Welcome to Delaware Today’s arts blog, the spot to dish on the many cultural opportunities available to Delaware audiences. We’ll cover as many genres as possible, and note cool events offered by organizations large and small, in all three counties.
Seen a show that deserves some ink? Spill.
Under the Crane
Think back ten years. Remember what the Wilmington Riverfront looked like? While the Blue Rocks get lots of ink–and well they should–do try to head to Dravo Plaza on Thursday nights for the Citizens Bank Shipyard Summer Concert Series. There are only so many summer Thursdays left.
This week features Danny Quinn, Family Night with Irish Folk Music. Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to John Denver but sounds completely different, is a longtime performer of Irish and American folk music. His shows appeal to both children and adults. Quinn is a bit of a chameleon. He tends to be whatever the audience wants him to be. So if they’re grooving to Irish folk, he’ll keep plucking. If Celtic is their thing, Celtic it will stay.
Bring lawn chairs. The concert is free, so you’ll have enough cash to treat the kids to an ice cream cone at Molly’s.
Shows start at 7 p.m. Get there by about 5:30, to guarantee a prime spot under the crane.
Contact info: riverfrontwilm.com or 425-4890.
The Dark Side of the Street
One doesn’t tend to think of the Delaware State Housing Authority as being a purveyor of great art. But for the exhibit “The Darker Side of Daylight: Homeless in Wilmington,” the DHSA partnered with Friendship House to create an exhibit that’s real, raw and provocative.
This is photovoice project, which means it subjects to represent their community or take on life by taking photographs of their own environment. In this case, eight residents of St. Andrew’s Place, a homeless shelter for men, took and collected photos for two months, covering the themes of home, shelter and public spaces. The men wrote the captions that accompany each image.
According to the Delaware Division of the Arts, which produced this exhibit, this is the first time that the photographs are exhibited for an extended period of time. It’s worth a visit.
Contact info: The exhibit shows on the Mezzanine Gallery of the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington. (Note: The DDOA presents exhibits here throughout the year. Pick up a schedule.) For more, visit artsdel.org.
Page 2: Loopy N’ Local
Loopy N’ Local
If you had gone to the Sundance Film Festival in January, you would’ve heard all about Armando Iannucci’s film “In the Loop,” which earned critical acclaim and became an audience favorite. I didn’t go to Sundance, either. (I wish.) Good thing the film is showing this weekend at Theatre N at Nemours.
Set in London and Washington D.C, “In the Loop,” follows clumsy British and American politicians just before the invasion of Iraq.
Theatre N offers relatively new independent films at good prices, from $5 to $7. The theater isn’t quite at the level of, say, Philly’s Ritz, which shows Indies most recently released. (I had to go to the Ritz to see “Little Miss Sunshine” when it was first released in 2006, and I’m still not over it.) Nothing against the Ritz, which I enjoy very much, though the popcorn is often stale.)
Perks abound locally. Theatre N is across the street from Deep Blue Bar and Grill, so there’s no need to park twice. Dine before the show for Tapas, or after, in the dining room. Then again, you can just hang at the bar and never leave. Deep Blue boasts good live entertainment on weekends.
The Hotel duPont is a few steps away. Indulge yourself at the lavish Green Room, or go casual at the Lobby Lounge. I do recommend dessert service at the Lobby Lounge, but it’s not cheap. Also consider the Green Room Bar. which is always always nice for a glass of wine and quiet conversation. And you never know who will show up.
In August Theatre N will show ‘Moon,” “Unmistaken Child,” “Tony Manero,” “Departures,” and “Easy Virtue.” Scheduled for September are “Adoration” and “O’Horten.”
Contact info: theatren.org or 571-4699
Page 3: The Anointing
The Anointing
Expect lots of activity at the beach when the new Lewes Canalfront Park is dedicated on Saturday, August 15. (Rain date: Sunday August 16.)
The gig starts at 11 a.m., with a performance of the original children’s play, “Pirates of Lewes, ” created and performed by the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre.
Musical performances, a strolling magician, a balloon performer and a kite-flying exhibition are also scheduled.
The formal dedication, which starts at 4 p.m., will feature a few speeches from local luminaries and a four-cannon salute. But things should really heat at about 5 p.m., when the band Vinyl Shockley turns it up. Lewes native Ed Shockley headlines.
There will be refreshments, of course. But bring bottled water and folding chairs. You’ll need both.
Contact info: The new 2.9-acre park is on Front Street in Lewes. There is also a new 23-car parking lot. For more, call 644-0107.
