This way to The Familiars

The Sherman* Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The New Familiars* www.myspace.com/thenewfamiliars on Friday April 24th who were preceded by This Way To The Egress!* www.myspace.com/egressthisway and Dream of Fire* www.myspace.com/dreamoffiremusic. The evening also included an exhibition of the work of local artist SueBdynamo* www.myspace.com/suebdynamo. A relatively small crowd came to see what proved to be great show with numerous interesting moments not normally associated with a rock show.

Although I didn’t see most of the This Way To The Egress!* and Dream of Fire* performances, what I did see made an impression on me. Unlike many bands who performed at The Sherman, they didn‘t simply sing the songs they prepared for the event, but performed them in a Circus-like fashion. In fact, This Way To The Egress!* employed a fire eater and a contortionist into their performance which pleased the crowd to no end. This is not to say other bands who perform in the traditional way are of lesser quality, but these intriguing onstage antics made This Way To The Egress!* and Dream of Fire* a more interesting experience which nearly overshadowed the headlining performance of The New Familiars*. However, the band did manage to live up to their very entertaining predecessors.

The New Familiars* presented a variety of styles ranging from blues to bluegrass with some original works as well as some interesting interpretations of some cover material. This was especially true of a quick paced bluegrass treatment of a slow Led Zeppelin Classic. Even at the fast pace of most of their material, it seemed a perfect way to slow down while being seated to enjoy the remainder of the evening.

For those who had the desire to travel a yet slower pace while still experiencing a touch of excitement, The Sherman Theatre’s* lobby held the visionary imaginings of local artist SueBdynamo*. Her work never fails to intrigue it viewer’s imagination while they peer into the images she creates. Many seem simple in their drawing techniques yet one soon discovers this simplicity is very deceptive as they communicate on a myriad of levels. The depth of her work entreats the viewer to look deeper into the images within their lives as often presented in the subconscious of their dreams as (likewise) the images she depicts are similar to the dreamlike depictions found in the religions of ancient cultures.

Among those who enjoyed the entire experience were Rich Berkowitz*, Theresa Woehrel*, and Cheryl Yost* of The Sherman Theatre*along with Arline M. Smeltz*, Julie Luongo*, Chris Francz* www.chrisfrancz.com, Tattoo Artist Sherley* www.myspace.com/Sherley_tattoo_girl of Dreamland Creations* www.myspace.com/dreamlandcreations, Shane Isykowski* of Phantasmatography www.myspace.com/shaneizykowski, and LuLu of Love N Music Live Photography www.myspace.com/lovenmusiclive. I’m sure there were many of you reading this article who were there but not mentioned. I apologize for this oversight, but you can correct this by sharing your reflections of the event by adding your comment. I would be eager to learn of and from them as I’m sure others would.

The Next Events to be presented at The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA will be The Jazz Ambassadors presentation of a diverse program of big band swing, Latin music, contemporary jazz, popular tunes, standards, Dixieland, and patriotic selections rounds up the month on Tuesday April 28th at 7pm, The Golden Age of Rock and Roll at 7:30pm on Saturday May 2nd featuring a musical retrospective tribute to the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s featuring the most remembered music, the films “Sleepaway Camp” (1983) and “Cannibal Holocaust” (1980) beginning at 7pm as part of their Severed Sinema Series* on Friday May 15th along with Special Guest Local artist Shane Isykowski* of Phantasmatography www.myspace.com/shaneizykowski who is known for his awesome special effects and photography for all sorts of horror and fantasy, Shermapalooza '09 on Saturday May 16th, Binary Code on Friday May 29th at 6pm as part of their Independent Rock Series, and rounding out the month of May will The Sherman Theatre*2009 Spotlight Awards on Saturday May 30th honoring the theatrical achievements of those who participate in area High School Musical Theatre Productions. Please Explore The Sherman Theatre* Website for more information.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.