Residents, summer visitors will have their music soul unleashed and satisfied this summer in Cape Charles, Virginia. Citizens for Central Park, Arts Enter Cape Charles and the Town of Cape Charles have teamed up to offer an amazing collection of talent throughout the summer.

The Festival is not just a one weekend event, but rather an offering of one or more concerts over most weekends from July 1st to September 9th (excluding July 14-15) “The concerts will go on rain or shine, as we have the option of moving the concert inside the Historic Palace Theatre if we have inclement weather.” shares Hank Mayer, Festival Chair. So, whether you are a resident of Virginia’s Eastern Shore or planning to visit Cape Charles this concert series is a can’t miss itinerary for the summer.

Mayer also shares, “This is the only FREE multiple concert program on the Virginia Eastern Shore, and it includes musical groups that will be attractive to all age groups and cultures.” Concerts in the Park have evolved over the last three years with this year’s offerings being the most comprehensive since its inception. Kicking of the Summer Festival schedule are the bands Raw Beets and Little Country who have a unique style of music that are labeled as the must see/hear bands of the summer. [Read more…]

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” – Martha Graham.

As the dancers begin each year with IM Dance, there is always masters work to be accomplished in the studio, but it is their love and passion for the work, and their instructor and choreographer, Mara Ifju that makes this company special. This year’s final recital embodied a full measure of that love and passion.

The tone of the show was set with the opening number, TAPPIN’ ON THE CHOO, CHOO, which featured IMs premiere tap class of Lisa Brasch, Victoria DiLeo, La’Shawnda Holman and Elizabeth Reid. This brilliant number used some of our favorite tap steps such as step-heel, complex ball change and shuffles and through intricate combinations, took the audience on a journey clickity-clacking down the rails.

The theme of railroads and summer continued as Paris Brown, Laila Douglas, Amelia Gunnells, Sofia Gunnels, Samrit Kaur, Jaynee Maldonado, Makia Upshur and Jeanette and William Pike tapped their way down the tracks as hard-working railway engineers. This young group showed great talent and athleticism, shining a bright light on the future of IM dance.

Perfecting the movement. Dancers at work in the IM studio (Cape Charles Mirror Photo)

Frances Williams, Elizabeth Reid and Rossy Vera heated things up with a Latin inspired number to the music of Alberto Dominguez. This group was on point, combining nice crossovers with rhythmic shuffles and ball-changes to create a delightful flamencos feel.

Sometimes, if the stars align, two dancers can come together to form a partnership that takes dance to the next level. Laila Holman and Stella Lusk are just such a team. These talented dancers are a joy to watch, in both tap and ballet. Their mastery of the choreography is, given their young ages, inspiring, but the way they communicate with each other is what makes them so special and sets them apart. Their ballet work, choreographed to the music of Bach, left the audience spell-bound.

Ballet, at its heart, is about bringing a classical sensibility of dance and music to life on the stage. Set to the music of Mozart, the class of Lucy Lusk, Peyton Mullaly, Ava Purvis and Olivia Reid was near perfection. Turnouts, alignment, spacing and of course, pointed toes was just as Miss Mara choreographed it.

That brings us to one of our favorite dancers, and IM’s Prima Ballerina, Payton Mullaly. As a soloist and as a part of a group, her strength and concentration, combined with a beauty and elegance makes her a very special dancer to watch. Technically, she is so strong with the basics; her elevés and coupés, grand plié and simply plié, and tendus are very advanced. We expect to see Miss Mullaly get better and stronger with every season. [Read more…]

Amy Watkins, dance instructor at Arts Enter School of Dance will be conducting a Dance Mini-Camp on the Cape Charles Beach June 19-21 and June 28-30. The classes will include yoga, stretching, improvisation and barre technique work. A flash mob dance will be choreographed during the camps which will be part of Experimental Film Virginia and the 4th of July Parade.

“I am keeping the class make up loose and simple. There are adults getting involved and will be joining the first week, as well as middle and high school students who have danced with me for years. Anyone and all levels are welcome at both, but if one works better for scheduling, we will work with you,” – Miss Amy.

Amy Watkins and Jayne Guinan work the floor.

June 19-21 ~ 9am to noon ~ Older dancers
June 28-30 ~ 9am to noon ~ Younger dancers

$50 -(checks payable to GEAR, payments accepted at Lemontree Gallery)

Tentative schedule:
9:00 ~ Meet at CC Beach gazebo
9:10 ~ Yoga and stretching
10:00 ~ Water break and pack up
10:10 ~ Walk to CC Park gazebo
10:30 ~ Barre class
11:00 ~ Water break
11:10 ~ Learn/ practice dance for Flash Mob
11:45~ Improv
12:00 ~ Pick up time

Please bring:
Towel
Large water bottle
Sunscreen

*These camps will be captured in film and photos. Releases must be signed at the start of camp on the first day.

Eastern Shores Own presents “ESO Live in The Park“, a summer evening of live music in the newly renovated Exmore Town Park. The Myrtles are Peg Volk, Chris Chandler, Lynne Rogers and Ellen Grimes, and they bring an impressive repertoire of Americana folk, rock, blues and country to the stage.  Well-known for their impressive musicianship and engaging interpretations, this promises to be a delightful evening in the park. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person, kids under 12 are free. The event is 6-8 pm at the Exmore Park
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The Strawberry Street corridor in Cape Charles is quickly becoming an Eastern Shore haven for those for looking to enhance their lives through wellness and holistic self-care. While Breezes, which now occupies the old Betis Building, has been providing a plethora of services for several years, Freestyle Yoga and Paloma Healing will be opening across the street at 22 Strawberry on May 21st.

Debra Bosna of Freestyle Yoga has operated a studio in Cheriton before deciding to move to Cape Charles. With 17 years of experience, she offers a full schedule of classes, ranging from restorative to vinyasa to her own blend, slow-flow.

Freestyle Yoga and Paloma Healing open May 21st at 22 Strawberry St in Cape Charles (Photo Cape Charles Mirror)

“Yoga has been my occupation and my passion for 17 years. A full schedule studio was a missing element in the Eastern Shore community, and I thought that there would be enough people with an open mind to give it a shot,” Ms. Bosna said. “Because there is a misconception about yoga being a religion, associated with Buddhism and Hinduism, it seems a little bit taboo in some places. In Philly there is such a diverse population and yoga is so mainstream, so people pick and choose their flavor. That’s why I named the studio Freestyle Yoga, because I wanted to give people here the chance to find what style of yoga appeals to them.”

Since 2010, Cape Charles native Sheila Sheppard has studied Reiki, a Japanese healing modality with Barbara Davis of Turning Point Counseling and Training in Richmond, and has recently begun studying GIM (Guided Imagery and Music), a form of experiential therapy that accesses the subconscious mind.

After moving back to Cape Charles, Sheppard began taking classes with Debra Bosna at the Freestyle location in Cheriton. After mentioning her work with Reiki and GIM, Bosna offered to let Ms. Sheppard use an existing room at her studio to begin a practice – Paloma Healing was born.

“Every time I gave a session, I felt that I was offering something truly helpful for those ready to do the work. I discovered an existing community of like-minded people, open to a holistic approach to wellness,” Sheppard said. “At first, I was still afraid of what some people would think. I remembered how I had first perceived Reiki: strange, and possibly not in line with my upbringing, but then I reminded myself how much Reiki and GIM had helped me.”

[Read more…]

The Barrier Islands Center Presents Art and Music on the Farm 2017

Barrier Islands Center’s Art and Music on the Farm festival offers fine art and treasures from local artists and artisans, as well as traditional roots music played by celebrated musicians from across Virginia, all in an inviting, family-friendly setting.

Art on the Farm Saturday May 27 from 10– 4 at the Barrier Islands Center. $5 per person.

Everyone will revel in the toe-tapping, hand-clapping sounds of mountain stringband, folk, bluegrass and gospel from this year’s line-up of highly acclaimed Virginia bands. And, don’t forget the intimate workshops with the performers, hosted by music historian Gregg Kimball.

In addition to the music, the Farm is filled with some of the finest art in the region: over 50 artists and artisans will have their paintings, plants and crafts for sale. There are also food and beverages (including local wine, beer, soft drinks and iced coffee) available for purchase. Children can participate in a free and fun art activity.

So, bring your friends and family to start off summer with a glorious celebration of Virginia’s rich heritage of art and music at one of the loveliest venues on the Eastern Shore!

When: Saturday May 27 from 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Barrier Islands Center 7295 Young Street Machipongo, VA 23405
Cost: $5 per person
About the festival:

For more information, please call 757.678.5550 or visit http://www.barrierislandscenter.org/artmusic/

This Friday concluded another successful season for the Arts Enter Academy of Theater Arts. The class met every Friday, and provided a safe haven for young actors to begin exploring the craft of stage acting. While there was some formal reading and script analysis, most of the classes focused on theater games and active improvisation.

This year’s class made great strides on the stage. At the top of the list is Allison Shockley, who scored the lead role in this spring’s The Clam-Digger’s Daughter. Last Christmas, student Ella Eder won the lead role of Rudolph in the winter production of the same name. In the Halloween show, Rosie Denny, Jada Crockett and Avery Hadden were superb in Dracula’s Boarding House.

Other success stories include: [Read more…]