Midsummer Arts Festival celebrates music, literature, dance and theatre

HAWLEY, PA — Hawley arts organizations have joined creative forces to present the third annual Midsummer Arts Festival on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, at the Ritz Company Playhouse on Keystone Street and other locations in town.

Friday evening at the Ritz Theatre will offer music, theatre and literature. A string trio will perform works by Haydn, Boccherini and Schubert, featuring violinist Robert Murphy, a faculty member at the Black Bear Conservatory, and the assistant concertmaster of the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, who will be joined by Siobhan Solberg, viola, and Ling Kwan, cello. Historical fiction writer Clara Gillow Clark, well known for her Hattie series, will share how she draws on the history of her family and growing up in Wayne County as inspiration for her writings. The Wargo-Steveskey Flute and Guitar Duo will also perform. And the Ritz Bitz Players will perform a medley of songs from this season’s shows, “Godspell Junior” and “Bugsy Malone Junior.” Guests are invited to join the artists for a reception following the show at the Ritz.

Saturday Evening at the Ritz Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m., will feature readings by poet Erica Fabri, a performance by pianist Steve Faubel, a dance presentation by the World Dance Theatre and a performance by Steve Dublanica, author of The New York Times Bestseller “Waiter Rant.”

Other events over the weekend include an open house with book signings on Saturday at the Hawley Public Library at 103 Main Avenue, and an open house with music by local talent at the Black Bear Conservatory of Music. Visit visithawleypa.com/pdfs/MidsummerSchedule09.pdf for a complete schedule.

Tickets are available at the Ritz Theatre and Hawley Public Library. Tickets for “Friday at the Ritz” cost $20; “Saturday at the Ritz” costs $25, or $35 including a closing reception at The Settlers Inn. The cost for both evenings, including the reception, is $50. Proceeds benefit Black Bear Conservatory of Music, Hawley Public Library, Ritz Company Playhouse and World Dance Theatre.

For more information call 570-226-4620.