & Johnnie’s, Pourhouse, Jack Cassidy’s)

April – Repent from Pub Crawl by focusing on Easter season events and holding historic church tours every weekend; add outdoor activities such as Schuylkill River bike and kayak tours every weekend.

November – Open up the holiday season with Pottstown Pie Festival. Re-claim Mrs. Smith and our pie-making heritage!!

Festivals/Special Events in Pottstown, by month

 January – Polar Bear Plunge

 February – ?

March – ?

 April – Easter/Cross Walk

 May – BMX National Event; Classic Car Show

 June– Schuylkill River Sojourn; Soap Box Derby; Volleyball Rumble; Summer Solstice/Dog Show; Classic Car Show

July – July 4th; Classic Car Show

August – Classic Car Show

 September – Carousel of Flavor; Open Doors; Classic Car Show

October –Schuylkill River Festival; Halloween Parade; Shiver on the River

 November – ?

December – Candlelight House Tour; Hometown Holiday Celebration

MOSAIC Community Land Trust & Gallery on High put out call to artists

MOSAIC, The Pottstown Community Land Trust and The Gallery on High are proud to announce an open call to artists for a juried logo design competition and exhibit.  The winning design will be selected as the logo for The Pottstown Community Land Trust, and $500 will be awarded to the artist. Submissions may be in 2D or 3D in any media; all submissions must include a mosaic-styled image and must be original to the artist submitting.

Pottstown is in the midst of revitalization. Its history is tied to the river, the steel industry, Mrs. Smith’s Pies and manufacturing. Charming 18th & 19th century architecture lines its streets. The ARTS and INNOVATION are key to the sustainability of Pottstown’s renaissance. Artists’ designs should bring out the many meanings of “mosaic” for Pottstown:

  • bringing together a multi-faceted, multi-hued community;
  • putting broken shards together to create a thing of beauty;
  • and recognizing the rough-around-the-edges nature ofPottstown’s past.

In exchange for the prize of $500 and recognition in a press release, the winning artist will relinquish his/her rights to the chosen image to the Pottstown Community Land Trust for them to use as their logo in their branding and marketing efforts. The show will be exhibited the week of September 2, 2011, and the winner will be announced on September 7 at a reception being held from 7-9PM. Other important dates, deadlines and entry forms are shown below.

After the announcement of the winner, The Gallery on High will invite the public to vote on their favorite “Mosaic” image. The “People’s Favorite” will be announced at Pottstown’s OPEN DOORS EVENT on September 10 at 2PM at the Gallery on High.

MOSAIC, The Pottstown Community Land Trust is a local non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing affordable homeownership opportunities inPottstown, developing a community garden at 423 Chestnut Street, and empowering residents to participate in the improvement of their own neighborhoods. Collaboration is the key to their efforts to create long-lasting change, and they are already partnering with local businesses, volunteers, Pottstown School District, Pottstown Borough and other community organizations, such as The Gallery and Genesis Housing Corporation. For the past six months, MOSAIC has been working with a nationally-recognized expert in community land trusts, thanks to a grant from National Penn Bank. For more information, check out their website: PottstownCLT.wordpress.com

Important info for MOSAIC artists

Registration Form

Inventory Sheet

Drop off of art/entries:  Monday, August 29 from 11 AM-1 PM and from 6-8 PM

Exhibit dates: September 2 – 10 at The Gallery on High

Reception:  Wednesday, September 7 from 7-9 PM

Pick-up of art:  Monday, September 12 from 6-7:30 PM or Tuesday September 13 from 11 AM-1 PM

What’s on tap in Pottstown – June 24

Bees, Butterflies, Beaches and Bridges: The Gallery On High’s Summer Member Show Is running now through August 13th. The Gallery on High is located at254 E. High Street. Their hours are: Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 4:30pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm. They’re closed on Sunday and Monday. For more info, visit their website: www. GalleryonHigh.com.

This next event might not be right in Pottstown, but if you’re in the mood for some good, old-fashioned polka fun, oldies, country, big band music – whatever – get yourself over to the band shell at Sanatoga Park for the Bill Koss Combo, this Sunday night, June 26th, beginning at 6 pm. I have to give a shout-out to the Kosses because my dad used to play trumpet at gigs with their founder “Itchy” Koss when I was growing up. And the Positively Pottstown blog featured Sanatoga Park in last fall’s Parks & Rec Series, sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. Lower Pottsgrove puts on a 6-week summer concert series at Sanatoga Park with Exelon Nuclear again sponsoring this year. For the whole line-up, check out the Township’s website at www.lowerpottsgrove.org.

Next Thursday, June 30, the Pottstown Regional Public Library will host a performance of the Ill Style and Peace Dance Troupe. The event starts at 4 pm and is open to all. The Library is at500 E High St. See their website for more news about this and other summer events and programming for all ages. Their website is www.ppl.mclinc.org

When you’re ready to unwind on this Saturday night or any Saturday night, head on over to Sunnybrook Ballroom for their weekly “Hot Summer Nights” at The Tiki Hut. There are drink specials, music and dancing for the 21 and over crowd. Sunnybrook is located at 50 N. Sunnybrook Rd, Pottstown. Check out all their upcoming music and entertainment at www.sunnybrookballroom.net.

Pottstown calendar highlights for the coming week

Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure has opened at Tri-County Peforming Arts Center. I saw the preview performance last night, and it is just spectacular! Children will be enchanted by the flying characters; P.J. Schweizer, who plays Peter Pan, is spot-on and full of mischievous energy througout; and Maddie Aicher, who plays Wendy, has got just the most angelic voice I’ve heard in a long time. The show runs Thursday through Sundays up until June 19. TriPAc is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. This is a new version of Peter Pan and TriPaC is hosting the U. S. Premier. NY critics will be here to check it out. If it moves to Broadway, you’ll be able to say you saw it first… in Pottstown, PA! There’s be an opening night reception tonight, Friday, June 3rd.  Go to TrIPAC.org to order tickets online. Prices are always discounted for students and seniors.

 Tonight is also the opening of The Pottstown Art Show, presented by the Pottstown Area Artists Guild and The Hill School Center for the Arts. The show will be at the Hill’s Boyer Gallery until June 12. This is PAAG’s first juried show, which will raise funds for scholarships for local students who will pursue the arts in college. The PAAG is in its 51st year. See the Artists Guild website at www. Paag.info for more details.

Get a great deal on used books at the Pottstown Regional Public Library‘s Back Door Book Sale today and tomorrow! The library is at 500 E. High Street; the phone number is (610) 970-6551.

This weekend brings the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life to Pottsgrove High School.  Pottstown’s relay for Life teams raise more money than any other area in Pennsylvania and is one of the top performers in the world, last year raising more than $729,000 to fight cancer. The opening ceremony is at 10 am on Saturday, followed by the Survivor and Caregiver Walk. There are other ceremonies in the evening. See Rosemary Keane’s blog post from earlier today for more details.

For the children of Pottstown, a new and exciting event is being held this Saturday from 12-3 in the new Chestnut Street Park at the corner of Chestnut and Washington Streets. It’s called Science in the Park and it promises fun hands-on activities that will get your kids learning new concepts and maybe even wanting to grow up to be a scientist or engineer!  There will be demonstrations on Kitchen Chemistry, Slime and polymers, rocks and minerals and chemical reactions.  A huge shout-out to Pottstown resident Anna Johnson for bringing this wonderful idea to life! More info can be found at vivapottstown.com.

The professional chamber ensemble CANTATICA will return to Emmanuel Lutheran Church,150 North Hanover Street, Pottstown for the final concert of its 2010-2011 concert season on Sunday, June 5, at 4:00 PM. The program, I Hear America Singing: A Celebration of the American Spirit, will feature solo voices, chamber choir and instruments (clarinet, violin, cello, bass and piano) performing early American hymns, Shaker songs, Afro-American spirituals, Appalachian folk songs and fiddle tunes, contemporary classical settings of Civil War texts, and classic jazz. Admission to I Hear America Singing: A Celebration of the American Spirit is $14 Adults, $12 Seniors, and $6 Students. Tickets may be purchased by email at info@cantatica.org, by telephone at 484-951-5113 and at the door.  

Finally, next Thursday, June 9th Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County is holding a Homeownership Orientation Session from 6:30 PM — 8:30 PM at 450 High Street  in the Sidney Pollack Building across the street from the Pottstown Library. For more info, call Jean Ford, Family Services Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity 610-278-7710.

Peter Pan previews tonight at TriPAC

PETER PAN FLIES TO POTTSTOWN!

 The U.S. Premiere of a new version of Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure previews tonight, June 2,  at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown.

Sir James Barrie’s timeless tale of the boy who never grew up is reborn as a spectacular musical by Britain’s Drewe & Stiles with favorite friends Tinker Bell, Wendy, John, Michael, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lilly, and of course, Captain Hook and his band of Pirates!  

The cast includes PJ Schweizer, Madison Aicher, Rebecca Shoemaker, Joe Cieresi, AJ Giruzzi, Connor Kirk, Jason Burke, William Bell, Isabella Rota-Talarico, Emma Russek, Sam Pettine, Josiah Swensen, David Helmer, Ben Williams, AJ Sermarini, Charlie Harrison, Ben Fried, Marc Sherfield, Michael Kiesling, Matt Kiesling, Harrison Stengle, Cletus Stell, Maggie Swahl, Sami Kolb, Taylor Helmers, Patrick Shepherd, Carly Fried, Carrie Thorwarth, Karissa Smith, Sara Helmers, Philip Seader, Adele Morello, Jordan Popky, Lynn Cooper, Madison Devlin, and Al Ulozas.

Here’s what others are saying about Peter Pan: “[A] winner for both adults and children…a truly magical world come to life before our eyes.”– Reviews Gate.com. “The tunes escalate the magic…and makes the already brilliant JM Barrie story all the more sublime.”– Yorkshire Evening Post.

Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure runs June 2-19. It’s the U.S. Premiere of the new version from the creative team behind the Broadway blockbuster, Mary Poppins. Tickets are on sale now at www.tripac.org.  Ticket prices for Thursday performances are $13 for children 12 and under, $17 for students and seniors (65+), and $19 for adults.  Ticket prices for Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows are $15 for children 12 and under, $21 for students and seniors, and $23 for adults.  Groups of 10 or more receive $2 off per ticket when purchased in a single transaction.  Advance ticket sales have been brisk, so get your tickets now! 

ABOUT VILLAGE PRODUCTIONS

Village Productions (the Tri-County Performing Arts Center) is a dynamic non-profit performing arts organization founded in 2001 to make the arts highly accessible to all in the community. Established and led by dedicated team of performing artists, arts educators, business leaders, and area residents, Village Productions seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and educational opportunities geared toward a diverse audience. More information is available at www.tripac.org

Pottstown News from Post papers

Why re-invent the wheel? Below are two links from the Post papers that showed up in my inbox this morning. One article reports on the success of yesterday’s Memorial Day parade, replete with great photos. The second article tells about the extended deadline for registering for summer art classes at The Gallery School in downtown Pottstown. Thanks, Joe Zlomek!

The Sanatoga Post: Sanatogans Honor Their Fallen in Memorial Ceremonies

The Pottstown Post: Time Extended for Pottstown Arts Class Enrollment

Free Art Program for Cancer Patients Receives Funding from Hill School

The Gallery School of Pottstown is proud to announce their Healing Arts program has received a grant from the Hill School Student Philanthropy Council. The Healing Arts Program offers free art programs to those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Participants can choose any of the School’s scheduled 2011 summer classes in topics from pottery and drawing to glass fusing and painting. Visit www.galleryonhigh.org for complete class details, and to download an application for the program. Applicants may also call 610-326-2506 for more information.

Acceptance in the Healing Arts program is on a first come, first served basis, and there are a limited number of spaces available. Also available through this program is a brand new Fiber Exploration Class. This class is available to support groups as a fun group activity. Participants will try their hand at spinning their own yarn and will work on a cooperative weaving project. Their final woven piece will be framed and presented to the group after their class. No experience in the fiber arts is necessary–just a willingness to try new things. Please call or email the Gallery School for more details and to schedule. A very limited number of classes are available

Healing Arts is sponsored by the Hill School Student Philosophy Council. The Student Philanthropy Council, first launched in October 2008, was created by Charles A. Frank, III, Hill School Class of ’59 and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Betty. The program allows Hill students to learn about the value and processes of philanthropy. In addition, the program provides funding to Pottstown nonprofit organizations with strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the health and overall wellness of area families and communities.

The Gallery School of Pottstown is a 501c3 non-profit community art school and gallery. 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. The Gallery on High hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The Gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.

The Gallery School of Pottstown
@ Gallery on High
254 E. High St.
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-326-2506
www.galleryonhigh.org

Tri-County for A Cure Video Project

The weekend is finally almost here for Yoga on the Steps, which benefits the amazing organization: Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  In case you weren’t able to attend our last Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour and you haven’t seen this video circulating around the internet (especially on facebook), here’s the culmination of some fun ideas, a lot of great participation by local business owners and leaders, and the talent of a certain photographer, Melia Rios-Lazo of Priceless Moments

Owner of High Street Yoga and the creative force behind the video, Barbara Kosciewicz offered her thoughts today about the video.  She writes of the project:

Throughout the long winter, during each class someone would comment or giggle about a certain pose we could do in a location in Pottstown.  We dreamed for spring to come and decided it would be our spring project.   Before long, the idea began to grow and evolve into raising awareness and funds for our Yoga team Tri-County for a Cure that is attending Yoga on the Steps on Sunday May 15th. Suddenly the project became much  greater than ourselves and became something both fun and meaningful

You can read the rest of her thoughts on her blog, Yoga Wisdom for Everyday, which is also a Mercury Town Square Blog. 

There is still time to get involved with Yoga on the Steps:  you can donate to the Tri-County for a Cure team or even sign up to participate on Sunday.  Just visit www.yogaonthesteps.org to get the details.

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