“In the merry, merry month of May…”. These 9 notes keep running through my thoughts as we begin this month of warmth, where yellow forsythia, leafing trees with white and pink blossoms, flashes of colors from pansies and daffodils all brighten our spirits after the very long cold winter. Spring IS here at last. People are smiling again. It is a merry, merry month indeed.
It is also a very, very busy month for the Arts Center. We begin with a special treat for all: Ashly Cruz’s International Cabaret Show on Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. Ashly’s shows are always special, but she has made this one even more special by offering it as Benefit Show, with all proceeds donated to our ART PARK project. She will be singing songs in French & Spanish as well as English, songs from her “Ella” shows, and delighting the audience as only she can. This is a show you do not want to miss. She will put the fun in the fund raiser!
Speaking of the ART PARK, the response has been a very positive: “What a great idea!” Many have made pledges. Many have donated. However, even with the expected grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, we must still raise $26,000 by the end of May. I am sure that those of you who have not yet contributed have thought about a donation but just haven’t gotten around to making a pledge or writing a check. Having full member participation is an important factor in us receiving the grant. We will be making personal telephone calls as a follow-up to the letter you received explaining the project. We will also be contacting other residents and businesses in town as follow-ups to their letters. Please give what you can to make the ART PARK a reality for the future of arts and culture in Marlborough and the region.
The merriment of May continues with 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe on Friday, May 22, 7:30 p.m. featuring a Show by the Drama Students at RHAM. They are young, but the shows are very professional and always a delight. Song/dance/drama. Do plan to attend for a musical treat.
The Arts Center collaborates with the local/regional schools throughout the year as you know because we believe it is important to foster the artistic talents of our youth. Coming up on June 10 is the Summer Concert by the Marlborough Elementary School Band. You’ll hear more about this in my June letter and in the new media, but for those of you who plan ahead: put the date down now on your calendars. If weather permits, this will be an open air concert.
The Arts Center is honored this month to host a Leo Christmas Memorial Exhibition, with over 40 works selected by his family. Leo was a long-time member and artist who was well loved both for his art and for himself. The Exhibition is open every weekend in May, 1-4 p.m., free admission. This is a beautiful show to enjoy while honoring Leo even if you did not have the pleasure of knowing him personally, and I hope many of you do just that.
Merry May to you all, Joan