By Christine Davis
The town of South Palm Beach may be small — a short stretch of about five-eighths-mile long, and a sliver less than a city block wide — but it stands gloriously high in its salute (and commitment) to art, music and education.
This year, the town’s Community Affairs Advisory Board rolls out its 14th cultural program. Its first-of-the-season art exhibit is already up and running and “Spotlight,” its music and lecture series, goes into full swing in January.
These programs are just two of a broad spectrum — from health screenings to concerts and casino trips — that is organized and implemented by members of the CAAB.
The board was created to provide improved communication and civic involvement between town residents and the Town Council.
“We have 25 board members and several volunteers,” explained Nancy McCrosson, the advisory board’s chair.
“Our Town Council adopted in its code a purpose to have this board in 1995. We act in an advisory capacity and make recommendations to the Town Council and the town manager involving community and civic events.”
“The individuals on this board are extremely dedicated,” McCrosson said. “Bigger towns cannot produce what we produce.”
Nancy and Robert Krell co-chair “Spotlight,” the lecture and music series.
For the five music events, the council hired Robert Sharon, a Julliard graduate, performer, pianist, conductor and founder of the Robert Sharon Chorale, to line up singers and performers. “We never question who he brings, and every time, we are pleased and surprised,” Nancy Krell said.
Sharon offers a variety.
“A couple events will have selections from operas, another program will be selections from Broadway, and my chorale will come in to perform. I like to offer a mix,” he said. “I’m toying with bringing in an instrumental group. And almost every program will include a what I call ‘a star for the future.’”
About the seven lectures, the Krells are very hands-on.
“It’s hard to put things together, but these people are willing to come and help us out,” Nancy Krell said. “A lot of them do it for a reasonable cost. They love coming to our town. They are challenged by our great questions and love our residents.” Case in point, Walid Phares, a senior fellow and director for the Future of Terrorism Project at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., who will give a “Middle East and Terrorism” update.
“He keeps coming back,” Krell said of the former Florida Atlantic University professor. “He’s an international player and he calls us his little village.”
Robert Watson, director of Lynn University’s American Studies Program, is a popular return lecturer, Krell said. His topic will be “Unforgettable Moments in Campaign History.”
And some, like Harry Orf, are speaking for “Spotlight” for the first time.
“One of our residents recommended him,” Krell said.
Orf, vice president of scientific operations and professor of chemistry at Scripps Research Institute, will speak Florida Scripps’ biomedical research.
“Sometimes I feel a little bit like a spy,” Krell admits. “I heard Jeffrey Morton give a talk, and asked him if he’d speak for us. Morton, an FAU international law and politics professor, will speak on Russia.
“We have a very good program,” she said. “I think seven lectures for $70 is unbelievable. And we work on ticket sales, so we don’t tax our town budget.
“We are a little town, five-eighths of a mile, and what we accomplish with our music and lecture series astounds other towns with more money.”
Dorothy Polayes chairs the board’s art committee. Beverly Myers of Manalapan is the currently featured artist. “She works in pastels, acrylic, watercolor, collage and mixed media,” Polayes said.
That show will run until Jan. 4, 2010. The following exhibit, which opens on Jan. 10 with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. and runs through March 4, will feature Polayes’ pastels.
Following that, the work of North Palm Beach artist Joan Lustig will be featured. Her opening reception will be March 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.
“It’s a varied program,” Polayes said. “We look for work that people will enjoy who come to our Town Hall. The art is displayed in the same room where we host our lecture series, so the art gets a lot of exposure.”
If You Go:
Town of South Palm Beach Events take place in Town Hall 3577 S. Ocean Blvd.
All performances are at 7:30 p.m.
For information, call 561-588-8889.
The art openings are free of charge. To view the art at other times, call for an appointment.
Comments