Delaware Today is sorry to learn of the passing of the great Edward L. Loper Sr. Few local painters have achieved his level of recognition and influence, here and beyond, or have been as beloved by so many students. Read editor Maria Hess’ story about Loper, “The Secret Life of Color,” at http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/February-2007/The-Secret-Life-of-Color/. We wish Mr. Loper peace.
From Spain to Ecuador
Dance fans, don’t miss First State Ballet Theatre’s “Don Quixote” staged by Kirov-trained artistic director Pasha Kambalov at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington this weekend. Based on Cervantes’ epic story and played on Broadway as “The Man of La Mancha,” FSBT’s “Don Quixote” will delight with gorgeous costumes, beautiful music and, of course, vibrant dance. Shows are Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. Cotact The Grand box office at 1-800-37-GRAND, or purchase at www.ticketsatthegrand.org.
On the subject of Latino culture, the Music School of Delaware will present “Music & Culture of the Andes” with the acclaimed ensemble Andes Manta on Sunday, Oct. 16. The members perform ancient music on more than 35 traditional instruments. The show promises to be an intriguing journey through a mysterious past. Though some Andean music is thousands of years old, little is known about its origin. The four Lopez brothers who make up Andes Manta, natives of the Ecuadorian Andes, learned it the old way, from their forefathers. Their concert promises to be something special. Call the Wilmington branch of the music school at 762-1132, or visit wilmingtonmusic.org.
Sweet Strings
Speaking of The Music School, its director, Kate Ransom, is part of Serafin String Quartet, which will open Wilmington’s new community series, The Arts at Trinity, on Oct. 21 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington. The quartet—Ransom on violin, violinist Timothy Schwarz, Molly Carr on viola and cellist Lawrence Stomberg—will be joined by guest artists Charles Abramovic on piano, and Eric Stomberg on bassoon. The program includes Schumann Quintet in E flat for piano and strings; Beethoven String Quartet in D Major, Op. 18, No. 3; and Pulitzer and Grammy winner Jennifer Higdon’s Sky Quartet (Fury and Immense Sky) and Dark Wood for piano, violin, bassoon and cello. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Meet the artists during a reception immediately after. And keep your eye out for Searfin’s second CD release next year. Both of Higdon’s works will be part of it.
Winterthur Steps Out
If you thought Winterthur was a bastion of the traditional, you might have to reconsider. Having joined with the New Wilmington Art Alliance, it has become part of the most exciting art movement in the state. See “NWAA + Winterthur: A Collaboration” at the Chris White Gallery at Shipley Lofts (701 Shipley St.,Wilmington), until Oct. 27, where new artists and old stuff come together in fresh ways. The artists are NWAA members Tiernan Alexander and Hunter Clarke. The old stuff is from Winterthur’s collection. Alexander and Clarke interpret it in unique ways in order to show the museum in a new light. NWAA director Michael Kalmbach explains that the exhibition is about connecting artists and advocates of diverse backgrounds and aesthetics. Says associate curator Lisa Stoehr of Winterthur, “This is a previously unseen forum in which to share with our members a unique part of the Wilmington cultural landscape.” Learn more during a lunchtime lecture Oct. 12 in the rotunda at Winterthur at 12:15 p.m. Clarke and Tiernan will discuss their art and their five-month residencies at Winterthur. Visit the Shipley gallery any time. For more, visit winterthur.org.
If you want to see some of the best student work, visit The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts for “MFA Biennial 2011: Masters of the Visual Universe” until Feb. 5. The 22 artists who are showing are current or recently graduated MFA students from neighboring areas such as Towson University and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Taken together, their work explores the ideas of art education, aesthetics and display. Is educational mastery in art still a fact or a science fiction relic in the eyes of many young artists today? See. Think. Discuss. Various presentations are planned for the duration of the exhibition. For more, see thedcca.org/exhibit/masters-visual-universe.
Achieve Enlightenment
It may not be art, but it happens at an art museum, so here goes: On Thursdays this month, visit the labyrinth at Delaware Art Museum, which will be lit by hundreds of tea lights. Starting at 6 p.m., end your work day with a relaxing walk and some quiet contemplation. Learn more at delart.org.
Artists and Anniversaries
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Center for the Creative Arts until Oct. 28 by visiting the annual juried exhibition of artwork by regional artists in mediums from painting and photography to clay and fiber. The quality of the work is astounding. A reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 13, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and include a celebration of the anniversary of CCArts in Yorklyn. Call 239-2434, or visit ccarts.org.
You Think You Know Poe?
What better time of year to celebrate one of America’s greatest literary figures than the days before Halloween? On Tursdays through the end of the month, Kent County Library presents “Evenings with Edgar”—Allen Poe, that is—when Sarah Fergusen discusses the women who influenced his writing (Oct. 13), the myths and realities of his life (Oct. 20) and his literary first, including the first detective novel (Oct. 27). The talks are free, but space is limited. Register by calling 698-6440. All start at 6:30 p.m.
Sweet Symphony
Saturday brings Dover Symphony Orchestra’s Fall Classical Concert. The program includes three orchestra members playing single movements from well-known concertos, as well as light classical selections. That means Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and more. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Calvary Assembly of God in Dover. Order tickets at 270-1903.
Hear the UD Symphony Orchestra next week, Oct. 18, when new maestro James Allen Anderson conducts a program that includes Britten’s Lachrymae, Reflections on a song of John Dowland; Respighi’s Fountains of Rome; Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture; and more. For tickets, call 831-2204.
Ongoing Theater of Note
What better during baseball season? The Tony-winning “Damn Yankees” plays at The New Candlelight Theatre until Oct. 30. You’ll hear favorite tunes like “You Gotta Have Heart” as you see how a floundering baseball team struggles toward a pennant. Contact the theater at 475-2313, or ncstage.org.
Still playing at UD this week is “The Little Foxes” by the Resident Ensemble Players. Lying, cheating and stealing has never reached such heights as those achieved by Ben and Regina Hubbard as they try to out-scheme each other to increase the family fortune. It never got as saucy on “Dallas” or “The Riches” as it does in this play by Lillian Hellman. Call 831-2204 for tickets.
Who is Stew? He’s the one-name playwright whose unlikely “Passing Strange” has won a Tony for its depiction of Youth as he journeys toward The Real, showing how a black man processes conflicting signals about race as he tries to express himself through music. And music—from Gospel to punk—is key in this story. See it presented by Bootless Artworks at The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew in Wilmington before it closes this weekend, Oct. 13-15. Call 887-9300 for tickets.
Season 39 of the Delaware Children’s Theatre is underway with “Narnia.” A musical version of the C.S. Lewis classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the fantastical tale has delighted children for decades. When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy discover a wardrobe leads to the magical land of Narnia, they become engaged in a battle of good and evil between the magical lion Aslan and the devious White Witch. See it Oct. 15-16, Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 at the historic theatre, 1014 Delaware Ave. in Wilmington. Tickets are $12. Call 655-1014. Or visit dechildrenstheatre.org.
Next week, look for news on “All My Sons” at Delaware Theatre Company and the opening night for the magical Melomanie.
