The University's 10th annual Summer Arts Festival, scheduled July 9-12 in Lewes, once again promises something for every music taste from Motown to contemporary Christian to folk and everything in between.
The Temptations, with special guests the Marvelettes, will open the festival at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, with a special "Motown Remembered" show.
When five skinny young men walked on the stage together in the early '60s, no one expected the breathtaking harmonies, stylish choreography and unique lead vocals that would change the course of music history. The first time the dressed-alike men stepped away from the microphone to execute a synchronized little move of the hips at a right angle, sliding up onto their toes, history was made.
Today, the names of most of the group members have changed, but the sound and style remain the same. Nobody does it like the Temps.
Hits like "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Just My Imagination" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" sound as good today as they did when they were first hits.
The original groupÐtenor Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, baritone Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams, the only original who still performs with the group todayÐhad a string of hits through the '60s.
"Each person who has graced our lineup deserves our enduring respect," Williams said. "Each man in his own way helped build the legend."
The current performersÐRon Tyson, tenor; Theo Peoples, baritone; Terry Weeks, tenor and baritone; and Harry McGilberry, bassÐremind Williams more of the original group than any other line-up, he said.
"This group has the talent, determination and brotherhood that will take us forward, give our fans what they come to hear and keep us on our toes, doing the Temptations' Walk, well into the year 2000," he said.
The Temptations continue to perform much as they did in the early years when they criss-crossed the county as part of the Motor Town Revue. "We just never stop," Williams said, "because I think we've become like a piece of Americana. People want to see us."
The Temptations' most recent album, For Lovers Only, is a collection of love songs from the '40s, '50s and '60s. It marks the last time original member the late Melvin Franklin sang with the group.
Throughout its career, the group has garnered 43 top 10 R&B singles, 14 number one R&B singles, 15 top 10 pop singles, four number one pop singles and four Grammy awards.
The Marvelettes hold an important place in music history as the group that caused Motown to change the label's focus from pure blues to the smoothly orchestrated harmonic sound for which it became famous.
The Marvelettes' first album, Please Mr. Postman, was one of the first to transcend racial lines, hitting the pop charts and selling 3 million records in a crossover market.
Their sound led to Motown's concentration on similar groups like the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops and other groups with the new Motown sound. It was a sound that would totally dominate music charts for four years until the Beatles hit the music scene.
During their reign at the top of the charts, the Marvelettes had more than a dozen hits, eight of which went top 10: "Don't Mess With Bill," "Beechwood 4-5789," When You're Young and in Love," and "My Baby Must Be a Magician."
At times the group has had more than three singers, but the originators were Wanda Rogers, Gladys Horton and Katherine Shaffner. In the early years of the group, family ties forced all three to leave at various times, although Rogers and Horton still make special guest appearances with the group today. Carefully chosen and highly talented replacements kept the act at the top of the charts, even when personnel changed.
Today, the Marvelettes present a spectacular show that includes the big hits interspersed with their versions of some great standards. The group's highly polished, choreographed and humorous act is a real crowd pleaser.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-17 and free for children under 7. All tickets cost $2 more if purchased on the day of the show. This concert is sponsored by Principal Health Care of Delaware Inc.
The festival continues on Thursday, July 10, with the American Family Theatre's production of Sleeping Beauty.
The fun-filled story, from the American Family Theatre's Broadway for Kids series, will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 10.
The musical is a timeless spectacle that retells one of childhood's favorite tales. From the celebration of the birth of a new princess to the moment when an evil curse comes true; from the magic of a 100-year sleep to the kiss of the prince that awakens love, the American Family Theatre's Sleeping Beauty is a fantastic tale for the entire family.
"The shows burst with energy, song and special effects. Again and again, American Family Theatre proves how strong it is in creating original contemporary theater," Leslie Bennett wrote in The New York Times. "Their engaging productions wonderfully command the attention of young audiences and the spirit is contagious."
The event is sponsored by Nicola Pizza. The production is free to young people ages 17 and under. Adult tickets are $5 in advance and $7 the day of the show.
On Friday, July 11, contemporary Christian performers Jonathan Pierce and Patty Cabrera will offer a "Celebration of Life" concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.
"One Love," Jonathan Pierce's debut solo project, is a soulful blend of pop and R&B up tempo songs and ballads that convey his passion for Christ, for his wife, Denise, and for music.
"If we just expressed our love moreÐnot our views and religionÐbut our passion for Christ, this world wouldn't have all the problems it does today," the 27-year-old said. "When I stand on stage and sing these songs, they are truly expressing what I feel inside. I want 'One Love' to be accessible to both Christians and non-Christians, for as many people as possible to hear this music. There are no limitations in God's world."
"One Love," the title track from his album, and "Healing Hands," which Pierce wrote, have both been released as chart-climbing singles. Another popular cut is "Two Hearts," which illuminates the "oneness" of marriage.
This year, Pierce garnered five Dove award nominations and was part of the 1996 Olympic Celebration and Torch Ceremony.
In 1996, Patty Cabrera was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World," but she's more likely to be found on the stage of a Billy Graham crusade than the New York or Hollywood scene where People finds most of its beautiful people.
Cabrera first appeared on the contemporary Christian music scene five years ago, but only with the recent release of her newest project, Always & Forever, has she hit the big time.
Released in both English and Spanish versions, Always & Forever is a unique mix of Cabrera's Hispanic culture, deep Christian faith and exceptional musical talent.
With its release, producers said they hope to widen the margins of Christian music, offering both stylistic and lyrical diversity that stems from Cabrera's cultural influences, family background and religious convictions.
As its title cut illustrates, the album is a celebration of a new-found relationship with Christ, which has given the artist the confidence to talk about everything from family issues to romance, as well as spirituality and eternal life. Her pop style, with undercurrents of Latin, incorporates the accompaniment of the Miami Sound Machine's rhythm section and Michael Jackson's horns.
In addition to the new album, other highlights of the past few years for Cabrera have included singing the national anthem at the National Republican Convention and writing and performing the theme song for Billy Graham's 1995 Crusade to Puerto Rico. Cabrera is also pursuing a master's degree in religion.
Advance tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-17 and free to children under 7. Groups of l0 or more can purchase advance tickets for $1 off. Individual tickets are $2 more when purchased on the day of the show. This concert is sponsored by Nanticoke Homes Inc.
The festival concludes on Saturday, July 12, when the Kingston Trio will perform with selected members of the Delaware Symphony, under the leadership of Stephen Gunzenhauser.
The group has been around for more than 30 years, but the Kingston Trio, known for such hits as "Tom Dooley," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Greenback Dollar," sound as young as ever.
Today's group includes two of the original trioÐlead singer Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds, who sings harmony. George Grove, the third member, has been with this version of the trio since 1972.
Shane and Reynolds formed the original group, with Dave Guard, in 1957, while all three were students at Melno Business College in San Francisco. Using only acoustic guitars and banjos, singing simple, yet memorable melodies, they revolutionized popular music, reawakening America to its own rich folk-music heritage. The release of "Tom Dooley" in October of 1958 began "the folk music revival" that set the stage for Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary and the entire protest music movement of the '60s.
For a while, the Kingston Trio was the number one vocal group in the world, a musical and cultural phenomenon whose record sales and concert draws were matched only by the Beatles.
In 1961, after two Grammy Awards and numerous gold records, Guard left the group. In 1967, the remaining members disbanded it to pursue individual careers.
"Pop music tastes were changing again," Shane says. "That whole 'rock revolution' thing spread from San Francisco across the country and took a lot our audience with it. But you know, folk music is timeless, and I knew it would come around again."
The group reformed in 1972, with Shane, Grove and Roger Gambill. After Gambill's death in 1985, Reynolds rejoined the group.
"Having Nick back in the trio brings it back full circle, which just goes to show you the power and longevity of our kind of music," Grove says.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-17 and free to children under 7. Tickets are $2 higher if purchased on the day of the show. Before the symphony performance, the Royal Palm Steel Band will provide picnic time entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. This concert is sponsored by PNC Bank. As usual, the concert will conclude with a fireworks spectacular, sponsored by WBOC-TV.
Presented by the University's Office of Alumni and University Relations, the Summer Arts Festival is sponsored, in part, by US Airways.
All events are held under the stars on the grounds of the Hugh R. Sharp Campus on Pilottown Road in Lewes. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Picnic dinners are encouraged, and a wide assortment of foods will be available. Children must be seated with parents when the concerts begin.
Tickets are now on sale at the following locations: University of Delaware offices at 4 The Green, Dover, and at the Higher Education Building in Georgetown; at all UD box offices in Newark; and at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, 120 Kings Highway. For information or to charge tickets on VISA or Master Card, call 855-1620.
Beth Thomas