"Our Town" in the Ruins

Thorton Wilder's "Our Town" is a play familiar to many. Hardly anyone completes high school without reading, performing, or watching this play. I have read this play, watched my peers perform this play, watched my oldest son and his theater class perform this play, and next month with watch my youngest 2 thespians execute it once again. I must say, I am slightly "Our Town" weary. I should say, I was "Our Town" weary, until last night!

I had the opportunity to attend the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's production of Wilder's "Our Town" in the restored ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute in Historic Ellicott City. The unique concept that the audience moves along with the actors walking from scene to scene is what brought me to the venue. I highly recommend this theater experience to all.

The play is narrated by the Stage Manager portrayed by Dave Gamble who begins the play by walking up the gravel lane dressed in his brown blazer, vest and hat. He hasa folksy speach, a New England accent and a storyteller's description, as he lays out the "scenery" of the town around the landscape. Perhaps it is also that this is the first time I have seen this play with age appropriate actors, but I know I was immediately transported to Grover's Corners.

This is a perfect marriage of the play and the ruins where this performance takes place. The haunting sound of the actual train was almost timed perfectly with the train sound effects of the show. As the sun began to set to twilight, the Stage Manager was describing dawn, and the effects matched perfectly. Later in the, as the wind began to russle the leaves in the trees we were approaching the town cemetary. Both sent a chill through me.

For those unfamiliar with the play, the story is rich in the sweetness of small town life, family homes and young love. It's end is striking, abroupt and thought provoking. After witnessing this performance, I do not know that I will ever enjoy seeing this in a theater again.

There is only one more weekend to see the Chesapeak Shakespeare Company performance in the ruins.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chesapeake-Shakespeare-Company/111038168915338#!/chesapeake.shakespeare

Have you Been to the Wine Bin?

How can a business become a community tradition and destination? Just ask The Wine Bin in historic Ellicott City. The Wine Bin has invested a great deal of time, talent and energy into not only selling wine, but to also becoming a welcoming center for fun community events. There is always something going on, from the obvious wine and chocolate tastings to their less traditional wine shop events.

My personal favorites are the classic films they show under the stars in their parking lot each Saturday evening throughout the summer. It is reminiscent of the Drive-In movies I remember from childhood. There is something special about watching a movie like Superman, Pirates of the Caribean, Indiana Jones or a Hitchcock thriller on a big screen, with a crowd, on a warm summer night. Seeing the first row of people diving and screaming when the Jaws shark jumps towards the boat, was bonus entertainment. Each evening has a wine pairing selected especially for the film. I am only required to bring my chair. The Wine Bin I can purchase my wine and they loan me their lovely wine glasses (yes real glasses). It's free, it's entertaining, children and dogs are welcome, and the popcorn proceeds benefit charity. The showing of Hitchock's classic "Rear Window" was a "sell out" with the crowd overflowing into the neighboring lawn. The collective gasp when Jimmy Stewart is pushed out the window, is why this is my favorite event!

My dog enjoys the "Yappy Hours." On the 1st Friday of the month, well behaved dogs and their wine loving owners are invited to the Wine Bin. The Wine Bin's mascot Cloe, a muscular brown and white bull dog, acts as hostess for this event benefiting BARCS of Baltimore. The tourists in town always stop to ask, "Whats going on?" and are excited to hear about this unique happy hour. FYI, you do not need a dog to attend.

I especially enjoyed their float in the Catonsville 4th of July Parade as much as I enjoyed Dave's weekly posted videos of their float building and wine drinking with carpenter Matt. The owners invite wine makers, chefs and ghost tour guides into their shop, weaving their enthusiasm and lovely wine into each activity. Dave and Giuli, their staff and Cloe the dog, have the doors to the store propped open on most days, which I see as a symbol of the welcoming spirit of their shop.


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Things to do this week, in and around Catonsville.

Here are some things to do this week!

Thurs. 4/7
Historic Ellicott City Literary Tour. A history of the town as told by the authors who visited and wrote about Ellicott City, from Capt. John Smith to H.L. Menkin. 410-313-1900 Ellicott City Restoration Foundation. $10

Fri.4/8
Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band Concert. 7:30opm. Tickets $5 at the door. Kids under 12 free. The sounds of the steel drums will put you in a summer mood for Saturday's Beach Bash. Hope they play their signature Motown Finale.

Mt De Sales "Ping Pong for Peace" fundraiser to "Invisible Children" peace in Uganda. $5 admission allows the public to watch or play! Fun, food, competition & contests.

Sat.4/9
Catonsville Comets Booster Club BEACH BASH at The Lodge. 8pm-midnight. Food, fun, music, raffles, ... $35 Always fun!

Catonsville's Adrian Cox and his band Soul Gravity bring their rockin groove to The Waterfront Hotel in Fells Point. 10pm. It is a treat to have the Soul so close to home!

Sun. 4/10
Watershed Stream Cleanup, Friends of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway, 12-3pm. at the end of Hollins Ferry Rd.

Chef Matt will be cooking up grilled cheese (with a Rumor Mill twist) at the competition to benefit Movable Feast. $10 per person, kids under 10 free.Tickets @ The Mt Washington Tavern.

Mon. 4/11
Open Mic Night for Teens 11-17 , 7pm. Catonsville Library, registration 6:30pm

Weds. 4/13
Harritt Tubman Trails Bus Tour. Follow the trails of the Underground Railroad. $35

SAVE THE DATE / Future EVENTSl:

4/23 Catonsville High Alumni Lacrosse Game
4/30 Hills of Mill town 5K Challenge