Monthly Archives: April 2017
Lehigh Valley Arts Council – Arts Alive Series!
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Join us in exploring the “intimacy of space” as imagined by a landscape architect, captured in a musical salon, and depicted in the wearable art of a metalsmith. Expand your appreciation for the arts by attending one (or all three) of our Arts Alive offerings! Members Enjoy a Discount with Arts Alive Series TicketEnjoy all three 2017 Arts Alive events for the price of $60 (savings of $15)! |
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How Does Your Garden Show?Saturday, April 29, 2017 |
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Music of FriendsSaturday, June 17, 2017 |
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Wearable SculptureSunday, October 15, 2017 |
ArtFusion 19464 Announces Addition Of New Staff
Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce that Laura Cousins-Washington has joined their staff as Development Coordinator of the Beech Street Factory Community Programs. As Development Coordinator, Washington is responsible for identifying and engaging the nonprofit organization’s local business and community partners, members and their families, and other funders and constituents to build and maintain a broad and growing base of annual support, grant funding, and endowment funding.
Executive Director and Co-Founder Erika-Hornburg Cooper said: “We are so happy to welcome Laura officially as staff. We know she will have a big impact on our future, helping ArtFusion 19464 to grow and transition our educational programming to a new facility in the Beech St. Factory.”
Previously Laura Cousins-Washington worked as Garden Manager of MOSAIC Community Land Trust Community Gardens, located in the Borough of Pottstown, for the past four years. Her goal at MOSAIC was to engage families, volunteers and supporters in order to spread the word about gardening, fitness, healthy eating and healthy lifestyles choices. Washington has overseen the development of two community gardens located on Chestnut Street and one permaculture garden located on Walnut Street. She is also a personal fitness trainer at Pottstown Athletic Club and Body Go Fitness and works as the coordinator for Schuylkill River Athletics. Washington has a good understanding the needs of the community as it relates to empowering individuals. Washington coaches children and adults of all ages throughout the year in personal fitness, gardening/nutrition and in making healthier, long-term behavior changes.
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 19464’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. Classes do run outside of gallery hours.
Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre Embarks On 37th Theatrical Season
Allentown, PA — Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre at Muhlenberg College announces the lineup for its 37th summer season. The season will feature the revolutionary rock musical “Hair,” the classic “My Fair Lady,” and “Wild,” a new modern circus production for all ages.
“Hair” opens the season, running June 14 – July 2. A celebration of freewheeling 1960s youth counterculture, “Hair” commemorates the 50th anniversary of its original Broadway run.
“My Fair Lady,” running July 12-30, was the 1957 Tony Award-winning Best Musical. Lerner and Loewe’s beloved musical features a score that includes such standards as “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain in Spain.”
“Wild,” running June 28 – July 29, is a world premiere modern circus performance for audiences of all ages, featuring aerial acrobatics, clowning, spectacle, and a touch of magic. The show is recommended for adults and children ages 3 and older.
A free 45-minute circus-themed activity workshop follows each performance of “Wild.” Participation is limited, and advance registration through the box office is recommended. Evening workshops will focus on circus skills for all ages. Daytime workshops are geared toward children and will focus on storytelling and play through circus activities.
Tickets and information are available at muhlenberg.edu/SMT and 484-664-3333.
Join the Age of Aquarius and celebrate the freewheeling counterculture of the 1960s in “Hair.” Passionate, outspoken Claude must choose between submitting to the draft and continuing to fight the establishment through pacifist lifestyle. Joining him is a “tribe” of non-conformists who believe in the power of free speech and free love as they groove to the music, including beloved 1960s hits “Good Morning Starshine” and “Let the Sunshine In.” Director James Peck returns to MSMT following last season’s production of “In the Heights.” He is reunited with musical director Ed Bara and choreographer Samuel Antonio Reyes.
“My Fair Lady” tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl in training to become a lady of society. At first, her lessons with phonetics professor Henry Higgins could not be more frustrating, but their squabbles eventually foster an unlikely partnership — Eliza and Higgins realize they have a lot to learn from each other. MSMT founding artistic director Charles Richter will direct the production. Ed Bara serves as musical director, and Karen Dearborn choreographs.
Atlas Circus Company’s world-premiere modern circus production “Wild” presents the story of a boy who runs away on an adventure through the unknown. Throughout his journey, he meets unusual characters that teach him about love, family, and what it means to be home. The show is designed for audiences of all ages, and incorporates elements of aerial acrobatics, juggling, magic, dance, theater, and clowning.
Relaxed performances of “Wild” will be presented on Saturday, July 8th at 10 am and Thursday, July 13th at 1 pm. The relaxed performances will be followed by an interactive workshop. Relaxed performances are designed for children with autism and other sensory challenges. At these performances, sound levels are reduced, and startling sounds are avoided; lights remain on at a low level during performance, and strobes and other flashy lights are omitted; patrons are free to talk or leave their seats during the show; and attendance is limited. Social stories will be available in advance from the MSMT website and the theater staff and cast will receive special training in meeting the needs of patrons with autism and sensory issues.
Audio Description and Open Captioning will be available for all three productions: “Hair” on Sunday, June 25; “My Fair Lady” on Sunday, July 23; and “Wild” on Thursday, July 20, at 10 a.m. Call 484-664-3087 for tickets in the accessible section of these performances.
“Hair” runs June 14 – July 2; “My Fair Lady” runs July 12-30. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices for both “Hair” and “My Fair Lady” are as follows. For the first four performances: $35 regular admission; seniors, $31; students and children, $20. For the rest of the performances: $41 regular admission; seniors, $37; students and children, $24.
“Wild” runs June 28 through July 29. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. All tickets to “Wild” are $11 for the first week of performances and $13 for remaining performances.
Subscriptions and group rates are available at a discount. Contact the box office or refer to the website for details.
Tickets and information are available at www.muhlenberg.edu/SMT or 484-664-3333.
‘The Cherry Orchard’ At Muhlenberg
ALLENTOWN, PA — Anton Chekhov’s prescient drama “The Cherry Orchard” will soon take the stage at Muhlenberg College, illuminating the class struggles that permeated early 20th century Russia — which, in turn, illuminate the class struggles of today.
“‘The Cherry Orchard’ captures the full complexity of progress and what it means to live through changing times,” says director and Muhlenberg theater faculty member Matthew Moore. “It is at the same time ordinary and supremely poetic.”
The Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance Department will present “The Cherry Orchard,” in a new version by American playwright Stephen Karam, in the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, April 26-29.
“I think the play is ultimately about the human condition and our resilience in the face of life’s disappointments,” says Holly Cate, another theater faculty member, who plays the role of Lyubov Ranevskaya.
As Russia hurtles toward revolution at the start of the 20th century, a widowed aristocrat returns home after years abroad to her family’s estate, which is on the verge of financial ruin. Faced with the prospect of losing their beautiful cherry orchard and the world it seemed to represent, she and her brother cast about for a path forward — but they are too deeply immersed in memories and lost dreams of their youth to take control of their shifting fortunes.
A bittersweet story of love, loss, and social change, Chekhov’s last play offers a rich tapestry of characters, interwoven with poignant nostalgia and wry commentary on a society on the brink of upheaval.
“Chekhov plainly foresaw the coming revolution,” Moore says. “His characters encounter the coming change with different attitudes — some with naive optimism, some with an entrepreneurial spirit, some in mourning.”
Moore believes the anxieties at the heart of this play are contemporary.
“This feels like today’s America in many respects,” Moore says. “It’s hard to know if things are getting better or if everything’s going to hell in a handbasket. Progress and catastrophe seem intertwined.”
One of Russia’s best-known playwrights, Chekhov wrote “The Cherry Orchard in 1903. It premiered in Moscow the following year, after his death, helmed by renowned director and theatrical innovator Konstantin Stanislavski.
Chekhov pioneered theatrical naturalism — having his actors perform the everyday instead of the fantastic; the Russian public was used to romanticism, in which a more fantastical style of performance was much more common. Chekhov wanted audiences to experience honesty and realism when they came to the theater.
“The idea that nothing happens in Chekhov’s plays is totally false. Everything happens,” says Cate. “It’s life onstage. Affairs begin and end, familial relationships are torn and then repaired, people die, they are mourned, and communities rebuild.”
While Chekhov incorporated elements of his own life into all of his work, “The Cherry Orchard” is his most autobiographical play. When he was a teenager, his family’s beloved cherry orchard was cut down — his mother was tricked by contractors into selling the family territory.
“Every day in rehearsal you discover something true about the play that you didn’t know,” Moore says. “There’s no imagining circumstances here, only excavating truths.”
The production uses a celebrated new version by award-winning playwright Stephen Karam, written in an American vernacular and style, which debuted last year on Broadway. This is the first collegiate production of Karam’s adaptation.
“It’s so much funnier and more alive in the body than it is on the page,” Cate says. “I hope people understand how amazing it is that we are able to work with this new version.”
Karam won a Tony Award for Best Play for “The Humans” in 2016 and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “The Humans” and “Sons of the Prophet.”
“‘The Cherry Orchard’ deserves a fresh presentation,” says Cate. “We are very lucky to be able to give it new life.”
“The Cherry Orchard” runs April 26-29. Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Regular admission tickets are $15. Tickets for youth and LVAIC students and staff are $8.
Tickets and information are available online at muhlenberg.edu/theatre or by phone at 484-664-3333. Performances are in the Baker Theatre in Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance.
‘Dance Emerge’ at Muhlenberg
Allentown, PA — Muhlenberg College dancers tell their stories through movement, as the Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance Departmentpresents “Dance Emerge,” a showcase for dance works created by emerging choreographers, April 19-22.
“Dance Emerge” will be performed in the college’s intimate Studio Theatre, a black box performance space with seating on three sides of the performance. Randall Anthony Smith is the artistic director for the concert.
“This concert is configured where the audience is encapsulating the performance space,” Smith says. “From three distinct view points, each audience member is able to get a closer look at how the performers are moving and evolving. This year’s concert surely will have you thinking about who you are and how you relate to the world.”
“Dance Emerge” will showcase 7 choreographers and 37 dancers from the department’s dance program, which is among the most highly regarded programs of its kind. The concert features design work by the department’s acclaimed professional staff: costume designer Lex Gurst and lighting designer Paul E. Theisen Jr.
The seven original dances include contemporary, jazz, and modern works that investigate such topics as death, family relationships, and the convergence of past, present, and future.
“Dance Emerge” runs April 19-22 in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown.
Performances are April 19-22: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 22, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for patrons 17 and under, and $8 for students, faculty and staff of all LVAIC colleges. For groups of 15 or more, tickets are $13.
Tickets and information are available at 484-664-3333 or muhlenberg.edu/dance.
Free Grant Writing Workshops Offered By Lehigh Valley Arts Council In 2017
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In an effort to assist applicants with the 2017-18 Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Project Stream grant application process, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will offer free grant writing workshops in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties in May of 2017. “The PPA program initiative is a critical source of state and federal funding for eligible individuals, community groups and nonprofit organizations interested in conducting arts projects with a clear public component,” stated Randall Forte, Executive Director of Lehigh Valley Arts Council. “As the regional partner of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, we have accepted as many as 60 requests in any given year, awarding grants to community projects including, but not limited to exhibitions, films and performances that impact a wide range of constituents from young children to senior citizens, regardless of ability, ethnicity, culture or socioeconomic status.” The keys to successfully navigating the Project Stream application process lie in a deeper understanding of content, format and fiscal expectations set forth in the grant guidelines by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. By attending one of the workshops, applicants will gain a thorough understanding of review criteria, suggestions for constructing compelling and comprehensive narratives and guidance in building detailed project budgets. Applicants are encouraged to RSVP and attend one of the following workshops: May 4, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm May 9, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm May 16, 2017 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact: |
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About the Lehigh Valley Arts CouncilThe Lehigh Valley Arts Council is the region’s central voice for the arts, promoting arts awareness and advocating its value while strengthening access to the arts for all citizens in our community. The Arts Council’s mission is to promote the arts; to encourage and support artists and their development; to assist arts organizations; and to facilitate communication and cooperation among artists, arts organizations, and the community. Services include arts research and advocacy, professional development seminars, publications, and cooperative regional marketing initiatives. |
Montgomery County Studio Tour!! In Pottstown!!!
The first Montgomery County Studio Tour will take place on Saturday June 10, 2017 from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday June 11, 2017 from 11 AM to 5 PM.
The Montgomery County Studio Tour was created to promote regional artists and contribute to the cultural vitality of Montgomery County, by presenting original and diverse artwork in creative working studio settings. 54 artists in different mediums such as painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay, glass, paper and fiber will showcase their work in 20 studios across Montgomery County. Many studios on the Tour will feature works-in-progress and artist demonstrations.
We invite art enthusiasts and the curious to experience a rare glimpse into the variety of outstanding art of Montgomery County as these professional artists exhibit their work during this unique and intimate two-day event. All of the artists will be on hand to talk about their work and meet buyers and browsers alike. Whether this is your first time buying art or you are a seasoned collector, this tour has something for everyone, in a wide range of mediums and prices.
Visitors are encouraged to design their own self-guided tour with the catalogue and map, which can be downloaded from www.MontgomeryCountyStudioTour.com. You can start with the studio closest to you, or anywhere you like, by using the convenient map and website.
We are continuing the “County Collector Series” well-known from the Chester County Studio Tour. This is an opportunity to collect an original framed 6” x 6” piece of art for the special pricing of $75. Our two-dimensional artists have created an original work of art in a simple and elegant 6” x 6” frame, and our three-dimensional artists have also created special pieces for this Collector Series. A photo of each work in this series is included in our catalogue and may also be seen on the website.
This first Montgomery County Studio Tour was created by Jeff Schaller, painter and tour organizer, on the same model as his well received and extremely successful Chester County Studio Tour, which is in its 8th year.
Free and open to the public. Please visit website www.montgomerycountystudiotour.com for map, artists and studio listings and for catalogue. Handicapped accessible studios are marked on the studio pages in the catalogue and on the website. Please email info@countystudiotour.com or call 610.942.9629 for further information.
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