FACes & PlaceS
Around Town July 2005

SHOWCASE THE ARTS OF NEW HOPE JULY 15-17
A Town-wide Celebration of the Arts
by Robin Larsen

[Note: Tickets are available through NewHopePennsylvania.com at the lower price - $35 - until July 8 or until the tickets run out, whichever comes first.]

Showcase the Arts of New Hope, a weekend celebration of the arts and artists of the region, will soon be upon us. The weekend sponsored by New Hope Arts Inc. offers a variety of opportunities for artists to share their talents. The weekend long event features performances, exhibitions, demonstrations, gallery talks and - activities, culminating in a dinner celebration of the Culinary Arts where guests will enjoy a diverse sampling of great wines and fabulous food prepared by some of the area’s finest chefs. Most of the activities are free and open to the public.

The event will kickoff on July 12, 2005 from 7-9pm with a special reception at Triumph Restaurant & Brewery at Union Square on Bridge Street for the Fine Art of Dining, a juried art exhibition about food, wine and the importance of festivities that take place around a table. Last year’s exhibition included everything from a tongue in cheek portrait - Red Boy- of a lobster ready to be served by Bob Beck to the colorful tiles and trivets of ceramist Katia McGuirk. The exhibition will remain open through the month of July.

The majority of Friday, July 15, 2005 events begin in the evening and include performances and concerts at a number of venues throughout town.

On Saturday, July 15, 2005 from 12noon – 3pm artist will work with young people in creating their own masterpieces such as fish prints and handpainted t-shirts while local storyteller Jane King and area musicians entertain at the Ferry Street Landing.

From 1pm – 3pm live music will be heard throughout town with free informal outdoor concerts by a variety of traditional folk, blues, bluegrass and Celtic performers. Area venues such as the Bucks County Playhouse, Odette's and John & Peter's will feature a variety of performers Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend celebration closes on July 17 from 6pm-9pm with a party – Savor New Hope: A celebration of fine wines, fabulous food and amazing art and antiques that all make New Hope “A Little Paris on the Delaware”. Guests will enjoy the feel of a European Open Air Market where merchants and music are nestled next to food stands serving a variety of culinary treats. Under tents at Union Square on Bridge Street in New Hope. The event will feature wine from area vineyards and food prepared by some of the area’s finest chefs and restaurants including Hamilton’s Grill Room, Dish Catering, Triumph Restaurant & Brewery, Thomas Sweet, Bill Gill, John & Peter’s, Kathy Bates, Pam Hueber, Occasions, Havana and others.

Buy your tickets early this year and save $10 per person. Tickets purchased before July 1 are $35- after July 1 they will be $45. Still a fantastic deal for food, wine, entertainment and a “goody bag” of gift certificates and gifts from area businesses.

For more information on the entire weekend visit www.NewHopeArtsInc.org. Schedules for the 3-day event will also be available at key locations throughout New Hope.

New Hope Arts Inc. is a 501c3 not for profit organization. Money raised by this event is used to fund NHArts programs such as Showcase, the annual Indoor Sculpture Exhibition and the Year-round Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. NHArts is funded by the PA. Council on the Arts, the Commonwealth of PA, PA. Partners in the Arts, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, 5 County Arts Fund and the Borough of New Hope as well as Business Benefactors George E. Michael, Inc., Tom Scannapieco and Elliott Building Group, Ltd. For more information visit NewHopeArtsInc.org or contact NewHopeArts@aol.com or 215-862-3396.