By Evelyn C. McDonald
Arts & Culture Reporter
December 20, 2018 10:00 a.m.
Once again, it’s the holidays. Year’s end seems to be a period of summing up, at least for me. I reflect that it’s fortunate that we have such an extensive selection of arts and culture to enjoy in our town. Doubly fortunate when I consider that I’ve chosen to write about it.
This month I saw “Holmes for the Holidays” at the Amelia Community Theatre (ACT). The entire cast was good. The play is an invitation to be over the top and they accepted the challenge. As usual, I did have my favorite performances. My “awards” go to Chris Twiggs and Brianna Noel. No one throws himself into a part with the gusto of Chris, which anyone who saw him in “The 39 Nine Steps” can attest to. Brianna didn’t come into her own until she got to the most difficult part of the play. That’s the one where she had to be a dead body. I cannot imagine how tough that must be.
This week the Body Works aerial show is another spectacular feat of artistry and gymnastics. If you haven’t seen this troupe perform, I recommend you make an effort to get tickets for a future performance.
This year we’ve had a new bookstore open (Story & Song) and become a vibrant part of the community. There’s been music from big name artists as well as lesser known musicians. Both the Amelia Musical Playhouse and ACT have given us many good plays. Some were new or recent works: others as familiar as Shakespeare and the Addams Family. There have been art gallery shows from one end of the island to the other. Book groups and author signings have dotted the year.
2018 will have been a tough act to follow but 2019 looks up to the challenge. Starting January off, Ron Kurtz gives us another of his The Play’s the Thing courses at ACT. This time the play is “The Roommate.” The West Nassau Historical Society has its annual Nassau Art at the Callahan Depot, a juried show at the end of January.
Thanks to all the artists, writers, actors, musicians who provide our entertainment and the volunteers who support them. My special thanks to all the readers of the Observer for your kind comments. It has been my pleasure to enjoy and highlight the wonderful arts and culture scene in our community. May the holidays be filled with good things and the coming year a peaceful and prosperous one.
Evelyn McDonald moved to Fernandina Beach from the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. in 2006. Evelyn is vice-chair on the Amelia Center for Lifelong Learning and is on the Dean’s Council for the Carpenter Library at the UNF. Ms. McDonald has MS in Technology Management from the University of Maryland’s University College and a BA in Spanish from the University of Michigan.