Since 2001, Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (House of Peace & Justice) has served not only as a spiritual center, but as a cultural haven where the work of notable artists, musicians, and writers have entertained and enlightened audiences far and wide. The artistic spirit of conceptual artist, Sol LeWitt, presides over this gem of rustic architecture tucked away just outside the charming hamlet of Chester, CT and a short distance from the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry.
The Main Street Gallery in the synagogue, curated for many years by Linda Pinn who showcases leading artists, photographers, sculptors… will be the setting for a new experiment, The Arts Café at CBSRZ where Art, Music, & Written Word Intersect. To inaugurate the series, poet, novelist, & prize-winning playwright Allan Appel will open with selections from earlier poetry collections, Not So Much Love of Flowers and New Listings, as well as from his latest manuscript, Be Wary of the Elderly. Appel has published 14 books, including 8 novels, a biography, 2 collections of poetry… His novel, The Rabbi of Casino Boulevard was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
The featured poet of the afternoon will be Melanie Greenhouse, co-founder and first director of The Arts Café~Mystic, who will read from her debut collection of poems, Republic of Sunlight. As the daughter of Czech refugees, many of the poems address her parents’ escape from Bratislava in 1938. But others reveal a sense of humor.
The two readings will be interspersed with a special musical interlude by two young, gifted musicians: Danny Zhou, piano and Ian Li, violin. They will be playing a classical set, but one piece includes a brand-new original composition for piano. Before, during, and after Covid, Melanie began composing themes that grew out of her family’s whistle that was used for locating each other in crowds. The implication of what this 4-note signal symbolized grew in stages and will be given its “World Premier” on Sunday, November 5th.
This event is free and open to the public. Coffee, beverages and refreshments will be offered during intermission. Donations towards supporting the series are gratefully accepted.