TUESDAY HARBOR FOR THE ARTS FESTIVAL
‘I Played the Palace’ Is Great Variety Show
You too can say “I played the Palace.”
August 5, 2014
The second annual Harbor for the Arts Festival August 1-17 includes live free entertainment in public spaces in Cape Charles. Dance, music, art and theatre is being presented at the harbor, the park, Strawberry Street, and Mason Avenue. The festival includes an international dance workshop that will engage filmmakers, choreographers, and dancers.
TUESDAY AUGUST 5
3 p.m. — Local Thespians at the Coffee House: The Cape Charles Players will be performing skits, reading poetry and entertaining you with their acting skills.
8 p.m. — I Played the Palace, Palace Theatre: Have you always dreamed of performing? Your opportunity has arrived. A lighthearted and non-competitive evening at the Historic Palace Theatre where the talents of our neighbors and friends will be highlighted, all in good fun. A variety of acts are welcome — singers, bands, actors and poets. Bring your own equipment and props and we will provide the microphone to 10 performers. Call 757 331-2787 to register.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6
6 p.m. — Heather and Nathan, Palace Theatre: We couldn’t be more proud to present this talented duo Heather and Nathan! Heather and Nathan Travis are a Shore institution. They can regularly be heard on WESR Radio. They are in high demand at Aqua in Kings Creek Marina and in other venues on the Eastern Shore.
8 p.m. — Classics and Crooners, Palace Theatre: With pianist/vocalist William Neill along with Caitlin Wynonna Messer. Enjoy an evening in the 1940s art deco theatre while William and Caitlin entertain with a selection of classical tunes and show tunes. Delightful and emotional ballads complemented by lively Broadway hits, all presented in a cabaret setting.
THURSDAY AUGUST 7
7 p.m. — Le Hot Club de Biglick, Shanty Restaurant, Town Harbor: In the 1930s, a style of music became popular known as “Gypsy Jazz.” This style of music was made famous by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Gypsy Jazz began with French musicians trying to emulate the jazz music coming out of America, while incorporating the gypsy influences that flavor their music. Today this music is kept alive by a group known as Le Hotclub de Biglick. The authentic gypsy sound is brought to the group by violinist Dan Adams of Bucovina (first chair violinist in national Philharmonic orchestras of Lautari, Doina Moldovei, and Balada). Sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
FRIDAY AUGUST 8
11 a.m. — Galapogas George, Barefoot Puppet Theatre, Cape Charles Library: Based on the true story of “Lonesome George,” this show tells the tale of a truly one-on-a-kind tortoise from the Galapagos Islands. Described by The Smithsonian as “an uplifting eco-fable,” this engaging theatrical piece shares an important lesson about man’s impact upon the environment. This show was funded in part by a grant from the Puppeteers of America Endowment Fund and was awarded an UNIMA Citation of Excellence in 2005. The Barefoot Puppets Theatre shows feature contemporary adaptations of world folktales, classic tales with a twist, myths, and works based on true stories. The scripts, puppets, music, and sets are all original. Program sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Space is limited.
7 p.m. — Okyerema Asante on Strawberry Street: Okyerema Asante is a renowned master percussionist and the music ambassador of Ghana. Asante is truly an African music legend, having worked with world renowned musicians including Little Feet and Hugh Masekela. He has been on three world tours, once with Paul Simon on the Graceland tour and twice with Fleetwood Mac on the Behind the Mask and Tango in the Night tours. As a soloist and a one-man ensemble. Mr. Asante is a master drummer well known for performing all parts of a traditional five-person drum group by himself. He attaches percussion instruments to various parts of his body and simultaneously plays drums, a balafon, and many other instruments. He plays as many as 85 instruments in one performance. Coming from a family of drummers, Asante is an expert of traditional Ghanaian talking drums.
CLICK for additional information about performances during the Harbor for the Arts Festival.
MONDAY
Harbor for the Arts Festival Features Experimental Film
August 4, 2014
The second annual Harbor for the Arts Festival August 1-17 includes live free entertainment in public spaces in Cape Charles. Dance, music, art and theatre is being presented at the harbor, the park, Strawberry Street, and Mason Avenue. The festival includes an international dance workshop that will engage filmmakers, choreographers, and dancers.
MONDAY AUGUST 4
7 p.m. — Experimental Film Virginia 2013, Palace Theatre: Bridgman/Packer Dance and Film followed by short films created by film makers engaged in the workshop Summer 2013.
TUESDAY AUGUST 5
3 p.m. — Local Thespians at the Coffee House: The Cape Charles Players will be performing skits, reading poetry and entertaining you with their acting skills.
8 p.m. — I Played the Palace, Palace Theatre: Have you always dreamed of performing? Your opportunity has arrived. A lighthearted and non-competitive evening at the Historic Palace Theatre where the talents of our neighbors and friends will be highlighted, all in good fun. A variety of acts are welcome — singers, bands, actors and poets. Bring your own equipment and props and we will provide the microphone to 10 performers. Call 757 331-2787 to register.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6
6 p.m. — Heather and Nathan, Palace Theatre: We couldn’t be more proud to present this talented duo Heather and Nathan! Heather and Nathan Travis are a Shore institution. They can regularly be heard on WESR Radio. They are in high demand at Aqua in Kings Creek Marina and in other venues on the Eastern Shore.
8 p.m. — Classics and Crooners, Palace Theatre: With pianist/vocalist William Neill along with Caitlin Wynonna Messer. Enjoy an evening in the 1940s art deco theatre while William and Caitlin entertain with a selection of classical tunes and show tunes. Delightful and emotional ballads complemented by lively Broadway hits, all presented in a cabaret setting.
THURSDAY AUGUST 7
7 p.m. — Le Hot Club de Biglick, Shanty Restaurant, Town Harbor: In the 1930s, a style of music became popular known as “Gypsy Jazz.” This style of music was made famous by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Gypsy Jazz began with French musicians trying to emulate the jazz music coming out of America, while incorporating the gypsy influences that flavor their music. Today this music is kept alive by a group known as Le Hotclub de Biglick. The authentic gypsy sound is brought to the group by violinist Dan Adams of Bucovina (first chair violinist in national Philharmonic orchestras of Lautari, Doina Moldovei, and Balada). Sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
FRIDAY AUGUST 8
11 a.m. — Galapogas George, Barefoot Puppet Theatre, Cape Charles Library: Based on the true story of “Lonesome George,” this show tells the tale of a truly one-on-a-kind tortoise from the Galapagos Islands. Described by The Smithsonian as “an uplifting eco-fable,” this engaging theatrical piece shares an important lesson about man’s impact upon the environment. This show was funded in part by a grant from the Puppeteers of America Endowment Fund and was awarded an UNIMA Citation of Excellence in 2005. The Barefoot Puppets Theatre shows feature contemporary adaptations of world folktales, classic tales with a twist, myths, and works based on true stories. The scripts, puppets, music, and sets are all original. Program sponsored in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Space is limited.
7 p.m. — Okyerema Asante on Strawberry Street: Okyerema Asante is a renowned master percussionist and the music ambassador of Ghana. Asante is truly an African music legend, having worked with world renowned musicians including Little Feet and Hugh Masekela. He has been on three world tours, once with Paul Simon on the Graceland tour and twice with Fleetwood Mac on the Behind the Mask and Tango in the Night tours. As a soloist and a one-man ensemble. Mr. Asante is a master drummer well known for performing all parts of a traditional five-person drum group by himself. He attaches percussion instruments to various parts of his body and simultaneously plays drums, a balafon, and many other instruments. He plays as many as 85 instruments in one performance. Coming from a family of drummers, Asante is an expert of traditional Ghanaian talking drums.
CLICK for additional information about performances during the Harbor for the Arts Festival.
Annual Harbor for the Arts Festival Begins Friday
Arts Festival includes a plain air competition.
By ANGELLE BARBAZON
July 28, 2014
Beginning Friday, August 1, artists from around the world will get a dose of small town America. And small town America (in the form of Cape Charles) will get a dose of global art. The Harbor for the Arts Festival will not only host dancers, musicians, actors, puppeteers and visual artists from around the world, but create an environment for those artists and the community to truly engage with art and each other. The event runs August 1-17, offering free, live art and performances scheduled throughout.
August 8-10, and August 15-17 will be especially art-soaked weekends, filled with concerts, exhibitions, performances for children, and even yoga in the park.
The festival’s line-up includes artists from London, Canada, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Ghana, Italy, and Sweden, among other places. The five workshops will feature Experimental Film Virginia, Gaga Movement Language, Interactive Sonic Arts, Techniques in Charcoal and Improv/Sketch Comedy. [Read more…]
SUNDAY 6/8: ESO Live Classical Concert at Hungars Church
Classical ESO Live! concert with BJ Rogers, Richard Williams and Stefan Dulcie at Hungars Episcopal Church (10107 Bayside Rd., Machipongo) Sunday, June 8, at 4 p.m. Admission $15. [Read more…]
Curiosity Cat Brings Kids Together Around the Shore
Cast members attend Northampton, Kiptopeke, Occohanock, Nandua, Broadwater, and Cape Charles Christian schools.
By WAYNE CREED
May 16, 2014
The harsh winter has finally subsided and given way to warm sun, and the hope of the coming summer. I have to admit, with chronic seasonal affective disorder, it was hard for me to get through this one (they seem to get harder each year). One thing that helped me survive was being able to spend each Saturday morning directing the youth cast of this spring’s youth show, Curiosity Cat: A Danceable Drama for Cats.
I understand that over the past few years, there have been some worries about the plight of our Shore schools, and the kids that inhabit them. From talking to some folks, you would think that we’re talking about inmates in a prison rather than students in a school. Spending any amount of time with this delightful cast would put those fears to rest.
One of the great things about Arts Enter is its commitment to bringing the arts, and the training of the arts, to so many on what is still one of the most historically underserved areas in the state. This has been highlighted with this production, where we have brought kids from all up and down the Shore, from Northampton, Kiptopeke, Occohanock, Nandua, Broadwater, and Cape Charles Christian School. This young cast brought so much energy, passion, and dedication to the task, that by now, it’s even starting to wear this old man out. Tired as I am, I wouldn’t miss a second of it — it seems each time we meet, someone does something so creative and serendipitous, so out of the box, something that fits the production so well, I sometimes have to just sit down and shake my head, thinking, “Where’d they come up with that bizzaro idea — but it works!” [Read more…]
ESO LIVE at Cape Charles Coffee House Tonight
SATURDAY 4/12: ESO Live at Cape Charles Coffee House
Next Saturday, April 12, set against the beautiful, historic backdrop of the Cape Charles Coffee House, the eclectic, acoustic roots of Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith will delve into the vast trove of traditions that shaped American music. As part of ESO Arts Center’s ESO LIVE! On the Road Series, this in-demand duo from Richmond will both perform and share the intriguing stories behind the tunes. Their show is a surprising mix of Appalachian ballads, Blues, Celtic, Old Time/Country, Cajun and other styles. [Read more…]
REVIEW: Odd Couple Brought Us Together for a Night
Seated Left to Right:
Mellisa Stein as Olive Madison
Fran Loper as Renee’
Susan Kovacs as Sylvie
Joanne Dean as Mickey
Sherri DeMarino as Vera
Christy Iversen as Florence Unger
Travis Handy, Stage Manager & Stage Hand
Standing Left to Right:
Kevin Schwenk, Hair & Make up
Victor Abrahamian as Manolo Constazuela
Clelia Sheppard, Director, Set Design & Decor
J.P. Pare as Jesus Constazuela
Rachel Attenberg, Stage Hand
Not pictured:
Chris & Walt Rool, Photograhy
Richard Spano, Lighting Tech
Rob Colls-CCC Renovations, Set Construction
By WAYNE CREED
March 29, 2014
The play The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on March 10, 1965, and later moved to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre where it closed on July 2, 1967 after 964 performances and two previews. Directed by Mike Nichols, the original cast starred Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison and Art Carney as Felix Ungar. The Nichols show produced Tony Awards for Walter Matthau as Best Actor, as well as Best Author for Simon, Best Direction of a Play for Nichols, and Best Scenic Design for Oliver Smith. In 1968, the film version, starring Matthau and Jack Lemon, cemented the iconic characters of Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. In 1970, the television show starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall forever wove Oscar and Felix into the American consciousness.
The beauty of theater is that it is never static, whether it is recreating the Oresteia Trilogy, or Hamlet, or The Sound of Music. There’s always something new, a different angle, a new way to be fresh. That is just what we saw this last weekend with the Palace Theatre’s brilliant production of The Odd Couple: Female Version. Great productions always start at the top, and Clelia Shepherd’s vision, wit, and charm created the perfect pallet. The production had a firm, even pace, allowing each actor the room to breathe and find their space within this rather daunting script.
This version of the Odd Couple differed from many I have scene, due to its visual brilliance — the actors literally popped on the stage, and the credit for this goes to one of the most talented and underrated artists on the Shore — the Palace Theatre costume mistress, Vera Miller. After every show, I always tell myself, there’s no way she’ll ever be able to top that, but somehow she always does, whether it is pitch-perfect historical such as Oliver or Piece of Eden, or the flat-out brilliance and style of Seussical the Musical. Here, once again, her eye was spot on. Working with Ms. Miller, Kevin Schwenk’s great work with hair and make-up truly lent an air of authenticity to the show.
The beauty of the Odd Couple is that it plays to America’s greatest theatrical strength — the ensemble comedic cast, and that strength was exploited to the fullest by Ms. Shepherd. The heart of the Odd Couple is the friendship and camaraderie that exists among the characters, especially when they meet for the weekly card games. In the female version, poker is exchanged for Trivial Pursuit, a savvy twist by the author, opening the door for numerous one-liners and zingers. [Read more…]
