The craft fair of craft fairs
The Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair brings together 170 fine craftsmen from across the country to the Chase Center in Wilmington for a second year this weekend.
“Every single one of the thousands of pieces on display and for sale at this fair are carefully designed and crafted by hand, one by one,” said Nick Mohler, a guild member and craftsman.
The annual event features six Delaware craftsmen this year, as well as 10 hands-on demonstrations, fine food and music. But, as Mohler puts it, the remarkable works of glass, jewelry, pottery, wood, metal and fabrics grab the spotlight.
Nationally-acclaimed artist Mitch Lyons demonstrates clay monoprints in one of the 10 presentations. Other new demos include Scherenschnitte (paper-cutting) by international expert Marie-Helene Grabman, hand-carved stone sculpture for the garden with Marty Silverman, broom making by Samuel Moyer, basket-weaving by Karen Wychock and dollmaking with Shari Lutz.
Sergei Novikov, a Russian pianist, and Pamela Bruner of Heartland Harps perform the events music while quality foods are provided by the Chase Center’s onsite catering services.
The Guild’s Fine Craft Fair is open July 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chase Center in Wilmington. Admission is $7 per person, with $1 off with a coupon from the Guild’s website, www.pacrafts.org. Children under 12 are free. Call (215) 579-5997 for more information.
Education meets entertainment
Children’s entertainment comes to The Grand starting next week in the 2008 Summer Children’s Theater, featuring many live performances of classic stories and original acts.
On July 22, The Wilmington Drama League performs “Fe Fi Fo Fum,” a comic adaptation of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The Drama League interlaces comedy with strong themes about responsibility in this act, which is suitable for children from kindergarten through sixth grade.
The performances continue with “The Frog Prince” on July 24. This New Candlelight Theatre Production, based on the Brothers Grimm classic, teaches children the merits of honesty and keeping promises. “The Frog Prince” also features Bruce Curless, a two-time Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award winner for his children’s character, Ritzy The Wolf. Before the noon performance, face painting and other activities will be held in the Baby Grand Theater at 11:30 a.m.
The series continues through August 7 with performances of "Ferdinand the Bull," about the bull that wouldn’t fight, world-class jugglers the Gizmo Guys performing their math and science juggling routine, "Peter and the Wolf," and old-style vaudeville performed by Pete Geist.
The performances take place at 10 a.m. and noon. The recommended donation is $5 per person for each performance, though any size donation is accepted. The donations benefit educational programs at The Grand through its Community Engagement department.
Concessions will also be available at $1 each including popcorn, juice and candy. For group reservations, concession orders and additional information, contact Quentina Robins, manager of education and outreach, at 658-7897 ext. 3201, or email qrobins@grandopera.org.
All-State Theatre inaugural production
The beloved story, "Le Miserables," marks the first production by the newly-formed Delaware All-State Theatre in an all-student edition.
More than eighty students from thirty-five schools perform in this musical directed and produced by Jeffrey Santoro, co-founder the Delaware All-State Theatre.
“These are committed and gifted young people who love music and theater and are eager to experience the closest thing to Broadway,” said Santoro. “With all this incredible talent on one stage, these kids are truly awesome.”
Adapted from the Victor Hugo novel that spawned a Broadway hit, "Les Misérables School Edition" opens on June 20 and continues on June 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, $15-$35, or for more information, call the DuPont Theatre Box Office at 302-656-4401 or 800-338-0881,
