The 20th Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs March 19-28, and promises a memorable experience for lovers of contemporary and traditional jazz, blues, one-of-a-kind ensemble shows and more.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, several artists who performed during the first Berks Jazz Fest in 1991 are returning this year, including Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band; Turtle Island Quartet with special guest Cyrus Chestnut; and Denis DiBlasio Quartet, with special guest Randy Brecker.

Other featured artists in this year’s festival include jazz trumpet star Chris Botti; pianist Keiko Matsui; the legendary Blood Sweat & Tears; bassist and hometown favorite Gerald Veasley with his Electric Mingus Project; contemporary smooth-jazz star Boney James; trumpet great and local favorite Rick Braun & Friends, featuring David Benoit, Richard Elliot and Selena Albright, joined by the Berks Jazz Fest Horns; the always-entertaining duo of Peter White & Mindi Abair; Earl Klugh with opening act Tuck & Patti; Jane Monheit with the Reading Pops Orchestra; and Pat Martino Quartet featuring Eric Alexander, Tony Monaco and Jason Brown.

Blues are back in a big way, with rousing shows by the Grammy Award-winning Robert Cray Band; vocal powerhouse Shemekia Copeland plus opening act Eric Steckel with the Craig Thatcher Band; and guitarist Coco Montoya plus opening act Deanna Bogart Band.

To purchase tickets:

• StopbytheSovereignCenterBoxOffice,SeventhandPennSts., Reading, to place your order in person.

Sovereign Center Box Office hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Saturday Box Office is open during all performances and sporting events at the Sovereign Center.

• CallTicketmasterat215-336-2000(ortoll-freeat1-800-745-3000). Have a credit card ready.

• Orderonlineatwww.ticketmaster.com

Ticketmaster has built a special online site for the Berks Jazz Fest. It’s fan-friendly and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For customer service, please call 1-800-653-8000.

For the complete list of shows or more information on the festival, including artist bios and venue locations, visit www.berksjazzfest.com. g

January & February 2010 www.berksarts.orgq

berksartsnews...the catalyst for creative change

BerksArtsCouncil

>VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest >Bandshell Concerts >Music Composition Program >Pagoda Awards >PA Partners in the Arts Regrant Program >Berks Movie Madness Film Festival

> VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest > Bandshel l Concert Ser ies > Pagoda Awards > PA Partners in the Arts Regrant Program > Greater Reading Fi lm Fest ival

B e R k S A R t S N e w S J a n u a r y & F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 1

20th ANNUAl VF OutLet BerkS JAzz FeSt

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Berks Arts Council Awards 2009-2010 PPA GrantsThe Berks Arts Council (BAC) awarded over $50,000 in grant funds to 39 Project Stream re-grant recipients, and over $38,000 in grant funds to 18 Program Stream grant recipients in October, thanks to annual grants received from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. These re-grants, provided by state dollars, fund a variety of dance, theatre, music and visual arts projects within Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. The BAC is one of 17 Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) organizations (overseen by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts) that annually evaluate grant requests for arts projects, individual artists and ongoing programs within the four-county region.

Receiving Project Stream grants for the 2009-2010 funding year:

Berks County: African-American Coalition of Reading, Albright College Concert Series, Berks Community Television, Building a Better Boyertown, Clay on Main, Community School of Arts and Music, Eckhaus, Hamburg Area Arts Alliance, Kutztown Folk Music Society, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, Muhlenberg Township Arts Board, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Reading Community Players, Reading Pops Orchestra, RIZE Program, Vagabond Acting Troupe, West Reading Borough and West Reading Elm Street.

Lancaster County: Allegro: The Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster, Ephrata Performing Arts Center, heART of Friendship, Dr. Amanda Kemp, Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital, Millersville

Four Corners Summer Festival, PA Arts Experience and Phillips Museum of Art.

Lebanon County: Historic Schaefferstown, Lebanon Community Concert Band, Lebanon County Concert Association, Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts, PA German Studies Program, PA Historic Dramas and Voices of Palmyra.

Schuylkill County: Black Diamond Writers’ Network, Nuremberg Community Players, Pine Grove Community Band, Schuylkill Express Chorus, Sovereign Majestic Theater and Stonehedge Gardens.

Receiving Program Stream grants for the 2009-2010 funding year:

Berks Bards, Inc.; Berks Classical Children’s Chorus; Berks Encore d/b/a Berks County Senior Citizens Council; Gabriel Chamber Ensemble; Greater Berks Food Bank; Imani Edu-Tainers African Dance Company; Lancaster County Old Fiddlers Picnic; Mifflin Community Library; Mt Gretna Arts Council; New Arts Program, Inc.; Reading Area Community College; Reading Choral Society; RiverPlace Development Corporation; Schuylkill County Community Chorus; Schuylkill Symphony Orchestra; Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop; Theater of the Seventh Sister and Wheatland Chorale.

The application period for 2010-2011 funding begins June 18, 2010. For more information about the PPA Re-grant program, and how to enter your project for consideration, visit www.berksarts.org, or contact us at info@berksarts.org. g

January & February 2010BerksArtsNews is funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Berks Arts Council PO Box 854, 201 Washington St., Suite 523 Reading, PA 19603 PH: 610.898.1930, FX: 610.898.1932

www.berksarts.org, www.berksjazzfest.com e-mail: info@berksarts.org

Staff• Connie Leinbach, Executive Director• Bob Coleman, Controller• Beth Renfro, Marketing and Public Relations

Director• Matthew Serio, Program Manager• Gary Spencer, Production Manager• Lynn Stimeling, Artist Services

2009-2010 Board of Directors• Theodore Bassano, President• Craig Rosenfeld, VP Programs• Lisa Tiger, VP Administration• Lidia Zidik, Secretary• Chuck Koch, Treasurer• Ralia Vardaxis, Past President

• Ron Bair• Karen Baxter• Alvin Booth• Margarita Caicedo• Gloria Day• Marilyn Fox• Bernard Gerber• Matthew Golden• Cleo House Jr.• Melvyn Jacobson• William Koch

• Chris Kraras• Julia Matthews• Sandi McCarthy• Tom McMahon • Dr. Robert Metzger• Regina Gouger

Miller• Rev. Dr. Harry Serio• Josée Vachon• Carol Zechman

berksartsnews

BerksArtsCouncil

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POetRy MOMeNt I held July

I held July in my handpruning the rhododendronand the spiral topiaryleaving the finch’s nestas a bumpthen, sitting on a momentwatched the trees bend

Glenn R. McLaughlin 7/14/08

Poet Glenn McLaughlin, of Pottstown, read this poem Dec. 3 during the Berks Bards monthly open mic in the GoggleWorks. Poets and poetry aficionados are invited to attend these monthly read-ings on the First Thursdays of every month at 7 p.m. in the GoggleWorks Cucina Café.

Membership Benefits$25 ArtS AppreCIAtOr: invitations to shows; discount on special events and the BAC ArtsCard, with discounts at museums, theaters and retailers including:• Buy-One,Get-OneTickets:ReadingCommunityPlayers;CherryHerringTheater;GenesiusTheater; Kutztown University Performing Artists Series; Reading Berks Chapter PA Guild of Craftsmen’s Spring & Fall shows; and Historical Society of Berks County Museum. • CommunitySchoolofMusic&theArts:Newprivateinstructionenrollmentsreceiveonefreelesson. Restrictions apply• MetropolitanOperaBroadcastattheR/CReadingMovies11&IMAX:$2.00offregularadult admission price only (not valid on senior/student tickets.) • ReadingSymphonyOrchestra:10%discountonsingletickets.• ACMoore,Wyomissing&Temple,PAlocations:0%offregularpriceditems.• GiftBasketsbyGail:10%discountonselectgiftitems,www.giftbasketsbygh.com• CDExchange,Mohnton:$1offusedCDsandDVDs.• 50%offsubscriptionpricetotheBerksCountyLivingmagazine(only$7.50peryear)• SubscriptiontotheBerksArtsNewsletter,published6xayear.• EventlistingsinBerksArtsNewslettercalendar,published6xayear.

$50 JAzz CIrCLe/BASIC BuSIneSS/nOn-prOFIt MeMBerShIp: All of the above, plus:• OpportunityforAdvancepurchaseofJazzFestticketsbeforethepublic.• 10%offJazzFestmerchandisewithArtsCard• JazzBase“Bucks”-OnetimeuseattheGeraldVeasleyJazzBase,CrownPlazaReading;Showyour current ArtsCard with Jazz Circle number. Not valid during the Berks Jazz Fest.

$100 ADVOCAte: All of the above, plus: A Jazz CD

$250 pAtrOn: All of the above, plus: Two (2) tickets to any Greater Reading Film Festival film screening during the festival.

$500 GuArAntOr: All of the above, plus: • Two(2)ticketstoJazzFestopeningreception&concert• Two(2)ticketstoanyoneGreaterReadingFilmFestivalreceptionandscreening.

$1,000 preSIDent’S CIrCLe: All of the above, plus: • Two(2)ticketstooneJazzFestticketedevent.

Thank you to all the member organizations that partner with us on member benefits. Businesses interested in a membership or sponsorship opportunities please call our office 610-898-1930 or email us at info@berksarts.org. g

adratesAdvertising in the BAC newsletter is a great value. The Berks Arts Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts and cultural activities in Berks County.BerksArtsnews is the bimonthly publication of the BAC and features member driven local arts news. It is distributed to BAC membership and various venues throughout Berks County, including distribution in schools, libraries, cafes and other public places. g

• Accepted file formats: InDesign or pdf (please include all source files & fonts)

• E-mail to: cleinbach@berksjazzfest.com

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KEYSTONEINSTANT PRINTINGFor business or pleasure

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B e R k S A R t S N e w S J a n u a r y & F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 3

Janel Smithgraphic designjanels@ptd.net

The Greater Reading arts community lost a dear friend in March of 2009 when artist Jody Rex passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer. A life-long Reading resident, Jody graduated from Central Catholic High School, Kutztown University (with a fine arts degree,) and worked at Southern Junior High School. Jody devoted many hours volunteering her time to the arts—Reading Community Players and the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest were favorites, as well as the Girl Scouts and many others.

A talented artist in her own right, Jody exhibited her work in Berks Arts Council shows and at Art Plus in West Reading.

To honor her generous spirit, Jody’s friends and family established a scholarship at Reading High School for talented art students to pursue a college art education. In order to help raise money to fund the scholarship, local artist Harry Bentz, a dear friend of Jody’s, has painted a landscape of the City Park Bandshell in Jody’s memory, and has allowed prints to be created to help fund the scholarship. Prints are being sold for $65. To purchase one, or to donate to the scholarship fund, contact Tom Nein at 610-689-8290. g

In Memoriam: JODy ReX

Berks County, Pa. has a new online source for local news and information – www.bctv.org.

Early last spring, Berks Community Television, the nonprofit community television station in Reading, was awarded a three-year matching grant to create a new informational website. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded the Berks County Community Foundation a $255,000 matching grant to build and operate an online news and information site at BCTV. The Berks County Community Foundation was one of 21 winners of the Knight Community Information Challenge, a five-year, $24 million national initiative to help community foundations support creative ways to use new media and technology to keep communities engaged.

These grant monies have been used to provide an electronic hub for people to get information

important to their lives and their community, and the ability to question and comment on important issues. The new and improved BCTV.org launched Dec. 1, 2009.

This newly expanded website includes local news reported by experienced writers, as well as reports by volunteer citizen journalists, community groups and businesses. Articles focus on events, activities and issues important to Berks County residents.

Other features include a local events calendar, citizen photos and videos, blogs, comments and other forums.

For more information, and to learn how to become a BCTV.org volunteer citizen journalist, contact Steve Reinbrecht at 610-374-3065 or sreinbrecht@bctv.org. g

BCtV launches New News website

Alan Cernak; 2/12: Mardi Gras- themed Artists’ Studio Crawl; Lauren Livingston, Green Wall Gallery. Ongoing: Willson History Project, VIST Financial Gallery. GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. 610-374-4600, www.goggleworks.org.

JAnuAry & FeBruAryReading Public Museum Exhibits: to Feb. 15: The Museum “Goes South,”specialGone With the Wind costume exhibit. To March 7: Berks County Views. To May 30: The Magic of Hollywood-The Gene London Costume Collection. 500 Museum Rd., West Reading. 610-371-5850, www.readingpublicmuseum.org.

JAnuAry & FeBruAryYocum Institute for Arts Education: to Jan. 25: Gensler exhibit; Jan. 31-Feb. 14: Junior/Senior exhibit, opening 1/31, 3-5 p.m.; Feb. 19-Mar. 7: Elaine Soltis and Judy Moses, opening 2/19, 5-7 p.m. Yocum Gallery, 1100 Belmont Ave.,Wyomissing. 610-376-1576. www.institute-of-arts.org.

art exhibitionsOn-GOInG Berks Arts Council Member Exhibits: Cucina Café at GoggleWorks, 201 Washington St., Reading; Hard Bean Café, 600 Penn Ave., West Reading. www.berksarts.org.

JAnuAry & FeBruAryLisa Tiger: in the Berks Arts Council Cucina Café in GoggleWorks, 201 Wash-ington St., Reading. www.berksarts.org.

JAnuAry & FeBruAryGoggleWorks Exhibits: Jan. – Wonder-ful Life, Steven Siegel, opening 1/22 from 4-6 p.m., Cohen Gallery; Urban Aesthetic Collaborative, a collection of artwork from Reading High School students, opening 1/7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Cohen Gallery; Printmaking, Sarah Gersbach, Green Wall Gallery. Feb. - Wonderful Life, Steven Siegel, Cohen Gallery; Joseph Pinter, Rolf & Renate Schmidt Gallery; Featured artists: Sheila Shuman, Mary Stoudt, Sue Biebuyck,

JAn. 7-FeB. 28Alvin Booth: abstract and acrylic artist. Opening reception 1/7 from 5-8 p.m. Art Plus Gallery, 604 Penn Ave., West Reading. 610-375-9122. www.artplusgallery.org.

JAn. 8Furry Fridays: with art exhibit by Ron Shira. Reception 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Food, drink, art, animals. The Humane Society of Berks County, 1801 N. 11th St., Reading. 610-921-2348. www.berkshumane.org.

JAn.10-2832nd BAA Membership Show at RACC: non-juried exhibition. Opening reception 1/10, 2-4 p.m. The Gallery in Berks Hall, 2nd & Franklin Sts., Reading. 610-371-2028. www.berksartalliance.com.

JAn. 18-FeB. 26Steven Siegle; Wonderful Life: special multiple-gallery event. Jan. 21 - Opening @ Freedman Gallery. 5-7 p.m., Albright College, 13th & Bern St., Reading. 610-921-7526. Opening @ Freyberger Gallery. 6–8 p.m., Perkins Student Center, Penn State Berks, Broadcasting Rd., Wyomissing. 610-396-6140. Jan. 22 - Opening @ Gog-gleworks from 4–5 p.m., 201 Washington St., Reading. 610-374-4600. Artist’s lecture @ the Reading Public Museum. 6 p.m. 500 Museum Rd., West Reading. 610-371-5850.

JAn. 22-MArCh 6Jan-Ru Wan: opening 1/22, 7-9 p.m. art-ist’s reception and gallery talk. New Arts Program, 173 W. Main, Kutztown. Hours: Wed. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or call 610-683-6440. www.napconnection.com.

JAn. 28-MAr. 5Circling the Center, A Residency by Nene Humphrey: opening reception and performance 1/28 from 4-6 p.m. Sharadin Art Gallery, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown. 610-683-4546. www.kutztown.edu/acad/artgallery.

FeB. 7-26Patrice Martin & Greg Kauffman: Nature’s Images. Opening reception 2/7 from 2-4 p.m. The Gallery in Berks Hall at RACC, 2nd & Franklin Sts., Reading. 610-372-4721 x5181.

musicJAn. 9Defying Gravity; The Songs of Stephen Schwartz: a benefit performance event for ASSETS of Lancaster and the Ephrata Performing Arts Center. Wine and cheese reception, 7 p.m., performance at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35. Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata. 717-733-7966, x 221 or 224. www.Ephrata-PerformingArtsCenter.com.

JAn. 9 & 16MetLive in HD: 1/9 - R. Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. 1/16 - Bizet’s Carmen. 1:00 p.m. $22/Adult, $20/Senior, $15/Child. R/C Theaters at Entertainment Square, Second and Washington Sts., Reading. 610-374-2828. www.rctheatres.com.

JAn. 10RSO Youth Philharmonia Concert: the Reading Symphony Junior Philharmonia Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12/Adult, $8/Student & Seniors. Schuylkill Valley High School, 929 Lakeshore Dr., Leesport. www.readingsymphonyyouth.org.

berksartscalendar

4 B e R k S A R t S N e w S J a n u a r y & F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0

JAn. 10Reading Musical Foundation: Artists of Tomorrow concert. 3 p.m. Free. Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 S. Waverly St., Shillington. www.readingmusicalfounda-tion.org.

JAn. 15Winter Concert: the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra. 7 p.m. Free. Berks Heim, 1011 Berks Rd., Leesport. www.readingphilhar-monic.com.

JAn. 22Friends of Chamber Music: Los Angeles Piano Quartet. Free. 8:00 p.m. WCR Center for the Arts, 150 North Fifth St., Reading. 610-796-9001.

JAnuAry 23 & FeBruAry 13 Reading Symphony Orchestra: 1/23 - “London Calling!” Vaughan Williams: Fan-tasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Finzi: Clarinet Concerto, Janine Thomas: Soloist. 2/13 - Valentine Weekend 2010 Celebration with Maestro Constantine, Great Soloists and the Reading Choral Society. Tickets: $37-58. Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. 6 St., Reading. 610-373-7557, info@readingsymphony.org, www.readingsym-phony.org.

FeB. 5Rick Benjamin’s Paragon Ragtime Orchestra: part of the KU Performing Arts Series. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $32/Adult, $25/Student. Schaeffer Auditorium. Kutztown University. 610-683-4092. www.Kutztown-Presents.org.

FeB. 13Valentine Concert with the Reading Symphony Orchestra: performance by the Reading Choral Society. 8 p.m. Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. 6 St., Read-ing. 610-898-1939. www.readingchoral.org.

FeB. 14Bagels & Bach: featuring Basic’ly Brass. 10 a.m.-noon. Tickets: $15/members, $25/non-members. Reading Public Museum Atrium, 500 Museum Rd., West Reading. 610-371-5850, www.readingpublicmu-seum.org.

FeB. 18Tapestry: multi-award-winning a capella quintet,partoftheAlbrightCollege“StarSeries.”7:30p.m.Tickets$18.MPKChapelat Albright College Center for the Arts, 13th & Bern St., Reading. 610-921-7526. www.albright.edu/centerforthearts.

FeB. 19Friends of Chamber Music: Apollo Trio. Free. 8:00 p.m. WCR Center for the Arts, 150 North Fifth St., Reading. 610-796-9001.

FeB. 20Winter Pops Concert: the Albright Col-lege Symphonic Band. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Free. MPK Memorial Chapel at Albright College Center for the Arts, 13th & Bern St., Reading. 610-921-7526. www.albright.edu/centerforthearts.

FeB. 20Berks Classical Children’s Chorus: Choristers and Chorale Program. 2-3 p.m. Berks Heim, 1011 Berks Rd., Leesport. 610-898-7664. www.bcccsings.org.

FeB. 21Hot 8 Brass Band: New Orleans jazz/funk/hip-hop, part of the Downtown Performing Arts Series. 8 p.m. Tickets: $27/Advance, $32/at door, $20/Student. RACC Miller

Dealers in Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses, Bows & Accessories www.fegleyviolin.com

By Appointment Only: Call 610-779-0665

400 West 37th Street Reading, PA 19606

Center for the Arts, 4 N. Second St., Reading. www.racc.edu/MillerCenter.

theaterJAn. 16Laura Ingalls Wilder: ArtsPower National Touring Theatre presents this unique family musical, chronicling the exciting adven-tures of the Ingalls family as they travel across the prairie in search of a little house to call home. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $11/Adult, $9/Child. RACC Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N. Second St., Reading. www.racc.edu/MillerCenter.

JAn. 30Raymond the Amish Comic: This ain’t gonna be no prayer meetin’! Straight from the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Country, Raymond the Amish Comic makes his first appearance at the Sovereign Majestic Theater. Please note that this show contains strong adult language - 18+ strongly recommended. 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre Street, Pottsville. 570-628-4647. www.sovereignmajestic.com.

FeB. 26-MAr. 6Our Lady of 121st Street: by Stephen Adly Guirgis, presented by The Domino Players. Wachovia Theatre at Albright Col-lege Center for the Arts, 13th & Bern St., Reading. 610-921-7526. www.albright.edu/CenterfortheArts.

FeB. 25-MAr. 6Hamlet: by William Shakespeare. Part of the Main Stage Series. Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata. 717-733-7966, x 221 or 224. www.Ephrata-PerformingArtsCenter.com.

filmJAnuAry & FeBruAryBerks Arts Council’s A Night of Inde-pendent Film: part of the Greater Reading Film Festival, monthly films at 7 p.m. on the 4th Sunday of the month in the R/C Theaters at Entertainment Square, Second and Washington Sts., Reading. Films TBD. $7 admission. Check for details at www.readingfilmfestival.com.

JAnuAry & FeBruAryGoggleWorks Film Theatre: Ongoing screenings of new independent, art & foreign films. Call for current feature and show times. GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St. 610-374-4600. www.goggleworks.org.

JAn. 4 & FeB. 1Hamburg Strand Theatre: free movie nights, sponsored by the Hamburg Area Historical Society. 1/4 - Pork Chop Hill; 2/1 - The Fighting 69th. 7 p.m. 6 S. 4th St., Hamburg. 610-562-4750. www.hamburg-strand.com.

JAnuAry 9 & 23Saturdays with Disney: in the meeting room; 1/9 – “Beauty and the Beast,” 1/23 – “Mulan.” 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Read-ing Public Library Main Branch at 5th & Franklin, Reading. 610-655-6355. www.readingpl.org.

JAn. 20 & FeB. 20M&T Movies at the Majestic: free admis-sion and popcorn. Hosted by the Pottsville

Recreation Commission. Sponsored by M&T Bank. Jan - “Monsters vs. Aliens,” Feb. – “Fame.” Sovereign Majestic Theatre, 209 N. Centre Street, Pottsville. 570-628-4647. www.sovereignmajestic.com.

literatureJAnuAry & FeBruAryBerks Bards Poetry Events: First Thursday poetry in GoggleWorks Cucina Café. Open mic. 6 p.m. Goggle-Works, 201 Washington St., Reading. www.berksbards.blogspot.com.

special eventsJAnuAry & FeBruAryHopewell Furnace National Historic Site: Showcasing an iron plantation and its surrounding countryside, preserving and interpreting an early American industrial landscape. All of the park’s facilities are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. through Sun. including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day & Veteran’s Day. Closed other Federal Holidays. On Mon. and Tues., while the Visitor Center and historic village are closed, the grounds and restrooms remain open. 5 miles south of Birdsboro off Rte. 345. $4 for 16 and older. Under 16 free. 610-582-8773, hofu_superintendent@nps.gov, www.nps.gov/hofu.

JAn. 9Berks Opera Workshop & Community School of Music: Unleashing Your In-ner Opera Fan - Why Did the Alto Kiss the Soprano? Lecture Series by David Richie.10:00 a.m. $10/Lecture, $45/Series, $7/Lecture w/ Student ID, $30/Series w/ Student ID. Community School of Music and the Arts @ Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. 610-374-7167. www.berkscommunitymu-sicandarts.org.

JAn. 10 & FeB. 14GoggleWorks Second Sunday Open House: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. features open-ing receptions for gallery exhibits, meet working artists, live hot glass blowing demonstrations, featured artists on Second and Third floors, First floor café, music and more. Free parking. GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St. 610-374-4600, www.goggleworks.org.

JAn. 16Berks Opera Workshop & Community School of Music: Unleashing Your Inner Opera Fan - Opera as a Reality Show. Lecture Series by David Richie.10:00 a.m. $10/Lecture, $45/Series, $7/Lecture w/ Student ID, $30/Series w/ Student ID. Community School of Music and the Arts @ Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. 610-374-7167. www.berkscommunitymusicandarts.org.

On-GOInGThe Reading Public Museum’s Outreach Programs: Informative, educational and fun presentations for groups. Also, custom tours by the director. $75 for a one-hour behind-the-scenes tour. 610-371-5850 x224. For a list of topics, cost and more info: Sherry Ritchey, sherryritchey@read-ingpublicmuseum.org.

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6 B e R k S A R t S N e w S J a n u a r y & F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0

calltoartists:the Art OF JAzz: the FrAnk SCOtt MeMOrIAL Art ShOW

Berks Arts Council is seeking artists to participate in their annual juried exhibit,“TheArtofJazz:theFrankScottMemorialArtShow”duringthe20th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest in March 2010. Work is sought in allmediaonthethemeof“CelebratingJazz.”Threecashprizeswillbeawarded. Art will be on display in the Rolf and Renate Schmidt Gallery on the second-floor gallery of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading during the month of March. The prospectus will be available at www.berksarts.org in late January, or call 610-898-1930 for more information.

the unIteD StAteS MInt AnnOunCeS CALL FOr ArtIStS

The United States Mint is seeking up to 6 Associate Designers to join the current designers under contract with the program. This year, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with 3 cutoff dates throughout the year for evaluation and review. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The United States Mint encourages applications from artists representing diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests reflecting those of the American people. Artists selected to participate in the program will be paid established fees for their work. Complete information available at: http://usmint.gov/about_the_mint/artisticInfusion/.

The application deadlines are as follows: Application Period Two: March 8, 2010; Application Period Three: July 6, 2010

reADInG SyMphOny OrCheStrA LeAGue AnnOunCeS StuDent AuDItIOnS FOr 2010

The Reading Symphony Orchestra League announces their fifty-sixth annual student auditions. The auditions will be held Sunday, January 24, 2010 starting at 1:00PM at Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Ave., Lincoln Park. This competition was founded to offer talented young people in the greater Berks community additional performance opportunities.

Students who audition must be proficient, either as instrumentalists or vocalists, and must meet at least one of the following requirements: they must reside in Berks County, or be a member of the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra; attend junior or senior high school (or equivalent) in Berks County; or be a student of a private music teacher in Berks County.

Auditions are open to participants, parents and teachers. Students will be grouped according to instrument (strings, piano, woodwind, and brass) in a specific time block. At the conclusion of each group, Maestro Constantine of the RSO will offer his comments and evaluations, reflecting his and the judges’ impressions.

There are a total of seven cash prizes. For additional information and application forms, contact the RSO at www.readingsymphony.org, or through the office at 610-373-7557.

epAC AnnOunCeS 2010 AuDItIOnS

Auditions will be held at the theatre for Men, Women, and Teens (ages 14 & up). ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS WELCOME!

Wed., Jan. 27 - 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Thur., Jan. 28 - 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 29 - 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 30 - 11:00 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 31- noon-6 p.m.

For complete information, visit www.ephrataplayhouseinthepark.org/ auditions.html.

Art OF the StAte: pennSyLVAnIA 2010

A prestigious, juried exhibition open to established and emerging PA art-ists creating paintings, photographs, sculpture, crafts or works-on-paper. $8000+ in cash awards. Entry forms are available for download at www.statemuseumpa.org or contact Lee Stevens, Art Collections, The State Museum of PA at 717-783-9904.

Postmarked entry deadline is February 22, 2010, and photocopies of the form will be accepted.

the pOrtAL InStItute’S GALLery OF FIne Art

Artists are invited to submit their original artworks for exhibit consider-ation. Representational works preferred. No nudes or abstract should be submitted at this time. Submissions reviewed on an ongoing basis, and accepted via postal mail only. Details: portalgallery@comcast.net.

GOGGLeWOrkS hAS VAuLt SpACe, GALLery SpACe, AnD OFFICe SpACe

The GoggleWorks is looking for artists who are interested in exhibit-ing artwork in a third-floor vault at the art center, 201 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601. There is no rental fee, and any medium is allowed. Experimentalworksareencouraged.Thespaceissmall,7’Wx7’4”Dx11’6”H.Sendyourproposaltotheaddressaboveatleasttwomonthsbefore the proposed exhibit date, to the attention of Carson. Exhibit will be changed quarterly. There is also gallery space for rent, as well as office space. 610-374-4600.

CALL tO InDepenDent FILMMAkerS

The GoggleWorks Theatre has limited openings to show select independent films. Call Dennis Kohr at 610-374-4600 or email dkohr@goggleworks.org.

BOyertOWn OppOrtunItIeS

Sharing Poetry in Boyertown Second Tuesday at Boyertown’s Hard Bean Cafe each month features “SharingPoetry,”anopenmicandgroupdiscussionat7:00pmforpoetsand prose writers to share their own original works or those of their favorite writer. Works may include narrative poetry, autobiographical memoirs composed in rhyming and free verse. Group meetings occur monthly. For more information contact Luke Kasitz at 484-941-2450.

Building A Better Boyertown Artist of the month. If you’d like to have a mini-display of your work at the BBB office, call: 610-369-3054.

Looking for an artist coop opportunity? Contact Boyertown’s Main Street Manager, Heather Oxenford at 610-369-3054.

Student Artists: Join the Yea! Team! The young, enthusiastic (student) arm of the Arts and Activities Alliance. A Building a Better Boyertown committee. Contact Beth Wagner, wagzart@comcast.net or 610-716-2004. g

ArtBits:Buccaneers named All-Age Corps of the Decade

The nine-time and five-time-defending Drum Corps Associates world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps was named all-age Corps of the Decade this fall by the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame Board of Directors. On the field, the Buccaneers enjoyed unprecedented competitive success during the decade 2000-2009, winning the DCA open class world championship a record five consecutive times, placing second once, placing third three times and placing fifth once. In 2009, the Buccaneers set DCA records for most consecutive wins (47) and most consecutive world championships (5) and posted the highest championship score in DCA history, a 99.025 out of 100. The corps also tied the record for most DCA world championships won, with nine. The World Drum Corps Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring individuals and drum corps who have contributed to the sustained de-velopment and excellence of the drum and bugle corps activity through their individual and collective efforts.

penn State Berks Students Competing in kennedy Center/American College theater Festival

The Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival recognized five Penn State Berks students by inviting them to compete in their annual festival in January 2010. Honored for their work in last fall’s production of Dracula, the students are: Danielle Fitzgeorge, stage manager;TarahYoder,“Renfield”;CatWhelan,“Lucy”;PatrickO’Neill,“Dracula”;andWillCalligan,“VanHelsing.”Theannual festival is hosted by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Be a Star…in Greater reading!

The Greater Reading Film Commission is hosting a local casting call at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Goggleworks, 201 Washington St., Reading. Producers are seeking background extras for a short film being shot in and around Greater Reading in 2010. All ages and talent levels are welcome! For more information, call 800-443-6610 x116 or visit www.readingfilm.org. g

B e R k S A R t S N e w S J a n u a r y & F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 7

the Fourth Annual Greater Reading Film Festival, held Nov. 5-8 at the R/C Movies 11 & IMAX in Reading drew a record audience for the screening and panel discussion of the festival’s third-place-winning film, “The Nature of Existence.” Audiences were treated to four whirlwind days of national and international independent feature, documentary, student and short films. From left are Dr. Stephen Ohnsman, pastor of Calvary Reformed UCC in Reading; william Sullivan, executive producer of “The Nature of Existence”; Dr. Rev. harry Serio, BAC board member and panel discussion host; and Dr. John Sellers, local veterinarian and practicing Zen Buddhist.

Ringing in the holiday season at the “Remembering Grover washington Jr.” concert at the Miller Center for the Arts on Dec. 11 are from left: morning show host at Smooth Jazz 92.7 Paul Scott; Gerald Veasley; eric Darius; and BAC board member and emcee Rev. Dr. harry Serio. this fantastic show served a warm-up to the 20th Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, being held March 19-28, 2010.

MeetING ON ACt 47 tO Be helD In GOGGLeWOrkS The Berks Arts Council will host a meeting for all interested artists and arts workers from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 12, in room 420 of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, to discuss Act 47 and how it affects the businesses and people of Reading.

This is the first in a series of public meetings by Mayor Tom McMahon’s office regarding the city’s budget problems and what it means to businesses within the city, individuals, and city organizations.

Act 47 is the state program for financially distressed municipalities, which provides an outside state financial expert to help city leaders develop a long range fiscal plan, and offer the city alternative ways to raise revenue to meet the needs of its citizens. By entering Act 47, the city of Reading will receive new tools to bring spending in line with revenue, tap new sources of revenue, and implement a plan to put the city on a long term path to fiscal stability.

The meeting is free and open to the public. g

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Reading, PA 19612

berksartsnews2009-10 Berks Arts Council Sponsor List: >>

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• Bullfrog Films • Bell Tower Spa • Boscov’s • Capital Wine & Spirits • City of Reading • Comcast • County of Berks • CTCE Federal Credit Union • Discovery Federal Credit Union • Eagle Distributing • El Hispano • FirstEnergy Foundation • Freymoyer’s Hotel • Greater Reading Film Commission • Javier Ortega Insurance Agency • Kutztown University Radio • Leisawitz Heller PC • M.J. Reider & Associates • National Penn Bank • The John S. and Jennie J. Palkon (née Lis) Charitable Fund • Pennsylvania Council on the Arts • Pennsylvania Film Office • Penske Truck Leasing • Quaker Maid Meats • RC Reading Movies 11 & IMAX • Reading Eagle Company/WEEU • Reading Eagle Internet Services • Reading Musical Foundation • Reading Phillies • Reading Public Museum • Reading Royals • Riverfront Federal Credit Union • Spartan Properties LLC • VF Outlet, Inc. • White Star Travel Center

Community Business Members• Automotive Services Inc. • Berkshire Bank • Buddies Nursery, Inc. • Carpenter • Clinical Research Center • Freddy Moreddy & the Dance Hall Drs. • Gallen Insurance • Herbein & Co. Inc. • IBEW Local 743 • Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. • Local 1174 Laborers International Union • Reading Precast Inc. • ReMax of Reading • RWB Advertising • Silks International • Sir Speedy Printing • Stylecraft Corporation • The Manor at Market Square • UGI Utilities, Inc. • Weik Investment Services • Weinstein, Schleifer & Kupersmith, PC • West Reading Tavern• William G. Koch & Associates

In-kind Sponsors• Abraham Lincoln Hotel/Wyndham Reading • Berks County Living • Berks-Mont Newspapers• Berks Nightlife.com • Country Inn & Suites • Comfort Inn • Days Inn • Econolodge • Fraser Advanced Information Systems • GNA Ristorante & Pizzeria • Goggleworks Center for the Arts • Hampton Inn • Holiday Inn Express Hotel • Homewood Suites by Hilton • Keystone Instant Printing • LAND Displays Inc. • Reading Crowne Plaza • Soul Imagery • Smooth Jazz 92.7 • Stephan’s Concessions • The Inn at Reading • The Peanut Bar Restaurant • The Pike Cafe • The Water Guy • Third & Spruce Cafe • Twisted Pretzel.com • WFMZ-TV • Zeswitz Music

©2009 Berks Arts Council

Marilyn J. Fox, director of the Freyberger Gallery at Penn State Berks, has coordinated a unique exhibition to produce a county-wide opportunity to experience a monumental exhibit.

Wonderful Life is a collection of 52 sculptures by artist Steven Siegel, Red Hook, N.Y. This exhibition, curated by Hank Foreman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Cultural Affairs and director and chief curator for the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, had its seminal showing last year. Over six years in creation, the sculptures are made of everyday objects found in hardware or art supply stores, and reflect on the artist’s interest in biology.

To truly accommodate an exhibit of this size, several venues will be utilized: the Freyberger Gallery, Penn State Berks; the Freedman Gallery, Albright College, the Reading Public Museum and the Goggleworks Center for the Arts. The

exhibit opens on Jan. 18, with receptions and special lectures as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 21 5–7 p.m., Freedman Gallery

6–8 p.m., Freyberger Gallery

Friday, Jan. 22 4–5 p.m., Goggleworks Center for the Arts

6 p.m., Reading Public Museum (artist’s visual lecture)

The exhibition will remain on view through Feb. 26. For more information, contact: Freyberger Gallery in the Perkins Student Center, Penn State Berks, Broadcasting Rd., Wyomissing - Marilyn J. Fox, gallery director, 610-396-6140; Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading - Diane LaBelle, director, 610-374-4600; or Freedman Gallery at Albright College, N. 13th & Bern Sts, Reading - Michael Howell, gallery director, 610-921-7541. g

Steven Siegel: Wonderful Life