On Saturday, September 27th, Chesapeake Music presents its Concert Season Opener, boasting a star-studded NYC-based cast that includes the young phenom violinist Randall Goosby with the acclaimed Renaissance String Quartet, the multi-award-winning & Rising-Star pianist Zhu Wang, and veteran All-Star Catherine Cho. This concert has been in the works for nearly two years and strives to achieve more than deliver a sensational evening of chamber music performance.

The foundation of the evening is the Renaissance Quartet, comprising violinists Randall Goosby and Jeremiah Blacklow, violist Jameel Martin, and cellist Daniel Hass. Taken from the group’s own website, the quartet “feels a responsibility to command a diverse repertoire of classic, underrepresented, and new works, so they can contribute to the reclamation, redefinition, and continuation of a musical tradition that belongs to all of us. They represent and articulate an inclusive vision of the future of classical music, which sees a culture of music wherein all lives and histories are welcomed and celebrated.”

True to form, the Renaissance Quartet kicks off their visit to Easton with a pair of outreach engagements in the community through Chesapeake Music’s YouthReach Program, supported through an “NEA Replacement Grant” awarded by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. On Thursday, September 25th, the group will deliver a dynamic session at an after school program at Building African American Minds, led by Goosby and Martin. The duo have collaborated beyond the scope of chamber music in the past, most famously for a cross-disciplinary recital program of poetry and music, entitled “Intersections: Black Music and Words.” On Friday, September 26th, the quartet will visit Mace’s Lane Middle School in Cambridge.

“It is so inspiring to see a young group of musicians wholly dedicated to serving the greater community through music, especially in such a meaningful, mission-driven fashion as the Renaissance Quartet,” says David Faleris, Chesapeake Music’s Executive Director.

The Renaissance Quartet aims to create experiences that are meaningful and welcoming to all audiences, and achieves this in large part through its diverse programming. The September 27th concert program offers a fascinating journey through three distinct eras and emotional landscapes of chamber music. It begins with pioneer Florence Price’s String Quartet in G Major, a work that blends the late-Romantic tradition with the rich tapestry of African American folk melodies. The program shifts to the profound and deeply introspective world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s String Quartet in G Minor, a masterpiece of sustained melancholy and emotional tension that is famously resolved through a sudden shift to joy. The evening culminates in the immense power and dramatic scope of Johannes Brahms’s Piano Quintet in F Minor, a work of heroic struggle and unyielding intensity that pushes the boundaries of chamber music to a symphonic scale.

The 7:30 p.m. concert at The Ebenezer Theater promises to be a thoughtful and engaging offering, sure to please an audience that will range from students to seniors and first-time concert goers to long–time supporters.

Chesapeake Music offers a limited number of free tickets for students, educators, and Talbot County First Responders, as well as a “buy-one-get-one” option for first-time patrons of Chesapeake Music. General admission tickets are $50. Visit ChesapeakeMusic.org for tickets and more information.

Based in Easton, Maryland, and celebrating its 40th Anniversary Year, Chesapeake Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings renowned musicians to delight, engage, and surprise today’s audiences, and educate, inspire, and develop tomorrow’s. Learn more at ChesapeakeMusic.org.

 

Moving day has never been this funny. Come audition and join the chaos!

Tred Avon Players (TAP) invites actors of all experience levels to audition for Things My Mother Taught Me, a hilarious and heartfelt comedy written by Katherine DiSavino and directed by Ed Langrell. Performances will take place February 12–22, 2026 at the Oxford Community Center.

AUDITION DATES & LOCATIONS:

• Tue, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. – TAP Office, 114 N Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Easton

• Thu, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. – TAP Office, 114 N Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Easton

• Sun, Oct. 12, 6:00 p.m. – Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Rd, Oxford

CASTING

TAP will be casting seven roles. All ethnicities, body types, abilities, and skill levels are welcome to audition and will be considered for roles. Readings will be selected scenes (sides) from the script provided during the audition. You can reach the director, Ed Langrell, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 410-226-0061 and pressing 0 at the prompt to leave a message. Please contact Ed if you need any special accommodations.

CHARACTERS

• Olivia Keegan (Female, late 20s-early 30s) Energetic, neat, slightly OCD.
• Karen Keegan (Female, 50s-60s) Olivia’s mother; caring but opinionated.
• Carter Keegan (Male, 60s) Olivia’s father; supportive and well-meaning.
• Gabe Lawson (Male, late 20s-early 30s) Good-natured; a bit overwhelmed by moving.
• Lydia Lawson (Female, 50s-60s) Gabe’s mother; practical, witty, and a little bossy.
• Wyatt Lawson (Male, 60s) Gabe’s father; friendly, easygoing, and sometimes awkward.
• Max Mirowski (Male or Female, 40s plus) Polish building superintendent.

PLAY SUMMARY

Olivia and Gabe’s big move to Chicago doesn’t go as planned, especially when both sets of parents arrive to help. This comedy explores relationships across generations and the lessons parents pass on, sometimes without even realizing it.

PRODUCTION CREW

TAP also needs a production crew – sets, lights, sound, costumes, and stage crew. If you are interested, come to any audition to find out more information or send an email to Ed Langrell at [email protected].

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ABOUT TRED AVON PLAYERS

Founded in 1982, the Tred Avon Players is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain its community by providing a high-quality theater experience. Hundreds of local performers, stagehands, audience members and donors have been the backbone of its success throughout the decades. To learn more, visit www.tredavonplayers.org and follow Facebook and Instagram.

The Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA), in partnership with Kent Island’s Cult Classic Brewery, is proud to announce the first ever ESWA HOLIDAY BOOK FESTIVAL, taking place on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the ESWA Holiday Book Festival at Cult Classic will offer book lovers an opportunity to connect with their favorite authors from all over Delmarva and discover new voices across a variety of genres. There will be books for sale, signings, readings, giveaways, and for the convenience of holiday shoppers, gift-wrapping services. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the host location’s food, beverages, and hospitable cheer throughout the day.

Now celebrating its 40th year, the Eastern Shore Writer’s Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving writers and their supporters throughout Delmarva. In addition to this year’s Holiday Book Festival, ESWA’s annual efforts include the long-running Bay to Ocean Writers Conference and the publication of the Bay to Ocean literary journal. https://easternshorewriters.org/

Cult Classic is a brewery, bar, restaurant, and live entertainment venue hosting everything from concerts and comedy to creative revels and community fundraisers. Dedicated to supporting the arts, this locally owned business regularly hosts author presentations, a popular book club, and writers get-togethers. Teaming up with ESWA seems like the perfect plot twist.  https://cultclassicbrewing.com/

For media inquiries or to schedule interviews with ESWA representatives please contact Brent Lewis at 410-310-8216 or [email protected]. Organizers are excited to share more about this event and would appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Remember: It’s time for the Holidays – and books make great gifts.

Marcy Dunn Ramsey 
Summer In The Aerie
September 20 – October 12, 2025

Reception / Artist Talk: Saturday, September 20, 11am – 1 pm
First Friday  – October 3, 5-7pm

MassoniArt is proud to present Summer in the Aerie, a small collection of new work produced this summer in Marcy Dunn Ramsey’s studio overlooking the Chester River. The exhibit will be featured in our gallery along with sculptor, Claire McCardle, from September 20 – October 12.  

Marcy’s work will be on exhibit in our 113 South Cross Street gallery.  Hours during the show are Thursday – Friday, 11am – 4pm, Saturday, 10am – 5 pm, and Sunday 11am – 2pm. Private appointments may be scheduled at any time by contacting Carla Massoni. 410-708-4512 

Coming Exhibitions:
Marc Castelli / Annual Downrigging Exhibit
Mules Feet and Dead Man’s Pennies
October 25 – November 30, 2025
Holiday Exhibition
Featuring favorites from our gallery artists!
December 1 – January 30, 2026
In addition to featured exhibitions, MassoniArt continues its tradition of showcasing a diverse selection of works by represented gallery artists throughout the year. Visitors are encouraged to explore the full breadth of the gallery’s offerings during their visit. 
For more information please visit www.massoniart.com.

The Golden Hour {Rum Room}, Windon Distilling Company’s new tasting room & event space, is thrilled to welcome local saxophonist/composer Stephen Philip Harvey back for a monthly jazz residency this fall. After an incredible response to the five-month sold-out residency earlier this year, Harvey and his trio (SPH+2) return this month for another series of intimate concerts, featuring original music and stellar cocktails. The first show in the series is set for Friday, September 19, with doors

opening at 5pm for cocktails and one dynamic set from 6-7:30pm. Tickets are $40 and available from Windon Distilling here. Following the September date the trio will perform again on October 17, November 21, and December 19. The November show will be a very special live recording session, as Harvey composed an array of songs during this two-part residency. Jaime Windon, owner of Windon Distilling Company, is bursting with excitement for the return of jazz nights. “Stephen and his fellow musicians are phenomenal. Being able to showcase such incredible artists in my new favorite feels like an absolute dream,” she says. Adding, “Listening to original music that was inspired by the Golden Hour is sublime!”

For more information about the Golden Hour, please visit

https://www.lyonrum.com/golden-hour/. For more information on Harvey and his music, please visit

www.stephenpharvey.com. 

Other Relevant Links:

Ticket Link – https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML99JHEJ0G5N0/checkout/IGN3VOK4DW7IAR5PCP7BMOSR

 The Academy Art Museum is pleased to announce a special three-part lecture and screening series led by Loretta Howard, Co-founder of On This Spot, an acclaimed nonprofit project that brings women artists’ stories to life through short-form documentary videos.

Over three consecutive Thursday evenings, audiences will experience short archival films that illuminate the lives and legacies of women artists who shaped the artistic and cultural landscape of the postwar era. Through scholarly and entertaining biographical storytelling, Howard will guide audiences into the worlds where these artists lived and worked, dreamed and built communities that fueled their creativity.

The series will highlight women artists represented in the AMA collection, offering fresh insight into their work through a biographical and feminist lens, with selected artworks on view. Artists Martha Diamond, Nancy Graves, Grace Hartigan, Kiki Smith, Pat Steir and Susan Weil will be amongst those discussed. 

On This Spot

On This Spot NYC is a nonprofit dedicated to reclaiming the histories of women artists who shaped New York City’s cultural landscape. Through short-form documentary videos, interactive maps, and public programs, the organization highlights where pioneering artists lived and worked, bringing their often-overlooked contributions to life. Founded by gallerist Loretta Howard and producer Tony Ganz, On This Spot NYC has created more than 50 films since its 2023 launch, making women’s stories in art history widely available to audiences around the world.

Dates:
Thursday evenings — October 16, 23, & 30 at 5:30pm

Cost for three-lecture series:
$45 members / $60 non-members

This program is ideal for anyone curious about art, women’s history, and diverse voices—those who love stories that inspire and connect across generations.

For more information or to register, please visit the website or contact [email protected].

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About the Academy Art Museum

Founded in 1958, the Academy Art Museum is the Eastern Shore’s leading cultural institution, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It combines the dynamism of an ambitious contemporary art museum with the intimacy of a community space. With five working studios, a 24,000 sq. ft. facility, and innovative programs including a robust artist-in-residence initiative and major commissions for its soaring atrium, the Museum is a destination for artists, scholars, collectors, and families alike.

Some on the Eastern Shore have heard of “Witch Paddles”. They are trending across  the country in October. See this Cool video of Colorado Witch Paddle . But so far no  one has done one for breast cancer causes and it seems a natural fit. After all, what  were witches but early American female healers? And where better to have a Witch  Paddle than on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Talbot County? There were even a  couple of witches tried right here on Plain Dealing Creek! And of course October is  Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Eastern Shore has tons of warm, flat water  here, so clearly it was meant to be! 

On October 15th from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, the first ever Witch Paddle supporting breast cancer patients through diagnosis, treatment and beyond, will be held at the Oaks  Waterfront Hotel in Easton. Proceeds will benefit the Clark Comprehensive Breast  Center in the effort to procure their own Faxitron machine (which will greatly speed up  diagnosis and allow more procedures to be scheduled in the Center as opposed to the  hospital) and Breastcancer.org which provides free up to the minute information to over  20 million patients and providers around the world to help them make the best decisions  possible. 

The event aims to host 40+ paddlers dressed in witch costumes and 100+ enthusiastic  viewing participants to cheer them on! Individual paddlers can register and create their  own team and local businesses are encouraged to sponsor their own paddlers or  sponsor various stations at the event. The web link for paddler registration and/or  donations): Eastern Shore Witch Paddle at the Oaks .   

The community is invited to view the event at no cost (but contributions are appreciated)  along with complimentary popcorn and s’mores by the firepit and free witch hats to kids  and the young at heart who go for face-painting or pumpkin painting. There will also be  

a fancy VIP pier with an open bar and spooky hors d’ ouvres for paddlers who reach a  total team goal of $250 (or donors who contribute the same). A cash bar and a cauldron  of waters will also be available for general viewers on the lawn. 

Mark your calendars for this fun and fund-raising community event. Children must be  accompanied by an adult and pets are not allowed. If you are interested in volunteering  please contact Stephanie Johnston at [email protected] or Sara Biden at  [email protected]. 

Click here for Eastern Shore Witch Paddle Sponsorship Details or see attached packet. Also attached is event flyer with clickable link and QR code for registration and  donations. (In both Word and PDF formats)

Church Hill Theatre invites actors to audition for Clyde’s, a brilliant play by Lynn Nottage. Directed by Michael Whitehill, the production will run weekends from November 7 -23. Nottage, who received a MacArthur “Genius Grant,” is known for dramas that explore the experiences of working-class people. She has won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama—twice—and Clyde’s was the most-produced play of the 2022-2023 season. Bitingly funny, Clyde’s is set in a truck stop diner staffed entirely by the formerly incarcerated. The search for a perfect sandwich takes Clyde and her employees on a journey of empathy and empowerment.

Director Whitehill promises his actors hard work, respect, inclusion, and even a few sandwiches as the team brings Nottage’s vision to the stage. He enjoys working with new talent, so encourages both novices and more experienced actors to audition. While there may be some “cold reads” from the script, Whitehill’s auditions always include the unexpected, from role playing exercises to slam poetry. Some actors audition only for the opportunity to see what he plans this time.

The characters in Clyde’s are both quite specific—and extremely nuanced. Even if a role doesn’t seem quite right, Whitehill encourages you to audition. Here are the parts, all of them leads, all of them requiring great comic timing:

Montrellous is a middle-aged, working-class Black man. After many years in prison, he is sensitive, caring, and has a sharp sense of humor. Using cooking as a means of meditation, he tries, not always successfully, to bring along members of the younger generation.

Jason is a young White man, a bit of a doofus, who just finished 8 years in prison. He presents as a white supremacist but can be open and vulnerable. A man with a lot to learn, Jason gets some of the best comic opportunities.

Letitia is a young Black woman with a special needs child, eager to rebuild her life.  She really depends on this job, even if the work conditions are toxic. A romantic, she still hopes to find a genuine partner. She is a hoot and a half.

Rafael is a Latino, playful and full of charm. He also is in recovery, working to find a spiritual path to a better future. And he falls, hard, for Letitia, who isn’t very impressed. And, of the whole crew, Rafael is terrified of his boss.

Clyde, the sandwich shop owner, is a Black woman of indeterminate age. She is brash, domineering, and even wickedly seductive. She controls the menu, the rules, and her staff’s lives—but she is the only one who will hire them. She drives the play.

Auditions will be held at the Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center, 410 Little Kidwell Avenue, Centreville, Maryland, on August 30 and on September 1^st, 3^rd and 6th. The Wednesday date may include call-backs. For more information about Clyde’s audition dates, times, and parts, visit the CHT website at https://churchhilltheatre.org/shows/auditions/ or call the office at (410) 556-6003.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will open its 2025–2026 season, Bold Voices, Eternal Resonance, with concerts in Easton, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean Pines featuring music by Bartók, Emilie Mayer, and Beethoven. Performances take place on Thursday, September 25 at 7:30 PM at the Easton Church of God in Easton, MD; Saturday, September 27 at 3:00 PM at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, DE; and Sunday, September 28 at 3:00 PM at the Community Church in Ocean Pines, MD.

The program includes Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a lively suite of traditional melodies from Transylvania that showcase the composer’s deep interest in folk traditions and rhythmic vitality as well as Emilie Mayer’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, written in 1847. Long overlooked, Mayer’s symphonies are now receiving growing recognition for their craftsmanship and expressive power. Her First Symphony blends classical structure with a bold Romantic voice, making it a striking rediscovery for modern audiences.

The concert concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, one of the composer’s most celebrated works. Its propulsive energy, famously described by Richard Wagner as “the apotheosis of the dance,” continues to captivate listeners more than two centuries after its premiere.

“This program represents exactly what we want this season to embody,” said MSO Music Director Michael Repper. “We are pairing beloved classics like Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony with music that deserves far greater recognition, such as Emilie Mayer’s Symphony No. 1. It’s an opportunity for our audiences to experience something both familiar and new, and to be part of a broader conversation about the voices that shaped classical music.”

Tickets and subscriptions are available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

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ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Sussex County (Delaware) Council, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2025-2026 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, including venues, times, and other details, is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

The Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) begins its 36th season on Monday, September 8, 2025, welcoming musicians from across the region to one of the largest youth orchestra programs in Maryland. With eight ensembles ranging from the Preparatory Strings for beginners to the flagship Symphony Orchestra, plus flute ensembles and a jazz combo, the CYSO provides opportunities for instrumentalists of all ages and levels.

Each ensemble rehearses weekly under the guidance of distinguished music educators and professional conductors. Students gain performance experience through annual Holiday Concerts in December at Live Arts Maryland, Spring concerts in March, and the Season Finale in May, along with special community appearances such as the Bowie Baysox National Anthem performance and the First Sunday Arts Festival.

CYSO also provides unique artistic opportunities: collaborations with the Washington Opera Society and Accord Symphony Orchestra, multi-disciplinary concerts like Symphony of the Senses, and projects with choirs, ballet companies, and community partners. These experiences push students beyond traditional repertoire and foster creativity.

Beyond the season concerts, CYSO musicians can take part in international tours (to Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Portugal, and France), the new annual Summer Camp, and chamber music programs. These activities help young musicians grow not only as performers but also as leaders, collaborators, and confident individuals.

“For over three decades, CYSO has been igniting a passion for music,” said Dane Krich, Executive Director. “Whether in rehearsals, on stage, or abroad, our students gain experiences that shape their musicianship and their lives.”

For more information, to register or to schedule an audition, visit www.cysomusic.org.

About Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra

For over three decades, the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) has fostered a passion for music among the youth of Annapolis and surrounding communities—creating the next generation of performers and music lovers. With distinguished conductors and pedagogues, a musically diverse offering of ensembles, and some of the best young instrumentalists that Anne Arundel County and surrounding areas have to offer, CYSO not only empowers its students to become lifelong lovers and performers of music, but also provides them with opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime.