A Sleepy Castle Evening

The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA presented another installment of their monthly Indie First Fridays event on Friday November 1st. A fewer number of people attended the event than usual but this did not dissuade those who were present from enjoying the plentiful conversations and the creativity found in the arts and crafts presented throughout the venue. In fact, the diminished number of attendees allowed each person to experience a calm that is seldom glimpsed prior to the busied holiday season dominated by the purchase of gifts and preparation of family gatherings indicative to the culture we find ourselves in.

The live music for the evening was performed by Red Love whose volume and energies served as a contrast to the mellowed social atmosphere of the event. The band, consisting of Aaron Courtright, Tony Koman, and Matt Norton, performed a number of songs composed by established artists but did so in a manner associated with groups of musicians referred to as “Jam Bands.” Jam Bands are known for having the ability of not only enhancing the songs they perform with their unique interpretation of their essence but demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the work through their improvisations of their melodies as they explore the textures of a song sometimes to the point of occasionally creating a new piece from the remnants of their chord changes. Red Love shared their mastery over this well appreciated aspect of Jam Bandom as everyone present shared their delight with the sounds they encountered from the trio. You can learn more about Red Love by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/RedLove/397446720308545?directed_target_id=550536805029133.

As the music played throughout the evening, those who attended the First Friday event traversed throughout the Castle Inn in order to explore the offerings the shops and vendors had for those who visited them. These vendors included Kitchen Goddess Nina www.facebook.com/TheKitchenGoddessNina who offers a variety of earthen goods designed to enliven the body and the soul through their essential aromas, Andrea Brock www.facebook.com/pages/Andrea-Brock-Healing/163550859721 whose Jewelry is embedded with healing stones whose energies attracts those who are in need of their unique properties, and Nova Chan whose creative pieces bring out the joy of living every day of life to its fullness. The shops whose keepers welcomed all who came to visit included Orion’s Toys who entreated everyone who entered to play, Custom Creations who offers custom made clothing and alterations for both men and women, and Dirt and Vine www.facebook.com/dirtandvine offering samplings of wine created by Big Creek Vineyard and Winery www.facebook.com/BigCreekVineyardandWinery along with earth ware pottery and jewelry for many to enjoy.

In addition to the all the evening had to offer, The Castle Inn Gallery www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Inn-Gallery/159174520808670 presented the work of Jim Smeltz, Joseph Mooney, and Will Daskal in its space. The work proved to be visually pleasing to the eye and well worth the visit to the gallery in order to experience the impressive creativity of the artists. The exhibition continues until November 30th with anytime the shopping complex is open being a good time to visit the work. 

As mentioned earlier, there were few who attended this month’s Indie First Friday but this rare phenomenon allowed for a much needed calmness to take place among the attendees that might not have been experienced otherwise. An opportunity to learn more about the venue along with the artists, crafters, and business people was even more available than previous events making the time spent in the establishment an even more wonderful one. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the November 1st Indie First Friday in The Castle Inn 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151630970105421.1073741832.636000420&type=1.

The Indie First Friday takes place (as its name suggests) the first Friday of the month. The event is designed to acquaint visitors to The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all those who set up shop in the complex. Experiences in Art, Crafts, and music is offered visitors along with some refreshments provided by various vendors. The next Indie First Friday to take place within The Shoppes at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA will be on Friday December 6th beginning at 5pm. You’ll be able to learn more about The Indie First Fridays by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/IndieFirstFridays?ref=ts&fref=ts.

The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA was built in 1906 and was the last of the great hotels to be built in area. It housed an ice cream parlor, a mosaic floor, bowling alleys, a pool, and a billiard parlor. Performances were presented which included those given by Opera legend Enrico Caruso, Marching Band Leader John Phillip Sousa, and Big Band Leader Fred Waring along with the Pennsylvanians. This all came to an abrupt end when fire touched the Inn in the 1970s and it laid dormant until 2005 when it was purchased by Theresa Veltri and Frank Paccione who continues their endeavors to bring the Inn back as an asset to the community and all who visit it. You’ll be able to learn more about The Shoppes at The Castle Inn and all they have to offer by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/historiccastleinn?ref=ts&fref=ts.