Joseph Bilger Exhibition Opening Sept 29 - Artist Statement
Landscapes in Focus: The Art of Joseph Bilger
Opening Reception & Artist Talk: September 29th, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
On Exhibit: September - December 2024
Admission: Free and open to the public
The Arts Nest is thrilled to present a solo exhibition by local artist Joseph Bilger, showcasing his evocative landscape works from September through December 2024. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene and captivating natural scenes depicted in Bilger’s art.
Experience the evocative landscapes of Joseph Bilger in this captivating solo exhibition. Joseph's work transports viewers into serene natural settings, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the world around us. The exhibition features a stunning collection of oil landscapes that highlight the delicate interplay of light and shadow, along with a series of watercolors inspired by his travels to Guadalupe. Each piece is a journey through nature's splendor, reflecting Joseph's deep connection to the environment and his keen eye for detail. Join us to explore these visual narratives that invite you to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world. CURATED BY JODI SIBILIA
The opening reception, scheduled for Sunday, September 29th from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, is a free event and an exceptional occasion for art enthusiasts and the community to engage directly with the artist. Joseph Bilger will be present to discuss his work, offering insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind his stunning pieces. This is a rare chance to hear firsthand about the journey behind each landscape, from the delicate interplay of light and shadow to the profound sense of tranquility they evoke.
Boogie Boo with April Mae and the June Bugs - Oct 31st!!
Boogie Boo with April Mae and the June Bugs Thursday Oct 31, 2024, 7-9pm
Doors open 6pm
Tickets $30 Buy Tickets Now on My River Tickets.
A Thematic Live Music Experience! Dance the Evil Spirits Away!
Vintage Jazz Swing | Americana | New Orleans Skiffle | Rockabilly
"This music channels and transports your into the energy of the season! - Marisa Liza Pell, Internationally Renowned Medium, TV & Radio Show PersonalityCash bar - food by Annie's Ruff Cut!
Costume contest - prizes for Most Original, Best Impersonation, Best Cartoon, Best Steam Punk, Best Couple and Best in Show
Beat the Devil at ARTS NEST
Beat the Devil are Doug Rogers (vocals, guitar, piano, accordion, writer), Annie Hat (vocals, bass, percussion, writer), Dave Milner (vocals, bass, guitar, writer), and Pam Arnold (drums and possibly banjo).
Beat the Devil is an eclectic, dirty, funky, country, bluesy folk band, voted River Reporter’s best band three times.
Arts Nest offers a large variety of entertainment year-round in a comfortable, friendly setting – a fun place for serious artists. Come with your friends, take a table, have a few drinks and small plates, while enjoying the performances. Food and drinks available during the concert.
Oh Susannah! by Jonathan Charles Fox for The River Reporter
By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
“Susannah” is an opera in two acts by the American composer Carlisle Floyd, who wrote the libretto and music while a member of the piano faculty at Florida State University.
Floyd adapted the story from the Apocryphal tale of “Susannah and the Elders,” though the latter story has a more positive ending.
The opera’s story focuses on 18-year-old Susannah Polk, an innocent girl who is targeted as a sinner in the small mountain town of New Hope Valley, in the southern state of Tennessee.
The opera was awarded the New York Music Critics Circle Award for Best New Opera in 1956 and was chosen to represent American music and culture at the World’s Fair in Brussels in 1958. And now, “Susannah” has made its way to The Delaware Valley Opera Center in beautiful Lake Huntington, NY.
As for the opera’s inspiration, “Susanna and the Elders” is a narrative included in the Book of Daniel by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It is one of the additions to Daniel, placed in the Apocrypha by Protestants; Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists regard it as non-canonical (not sanctioned) but “useful for purposes of edification” according to Wikipedia.
Spoiler Alert: A brief synopsis of the original story provided by Wikipedia informs that “lecherous voyeurs falsely accused a fair Hebrew wife named Susanna. As she bathes privately in her locked and walled garden, a few elders spy on her bathing. The men realize that they lust for Susanna and when she makes her way back to the house, they accost her, demanding she have ‘relations’ with them. When she refuses, they have her arrested, claiming that the reason she sent her maids away was to be alone as she was having ‘relations’ with a young man under a tree.”
The reason for my attaching the synopsis is simple. Many people immediately shut down upon hearing the word “opera,” and the fine folks at the DVO would love to see that change. Gone are the days of a fat lady named Brunnhilde sporting a Viking helmet and inspiring old men to nap. Gone are the days of lovely ladies in sparkling gowns arriving in limos with men wearing tuxes and bow ties.
Gone, but not forgotten, as audiences in the Upper Delaware River region are invited to adopt a come-as-you-are dress code, sip an adult beverage at intermission and hear an American opera sung in English for all to understand.
Not only did I see “Susannah” last weekend, but I was blown away. The score, written by Floyd, is a wow, and as performed by Jessica Sandidge (Susannah), Jonathan Stinson (Blitch), Daniel Kamalic (Sam) and Ramon Tenefrancia (Little Bat) a double-wow. The singers are more than simply “in fine form,” but are incredibly skilled, wildly talented and just plain impressive, helping to make opera more accessible, simply by being amazing.
Supporting players Andrew Wannigman, Robert Flora, Marcus Huber and Christopher Fistonich are also impressive, and a layered, thoughtful standout performance from Suzanne Dvorken (Mrs. McLean) helps drive the story home.
Rounding out the cast are too many players to name here, but each adds nice touches and flair to a stylish production. It boasts a very cool, simple-yet-effective set design and construction courtesy of Barclay Lottimer, Keith Eisenstark, Steve Marisky and Dan Brinkerhoff. The costumes add to the overall production by effectively illustrating time and place.
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