Now is the time for “Panic” at Peninsula Players

“Panic” is an homage to the stylistic film director, Alfred Hitchcock, and the play won the 2008 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Play.  “Panic” made its debut at the International Mystery Writers Festival in Owensboro, Kentucky in 2007.  Playwright Joseph Goodrich used Hitchcock as an inspiration for the main character in “Panic,” film director Henry Lockwood.

Lockwood, known as “the Sultan of Suspense,” is in Paris for the opening of his latest thriller and is being interviewed by a French writer prior to the première.  Also staying with Lockwood in the plush hotel room are Miriam, Lockwood’s personal assistant, and Emma, his ill wife.   While in Paris Lockwood is confronted with a past dastardly deed, which leads to attempted blackmail and murder.  Will his career and marriage make it beyond Paris, or will they end on the cutting room floor?

Kristine Thatcher directs this stylistic thriller.  Thatcher also directed “Over the Tavern” and “The Uneasy Chair” for the Players.   Thatcher last performed on the Players stage as Eliza in “Pygmalion” and LCDR JoAnne Galloway in “A Few Good Men.”  She wrote the Door County-themed play “Apparitions” that the Players commissioned for its 1995 season.  Thatcher has directed several plays for BoarsHead Theater in Lansing, Michigan where she was artistic director from 2005 – 2009 and is founding director of Stormfield Theater.

The cast of “Panic” includes Players veterans and a newcomer to the Players stage.  Gary Houston plays Henry Lockwood, and Carmen Roman is his wife and co-collaborator, Emma.

Houston makes his Players debut. His stage credits include Off-Broadway where he played Zig in Organic Theater’s “Bleacher Bums” in the American Place Theater and portrayed Barbara Feldon’s Russian tormentor in Jeffrey’s Sweet’s “Berlin ‘45” at the Ensemble Studio Theater.  His regional credits include Albuquerque’s Fusion Theater’s production of Enda Walsh’s “Bedbound,” Yasmina Reza’s “The Unexpected Man” and Eugene O’Neill’s “Anna Christie.” In Chicago he created the role of Roger in the world premiere of “Grease” at the Kingston Mines Theater and productions of “Richard III” (Oak Park Festival) as Buckingham, “Hamlet” (Chicago Shakespeare Project) as Claudius and “The Tempest” (European Repertory) as Prospero.

Roman, cast as Emma Lockwood, returns to the Players for her 11^th season where her stage credits include “Doubt,” “Master Class,” “Be My Baby,” “Red Herring” and “The Lion in Winter.”  She is founding member of Chicago’s American Blues Theater, recipient of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson award for “Wit” and was on the national tour of “Angels in America.”  Roman also has numerous film and television credits including “Law and Order” and “Law and Order-SVU.”

Also returning to the Players stage are Kevin McKillip, as the French film critic Alain Dupay; Erica Elam as Lilane Bernard, a woman who attempts to blackmail Lockwood; and McKinley Carter as Lockwood’s personal assistant Miriam Stockton.  McKillip and Elam shared the Players’ stage in “Comic Potential,” “Born Yesterday” and “Rumors.”  Carter’s Players credits include “Into the Woods,” “Perfect Wedding,” “The Taffetas,” “Comic Potential” and “A Little Night Music.”

McKillip has received three Jeff nominations including Best Actor for “Richard III” (title role), Best Supporting Actor  for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Puck), and Best Supporting Actor for “Jeeves Intervenes” (Eustace) with First Folio Theatre, where he also appeared in more than 20 productions, including “Hamlet” (title role), and his one-man show “Will Rogers: An American Original.”

Elam’s recent credits include “The Trip to Bountiful” (Goodman), “Philadelphia Story” (Remy Bumppo) and “Inherit the Wind” (Northlight).  As an improviser, she has performed with The Second City, iO, Annoyance, and The Comedy Shrine.

Carter’s Chicago credits include: “Ragtime,” Drury Lane Oakbrook; “John and Jen,” Apple Tree Theatre (Joseph Jefferson nomination); “Turn Of The Century,” “The Mamet Festival”,” The Visit,” “Floyd Collins,” Goodman Theatre; “Forbidden Broadway,” Royal George Theatre; and “Winesburg Ohio,” Steppenwolf Theatre.

All cast members are members of Actors’ Equity, the union of professional stage actors and stage managers.

The design production team for “Panic” includes scenic designer Keith Pitts, lighting designer Jason Fassl, costume designer Kärin Simonson Kopischke, all professional designers who are members of United Scenic Artists union.   Sound will be designed by Players’ newcomer Nick Keenan.

The Peninsula Players 75^th Anniversary season is sponsored through the generosity and support of Baylake Bank, which has been the Players’ financial partner for more than 50 years.  This season is also supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Panic” will be on stage Sept. 8 through Oct. 17.  Curtain times are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7p.m., except for Sunday matinees 4 p.m.  Sept. 26 and Oct. 17.   Group and individual tickets are available.  Individual ticket prices range from $29 to $36; there are no performances on Mondays.  For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players’ box office at 920-868-3287 or visit the website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.

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Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay.  In the past 75 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country.  For more information, please visit www.peninsulaplayers.com.

Dan Burke on “Preserving Door County’s Scenic Beauty… One Acre at a Time.”

In December of 2009, the Door County Land Trust purchased 332 acres in the City of Sturgeon Bay along the shores of Lake Michigan on the south side of the Sturgeon Bay-Lake Michigan Shipping Canal. The preserve dedication was an opportunity to officially open the preserve and to thank the previous landowners, volunteers, foundations and granting agencies, and Door County Land Trust supporters whose vision, hard work and generosity made the creation of the nature preserve possible.

Public hiking trails, parking areas, informational kiosks and maps are all now located at the new Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve. The preserve is home to nearly 1,000 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, forested wetlands, a series of ancient shorelines, and many rare plants and animals.

The Door County Land Trust is a local, non-profit organization supported by over 2,000 contributing members.  Its mission is to preserve, maintain and enhance lands that contribute significantly to the scenic beauty, open space and ecological integrity of Door County. Since its inception in 1986, the Land Trust has protected over 5,300 acres throughout Door County. Many of the lands owned by the Door County Land Trust are open to the public for hiking, hunting, birding, skiing and other low-impact recreational and educational activities.

To find out more about the work of the Door County Land Trust, for preserve maps and directions, for information on our hunting program and to make a contribution of support, please visit www.doorcountylandtrust.org.

The Joseph Jefferson Awards are Chicago Theater’s equivalent to Broadway’s Antoinette Perry “Tony” Award while BTAA honor productions featuring African-American artists and themes.

“Congratulations to our past and current company members on their accomplishments in Chicago,” says Greg Vinkler, Players Artistic Director.  “Every season Peninsula Players tries to bring the best talent there is to Door County audiences, and every season with the announcements of the ‘Jeffs’ and BTAAs I am pleased to see several of our company members being recognized just as that – the best.”

Costume designer Samantha Jones was nominated for a BTTA for her costume design of “The Colored Museum” for Congo Square Theatre Company.   Jones designed “A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine,” “Heroes” and “Over the Tavern” for Peninsula Players.

Receiving Jeff acting nominations this year are Cassandra Bissell for “Mary’s Wedding” at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Patrons will recall Bissell from Players productions of “Proof,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” “A Man for All Seasons” and several others.

Other Players actors receiving nominations are Cindy Gold (“Rain,” “Spider’s Web”) for “Awake and Sing” at Northlight; Kate Fry (“Into the Woods,” “Bob Almighty,” “Fools,” “Communicating Doors”) for “Oh, Coward!” at Writers’ Theatre; Barbara Robertson (“Moon Over Buffalo,” “Noises Off,” “The Last Night at Ballyhoo “) for “Yeast Nation at American Theater Company; and Timothy Edward Kane (“Broadway Bound” and “Fools”) for Court’s “The Illusion.”

Several cast members of the Players production of “The Taffetas” were nominated, including Heidi Kettenring for the Theatre Center’s “I Do I Do” and Marriott’s “Hairspray;” and Tammy Mader nominated for choreography of Drury Lane’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie;” and McKinley Carter (“Comic Potential” and “Panic”) for the ensemble of Drury Lane’s “Ragtime.”  “Ragtime” ensemble also included Zack Keller (“Over the Tavern”) and Jonathan Weir (“Spider’s Web,” “Rain,” “See How They Run” and “Escanaba in Da Moonlight.”)

The Players props mistress Sarah E. Ross and a former intern Kristin DeiTos were nominated for their costume design of the American Blues Theater production of “Tobacco Road” while longtime Players actor James Leaming was nominated for his set design of “Tobacco Road.”

Other Players’ designers were also nominated including Lindsay Jones, Victoria DeIorio, Nick Keenan, Joshua Horvath and Brian Sidney Bembridge.  Directors who were nominated include Jim Corti and Marc Robin.

Doug Peck, who served as musical director for the Players “Into the Woods,” was nominated for three productions “Cabaret,” “Oh, Coward” and “Animal Crackers.”

The Joseph Jefferson awards annually honor outstanding theater artists in the Chicago theater community since it was established in 1968.

Peninsula Players Theatre is located along HWY 42 between the villages of Fish Creek and Egg Harbor.   Peninsula Players Theatre is a nonprofit professional theatre and a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for nonprofit professional theatre, and Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit theatres.

The Peninsula Players 75^th Anniversary season is sponsored through the generosity and support of Baylake Bank, which has been the Players’ financial partner for more than 50 years.  This season is also supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Pictured are Sean Fortunato, Erica Elam and Carter in “Comic Potential,” a comedy in which a scriptwriter kidnaps the “actoid” heading for the scrapheap because of a glitch she has developed for laughter and comedy.

Now on stage at Peninsula Players is Alan Ayckbourn’s “Comic Potential” through Sept. 5.  Joseph Goodrich’s “Panic” will begin Sept. 8 through Oct. 17.  Curtain times are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7p.m., except for Sunday matinees Sept. 5, 26 and Oct. 17 at 4 p.m.   Group and individual tickets are available.  Individual ticket prices range from $29 to $36; there are no performances on Mondays.  For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players’ box office at 920-868-3287 or visit the website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.

Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 75 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country.

Follow Peninsula Players on Facebook.

You will have an opportunity to meet representatives from the Door County Job Center and their sponsor Great Lakes Staffing.

In addition ABR Employment Services, Arby’s, Avon Products, Hatco, Marine TraveLift/ExacTech and WS Packaging Group, Inc. will all have representatives available.

A Wisconsin Job Service Career Counselor will be on-site to meet with individuals who call ahead to sign up. Don’t miss the following Breakout Sessions:

• Starting a Business in Door County presented by Sam Perlman from Door County Economic Development,
• Veterans Employment Briefing presented by Brian Marquardt from the Office of Veterans Services,
• Using Social Networking to Strengthen Your Job Search presented by Leann Nguyen from the Door County Job Center,
• SSI/SSDI and Your Ticket to Work presented by Jim Conley from the Door County Job Center.

This event is sponsored by The Door County Job Center, “where employers and job seekers connect.”

Please call Pam at Door-Tran, 920.743.9999 if you need transportation assistance to the Job Fair. Visit the Door County Job Center, call 920.743.6915 or check on-line at www.doorcountyjobcenter.org for additional information on Fall Job Fair 2010.

Pianist Craig Terry

The series of six concerts begin on Wednesday, September 1 and continue through Labor Day – September 6.  Returning to this year’s festival is esteemed pianist Craig Terry.

World-class musicians from organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pro Arte Quartet, Aspen Music Festival, and artist faculty from major universities, make up Wisconsin’s premiere chamber music ensemble — Midsummer’s Music Festival. The festival has had a long history of bringing Carnegie Hall quality performances to Door County.  While the Midsummer’s Music Festival began 20 years ago, the Labor Day series was started in 2002 when violist Walter Preucil and pianist William Koehler were scheduled for a concert in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall that October. Festival founders Jim and Jean Berkenstock invited them to do a preview in Door County.  The concerts were very successful and became a permanent part of the festival.  The Carnegie Hall tradition continues as members of the festival ensemble just performed at Carnegie Hall in May of 2010.

Well-received at some of the past Midsummer’s Music Festivals, internationally- acclaimed pianist Craig Terry has performed with some of the world’s leading singers and instrumentalists. Currently in his fifth season as assistant conductor at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, he previously served as assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera after joining its Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. Terry made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2000 and has also performed at Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

“This is a very important milestone for the ensemble and we wanted to end the summer with a really festive outpouring of music and talent,” says Jim Berkenstock, Artistic Director of Midsummer’s Music.

Among the most notable pieces is Café Music, a riotously energetic and infectious mixture of pop, jazz, and other styles that is perhaps the most requested works in Midsummer’s history.  Also among the selections is Lowell Liebermann’s Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, a romantically inspired virtuoso composition that features solo violinist Isabella Lippi and pianist Craig Terry. Lippi is concertmaster of the Elgin Symphony orchestra in Illinois and has appeared numerous times with that orchestra as soloist.  Rounding out this program entitled “Celebration!” is Robert Schumann’s romantic masterpiece, his Quintet for Piano and Strings.

A separate program features Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg and Austrian composer Joseph Haydn.  Grieg’s String Quartet is an inspired and passionate work featuring Norwegian themes.  Haydn will be represented by one of his most famous works, his Symphony Number 102, “The Clock,” in an arrangement approved by Haydn for flute and string quartet.  This program entitled “Historical Connections” begins with a spirited short work for string quartet composed by Door County’s most famous composer, Edward Collins.

“To celebrate our 20^th anniversary, we are showcasing what we call ‘The Best of the Best’ this season by performing those works that have especially thrilled our audiences over the years,” Berkenstock says.

“Historical Connections” can be heard at the Peninsula School of Art on Sept. 1, the Ephraim Moravian Church on Sept. 2, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sept. 4.  “Celebration!” is being performed on Sept. 3 at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay, and Sept. 5 at Ephraim Moravian Church.  All performances are at 7:30 except for the Sept. 5^th program, which will be at 3:00 pm.

“Celebration!” will also be performed on Labor Day, Sept 6, at Birch Creek in a gala benefit that will jointly support HELP of Door County, Inc., The Ridges Sanctuary, and Midsummer’s Music.  The benefit will start at 3:00 and will include a buffet following the performance.  The Master of Ceremonies is Anders Yocom from Wisconsin Public Radio. For more information, please call 920.854.7088 or visit www.midsummerSmusic.com.  All performances are $25 except for the benefit which is $85.

Double-crested Cormorant

According to State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt, there is no human health threat from Newcastle disease, which is caused by a virus that infects only birds. The disease was found during routine testing of dead birds found on Pilot Island and Spider Island by natural resources agencies.

“The virulent form of Newcastle disease can be transmitted to domestic poultry, creating hardship for those producers, and probably causing other nations to close their doors to poultry and poultry products from the United States,” Ehlenfeldt says. “While previous outbreaks in the United States have spread to domestic poultry only once, we do want poultry owners to be aware of the potential.”

Cormorants from Door County will begin migrating soon, following the western shore of Lake Michigan and possibly exposing wild and domestic birds to the virus. The department is sending information to Door County and other eastern Wisconsin poultry owners on the state’s livestock premises registration list. In three previous Wisconsin outbreaks, including one in 2006 on Pilot Island, the disease did not spread to domestic poultry.

Symptoms of Newcastle disease include respiratory problems such as sneezing, gasping, coughing and nasal discharge; diarrhea; low energy and loss of appetite; drop in egg production or misshapen and soft-shelled eggs; nervous system impairment such as trembling, drooping wings, circling, and twisting or paralysis of the head and neck; swelling around the head; and purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs.

Poultry owners who see any of these signs should call their veterinarian immediately.

From: Wisconsin Ag Connection

Circle of Life by Patty Degenhardt

The Hardy Gallery is pleased to announce the final exhibit of its 2010 season, entitled Dimension in Door County: Form Transcending Function. The exhibit will feature three-dimensional work by seventeen Door and Kewaunee County sculptors and craftsmen. To celebrate the beginning of the exhibit, limestone sculptor and woodcarver Jeff Olson will be carving a wood sculpture outside the Hardy on the evening of the reception, Friday, September 3 from 5:30 – 7 pm.. The finished sculpture will be auctioned off that same evening to benefit the non-profit gallery.

“The premise of this exhibition is to give the Door County community and visitors to the Peninsula a closer look at this segment of our vibrant arts community,” says Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, Executive Director of the Hardy Gallery. “It will take viewers on a visual exploration, delving into different technical aspects of the creation of the work, the artists’ creative process and as the title of the exhibition implies, seeks to primarily showcase a unique selection of work that goes beyond the functional realm.”

Dizzy by Michael Beaster

The exhibition will feature a minimum of two works from each of the participating artists.  They include metal sculptor Robert Anderson, furniture builder Michael Beaster, glass artist Deanna Clayton, bronze artist Patty Degenhardt, potter and clay artist John Dietrich, craftsman Michael Doerr, ceramic artist John Hansen, textile artist Gloria Hardiman, concrete artisan Dylan Lauger, ceramic artist Chad Luberger, mixed media artist Robert Merline, limestone sculptor Jeff Olson, glass artist Jeremy Popelka, bronze artist Jim Sargent, metalsmith Paul Spanbauer, and jewelry artists Sylvia Youell and Jen Hough.

Bren Sibilsky, an Algoma-based sculptor who is also featured in the show, will also be at the Hardy Gallery for a two-hour public sculpture demonstration at the Hardy on Monday, September 13 from 5 – 7 pm.

The exhibit will run through Tuesday, October 12. The gallery is open seven days a week from 10 am – 5 pm daily.

The Hardy Gallery is a non-profit arts organization enriching the vibrancy of the Door County community by promoting and fostering local art.  The Gallery is located on Ephraim’s Anderson Dock and is open seven days a week from 10 am – 5 pm. For more information call 920.854.2210 or visit www.thehardy.org.

The first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 and by 1884 it had become a National Holiday. The 1880s were a tragically violent time in our nation’s history and the Labor Day holiday was probably created to appease the workers of America after several particularly ugly labor-related incidents. Officially it was a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”

In 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day Monday was designated as Labor Sunday by the American Federation of Labor. Labor Sunday was dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. Both the Sunday and Monday celebrations gave politicians a chance to speak out for the wage-worker.

At the turn of the last century here in Door County, undoubtedly our U. S. Representative, Edward S. Minor, would certainly have been championing the working man, just as he had, earlier in his life, championed the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.

This Labor Sunday, Congressman Minor (as portrayed by Joe Knaapen) will be speaking out for the wage worker in The Historical Village at The Crossroads between 1:30 and 3:30 pm. And speaking of workers, our own blacksmiths will have the Blacksmith Shop open for demonstrations. They love to explain their labor and will happily sell you some of their finished metal products.

The Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will be focused on the sun and the moon during their September meeting the first Tuesday of the month. Visitors are always welcome. The meetings consist of a quiz, this month offered by Tom Minahan, and a short presentation on the viewing target of the month: the Sun. The lecture, “Lunar Missions” will be presented by Greg Cupal and David Udell. Refreshments are served. Please use the Utah Street Entrance to reach the Stonecipher Astronomy Center.

On Wednesday, September 8, at 7 pm we continue our year-long exploration of the Escarpment by hosting lecture “Exploring Underground Door County“.The Door County Environmental Council is sponsoring this program, which brings Dr. Ken Bradbury, Wisconsin’s leading water geologist to Crossroads. Dr. Bradbury is the a Program Leader at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Hydrology and is the “go to” guy when it comes to fractured aquifers. This program is free and open to the public

This is the final week for our 11:00 summer family programs. In fact, on Labor Day, we return to Fall Hours for the Collins Learning Center. The Center will be open 2-5 pm daily plus during scheduled events and by appointment. For more information call 920.746.5895.

Crossroads is a donor-supported learning preserve located at 2041 Michigan Street in Sturgeon Bay. Trails are free and open to the public. Pets, on leash and under control, are permitted.

Wednesday, September 1, 11:00
Family Program: Waterfest for Kids
Water is amazing and precious. This program is designed for kids 4-8 years old though families and adults with child-like curiosity all are welcome. Short hands on activities and free T-shirts to participants (sizes Youth-S and Youth-M only) Free.
Wear clothes that can get wet. Rain or shine.

Thursday, September 2, 11:00
Aquatic Critters
Join the naturalist in exploring Big Creek and in netting the small creatures which live in the shallow waters. Wear clothes that can get wet. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. This program will be canceled if it is raining.

Saturday, September 4, 11:00
Nature Hike: Flowers of the Fields
Join the naturalist on a visit to the fields and prairie plantings of the Crossroads preserve. Easy hiking. About an hour.This program will be canceled if it is raining.

Sunday, September 5, 1:30-3:30
Tours of the Historical Village at the Crossroads
Labor Sunday Events.
Visit The Historical Village and hear a message from Congressman Minor, as portrayed by Joe Knaapen. Blacksmith Demonstrations. Free, but bring some cash so you can buy some of the items created by our own smiths.

Monday, September 6, 11:00
Nature Hike to Big Creek
Big Creek is not so very big this time of year, but it is, in many ways, more beautiful surrounded by lush growth. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Tuesday, September 7, 7:00
Meeting of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society
Visitors are always welcome to DPAS meetings consisting of a quiz, this month offered by Tom Minahan, and a short presentation on the viewing target of the month, the Sun. The lecture, “Lunar Mission” will be presented by Greg Cupaland David Udell. Refreshments will be served. Please use the Utah Street Entrance to reach the Stonecipher Astronomy Center.

Wednesday, September 8, 7:00
Lecture: “Exploring Underground Door County”
The Door County Environmental Council brings Dr. Ken Bradbury to Crossroads. Dr. Bradbury is the a Program Leader at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Hydrology and is the “go to” guy which it comes to fracture aquifer. This program is free and open to the public.

For the past ten years, Charlene Berg has been evolving the concept of a Labor Day Weekend Gills Rock art festival featuring “artists-in-action.” Each year she has managed to take the idea another notch forward and this year promises to be no exception. Working with Kate Elizabeth Janquart, a cohort who now runs the adjacent Gallery Ten Coffee House with her cousin Sarah, they have planned the 10th Annual Gills Rock ArtFest to include live demonstrations by more than twenty new or returning artists, a fashion show and a huge collaborative chalk painting endeavor.

On Saturday and Sunday, September 4 – 5 , from 10 am – 5 pm you are invited to stroll the grounds at Gallery Ten, adorned with tents and art  work on display to meet and talk with local and regional artists at work, creating all manner of art. Plein air painters, custom jewelry makers, potters and even a blacksmith will all be at work outdoors. Chuck Sully will be displaying and selling his freshly baked artisan breads created daily at his “Crusty Uprising” bakery in Algoma.

While things begin to wind down on Saturday at 5 pm, the fun is just beginning. Kate Elizabeth Janquart has invited artists to turn the immense, black asphalt, Gallery Ten parking lot into a gigantic chalkboard painting. Filmmaker, Stephen Kastner will continue to collect footage of the event as it proceeds until sundown, shooting from a tower 3 stories above the action. Then, he will be joined there by exhibiting photographer, Jenny Urbanek who just won “Best in Show” at the Peninsula Art School’s Emerging Artist Show. She will equip everyone with flashlights and they will work in the dark, under her direction to create timed exposures that reveal the art in a new dimension.

“I shoot with digital and sheet film,” says Urbanek. “My technique is all about painting with light. I often use a view finder camera in 4 x 5 format and photograph my models using 30-second exposures.”

Ed DiMaio

Kastner, who turned down plans to be filming in Black Rock City, Nevada has enlisted local artist, poet, musician and exhibiting drum maker, Ed DiMaio to lead a drum circle Saturday evening that will highlight the festival around a bonfire, “celebrating our own Burning Man here in Door County.”

DiMaio adds, “I will be doing drum building demos at ArtFest, with drums at various points of completion. Bring your problem drums, drum questions or any thing you would like to make into a drum. It will be a blast!”

Runway Exhibitions by Shannon Molter, modeled by Sierra Korthof

On Sunday at 1 pm, exhibiting artist, Shannon Molter will present a Rustic Runway Review of her original “green” fashion wear. She is known for including a variety of natural found objects in her work as lead fashion designer at the Milwaukee Art Museum. She recently presented her Fashion/Garment Art Runway Shows at the Museum in June and July, with another scheduled for October.

“Derived from my adolescence, growing up in a tiny rural town in Northern Wisconsin,” Molter explains, “I have a strong sense of connectedness to the environment and try to arouse empathy within my audience for the natural world. In my academic artwork, I try to encourage viewers to think and discuss the beginning of civilization, its effect on nature, as well as why we should, or how we can change the current ecological situation.”

There is no charge to attend any of the Gills Rock ArtFest events taking place over Labor Day Weekend. Telephone 920.854.9907 for further information of visit on-line at www.GalleryTen.com for a complete list of artists exhibiting in ArtFest 2010.

Charlene’s Gallery Ten represents over 100 artists in a gallery collection that is contemporary, original and eclectic. GT Coffee, complements the gallery, serving espresso drinks and Door County cherry pie by-the-slice open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM with free Wi-FI. The gallery is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM at 12625 Hwy. 42 in Gills Rock, Wisconsin.

Kenneth R. Bradbury, Program Leader, Hydrogeology Faculty in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Wisconsin

“Underground Water Conditions in Door County” will be the topic discussed by Dr. Bradbury at Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. There is no admission charge for the event.

“Dr. Bradbury’s current research interests include groundwater flow in fractured media, groundwater recharge processes, wellhead protection and the hydrogeology of glacial deposits,” according to a Wisconsin DNR publication.

Bradbury received his PhD in Hydrogeology from UW Madison in 1982, his AM in Geology in 1977 from Indiana University and his BA in Geology in 1974 from Ohio Wesleyan University.

The program is expected to last about one hour with questions and answers following the presentation.

“Ken is such a tremendous resource in this area,” says Jerry Viste, DCEC’s executive director. “We’re very excited to bring him to Door County. No one in Wisconsin knows more about how water moves and behaves in fractured rock geology.”

Those with burned-out compact fluorescent bulbs that they need to dispose of are reminded they can bring them along, securely wrapped, for free disposal courtesy by DCEC.

The Door County Environmental Council is a 40-year-old not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving Door County’s environment for the generations to come. For further information on the program and other DCEC events call Jerry Viste at 920.743.6003.