Mark your calendar for these great arts events in and around Berks County!
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Berks Arts Council's
Arts Blast!
February 17, 2017
COUNCIL NEWS
CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Art of Jazz
Berks Arts Council announces the 13th annual Frank Scott Memorial Art Show: The Art of Jazz. Founded during Berks Jazz Fest 2005, The Art of Jazz honors the legendary local jazz musician Frank Scott.

Artists in all media are welcome to enter.

THEME: "Celebrate Jazz". This is an open theme and is an opportunity for the artist to reflect on what Jazz means as interpreted to visual arts.

PRIZES: Cash prizes: $500 for First Place, $200 for Second Place and $100 for Third Place. Honorable Mentions or other awards awarded at the judge’s discretion. Cash prizes made possible through support from the JerLyn Foundation.

INTAKE DATES: Wednesday, March 22 & Thursday, March 23

EXHIBIT DATES: The exhibition runs March 26 – April 27 in the Schmidt Gallery of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. Reception and Award Ceremony Sunday, April 9, 2017.

CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the Art of Jazz prospectus.+

SOUTH Jazz Parlor at Berks to host 13 concerts at DoubleTree during Berks Jazz Fest
The iconic SOUTH Kitchen & Jazz Parlor in Philadelphia and the Berks Arts Council have reached an agreement making one of the 50 Best Jazz Clubs in America a major branding partner with the 27th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest set for March 31-April 9, 2017. The new jazz club the festival is creating will be in the DoubleTree ballroom during the 10-day festival.

The club will be branded SOUTH Jazz Parlor at Berks. “We are excited about our partnership with the Berks Jazz Fest,” said SOUTH Kitchen & Jazz Parlor owner Robert Bynum. “We are pleased to be working with a wonderful organization like Berks that has that same commitment and dedication to this wonderful art form of jazz.” WRTI 90.1 FM radio will be the media partner for the SOUTH Jazz Parlor at Berks. “It’s a wonderful collaboration between the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, SOUTH Kitchen & Jazz Parlor and WRTI,” said WRTI jazz host Jeff Duperon. “WRTI has been associated with and a supporter of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest since its inception."
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
FEBRUARY 24 - 26: Genesius Theater presents Bye, Bye Birdie Young Performers Edition
DATES/TIMES:
Friday/Saturday, February 24 & 25 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 @ 3 p.m.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday, March 2, 3, 4 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 5 @ 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Genesius Theatre | 153 N. 10th St. | Reading, PA 19601

“We Love You, Conrad!” The MacAfee family and the residents of Sweet Apple, Ohio, go topsy-turvy when teen idol Conrad Birdie comes to town to serenade one lucky fan before he enters the Army. The 1960 Tony Award winning Best Musical comes to Genesius in this special adaptation, performed by an “All-Youth” cast. Tickets $15 - 20. Current Berks Arts Council members receive a 20% discount!

Visit the Genesius Theatre website to purchase tickets.

THIS WEEK (Friday 2/17/17 - Thursday 2/23/17)
FRIDAY: Studio B hosts opening reception & book signing
DATE: Friday, February 17
TIME: 5 - 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Studio B | 39A E. Philadelphia Ave. | Boyertown, PA 19512

Studio B is pleased to announce the opening of Muse, the studio's fourth annual show and book release combining literary and visual art. The exhibit and book will showcase the writers' and artists' sources(s) of inspration. People, places, things, ideas...and words are subjects of the prose and poetry and rendered visually by the artists. A book of prose and poetry, Muse, will be released during an opening reception.

During the reception, Pamela Hodges will be signing her book, How To Be a Cat. Hodges provides a 15-step plan to leave the rat race and become a cat. The book includes a certificate of completion, cat diary pages, and several paper cut-out costume pages and provides a perfect gift suggestion for Type A friends and family members in search of greater balance in their lives.

Coming up this Sunday, February 19, from 1 - 3 p.m.: Jennifer Hetrick hosts a prose and poetry reading called A*MUSE*D: readings by local writers featuring writers who submitted prose and poetry for the studio's fourth annual book.

For more information, visit the Studio B website.
SATURDAY: José Limón Dance Company
DATE: Saturday, February 18
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Miller Center for the Arts | 4 North 2nd St. | Reading, PA 19601

Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the world's greatest dance companies. The Limón dance technique is taught in university dance departments around the globe, serving as a fundamental movement language for generations of dancers. Tickets: $35 Adults | $15 Student.

The Berks Ballet Theatre company has the distinct pleasure of working with the Limón Dance Company during their stay and opening their preformance at the Miller Center for the Arts.

Master Class at 10 a.m.! Dancers ages 13 and up with 5 or more years of dance training are invited to join members of the Limón Dance Company for a master class on the Miller Center Stage. $15 per participant.

Visit the Miller Center website for more information.
SUNDAY: Sundays at Stirling
DATE: Sunday, February 19
TIME: 12:30 - 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Stirling Guest Hotel | 1120 Centre Ave. | Reading, PA 19601

Friends of Chamber Music is hosting a "Sundays at Stirling" afternoon. Cocktails and beverages begin the afternoon, followed by a gourmet buffet lunch. An intimate recital of harp and cello music will be performed by premier students of The Curtis Institute of Music. Enjoy dessert and meet the musicians. Tickets: $95/seat. Call 610-698-8465 to make your reservation. For more information visit the Friends of Chamber Music website.
THURSDAY - SUNDAY: Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage
DATES/TIMES:
Thursday - Saturday, February 23 - 25 @ 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 @ 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Wachovia Theatre at Albright College | 1621 North 13th St. | Reading, PA 19604

Esther, an independent but lonely African-American seamstress, earns her living making beautiful corsets for other women. When a Caribbean stranger starts a long-distance correspondence with her, Esther begins dreaming of an intimate life of her own. Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage chronicles the hopes and heartbreaks of ordinary people in this haunting drama.

Special events related to the production include:
•Thursday, February 23: Post-show talkback & reception
•Monday, February 27 @ 7 p.m.: Panel co-hosted by the local chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW), Campus Center South Lounge

Please call the box office at 610-921-7547 for more information and to purchase tickets.
NEXT WEEK (Friday 2/24/17 - Thursday 3/2/17)
FEBRUARY 24: RPM Senior Series - John James Audubon
DATE: Friday, February 24
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Reading Public Museum | 500 Museum Road | Reading, PA 19611

This month's program is a special screening of American Masters: John James Audubon: Drawn From Nature. It will be held in The Neag Planetarium. Admission is FREE for Members and FREE with Museum admission. No reservations needed. The Senior Series runs on the 4th Friday of every month beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Coming up next! March 24 - Albrecht Durer: Master Prints. For more information, visit the Reading Public Museum website.
FEBRUARY 25: Ukulele Jam
DATE: Saturday, February 25
TIME: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Clay on Main

All skill levels welcome. Join in for old standards, folk, rock, and anything of interest. Singers, guitar, and percussion folks are also invited. $5 suggested donation.

For more information visit the Half Moon Cafe website.
FEBRUARY 26: Art Social hosted by Studio B
DATE: Sunday, February 26
TIME: 1 - 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Studio B | 39A E. Philadelphia Ave. | Boyertown, PA 19512

Studio B welcomes any and all artists to the second monthly Art Social, organized by Pottstown Area Artists Guild, for the purpose of working on art, chatting, and comparing notes. Since space is limited, Don Havas, secretary, asks that anyone planning on attending to let him know a week in advance by calling 610-850-2769.
MARCH 2: Berks Bards 1st Thursday Poetry Reading & Open Mic
DATE: Thursday, March 2
TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: GoggleWorks Studio 240 | 201 Washington St. | Reading, PA 19601

Berks Bards members and newcomers alike are invited to hear Dr. Phillip Terman read selected poetry. Dr. Terman is the author of five poetry and four limited edition chapbooks. His poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies. On occasion he performs his poetry with the Jazz Group the Barkeyville Triangle.

Dr. Terman will be visiting Berks for several days as a special featured guest poet for Berks Bards and Pagoda Writers'events. Click here for more information.
COMING SOON (Friday 3/3/17 - Thursday 3/16/17)
Movie Music, a Choral Concert
DATE: Saturday, March 4
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Albright College
An Evening of Beethoven
DATE: Saturday, March 4
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Reading Symphony Orchestra
Kodo - Dadan 2017
DATE: Tuesday, March 7
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: KU Presents.
Absolute Acappella
DATE: Friday, Saturday 10
TIME: 8 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Reading Choral Society
Famous Ladies of Berks County
DATE: Saturday, March 11
TIME: 10 - 11 a.m.
PRESENTED BY: Berks History Center
Vince Giordano: a Berks Jazz Fest preview concert
DATE: March 15
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Alvernia University
Gerald Veasley's Electric Mingus Project: a Berks Jazz Fest preview concert
DATE: March 16
TIMES: 7 & 9 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: SOUTH Jazz Parlor Philadelphia
CALLS FOR ARTISTS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Perry County Council of the Arts
Perry County Council of the Arts, based in Newport, PA, is looking to fill the position of Gallery Manager. PCCA operates a 180-member art gallery as well as a historic mansion that is a venue for recitals and exhibitions. The position is for 25 - 30 hours/week (Wed - Sat), and will report directly to the Creative Programs Director. Must be able to work evening events.

Please send resume and cover letter to Jasmine at: jasmine@perrycountystrs.org.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: GoggleWorks 11th Annual Juried Exhibit
GoggleWorks is pleased to announce an open call to all professional artists, age 18 and up, who design and produce their own work, to show in the 11th Annual Juried Exhibition. Open to all media, this exhibition aims to curate a selection of exemplary contemporary work from artists around the country. A catalog will be published by GoggleWorks Center for the Arts containing artists' bios and images of work(s), together with the juror's bio and statement.
Juror: Lisa Tremper Hanover, Director & CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum

Key Dates:

February 28 - all entries due by midnight
April 28 - opening reception from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
April 29 - June 4 - exhibition on view

Complete prospectus available on Submittable.com.
CALLING ALL POETS!
DATES/TIMES: March 1 & 8 between the hours of 2 & 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Berks Community Television on Albright College Campus | 1900 N. 13th St. | Reading, PA 19604

It's time to tape one-minute poems at Berks Community Television! Are you interested in reading/performing a short poem to broadcast on BCTV throughout the month of April as part of Bard Fest 2017? Only 20 slots are available and are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. To sign up, email Marilyn Klimcho with subject line: BCTV Poems
CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition
The Adams County Arts Council is hosting The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 38th International Juried Exhibition. It is open to all artists 18 or older, working with water media on paper. All work must be original, finished after May 2014, and not previously shown in any juried exhibition or the PWS members show. Over $14,000 in awards is anticipated.

Deadline for Entries is May 15, 2017 (midnight EST)

Visit The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society website for entry forms and more information.
The mission of Berks Arts Council is to cultivate, promote, and support the arts in our community through collaboration, education, and presentation.


NOTE: Although the Berks Arts Council makes every effort to ensure information listed in the Arts Blast is correct, we recommend that you visit the presenter's website or call the venue to confirm this information.

Berks Arts Council is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; donations and membership fees are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
This message was sent from info@berksarts.org to info@berksarts.org
P.O. Box 854, Reading, PA, 19603


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