Painting by Claire Berlus at the Civic Club
This President’s Day blog for Friday’s 3rd in the Burg employs two hits from the 1960s to tie a neat bow for art’s February events. Back then, when I was a teenager, the Chambers Brothers penned a psychedelic pop anthem, “The Time Has Come Today,” a song for those times that resonates even more so now. Its lyrics speak to the vagaries of time, appreciating the time we have, and the acceptance that life is short. It is unique musically in that its deliberate beat opens with a cowbell and a “cuckoo” and highlights guitar fuzz throughout. Its lyrics reference the Civil Rights movement, social activism and anti-war protest. Sound familiar? Opt to listen to the 11-minute album version released in 1967 and be “psychedelicized.”
Sculpture by James Berlus at the Civic Club
Segue to the riverfront in Harrisburg for the Civic Club’s eclectic evening celebrating “Black History and The Arts” from 6 to 8 p.m. at 612 N. Front St. Rev. Eric Jackson is somehow able to juggle his many gifts as pastoral leader, motivational speaker and musical performer, leaving all his talents at the podium and stage as blessings from the heavenly father. Jackson will be the keynote speaker and performer at the Civic Club. He is a longtime proponent and advocate for Ending Gun Violence. Rev. Jackson is a dynamic orator with a great message to share and will take his music to new heights. Friday’s event celebrates Black History Month as part of a tribute to the many cultural contributions that people of color make and have made throughout our city, as well as on a national level. Joining him is the equally talented artist, author, filmmaker and storyteller Julia Mallory of her Ten Oh!Six Studio and Gallery, Dr. Jacquie Forbes Owolabi, a Black education scholar, and Pretty Heads Hair. The Civic Club Artists Advisory Council pioneered by its president, Contrena Baltimore, is eager to place art center stage throughout the night. Multicultural art showcases the works of Haitian-born and raised James Berlus, one of the featured cultural leaders in TheBurg’s February issue. Poetry and the spoken word experience from Julia will keep all visitors thrilled and “chilled” on this February night. To spice up the celebration, detectable dishes from Maria’s Haitian Cuisine will provide another cultural contribution to the mix. The event is free to the public.
Dandelion @ Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
The year 1967 also saw the release of The Rolling Stones’ “Dandelion,” which is also the title for CALC’s “Winter Members Show.” Just opened last week, the exhibit runs through March 14, shortly before the arrival of spring.
Judging by the pop art postcard heralding the show, Dandelion’s brilliantly yellow theme will brighten even the darkest of days. As yellow is one of the three primary colors used to make all others, it can run the gamut of lemon, gold, honey, blond, amber, flaxen and even “electrical banana” (thank you, Donovan), which “may be the very next craze.” They call me “Mellow Yellow.”
Arts writer Bob MacGinnes and award-winning artist Andrea Finch
Be sure to look for insider’s picks from noteworthy members like Jim Capone, STEN, Marti Yeager, Roberta Lula, Matthew Bennett, Sheila Druist, Mike Donovan, Alison Rosen, Andrea Finch and Joseph Osborne. As for me, “my sunny disposition ‘stems’ from my artist wife Jana’s brushstrokes, placing a brilliant sunflower front and center. The opening night reception was this past Friday the 13th, but no need to worry as the Carlisle crowd came out in droves. How many members does it take to fill a gallery? Perhaps a new category award should go to CALC’s Curator and Creative Director Abria Donato. I have long felt art recognition should include the advertising postcards sent to announce a new show.
As you can see, “Dandelion” employs a pun as a new king of the jungle and is dressed to the nines well in advance of CALC’s Martini Auction. Perhaps Mick Jagger is under the lion’s head. As far as creative cards go this one is something to roar about!
