Squeeze and Boy George tour coming to SPAC; 10th Berks Poet Laureate named [Spotlight]
May 2—British band Squeeze has announced a summer coheadlining tour with Boy George that will stop at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, on Sept. 11.
In 1978, Squeeze blasted to the forefront of the U.K. music scene at the height of the punk revolution. With songwriting hooks and melodies that harkened back to the '60s British Invasion, their groundbreaking debut album on A&M Records featured "Take Me I'm Yours," followed by a cadre of U.K. hits, including "Cool for Cats," "Up the Junction," "Pulling Mussels From a Shell," "Black Coffee in Bed" and "Labeled With Love."
The band made an indelible mark on the U.S. in 1981 with the release of their classic hits "Tempted," "Hourglass" and "853-5937" from "East Side Story."
Boy George, who catapulted to fame in the 1980s as frontman for Culture Club, is wrapping up a run as impresario Harold Zidler in the Broadway production of "Moulin Rouge!" on May 12. Culture Club sold over 150 million records worldwide and is best known for their songs "Karma Chameleon," "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" and "Church of the Poison Mind."
In addition, three concerts have been added to the schedule at Santander Arena: Bachata Festival featuring Zacarias Ferreira, Luis Vargas, Joe Veras and Judy Santos on June 29; country rock singer Brantley Gilbert's "Off the Rails Tour" with special guests Adam Calhoun and Demun Jones on Sept. 20; and Mexican singer-songwriter Carin Leon's "Boca Chueca Tour" on Sept. 27.
For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.
Poetry
More than 100 poetry lovers packed into Reading City Council Chambers on April 26 to witness the crowning of Adrian Perez-Roman, also known on stage as Apito, as the 10th Poet Laureate of Berks County. He also made history, becoming the first Puerto Rican to hold the honor.
Apito snatched the title and the $1,000 cash prize, after four rounds of fierce competition from his fellow finalists: Aries Franklin Ortiz, also known as The Poet Smiley; John Zabala, also known as Soul Papi; and Madelyne Snader.
The contest was conducted by community engagement nonprofit Barrio Alegria, and the four finalists were
selected out of more than 20 written and recorded manuscripts from poets all over Berks.
Perez-Roman, 31, said he was taken aback by the victory that took place in front of a lively and supportive audience.
"I was just shocked," Perez-Roman, of Reading, said. "You write poetry because you love to do it, you do it because you want to be heard, you do it to connect with people. And when you are used to losses and being overlooked, to be seen by a crowd — it shows me to believe in yourself and have faith in yourself and fully accept yourself."
Judging for the evening was conducted by published author and Reading native David Nazario, arts activist and Reading School District parent liaison Arleny Pimentel, and Reading poet Noah Ayala, who represented the United States at the Ditet e Naimit International Albanian Poetry Festival in 2018.
Perez-Roman will hold the title of laureate for two years, and in that time he is expected to advance the art form of poetry in Berks County. He is working with his fellow finalists and outgoing poet laureate Anthony Orozco to plan what that looks like for his community.
"My thing is connecting with creatives and bringing it to the youth," Perez-Roman said. "I truly want our community to come together and put creativity into action."
Orozco said he is immensely proud of Perez-Roman and all of the other finalists who displayed their fearlessness and poetry prowess in the head-to-head competition. He also said the evening is an example of how empowered artists can change the status quo.
"Usually, when City Hall is packed to the brim, it is because residents are frustrated, divided and calling for change," Orozco said. "Friday night, it was packed because they were joyful, unified, and because change was taking place in real time."
Symphony
The Reading Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Constantine, will present the grand finale of its 2023-2024 season, "Symphonie Fantastique," on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading.
Hector Berlioz's masterpiece features an exhilarating blend of cackling witches, nightmarish waltzes and haunting tolling bells. This groundbreaking symphonic work tells the story of an artist's obsession with a woman. Divided into five movements, the symphony depicts the artist's tumultuous emotions, from infatuation to despair, as he experiences vivid dreams, hallucinations and fantasies fueled by unrequited love.
The evening's program will commence with Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1, delicately interpreted by Michelle Cann, a distinguished member of the piano faculty at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. A masterful work of the Romantic era, the concerto showcases the composer's unique blend of lyrical melodies and virtuosic piano writing.
Composed in 1830, it consists of three movements: Allegro maestoso, Romance: Larghetto, and Rondo: Vivace. It features lush harmonies, expressive themes and brilliant piano passages that will highlight Cann's technical prowess and emotional depth. The concerto reflects Chopin's characteristic style, combining elements of Polish folk music with the grandeur and sophistication of the classical concerto form.
Tickets are available at readingsymphony.org or by calling the RSO box office at 610-373-7557.
Dance
Berks Ballet Theatre will present the classical ballet "La Fille Mal Gardée (The Wayward Daughter)," rounding out the ballet company's 48th season, on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College.
Set in a picturesque French countryside village, the ballet tells the story of a young woman named Lise (danced by Kaitlyn Staskel, a junior at Warwick High School, Lititz), who falls in love with a young farmer named Colas (danced by professional Aaron Smyth). Lise is an only child to Simone, and overbearing mother and farm owner, who has other ambitious plans for her daughter.
The light-hearted and comedic tale of two young people in love was first presented in two acts in the late-1700s by the Grand Théatre de Bordeaux in France. Its many adaptations have influenced the work of prominent ballet companies around the world. Berks Ballet Theatre's version is based on Frederick Ashton's ballet with new staging and choreography by BBT's artistic director, Kelly Barber
The ballet features two acts danced by the company's 21 company dancers along with Smyth, who appeared in the role of the Cavalier in BBT's 2022 and 2023 "Nutcracker" ballets. Smyth is best known for his associations with American Ballet Theatre II in New York, The Royal Ballet in London and The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Reading-area performer Michael Dietrich joins the company as Widow Simone, with Matthew Brunner and Christopher Paolini, both also of the Reading area, in the roles of Thomas and Alain, respectively.
"La Fille Mal Gardée" has a special history with BBT as the ballet had been mounted several times by the company throughout the 1980s and '90s by its founding director, Carol Ennis.
"It's a fun ballet, not very heavy," Ennis said. "My associate director, Bob Sheridan, danced the role of Widow Simone in 1988 and 1990, and he was hysterical dancing the Clog Dance. My husband never laughed so hard."
Tickets can be purchased at berksballettheatre.com.
Theater
Yocum Institute for Arts Education, West Lawn, is staging "Ella Enchanted: The Musical" through May 11 in its Schumo Theater.
Based on Gail Carson Levine's award-winning novel, and brought to life by the creative talents of playwright Karen Zacarías and composer Deborah Wicks LaPuma, this Helen Hayes Award-winning musical adaptation invites viewers of all ages into a world where words hold the ultimate power.
"Ella Enchanted" tells the story of Ella of Frell, who is burdened with a "gift" of obedience by her misguided Fairy Godmother, Lucinda. Forced to obey any direct order, Ella embarks on an extraordinary quest to break the curse. Along the way, she faces ogres, giants, a scheming step-family and even finds friendship with a charming prince. But can she claim her independence and show the world her true self?
Performances are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., then Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, at 3 and 7 p.m. For tickets, visit yocuminstitute.org.
Arts
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading has announced the hiring of Devyn Briggs as its new artistic director and Rachael Romig as its new development director. These strategic appointments come at a time of growth and innovation at GoggleWorks, signaling a dynamic future for the arts center.
Briggs studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she earned a BFA in Ceramics and a Master of Professional Studies in the Business of Art and Design. In addition to cultivating a professional artistic practice, she has worked in fine art collection management, creative start-ups, community and public art, non-profit management and higher education.
Most recently, Briggs served as the Adult Programs Manager at the Allentown Art Museum and as an adjunct professor at Northampton Community College. Committed to furthering equity and access to the arts in the Lehigh Valley, Briggs has served on several committees including the CACLV Campaign for Racial and Ethnic Justice, Southside Arts District Design Committee, Juneteenth Lehigh Valley and the African American Business Leaders Council.
Romig was most recently the Senior Director of Business Development, Special Programs, Events & Annual Giving at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, where she focused on relationship building, strategic program development, events and fundraising. One of her main focuses and areas of growth with GRCA was the Women2Women program with the mission to develop women leaders in Berks County. She is also on the board of directors with Safe Berks and owns Just Breathe. Weddings & Events, a wedding and event planning company.