Saturday, August 26, 2006
Raising the Sherman’s Roof 08-25-06
Our Good Friends The Sherman Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts in Stroudsburg, PA presented “Raising the Roof 2006” featuring The Shawnee Tabernacle Church in Tobyhanns, PA. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz and Brook (both of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz were among the appreciated and lively audience. Due to the nature of this show, no photographs were taken. The Sherman’s Next event will be a rock show on August 31st. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
COTA Meeting 08-22-06
Our Good Friends at The Celebration of the Arts (COTA) held a meeting at Our Good Friends at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA to plan for the Jazz Celebration occurring September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Rev. Karen Nickels of The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain, Richard Chamberlain, Lauren Chamberlain-Mussner, Frank Disalvo, Cyndie Dutkiewicz, Bob and Jamie Garner, Norma and Ron Hart, Jill Goodwin, Terry and Patricia Gaughan, Tim Helman, Cheryl A. Read, Marie Steeger, Cheryl Joubert, and Christine Trembly were among those present during the evening. Their final meeting will be Tuesday September 5th at 7:30pm with some training of volunteers taking place at 6:30pm. Please contact COTA at 570-424-3210 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society COTA Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
COTA Meeting 08-22-06
Our Good Friends at The Celebration of the Arts (COTA) held a meeting at Our Good Friends at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA to plan for the Jazz Celebration occurring September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Rev. Karen Nickels of The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain, Richard Chamberlain, Lauren Chamberlain-Mussner, Frank Disalvo, Cyndie Dutkiewicz, Bob and Jamie Garner, Norma and Ron Hart, Jill Goodwin, Terry and Patricia Gaughan, Tim Helman, Cheryl A. Read, Marie Steeger, Cheryl Joubert, and Christine Trembly were among those present during the evening. Their final meeting will be Tuesday September 5th at 7:30pm with some training of volunteers taking place at 6:30pm. Please contact COTA at 570-424-3210 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society COTA Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Bop the Gazebo 08-20-06
Our Good Friends at The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA held their weekly Gazebo Concert featuring the Jazz renderings of Our Good Friends Co Op Bop with Nelson Hill Nelson Hill on sax, Craig Kastelnik on organ, Gary Rissmiller on drums, and a special musical guest. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Mike Wetmore of SYLP-H (Support Your Local Poet-Hooray), Marie Steeger, and Leigh Ann Stratakos of The 3 Moons Yoga Studio and Gallery were among the many who enjoyed the day. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Music JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain’s final concert for the summer will feature Our Good Friend Bonnie Childs on Sunday August 27th at 6pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain at 570-476-0345 for more information.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Led Zeppelin at The Sherman 08-19-06
Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts in Stroudsburg, PA The Led Zeppelin Experience performed by Hammer of the Gods. It was a great evening with a three hour show willed with numerous songs by Led Zeppelin and included four encores. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz and Cheryl Yost (both of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz in addition to Our News Friends Cheryl Perez, Ken, and Brook were part of an appreciated and lively audience. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Music JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. The next event at The Sherman Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts will be the music of The Shawnee Tabernacle Choir and Guests on August 25th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre and Center for the Performing Arts at 570-420-2808 for more information.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Theatrical Review: SEASCAPE by Chris Centrella
SEASCAPE by Chris Centrella
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz
The art of dance is an art filled with movement. Movement of the dancers, movement of the music, and the movement of the emotions the viewers who experience the work become at one with the presentation. A communication takes place in which words are not only unnecessary but can prove a hindrance to what is being shared. This is the art of dance and this is why it often proves to be difficult to render a critique of a performance of this treasured discipline.
“Seascape” by Chris Centrella seems to take place in a dream. At least, this is where is seemed to take place for me. Like most dance presentations, it actually takes place in the imaginational communiqué of the composer and each member of the audience. The performance was filled with the imagery dreams are filled with and the myriad of meanings which accompany these symbolic images. I felt a wide range of emotions while viewing the work and my conversations with a number audience members affirmed them. Although the performance dates have past, I could recommend attending future works by Chris Centrella and other performances presented by The School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Our Good Friends at The School of Visual and Performing Arts in Stroudsburg, PA presented the original dance piece musically composed, directed, and written by Our Good Friend Chris Centrella while Our Good Friend Kathy Kroll choreographed the work on August 4th and 5th. Our Good Friends Ron Crenshaw, Heidi Minich, Paula Heeschen, and Alana Slater performed in the production. A great number of Our Good Friends were part of the audience who attended the production. A photograph relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery under the heading “A Grand Evening On Main 08-05-06” on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz
The art of dance is an art filled with movement. Movement of the dancers, movement of the music, and the movement of the emotions the viewers who experience the work become at one with the presentation. A communication takes place in which words are not only unnecessary but can prove a hindrance to what is being shared. This is the art of dance and this is why it often proves to be difficult to render a critique of a performance of this treasured discipline.
“Seascape” by Chris Centrella seems to take place in a dream. At least, this is where is seemed to take place for me. Like most dance presentations, it actually takes place in the imaginational communiqué of the composer and each member of the audience. The performance was filled with the imagery dreams are filled with and the myriad of meanings which accompany these symbolic images. I felt a wide range of emotions while viewing the work and my conversations with a number audience members affirmed them. Although the performance dates have past, I could recommend attending future works by Chris Centrella and other performances presented by The School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Our Good Friends at The School of Visual and Performing Arts in Stroudsburg, PA presented the original dance piece musically composed, directed, and written by Our Good Friend Chris Centrella while Our Good Friend Kathy Kroll choreographed the work on August 4th and 5th. Our Good Friends Ron Crenshaw, Heidi Minich, Paula Heeschen, and Alana Slater performed in the production. A great number of Our Good Friends were part of the audience who attended the production. A photograph relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery under the heading “A Grand Evening On Main 08-05-06” on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Film Review: A SCANNER DARKLY
A SCANNER DARKLY
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz
The strongest impression the film, “A Scanner Darkly,” makes is its visual style. It’s a technical evolution of the earlier film, “A Waking Life” by Richard Linklater (which was impressive in itself) which expands the technique by going beyond the visuals a lesser film maker would rely upon to dazzle his or her audience to enhance the story by allowing the audience to experience the images each character encounters through the course of the film. The technique I’m referring to films the actors as it would any other film animation is drawn over them to create a stunning cartoonish effect. As unlikely as it sounds, this cartoonish effect makes the film more real for us.
The film takes place in the near futures where a drug called “Substance D” is in large circulation and is used by many in our society. This includes a narcotic agent named Fred (played by Keanu Reeves) who is posing undercover as a dealer named, “Bob Arctor.” His addiction later leads him to his fate of incarceration and enrollment in a treatment that promises to be more devastating than the drug itself. The film utilizes the war on drugs to explore how our civil liberties could threatened by the enactment of laws and police procedures set in place to combat it.
"A Scanner Darkly" was written by Philip K. Dick before the devastating attacks which took place on September 11th, 2001. However, the film does not lose sight of the societal changes which took place since that day. The perceived threat of our civil liberties as our government engages in its “War on Terror” is easily seen as an allegory in the film. It even lends itself to question who is really responsible for such “wars” and could they be manufactured by those who would profit from them financially. I would encourage this film to be seen by those who would like to mentally challenged by a film’s social/political message as well as its special effects.
The film was seen during The Forwardian Arts Society’s Film and Chat Nite which took place at The Grand Cinema and Coffeehouse in East Stroudsburg, PA on Friday August 4th. The next Film and Chat Nite is scheduled to take place Friday September 1st. Please call 570-421-3456 or email forwardian@hotmail.com for more information.
Film Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz
The strongest impression the film, “A Scanner Darkly,” makes is its visual style. It’s a technical evolution of the earlier film, “A Waking Life” by Richard Linklater (which was impressive in itself) which expands the technique by going beyond the visuals a lesser film maker would rely upon to dazzle his or her audience to enhance the story by allowing the audience to experience the images each character encounters through the course of the film. The technique I’m referring to films the actors as it would any other film animation is drawn over them to create a stunning cartoonish effect. As unlikely as it sounds, this cartoonish effect makes the film more real for us.
The film takes place in the near futures where a drug called “Substance D” is in large circulation and is used by many in our society. This includes a narcotic agent named Fred (played by Keanu Reeves) who is posing undercover as a dealer named, “Bob Arctor.” His addiction later leads him to his fate of incarceration and enrollment in a treatment that promises to be more devastating than the drug itself. The film utilizes the war on drugs to explore how our civil liberties could threatened by the enactment of laws and police procedures set in place to combat it.
"A Scanner Darkly" was written by Philip K. Dick before the devastating attacks which took place on September 11th, 2001. However, the film does not lose sight of the societal changes which took place since that day. The perceived threat of our civil liberties as our government engages in its “War on Terror” is easily seen as an allegory in the film. It even lends itself to question who is really responsible for such “wars” and could they be manufactured by those who would profit from them financially. I would encourage this film to be seen by those who would like to mentally challenged by a film’s social/political message as well as its special effects.
The film was seen during The Forwardian Arts Society’s Film and Chat Nite which took place at The Grand Cinema and Coffeehouse in East Stroudsburg, PA on Friday August 4th. The next Film and Chat Nite is scheduled to take place Friday September 1st. Please call 570-421-3456 or email forwardian@hotmail.com for more information.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Gazebo Reeds 08-13-06
Our Good Friends at The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA held their weekly Gazebo Concert featuring the soothing Jazz sounds of Our Good Friends Nancy and Spencer Reed. The musical experience lent itself to a wonderful end to a relaxed summer evening. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Mike Wetmore of SYLP-H (Support Your Local Poet-Hooray), Marie Steeger, Nancy Scheirer, and Leigh Ann Stratakos of The 3 Moons Yoga Studio and Gallery were among the many who enjoyed the day. You’ll find Numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Music JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. Their next concert will feature Co Op Bop with Nelson Hill on Sunday August 20th at 6pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at 570-476-0345 for more information.
Art in Milford 08-12-06
Our Good Friends at The Art After Dark art show in Milford, PA presented another of their monthly events. I seldom get out to the Milford area and it was great seeing Our Good Friends and meeting new ones. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz traveled with me as we placed posters and other information about the upcoming Celebration of the Arts (COTA) festival around the area.
I then visited Our Good Friends at The Golden Fish Gallery who showed the works of Our New Friend Mort Malkin in a show entitled, “The Ancient Art of Cylinders and Stamp Seals” along with the side walk music of Our New Friend Pete Prieto and Our Good Friends at The Artery showed the works of Our New Friends Chris Hobbs and Lisz Zukowski. I was also greeted at The Artery by Our Good Friend Karen Glick who is now on its board of directors. I later met some more new friends at The Highlands Photographic Guild. Although I’ve known many members of the guild for quite some time, the group was recently formed after the death of a founder of 70 NW photography gallery who was a good friend of our fellowship and will be missed a great deal.
I also met a new group called, “The Renaissance Art Society” who were showing their work at The Nervous Nellies’ Coffeehouse. Indeed, what a joy to meet so many people. I’m hopeful about increasing our fellowship’s service to the art community in Milford, PA. There are a great many creative opportunities in this area and they deserve to see the thrive. Most of the exhibitions will continue until early September.
The next Art After Dark event will be Saturday September 9th. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. Please contact 570-296-7300 for more information.
I then visited Our Good Friends at The Golden Fish Gallery who showed the works of Our New Friend Mort Malkin in a show entitled, “The Ancient Art of Cylinders and Stamp Seals” along with the side walk music of Our New Friend Pete Prieto and Our Good Friends at The Artery showed the works of Our New Friends Chris Hobbs and Lisz Zukowski. I was also greeted at The Artery by Our Good Friend Karen Glick who is now on its board of directors. I later met some more new friends at The Highlands Photographic Guild. Although I’ve known many members of the guild for quite some time, the group was recently formed after the death of a founder of 70 NW photography gallery who was a good friend of our fellowship and will be missed a great deal.
I also met a new group called, “The Renaissance Art Society” who were showing their work at The Nervous Nellies’ Coffeehouse. Indeed, what a joy to meet so many people. I’m hopeful about increasing our fellowship’s service to the art community in Milford, PA. There are a great many creative opportunities in this area and they deserve to see the thrive. Most of the exhibitions will continue until early September.
The next Art After Dark event will be Saturday September 9th. You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. Please contact 570-296-7300 for more information.
Christmas in August 08-09-06
Our Good Friends at The Shawnee Press, Inc in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented a “Ceremony of Candles: A Cantata for Advent and Christmas” by Joseph M. Martin at The Stroudsburg Junior High School in Stroudsburg, PA. Joseph M. Martin accompanied a community choir on piano while his wife, Sue Martin, was the featured soloist. David Lantz III directed the choir while Marti Lunn Lantz provided the narrative and Allison Snee added to the musical accompaniment with her flute.
Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Anna and Thomas Busteed, Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne Mc Cool, Arielle, Karlyn, and Laurel Wilezek, Jeanetter Jennis, and Robert Hartman were among the many voices who shared in the music. Our Good Friend Candace Wayes were among the numerous appreciative audience along with Our New Friend Karen Wayes (Candace’s sister) who also performed that evening.
You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Music JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. CDs of the concert is available for purchase. Please contact The Shawnee Press, Inc at 1-800-962-8584 for more information.
Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Anna and Thomas Busteed, Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne Mc Cool, Arielle, Karlyn, and Laurel Wilezek, Jeanetter Jennis, and Robert Hartman were among the many voices who shared in the music. Our Good Friend Candace Wayes were among the numerous appreciative audience along with Our New Friend Karen Wayes (Candace’s sister) who also performed that evening.
You’ll find numerous photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Music JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. CDs of the concert is available for purchase. Please contact The Shawnee Press, Inc at 1-800-962-8584 for more information.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Progressive Potluck at Kirkridge 08-06-06
Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA held a Community Pot Luck Dinner along with a talk organized by The Pocono Progressives by author Scott Goldstein on his book entitled, “The Tea in in The Harbor.” He shared his views of how the progressive political movement can best serve the United States through their position on domestic and foreign policies proposals. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Jean Richardson of The Kirkridge Center, Ann and Willie François of the Pocono Progressives, Don Slepian, Mark Lichty, Nancy Scheirer, and Silvia Brandon-Perez were among the many who attended. You’ll find some photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Friends Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. Their next Community Pot Luck Dinner is yet to be scheduled. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center at 610-588-1793 for more information.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
A Grand Evening On Main 08-05-06
Our Good Friends at The Pocono Arts Council and The Jacob Stroud Corporation in Stroudsburg, PA held their monthly “Evening on Main” event featuring Visual Art and Music throughout the Stroudsburg Area. Musical performances by Our Good Friends Spencer Reed (Jazz Guitarist) were at Our Good Friends at Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis and Greg Waltzer (Electronic Musician) along with Our New Friend Chuck Easter of the New Atlantis Band were at Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery. Our Good Friend Jay Rattman performed as part of a Jazz Quintet at Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre and Performing Arts Center. Other musical performances were held at Our Good Friends at Fitzpatrick's Irish/Celtic Store.
Exhibitions were held at numerous galleries. Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery featured Our Good Friend Candice Wayes in her first show along with the work of Our Good Friends Will Daskal, Linda Mann, Greg Waltzer, and Helen Heeren along with Our New Friend Jean Benfante. Our Good Friends at Gallery 554 (aka Art World) featured the work of Our Good Friends Keely McCool and Sean Turrell along with Our New Friend C. M. Foggio in a show entitled “Amalgamation Art.” The works of Jamie Reed were also part of the show. Other exhibitions were held at Our Good Friends at Andrei Art Gallery.
Our Good Friends at The School Visual and Performing Arts presented an original dance piece entitled “Seascape” by Chris Centrella who also directed and composed the original music. The performance was choreographed by Our Good Friend Kathy Kroll. A review of the performance will be posted later.
Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Jason J. Conan of The 4 Corners Health and Fitness Center, Gary Lambert along with Rob and Jill Howell of The Shawnee Institute, Myke Maldonado of Dreamland Creations, Christopher McCabe, Laura Goss of The Pocono Arts Council, Theresa Popiolek of Celestial Creations, Nancy Scheirer, John and Patricia Sizemore, Diane Verdi, and Cheryl Yost of The Sherman Theatre and Performing Arts Center along with Our New Friend James Lansing were among the many who attended the evening’s events. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. The next Evening on Main will take place Saturday September 2nd. Please contact The Pocono Arts Council at 570-476-4460 for more information.
Exhibitions were held at numerous galleries. Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery featured Our Good Friend Candice Wayes in her first show along with the work of Our Good Friends Will Daskal, Linda Mann, Greg Waltzer, and Helen Heeren along with Our New Friend Jean Benfante. Our Good Friends at Gallery 554 (aka Art World) featured the work of Our Good Friends Keely McCool and Sean Turrell along with Our New Friend C. M. Foggio in a show entitled “Amalgamation Art.” The works of Jamie Reed were also part of the show. Other exhibitions were held at Our Good Friends at Andrei Art Gallery.
Our Good Friends at The School Visual and Performing Arts presented an original dance piece entitled “Seascape” by Chris Centrella who also directed and composed the original music. The performance was choreographed by Our Good Friend Kathy Kroll. A review of the performance will be posted later.
Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Jason J. Conan of The 4 Corners Health and Fitness Center, Gary Lambert along with Rob and Jill Howell of The Shawnee Institute, Myke Maldonado of Dreamland Creations, Christopher McCabe, Laura Goss of The Pocono Arts Council, Theresa Popiolek of Celestial Creations, Nancy Scheirer, John and Patricia Sizemore, Diane Verdi, and Cheryl Yost of The Sherman Theatre and Performing Arts Center along with Our New Friend James Lansing were among the many who attended the evening’s events. You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JAS Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. The next Evening on Main will take place Saturday September 2nd. Please contact The Pocono Arts Council at 570-476-4460 for more information.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Film and Chat Nite 08-04-06
The Forwardian Arts Society held their monthly Film and Chat Nite at Our Good Friends at The Grand Cinema and Coffee house in E. Stroudsburg, PA. Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz shared the experience of viewing, “A Scanner Darkly.” A film review will be posted soon. The next film and chat nite is scheduled for Friday September 1st. Please call 570-476-4357 or email Forwardian@hotmail.com for more information.
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