MAGAZINE
Shine a LIGHT More than 50 musicians join forces at The Queen
this issue
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• A Blueprint for Progress • Boxing Debuts at Chase Center • Sweet Suggestions for the Arts
FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. 4 ISSUE 8
1/24/2013 1:59:05 PM
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The Challenge Program presents
WOODWORKING FUNDAMENTALS Project Design and Creation Power and hand tool usage Understanding wood movement Art of mallet, chisel & wood handling Discerning wood species Milling rough sawn lumber Creating fine joinery
Wednesday evenings 6-9pm, March 6th though April 10th, Plus Saturday Workshop April 6th Tuition $185 (additional material fees may apply) Register online at challengeprogram.org
Classes will be held at the new CHALLENGE PROGRAM WORKSHOP Construction Training and Education Center (CTEC) Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard on the 7th Street Peninsula
Questions? Contact us at info@challengeprogram.org or 302.655.0945
PRESENTS Sonia Manzano
IN
(“Sesame Street”)
Erica Watson (“Precious”)
Dawn Wells
(“Gilligan’s Island”)
Karyn Quackenbush (Broadway’s “Annie Get Your Gun”)
Sabrina LeBeauf (“The Cosby Show”)
An intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman
March 6-10 & 13-17, 2013
Proving that a great show is always in fashion, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, with its compulsively entertaining subject matter, has become an international hit among both women and the men who love them. This intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron is based on the best-selling book, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons’ friends. Like the popular book, the show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to, creating one of the most enduring theatergoing experiences in New York and now across the country.
“A show about matters of the heart and matters of the closet” - The New York Times
Tickets on sale now! • (302)594-1100 • DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG
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FEB 17
NOON-3:30
T
EXECUTIVE BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTER
Wedding professionals, live fashion show, hors d’oeuvres and more!
Presented by tickets@DelawareToday.com 302.504.1364 or Delaware-Bride.com Custom sponsorships available at a variety of price points. For more information:
Sponsored by:
302.504.1326 or sales@DelawareToday.com
What can UD do for you?
3Career enhancement 3Customized learning 3Degree completion
The University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies can help you build your professional skills, improve your organization’s bottom line, and enrich your life. • • • •
Certificate programs Customized learning solutions for your organization Credit courses—online or in the classroom Academic and career counseling
For ed
UD is for you! 302-831-7600 866-820-0238 (toll-free) continuing-ed@udel.edu www.pcs.udel.edu OA020013
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Produced by
all rights reserved
TSN Publishing, Inc. President Gerald duPhily
Contributing Editor Bob Yearick
Art Director Shawna Sneath
Production Manager Matt Loeb
Advertising Sales Jim Hunter Miller Marie Graham
Contributing Writers Barb Bullock, Krista Connor, Josephine Eccel, Christine Facciolo, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Larry Nagengast, Scott Pruden
Contributing Photographers Joe del Tufo, Tim Hawk Les Kipp, Matt Urban
February 2013 volume 4, issue 8
6 Cover Story
Midnight Ramblers Shine A Light benefit concert returns to The Queen. By Krista Connor
11 The Arts Treat Yourself In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, sweet and solid starting points for a rewarding arts experience. By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald
12 Neighborhoods Blueprint for Progress
Three Wilmington neighborhoods are engaged in revitalization projects that represent “the hopes and dreams of the residents.” By Larry Nagengast
Departments 4
“in” Calendar
8
On the Riverfront
14
City Notes
ON THE COVER For editorial and advertising information: p (302) 655-6483 f (302) 654-0569
TSN Media, Inc. 307 A Street Wilmington, DE 19801
IVA performs at last year’s inaugural Shine A Light. Photo by Tim Hawk
ABOUT THE “IN” CAMPAIGN
Wilmington is truly in the middle of it all, and the “in” campaign is a celebration of the accomplishments we continue to achieve as a community to make our city stronger and more attractive. From neighborhood and business development to our arts and cultural scene, the people of Wilmington are working together to support our city’s ongoing growth and prosperity.
ABOUT WILMINGTON MAGAZINE
The mission of Wilmington Magazine is to capture, through stories and images, the ongoing energy present in the city. We aim to inform readers, both inside and outside Wilmington, of the city’s residential, financial, and cultural progress while remaining entertaining and vibrant. 3
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1/25/2013 11:26:46 AM
WHAT’S ‘IN’ FOR
FEBRUARY
MUSIC
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FOOD & DRINK
NOW - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 3PM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 8PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 8PM
Boeing, Boeing
Wilmington Community Orchestra: Tragic Tales of Love
DSO Chamber II
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
Delaware Theatre Company 200 Water Street • 302.94.1100 bit.ly/12EOwlW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 8PM
John Waters: My Filthy World
The Music School of Delaware 4101 Washington St. • 302.762.1162 bit.ly/QJuTro
FRI, FEB 15 - SUN, FEB 17
Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont 42 W. 11th Street. • 302.658.7897 bit.ly/Trsd0F
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 8PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 11AM
Chinese New Year Celebration
Mitzi Gaynor
Angela Sheik Record Release
DuPont Theatre • 11th & Market Streets 302.656.4401 • bit.ly/Uq6rdp
The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market St. • 302.658.7897 bit.ly/WZTEBN
SAT, FEBRUARY 16, 6:30PM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 8PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 7PM
OperaDelaware’s Opera Ball
Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa
Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont 42 W. 11th Street. • 302.658.8063 bit.ly/SbhIMA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 3PM
The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/UULbe8
Brandywine Baroque: Dazzling Music for the Sun... Barn at Flintwoods • 205 Center Meeting Rd 302.594.4544 • bit.ly/U6oCUg
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The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/VbSKwA
Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway 302.571.9590 • bit.ly/10sN33F
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23. 6PM
Up Front with FSBT
Stargazing 101
The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/Vbx2xe
baby grand’s Studio 1 818 N. Market St. • 302.658.7897x3851 bit.ly/QJwzAX
Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Road • 302.577.3534 bit.ly/U6nGiK
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7PM
WED, FEBRUARY 27, 7PM
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 6-10
Arm Chair Traveler Series
Three Centuries of Musical Magic & Rising Stars
MidAtlantic Food & Wine Festival benefitting 9 Delaware-based
Woodlawn Library 2020 West 9th Street • 302.571.7425 bit.ly/TnzNZY
The Music School of Delaware 4101 Washington St. • 302.762.1132 bit.ly/SbiERc
arts organizations! Various Locations #inWilm • bit.ly/RJnlFt
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ART IS IN - EXHIBITS OPENING & CLOSING THIS MONTH
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
• State of the Art: Illustration 100 Years After Howard Pyle Feb 9 thru Jun 1 • Gertrude Käsebier’s Photographs of the Eight: Portraits for Promotion Feb 23 thru Jul 7 302.571.9590 • 2301 Kentmere Pkwy
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
In the Aeroplane Over the Sixpoint with DJ Jersey Dan • The Queen
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
Boundless Borneo: Rainforest Conservation in Action
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 TH
The Delaware Center for Horticulture 1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262
Walk & History 9am every Wed
Bellevue • 800 Carr Road • 302.761.6963 Alternating Wed & Thurs Bellevue State Park • 302.761.6963
• Annual DCAD Student Exhibition thru Feb 22 302.622.8000 • 600 N. Market Street
The Station Gallery
• Winter Group Show thru Feb 23 302.654.8638 • 3922 Kennett Pike
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST
1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
Open Mic Night w/ Mason Dunn 7pm every Wed • Shenanigans 125 N. Market St. • 302.691.8090
Nature Explorers Club
Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534
TheDCH Lectures: The Extraordinary Secret Lives of Everyday Trees
Gable Music’s Comedy Rocks! Valentine’s Day Spectacular
1810 North DuPont Street • 302.658.6262
Judy Gold: Up Close and Personal
• Lonny Syfrit Photography “Let There Be Light” opens Feb 1 302.658.6262 • 1810 N. DuPont St.
Delaware College of Art & Design
TheDCH Lectures: Wild Abandon: Converting Vacant Railways into Urban Greenways
Wee Have Fun Club 10am & 1pm
Delaware Center For Horticulture
World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
Siegel Jewish Community Center 101 Garden of Eden Rd. • 302.478.5660
Valentine's Evening w/ Street
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH
Corner Symphony • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
Art Salad 12pm every Thurs Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts 300 S. Madison St. • 302.656.6466
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH Cadette Girl Scout Day: Night Sky
HOT! Cider Sessions & Feb 21
Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534
Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340
Grand Baile • The Grand • 800.37.GRAND
DuPont Party on a Budget
DelawareToday, Delaware Yesterday daily thru March 30
Bellevue Hall • 800 Carr Road • 302.761.6963
Infinity w/ SuiteFranchon • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
Delaware History Museum 505 N. Market Street • 302.655.7161
Sharon Sable Quintet
Glory of Stories every Friday 10:30am
Metric Halo, January Jane & Midnight Mob • The Queen
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH
Gallucio’s • 1709 Lovering Ave. • 302.655.3689
Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590
Art is Tasty: Romeo and Juliet, Ford Maddox Brown Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590
Art on the Town
Various Locations Buses leave 5:45pm from the DCCA, making the last return at approx. 8:30pm 302.576.2135 • 200 S. Madison Street
Make a Valentine
Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590
Peanut Butter & Jams: Chris & Lou
The Queen • 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Rockwood Ladies Night Ghost Tour
TH
4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340
State of the Art Exhibition Preview Party • Delaware Art Museum
Blind Boys of Alabama
The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590
Bernie Worrell Orchestra
Bootless Stageworks: Death is a Drag - A Murder Mystery Dinner Show
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
Stooges Brass Band
Elks Lodge #307 1310 Carruthers Lane • 302.887.9300
Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126
Boxing at the Chase Center (NABA)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH
815 Justison Street • 302.235.2500x32
Midtown Men
The Joe Trainor Trio
Tatnall Coffee House
The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
World Cafe live at The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 TH
Spokey Speaky’s Bob Marley Birthday Celebration • The Queen
Flashdance thru Feb 3
Lola's Ladies' Night Out
500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
DuPont Theatre 11th & Market Streets • 302.656.4401
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Chase Center • 866.962.LOLA TH
TheDCH Lectures: Heirloom Plants for Grace, Beauty and Sustainability
Family Fun: Blooming Together
The Producers - A Mel Brooks Musical thru March 16
1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262
The Delaware Center for Horticulture 1810 North DuPont Street • 302.658.6262
New Candlelight Theatre 2208 Millers Rd. • 302.475.2313
Corb Lund • The Queen • 302.994.1400
PB & Jams: Bill & Tammy's Children's World Music Express
Seldom Scene
ND
Pinocchio thru Feb 10
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD
Free Energy w/ Bleeding Rainbow
Zack duPont • The Queen • 302.994.1400
Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
H.M.S. Pinafore & Feb 24 • The Grand
TH
818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
Silver Screen Sundays: Romeo and Juliet (1968) • Delaware Art Museum
Jimmie Van Zant • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590
Shine a Light on The Queen
Victorian Valentines & Feb 21
500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340
Delaware Children’s Theatre 1014 Delaware Avenue • 302.655.1014
Angelina Ballerina
School of Seven Bells
Brandywine Baroque: Harpsichord Concert: Kristian Bezuidenhout
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) • Delaware Art Museum
The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126
2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590
Paul R. Jones Annual Lecture: Sonya Clark From Hair to There
Barn at Flintwoods • 877.594.4546
DCCA • 200 S. Madison St. • 302.656.6466
brown bird w/ Joe Fletcher
OH BOY! A Tribute to Buddy Holly
Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
“Highs In The 70’s” Rock & Soul Dance Party with Dan Reed
The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
Peanut Butter & Jams: Rolie Polie Guacamole
Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340
Classic Albums Live: Hotel California
Peek-a-Boo Revue: Blow Us a Kiss!
Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534
HOT! Cocoa Crafts & Feb 16
Clay Date • Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590
Can You Canoe • The Queen • 302.994.1400
Day Camp Open House
Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 ND
Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
Groundhogs Galore
Yarn • The Queen • 302.994.1400
State of the Art Gallery Talk
Freelance Whales
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH CTC Presents “8” - The Play
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400
find more at { inWilmingtonDE.com }
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World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
Chelsea Tavern • 821 N. Market Street
• Joe Girandola’s Rise and Fall: Monumental Duct Tape Drawings thru Feb 10 • Freak Antique: Contemporary Art Curios thru Feb 10 • Sam Blanchard Feb 1 thru Apr 28 • imPERFECT City Feb 9 thru Jun 16 • An Implied Narrative: Contemporary Figurative Drawing Feb 1 thru Apr 28 302.656.6466 • 200 South Madison Street
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Shakespeare and St. Valentine
Flight Club every Tuesday 5:30-7:30
Delaware Art Museum
Theatre N • 11th & Tatnall Streets
An Evening w/ Patrizio Buanne
World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400
MUSIC
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FOOD & DRINK
1/24/13 2:19 PM
MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS Second annual fundraising concert, another tribute to the Stones, is set for Feb. 23 By Krista Connor photos by Tim Hawk
T
wo years ago a group of local musicians approached board members of World Cafe Live at The Queen’s Light Up the Queen Foundation and asked, “What can we do to help?” The idea originated with Chip Porter, member of local band Montana Wildaxe. LUQ board member Rob Grant took the offer to the rest of the board and came up with the idea of a Rolling Stones-themed fundraiser called “Shine a Light on The Queen.” The hope was that a few of the musicians’ friends would turn out and enjoy an evening of Rolling Stones cover songs. To everyone’s surprise, tickets rapidly sold out and 2,000 people showed up, raising thousands of dollars for LUQ. The board quickly decided that this would be an annual event. 6 . PERFORMING ARTS
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“Arguably, it’s the best event that The Queen has had since its inception, certainly by local standards,” says board member and concert participant Ben LeRoy. “It was great for me to be a part of it on stage, but I had the opportunity to run back and get out in the audience and get the vibe from there, and oh, my God, it was electric.” On Saturday, Feb. 23, 54 Delaware musicians will come together at The Queen to present the second annual Shine a Light. Once again, it will be a tribute to the Rolling Stones, and LeRoy says the board hopes to raise more than $100,000 this time. Among those scheduled to perform are Joe Trainor from the Joe Trainor Trio, all members of Mallory Square, and members of the Bullbuckers. FEBRUARY 2013
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“It was so unique that the musicians in this community are the ones who started this idea,” says LeRoy. “It’s a groundswell of support coming from the musicians, which is really incredible, because that never happens.” Since 2010 the LUQ Foundation has been dedicated to the revival of The Queen Theater, located on Market Street in Wilmington. The Foundation also aims to make The Queen a catalyst for building community through high-quality programs in music, education, workforce development and mentoring. Every song performed this year will be a Rolling Stones cover. And like last year, the musicians on stage will be mixed around—no previously established bands get to play together. “In a way it’s more like casting a play than planning out a typical show with different bands,” says co-organizer and music director Brad Newsom. Newsom is in charge of organizing the musicians, helping with the set list, assisting musicians at rehearsals, and “managing the chaos.” “You need some chaos for a proper Stones show,” he says. When selecting the musicians for each song, Newsom says it can get complicated, since there are so many people to choose from. Usually everyone tries to get together and create a set list, then brainstorm who should perform each song, he says. “We have 50-plus musicians from 25-plus bands,” says Delawarebased Mallory Square drummer and concert participant Kevin McCabe. “Each song has a different lineup. No two songs will have the same musicians. It’s a big challenge to make something like that work, but we seem to get it sorted out and everyone has fun.” One early hurdle was finding a rehearsal space big enough for so many performers. Luckily one of the musicians, Scott Morris, owns a warehouse and offered it for practice. LeRoy says the musicians put in more than a thousand hours of practice—all volunteered. He describes the five-hour rehearsals as “aggressive.” There are six official rehearsals, not including the dress rehearsal, mini sessions and practices. LeRoy says 20 to 30 musicians are at each rehearsal, and they work on about eight tunes per rehearsal, with seven to10 people playing on each song. “Image what that’s like,” he says, “trying to get 50 musicians to practice for a show. It’s a monumental Rubik’s Cube.” The set list is a secret, although LeRoy does reveal that there are 34 songs. Following an early January rehearsal, LeRoy said, “It’s gonna be incredible, I can tell you. After last night’s rehearsal, with the energy and excitement that’s going on with the musicians—everybody kind of knows each other now, everybody’s excited to make that happen again,” Each of the event organizers—Grant, LeRoy, Newsom, McCabe and more—will join in the fun again this year and perform. “Last year was amazing. It built a strong community among Delaware musicians,” McCabe says. “A lot of us have known each other for years, but this was the first time we got to play with each other on the same stage.” As for the future Shine a Light events, Grant says, “There isn’t much we can do to expand the number of songs or musicians, nor can we add any more attendees, so my goal is to continue to make it fun for everyone, maintain the integrity of the set list, and work to bring in additional sponsorship revenues so we can continue to grow through that avenue.” McCabe says Shine a Light is a concert no one in the area should miss. He expects the show to produce “lots of smiles, some amazing music, and time well spent with close friends, all for a great cause.” Porter, who will be performing again this year, agrees. “Last year was the single greatest rock and roll experience of my life. The energy in the theater was incredible. I expect this year to be even better.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8:30. Tickets ($45) sold out a month before the show, however, you can still get tickets through sponsorship. Contact lightupthequeen@gmail.com 5
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RIVERFRONT 3
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1. Amtrak Station 2. Opera Delaware Studios/City Theater Co. 3. Wilmington Youth Rowing Assn., WYRA.ORG 4. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park 5. Residences at Christina Landing 6. Asnan Sushi Bar & Asian Cuisine, ASNANRESTAURANTS.COM 7. Harry’s Seafood Grill / Riverfront Market, HARRYS-SAVOY.COM 8. Delaware Theatre Co., DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG 9. FireStone Roasting House, FIRESTONERIVERFRONT.COM 10. Cosi at the Barclays Crescent Building, GETCOSI.COM
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11. Hare Pavilion/Riverwalk 12. AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Center, AAAMIDATLANTIC.COM 13. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, THEDCCA.ORG 14. Justison Landing, Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, CURRIEDAYSPA.COM Veritas Wine & Spirits, VERITASWINESHOP.COM 15. Kooma, KOOMASUSHI.COM CrossFit Riverfront, CFRIVERFRONT.COM 16. Delaware Children’s Museum, DELAWARECHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG
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25. Timothy’s Restaurant, TIMOTHYSONTHERIVERFRONT.COM Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, MOLLYSICECREAM.COM Ubon Thai Restaurant 26. Wilmington Rowing Center, WILMINGTONROWING.ORG 27. Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge/ DuPont Environmental Education Center, DUPONTEEC.ORG 28. DART Park-n-Ride Lot
Photo by Dick Dubroff of Final Focus Photography
1/24/13 2:35 PM
FEBRUARY RIVERFRONT EVENTS Art on the town February 1, 5-9pm ART ON THE TOWN Sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Art on the Town is a great way to view the exhibitions in our galleries and visit the artist studios during our extended gallery hours. Held on the first Friday of the month, Art on the Town is free and open to the public from 5 - 9 pm unless otherwise noted. Gallery talks 6:30 pm. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org Who Goes There? February 7, 10-11:30am Explore the marsh to find animal tracks and make a few of your own. What other clues can we find to discover who comes to the marsh at night. Retrace your steps to find a fun snack. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org Champs at the Chase February 8, 6pm Join us for Delaware’s first double title fight at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. ‘Champs at the Chase’, will feature Dennis Hasson fighting for NABA’s light heavyweight belt. Co-featuring will be “The New” Ray Robinson, looking to secure the welterweight title. Local boxers Dan Biddle and Lamont Singletary will be competing for the Delaware Cruiserweight Title. ChampsManagement.com Parents Night Out- Hearts in Nature February 8, 6:30-8:30pm Set mom and dad loose to have dinner along Wilmington’s Riverfront while you stay at DEEC and have all the fun with games, a scavenger hunt and an evening hike. Dinner provided. Parents receive a discount coupon for Timothy’s Riverfront Grill. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org
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in MY world: Children in Charge at the DCCA February 17, 12-3pm Have you ever thought, “If I ruled the world…?” Well now you can! Join the DCCA as we hand over the reins. In conjunction with the exhibition imPERFECT CITY families will be able to show us what things would look like if they were in charge! Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org Garden Design Workshop February 20, 6-8pm Itchin’ to dig in the dirt this spring? Join Alison Long, Landscape Designer & DNS Naturalist, and Greg Gagliano, Backyard Habitat Coordinator, for a hands-on primer in landscape design to help you plan for seasons of beauty and wildlife. Bring property dimensions and a few photos for reference. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org 2013 CODE Conference February 23, 8am A product of the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute / The Money School, CODE celebrates National Entrepreneurship Week each February by hosting a conference that includes speakers, breakout sessions and exhibitors covering various aspects of business start-up, survival and growth. Registration is suggested. Free admission. Chase Center on the Riverfront dfli.org Delaware Family Expo February 23, 10-4pm Discover resources that will strengthen, enlighten, encourage and entertain children and families at the daylong expo. One stop access to the most respected local, state and national companies and organizations that specialize in children’s products and services, styles and ideas for families with plenty of hands on demonstrations, free samples
and on-site product demonstrations. From clothing and room décor, to schools, summer camps and educational opportunities, from healthcare to family safety and everything in between and on the fringes. Free Admission Chase Center on the Riverfront mountainexpos.com/family_expo.html Delaware Health & Wellness Expo February 23, 10-4pm The Delaware Health & Wellness Expo will offer first state families an opportunity to discover resources that will strengthen and promote a healthy lifestyle. The Expo is designed to provide area consumers with one stop access to the most respected local, state and national companies and organizations that specialize in health care products and services. Products and services, styles and ideas for area residents with plenty of hands on demonstrations, free samples and on-site product demonstrations. From traditional health options to holistic care, foods and lifestyles and the latest trends and technologies to improve your health and wellness. The Expo is held on the same weekend and location as the popular Delaware Family Expo, which drew over 3,000 people last year. Admission is FREE! Chase Center on the Riverfront mountainexpos.com/health_ and_wellness_expo.html Art Salad Thursdays, 12-1pm Art Salad is a free lunchtime lecture series that features multi-point perspectives into the world of contemporary art from artists, historians, educators, and curators. Bring your own lunch or have your lunch delivered by Cosi®. For the full schedule, visit TheDCCA.org Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org
February 2013
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LOVE Treat Yourself to Some ‘Sweet’ Arts Events this Month Love (of the Arts) is in the air this month! Many will be scampering about trying to find just the right ‘sweet treat’ to delight their partners during the month of love and romance. What could be more suitable than an Arts experience? Let me give you sweet and solid starting points to make your Valentine swoon… By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald Treat yourself to some belly laughs… Comedy runs wild with City Theater Company (CTC) this month, starting with the return of Wilmington’s only comedy troupe, Fearless Improv! They’ll make your date night sidesplittingly hilarious with bawdy word games, kooky re-enactments, and compromising positions. Don’t miss their next gig on Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Chris White Gallery at Shipley Artist Lofts. Admission is only $5 (cash only, please) and there’s a cash bar as well. They return to the gallery on the third Friday of every month. CTC continues the funny stuff with a world premiere original comedy musical—On The Air—with music & lyrics by Joe Trainor (of Joe Trainor Trio & CTC music directing fame) and story by By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald Kevin Regan (mastermind of CTC’s Murder at the Mansion and the online series, The Clink). The plot: A radio soap opera is making the leap from NYC to Cali…while comic hijinks and killer songs ensue. Get your tickets now because this run is limited: Friday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, March 2. All shows are 8 p.m. at the The Black Box in OperaDelaware Studios. General tickets are only $20 at city-theater.org. City arts series The Arts at Trinity partners with Delaware’s off-Broadway City Theater Company for a night of hilarious, off-the-wall, interactive comedy with Fearless Improv. If you like their brand of funny, you can’t miss this gig, either: Saturday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1108 N. Adams St. Best of all (for you frugal types), this performance is a free-will donation! Treat yourself to tragic tales of love and lusty notes of jazz Want the orchestra experience but on a slightly smaller, more intimate scale? The Wilmington Community Orchestra – housed at The Music School of Delaware’s Wilmington location and conducted by noted musician Dr. Timothy Schwarz—is an accomplished amateur orchestra featuring standard orchestral repertoire and amazing regional guest artists, this time incorporating soprano, cello and narrator into the program. Just in time for the season, they present Tragic Tales of Love on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. with such apropos works as Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bizet’s Suite No. 1 from Carmen. Tickets are affordable, too: $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
Jazz is next onstage this month, again at the Music School. Noted local composer, musician and Music School alumnus Wilson Somers presents Wilson Somers & Company—An Evening of Jazz on Saturday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., again at the Music School’s Wilmington location. The performance highlights the music of Ellington, Brubeck and of Somers himself, with guest artists Bill Stumm on bass, Ed Kirkpatrick on alto saxophone and Stan Slotter on trumpet and flute. General tickets are $20 and students under age 15 are $10. For tickets for either program, call the Music School—762-1132— or purchase at the door. Treat yourself to the spotlight and give back in return… World Cafe Live at the Queen launches a new series this month, and it’s pretty sweet itself. Monday Spotlight Nights are geared toward partnerships with area nonprofits and private groups. This month, in the name of L-O-V-E, the Spotlight is on singles. On Monday, Feb. 11, the Queen offers a “V-day Singles” theme complete with Love Quizzo, a delectable chocolate menu, and more. Jake Rogers, corporate & community partnership coordinator, notes that they are looking to expand the program’s partnerships, so if you’d like to know more or submit an application for your organization, visit queen.worldcafelive.com for details or contact Jake at jrogers@ worldcafelive.com. Treat yourself…next time around! The hottest new programming from the Delaware Art Museum —following the smash success of Concerts on Kentmere and Art is Social—is Art is After Dark, a series of late-night events and activities geared to adults—events like beer and wine tastings, strolls through the Museum exhibitions, hands-on messiness in the Studio, and themed parties. This month’s installment, Clay Date (Friday, Feb. 22), is already sold out, so you’ll have to wait until next month. However, from the looks of the calendar, Art is After Dark is going to be great fun: March brings another Clay Date and “Artful” Salsa Dancing. Happy Arty Month of Love, pals! Hope to see you out and about at one of these venues. Want more ArtStuff ? Follow me and Dewey the Art Dog @ArtsinMedia. 11
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A mural in Wilmington’s Southbridge area shares the optimism of the Blueprint Communities plan.
BLUEPRINT FOR PROGRESS Three Wilmington neighborhoods are engaged in revitalization projects that represent “the hopes and dreams of the residents” By Larry Nagengast
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uilders know the best way to complete a project is to follow the blueprint. Creating that blueprint, however, can be a challenge. And no matter how simple or complex the plan might be, in order to finish the job the builder needs access to all the materials shown on the blueprint. Residents in four sections of Wilmington are engaged in an important sort of construction work these days, rebuilding their neighborhoods with the assistance of a program called Blueprint Communities, developed by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. Browntown became a Blueprint Community earlier this year. Hilltop/Little Italy, Eastside, Riverside and Wilmington’s Second District were among nine communities statewide chosen in 2008 to participate in the program, but Riverside and the Second District have since dropped out. “These are neighborhood revitalization plans. They represent the hopes and dreams of the residents of the neighborhoods,” says
12 . BluePrint For Progress
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Christian Willauer, a neighborhood planner with the Cornerstone West community development program and a participant in the Hilltop/Little Italy Blueprint effort. “This is very complex work. It’s demanding,” says Raheema Jabbar-Bey, assistant professor at the University of Delaware’s Center for Community Research and Service, which provides training, technical assistance and coaching to Blueprint team members. “It really promotes the civic engagement that has not had a strong presence in these communities.” The Blueprint approach, Jabbar-Bey says, relies heavily on “assetbased community development,” essentially taking stock of existing resources within communities and trying to build on that foundation, rather than focusing on the deficits. “When members of communities start looking at the positives, it can change their perspective,” she says. “They can try to build on what they have.” Each community team includes a mix of stakeholders—residents, business owners, and representatives of government agencies, February 2013
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nonprofits and a financial institution. They work collaboratively, so it’s not another government- or business-driven program, Jabbar-Bey says. The three communities participating in the program offer differing examples of progress. Browntown: Getting Started Browntown, as the city’s newest Blueprint Community, is just getting started. “We’re moving along. We just finished a draft of our strategic plan,” says Yvette Murray, co-leader of Browntown’s Blueprint team. “By this time next year, we should be able to look for grants” to help pay for some of the projects included in the plan. Browntown, Murray says, is a community that could be selfsufficient. “All of our needs can be met right here, and we’re right by the riverfront.” Blueprint Community goals for Browntown, Murray says, include developing more programs to benefit children and teens in the neighborhood and working to strengthen the business corridor on Maryland Avenue and improve its appearance. “Kids do not have a place to go,” especially indoors during colder weather, says Murray. “If you look at other parts of Wilmington, like Little Italy, they have a strong business community because they have business organizations. The businesses look out for one another and set standards for each other.” The Blueprint team hopes to build cooperative relationships among businesses and wants to look into programs that would encourage owners to improve their storefronts. One model to consider, she says, would be the façade improvement program now under way on Market Street that is administered by the city’s Downtown Visions program. Eastside Efforts The Eastside team got off to a promising start, developing a strategic plan and launching some beautification efforts, including improving Herman M. Holloway Park and painting and repairing the exterior of some homes on Spruce Street. Momentum was lost, however, and “I don’t think we’ve catapulted to where we need to be,” says Beverly Bell, the first co-leader of the community’s planning team. Alfie Moss, who now heads the planning team, claims there is now renewed evidence of progress. Jabbar-Bey attributes the recent advances to the addition of eight or nine members to the community team, including Central Baptist Church, which has made its facilities available for team meetings. “They weren’t there in the beginning, but they are now,” Jabbar-Bey says. Moss, who worked on the community’s beautification projects, says the group is now focusing more on items that could have a positive economic impact. The area has nearly 6,000 residents but only 36 percent of its roughly 2,400 residences are owner-occupied. Moss says the group wants to work with the Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union, established in the neighborhood only last year, to set up programs to educate first-time homebuyers and help them qualify for loans. The team is also working on a “community benefits agreement” (CBA), a document listing requests that would be presented to any developers who desire to build in the community, according to Moss. Nearby Southbridge developed a CBA several years ago, she says, “and look what they’ve gotten: high-rises, more shopping, and more jobs.” In addition, Moss says, the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, based in Southbridge, will soon open a new office in a portion of Bancroft Elementary School at Seventh and Lombard streets. The Blueprint planning team meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at Central Baptist. It has five main committees—safety,
beautification, economic development, housing and special events— and welcomes new participants, Moss says. “We’re looking for more partners. We are working to bring the community together and to keep everybody informed.” Hilltop/Little Italy Emphasizes Beautification The Hilltop/Little Italy initiative, like Eastside, began with some highly visible projects with an emphasis on beautification, creating a community garden with 37 plots at the Rodney Street Reservoir, and launching the Cool Spring Farmers Market and improvements to four parks. “We started with the parks because this is public space. It’s visible to the community, and residents can see that the neighborhood is moving in the right direction,” Christian Willauer says. But it soon grew beyond its original boundaries and resulted in the completion of a revitalization plan this summer for the city’s entire West Side, covering the area bordered by Pennsylvania Avenue,
“When members of communities start looking at the positives, it can change their perspective” — Raheema Jabbar-Bey Jackson Street, Lancaster Avenue and the railroad tracks west of Bancroft Parkway. The 10-year plan, if fully implemented, calls for spending up to $35 million on a variety of improvements in housing, economic development, education, safety and youth programs. An important area of emphasis, Willauer says, will be two main corridors—Lincoln and Union streets through Little Italy and Fourth Street and Lancaster Avenue on the south side of the area. Cornerstone West, a community development agency established in 1999 as a collaboration between the West End Neighborhood House and St. Francis Hospital, has hired an economic development coordinator to meet with businesses in the area to survey their needs, with an eye to establishing a Main Street program, similar to the Downtown Visions group that has been credited with sparking recent improvements along Market Street, Willauer says. He is an enthusiastic proponent of the Blueprint approach to planning, with residents of communities deeply involved in the process. “It’s a great thing for neighborhoods to create a plan for what it wants to do.” The fact that the city’s three Blueprint Communities are at different stages in their revitalization process is not surprising, Jabbar-Bey says. “Each community is different,” she says, in terms of their culture, the types of institutions present in them, the types of services provided and what is needed. Communities with more established institutions that are already used to working together will likely make faster progress. And, she says, in today’s economy, securing funding to implement new projects is a significant challenge. She believes the progress made already is significant. “We’re constantly reminding teams of what they’ve accomplished.” Willauer looks forward to all of the teams making progress. “If the city is seen as more than a collection of unique and interesting districts,” she says, “then that’s better for everyone.” 13
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PLAYING A NEW CARD Pro boxing debuts this month at Chase Center on the Riverfront
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s boxing and the Chase Center on the Riverfront a winning combination? Champs Promotion will take a swing at answering that question as it presents a double title fight on Friday, Feb. 8. It’s the first event in what organizers hope will be an on-going effort to bring high-level professional boxing to the city’s burgeoning Riverfront district. The last time pro boxing took place at the Riverfront was in 2005 at the now-defunct Kahunaville. Champs at the Chase will feature six different bouts, headlined by rising heavyweight talent Dennis Hasson (15-0) against Kevin Engel (20-6) of St. Louis in a North American Boxing Association (NABA) title fight. Hasson moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware last year to train under Dave Tiberi, a former world champion. In another championship bout, “The New” Ray Robinson (14-2) will be taking on Prentis Brewer for the NABA welterweight title. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm. Tickets are available at champsmanagement.com and by phone at 888-BLUE (tickets are $45-$125).
CITY NOTES Welcome to the Neighborhood! Made By Hand Gallery, 302 W. 9th St. This popular Philadelphia gallery has moved its home to Wilmington. Artists Roldan West and Jennifer Park have created a gallery featuring contemporary wood carvings, metal art, unique sterling silver jewelry, ceramics, and original paintings by several artists. They are always looking for more local artists to add to the gallery. Open Tuesday-Sunday. madebyhandgallery.webs.com/ the Kitchen, 227 Market St. This new film and video production house in LOMA specializes in producing short films for companies and non-profits. The storefront will serve as the Kitchen’s post-production facility and screening room, and it should also foster a great atmosphere for story development and production meetings. Have a story that needs telling? Bring it to the Kitchen or call 302.464.5824. thekitchen.com.
ASH, PINE OR MAPLE? Don’t know? Take the Challenge Program’s six-week woodworking course
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ant to learn the difference between wood species, understand how to operate power and hand tools, and participate in woodworking projects? Well, now’s your chance. Wilmington’s Challenge Program is offering a six-week woodworking fundamentals class, taught by professionals, on Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m., from March 6 through April 10. The program includes a workshop on Saturday, April 6. Cost is $200. The class will cover such subjects as wood movement, the art of mallet, chisel, and wood handling, milling rough sawn lumber, and creating fine joinery. Classes will be held at the new Construction Training and Education Center at the Challenge Program Workshop in the Kalmar Nyckel shipyard, 1124 E. 7th St. The Challenge Program has provided vocational training for Delaware’s at-risk youth since 1995. It helps to instill in them the confidence, skills and purpose needed to become productive members of society. The youth, who work on-site Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., receive a modest living stipend while enrolled. Trainees helped construct the new building. Director Andrew McKnight describes the public class as “fundamentals to woodworking”—something for people who have no experience with the art. “We get them familiar with tools and safety, and will work on small projects within class times that they can take home,” he says. McKnight says the program offered classes 10 years ago in its old shop. “Our new shop is now open and ready. It’s a really nice new woodworking shop we’d like to make available to the public after hours when we’re not doing training.” Contact the Challenge Program with questions at info@challengeprogram. org or 655-0945. Register for classes online at challengeprogram.org. — Krista Connor
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WRC News DowntownWilmington.com Why We ♥ Wilmington
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ebruary is the month for love. What better time to ask the true lovers of Wilmington why they are passionate about this fun-filled place to live, work and play!
• “It offers SO much, from amazing, world-class museums and galleries to scrumptious dining options.” — Sarah Willoughby, executive director, Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau • “It’s a great place to live and work.” — John Hawkins, president, ab+c • “It has more great artists than any other community I know.” –Jerry Bilton, executive director, Community Service Building • “It’s scale enables one to collaborate with broad coalitions of talent, and the results are immediately accessible.” —Michael Kalmbach, executive director, Creative Vision Factory • “. . . of the amazing commitment of time and energy of so many people to make our city a great place to live, work and raise a family.” — Fred C. Sears II, CEO , Delaware Community Foundation • “. . . of the great people, great beauty, great location, great leadership, great quality of life.” — Chris Buccini, co-president, The Buccini/Pollin Group • “. . . of my strong enthusiasm as a native: strategic location, easy access to community leaders, legal practice without big city hassle, and active effort to revitalize Wilmington.” — Stuart B. Young, chairman emeritus, Delaware College of Art and Design • “It’s a beautiful city—the parks, the architecture, the history. It adds up to a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Plus, Wilmington’s size, scale and ease of accessibility mean that I am able to run errands to three destinations on opposite sides of town in under 30 minutes!” — Carrie W. Gray, managing director, Wilmington Renaissance Corporation • “. . . the potential of the arts, business and residential renaissance happening downtown is infinite!” — Hal Real, founder & president, World Cafe Live at the Queen
Staff Picks
Every month we highlight select happenings in the city. Here’s what we ♥ in February: DSO Chamber II at Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont, Tuesday, Feb. 5 Maestro David Amado brings members of the Symphony to surround him as he leads the powerful and stirring Shostakovich Piano Quintet G Minor, Op. 57 from his place at the piano. Desserts and coffee at intermission are included in the admission price. Cash bar available. For more information: delawaresymphony.org/chamber_amado.html Mitzi Gaynor at DuPont Theatre, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-17 Legendary star Mitzi Gaynor lights up the stage in an intimate evening of laughs, love and music from her show-stopping life and career in Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins. Mitzi shares her life through song and side-splitting stories, along with video footage from her television, concert and film work. It adds up to a glittering, multimedia, one-woman tour-de-force. For more information: duponttheatre.com/mitzi-gaynor Angela Sheik at The Grand, Friday, Feb. 15 The Grand and Gable Music Ventures present Angela Sheik, who will collaborate with the Cab Calloway School of the Arts a cappella group, the Jazz Chords. There will be a few surprise guests as well. This event also celebrates Sheik’s first full-length album release. For more information: thegrandwilmington.org/Productions/12-13-Season/Angela-Sheik Chinese New Year Celebration at Delaware Art Museum, Saturday, Feb. 16 Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Delaware Art Museum’s seventh annual event. This celebration will include traditional Chinese art activities, artist demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, a dragon dance, and Chinese yo-yo performance by the Chinese American Community Center Folk Dance Troupe and Yo-Yo Club. The program is presented in conjunction with Hanlin Chinese Culture Association. For more information: delart.org/prog_events/fam_youth/chineseNY.html Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa at the Grand Opera House, Tuesday, Feb. 19 Ina Garten, host of the Food Network’s The Barefoot Contessa, discusses her flavorful life in this evening of conversation with James Beardnominated food writer Patricia Talorico, followed by audience questions and signing of her best-selling cookbooks. For more information: thegrandwilmington.org/Productions/12-13-Season/Ina-Garten Up Front with FSBT at the Grand Opera House, Friday, Feb. 22 An informal, in-studio performance in the baby grand’s Studio 1, limited to 100 patrons, followed by a private reception with FSBT’s dancers, staff and board. For more information: firststateballet.com Shine A Light on the Queen at The World Cafe Live at The Queen, Saturday, Feb. 23 A night of Rolling Stones music to benefit the Light Up the Queen Foundation, featuring an incredible lineup of musicians. For more information: queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=618 — Barb Bullock 15
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