LMNOP: A New Muzical

This musical takes place on the fictional island of Nollop, located 20 miles off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop is home to an agrarian, arts and crafts, peace-loving, literate and engaged citizenry, whose ancestors left America in the 1800s prior to the Civil War to start their own island nation. The Nollopian love of language is symbolized by a cenotaph in the center of their town square honoring the island’s favorite son, Nevin Nollop. Marble tiles on the plaque proudly display a pangram (a sentence which uses all 26 letters of the alphabet with minimal repetition) created by Nevin himself. The saying is: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

The unexpected happens when the tile displaying the letter ‘Z’ tumbles to the ground. Concern over the fallen tile and its underlying meaning sends the High Island Council into an emergency session. Their conclusion is that Nollop has spoken from the grave, that the fallen tile is a sign that the letter ‘Z’ must be immediately removed from all spoken and written usage. Not understanding the ramifications of the Council’s decision, islanders celebrate the decision with a “Goodbye to Z” party.

The Minnow Pea family, Otto, Gwynette and their 18-year-old daughter Ella attend the party. Ella is a headstrong, bright and restless young woman who just graduated from high school at the head of her class and who is keen to move quickly into adulthood. As her parents and the rest of the island celebrate the banishment of ‘Z,’ Ella is troubled by the pronouncement and suspicious of the real reasons behind the High Island Council’s decision.

The celebration comes to a quick halt when the Council communicates a series of increasingly severe penalties for violating the new law. A first time offender will be marked with a slash of black ink across the face. A second offense will result either in time spent in stocks or a lashing at the whipping post. A third offense will result in the immediate banishment of the offender from the island with the added penalty of death if the person should refuse to leave or attempt to return.

Nollopians quickly realize that eliminating a letter from their speech and writing, even a letter as seemingly innocuous and unnecessary as ‘Z,’ is difficult. Soon after, the letter ‘Q’ falls, and others after it. The Council maintains that each letter represented by a fallen tile must be banished from all oral and written communication. As the alphabet shrinks, all manner of speaking and writing becomes increasingly difficult. For tickets and more information Click Here.

Synopsis provided by Goodspeed Musicals.

We Need Your Help - TODAY! NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS FUNDING THREATENED

On July 23, the U.S House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved its initial FY 2014 funding legislation, which includes a proposed cut of $71 million to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This would bring funding of the NEA down to $75 million, a level not seen since 1974!

Please take two minutes to send a customizable message to your members of Congress rejecting these dramatic cuts to NEA funding.While the subcommittee bill includes a 20 percent reduction in total spending as a part of the House budget plan, the proposed cuts of 49 percent to the NEA are significantly disproportionate. The arts community recognizes the challenges our elected leaders face in prioritizing federal resources, but funding for the NEA has already been cut by more than $29 million over the past three years. These disproportionate cuts recall the dramatic decline of federal funding for the arts in the early 90s, from which the agency has still not recovered.
In her statement during today's markup, senior appropriator Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) said these cuts "harken back to a time when a misguided war on the arts and culture ignored the educational and cultural benefits they provide our communities."
We have just learned that the House Appropriations Committee has scheduled a markup of the FY 2014 Interior Appropriations bill for Wednesday, July 31, so it is essential that you not delay! 

   

Please use this link to send an electronic message to your representative. 

This is just the first step in an annual appropriations process, which this year appears to be heading toward a dysfunctional ending. It is expected that the full House Appropriations Committee will consider this legislation next week; however, as the Senate and the House have vastly different appropriations levels, it remains unclear whether this bill will reach the House floor or a final version will ever be completed with the Senate. A message from you now registering your concerns with your member of Congress would be well-timed to arrive prior to any possible next step in the appropriations process.

A Special Program for Children & Families: The Sword in the Stone

Shoreline Arts Alliance celebrates its 12^th season of FREE to the public Shakespeare on the Shoreline program with an additional special production for children by Shakesperience Productions, Inc.  T.S. White’s  classic, directed by Emily Mattina, Shakesperience's Artistic Director, The Sword in the Stone is sure to entertain children and their families with its engaging story.  There will be two performances.  The performance in Guilford will take place at Jacobs Beach at 10am on August 7 with a second performance at the Madison Surf Club at 1pm on the same day.  The program is approximately 50 minutes in length.  The public is invited to join the Guilford Parks and Recreation summer camp participants or the Madison Beach & Rec campers for these performances (Beach passes or gate fees apply). Bring blankets and chairs and gather under the tent at Jacobs Beach, Seaside Avenue, Guilford or on the deck at the Madison Surf Club, Surf Club Road, Madison. 

Already traveling to venues all over New England, this adaptation of the T.S. White classic encourages reading, imagination, critical thinking, and character development.  With anti-bullying messages framed in the six pillars of character, Shakesperience Productions, Inc.  employs a giant soma cube set with paintings inspired by J.M.W. Turner to show Arthur’s (Curtis Dunn) journey from obscurity to monarchy.  Sorcerer Merlin (Rebecca Brown) and brother Kai (Emily Philio) help and guide him along the way as Arthur meets his destiny.  Join us for this magical and imaginative journey packed with exciting action and wonderful dialogue as it both entertains and educates.  Interactive pre-show discussion and post-show talkback session with the audience will emphasize the lessons and concepts in the story, including honesty, integrity, and treating others as you would like to be treated.

Shakesperience Productions, Inc. is the standard bearer for Shakespeare, as well as theater and literature based outreach in Connecticut.  Over the past fifteen years, Artistic Director Emily Mattina and Managing Director Jeffrey Lapham, have guided Shakesperience to quietly and confidently become a highly valued arts-in-education provider, annually performing over 650 workshops and performances for more than 70,000 students in over 70 communities in Connecticut.

Mark your calendars for August 7 at either 10am or 1pm and join the cast of Shakesperience Productions, Inc. for this special family daytime theatre performance.  Support for this program is provided by Liz & Niall Ferguson.  Then plan on heading to the Guilford Green August 7 – 11, 7:30pm nightly for this summer’s Shakespeare on the Shoreline production of Much Ado About Nothing.  Performances are family-friendly and free to attend.  Bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners and enjoy an evening of ‘theatre under the stars.’

Do You Wanna Dance?

 Tyler Roberts - 2012 Shoreline's Top Talent Dance Scholarship Winner

 

Launched in 2010 by So You Think You CanDance co-creator and Dizzy Feet Foundation co-president Nigel Lythgoe, National Dance Day (NDD) is an annual celebration that takes place on the last Saturday in July.  This grassroots campaign encourages Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and combat obesity.  National Dance Day achieved national recognition when Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a long-time proponent of healthy lifestyles, announce at a press conference on July 31, 2010 in Washington, DC that she was introducing a congressional resolution declaring the last Saturday in July to be the country's official National Dance Day.  National Dance Day 2013 is this Saturday, July 27.

Each year Dizzy Feet Foundation creates instructional dance videos for people to learn, perform and share with others as part of NDD.  Created by some of your favorite So You Think You Can Dance choreographers and featuring some of your favorite dancers from the show, the videos aim to cater to a range of dance abilities so that anyone can take part.  This year, DFF co-presidents Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman choreographed an Everybody Dance routine - for people of all levels of ability - to the song Treasure by Bruno Mars. And choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo of So You Think You Can Dance have created a Hip-Hop Master Class routine for those who want to challenge themselves. This routine features the song Live It Up by Jennifer Lopez.  Both routines are available on the Dizzy Feet Foundation web site.

So this Saturday join the dance craze!  Whether it's ballet or ballroom, clogging or jazz, dance is great for helping people of all ages and physical abilities get and stay in shape. You can even try chair dancing if you have some physical limitations.  But whatever your style crank up the volume and shake a leg.  Once you start dancing you might not want to stop!

Dizzy Feet Foundtaion was established in 2009 by Nigel Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Katie Holmes, among others, to support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States.  Guided by a board representing all aspects of the American dance community, the foundation's mission is threefold: To sponsor, fund and/or support dance education programs which expose children in underserved areas to the lifelong benefits of dance education through and with local community organizations; to provide scholarships to talented students studying at accredited or nationally regarded dance schools, studios or institutions; and in conjunction with recognized credentialing organizations, to support and increase the quality of all styles of dance education in the United States.

 

Music on the Green heats up when the New Haven Symphony Orchestra performs with the Dueling Divas. Opera divas Jamilyn Manning-White and Toby Newman launch fireworks of vocal virtuosity, singing familiar tunes from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Carmen. 

This FREE concert on Saturday, July 20 opens at 6:00pm with music from the Mariachi Academy of Connecticut, directed by Evangeline Mendoza Bourgeois.  NHSO will host an Instrument Discovery Zone available for children to toot, tickle, and try various orchestral instruments. 

Grab the family and a picnic basket (or visit the food trucks on Temple Street) and head to Downtown New Haven for an unforgettable summer evening.

Midsummer Festival

Since the early 20th century Old Lyme, Connecticut has been known to artists and artlovers alike as a haven for the arts. Over the past 100 years artists have painted in Old Lyme, capturing its timeless beauty.

Located on a serene inlet at the mouth of the Connecticut River, much of the character that drew painters to the area remains today. Its noteworthy houses built by sea captains, art museum, art college, galleries, shops and delightful inns makes Old Lyme one of New England’s most unique destinations.

For more than 20 years, the town has showcased its artistic heritage with a Midsummer Festival. This two-day event, a quintessential New England celebration for all ages, takes place in the heart of Old Lyme's historic district. All activities take place at seven locations all along Lyme Street: the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme Art Association, the Old Lyme Inn, the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds, the Center School lawn, and the Shops of Lyme Street.

Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival celebrates the town's artistic heritage with two days of festivities! Head out on Friday night for art open houses and a concert and/or Saturday for activities which include: Art Exhibitions & Sales, Fresh Market, Musical Performances, Artisan Fairs, Book Signings & Sales, Domestic Farm Animals and Hands-On Kids' Activities.

Music Festivals

Along with boating, beaching, and sun-bathing summertime is also the season of music festivals.  There are two great ones on the horizon.  July 25-28 head down to Seaside Park in Bridgeport for a weekend chocked full of great music at the Gathering of the Vibes.   Headliners include Phil Lesh & Friends for two performances, Blues Traveler, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Max Creek, Dark Star Orchestra, and New Haven favorite Kung Fu to name just a few.  Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 18th year.  Vibes has grown into a four-day event that has featured such world-class talents as Crosby, Stills and Nash, all founding members of the Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, the Allman Brothers Band, James Brown, the Black Crowes, Bruce Hornsby, Les Claypool, Branford Marsalis, and many more.  The Vibes is also a launching pad for extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands who have the opportunity to showcase their talent to the 20,000+ people who attend each year.  Held in six different venues over its eighteen years, Vibes 2013 marks the festival's ninth return to Seaside Park in Bridgeport.  Gathering of the Vibes has become the Northeast's preeminent music festival - springing from traditions born in the Grateful Dead Community.

Newer to the festival scene is The Big Up scheduled for August 8,9, & 10 in Claverack, New York.  Among all the recent festivals emerging, this one seems to be on many a trendsetter's lips.  The Big Up has quickly risen to be the most buzzed about new independent festival on the east coast - and for good reason.  The production quality, diverse lineup, artistic community, and overall vibe of the event are akin to those older and larger festivals.  High quality in smaller batches is a key component to TBU and has helped to manifest it to 'boutique status.'  With artists coming from across the country and around the world the weekend blends many kinds of music into a perfect summer mix.  There are several Connecticut bands in this summer's line-up including: Kung Fu, lespecial, Business Casual Disco, Cosmic Dust Bunnies, Ian Stewart, ConnetICON, and newcomers to the 2013 festival -  Guilford's own -  Rizzo's Dilemma.  For tickets to festivals or more info click on links above

Shoreline Arts Alliance receives a CT Humanities Grant

Do you find Shakespeare’s language difficult to understand at times?  Do you find his story lines a bit difficult to follow in some plays?  Do you sometimes wonder what message he is trying to convey in the play?  These are often comments heard during the summer Shakespeare productions on the Guilford Green.   Shoreline Arts Alliance has been awarded a grant of $999 from CT Humanities to add pre and post show talk backs during this summer’s production to address some of these questions. The Shakespeare Talk Backs will take place on two of the five nights of the main stage performances of Much Ado About Nothing.  The show will run from August 7 – 11 with the Talk Backs occurring on opening night, August 7 and on Friday night, August 9 (or Saturday, August 10 in the event of rain).

Admission to the Main Stage production as well as to the talk backs is free and open to all who wish to have a better understanding of the play and its history. Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is a non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities that funds, creates and collaborates on hundreds of cultural programs across Connecticut each year. Connecticut Humanities brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to express, share and explore ideas in thoughtful and productive ways. From local discussion groups to major exhibitions on important historical events, CTH programs engage, enlighten and educate. Learn more by visiting www.cthumanities.org.

Much Ado About Nothing demonstrates the humanity in all of us and the range of human emotions that we face daily.  The themes of honor, righteousness, faithfulness are countered by deceit, jealousy, social status and dishonesty.  The play also delves into the position and role of women, which provides a strong platform to encourage discussion.  Obvious throughout the performance is the ‘battle of the sexes’ as depicted in the characters of Beatrice and Benedick, and will provide additional talking points. Though, classified as a comedy, this play has a darker side and the consequences of this will be explored in the pre and post discussion Talk Backs.  The presenters will also address artistic decisions made for this production, i.e. adapting the script to fit into the allotted time frame, casting, costumes, set design, and challenges faced in creating a production for multiple outdoor venues.

The Shakespeare Pre & Post Show Talk Backs will provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the language, themes, plots and characterization in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing to enhance the comprehension and enjoyment of the main stage production.  The format will be informal ‘round table’ discussion between artistic staff and audience pre and post show with Q & A encouraged especially at post show forum.  Pre show discussion will take place at 6:30pm and the post show talks are immediately following the performance.  To participate in the Shakespeare Talk Backs just come to the tent adjacent to the stage from 6:30 – 7pm and enjoy the show!

Founded in 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance is the “go to” source for the best arts, entertainment, and cultural activities for people of all ages along the central coastal region of Connnecticut.  As a Local Arts Agency of the  Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Shoreline Arts Alliance is responsible for serving the broad cultural sector within the region and making the arts a part of the daily fabric of community life.