01/30/12

Valentines at The Biggs, "Blithe Spirit" at Clear Space and Bettye Lavette at The Grand Opera House

See My Valentine

You’re are not the only one who has looked forward to receiving special cards from special someones and secret admirers on Valentine's Day—nor is the giving and receiving of such cards a recent phenomenon. People all over the United States and Europe have awaited the day breathlessly since the 1880s, when advancements in printing and mailing led to a large number of card makers. For the past 15 years Ann Marcus has collected hundreds of so-called  “pop-up” cards, decorated with flowers, cupids, hearts and other traditional motifs, and you can see them in “Loving Traditions: The Ann Marcus Valentine's Card Collection” at The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover Feb. 3-March 25. It’s...

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01/25/12

Howard Schroeder at Rehoboth Art League, lots of great drama, and local writers read about Delaware

A New Perspective on Schroeder

If you thought you were well acquainted with the work of beloved painter Howard Schroeder, take another look. Opening at Rehoboth Art League on Jan. 27 is “The Other Side of Howard Schroeder,” an exhibit of works from the collections of his five children and other family members. The late painter, of Lewes, worked in many styles with many mediums. His subject matter ranged from landscapes to human subjects and beyond. Schroeder could do it all, and he did, mostly in search of new ways to express himself, often by playing with new perspectives and techniques. “The Other Side” surveys his vast output, displaying paintings, watercolors, pastel works and drawings of one of the area’s—and...

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01/16/12

"Time Stands Still" at Delaware Theatre Company, reading Poe at Kent County Public Library, William Steig at Brandywine River Museum and The Papillons Woodwind Quintet

First-Class Theater

In a period of war, “Time Stands Still” is a timely tale. Donald Margulies’ play, directed by Bud Martin, follows photojournalist Sarah and foreign correspondent James through the mad world of war as they try to tell the toughest of stories. Then their own story takes a turn, and they have to re-evaluate their life. The New York Times calls it “A powerful drama...crackles with bright wit and intelligence.” It plays at Delaware Theatre Company Jan. 18-Feb. 5. 594-1104, delawaretheatre.org

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01/09/12

The Arts Buzz: A blog about the Royal Philharmonic Symphony at the Grand Opera House, Howard Pyle at Delaware Art Museum and sculpture at DCAD

A Royal Treat

The show sold out quickly last year, so act fast if you’d like to see the world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play The Grand Opera House in Wilmington on Jan. 14. Known as “Britain’s national orchestra,” it has recorded dozens of albums since it formed in 1946. Igor Stravinsky recorded his opera “The Rake’s Progress” with the RPO in 1964, and it recorded the Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1964 till 1979. It has also made movie scores and worked with popular musicians from Pink Floyd and Queen to George Michael and ABBA. The Grand’s show promises to follow traditional lines, with a program of music by Mozart, Brahms and Bruch. It will be a...

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01/02/12

Delaware Symphony Orchestra continues its stellar chamber series

Chamber Star

Maestro David Amado and members of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra will perform Franz Schubert's Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, “The Trout,” in a thrilling performance at the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel du Pont on Jan. 10. Amado plays piano as members of the DSO string section do their thing. The setting for chamber music is peerless. Go. Listen. Enjoy complimentary Champagne, coffee and dessert during the intermission. These performances are priceless. 652.5577, delawaresymphony.org

Making Light

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12/26/11

Exhibits at the Delaware Art Museum, Winterthur and Brandywine River Museum close soon

Two for the Road

There are two shows at Delaware Art Museum you’ll want to see before their impending close. First is “Escape to Adventure: Focus on Arthur E. Becher.” Becher (1877-1960) was a German who studied in Milwaukee and Munich before becoming a student of Howard Pyle in 1902. He had a long, successful career illustrating works of diversionary fiction. The exhibition of his work also includes similar works by others. It closes Dec. 31. Next, see  “Anne Truitt: Luminosities” until Jan. 8. The exhibition features sculpture and works on paper by Truitt. An important figure in American abstraction, she is most closely associated with Minimalism and the Washington, D.C.-based Color Field painters. See her efforts to...

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12/19/11

Delaware Symphony Orchestra plays New Year's Eve in Wilmington

A New Tradition

This year, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Delaware Art Museum join to create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration First, hear the symphony’s traditional program of Viennese music—with, this year, Hollywood favorites—at The Grand Opera House. Afterward, head to the museum for champagne, food, more music and more fun. Do one, the other, or both. For the symphony: 351-8512, delawaresymphony.org For the museum: 351-8512, delart.org

Somewhere Near Times Square

How do you follow up a record-breaking run of...

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12/12/11

The Arts Buzz: A blog about "A Creole Christmas" at the Schwartz Center, Tahira's Kwaanza celebration, "A Christmas Carol" and jazz by Aniya

Hot, Hot, Hot for the Holidays

If you’d like a little Cajun spice with your holidays, be sure to see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s “Creole Christmas” concert at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover on Dec. 17. The venerable band, 50 years young 2011, will help the Schwartz celebrate its 10th anniversary by playing such favorites such as “Blue Christmas,” “Swinging in A Winter Wonderland,” “Bells Will Be Ringing” and “The Dreidel Song.” Before the show, hear an informal lecture about the history of jazz, blues and New Orleans music, followed by a short documentary on the story of Preservation Hall. The show is sure to start the season on the right note. 678-3583,...

12/05/11

The Arts Buzz: A Blog about "A Little Night Music" at City Theater Company, Raul Malo at World Cafe Live, A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Baby Grand and "A Christmas Carol"

A Classic Musical

In celebration of its 18th birthday, City Theater Company revives one of Stephen Sondheim's “A Little Night Music,” which breezes through a weekend in the country with a perfectly Sondheim-ean score and unforgettable characters. CTC promises that “A Little Night Music” will “keep up our tradition of reinvigorating classic shows like ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’ with CTC's trademark bravado and intimacy.” See it Dec. 2-17. 220-8285, city-theater.org

Holiday Music with a Different Flavor

You may know Raul...

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11/28/11

The Arts Buzz: A blog about Jamie Wyeth at Brandywine River Museum, "A Cappella Humana" at Delaware Theatre Company, Kennett Symphony's holiday concert, art exhibitions at H.L. Chalfant and The Mezzanine Gallery

Jamie Wyeth, as You’ve Never Seen Him Before

Fans of Jamie Wyeth and of children’s literature will be pleased to see the next big exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum: 20 original Wyeth illustrations created for the new book “Sammy in the Sky.” “Sammy” was written by Pulitzer-winning journalist Barbara Walsh to explain the death of their dog to her pre-school daughters. A fellow resident of Maine, she sent the book to Wyeth, asking if he’d illustrate. Moved by the story, he agreed. See the mixed-media illustrations—on display for the first time anywhere—Dec. 6-Jan. 15. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out A Brandywine Christmas. You’ll find a dollhouse once owned by Ann...

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