Book Signing at ArtFusion 19464 this Saturday

 MOSAIC Community Land Trust and ArtFusion 19464 have teamed up to host Ralph E. Godbolt, author of Kickin’ the Ballistics:  Reflections on the Hip Hop Generation, Poverty and Power. He will speak this Saturday night at ArtFusion, formerly the Gallery on High. 

Author Ralph Godbolt will discuss his book and the realities of urban violence, the high school drop out crisis, misogyny, the war on drugs, sexual orientation and the Hip Hop Generation in the aftermath of the American Civil Rights Movement. “He takes aim at generations of harsh public policies, unequal access to opportunity and discriminatory practices that has led to a generational cycle of poverty, violence, addiction, under education and unemployment in America’s urban centers by using Hip Hop culture and rap music as a means to communicate the deep despair, but enduring faith of young urban Americans.”

The book signing and talk will take place this Saturday, October 20th, 7– 9 PM at 254 E. High St., Pottstown, Pa. Light refreshments will Be Served.  A portion of the proceeds from each book sold will be donated to both  MOSAIC and ArtFusion.

Grace Lutheran holding Premier Designs Jewelry fundraiser for Relay for Life

Grace Lutheran’s Relay for Life team “Amazing Grace” is having a Premier Designs Jewelry fundraiser.  Details below:
Premier Designs Jewelry Autumn Gala Open House  
Saturday October 20th from 1-3pm hosted by
Grace Lutheran Church Relay for Life team “Amazing Grace”
660 N. Charlotte Street
Pottstown, PA  19464
There will be raffles, door prizes and light refreshments!
Proceeds benefit the Relay for Life team “Amazing Grace”

MCCC Radiography Students to Host Flea Market Fundraiser on Oct. 20

Reserve your table now for this flea market fundraiser!

Montgomery County Community College Radiography students will host their semi-annual Flea Market on the Waterfront fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the parking lot at the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, 140 College Drive, Pottstown. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 21.

The community is invited to participate and attend. Vendor spaces can be reserved for $15 per parking space, with multi-space discounts available. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., and vendors must supply their own tables. Reservations are available on a first come, first served basis. For information, call 610-718-1815.

Event proceeds will benefit MCCC’s Radiography Club and will enable Radiography students to attend the annual Atlanta Society of Radiologic Technologists National Student/Educators Conference.

Radiography is a 70-credit, Associate in Applied Science degree program offered at Montgomery County Community College. Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging procedures including x-ray, CT scan, MRI, and mammography to assist in the diagnosis of illness.

For more information about the College’s Radiography program, visit www.mc3.edu/academics.

MCCC To Host Program on Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention

This comes to us from Montgomery County Community College

In partnership with the Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will screen “Speak Out and Stand Up,” a 25-minute video and program about the serious topic of sexual assault. A discussion panel, comprised of law enforcement, probation, parole and health and victim advocates, will follow the video.

The program will take place this Thursday, Oct. 11 from 12:45-2 p.m. at MCCC’s West Campus, South Hall Community Room, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. The program is free and open to the public.

Hosted by “Twilight” actress Kristen Stewart, “Speak Out and Stand Up” will raise dialogue about sexual assault as a community issue. The docudrama includes diverse student voices and experts in the field of sexual assault. Dramatized scenes highlight the impact of sexual assault on the victim, as well as the important roles of friends and bystanders.

The program is part of a collaborative effort among the following organizations: Montgomery County Adult Probation and Parole Department, Montgomery County Juvenile Probation Department, Pottstown and Whitpain Township Police departments, Victim Services of Montgomery County, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Resources for Human Development, Magellan Health Services, and Montgomery County Community College.

For more information, call MCCC’s Director of Health & Wellness at 215-641-6606 or Office of Public Safety at 215-641-6604.

Comedy classic, BLITHE SPIRIT, opens October 11 at Steel River Playhouse

Blithe Spirit, one of Sir Noel Coward’s enduring comedy classics, opens at the Steel River Playhouse this Thursday, October 11.

This oft-revived smash comedy hit of London, Broadway and stages everywhere asks, “What happens when your late first wife comes back as a ghost and your second wife isn’t happy with the spooky, meddling houseguest?” 

In Coward’s Blithe Spirit, gentleman and writer, Charles Condomine gets himself into this pickle when, as research for his next book, The Unseen, he dismissively arranges for a séance by a local medium.  When the ghost of his first wife nevertheless appears, alternately and desperately, he tries to make peace, “Why can’t we all get along?,” or to return things to the way they were.  Coward and his characters are forthright, frank and witty.  As a result, audiences revel in the unintended consequences and surprises unleashed as relationship  secrets take center stage.

While Blithe Spirit is very funny and lighthearted,  Coward had a serious intent while writing it.  A great celebrity in his day as an actor, playwright, songwriter and style-maker, Coward also was a patriot, helping Great Britain during some of its darkest wartime hours in 1941.  He wrote Blithe Spirit and got it produced quickly to lift the spirits of his countrymen.  It delighted audiences throughout the war, especially soldiers about to ship out.  Coward’s great wit, his writing, and his Shakespearean sense for tormenting his characters make his work as funny and appealing today as it was in wartime Great Britain.

Blithe Spirit will be performed Thursdays (October 11, 18, 25 at 7:30PM), Fridays (October 12, 19, 26 at 8PM), Saturdays (October 13, 20, 27 at 8PM) and Sundays (October 14, 21, 28 at 3PM) on the Main Stage.  Special Event: Sunday, October 14 – Talkback with the director and cast.   Tickets range from $17-$23.  More information and a ticketing link are available at www.steelriver.org or by calling 610.970.1199.

 

About Steel River Playhouse

Formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center (Tri-PAC), Steel River Playhouse seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences.  Each year, the Steel River Playhouse produces more than 90 performances and hosts more than 10,000 people as audiences, students, artists, donors and volunteers from throughout the region. We offer performance opportunities through open auditions; theater technical training; acting, voice, and instrumental lessons; classes and workshops for all ages; summer camp programs; and educational outreach including scholarships, artists in the classroom, traveling children’s shows, and other initiatives. For further information, visit www.steelriver.org, or call 610-970-1199.

Calling all singers, musicians & actors in grades 9-12: Win $1,000!

The Rotary Club of Pottstown has teamed up with the support of the Steel River Playhouse and The High Street Music Company to sponsor a special talent competition.

The Rotary Club is seeking students from grades 9 through 12 to participate in the competition, which will be held Nov. 9. There will be three performance categories in which students can compete – vocal, instrumental and acting. Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012.

Students from Pottstown and all of the surrounding school districts, public, private and parochial schools are eligible and invited to participate in this event. Entry is free.

The Rotary Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship to the winner in each category. Honorable mention awards sponsored by the Steel River Playhouse and the High Street Music Company will also be presented.

For an application and the performing guidelines, please go to The Rotary Club of Pottstown’s website at: www.pottstownrotary.org. You can also see the details below. Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012.

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pottstown

Nov. 2, 2012through Nov. 9, 2012

For Students in Grades 9 through 12

ELIGIBILITY

The scholarship competition is open to all students in Grades 9 through 12, including homeschoolers of applicable age.

HOW TO ENTER/DEADLINES

Audition appointments are strongly encouraged by submission of your Entry Form no later than October 15, 2012 to: Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905. Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows. All entrants much submit a completed Entry Form, including parent/legal guardian signature if under 18, in order to participate in the competition.

 

AWARDS

$1,000 Instrumental Music Scholarship

$1,000 Vocal Scholarship

$1,000 Drama Scholarship.

Runner-Ups will receive prized sponsored by the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-PAC ) and High Street Music.

Note: Scholarship money must be used for performing arts education with any private instructor, group class, summer camp program, or college coursework.

DATES/TIMES/LOCATION

Both the Preliminary Auditions and Finals will be held at the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center), 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Audition appointments are strongly encouraged and will be assigned after submission of your Entry Form.  Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows. After completion of the Preliminary Auditions, a select number of entrants will be invited to participate in the Public Presentation to compete for scholarships and other awards.

All entrants are invited to attend the Public Presentation free of charge, and will have the opportunity to receive direct feedback from the evaluators immediately following the event.

Preliminary Auditions (Entrants need only be present at one of the specified days for audition):

Friday, November 2, 2012 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)

Saturday, November 3, 2012 (2:30 – 6:00 pm)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (6:00 – 9:00 pm)

Public Presentation (Finals): Friday, November 9, 2012 (7:00 – 10:00 pm)

Admission $8

Note: admission is free of charge for all students who participated in the competition, and for children age 12 and under.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The scholarship competition is open to solo artists only; no group numbers please. Rules for each category are listed below. All entrants may bring a headshot or recent photo, or we will take your photo on arrival. You may also bring a typed resume listing your training and experience, although this is not required. BE PREPARED FOR AN INTERVIEW IN THEIR PRELIMINARY AUDITION, AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE DIRECTION TO SEE IF YOU CAN LISTEN AND ARE DIRECTABLE.

ocal: Perform 32 bars (not including intro measures) of a ballad from any musical genre/style (e.g., Broadway, jazz, pop, country, classical); however, be prepared to perform more if requested by the evaluators. Your selection must be memorized.  You may bring your own accompanist. Alternatively, a CD player will be available to you. If using the accompanist, bring one copy of your sheet music in the correct key, with all cuts or repetitions clearly marked.  If using a CD player or other electronic devices, you may bring a track with instrumental music only (no vocals). A cappella singing is not permitted. Recommended: bring a second copy of your sheet music for the evaluators.

Acting: Perform 1 contemporary monologue of any type, memorized, maximum of 90 seconds. Please do not perform works of Shakespeare or his friends (contemporaries). Hand props are permitted but no full costumes or set pieces. 2 chairs will be available for use (please don’t stand on or throw the chairs as part of your presentation). Be prepared to answer questions about your monologue.

Instrumental: Perform 32 bars of music from any genre/style; however, be prepared to play more if requested by the evaluators. Your selection must be memorized. Although only the soloist will be evaluated, you may bring up to 2 additional instrumentalists as accompaniment for your solo work, or you may bring a music track. No vocals are permitted and any instrumental accompaniment must be a different instrument than that of the soloist. A CD player and a 2-plug outlet will be made available.

 

EVALUATION PROCESS

 Preliminary Auditions: Entrants will be evaluated during the preliminary auditions by instructors and staff of the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-County Performing Arts Center) and High Street Music using a standardized evaluation form, in order to determine who will progress to the Final Presentations. Rooms will be provided for you to warm up and change your clothes, if needed. Preliminary auditions are closed to the public. Finalists will be announced via email or website posting upon completion of the all Preliminary Auditions, no later than Thursday morning, November 8, 2012. All entrants are encouraged to attend the Final Presentations to support their fellow students, receive direct feedback and written evaluations, and enjoy a special reception in honor of their participation in the competition.

Final Presentations: Finalists will perform their complete audition pieces for the public and for evaluators on Friday, November 9, 2012, starting at 7:00 pm. Finalists are asked to report no later than 6:00 pm that evening, to prepare. Rooms will be provided for you to warm up and change your clothes, if needed. Presentations will be grouped in the following order: (1) instrumental, (2) monologue, and (3) vocal. Finalists must perform the same piece and wear the same attire as presented during the Preliminary Auditions. Evaluators for the Final Presentation may include the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Tri-PAC ) and High Street Music instructors and staff, and/or may include other professional artists and instructors from the area. There will be a brief intermission after each category of finalists, so that evaluators may confer. Scholarships winners for all categories will be announced at the end of the evening, after all finalists have presented their work.

PREPARATION AND AUDITION TIPS

  • What you wear matters! Think about how your outfit enhances your overall presentation.
  • Choose material that is appropriate for your age and prepare thoroughly. Seek assistance from your teachers, choir and band directors, or others in the community who can provide help.
  • Actors – make sure your monologue is from a published work, and read the complete work to understand the context. Do not use a teen monologue book.
  • Vocalists – choose work that sits well within your vocal range and shows your best singing technique.
  • When entering the room, wait until the evaluators have completed their notes from the prior candidate before introducing yourself and your piece. Vocalists and Instrumentalists should confer with the accompanist or set up their CD or instrumental accompaniment immediately upon entering the room, in order to be completely set up before addressing the evaluators.
  • When performing, don’t look directly at the evaluators (it can make them uncomfortable). They will be listening and taking notes, and are not part of your performance.
  • Don’t offer to shake the hand of the accompanist or evaluators unless they offer it first.
  • Once the audition is over, thank the evaluators and the accompanist before leaving the room.

On-line Assistance: Please take a look at these websites and research others to learn more about selecting audition material and audition etiquette. Also you can check out sheet music websites to find music for your song choice (make sure it’s in the right key!), and can find a variety of karaoke instrumental tracks on Youtube.

http://theatre.psu.edu/programs/mt/auditiontips

http://www.drama.cmu.edu/news/view/67

http://youngadults.about.com/od/collegeprep/a/auditions.htm

http://www.oberlin.edu/career/students/documents/AuditionsGuide6.09.pdf

Application below:

Please print and submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012 to: 

Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905.  

ROTARY CLUB OF POTTSTOWN

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

ENTRY FORM

Nov. 2, 2012through Nov. 9, 2012

For Students in Grades 9 through 12

 Student Name: Phone:
 Address:
 Email:
Birth Date (include year): Current Age: Current Grade:
 Current Performing Arts Instructor/s:
 Emergency Contact:
Address: Phone:

Competition Category: Please check the talent category(ies) in which you wish to compete. Refer to Competition rules for a complete understanding of the categories before selecting.

 

Voice: Acting (monologue) Instrumental:

Brief Description of Your Talent and Skills: (for example, type of instrument, number of years, type of training and performance experience, if any:

Audition Date: Preliminary Auditions take place Friday, November 2, 2012 (4:00 – 7:00 pm), Saturday, November 3, 2012 (2:30 – 6:00 pm), and Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (6:00 – 9:00 pm) at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA . There are a limited number of audition slots for each category. Audition appointments are strongly encouraged by submission of your Entry Form no later than October 15, 2012. Walk-ins will be seen during Preliminary Auditions only, if time allows.

Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choice for an audition date and time (allow for at least 1 hour of availability in case of audition delays). You will be notified of your audition time by email.

1st Choice: 2nd Choice:

Note: the Public Presentation (Finals) will take place Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 (7:00 – 10:00 pm) at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA . All entrants are encouraged to attend the Final Presentations to support their fellow students, receive direct feedback and written evaluations, and enjoy a special reception in honor of their participation in the competition.

Permission to Compete (required for students under age 18):

 

I,                                                                             as parent/legal guardian of the above-named minor, do hereby give my permission for said minor to participate in the Rotary of Pottstown Performing Arts Scholarship Competition.

Name (print): Phone:
Signature: Email:

Representation and Release: By signing below (or by Parent or Legal Guardian signing below, in the case of a minor, on both the Parent’s or Legal Guardian’s as well as the minor child’s behalf), I agree to the following:

In consideration of the Rotary Club of Pottstown, the Steel River Playhouse (formerly Village Productions (Tri-PAC), and High Street Music (separately and collectively referred to as the “Parties”) allowing me to compete in the Rotary Club of Pottstown Performing Arts Scholarship Competition (the “Event”), I hereby agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Parties (and their officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and Board members), from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and including any injury to myself or another party, associated with my participation in the Event (including but not limited to those arising in connection with use of any facilities, as well as those arising from a third party due to my own conduct). I hereby authorize the Parties to use any photographs and/or media recordings in which I appear, for any purpose including but not limited to promotional purposes and release via the internet and/or other media outlets, without further notice, permission, or compensation. I hereby grant the Parties (and their officers, employees, agents, volunteers, independent contractors, and Board members), permission, in their discretion, to release medical information to the program staff or others deemed necessary and in my interests, and to seek and authorize emergency medical treatment for me, and I hereby agree to assume all medical costs incurred. I hereby agree to abide by all the rules of this competition, and acknowledge that all decisions of the Evaluators are final.  I further agree that if any part of this agreement is found by a court or other appropriate authority to be invalid, the remainder of the agreement nevertheless will remain in full force and effect. I further acknowledge that I have read and understood this Representation and Release, and voluntarily agree to be legally bound by its terms.

Signature of Student: Date:
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian (for students under age 18):
Date:

Please submit your completed Entry Form NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2012 to: 

Pottstown Rotary Club, Performing Arts Competition, P. O. Box 20, Parkerford, PA. 19457-9905.  

MOSAIC open mic is back!

HAPPY FALL!

The open mic is back on Saturday October 6th, from 7-11 pm at MOSAIC Community Land Trust gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street in the heart of Pottstown!

Musicians, Poets, Comedians, you name it! Come and get your 15 minutes (or three songs) worth of fame!

(I’ll be there reading something or other.)

Check it out on Facebook here.

Contact Alan Jensen-Sellers at 267-244-3195 with any questions.

This event is BYOB.

Suggested donation to help support the MOSAIC Community Land Trust is $5.00.

MOSAIC CLT has a mission to increase home ownership in Pottstown,

to improve healthy living through community gardens,

and to support the arts.

Dance company embraces Halloween season with haunted dance theater on Oct. 6th

The Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company brings the magic of Halloween to Pottstown in a haunted dance theater on October 6th entitled “Tales From the Krypt.” See haunted theme dance set to the music of Oingo Boingo, Michael Jackson, and This Mortal Coil.

The performance begins at 7:30pm and will take place at the Pottstown Dance Theatre, 72 West Main St., Pottstown, PA 19465. Admission is $10 at the door and will culminate in a Halloween bash – costumes optional!

Begin your Halloween season with this fun, spooky event. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company. For more information visit the Company website at www.svrdc.org or call 484-941-0683.

Meals on Wheels fundraiser brings The Fabulous Greaseband to Sunnybrook on Oct. 5th

On Friday, October 5th, The Fabulous Greaseband brings their rock’n’roll party to the historic Sunnybrook Ballroom to entertain Meals on Wheels supporters for an  annual fundraising event.

From their website: The Fabulous Greaseband is a seven member “Best of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Band. Their highly entertaining and energetic delivery of the greatest dance songs ever written has kept the group on top for the last thirty five years.”

Sunnybrook Ballroom is located at 50 Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown, PA 19464. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m.  $25 general admission. (Cash beverage and snack bar)

Meals on Wheels is partially funded by Aging and Adult Services, and they need to raise funds to close the gap.  As in past economic downturns, non-profit charitable organizations are dramatically affected by dwindling resources at a time when need is increasing.  Family Services’ Meals on Wheels program, now in its 41st year of operation, serves more than 88,220 meals a year to 400 homebound seniors with the help of 200 loyal volunteers.  Their goal is to help homebound older adults remain in their homes despite temporary or chronic medical setbacks.

 

Family Services Meals on Wheels

1976 East High Street
Pottstown , PA 19464

3rd Annual Antique Appraisal event tonight at ArtFusion 19464

FYI: ArtFusion 19464 is the former Gallery School of Pottstown/Gallery on High!

This evening, Thursday, October 4 from 6-8 pm, ArtFusion 19464 is hosting a joint fundraiser with Forgotten Cats, a local group dedicated to helping many of the stray and abandoned cats in our neighborhoods. Eileen Rhoads, of Rhoads Auction and Antiques, is generously donating her time and expertise for this event. Please RSVP to 610-326-2506 or by email.

The event runs from 6:00-8:00pm at ArtFusion’s 254 E. High St. location. Your $15 entrance fee includes appraisal of one item. Each additional item is $5, with a maximum of three items per person. Light refreshments will be served.

Formerly The Gallery School of Pottstown/@ The Gallery on High
254 E. High St.
Pottstown, PA 19464

www.artfusion19464.org

About ArtFusion 19464
Formerly The Gallery School of Pottstown, ArtFusion 19464 is a non-profit community art center dedicated to making the arts accessible to everyone.  Our mission  is to enrich the lives of the residents in the greater Pottstown area through the visual arts, regardless of ethnicity and economic situations. Our goal is to spark creativity, build self-confidence and develop community bonds through education, mentoring and community service.
About Forgotten Cats
Forgotten Cats helps many of the stray and abandoned cats in our neighborhoods. They help the animals receive needed medical care, get them spayed or neutered and find them a forever home.
About Rhoads Auction and Antiques

Ron and Eileen Rhoads Auction and Antiques can be found at 383 Ben Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, PA 19518.  They have fifty years in the business and are the second generation serving the Delaware Valley.

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