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June 13, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

6 Arts Notes

Avalon Theatre Adds New Jazz Wing to Repertoire

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The Avalon Foundation expanded its reach a little further this past weekend with a jazz concert to thank members and founders of the newly formed Avalon Jazz Club.  The Avalon Jazz Club will focus its efforts year round on giving jazz music fans, jazz players and local students the opportunity to experience all that jazz music has to offer in Talbot County and on Delmarva into the future.

Al Bond, CEO of The Avalon Foundation thanked committee members Joe Fischer, Al Sikes, John Malin and Marty Sikes for planning the evening and thanked the Jazz Founders Club for their support.  “I want to thank the Avalon Jazz Foundersfor supporting Jazz in our community. Every single one of you. This event is what is going to propel our effort forward so I hope you all feel a real sense of ownership in what is going to unfold not just over the next several months but in the years to come. You are at the beginning of this so thank you.”

Joe Fischer then introduced a video from Monty Alexander announcing the line-up for none other than the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival and then the night got intop full swing with a jaw-dropping duet on trumpet and piano from jazz stars Dominick Farinacci and Aaron Diehl.  Other numbers included music form The Gypsy Kings, Cole Porter and a screaming rendition of “Screamin Jay” Hawkins “I Put A Spell On You” featuring vocalist, Shenel Johns.

By supporting the May 15 fundraiser, attendees will have the first access to tickets to the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival in September and other upcoming shows, ensuring great seats and they become members of the Avalon Jazz Founders Club. The Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, one of the most distinctive small town jazz festivals in the nation, has been enhanced by its active collaboration with the Avalon Theatre since its inception.

For more information on The Avalon Jazz Club or for upcoming jazz shows from the Avalon please email Kimberly Stevens at [email protected] or visit The Avalon online at avalonfoundation.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Avalon Live Concerts are Back Safely on the Shore

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The Avalon Foundation announces the 2021 official opening of its brand new outdoor music venue, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion. Conceived and constructed in 2020 as a means to keep music going amidst pandemic restrictions, the organization is very excited to program the space over the course of an entire spring, summer and fall. “We are going to program predominantly for the outdoors until the world gets back closer to normal,” said Suzy Moore, Artistic Director at The Avalon.

On March 25th, the Stoltz Pavilion had a soft opening with a couple of concerts for staffers to reacquaint themselves with a space where they have spent very little time up to this point. From getting patrons seated, to focusing lights, to sending out a professional video stream, all hands were back on deck to remount last year’s initiative. “From October to December last year, we were working in temperatures averaging 37 degrees,” said Scott Milligan who directs the technical aspects over all of the Avalon venues, “temperatures are going to be great this spring.” A substantial outdoor landscaping plan is on tap for the Pavilion and will take place over the next couple of weeks. “We wanted to make it prettier and more appealing. It’s great to be one of the first venues in the country to say that concerts are back safely, but it feels even more hopeful to say we are brightening the corners at the Pavilion in 2021,” said Moore.

The Stoltz Pavilion was built from the ground up to ensure that audiences, staff, volunteers, and performers can enjoy live music, while substantially mitigating health risks. But it was also a way to offer musicians a chance to play and make a living again. Putting the hard-hit professional musicians back to work gives audiences a reminder that normal life is on the horizon. While Covid safety measures will stay in place in the immediate future, the Avalon will roll with the changes as the situation continues to evolve. “Yes we must still be safe. And we will abide by that rule first,” said Jess Bellis CFO and COO at The Avalon. “Safety has been at the forefront of our minds ever since our industry vanished into thin air and we were left to reinvent ourselves in 2020. Safety was the reason we came up with putting up an outdoor venue when everything else was shutting down. Keith Stoltz and The Stoltz family made it happen.”

So the plan is to use the outdoor pavilion safely, and to the max this year. “We encourage those groups that think that they may want to use the space, to contact us at the theatre and we will go over with them what is possible outside at the pavilion,” said Bellis. In the meantime, Moore has booked a lineup of stellar bands from across the spectrum to satisfy those who want to hear live music again. The schedule will continue to grow as long as there are no Covid setbacks to slow the process down.

“We are starting with an entirely clean slate and that is exciting to me,” said Tim Weigand, Marketing Director at The Avalon. “It’s the perfect time to get in on the ground floor with what the Avalon is doing in our community and listen to what superb musical acts and players come through our backyard. Our track record has proven it. I don’t care what music you gravitate towards, if you are a music fan, sign up for our email list, or use social media for some good and follow us there to stay in touch with what we are doing. We are one of the first spaces hosting a full calendar in the USA. Because of the vision of Avalon management and Keith Stoltz, we are back safely much earlier than other venues across the nation.”

Statistics show that more people are going to head out to a concert this year than ever before. Gene Simmons of KISS offers this advice when doing so. “Rock is dead. Not because the talent isn’t there, but because the business model just doesn’t work. And so that leaves live performances. And I really hope once this vaccine takes hold that people go out to the local clubs and see all the new bands and support new bands. Like a baby that’s on the floor, go up there, pick that baby up and coddle it, give it love, because those new bands need your love. It’s not going to affect me. I make a living, but the new bands need the love and attention. Don’t just go see Metallica and Taylor Swift or KISS. On the weekends, go to a place that’s got live music. You need to support the new generation of talented people who are musicians and writers and so on. Don’t let the robots take away everything.’”

If you do The Avalon promises to provide the exact same excellent customer service, positive vibes and a fantastic list of new music that thousands have come to know, depend on and love as patrons of the Avalon.

For those who are more comfortable listening and enjoying music at home, all of the Avalon concerts are streamed in High Def and Hi Fidelity on You Tube and facebook on The Avalon Theatre pages. Showtimes are 8pm.

For more information and/or tickets to Avalon shows please visit the organization online at avalonfoundation.org or call Tim Weigand at 410-253-9629.

Concert Line Up

Seamus Kennedy, Friday, March 26 at 8 pm The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion, 8pm $25
Wylder Saturday, March 27, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Pressing Strings , Friday, April 2, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Dead Letter Office, Saturday April 3, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Cris Jacobs Friday, April 9, The Avalon Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $30
The 19th Street Band Saturday, April 10, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Jack West Friday, April 16 The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
The High and Wides Friday, April 23, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Deanna Bogart Saturday, April 24, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $30
Los Day Trippers Friday, May 7, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Tom Rush Two Shows! Saturday, May 8, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion X p.m. and X p.m., $XX
Phillip Dutton and the Alligators Friday, May 14, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8 pm $25
Kentavius Jones Friday, May 21, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8 pm $25
Dan Navarro Saturday, May 22, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $30
Kat Parsons Friday, May 28, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8 pm $25
Anthony Turk Cannon Jazz Saxophonist Saturday, May 29 The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Ryan Martin Friday, June 4, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Vance Gilbert, Saturday, June 5 The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Martin Sexton, Friday, June 18, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $55
Jamie McLean, Saturday, June 19, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Peter Bradley, Sunday, June 20, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25
Dirty Cello, Friday, June 25, The Avalon’s Stoltz Pavilion 8pm $25

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Letters: The Avalon and Covid 19 by Al Bond

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The Avalon Foundation’s mission is to build a strong community, so we take the wellbeing of our patrons, staff, artists and volunteers very seriously. In order to act responsibly and avoid the spread of COVID 19, the Avalon Foundation will implement a plan to mitigate risk while we continue to operate. If circumstances cause governing authorities to recommend any change in our programming including closure we will follow that direction. Expect to get updates from us as the facts warrant.

What we will do:

Extra Cleaning – As a place where people congregate we recognize that our actions can play an especially important role in controlling the spread of disease. Effective last week the Foundation implemented a more aggressive disinfection regime prior to and during all performances. This means continuously wiping down hand rails, door hardware, elevator buttons, and other surfaces that people touch with antimicrobial products.

Stoltz Listening Room @ the Avalon Theatre – While everyone loves the intimacy of the Stoltz Listening Room, social distancing is being encouraged. Therefore, as a proactive step, until further notice, all performances scheduled for the Stoltz Listening Room will be moved into the Theatre. We will continue to limit capacity for these SLR shows in the Avalon Theatre to 60 tickets. In this way patrons will have as much space between them and their neighbors as they choose. If you have already purchased a ticket to a future SLR performance no action is required on your part but for you to assess your own health and, if it makes sense, enjoy the show. The Avalon Theatre is equipped with a fresh air exchange system that is triggered when CO2 levels rise, so even when performances are at capacity there is a high degree of ventilation.

Access to Supplies – We will maintain hand sanitizer in high touch areas (box office, bar, entrance, etc.) and keep plenty of soap, tissues and paper towels in the restrooms as well as posting more insistent signage directing people to wash their hands.

Watch from Home Opportunities – We will work to increase the Avalon Foundation’s Live Streaming content for those who may not be able to attend performances in the Theatre. So, please be sure to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to the Avalon Foundation’s YouTube Channel.

Quick Action – We will continue to be in close contact with local and state health authorities and quickly follow any guidance they suggest.

What you can do:

Wash Your Hands – By now everyone knows, but it is worth repeating….wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds.

Stay Away if Sick or Exposed – If you are sick or believe that you have been exposed to someone who is, please do not come to the Avalon.

Reduce the Spread – Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and handle tissues in a responsible manner. Consider limiting handshakes and hugs. Try the elbow tap or the move loved by theatre fans everywhere – greet each other with Jazz Hands!

Consider Your Own Personal Risk – If you have respiratory or serious health conditions and are over sixty, carefully consider the risks that might be associated with gathering at the theatre and make smart, informed decisions accordingly.

Check Online Before you Leave – We cannot anticipate how the travel plans of our performers may affect our ability to present programming or if/when we may be asked by authorities to postpone an event. If you currently have tickets to an Avalon Performance, please check the Foundation’s website, your email and/or social media for any potential cancellations/rescheduling of performances.

Donate – To date no Avalon performance has been affected by COVID-19. Ticket sales continue to be strong. There have been no reported cases of the virus in Talbot County and we certainly hope that it stays that way. Even in the best of times the Avalon Foundation relies on broad community support to make its work possible. Please continue to support the Foundation so that we can continue be the indispensable heart of a vibrant, engaged community on the Eastern Shore.

I am certainly thankful to live in the United States and especially in Maryland with the best medical and emergency response systems anywhere on the planet. May we all behave in a responsible manner and prevent that system from becoming overwhelmed. It is all of our responsibilities to take steps to reduce the possibility of contracting or spreading the disease so that the most vulnerable can get proper care when they need it. Take care of yourselves and one another.

Alexander Bond
President and CEO
Avalon Foundation

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Mid-Shore Arts: Avalon Theatre Introduces “Winter Shorts”

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In addition to their many concerts, the Avalon Theatre continues to look for better ways to serve the youth of their community. As some of the younger actors in the area moved onto high school, it came to their attention that their needs had grown and changed. Almost a year ago, the Avalon created a focus group of students and parents to find out what they wanted most in terms of plays, shows, and such. What they learned was that they wanted to take more control over putting on a show. They wanted to share the creativity and put to use what they had learned from years of studying in grade school, high school, and various acting programs in the area.

As a result, the Avalon created a program where the students run the whole show. Responsibilities included picking the play, casting, and ultimately the final result, a quality stage production. Next weekend, the Avalon presents – via area high school students – “Winter Shorts”. This year the show consists of two one act plays, “Every Novel You Read in High School (in 25 Minutes or Less)” – Directed by Luke Adelman and an adaptation of Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play” – Directed by Galen Marquess.

“The high school students are capable of taking on more of the complexities in putting on a theatrical production,” said Jess Bellis, CFO at The Avalon. “They don’t have to be told what to do or how to sort out all of the pieces. It gives them access and empowers them to create what THEY want under the stress and conditions of real life. This is their show from start to finish. Our only real contact is with the director for obvious reasons. They carry the responsibility of making something worthy. This show is their baby,” said Bellis.

The Avalon wishes to thank the brave directors who stepped up for the first time. Directing a show is hard in any situation, let alone being the first ones to give it a shot. The Avalon hopes that you will support their efforts to engage and empower these talented young people regardless of whether you can attend in person or purchase tickets to be paid forward. For tickets: go online, call 410-822-7299, email [email protected] .

ABOUT THE SHOWS

Every Novel You Read in High School by Ian McWethy, directed by Luke Adelman.

This comedy is the one where a theater group attempts to present all those novels you read in high school before school lets out for the summer. Pray for them. They’re gonna need it. (If you like Shakespeare Abridged… consider Every Novel You Read in High School.) Ian McWethy’s plays have been produced over a thousand times in all 50 states and internationally.

The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, Directed by Galen Marquess

Inspired by Hitchcock’s classic tale and performed as a live period radio play. Richard Hannay is visiting 1930s London when he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents, after a disturbance at a music hall. Later that night, Annabella is murdered and Hannay must then try to break the spy ring and prove his innocence.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.