Winter Events!

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January 28

Japanese Art, A Historical Perspective by Dan George

This illustrated lecture on Japanese art will discuss various styles of Japanese painting in the context of their historical origins. These include Buddhist-inspired religious art, scroll paintings that tell a story, ink painting, gold-background screens, and woodblock prints. Prehistoric pottery is the earliest Japanese art. Dan George is retired from the DuPont Company and resides locally. For several years he lectured on "Japanese History and Culture" at the University of Delaware's Academy of Life Long Learning. Presented by the Hadley Fund at 8 p.m., Unionville High School Admission is free. February

February 2

The Chester County Pops Orchestra

The Chester County Pops Orchestra will present it's last concert of its Winter 2008 Concert Series at Unionville HS. Theconcerts begins at 7:30 p.m. The program is titled The Golden Age of Pops and features trumpet soloist Kenneth Laudermilch. Tickets, available at the door, are: adults $15; seniors $10; students $5; children 12 and under, free. For further informatiocall 610-701-5701.

February 15

The Back Alley Theater presents "Il Postino"

In "Il Postino" (Subtitled, PG Rating) Mario Ruoppolo (Massimo Troisi), the mailman on an Italian island, pines from afar for a beautiful waitress. When exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret) comes to live on the island, Ruoppolo delivers Neruda's mail and picks up lessons on love, life and poetry. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Music Score and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. Showtime is 8:00 PM and admission is $5.00

February 17

Curtis Institute of Music Concert

Considered one of the finest music conservatories in the world, for over 75 years The Curtis Institute of Music has trained exceptionally gifted young musicians for performing careers on the highest professional level. It provides merit-based full-tuition scholarships to all its students, attracting today's best young musicians. Proportionately, The Curtis Institute of Music has produced the largest body of notable musicians of any conservatory in the world. Countless Curtis graduates have made musical history as solo performers, composers and conductors. Curtis alumni can be found in virtually every major orchestra and opera company around the world. In fact, 25% of the principal chairs in America's leading orchestras are held by Curtis-trained musicians, and over 40 of the Institute's alumni have gone on to sing with the Metropolitan Opera. Presented by the Hadley Fund at 3 p.m., Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church. Admission is free.

February 21

Old House, New Life: "Anchor Down!"

A free series of short classes sponsored by the Kennett Borough Historical Commission on what you can do to keep your historic home in great shape! Everything you wanted to know about your roof. The roof is as much a part of the appearance and function of your home as the exterior walls. Proper maintenance of the existing materials will ensure its full life span. When it comes time to replace your roof, selection of materials that will provide long life, protection to the interior and good looks to go with the other parts of the house is critical. Come as you are. Refreshments will be served.

February 23

Turtledove Folk Club Presents "The Wiyos"

A trio comprised of three vocals, washboard/ harmonica/kazoo, guitar, and upright bass, The WIYOS transport listeners back to a time before TV and mass-media were the main sources of entertainment, to the days when music could be heard on live radio and at community dances, juke joints and house parties. The WIYOS create an interactive show in the tradition of vaudevillian performers like Fats Waller, Spike Jones and Uncle Dave Macon. The band is passionate about infusing old-time American music with new blood; carrying this rich musical heritage into the 21st century and having a darn good time doing it Doors of the West Grove Friends Meeting house open at 7:30 and the concert begins at 8:00.

February 29

The Underground Railroad in Chester County and Beyond

Across Race, Across Region, and Across Religion. In the decades before the Civil War, Chester County was on the borderland between the slave states of the South and the free states of the North. The area was home to a relatively large population of anti-slavery Quakers and, in the same neighborhoods as those Quakers, a large African American population. This talk will examine the bi-racial networks that supported the efforts of "fugitive slaves" to achieve their own liberation. It will also show how local anti-slavery and Underground Railroad workers participated in networks to freedom extending from Virginia to Canada. Christopher Densmore has a B.A. degree in history from Oberlin College and an M.A. in American History from the University of Wisconsin. He is currently Curator at Friends Historical Library, at Swarthmore College. Presented by the Hadley Fund at 8 p.m., Unionville High School Admission is free.

March 14

Turtledove Folk Club Presents John Gorka

John Gorka has been part of the new folk movement since the late 80's, slowly and steadily carving out his niche. In an arena of topnotch musicians and songwriters, it is Gorka's honest writing and ability to say it all with an economy of words that has earned him accolades from the music industry and his peers. It is that same honesty that draws new fans in each year and keeps old fans coming to his concerts again and again to hear the music they love. Gorka is known for applying his rich baritone vocals to a wide range of song forms--intimate confessional songs about love and loss, humorous observations about daily life in his neighborhood, poignant commentary on political moods, and exuberant explosions of unmitigated joy. Doors of the West Grove Friends Meeting house open at 7:30 and the concert begins at 8:00.

March 16

Peter & the Wolf" Children's Concert

The concert will be held West Chester University's Asplundh Hall at 2:00 PM.

March 21

The Back Alley Theater presents "The World's Fastest Indian"

(PG13 Rating)In the late 1960's, after a lifetime of perfecting his classic Indian motorcycle, Burt sets off from the bottom of the World, Invercargill, New Zealand, to clock his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. With all the odds against him, Burt puts his irrepressible Kiwi spirit to the test, braving the new world on a shoestring budget. Burt's quest culminates in an unlikely conclusion and remains legendary within the motorcycle community to this day. "The film wears its happy heart on its sleeve and a dusting of that dogged optimism is bound to rub off on you. Anthony Hopkins delivers an endearingly gruff performance." Stephen Holden, NY Times. Showtime is 8:00 PM and admission is $5.00

March 27

Old House, New Life: "Lay it Out"

A free series of short classes sponsored by the Kennett Borough Historical Commission on what you can do to keep your historic home in great shape! This session will focus on landscaping around your freshly restored home. Making choices in selecting new plants or maintaining older ones can be made easier with a few helpful pointers. The gardens that surround your older home do not have to be a maintenance nightmare, but a joy that will add value to the property. Come as you are. Refreshments will be served.

March 28

The Best of Bob and Ray Radio Show by the Wheatfield Theater

Bob and Ray first teamed up on Boston radio in 1946 and kept going as a team until 1987 - forty one years! Bob was a disc jockey and Ray a newscaster before they became a comic team.They appeared on radio, television, broadway, in the movies, and Carnegie Hall. They are best remembered for their spoofs of popular radio and television shows and popular personalities such as Julia Child and Arthur Godfrey. They parodied soap operas, children's shows, science fiction, game and quiz shows, detective stories, and more. Bob Elliot and Ray Goulding are played by Gerald Riley and Chuck Palenik who are with the Wheatfield Theatre Company. Presented by the Hadley Fund at 8 p.m., Unionville High School Admission is free.

April 11

Libana Concert

Libana, a women's world music ensemble, takes its name from a 10th century Moorish woman who was a poet, philosopher, and musician. The group was founded in 1979, with the idea of exploring and performing music and dance which reflect women's often undocumented creative contributions to their cultures. For the past 27 years, they have taken audiences throughout North America and Europe on inspiring and celebratory musical journeys, weaving together the songs, dances and instrumental music of the world's cultures, especially as handed down through the artistic traditions of women. Their repertoire of ancient melodies and contemporary tunes is performed a cappella and with a vast array of instruments including guitar, dumbek, accordion, oud, naqqara, clarinet and double bass. Their music is drawn from the divergent cultural expressions of the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Libana's music and dance go directly to the heart, inspiring audiences with wonder in the commonality of the global community. Presented by the Hadley Fund at 8 p.m., Unionville High School Admission is free.

April 17

Old House, New Life: "Temperature Control"

A free series of short classes sponsored by the Kennett Borough Historical Commission on what you can do to keep your historic home in great shape! Have you considered upgrading the heating system or adding a cooling system to your home? This class will help you make good choices when it comes to selecting systems and contractors to do the work. Come as you are. Refreshments will be served.

April 18

The Back Alley Theater presents "My Best Friend"

(Subtitled, PG13 Rating) Francois is a middle-aged antique dealer. He has a stylish apartment and a fabulous life, but a dinner with a group he considers his dearest acquaintances, he is blindsided by the revelation that none of them actually likes him. He's arrogant, self-centered and harsh, and they don't believe he knows the meaning of friendship. His business partner Catherine makes him a bet: if he can produce his best friend, she will let him keep the massive Greek vase he acquired that afternoon on the company tab. If not, it's hers. Having accepted the wager, Francois naively tears through his address book, trying to shoehorn an increasingly unlikely series of contacts into the all important role. Starring Daniel Auteuil and Dany Boon, directed by Patrice Leconte. Showtime is 8:00 PM and admission is $5.00

April 26

Beethoven Fifth Concert

Bach to Bolcom: varied and wonderful music of Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom, Bach melodies set by former New York Philharmonic Music Director Gustav Mahler, a duet by Hungarian composer-gone-Hollywood Miklós Rózsa to the Beethoven Fifth Symphony, whose famous opening ("V" in Morse code), was used by the Allies for "Victory" in World War II. The concert will be held at the Kennett High School Auditorium at 8:00 PM.

April 26

Turtledove Folk Club Presents Dana & Susan Robinson

In a Dana and Susan Robinson concert you'll hear two rich, intimate voices, intricate and powerful guitar and banjo playing with a handful of fiddle and mandolin thrown in. Dana writes songs and tells stories about America, the land and its people. They bring to their performances an understanding of America's musical heritage and convey its significance to our culture.ng his rich baritone vocals to a wide range of song forms--intimate confessional songs about love and loss, humorous observations about daily life in his neighborhood, poignant commentary on political moods, and exuberant explosions of unmitigated joy. Doors of the West Grove Friends Meeting house open at 7:30 and the concert begins at 8:00.