ASTON — Neumann University will host “Abstract Encounters,” an exhibition of artwork by Sandra Benhaim, in the McNichol Gallery from April 4 through May 11.
Benhaim, a native Philadelphian, is a painter who works in oil, mixed media, and collages on canvas, wood panels and paper. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts on a full four-year scholarship, and later a Master of Education from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.
After working representationally for years, she now creates mainly abstract images, often expressing them in unabashed, exuberant color. She has exhibited nationally from Washington state to New York to Florida and has had 11 solo exhibitions.
The Neumann exhibition contains 18 of her original works.
She describes her work as the result of an intuitive process, built layer upon layer with varied colors, expressive strokes of paint, and textured materials. Many of the postcard size collages on exhibit at Neumann University were created during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The artist reception for “Abstract Encounters” is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. in McNichol Gallery.
The gallery is in the Bruder Life Center on Neumann’s campus in Aston, Delaware County. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and by appointment by calling 610-558-5626.
To see the full arts schedule at Neumann University, visit http://www.neumann.edu/arts.
Briarcliffe Senior Travel Club takes reservations for upcoming trips
The Briarcliffe Senior Travel Club is planning a trip to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster on Wednesday, May 31 to see the show, “Elvis The Musical,” with lunch.
Cost is $127 and a deposit of $60 is due upon booking. The balance is due by May 1.
The Travel Club will also host a trip to Caesars Casino in Atlantic City on Thursday, Aug. 24 to see the show, “Dance to the Movies,” starring “Dancing With The Stars” celebrity professionals, “So You Think You Can Dance” top finalist, “America’s Got Talent” aerialist, and singing stars from “American Idol” and “The Voice”. The show is at 3:30 p.m. and there will be time for slot play and a $25 voucher to play.
Cost is $75, and a $25 deposit is due by July 11 to hold a seat.
The club also plans a trip to the Tropicana Casino to see a “Doo Wop Christmas” starring the Doo Wop Project on Nov. 30. Celebrate the sounds of the season with this uplifting and energized performance. The Doo Wop Project has appeared on public television.
Cost is $75, with $25 back for slot play. A deposit of $25 is due at time of booking and the balance is due by Oct. 30.
A trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Tennessee and Winchester, Virginia, is available, June 25 to Jul 1.
The cost of the seven days, six nights trip is $1,999 single; $1,579 double; and $599 child.
Price include deluxe motor coach transportation, deluxe accommodations at Holiday Inn Express in Wytheville, Virginia; Inn on the River Pigeon Forge in Tennessee; and the Fairfield Inn in Winchester, Virginia.
Tours include all shows: Hatfield & McCoy’s dinner theater, Comedy Barn, Pirates dinner show, City mini tour, Old Smoky Moonshine Distillery tour, Alcatraz Museum, Dollywood (seven shows, lots of restaurants, rides).Tour of Winchester, Virginia, where Patsy Cline lived, and a tour of Patsy’s house, and plenty of time for shopping.
Meals are also included in addition to dinner shows at Mama’s Farm Restaurant, and Bennetts BBQ. Breakfast is included at all hotels. All gratuities and taxes are included. Cancellation insurance is also available.
A nonrefundable deposit of $300 is due at time of booking, and no seat will be held without a deposit.
For information on booking any of these trips call 215-715-5004.
St. Gabriel Parish hosts gift card bingo, Lights Out performance
St. Gabriel Parish, 233 Mohawk Ave., Norwood, will hold gift card bingo, 7 p.m. Saturday April 29.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the St Gabriel’s Rectory by calling 610-586-1225.
Tables of eight can be reserved. Venmo is available. Raffle baskets and 50/50 will be sold as well.
Lights Out will perform at St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall on Saturday June 17. Lights Out is the No. 1 tribute band for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Dinner will be served beginning at 5:45 p.m., followed by the show beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the rectory. Call 610-586-1225 for more information.
League of Women Voters has tips to build bridges through conversation
The League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County will present this month’s Hot Topic session, “Talking to Those You Disagree With and Strategies to Build Bridges Using Civil Discourse,” via Zoom, Friday, March 31 at noon.
Presenters from Braver Angels and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) dive into ways that people can have productive conversations in polarized times. Hear ideas and strategies for facing the relentless headwinds of political division and mis- and disinformation.
The presenters will be Heather Blakeslee, Braver Angels coordinator for Pennsylvania and editor of Roots Quarterly, and Angel Eduardo, senior writer and editor of FIRE.
For more information: https://my.lwv.org/pennsylvania/central-delaware-county.
The Hot Topic is free, but everyone must register to submit questions and receive the link. The program will be recorded and available later.
Support group available for those with loved ones in prison
Mary Mother of Captives Support Group for those that have a loved one in prison meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at St. Charles Borromeo Parish Hall, 3422 Dennison Ave, Drexel Hill.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 13. Attendees remain confidential.
For more information, call John or Sue at 610-259-3178 or email marymotherofcaptives@augustinian.org
Lansdowne Folk Club presents songwriter Rupert Wates
The Lansdowne Folk Club continues celebrating 30 years of presenting live music with singer-songwriter Rupert Wates, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne.
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance online or with an advanced phone reservation and $25 without an advance reservation.
For reservations, parking information, advance ticket sales and more information, visit http://folkclub.org or email Lfolkclub@gmail.com or call 484-466-6213. Only cash and checks will be accepted at the door.
Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full-time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited.
Since coming to the U.S. in 2006, he has won more than 50 songwriting and performing awards. His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. He has released 12 solo CDs, which have received outstanding reviews in the international online press and tracks from them have been played on radio all over the world.
Rupert averages 120 live shows every year in acoustic venues in every state, plus Canada and Europe.
Wates performs alone or with his trio or his quartet. He says that he prefers smaller listening rooms where the audience is up close and the emphasis is on the music.
He was voted an Artist Of The Year in both 2013 and 2016 by the international house concert network Concerts In Your Home, and for five years running he has been the most booked performer on their database of several hundred artists. Learn more about Rupert at http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com.
Other upcoming concerts include Abbie Gardner on May 18, June Star on June 1, John Byrne on September 28, Lili Anel on Oct. 26, Beaucoup Blue on Nov. 16, and Jeni Englund and Meghan Cary on Dec. 7.
Founded in 1993, the Lansdowne Folk Club is an all volunteer nonprofit dedicated to presenting folk, acoustic and blues music.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
