‘Continuum’ art show at New Hope Arts Center Feb. 1 – March 2

2013 New Hope Film Festival July 12-21

By Charlie Sahner

The New Hope Film Festival, an event that seems to be gaining momentum with each passing year, comes to town in July and features some especially interesting entries this year. For more info on dates, times, locations and the latest gossip, follow the New Hope Film Festival on Facebook.
Founded by D. F. Whipple in 2009, Marianne Speiser and Danny Sailor soon lent their skills to the event, along with Thom Michael Mulligan, an award-winning independent film producer and actor who oversees the festival’s selection process as Executive Director – Submissions. Hollywood screenwriter Mark Rosenthal serves as an ongoing festival advisor. 

The festival’s core mission is “to discover and nurture independent filmmakers, many of whom are seeking world and U.S. debuts and remain overlooked and/or under-appreciated by other forums. This broad and inclusive group includes filmmakers from outside the United States. With the exception of special events, this film festival is a competition with strict rules.”

Second bailout group pledges return of New Hope's Bucks County Playhouse to 'glory days'

Bucks County Playhouse (background) and former Club Zadar in New Hope, PA 

By Charlie Sahner

W. Paul Beckwith of New Hope announced at Tuesday night's Borough Council meeting that he and a private foundation are mounting a rival effort to rescue and restore the foreclosed Bucks County Theater.

Broadway producer Jed Bernstein and a pair of local residents had announced in December their formation of a "Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy," but that group appears somewhat adrift, according to sources close to the organization.

In a statement read in his absence by an associate, Beckwith said that his group's intention was to return the Playhouse to "its glory days and advance the program offerings to include opera, symphony, professional theater, [and] productions by local individuals and groups."

Beckwith said that the group is developing a plan through the established New Hope Arts organization to convert the Playhouse into a "not for profit venue" through "the generosity of a private foundation."

The plan envisions an "outlet" at the Playhouse site that will serve "the good people of New Hope/Lambertville as well as the surrounding area" and become "a pivotal performing arts center for all to enjoy."

Added Beckwith in his statement, "What is important to note is that steps are being taken to develop a program for the Playhouse to ensure that the coming season presents a vital and entertaining program while the plan moves forward."

He urged patience on the part of concerned residents and groups, citing "complexities" arising from the controversial series of events leading to the Playhouse's recent closure.

But, pledged Beckwith, "The project deserves and will receive a solid financial, legal, and executable plan to keep the Playhouse pertinent for generations to come.

"We are dedicated to the Borough of New Hope, we respect the role that the Playhouse plays in the historic, social and economic climate of the area and truly what it means to our fellow residents," he continued.

Scattered Raindrops Fail to Dampen Spirits at New Hope Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival

Oil by Stephen Brehm (www.stephenbrehm.com)

By Charlie Sahner

The 17th Annual New Hope Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival came off without a major hitch this weekend, with great weather Saturday followed by a soggy Sunday that didn't deter interest in the event.

Contestents, exhibitors and vendors were varied and interesting, and there was no shortage of junk food to nosh upon while plying the crowded streets.  A crowd favorite: the cup of seafood chowder with buttered roll offered for $2 by New Hope's Eagle Fire Company.

A fun time, indeed!

Engaging work (L) and charming smile (R) of artist Natalie Alleyne (www.alleynestudios.com)

Grand slam: second venue cements New Hope's reputation as poetry haven

By Charlie Sahner

Come Monday night, they'll be slamming 'em down at Marcella's Restaurant and Bar in New Hope.

Poems, that is.

Marcella's will be holding its first poetry "slam," or competition between performers of the spoken word.

Organized by Bill Winkler, the event will complement the well established monthly Beat Night held at the New Hope Arts Center.

"The spoken word is alive and well in New Hope," said Bob Jamison, poet, writer and frequent MC at Beat Night, who will be attending Monday's event.

Robert Salup, renowned poet who has hosted slams and readings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (including a prior slam series at Karla's Restaurant in New Hope) will also be attending -- and hopefully reading -- at Monday's venue.

"Poetry contains as much energy as a Hollywood movie," observed Salup.  "All it needs is poets to make it come alive."

Marcella's is located at 7 E. Ferry St. (right off S. Main St.); 215-862-1700.  The menu recently morphed from Northern Italian to truly eclectic and looks interesting.

But the slamming begins at 9 p.m.   Don't be a square cat.  

New Painting Studio and Gallery in New Hope, PA

Le Kaloidis is an excellent abstract oil painter who recently opened a studio and gallery at 43 Bridge Street, in the back portion of the New Hope Arts Center building overlooking the Delaware Canal.

But what's particularly interesting and refreshing is that one can barely get the man to talk about himself; instead he'll shift the conversation to how great the Arts Center's sculpture show is and how much he loves watching the wildlife in the nearly-dry canal. He didn't even mention that his work on paper is on display in the PNC Branch on N. Main Street in New Hope through the end of June.

It also takes a certain amount of chutzpah to be try to make and sell abstract art in a town better known for mixed media paintings of barns and black and white photos of local canal bridges in the fog. But the art he creates has a certain coherence, vibrancy and movement, and when you visit Lee he's clearly more interested in sharing ideas, good company, and promoting art in New Hope rather than selling you a painting.

And if New Hope continues to add working artist studio spaces at reasonable rates around the Art Center nucleus and beyond, then the town will solidify its reputation as a regional art powerhouse. "Art towns" are gauged, after all, not only by the presence of galleries, but on the number of artists living and producing quality work within their boundaries.

One wonders if the owner of the abandoned Zadar's building occupying much of New Hope's prime waterfront would consider the tax advantages of providing low-cost studio spaces for artists there; it would also go a long way to generating goodwill among the town's residents and leadership.

Meanwhile, you might want to check out Lee's place at 43 Bridge. He's an interesting guy and he's got good art. :-)

Painting of Pear Resembling Tuchus Spotted In Lambertville NJ

This painting of a pear shockingly resembling a tuchus was spotted recently in Lambertville NJ in a gallery window on North Union Street.

Around the corner on Bridge Street, another gallery, another tushyesque pear. What's up with this?

Do the gallery owners over in Bungtown (the old name for Lambertville among locals) suddenly decide one crisp morning, "It's fall, move the pears, figs, pomegranates and any other lewd fruit to the front window, gaudy over sized flowers to the rear!"

Lambertville NJ was recently crowned victor by the Times Of Trenton in the age old rivalry between that town and New Hope PA for title of most prominent art burg, at least as measured by number of art galleries. New Hope is still recognized as one of the premier craft destinations in the country.

Is this Dragon Super Kind? Let's Hope So!

Another One Bites the Dust: Bye Bye, Bois

Today's Times of Trenton asserts that "Lambertville [is] overtaking New Hope as an art center."

Says the Times: "Today, while New Hope has branded itself an entertainment and restaurant center for tourists, it is Lambertville -- with more than 35 galleries and art dealers -- that has become a destination for art collectors and patrons while the number of galleries in New Hope has dwindled. Twelve years ago, New Hope had 13; today, there are seven with two scheduled to close by fall."

Full story: http://bit.ly/yk3Wd

In reality, if one is only looking at the total number of galleries, Lambertville might "win" the contest. But usually "art center" implies more than that; it is a place where artists live and produce work.

So, the true art center will be the first town that builds affordable artists' studio spaces, encourages artists to live and work there, and offers classes and education in the arts.

Not just tired oil paintings of covered red bridges and barns, and winter impressionist landscapes in hues of lavender and mango. Fact is, New Hope has the edge when it comes to crafts, live music, tattoo art, and sculpture.

Bottom line, New Hope PA and Lambertville NJ don't need to compete, they need to cooperate.

New Hope and Lambertville: A River Runs Through It.

Think Ill trademark that.

Some Don't Like it Hot

Now you see him, now you don't!

Why switch out a male actor playing Florence Foster Jenkins for a female actor? This is New Hope PA, right?

Besides, Grant looks real.

Denying rights because of gender sounds like discrimination in this author's opinion.

At least Grant is still producing the play, and the proceeds benefit his dog rescue efforts in Thailand.

Playing now through September 6 at the New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Street, New Hope PA.