Entertainers find innovative ways to make music: Whit & Whimsey
BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Every organization and business I can think of is struggling right now to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the hardest hit groups are those in the entertainment industry, and several with Medina County ties have come up with some great ideas.
Brunswick High School graduate Shawn Kilgore, who has been making his living as an entertainer in Florida for years, let us know that he will be filming “A Christmas Cabaret” from his home, to be available on-demand for 48 hours mid-December.
Shawn explained that it is a “pay-what-you-can” fundraising event for a theater that is producing a virtual entertainment project he is involved with and excited about. He’ll share information about the project during the show.
The theater (founded by a good friend) is a new volunteer-based and publicly supported 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to bringing top-quality theatrical arts to their communities — and now to online audiences.
“Hiring Equity actors in Southern California, P3 Theatre Company is experimenting with different ways of reaching out to audiences, the most innovative and ambitious is what I am working on,” Shawn writes.
The funds from the cabaret will support all of the theater’s efforts, and every little bit will help when it comes to a theater trying to make it through.
A minimum donation of $5 gets you the link to join Shawn, accompanied by Joshua Glenn Wilson on piano, for an evening of holiday cheer — at your convenience — starting Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Then, direct from their homes to your screen, P3 Theatre Company presents an exciting five-week Cabaret Fundraising Series at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 22. If you can’t make it at that time, the “virtual seats” will be available for 48 hours to ticket buyers.
Ticket prices are on a pay-what-you-can basis. Help support local theater without breaking the bank.
Explains Shawn: “Every little bit will help us to sustain our operations and enable us to provide continued programming to keep the arts and arts education alive. We’ve got a fantastic lineup, with a plethora of styles and genres of music — there’s something for everyone in this series.
Programs include Christy Mauro-Cohen, with “Evita” and “Beautiful Thing;” musicians Steve Pinkney and Michelle Homes with “Crazy Aunt Mary;” Shawn Kilgore’s upcoming “Funny Bonz — A Christmas Cabaret” with Joshua Glenn Wilson; and acoustic duo 3 Mile Radius, featuring Kara and Christ Brouelette.
Tickets and more information are available at p3theatre.biz/.
ORMACO has a film: Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) has partnered with New York producer Hunter Arnold for a specially filmed version of Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” starring Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays.
The production will be released worldwide on Nov. 28. This streaming video event will benefit ORMACO, as well as other community, amateur and regional arts organizations across the country that have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Michael Arden; adapted by Mays, Susan Lyons and Arden; and conceived by Arden and Tony Award nominee Dane Laffrey, the filmed version is based on the wildly acclaimed 2018 production, which made its world premiere at Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse.
ORMACO is a partner through a joint project among Arnold’s TBD Pictures, La Jolla Playhouse and On The Stage. “A Christmas Carol” was filmed at New York’s United Palace, which was chosen to preserve the power of the theatrical storytelling that Mays and Arden have created.
“Experience ‘A Christmas Carol’ unlike any other — past, present or future,” says Medina County’s own Thomas Sigel, founder and executive director of ORMACO.
“The timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge comes to a thrilling new life, as Jefferson Mays plays over 50 roles in a virtuosic, master class of a performance that must be seen to be believed. This theatrical achievement comes from the haunting vision of one of Broadway’s most imaginative directors, Michael Arden.”
Tickets are available to purchase now at ormaco.org/. For more information, call 419-853-6016.
Holiday Magic: Main Street Wadsworth announces its downtown event series “Holiday Magic on Main Street.”
Throughout November and December, visitors are invited to shop and dine in downtown Wadsworth to support small businesses. Visitors will experience a magical holiday atmosphere and enjoy Christmas music, luminaria-lined sidewalks, horse and carriage rides, a North Pole Mailbox and many more delightful surprises!
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and continues through Dec. 17.
In addition, children are invited to speak with Santa through the glass window at Wadsworth Community Radio from noon to 2 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17.
This eight-event series is being promoted with visitor safety in mind. Events are subject to change based on Medina County Health Department recommendations.
Visit the group’s Facebook page for information and updates at facebook.com/MainStreetWadsworth .
Here’s a fun challenge: This ought to be interesting for a lot of people I know in Brunswick and Medina. The Medina County Arts Council is hosting a COVID-Friendly Holiday Lights Challenge and Tour this year.
If you go all out for the holidays — covering your home with dancing lights, animated characters and holiday music blasting — then you need to enter your home in the Medina County Arts Council’s Deck the House Challenge, sponsored by the Medina County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The contest is designed to encourage and highlight the artistic creativity of Medina County homeowners and reward residents who go above and beyond to celebrate the holiday season and share their talents with the community.
The arts council is currently looking for recommendations for the best residential holiday light displays in Medina County. People can nominate themselves or their neighbors by visiting the Medina County Arts Council Facebook page or emailing [email protected]
If you know of an amazing holiday light display in the county, be sure to let the arts council know. Nominations close on Nov. 20.
When so many holiday traditions are being canceled because of COVID-19, a driving tour of the Deck the House homes will provide a festive and safe way to celebrate the holidays. So, throw the jammies on the kids, grab their blankies and snacks, and pack into the car to tour the county in search of the best holiday lighting display.
Then go to facebook.com/MedinaCountyArtsCouncil to vote for your favorite. A list of the entries with their addresses will be available at medinacountyartscouncil.org/ beginning Nov. 27.
Voting will run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20. A Facebook Live event during the week of Dec. 20 will surprise the winning family with a visit from Santa and presentation of the coveted Deck the House Lighting Challenge lightbulb trophy. Watch Facebook posts for the date and time of the live event.
Get a meal: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1600 Pearl Road, Brunswick, will hold a drive-thru turkey meal from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21. Pastor Carolyn Wagar invites members of the community to come pick up a meal, but you must call 330-225-4148 to reserve your meal(s) by Nov. 18. Quantities will be limited.
Wagar also notes that the church will have a virtual Christmas Eve service you can enjoy from home through HTLC Brunswick on YouTube or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/226604414289/.
It was good to hear from the pastor, who is still recovering from some health scares.
Breakfast with Santa: Reserve a family space every Saturday and Sunday from Thanksgiving to Christmas for Breakfast with Santa at Diamond Event Center, 1480 Pearl Road, Brunswick.
Come for breakfast, play games, write letters to Santa and take home a special craft at this COVID-19-safe, non-contact event. Santa will speak to the children by telephone — from the North Pole, of course.
Seatings are at 9 a.m. and noon, so it’s limited to 12 families of 10 or fewer per session. Each family gets its own private look into Santa’s office, too. For more information call 330-225-1995.
Turkey Bowl 500: St. Ambrose Parish is going to try to feed 6,000 people for Thanksgiving, and the goal is to collect 500 turkeys and 400 pies to help provide a wonderful meal for thousands across our region. Last year, the volunteers exceeded their goal, so hopefully they will again this year.
If you are someone in need of a meal, you need to call by Nov. 23 to reserve a warm Thanksgiving meal prepared with care and love on Thanksgiving Day. Meals can be picked up between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at the back door of Hilkert Hall. Volunteers will deliver meals to Brunswick/Brunswick Hills between noon and 1:30 p.m. for those who can’t make it to pick up a meal.
To reserve a meal for pickup or delivery, call the office at 330-460-7300.
Something for the kids: Want a free holiday craft for your kids to take home and make? Bring your children to the Medina County Arts Council’s Pop-Up Shop at 129 N. Court St. (Medina Centre for Dance Arts building) to choose from a greeting card, chalkboard ornament, Santa mask or pine cone tree craft.
Along with a craft, each child can choose a sticker to place on a 5-foot-tall construction paper tree to share on Facebook.
The pop-up shop will be open every Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 through Dec. 19. A limited number of families will be permitted inside at one time to comply with social distancing measures, and masks are required.
Don’t forget: Medina’s 36th Medina Candlelight Walk is Nov. 20-22. The district will be decked out for your visual delight, and shops and restaurants are ready to serve you with holiday goodness. Just mask up and visit. Details at facebook.com/events/708205669764514/
Bidding continues: Bid on pieces by local artists to benefit the Medina County Children’s Center, medinacountychildrenscenter.org. Art with a Heart bidding is at 32auctions.com/ArtWithAHeart2020.
Art With A Heart showcases more than 50 pieces from community artists, including students at the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. We hope you find an item you love!
Thanks are in order: I’d like to publicly thank Stacey Asvestas and Ken Chamers for the time and effort they’ve given to the Brunswick Area Historical Society’s online auction. From idea to actuality, they’ve handled it all, and are helping to raise much-needed funds for the new “old school” building at Heritage Farm.
And a big thank you to the donors and those who have bid. If you want to bid or know more about it, go to charityauction.bid/brunswickhistory There are new items at least once a week in the catalog. Happy bidding.
Contact Boyer at [email protected]
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