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Fine Arts Clubs
Each Club in the Fine Arts has a common purpose. To hone one’s skills, to learn something new in order to grow and to be a role model to others, especially young people. The Fine Arts Clubs are also a great way to socialize and share a common interest, to enjoy a past-time hobby and the opportunity to practice in order to become better in a number of areas of concentrations.
There are of course age requirements along with the responsibility of being consistent and prepared. Depending on the Club, there are occasional opportunities for showing up and just sitting in.
The Fine Arts Clubs are open to all Residents, Members and generally the Broader Community. Some Clubs may require a certain amount of proficiency and skills for certain activities, while others are for people who have always wanted to try working in a new area of the Fine Arts. Below is a description of each of the Fine Arts Clubs, the activities offered throughout the year, along with requirements and fees. Each club also has a set of by-laws and policies not to be used as weapons, but designed for clarity just in case Common Sense loses its way.
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“Fine art is knowledge made visible.” – Gustave Courbet
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Dance & Movement Club
The Dance and Movement Club is one of the busiest Clubs in the Peach Community. The variety of activities this club offers touches almost every area and everyone in the Community. This is why we have a core group, a board, of people who work as a team in order to manage all the activities offered by this club. Coordinating and scheduling is very important, which is why the board meets twice a month, but a few of the Members are in constant communication.
The Dance and Movement Club offers a number of way to participate. There are lessons offered for the Theatre, every Celebration and Festivals along with the weekly Contra Dancing, Studio and Movement Activities.
For those who are interested in Historical Dance Lessons, meetings are held in conjunction with the Theatre Performances. Dance Lessons for Festivals and Celebrations meet every evening 2 or 3 weeks prior to the performance or event. Check your calendar and the schedule.
There are also Dance lessons for individual or groups of couples in conjunction with the Holiday dances: New Year’s Eve Ball, Mozart’s Masque Ball, Valentine’s Day Dance, The President’s and Sadie St. Patrick’s Dance, May Day Dance and The Bloomsday Strawberry Lilac Dance. These are coordinated and scheduled by our dance instructor Manx Baryshnikov.
While we patiently wait for the building of our new dance studio, Manx offers weekly dance classes twice a week throughout the year. These meetings will take place in the small gym. Emphasis and focus will be on the current Holiday Dance approaching, Check the Festival Calendar.
Dance Club Members will assist as additional instructors and role models on the dance floor. They will also be highlighted in costume during the Festivals, Plays and Celebrations. Special classes will be offered to those in the Club, and those who participate will pay no entry costs for the Festival or Celebration they perform in. Instructions include: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quick Step, Cha-Cha, Contra Dancing, Clogging, Carole, Farandole, Gavotte, Menuett, Polka, Ländler, Schuhplattler, as well as, Basic Line, Barn, Irish-Jig and May-Pole Dancing. Manx also uses Basic Ballet and Gesture though Spacial Dynamics as part of his warm-up and stretching routine.
Practice takes place every week and if available, the studio is always open to Residents and Members (see studio scheduling). Manx offers private and small group lessons as well for those interested in refining their skills and learning new dances. Men, if you are worried or concerned about how to dance in this fashion, a little instruction goes a long way. Manx and his wife Heidi will teach you how to lead your fair lady and guide her to step in all the right directions.
Saturday morning movement classes are available for tiny dancers, followed by Spacial Dynamics for those 16 and older. More classes will be added if the need and participation arises.
Festivals and Dances
The Greeks in July and The Romans in August will feature movement gestures and Spacial Dynamics during the Olympics and The Greco-Roman Outdoor Theater along with the Roman Circus during the Celebration of Ferragosto on August 15th. Circus rehearsals begin after the Olympics, Bring your unicycle and juggling balls all acrobats and fire breathers welcome.
In September, during the Medieval Harvest Festival, Members will be part of the actor’s troupe during the Play of St. George and the Dragon. Dancers will enter as Monks and leave as Carole dancers. Costumes will be provided.
In February and June, during the Renaissance plays, the Carols and Farandol will be featured at the opening and closing of each play or celebration.
In December and late January, the New Year’s Eve Dance and Mozart’s Masked Ball will feature a number of Waltzes, Carole, the Gavotte and Menuett Dances. Included for the The Masked Ball is the Montagues and Capulets Dance.
In January the basic steps and practice of Slavic Dancing – This course runs for 6 weeks with performances throughout the year, groups meet independently for practice weekly, check studio schedule. Friday Evening 6PM – 10PM – Dance Studio or Gym. Music studio TBA. At the end of 6 weeks both groups will join together to perform on stage in the theatre.
Ukrainian – Hopak, Yablochko Prisiadki, Yablochko, Zaporozhye Cossacks (men only).
Russian – Barynya, Kamarinskaya, Beyoska, Troika, Tropak.
Greek – [choeria] & Russian [khorovod] (women only).
Russian Folk Music -Introduction to Rhythm, Balalaikas and Domras.
In February and March, during the President’s and Valentine’s Day Dances the Tango and French Menuett will be featured along with the traditional Waltz, Quick Step and Cha-Cha.
Also in February and March, for the Sadie St. Patrick’s Day Dance we will offer the Virginia Reel, an Irish Jig, and Spiral Twisting will be featured. Weather permitting, a race to the altar will commence (FEB 29th only). The Dance Club will also kick off its season for Contra-Dancing, which happens every Saturday evening from 6PM until 9PM through the Thanksgiving Holiday, in the large gym. Check the Festival Schedule for any changes to the dates.
During our May Day Celebration, we will have the traditional May-Pole Dance for the children and later for the adults. The Polka, Ländler and de Schuhplattler will also be enjoyed during the festivities.
In June after the reading on the steps we Celebrate the Bloomsday Strawberry Lilac Dance there will be the traditional Waltz, Foxtrot, Two-Step along with Dancing Cheek to Cheek.
Lastly, Instructions on limbering-up and traditional basic Ballet classes will be offered 40 minutes before each dance class unless otherwise scheduled.
Dance activities are open to all Residents and Members by age, and to the Public by invitation only.
Movement Schedule
Spatial Dynamics
Saturday Mornings tiny dancers ages 9 AM – 10:30 AM
(Ages 6 through 9 and 12 through 15)
Saturday Morning 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
(Ages 16 and up)
Historical Dance Lessons
Saturday Afternoon at 2 PM – 4 PM
Thursday Evening at 7 PM. 9 PM
Historical Dances are held in conjunction with Theatre Performances.
Festivals and Celebrations meet every evening 2 or 3 weeks prior to the performance or event, check the schedule when signing up.
Couples Dancing Lessons
Manx and Heidi offer weekly dance classes by appointment every Tuesday and Friday throughout the year, check schedule.
Community Dancing
Contra Dancing from May through Thanksgiving Weekend,
Every Saturday 6 PM – 9 PM
May Day Celebration – Maypole Dance – Start of Contra Dancing. Potluck, Punch, Sima and Lemon Beer will be served.
Thanksgiving Celebration – Old St. Clem’s Night, Thanksgiving weekend, End of Contra Dancing. Homemade Mead and Sarsaparilla will be served.
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“Dancing is like dreaming with your feet.” –Constanza Mozart
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Film & Photography Club
The Film Club will cover an array of topics, from historical films regarding Western Civilization, including great opera performances, to the history and development of photography and moving pictures.
This Club meet weekly throughout the PEACH Community schedule. Films are shown either in the lecture hall or in the theater. Each film will be preceded by a brief introduction and historical timeline. After the Film is over, a discussion will follow. Topics such as, the significance the film has had in our modern world, what was depicted as fact, what was exaggerated, symbolic and the artistic license. A compare and contrast will also be part of the conversation, what stood out then compared to what may stand out now. These lectures will be provided by our resident film scholars and historian, Stan Keaton and Dr. James Burke.
Lessons and Studio
The Film Club also offers classes in photography and film making. From building your own pinhole box camera to using analog and digital cameras. The final creation will be a stop-motion film or short film using an 8mm camera and showcasing your work at the all night French Film Festival in July, during the Bastille Day Celebration.
These lessons will take place in the Studio Sunday Afternoon at 4 PM. The Dark Room is open 24/7 to Residents and Members. Those between the ages of 13 and 17 must have parental consent and travel in pairs. The Broader Public may use the facilities for a fee and by invitation only.
Film Friday occurs every Friday night or during a Saturday matinée, coordinated with the availability of the lecture hall or theater; see the monthly calendar schedule for details. Popcorn, Hansen Sodas and bottled water will be available. More Information and a list of films coming soon. This activity is open to all Residents and Members. Those between the ages of 13 and 17 must have parental consent and travel in pairs. This activity is open to the Broader Public.
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I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work. –Thomas Edison
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Music Club
Music is truly one of the greatest gifts ever created, the history and evolution of western music is beyond evaluation. We welcome anyone who is interested in the variety of genres that have evolved through the influence of western civilization, and hope you will share your talents with us. We have been blessed with a large orchestra room with built-in lockers for percussion and instrument storage, a smaller room with risers and a baby grand that would accommodate a choir or ensemble. There are also 4 soundproof practicing studios, two with upright pianos. There is a room filled with built-in filing cabinets to store sheet music, along with a copy machine.
Membership is open to anyone who can play an instrument well. The music room is also open to singers and musicians who wish to rehearse for any of the festivals and celebrations.
Please cheek the Room Schedule. If there are any time conflicts, we will do our best to make other arrangements for rehearsals.
Music Year Round
Fine Arts Wind and String Ensembles performs every Sunday in January. Concerts are in the theatre at 2 PM. Rehearsals begin in September in the Orchestra Room. Winds, Every Thursday and Strings Monday at 7 PM. All others who need a place to practice, please make arrangements with the Room Scheduler.
Summer Patio Concert Band: Performances July, 4th and 14th. August, 1st and 15th. September, Labor Day. Always on the Patio weather permitting, otherwise in the large gym. Bring a blanket, wine, crackers and cheese. Homemade Ice Cream, Italian Ice or Gelato will be available at the co-op or tearoom.
Fife and Drum Corps, July 4th. Royal Huntsmen – Hunting Horn, Bugle, Trumpets, French Horns, Saqueboute, September 21st.
American Folk Singers, July 4th, French Folk Singers, July 13th. Vestal Singer, August 14th.
Russian Folk Music -Introduction to the Rhythm of Russian Music, the Balalaikas and the Domras though the month of January. Check Schedule for time and location.
Greco-Roman Traditional Instruments: Aulos, Cornu, Lyre, Cymbala, Tympanum, Reeds. Visiting Musicologist and Historian, Dr. Spyros Poieo.
Rehearsals and Sight Reading every Tuesday at 7 PM – 9:30 PM. All intermediate level musicians are welcomed.
Sunday Café and Saturday Tea Room String or Wind Duets and Trios. See Performance Schedule.
Rambouillet String Ensemble – Bloomsday Strawberry-Lilac Dance and Salon Rambouillet Book Club Events.
Traditional Period, concert instruments and voices in conjunctions with the theatre arts, festivals, celebrations and our lecture series. See Lecture Series Scheduled.
Jim’s Fun Time Accordion and Concertina will perform at the great race & follies, Farmer’s Market, and during contra dancing.
Uri Kai – vielle a roue, a.k.a. hurdy-gurdy, wheel fiddle – Farmer’s Market, Harvest Fest, Christmas Fair, Oberufer Play, Renaissance Plays.
Banjo Cat n’ Fiddle de Dee stroll at will during the summer months, catch them playing folk tunes at the Farmer’s Market, the Artist Fairs and during contra dancing.
JW Malaki, wandering minstrel man, plays guitar, strolls the grounds whenever the sun is shining or a fire is lit. He lives in the back woods, in a cabin built before this place. He walks around the grounds, through the work rooms, studios, and often stops in the café and co-op. Someone always has a delight for a song. He’ll sit in the lobby and strums a bit, sometimes with the pianist Gieseking. They always find a little something something, that sounds like something that’s really something. He then strolls over to the farm, collects the eggs and milk, sings to the bees, takes what he needs, leaves the rest on the porch. In the freezer there always bacon and sausage. His knapsack, now filled, he makes his way back through the garden, grabs an onion, some garlic, and what ever looks ripe. Then through the forest, singing to the birds, sometimes mocking, he makes his way back home. He’s a singer for his sup.
“In a deep hole is a messenger of God, a king.”
Elliot Gieseking – Pianist, plays at will in the lobby, and is for hire to play at your event or will perform a concert or dinner music in the Salon Rambouillet. He also has a harpsichord.
If you are interested in the music performed by our strolling musicians and would like to take music lessons with them, please contact the Scheduling Office. Also, remember to donate into their hats or coffers generously.
We have two beautiful Steinway Baby Grand Pianos, one in the Main Lobby and the other in Salon Rambouillet. After lunch and dinner, retired concert pianist Elliot Gieseking will often sit and play the piano. When he’s not tickling the ivories, feel free to express yourself and play at will. Make sure to throw open the sash before you do so that the music you play can waft through the air.
Finally, for the Valentine’s Day Dance, we would like to form a Live Bandstand to play popular tunes written in the first half of the 20th century.
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“Without music, life would be a mistake.” –Friedrich Nietzsche
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Painting Club
This building (your benevolent name here) was designed in the 1940s Brutalist style, it is nearly indestructible. Although being a bit out of sync with the rest of the property, this structure was built with slabs of pored concrete and heavy thick glass. The most striking features of course are the windows, along with the simplicity and elegance of the art deco black iron railings with maple trimming throughout the building, this creates an atmosphere of warmth and beauty.
On the first floor is a large open area surrounded by slatted oak benches, along with a few cozy corners, and an elegant art deco style fireplace. On the other side of the room is a soapstone wood stove surrounded by several black Barcelona lounge chairs and a low oval oak and cast iron coffee table created by our Master Woodworker Rose Clear and our blacksmith Seppo Cain. Along the North and South walls are several sliding glass doors that open onto a flower and ivy draped patio, Córdoba. There are several picnic and umbrella tables and plenty of room to set up easels and chairs. Behind the large fireplace is a small utility kitchen, and behind the kitchen is a storage area and very practical coat check.
The painting studio on the 2nd floor disports a wall full of large windows, all facing north. 50 yards away from the building are a row of thick densely populated conifers teaming with an abundance of wildlife while the canvas of a beautiful blue sky hovers above, most days. At the far end of the row of trees is a lovely fountain in the center of a shallow concrete pond full of carp. There’s never nothing to paint or photograph on this sight. The South wall is lined with cupboards and narrow storage closets. Behind this wall is a room full of counters, sinks and more cupboards. Across there are more windows with an attached bar and a row of tall chairs. We do not suggest eating in this area, it is meant for mixing plant and mineral pigments and paint and for cleaning brushes and palates. Along the East wall of this studio is a very large closet full of shelves for supplies; paints, brushes, chemicals, canvases and aprons. In front of that wall are three small stages, perfect for a still life set-up. There are rules and policies for using two of these stages, make sure you read those and use the sign-up sheet a week in advance. Behind the center stage is a service elevator for supplies and to manage large pieces of art work. Across the room along the West wall is the area that hosts the entrance to the studio, with two very large windows, a desk, a few comfy chairs and a small round table. Above the stairway lays a beautiful stained-glass window created by our master Glassblower, Michael Owens. When the sun is shining, the colors reflecting through the glass envelops you on the way up and down. At night, from outside the building, it is something to behold. Pure inspiration.
The third floor is beset with a very low ceiling, sounded by evenly spaces windows, creating the feeling and illusion that the building is round rather than a giant rectangle. Currently, most of this area is being used as storage and houses several printing presses. However, we are discussing using a large portion of the area as a glass-works studio with hopes of converting all the windows to stained-glass with a particular theme embracing the arts and history of our culture.
Painting Rules & Schedule
The painting studio is open 24/7, but you must sign-up for any particular hours, this way all can use the studio efficiently and effectively.
When your schedule time is complete, you must return your work to the closet before you leave. however, you are free to stay longer if the schedule is unoccupied.
All participants must take a one-hour safety class each year to gain access to the studio. This includes fire prevention and what to do if something tragic happens. You will also receive a tour and get the lay out of the land, rules and state laws. You will also have to sign a document that you were given these instructions.
Clean-up: each member is given no more than three warnings. After the third warning, the member will automatically be banned from the studio for a full year.
The schedule: How is works and how to sign up to use the space, along with conflict resolution.
No studio time is allotted during any schedule class time, lectures and demonstrations.
Painting outside is at your leisure, however, Clean-up Rules apply. Leaving a canvas alone for more than an hour without good reason, will fall into the policy of the Clean-up Rules. Any violation of the Clean-up Rules will see your work locked in the closet and must be released by an Elder. We take Clean-up seriously at the PEACH, some materials are highly toxic, even plant and mineral paints.
Member who use the studio often, 2/3 of the year, are expected to be part of the Bastille Day Artisan Fair. Beret, aprons, canvas, brush and easel will be provided, or feel free to bring your own and make sure you brush up on your French, or at least your accent. You may choose to paint anywhere on the grounds. Keep it in mind, you are also part of the theatre performance. We ask that you participate for at least 2 hours, but all are welcomed to spend the entire day in costume.
Classes
Each class is roughly 3 hours, three days a week. You will learn the history of the materials you are painting with and the care of those materials. You will be given a locker and a list of tools and medium you will need for these classes. Most of the supplies are sold in the co-op. Member and resident prices apply. The class size is limited and the topics vary. The goal is to help you manage the materials you are using and how to get the most out of each medium. Practice is how you become good at mastering the skills of painting, setting you on the road to becoming a great artist. Instruction is matting and how to present your work will also be given, as well as several class critiques.
Spring: Watercolor, Pastels
Summer: Oil, Gouache
Autumn: Oil, Affresco
Winter: Watercolor, Encaustic, Decorative
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Theatre Club [tbc]
The Theatre Arts Club is certainly one of the most enjoyable clubs we offer. The itinerary of theatrical plays is vast and endless, and our resident director will either provide direction or welcome guest directors who will guide members through the history of the theatre and the work and dedication they are about to undertake. If the director feels the group is able to perform in front of an audience, arrangements will be made to open our doors to the public. Otherwise, scenes from plays covered will end with a brief performance for the members, their families and our residents. We hope to develop a committed troupe of artisans in the years to come. The areas of study are as follows:
Theatre Schedule
July – Founding Father. Bastille Day. The Greeks, Temple of Apollo. The Greco-Roman Theatre, Comedy and Tragedy.
August – The Romans, The Stoics and the Circus.
September – Medieval Play and Harvest Festival.
October – The Scottish Play, Ghost Stories from the Hebrides to Limerick.
November – St Martin, Children’s Theatre.
December – St Nicholas Day, Santa Lucia Festival, Oberufer Trilogy.
January – Reading of the Poetic Edda, in Costume.
February – Renaissance Weekend – Chaucer.
March – European Plays: 1600 – 1800.
April – American Plays: Of Good and Evil, Blood and Soil.
May – Late 19th through early 20th centuries Plays: Modernity.
June – Joyce, Ulysses on the Steps – Shakespeare, Mid-Summer’s Night’s Dream.
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“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts.” -William Shakespeare
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Plays, Circus, Spacial Dynamics, Workshops
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Living Pan-European and American Cultural and Heritage Community Center
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EMAIL: peachcommunity yahoo.com
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PEACH COMMUNITY 