An artist is paid not for his labor, but for his vision – Whistler
AMITY HIGH SCHOOL CREATIVE THEATER won seven awards at the{{more}} Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards ceremony held at the Palace Theater in Waterbury on June 6t. They were recipients of Achievement Awards for Outstanding Hair and Makeup (Andrea Kennedy), Outstanding Lighting Design (Dan Hassenmayer), Outstanding Direction (Robert and Andrea Kennedy), Outstanding Orchestra (Phil Dolan, Conductor), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Peter Charney), Outstanding Production (Robert and Andrea Kennedy), Outstanding Lobby Display (Cheri Charney, Tom Lawlor). The kudos are much deserved for the terrific performance turned in by all of the talented cast, crew and directors. The next step for these winners is the national Jimmy Awards Program, over a week of participation in master classes, workshops, etc., culminating in the Presentation Ceremony of the National High School Musical Theater Achievement awards show at the Minskoff Theater in New York City.
NEW ENGLAND ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL will be held on the Milford Green and at the Milford Center for the Arts (40 Railroad Avenue, Milford) on Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7.
There will be over 100 arts and crafts vendors, food courts, entertainment, music, and theater. Well known Argentine Tango Instructor, Gem Duras, will perform at the Festival.
There will be a free concert on Saturday evening and the East Bound Theater will present a program of one act plays at the Arts Center during the Festival. For more information, go to milfordfac@optonline.net.
THE VALLEY RAILROAD CIRCUS TRAIN AND BIG TOP SHOW is coming to Essex! Children of all ages are to be welcomed aboard for a rolling, rollicking show on July 20 and 21 and 27, 28. It includes a ride aboard an authentic circus train that visitors board from off-site parking, for a journey to the circus grounds at Essex Station.
There you can see a thrilling acrobatic performance in the Big Top Tent, a Punch and Judy show, a circus midway, clowns, kiddie rides and a petting zoo. Call 800-377-3987 or go to essexsteamtrain.com
TANGLEWOOD (West Street (Rte 183), Lenox, Mass.) began the 2013 season with Melissa Etheridge on June 21. The official opening weekend at Tanglewood’s Boston Symphony Orchestra is a concert featuring masterworks by Tchaikovsky, with famed violinist Joshua Bell performing the virtuoso Violin Concerto on Friday, July 5. On Saturday, July 6, The Boston Symphony Orchestra features Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and will be performed with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter, the Women of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the PALS Children’s Chorus.
Many exciting classical, jazz and family concerts are planned for the season, which runs through Sept. 1. For tickets and schedule, call 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200 or go to tanglewood.org.
THE GALLERY AT TOWN HALL (627 Orange Center Road) features the work of water color artist, Audrey Galer, a long time town resident and teacher displays in town hall for the months of July and August.
Her work has been shown throughout New England and graces many homes and businesses in our area. She is a teacher for the Orange Senior Center, The Institute for Learning in Retirement and teaches children and adults privately in her home studio.
The OACC PICTURE THIS! CONTEST has two winning entries by Alexandra Ashworth, Grade 7 at Amity Middle School and Aliyah Oestricher, Grade 11 at Amity Senior High School. Aliyah’s photo is titled “Frog Under a Japanese
Maple,” Alexandra’s is titled “Sneakers on the Porch.” Both girls will be awarded cash prizes for their work.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS also sponsored a photo contest, inviting tri-state art councils to submit three photographs depicting noteworthy activities sponsored by the councils. OACC submitted ones showing The Gallery at Town Hall, the “Hop the Bus” to the NHSO Symphony Concerts and the Book Signing at The Case Memorial Library.
The photo showing Judy Bowerman Condon signing her book “Through the Garden Gate” at her presentation in the Case Memorial Library was selected to be included in a chapter of the 6th Edition of “Fundamentals of Arts Management,” published by the University of Massachusetts Press.
The picture and description of the activity emphasized the collaboration between community groups — The OACC, The Garden Club of Orange and The Case Memorial Library — to present events that support and promote the arts in our community.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MUSEUM (One State Street, New Haven) has an exhibition “Windows Into Heaven,” which features Russian Icons and Treasures.
Precious metals, jewels and artistry are much in evidence. For information call 203-865-0400.
FLORENCE GRIDWOLD MUSEUM (96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme) is the place where one can see art, history and nature — all in one place. Called “the Birthplace of American Impressionism,” the Museum,, located at the homestead of Florence Griswold, currently features an ongoing exhibition, “Anticipation,” in which artist Andrew Geller uses an unusual combination of materials that amplifies a site’s natural resources and encourages visitors to interact with the sculpture and the surroundings.
Another current exhibition is “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral — An Artist’s Guide to the World,” in which best known works in the permanent collection are displayed alongside the works of contemporary artists.
The name and organization of the exhibit comes principally from the children’s game that presumes the whole world can be neatly divided into three categories —Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.
Have an event, an idea or anything related to the arts? Send to patmiller605@sbcglobal.net.