NEWTOWN CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION NEWSLETTER-APRIL

 
 

Newtown Cultural Arts Commission

ARTimeline
                       
For your convenience, this is quick view of all the ticketed events in town.  Scrolling down, you'll find more information, photos, and links for these events, along with free events for the public offered by our several arts organizations, clubs, and the C.H. Booth Library.  Don't forget to read the Really Newsy News at the end!
4/1           Escher String Quartet with Jason Vieaux, guitar               Newtown Friends of Music 4/28        Phobias, The Music, Newtown Choral Society Concert 4/28        Wonderful World, Stray Kats Theatre Company 5/4           Play With Your Food at Stone River Grille 5/4           Dial M for Murder opens (through 5/26), Town Players of Newtown 5/12         The Subject Was Roses, Stray Kats Theatre Company 5/19         Flagpole Radio Café with Special Guest, Elisabeth von Trapp                Ticket Information

2012 Newtown Arts Festival

Find NCAC on facebook (R)www.NewtownArtsCommission.org
Find Newtown Arts Festival on facebook (R)www.NewtownArtsFestival.com(coming soon) 
We have a winner! The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission is pleased to announce that Newtown resident Tracy Van Buskirk is the chosen winner for the 2012 Newtown Arts Festival art contest for her “Life in Newtown” themed entry entitled, Ram Pasture.  Van Buskirk wanted to capture the town’s serenity and pleasure with her Asian-style block print.  “I’m very excited to have my artwork on the first—we hope of many—annual Newtown Arts Festival posters and t-shirts,” she says.  “I love the arts, and am pleased that Newtown is going to have this special event.”  Van Buskirk is also receiving a $500.00 prize for her artwork.
Get involved! Volunteers needed for various committees, including Fundraising, Entertainment, and Workshops.  Please contact Paul Mangiafico at pgm727@aol.com?subject=Newtown%20Arts%20Festival%3A%20%20volunteering">pgm727@aol.com.
Art and artisan vendors please use the Retail Vendor Application link to download the application.  Non-profit groups, please use the Non-profit Vendor Application link to download the application.  Questions?  Call Stacey Olszewski at 203-270-9461.
The Arts Fest will truly celebrate the arts in Newtown, featuring a wide-variety of live entertainment including music, poetry, dance, and theatrical performances.  Dozens of engaging workshops and activities for all ages will be available.  A select art and artisan vendor area will offer art displays and sales.  And what else?  A delicious variety of foods and beverages to tempt your tummies, as well as fresh produce from the farmers market, will be sold.
We think you'll be amazed to see all the arts Newtown has to offer!

Back by popular demand with another fantastic program: Escher String Quartet with Jason Vieaux, guitar, presented by Newtown Friends of Music, Sunday, April 1 at 3:00pm, Edmond Town Hall www.NewtownFriendsOfMusic.org Visit our website for complete information on programs and artists.

Stray Kats Theatre Company Presents
Wonderful World By Richard Dresser
Saturday, April 28th, 7:30 pm Edmond Town Hall, Alexandria Room, 45 Main Street, Newtown
A hilarious look at modern relationships and the mess we make of them, "Wonderful World" premiered at the 2001 Humana Festival, one of the most prestigious playwriting festivals in the country.
The cast includes (from left) Barbara Rhoades,  Barbara Ellen Stuart, Damian Long, Joanna Keylock and Sean Hannon.
The evening will include pasteries from Andrea's Pastry Shop with light refreshments.
Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door Tickets and Information for Upcoming Performances
The Newtown Bee Review:  A Supremely Enjoyable 'Seascape' Find us on facebook (R)
Newtown Choral Society presents
Phobias, the Music
Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. The Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street
Under the direction of Mary Andreotta, and accompanied by Susan Anthony-Klein, the choir will explore the wonderful world of phobias through music that enhances each fear.
The music will begin with the 16th Century with Shakespeare’s  “You Spotted Snakes”  (Ophidiophobia- Fear of snakes (Snakephobia) and go on to Paul Simon’s “I Am a Rock,” (representing Anthropophobia, fear of people).  It will also include Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” (Coulrophobia, fear of clowns) as well as music popularized by ABBA, and Loggins & Messina.  The program will also include a favorite song, for which the choir has invited a new phobia not currently listed.  The choir invites even those with Phobophobia (Fear of phobias) to attend the concert. Find us on facebook (R) Tickets:  $10 adults;  $8 for seniors and students
Play With Your Food at Stone River Grille; Show $20, food and drinks sold separately www.stonerivergrille.com Find us on facebook (R)
Town Players of Newtown
Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott
Fridays & Saturdays, May 4 - 26 at 8:00 p.m. Sundays, May 13 & 20 at 2:00 p.m.
The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown
A scheming Tony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason.  Using blackmail to use the services of a scoundrel from his past, Tony plans the perfect murder and arranges his own brilliant alibi.  But the plan goes awry when the murderer gets murdered and Margot survives.  Tony schemes once again to have his wife framed for the crime – but will he succeed?  Directed by Gene Golaszewski of Brookfield.

First presented onstage at the Westminster Theatre, London, on June 19, 1952, Dial M for Murder was later adapted for the 1954 silver screen by the one and only, Alfred Hitchcock, and starred Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings.
The rest of the 2012 season includes Brighton Beach Memoirs (Neil Simon), The Retreat from Moscow (William Nicholson), and Charles Dickens' The Haunting (Hugh Janes).
General admission tickets: $20 Fridays & Saturdays; $15 Sunday matinees; children 10 and under.  Payable by cash or check only, at the door.

Find us on facebook (R)

Stray Kats Theatre Company Presents
The Subject Was Roses By Frank D. Gilroy
Saturday, May 12th, 7:30 pm Edmond Town Hall, Alexandria Room, 45 Main Street, Newtown
A young WWII veteran finds himself caught up in his parents' turbulent relationship.  Winner of 1965 Tony Award, the NY Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize, not to mention the 1968 Oscar.
The evening will include pasteries from Andrea's Pastry Shop with light refreshments.
Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door Tickets and Information for Upcoming Performances Find us on facebook (R)
The Flagpole Radio Cafe With Special Guest, Elisabeth von Trapp
Saturday, May 19th, 7:00 pm
Edmond Town Hall, Alexandria Room 45 Main Street, Newtown Tickets $25 adults, $20 students/seniors
www.flagpoleproductions.org

                                                                                

   Visual

  

   Arts

                                                                                
Flagpole Photographers Camera Club www.flagpolephotographers.com
Find us on facebook (R)
April 5 at 7:30 p.m. - HDR (High Dynamic Range) hands-on workshop at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown (lower entrance). HDR is a technique that allows the photographer to capture a greater range between the lightest and darkest areas of a scene.  It incorporates capturing the photo in various exposures, then stacking them using specially designed software.  Experienced photographers will be available to assist attendees and instruct on basic camera functions; attendees should bring a camera.  All levels from beginner to experienced are welcome.  Free and open to the public.
April 19 at 7:30 p.m. - FPCC meeting and competition at C.H. Booth Library Lower Meeting Room, 25 Main Street, Newtown. Competition assignment:  People working; Open color; Open black & white.  The public is always welcome to attend and hear the photo critiques.  Only members may enter club competitions.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Artist Demonstrations
The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN) is a non-profit art association of Western Connecticut area artists.  Among their numerous enriching fine art opportunities, they provide twice-monthly demonstration meetings featuring professional artists who paint and share tips and techniques in a specific medium. 
Red Roses and Wedgewood, Kathy Anderson Wednesday, Apr. 11, 7:30 p.m. Kathy Anderson - Oil Floral
Image (left):  Red Roses and Wedgewood, Kathy Anderson
Wednesday, Apr. 25, 1:30 p.m. Don Andrews - Watercolor Figure
Newtown Meeting House, Lower Level, 31 Main Street, Newtown All demonstrations are FREE and open to the public.  You don't have to be an artist to come! www.scanart.org

Koenig FrameWorks presents
Atmospheres

DeAnn L. Prosia, etchings & Joanne Conant, oils & enamels On view through April 28 Grand Canal, Venice - DeAnn Prosia Grand Canal, Venice - DeAnn Prosia Into the Blue - Joanne Conant Into the Blue  - Joanne Conant Artist Talk with Joanne Conant, Saturday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. All art forms, regardless of the media chosen, start with an idea and end with a presentation; the work of art.  The job of an artist is to learn how to work the chosen media to express the chosen subject.  My lecture will uncover striking similarities between very different art forms, and how knowledge of one form helps the other.    -Joanne Conant Koenig FrameWorks, 97 South Main Street, Newtown  (203) 270-1887 Monday thru Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm www.koenigframeworks.com Find us on facebook (R)
                                                                                                                                                                              Arts at the C.H. Booth Library                                                                                                                                       
 
Exhibits
The Traveling Doll Project: Art Dolls by Newtown artist Paula Brinkman Hughes (main floor) on view through April 16. Display includes "Ginny 1"  and "Ginny 2", in honor of the late Ginny Lathrop.
______________________________________________________________
Workshops

Drawing for Young Adults with Suzanne Lang

Wednesday, April 18      Grades 5-12       1:00-3:00 pm (snow date 4/19)

Newtown Artist Suzanne Lang offers a Basic and Perspective Drawing class for students in grades 5-12, of all levels of drawing ability.  It is limited to 15 students. Professional quality pencils, charcoals and paper will be provided.  A $5 material fee is due on the day of the program.

Basic Origami with Matthew Tassiello        origami crane

Thursday, April 19            Ages  5-7            1:00 pm-2:00  pm

Thursday, April 19            Ages 8-10           2:30 pm-3:30  pm

Origami enthusiast, Matthew Tassiello, will teach the basics of origami in two workshops offered during school vacation week.   These classes are free, but donatios will be accepted because Matthew is hoping to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Sign up to learn a new skill and help a great cause.

Please register for workshops online.

_______________________________________________________________
Literature
A Survey of Dickens' Development as a NovelistPresented by Mark Schenker, Senior Associate Dean of Yale College

Library Meeting Room, 7:00 pm Program Sponsored by the Friends of the CH Booth Library

This 3-part series focuses on Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations as boy-centered novels that give insight into the early, middle and late phases of dickens' fiction writing career.

April 5 - Oliver Twist   |  April 26 - David Copperfield   |  May 9 - Great Expectations

Sign up by calling the library at 203-426-4533

Free Film Screenings:  Don't have time to read the books before the talk? Then join us for a film screening a few days prior to each lecture.

Oliver Twist - April 3 at 7:00, or April 4 at 1:00 pm David Copperfield - April 23 at 7:00 pm, or April 25 at 1:00 pm

Great Expectations - May 7 at  1:00 pm or 7:00 pm

See all the C.H. Booth Library has scheduled at chboothlibrary.org
The Wednesday Night Poetry Series welcomes poets, spoken-word artists, writers (memoir, fiction, literary, plays, etc), monologists, storytellers, songwriters, musicians (acoustic) and also - listeners!  Read your own work, or works by your favorite writers.
“The Garage,” at 53  Church Hill Road, Newtown
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  Featured Readings begin at 8:45 p.m.
April 4      e. e. cummings April 11    "I write the songs" Open Mic, based on Joan Baez songs April 18    John Amen April 25    TBA workshop
Please see our website for our entire WNPS schedule.

The Met:  Live in HD
Though we dream of seeing opera, theatre and other Live in HD performances here in Newtown, until then they can be seen as close as the AMC Danbury theaters.  General Admission tickets are available in advance at FathomEvents.comor at the door.
Metropolitan Opera Live: ($22 adults, $20 seniors, $18 children)
Massenet's Manon LIVE         Saturday, 4/7 at 12:00 pm           Tickets/Info
Verdi's La Traviata LIVE       Saturday, 4/14 at 12:55 pm         Tickets/Info Massenet's Manon Encore      Saturday, 4/25 at 12:00 pm         Tickets/Info
Really Newsy News!
EverWonder Children's Museum, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to open a children's museum in Newtown, will host an informational session at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4th at the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. The public is invited to meet those who are already involved in the project, including Kristin Chiriatti, President. 
The vision for EverWonder Children's Museum includes exhibits on motion, sound, and electricity, water play, an arts creativity center, and a "challenge corner" where children will be pushed to "think outside the box" using creative problem-solving.
Please visit www.EverWonderMuseum.com for more information.
____________________________________________________
Tenor Matthew Grills of Newtown, a second year master’s degree student at the Eastman School of Music, was one of five winners at the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions this week.  Nearly 1,500 people entered the competition; the five winners each won $15,000.  The competition is considered the most prestigious for people who want to launch an operatic career.  Past winners include Eastman grad and current Met star, Renée Fleming.
After graduating from the Eastman School of Music this May, Grills will spend the summer in the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program and begins a year-long long residency with the Portland Opera in the fall.
Check out this video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKQYl0TwT9o
Stratton Faxon Presents $5000 Challenge Grant for The Flagpole Radio Café
The Newtown Cultural Arts Commissionis pleased to announce the presentation of a $5,000 challenge grant in support of The Flagpole Radio Café from the law firm of Stratton Faxon.  The presentation was made to Producers Martin Blanco and Barbara Gaines from Newtown Resident and Stratton Faxon partner Joel Faxon.  If The Flagpole Radio Cafécan raise an additional $5,000, Stratton Faxon will make an additional gift of $5,000 in support of this project.
Other companies have recently contributed in an effort to meet this goal.   Sippin Energy Products, the accounting firm of Capossela, Cohen, LLC and Newtown Savings Bank have all contributed $500.  The Law Offices of James O. Gaston have contributed $300.  Producer Martin Blanco remarked, “We are grateful to our Grand Sponsor Stratton Faxon for their continued support and leadership.  They have been instrumental in sustaining this project as well as aiding its growth.  We are also appreciative of the other businesses for their generosity.  This level of support helps pay the wonderful performing artists in our show, enables us to afford remarkable guest artists such as Livingston Taylor, and helps keep the ticket prices affordable.  By supporting this program, they have enhanced the already rich cultural fabric of Newtown and the Housatonic Valley region.  Thank you all.”
Individuals can also make donations by visiting The Flagpole Radio Caféwebsite at www.flagpoleproductions.org .  Producer Barbara Gaines noted, “The best thing about a challenge grant is that it creates an opportunity for fans of the show to make a profound impact with an affordable gift.  If we can inspire 100 people to contribute $25, we will easily realize our goal.”

The Newtowner will be available for download on your favorite e-readers soon.
The Newtowner, an Arts and Literary Magazine
Buy the current issue of this exceptional quality arts and literary magazine in businesses such as: CH Booth Library, 25 Main St Demitasse Café, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Rd Everything Newtown, 61 Church Hill Rd find us on facebook (R)
Copyright © 2012 Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, All rights reserved. You have received this mailing from us because (a) you have purchased tickets, (b) you have attended one of our meetings, or (c) you have an existing relationship with the NCAC or our members. We respect your time and attention by only sending you the newsletters you prefer. Each email from us will contain a link to unsubscribe. Our mailing address is:
Newtown Cultural Arts Commission
3 Primrose Street
Newtown, Connecticut 06470
Add us to your address book
Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp
 
N
Submitted by Newtown, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next