Tag: Ashtabula County

Rennick Meat Market is supporting Ballet Theatre Ashtabula dancers this season

Rennick Meat Market is helping young artists in our community this month. From November 1 through December 6, Rennick will donate 10% of their lunch sales, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., to Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance. Based at the Ashtabula Arts Center, BTA School of Dance has been teaching young people for over fifty years, and making The Nutcracker a community tradition for thirty-eight years. BTA offers classes for recreational students, dancing for fun and fitness, as well as for pre-professional students, providing foundational ballet training to those working towards a career in dance.

Alex Asteinza, co-owner of Rennick Meat Market, has been a staunch supporter of Ballet Theatre Ashtabula, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ashtabula Arts Center. “Coming from New York and the arts culture there, I think it’s great to have this resource here. We had Lincoln Center right there, and then you come to Ashtabula and see these dancers working with professionally-trained teachers, in a studio with the same floor as Lincoln, putting on full productions – it’s a great asset for the community. I’m happy to be able to support what they’re doing.”

“BTA alumni have gone on to professional careers as performers, choreographers, teachers, and founders of dance companies and schools throughout the country,” notes Clover Robinson, director of BTA. “Just to name a few, we’ve had Katherine Horrigan, who is the co-founder of Company Danzante and the director of dance at Adagio Ballet School of Dance in Arlington, Virginia. We’ve had Tim Kolman, who’s currently dancing professionally with Ballet Tucson. Cara Seymour is a Juilliard grad dancing in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera. Rebekka Ryan, who just last Christmas was dancing in The Nutcracker at the Arts Center, is now at Marymount Manhattan College.” Robinson herself started dancing with BTA when she was three years old, coming up through the program and going on to obtain a BFA in Dance from Wright State University. She toured internationally with Hubbard Street 2, and was a faculty member with Lou Conte Dance Studio and Dayton Ballet School, before coming back to her hometown and the dance school she started in as a child. “This was my second home growing up. I wanted dance to continue to be a part of my life after I retired professionally, and I wanted to be closer to my family. Teaching at the Arts Center, and then becoming the artistic director after Shelagh Dubsky retired, let me do that. This dance program has continued to grow, and that’s been personally and professionally important to me. I firmly believe that dance is for everyone. It’s an outlet for self-expression, and we all need that in our lives. If you want dance to be your career, we can provide you the training to make that possible, as well as a network of alumni to connect with. This summer we had Lonnie Davis Jr in as a guest instructor and choreographer in modern and contemporary dance. Lonnie and I danced together professionally, and it was wonderful to be able to give our kids and other dancers in the area the opportunity to work with him. If you just love music and dancing, and you want to do it purely for fun, you’re welcome here, as well – you don’t have to have professional plans to dance with us. Whatever a student’s reasons for dancing with BTA, they will get high-quality classes and performance opportunities. We invest in our students’ growth. We want them to discover their own unique potential.”

One of those performance opportunities is The Nutcracker, which BTA presents every December for three weekends.  Rennick’s Dining for Dance event will culminate on December 6, the same day this year’s production of The Nutcracker opens. “It’s wonderful to have this tradition that brings our community together every Christmas. We have multiple generations of families who come see it year it after year. It’s such a special thing to be part of. And as an educator, being able to offer students this kind of performance opportunity, whether it’s The Nutcracker or our Spring Dance Concert, is invaluable. Every dancer is learning customized choreography that is adapted to challenge their particular abilities and showcase their strengths. It’s a tremendous experience for a young performer. I’m so grateful to Rennick for helping BTA serve our students.”

Rennick Meat Market is located at 1104 Bridge Street in Ashtabula. Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s production of The Nutcracker will run December 6-8, 13-15, and 19-22; get tickets here. BTA’s dance classes will resume in January; call (440) 964-3396 for registration information.

Get half-price tickets to “Doctor Dolittle Jr” when you donate to the Humane Society

You can help animals in Ashtabula County when you see Doctor Dolittle Jr in November! With each item you donate for the Ashtabula County Humane Society, you can get half off the price of a ticket to the 2 p.m. matinee of Doctor Dolittle Jr on Saturday, November 16. Drop off items and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk.
Needed Items:
Purina wet or dry dog food
Purina wet or dry cat food
dog & cat treats
dog & cat toys
rabbit food
scoopable kitty litter
pet beds
paper towels
Dawn dish soap
latex gloves

Looking for a furry new family member? Check out the Ashtabula County Humane Society’s adoptable pets here.

Rennick Meat Market supports Ballet Theatre Ashtabula with lunch sales

From November 1 through December 6, Rennick Meat Market will donate 10% of its lunch sales (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) to Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance!

BTA School of Dance has been teaching young people for over 50 years, and bringing our community together for the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker for 38 years. This season, you can help support the dreams, dedication, and hard work of these young dancers just by enjoying lunch at Rennick!

Rennick Meat Market is located at 1104 Bridge Street, Ashtabula.

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s production of The Nutcracker will run December 6-8, 13-15, & 19-22, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m.

Dinner and a Show tickets available for Mamma Mia! with Rennick Meat Market

We have a delicious extra option for those of you coming to see “Mamma Mia!”: Dinner and a Show with Rennick Meat Market. Dine at Rennick on Bridge Street and see “Mamma Mia!” at the Arts Center. Seating at Rennick is at 5 p.m. before evening performances on Friday & Saturday, and after matinees on Sunday.

PLEASE NOTE: the only date Dinner and a Show is not available is Saturday, October 12, as Rennick is booked for a special event that evening.

Call the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396 to make both your theater and dinner reservations. The menu includes a choice of appetizer, choice of entree, and dessert:
APPETIZER (choose 1): 3 SPREADS: tzatziki – cucumber yoghurt, Melitzanosalata – roasted eggplant, & Taramasalata – cod roe; SPANAKOPITA: leek, feta dill; HORIATKI — Classic Greek salad with feta and oregano; or AEGEAN SEAFOOD SALAD — Mussels, shrimp, crab, scallops, greek olives, lemon vinaigrette

Call for women artists for March 2020 exhibit: “Women’s Rights”

The Ashtabula Arts Center is accepting art submissions by women artists throughout the area in celebration of Women’s History Month, March 2020, for an exhibit, Women’s Rights. Find details and the application here: Women’s Show 2020 application for artists

Film by Bob Lebzelter chronicling Ballet Theatre Ashtabula at Harbor film festival

The Ashtabula Harbor’s heritage outdoor film series ends Friday, August 23, with a 50-minute documentary by retired journalist (and Ashtabula Arts Center volunteer videographer) Bob Lebzelter on the grueling work it takes to put on a dance program at the Ashtabula Arts Center. “Fly On” chronicles the hours of work dancers and instructors put into the effort. While Ballet Theatre Ashtabula is known for its holiday “Nutcracker” offering, the Spring Dance Recital also requires dancers to spend hours and hours in practice and learning and creating choreography.

The film will be shown in the green space immediately west of Bridge Street Art Works, 1009 Bridge St.  Should it rain, the film will be shown the following week.

Lebzelter spent a month shooting video, chronicling the dancers as they evolved. “We take you to the practice rooms as students try different moves, make mistakes and try again,” Lebzelter said. “Then we quickly whisk you to the Arts Center stage. You will experience the dancing as I shoot right from the stage, from the audience’s perspective, from behind the stage and even above on the catwalk. I remember looking in back of me to see how much room I had so I wouldn’t fall off the stage while recording,” he said.

Students simultaneously worked on classic ballet and contemporary dance. The film interviews several of the participants about why they dance and what life lessons they get.

“Physically, dancing is incredibly difficult,” said dancer Jayson Gage. “Your body is doing things it doesn’t naturally do, like turning out and lifting your leg above a certain point, jumping as high as you can.”

The film looks back at the program as Director of Dance and instructor Clover Robinson goes over a photo of the troupe in the 90s and discusses the many people who ended up with careers in dance in far-flung areas of the world. It also looks to the future with young dancers, some not even in school yet.

“I think you will come away with an admiration for what these kids have accomplished and respect for their work ethic,” Lebzelter said.

Previous films in the harbor series have looked at Hulett unloaders, the Finnish contribution to the Harbor and the county’s agricultural heritage, as seen through 100 barn quilts. The films are free and appropriate for all ages. People should bring lawn chairs.

Get half-price tickets to “Lucky Stiff” with donations to the Animal Protective League

Get half-price tickets to the performance of Lucky Stiff on Sunday, August 4 when you donate items for the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League. Drop off donations and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk. And join us for Bellyrubs Over Broadway on Saturday, August 3 between 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. — a special meet & greet event with some of the APL’s adoptable pets, right here at the Arts Center!
NEEDED ITEMS:
wet & dry cat food
wet & dry dog food
kitten food
Cat-Sip milk alternative
cat & dog treats
kitty litter
puppy pads
cat & dog toys/Kongs
smooth peanut butter
outside toys for dogs
Q-Tips
hydrogen peroxide
pens
legal size envelopes
Magic Erasers
liquid laundry detergent
hand soap
dish soap
bleach
garbage bags
brooms & dust pans
scrub brushes and pads
copy paper
stamps
desk/wall pamphlet holders
25ft exterior extension cords

Open spots at Dining for the Arts events this summer, fall, & winter

All Dining for the Arts events with spaces still open are listed here. To make reservations, call (440) 964-3396 or stop in at our front desk. PLEASE NOTE: some of these events have only a handful of openings left, so we recommend that you you make reservations early. Addresses for private residence event locations are not posted here, but will be provided to you at the time you make reservations; all events are located in Ashtabula County.

Night at the Gallery: a Masquerade – October 19 at Framed on Main, 4533 Main Ave, Ashtabula, 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Anthony & Mariella Platano, Jane Haines & Chris DiGiacomo, Abram & Sarah Noufer
$75 per person
Hear live music by Lyn Rocco, learn to do the Waltz or the Charleston with Brenda Angle, and take part in a silent auction and Best Dressed costume contest. Come have fun and support a great cause!
Menu
Small Bites highlighting Local Chefs
Beer, Wine, Signature Drink

A December to Remember Holiday Party – December 7, 6 p.m.
Hosted by Ashok & Nafisa Kondru
$150 per person
Hold back the cold at a festive evening including live entertainment, a top shelf open bar, mingle dinner buffet, and valet parking.
Menu
Welcome Drink
A Variety of Hors d’oeuvres
Baked Potato Bar & Salad
Prime Rib (Carving Station)
Chicken Piccata
Grilled Halibut
Roasted Vegetables
Rice & Bread
A Selection of Desserts

Concerts on the Lawn presents Broadway Misfits

The Ashtabula Arts Center presents their very first Misfits Concert! Our talented performers include Hannah Sowry, Libby Kendzerski, Marcus Lowery, Jacob McKee, Max Seymour, Derek Lebzelter, and Jessica Lebzelter. These extraordinary singers will be performing songs from roles in which they would never be cast. There will be a diverse selection of musical theater including music from “Wicked,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Miss Saigon,” “Bridges Of Madison County,” and many more.

Concerts on the Lawn are free events, open to the public. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket and relax on the lawn outside Straw Hat Theatre. Concessions will be available; outside refreshments welcome. The 2019 Concerts on the Lawn series is sponsored by Nassief Auto Group.

Make reservations for “Authentic Ireland” Dining for the Arts event

There are still spots available at our first Dining for the Arts event, “Authentic Ireland,” on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy dinner followed by a trip through “The Hills of Ireland,” a 00 gage model railroad set in 1970’s Ireland, then traditional Irish music and a pint in the pub! This event is generously hosted by Patrick Dillane & Maureen Tanner.

MENU: salmon appetizers, Dublin Coddle (sausage, bacon, and onion stew), mashed parsnips, carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts, & Bailey’s bread pudding. $75 per person — all proceeds benefit the Ashtabula Arts Center. Location info will be provided upon reservation & request — call (440) 964-3396 to make reservations.

“Carrie” opens this Friday at Straw Hat!

Our 2019 Straw Hat Theatre season opens Friday, June 7 with Carrie, based on the novel by Stephen King, directed by Kim Godfrey, and featuring Bailey Walters as Carrie White, Aubrey Brail as Margaret White, Libby Kendzerski as Sue Snell, Sarah Riley as Chris Hargensen, Jacob McKee as Tommy Ross, Hannah Sowry as Miss Gardner, and Marcus Lowery as Billy Nolan.  Call (440) 964-3396 or order tickets online here.

Carrie runs June 7-9, 14-16, & 20-22. All Straw Hat shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Straw Hat Theatre 2019 is sponsored by KeyBank.