Songs, stories, and dance come together in a lively celebration of Irish culture!
Renowned Irish bard Gerry Timlin shares his special brand of Irish folk music and stories, and award-winning dancers from the McAleer School of Irish Dance wow the crowd with their rhythm and artistry.
Timlin was born in Coalisland County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and moved to the United States in the early ’70s. He has been performing for more than five decades in Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Canada.
The McAleer-Paulson School of Irish Dance was founded by Veronica McAleer, ADCRG, who emigrated from Belfast, Ireland. The school has been jigging around Delaware—and the world—for nearly 60 years, receiving international acclaim.

SummerScape 2025 crowd favorite Linda Harris returns to the stage with David Cole and Main Street Blues!
Presented as a living history of blues artistry, this engaging show takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of blues music from its rural Southern roots to its electric and urban transformation.
Renowned throughout the Delmarva region, the performers look to spread joy and connection with everyone they meet through sound and storytelling. A powerful, engaging, and entertaining evening!
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

Poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist Langston Huges comes to life like never before in this exciting original one-man show from Daron Stewart.
From busboy and poet to “Harlem’s Wonder,” Langston Hughes became a leading voice of the Harlem Renaissance and an enduring force for civil rights. His famous “I too sing America . . . I too am America” statement is the heart of Daron Stewart’s performance, which also poses the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?”
Washington, D.C.-based Stewart has performed on stages across the United States and abroad. His credits include national and independent film work, television hosting, VOG at the Kennedy Center, and numerous stage performances. Soul of Langston has been staged nationally for festivals, schools, colleges and universities, churches, and conferences.
Join us for a journey into the bittersweet wit and wisdom of Langston’s poetry, the tragedies and triumphs that constructed his life, and the worldwide impact of his literary accomplishments.
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

Bruce Springsteen—baby, he was born to run! Join us for an exciting evening exploring The Boss’s incredible songwriting journey.
Monmouth University’s Kenneth Womack and Kenneth Campbell share highlights from Springsteen’s musical legacy, drawn from their new book Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album by Album, Song by Song, in conversation with LPL Distinguished Lecturer Ron Collins. The book weaves together historical context, literary insight, and meticulous research, featuring in depth explorations of each album, essays on their cultural significance, and a chronological examination of every studio song.
Following the discussion, Monmouth University student and Blue Hawk Records artist Elijah Elias will perform Springsteen’s music.
This event is sponsored by The Inn at Canal Square and co-hosted by the Lewes Public Library, Singers+Songwriters, and Browseabout Books. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

An inspiring evening of songs and stories celebrating an American dream come true!
Renowned songwriter Bobby Tomberlin returns to Lewes to discuss his new book, I’ve Lived Country Music, an extraordinary story of humble beginnings, big dreams, and remarkable journey in country music.
Tomberlin will be interviewed by LPL Distinguished Lecturer Ron Collins about his uplifting, witty, and heartfelt memoir. He will also perform several patriotic songs in honor of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.
A CMA, ACM, and Grammy Award nominee, Tomberlin’s songs have been recorded by Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, and many more.
This event is co-hosted by the Lewes Public Library, Singers+Songwriters, and Browseabout Books. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Join us for an incredible performance honoring the traditions of Native American and Indigenous peoples.
The Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe presents a traditional cultural sharing, highlighting Native American dances, their cultural meaning, and the importance of oral tradition. The dances reflect values such as respect, honor, community, and our connection to the Creator, the earth, and one another.
Storytelling is woven throughout the presentation, helping the audience understand how dance carries memory, identity, and tradition.
The Troupe consists of Native American Dancers of all ages, who proudly demonstrate their individual dance styles, sharing with the audience the importance of the different styles, along with traditional ways.
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

A powerful theatrical celebration of independence, community, and the shared “embers of freedom” that connect us all.
Delaware Shakespeare invites audiences to reflect on a timely question: “What sparks your sense of freedom?”
In this expansive and engaging performance, Del Shakes presents a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence that explores this question—and weaves in the voices that were left out of its creation. The performers will share writings from former slaves like Frederick Douglas, poetry from Indigenous perspectives, stories of queer joy, and more.
Del Shakes is the region’s premiere professional Shakespearean ensemble. Since 2003, the Wilmington-based troupe has performed a wide array of Shakespeare’s works and Shakespeare-adjacent projects across Delaware and beyond.
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

Experience the joy, rhythm, and rich tradition of bluegrass music in a performance that celebrates America’s musical roots.
With origins in Irish, English, and Scottish folk styles, bluegrass music has been an integral part of American culture since its arrival in the 1600s. Rooted in rural traditions and shaped by slave songs, gospel, and blues, bluegrass evolved into a uniquely American art form.
Jake’s Americana Bluegrass Band, a four-piece ensemble of guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bass plays music true to the foundations of bluegrass. They share the very best of classic and contemporary bluegrass, country, and folk music in this lively performance.
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

Step into the circle and feel the beat!
Mister Boom Boom delivers an immersive, hands-on musical experience for children, families, and music lovers of all ages, celebrating the power and spirit of African drumming. The high energy program highlights the djembe, the heart of West African rhythm, alongside a vibrant collection of global percussion instruments rooted in African traditions.
Mister Boom Boom is the stage persona of Frank Coates, founder of Play Patrol Company and creator of Mister Boom Boom’s Music Room. Known for high energy, interactive performances, Mister Boom Boom blends music, movement, and humor to create engaging and unforgettable experiences.

A tribute to the spirit of America brought to life through show stopping songs from Broadway’s greatest composers.
Acclaimed Broadway singer and producer Tina Marie Cassamento, accompanied by several special guests, performs a selection of Broadway songs that capture the American experience through the works of some of the theater’s greatest composers. Musical director David Libby leads a program featuring favorites from 1776, Hamilton, West Side Story, and The Music Man, as well as “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” from Little Johnny Jones.
Historian Paul Sparrow will provide background and context for each song and offer a perspective on how Broadway both reflected and helped shape public opinion.
This event is sponsored by The Inn at Canal Square.
This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

Spend an intimate evening immersed in world class music and dance shaped by the passion and elegance of flamenco artistry.
Washington, D.C.’s SonDeBaril presents a vibrant performance of the Spanish tradition of flamenco, where music, song, dance, and rhythm come together in emotional storytelling. This inspiring program showcases breathtaking flamenco artistry and the raw, electrifying energy of an art form steeped in tradition yet continually evolving.
Led by dancer Ela Razon and musician Yiyi Orozco, the SonDeBaril flamenco company is known for bold, original productions that merge music and dance into transformative flamenco experiences. With performances rooted in collaboration, community, and deep tradition, SonDeBaril is devoted to nurturing flamenco and expanding its presence in the region.

A show-stopping grand finale to close out an incredible season!
First State Ballet Theatre returns to the SummerScape stage for an unforgettable season finale. Featuring classical ballet favorites reimagined through the company’s signature style, this performance provides a breathtaking celebration of dance and artistic expression at its finest.
First State Ballet Theatre is the region’s premiere professional ballet company. Originally founded as a dance school in 1999 by Pasha and Kristina Kambalov, the troupe quickly established a reputation for outstanding artistic success. In 2008 it debuted as the region’s first professional company and now employs a full company of 22 dancers along with educational, management, and production staff. 

Join our exploration of the influence of nature on the arts during the romantic period with Kristen Matulewicz, Curator of Rockwood Park and Museum in Wilmington. Focusing on William Louis Sontag Jr.’s The Misty Rocky Mountains, among others, she will trace the evolution and influence of the Romantic Movement in art as it mutates into the uniquely American style of Hudson River School Painting. And Matulewicz will finish by case-studying Rockwood as a rare example of how the concept and aesthetics of Romanticism was cultivated in daily life.

Kristen Matulewicz, familiar to Spoken Word Society audiences for her work with the library the past several years, has a fun and entertaining style of presenting research with significant depth. She holds a BFA in fine arts specializing in practicing Performance and Installation Arts, a BA in Art History with a focus on Pre-Raphaelitism, and an MA in Art History and Visual Studies, with a specialty in Victorian escapism and immersive environments. Before joining Rockwood as a Curator, she had a 12-year career in Museum Education working across a range of museum sizes and types including history, science, historic houses, and art museums. Kristen’s strong background working with local communities, under-served populations, and practicing artists to create opportunities for accessible learning saw her awarded the Delaware Art Educators Association’s Educator of the Year in the field of Museums.

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Join us as we explore the beginnings of Romantic Music from Handel in the 18th century to Elgar in the 20th. When we think of Romantic music we usually think of the 19th century greats, such as Beethoven, Schumann, Wagner, or Tchaikovsky. As with all the arts, one period grows out of, and blends with, contemporaneous forms. The beginning cannot be pinned down nor the end detected. In fact it is still very much with us. We’ll explore how Beethoven exploded out of the Classical period and how Elgar summed up the Romantic era in the aftermath of The Great War.

Lani Spahr, professional oboist and world renowned audio restoration engineer and producer, is well known to Lewes audiences from his popular program Performance Insights presented through Coastal Concerts. Formerly a leading performer on period oboes in the US, he was a member of Boston Baroque and the Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra of Boston and  appeared with many of North America’s leading period instrument orchestras, including Tafelmusik, Philharmonia Baroque, Tempesta di Mare, and many others. As a modern oboist, he was the principal oboist of the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Opera Festival, the American Chamber Winds, the Maine Chamber Ensemble and made his European solo debut in 1999 playing John McCabe’s Oboe Concerto with the Hitchin Symphony Orchestra in England. Spahr served on the faculties of Colorado College, Phillips Exeter Academy, and the University of New Hampshire Chamber Music Institute. He toured throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East on period and modern oboes and recorded for Telarc, Linn, Koch, Naxos, Vox, Music Masters, L’Oiseau Lyre and Musica Omnia. Accomplished on the bagpipes as well, Lani is the Official Piper of Fort Miles.

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Join local scholar Dr. Michael Redmond for “Storm, Stress, and the Soul: The Romantic Rebellion,” an exploration of how the Romantics figures like Hamann, Wordsworth, and Coleridge rose up against the cool confidence of the Enlightenment’s faith in reason, science, and mastery of nature. Together we’ll trace how nature shifted from whirlwind and mystery, to clockwork machine, to something alive, numinous, and a source of wisdom and wonder—and how this transformation still shapes our views of authenticity, spirituality, and the environment today. Along the way, we’ll meet some fascinating characters, hear vivid literary and philosophical passages, and end by asking a personal question: in your own life, are you more a child of the Enlightenment or of Romanticism—and what might it mean to live well between the two?

Dr. Michael D. Redmond is a distinguished higher education leader and former president of Bergen Community College, bringing four decades of experience in academic leadership, governance, and institutional innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Drew University, and an M.A. in Philosophy from Rutgers, complemented by graduate work in computer science and mathematics. A dedicated teacher and scholar, Dr. Redmond served as Professor of Philosophy and Religion for nearly 40 years and helped build one of the largest and most successful philosophy and religion programs in the nation at a community college. He has published and presented widely, from academic journals to national conferences, on topics both in the philosophy of Religion and political philosophy as well as on technology, and his excellence in teaching and leadership has been honored with the NISOD Excellence Award and two National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar appointments.

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Join us for an evening of the Sublime and the Dramatic as the Spoken Word Society’s Reader’s Theatre Troupe performs poetry and prose from authors and poets working in the Romantic movement. Featuring works by Keats, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Charlotte Smith, Felicia Hemans, Emily Bronte, and Poe, we will journey through emotional peaks and valleys in a compelling evening of spoken word artistry.

The Spoken Word Society’s Reader’s Theatre Troupe features Jane Okma, Roxanne Farrar, Sally Boswell, Peter Stoehr, Christopher Marks, Michael Redmond, and Rich Harris. This performance is directed by Jane Okma and features musical underscoring and effects by David White.

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Much of science reporting in the United States in 2025 may have been focused on budget cuts, layoffs, and canceled programs, but there were still many striking scientific achievements in laboratories here and around the world. At the end of each year, Science magazine’s editors and writers choose ten scientific developments they consider especially important, including one they single out as the Breakthrough of the Year. Join us online for a discussion with Science’s News Editor, Tim Appenzeller, who will describe the magazine’s picks for 2025 and explain what made those developments particularly noteworthy.

As Science’s News Editor, Tim Appenzeller is in a perfect position to survey the scientific landscape. He directs a global team of writers and editors covering research and the international community of scientists. His previous positions include Chief Magazine Editor at Nature, Executive Editor at National Geographic, and editorial posts at U.S. News and World Report and Scientific American.

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A new Observatory on a mountaintop in Chile began a survey in 2025 that could transform astronomy. The Vera C Rubin Observatory, named for the astronomer who found conclusive evidence for the existence of mysterious dark matter in the universe, uses the largest digital camera ever built to, among other things, reveal anything that changes in the southern sky over time, from asteroids and comets in our solar system to variable stars, supernova explosions, and interstellar objects. The resulting ultra-high-definition time-lapse map of billions of celestial objects could also provide insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy–the enigmatic force that appears to be driving galaxies apart at an accelerating pace—and perhaps yet-to-be discovered cosmic phenomena. Dr. Sandrine Thomas will discuss the Rubin Observatory’s early results, its history and objectives, and the innovative system built to handle the tidal wave of data it produces every day.

Dr. Thomas is Deputy Director for Construction and Associate Director for the Rubin Observatory Summit Operation.

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Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive weather systems on Earth, affecting millions of people each year through high winds, flooding rains, storm surge, and tornadoes. This presentation provides an overview of how hurricanes form, why they intensify, and what makes them so dangerous. We will explore the basic science behind these storms, including the role of warm ocean waters, atmospheric structure, and large-scale weather patterns.

The talk will also examine the primary hazards associated with hurricanes, emphasizing that wind is often not the greatest threat to life and property. Storm surge and inland flooding will be discussed through real-world examples, highlighting why risk can extend far from the coastline and well after landfall. Finally, the presentation will demystify hurricane forecasting—how storms are tracked and predicted, what forecast models can and cannot do, and how uncertainty is communicated. Finally, we will also touch on some newer hurricane tracking models that incorporate AI techniques and contrast this type of weather model with the more traditional ones.

Dan Reilly retired from the National Weather Service in 2024 after a 32-year career with the agency. During his tenure, he worked at forecast offices in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Montana, and Texas, issuing forecasts and warnings for a wide range of hazardous weather events. His experience includes several major tropical cyclones, including Hurricanes Floyd, Isabel, Ike, Harvey, and Beryl. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Virginia in 1988 and a Master’s degree in Meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992. Reilly currently provides weather briefings and consulting services to public and private-sector clients through his company, Reilly Weather, LLC, and publishes a weather blog.

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How did the world as we know it—from the earth beneath our feet to the air we breathe and the life that surrounds us—come to be? Geologists have proposed one set of answers while biologists have proposed another. In his new book, Earth & Life, Andrew Knoll says both perspectives are required to understand how we and our planet became possible: Geological and atmospheric dynamics have sustained life, and life itself has shaped the physical environment. A better understanding of these interactions over Earth’s four billion year history can help us navigate the challenges of the Anthropocene and aid our search for life elsewhere in the universe, he argues.

Andrew H. Knoll is the Fisher Research Professor of Natural History and Earth and Planetary Sciences, Emeritus, at Harvard University. He is the best-selling author of A Brief History of Earth, a recipient of the International Prize for Biology and the Crafoord Prize, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website.

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Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining health and cognitive function, yet humans sleep less than any other primate. In his new book, The Sleepless Ape, David Samson explains how this apparent paradox evolved, and why sleep is a critical but often overlooked aspect of human evolution. When our ancestors left the safety of the forest for more dangerous ground, they formed more secure social sleeping arrangements, which resulted in shorter, deeper, and more flexible sleep patterns. Those changes, he argues, not only provided survival advantages but also freed more time for crucial activities such as toolmaking and social interaction. Associated changes in the human brain also led to more restorative sleep, which in turn enabled advanced memory consolidation and fostered creativity—keys to our success as a species. A deeper understanding of our evolutionary sleep heritage, Samson writes, can help us address sleep disorders and improve our overall health and well-being.

David R. Samson is associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto and the author of Our Tribal Future: How to Channel Our Foundational Human Instincts into a Force for Good. His pioneering research has been featured in National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times and on NPR and the BBC.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website.

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The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society welcomes Delaware Shakespeare for 8th Community Tour production.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona follows devoted friends, Proteus and Valentine, whose loyalties are tested when their romantic interests overlap. With a love triangle, a band of outlaws, disguises, clowns, tomfoolery, a dog named Crab, and a revised ending that seals the fate of our anti-hero, this beautifully silly and sometimes poignant play tells the story of friendship, loyalty (or lack thereof), love, and growing up.

Delaware Shakespeare launched its Community Tour in Fall 2016. The productions travel throughout the state bringing thrilling, professional Shakespeare to audiences who may not have easy access to professional arts experiences. Community Tour productions play in non-theatrical settings and the production values are scaled for those spaces, with live music, minimal sets, and whatever lighting is available. The productions are performed with a cast of six actors and a musician.

Celebrating its twenty-third season, Delaware Shakespeare creates year-round professional theatre and educational programs for residents and friends of the State of Delaware. At Del Shakes, people from all walks of life celebrate and explore their shared humanity through the lens of Shakespearean work.

The performance runs 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.

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The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society welcomes Teatro de la Luna. It’s a guessing game… What instrument am I playing?

This family friendly program features singing and dancing with Gabo and Mate, and we’ll learn about various musical instruments!

Teatro de la Luna was founded in 1991 as a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide the Washington capital area – both to its Spanish-speaking community and to its English-speaking community as well – with a source of high-quality theater as seen from a Latin American perspective. Today’s offering is created and performed by Gabriel Lora and Marcela Ferlito.

This event will take place in the library’s outdoor pavilion. In case of inclement weather, the program will be relocated to the large meeting room of the library.

Registration is not required.

Information / Información

The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society welcomes Delaware Shakespeare.

Celebrating the haunting thrill of the Halloween season, actors and musicians from Delaware Shakespeare bring you an evening of spooky stories and enchanting music. This will be a night of immortal texts with music composed specifically for this program delivered by the region’s finest performing artists. Sophisticated yet appropriate for all audiences.

Celebrating its twenty-third season, Delaware Shakespeare creates year-round professional theatre and educational programs for residents and friends of the State of Delaware. At Del Shakes, people from all walks of life celebrate and explore their shared humanity through the lens of Shakespearean work.

This program is co-hosted by the Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society and Coastal Concerts.

This event is in the Lewes Elementary School auditorium (820 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE). At the Lewes Elementary School, please park on the side of the building facing Beebe Hospital and use entrance 12, by the flag pole.

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Join us in-person in the library or online for a Fireside Chat in association with the Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society.

Perhaps no woman had a greater impact on America in the 20th century than Eleanor Roosevelt. She gave a voice to the most neglected and desperate members of our country, while fighting for equal rights for all. Her influence started in the 1920s and ended only with her death in 1962. Perhaps her most famous and important speech took place during the 1940 Democratic presidential convention, when her husband, President Franklin Roosevelt, was running for an unprecedented third term in office. As the delegates fought amongst themselves, she took the stage and reminded them that “these are no ordinary times.” FDR went on to win a third term. Historian Paul Sparrow hosts the acclaimed actress Suzanne Savoy, in an exploration of the speeches and writings of Eleanor Roosevelt. Her words will be presented in dramatic monologue by Ms. Savoy with political and social context provided by the host.

Suzanne Savoy, a classically trained theatre artist, is also known for film roles and recurring TV appearances on How to Get Away with Murder, Full Circle, The Knick, House of Cards, Better Call Saul, and many others. Her most recent film, All of It, recently won “Best Comedy Feature” at the Marina del Rey Film Festival and has been submitted for the November 2025 Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival.

The Fireside Chat series is organized and moderated by Paul Sparrow, a writer, historical consultant, and the former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Before moving to the FDR Library, he was the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President at the Newseum in Washington, DC. He is the author of the book, Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy.

NOTE: this session is available to attend in-person or through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER and indicate which you prefer. If you have need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email the library.

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The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society presents Suzanne Savoy and Jack Herholdt in a live reading of The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote, published in McCall’s Magazine in 1967. Savoy and Herholdt first performed this piece online for the library in 2020 and are back to kick off the holiday season with this perennial favorite.

Capote’s The Thanksgiving Visitor is an autobiographical tale that follows nine-year-old Buddy as he is bullied by classmate Odd Henderson. Buddy’s aged aunt and best friend, Sook, hatches a plan to help him. The results, played out during the extended family’s Thanksgiving dinner in 1930’s Alabama, are disastrous… or are they?

Suzanne and Jack, both native Delawareans, have made their careers on stage and screen in New York City and LA. Suzanne has played recurring roles on House of Cards, For Life, The Knick, Full Circle, and Better Call Saul, to name a few. Her solo show, Je Christine, tours nationally; her newest solo piece The Book of Poissy premiered as part of Lewes Public Library’s SummerScape 2025 series. Jack performs on many NYC and regional stages and in national touring shows. He appeared in the award-winning video series Celebrity Ghost Stories and in the TV series Lioness. His cabaret show, Falling in Love and Other Ridiculous Ideas, played repeat performances at NYC’s Don’t Tell Mamma and The Duplex. He now flies in yearly from Las Vegas to reprise his role as Buddy, to the delight of the library audiences.

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The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society presents A Christmas Carol, performed by Gerald Dickens.

Gerald Dickens’ performance of A Christmas Carol has received standing ovations all over the world. Using his own adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale, Gerald Dickens plays over 30 characters using vocal and physical talents to bring each scene vividly to life.

Gerald Dickens is an actor, director, and producer, and the great-great-grandson of the author Charles Dickens. In 1993 he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol inspired by Charles Dickens’ own energetic readings of the 1860s. A fascination with the life and works of Charles led him to write and direct further one-man shows including Mr. Dickens is Coming!, Nicholas Nickleby and Sketches by Boz. Dickens regularly performs in major theatres and arts centres, arts and literary festivals in the UK, as well as at hotels, stately homes, and on cruise ships.

Thank you to Byers’ Choice Ltd. for bringing Gerald Dickens to the United States.

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The 1:00 PM performance is in the large meeting room of the Lewes Public Library.

Register for 1:00 Show

The 7:00 PM performance is in the Lewes Elementary School auditorium (820 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE). At the Lewes Elementary School, please park on the side of the building facing Beebe Hospital and use entrance 12, by the flag pole.

Register for 7:00 Show

Ages before the dawn of modern medicine, wild animals were harnessing the power of nature’s pharmacy to heal themselves. In his new book, Doctors by Nature, Jaap de Roode discusses how an astonishing array of non-human animals—from ants to apes, bees to bears, and cats to caterpillars—use various forms of medicine to treat their own ailments and those of their relatives. Some also use natural toxins to deter parasites from infecting themselves and their offspring. De Roode argues these surprising behaviors, many of which have only recently been discovered, could point to ways that humans can improve agriculture, create healthier lives for our pets, sustain better habitats for wild pollinators, and develop new pharmaceutical drugs.

Jaap de Roode is Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University. His research includes pioneering studies on self-medication by monarch butterflies.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website.

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Since Covid-19 swept the world, scientists have been grappling with an urgent issue: How do we prepare for the next pandemic—and at a time when science denial and misinformation are rampant. The question is not if, but when another pandemic will strike. Jon Cohen has spent his career as a science reporter talking to scientists, public health officials, politicians, and physicians on the front lines of combating infectious diseases, monitoring outbreaks, and developing new treatments, vaccines, and preventive measures. His new book, Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics, provides first-hand reporting on those efforts on four continents, and insights on how we might avoid disaster.

Jon Cohen is a longtime correspondent for Science magazine and a widely published magazine writer. He has collaborated on several science documentaries and series, and is the author of four previous books. His work has won awards from leading science academies and journalism organizations.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website.

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Quantum mechanics turns 100 years old in 2025, which offers an opportunity to ask how some of the core ideas of quantum theory were introduced, debated, tested, and ultimately accepted. One of the central ingredients of quantum theory is entanglement, nowadays so important to next-generation technologies like quantum encryption and quantum computing. Yet the history of quantum entanglement has been far from straightforward. This talk will describe how a colorful group of physicists during the 1970s wrestled with entanglement, exploring the idea amid the California counterculture scene. Building on that history, the presenter’s own group recently conducted a new series of experiments, together with Nobel laureate Anton Zeilinger and his team. Their “Cosmic Bell” experiments provided compelling evidence for quantum entanglement while constraining certain alternative models more thoroughly than ever before.

David Kaiser is Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science and Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of several award-winning books on the history of modern physics, including How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival, which received the Davis Prize from the History of Science Society and was named “Book of the Year” by Physics World magazine. His latest book, Quantum Legacies: Dispatches from an Uncertain World, was named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title and honored as among the best books of the year by Physics Today and Physics World magazines. Kaiser directs a research group on early-universe cosmology in MIT’s Center for Theoretical Physics, and has also designed and helped to conduct novel experimental tests of quantum theory. A Fellow of the American Physical Society, Kaiser has received MIT’s highest awards for excellence in teaching. His work has been featured in Science, Nature, the New York Times, and The New Yorker magazine. His group’s efforts to conduct a “Cosmic Bell” test of quantum entanglement, together with Nobel laureate Anton Zeilinger, were featured in the documentary film, Einstein’s Quantum Riddle.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website.

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There is standing joke among physicists that fusion power is the energy source of the future and always will be. Fifty years ago, the energy crises of the 1970s spurred demand for the technology, and scientists and engineers working in the field were optimistic about the scientific feasibility of generating electricity through fusion. In the 1990s, a device at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, and one in the United Kingdom demonstrated that fusion power could be generated for short periods of time, at least on a laboratory scale. But in the nearly 30 years since then, there has been little progress toward realizing a practical fusion power plant. Nevertheless, several dozen start-up companies in the United States and Europe are now investing more than $8 billion of private funds to try to build a working fusion power plant. Fred Dylla, who spent 15 years working on fusion research, will recount the history of this technology and discuss the prospects for these new investments.

Fred Dylla is co-organizer and co-moderator of the Lewes Public Library’s “Science and Society” lecture series. He has three degrees in physics from MIT. He spent 15 years as a research scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, followed by 16 years as the Chief Technology Officer at the Department of Energy’s Jefferson Lab in Newport News, VA, and finished his formal (paid) career as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Physics in College Park, MD, from 2007-2015. Fred now spends his time creating and teaching the art of woodcut prints as well as writing and lecturing about the history of science and art.

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Wilmington’s Serafin Ensemble brings performances from their summer festival – chamber music performed by nationally renowned classical artists. Beautiful music under the magical summer skies. The program for this evening may be found here.

Serafin Ensemble, “The Serafins,” is a group of internationally acclaimed performing artists (string, wind, brass, piano, and vocalists) devoted to collaborative chamber music performances of repertoire for up to eight players. The ensemble evolved from the former Serafin String Quartet and continues the nearly two-decade-long Serafin legacy of passionate commitment to presenting exceptional performances of small ensemble repertoire.
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In order to let any potential inclement weather clear out, we are delaying the start time of tonight’s concert in the pavilion to 7:30 PM. 
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Wilmington’s Serafin Ensemble brings performances from their summer festival – chamber music performed by nationally renowned classical artists. Beautiful music under the magical summer skies. The program for this evening may be found here.

Serafin Ensemble, “The Serafins,” is a group of internationally acclaimed performing artists (string, wind, brass, piano, and vocalists) devoted to collaborative chamber music performances of repertoire for up to eight players. The ensemble evolved from the former Serafin String Quartet and continues the nearly two-decade-long Serafin legacy of passionate commitment to presenting exceptional performances of small ensemble repertoire.
Register

DUE TO THE PREDICTED HEAT, THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD INDOORS IN THE LARGE MEETING ROOM AT THE LEWES PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Anyone who reserved a seat under the pavilion will be guaranteed a seat in the large meeting room. Any unclaimed seats will be released at 6:50 PM

Wilmington’s Serafin Ensemble brings performances from their summer festival – chamber music performed by nationally renowned classical artists. Beautiful music under the magical summer skies. The program for this evening may be found here.

Serafin Ensemble, “The Serafins,” is a group of internationally acclaimed performing artists (string, wind, brass, piano, and vocalists) devoted to collaborative chamber music performances of repertoire for up to eight players. The ensemble evolved from the former Serafin String Quartet and continues the nearly two-decade-long Serafin legacy of passionate commitment to presenting exceptional performances of small ensemble repertoire.
Register

 

DUE TO WEATHER, THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD INDOORS IN THE LARGE MEETING ROOM AT THE LEWES PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Anyone who reserved a seat under the pavilion will be guaranteed a seat in the large meeting room. Any unclaimed seats will be released at 6:50 PM.

A sneak peek at excerpts from Delaware Shakespeare’s summer festival premiere of a new musical adaptation of Twelfth Night. The region’s premiere professional Shakespeare troupe in an evening of compelling Shakespeare as you’ve never heard it before.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s creative vision and the broad societal mix of audiences of his era, Delaware Shakespeare brings our community together for vibrant theatre and learning experiences. DelShakes envisions a Delaware where people from all walks of life celebrate and explore their shared humanity through the lens of Shakespearean works.
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Linda Harris and David Cole of Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center present an evening of songs, stories, and information about this remarkable woman.

The Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, located in Cambridge, Maryland, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman. Established in the 1980s by dedicated local volunteers, the museum aims to educate visitors about Tubman’s extraordinary contributions as an Underground Railroad conductor, Civil War spy, nurse, suffragist, and humanitarian.
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Experience Lewes’ history first-hand as Individuals and luminaries from Lewes’ past come to life to share stories and engage you in conversation. The Lewes Historical Society‘s Tavern Talks bring history to life by re-creating the energy of early American tavern culture.

The Lewes Historical Society promotes and advocates the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Lewes region through museum exhibits, educational programs, historical research, and publications.
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They have been called the greatest musical theater writing team of all time. They transformed Broadway and in the process left a legacy of some of the most memorable musicals of the 20th century: Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music, are just some of their collaborations. Paul Sparrow will explore their accomplishments in conversation with Tina Maria Casamento, a well-known Broadway singer and producer. Tina is an expert on the history of Broadway and will sing excerpts of some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs accompanied by the pianist David Libby.

This program is sponsored by The Inn at Canal Square.
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Come hear Dr. Aaron Carlisle, Associate Professor at University of Delaware, School of Marine Science and Policy, talk on everybody’s favorite beach topic – sharks!

The School of Marine Science and Policy (SMSP) is committed to advancing knowledge critical to the understanding, stewardship, and conservation of estuarine, coastal and ocean environments. An internationally-recognized faculty and multidisciplinary curriculum offers SMSP students exciting opportunities in the classroom, lab and beyond.
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An engaging and enlightening evening on Philosophy and its place in a world of Artificial Intelligence.

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“Get your feet wet” with Delaware’s Inland Bays! Join Lisa Swanger, Director of Outreach & Education at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, for a fun and interactive presentation exploring the amazing habitats and wildlife that call the Bays home. Discover how this unique ecosystem supports both wildlife and our communities, some of the challenges it faces, and simple ways—even the smallest hands—can help protect this natural treasure. This presentation is perfect for curious kids, nature-loving families, and anyone ready to dive into the wonders of the Inland Bays!

The mission of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays is to preserve, protect, and restore Delaware’s Inland Bays and their watershed. The Center achieves this through science-based: research, restoration, education, outreach, public policy, and advocacy.
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Alan Jensen of the Lewes Historical Society brings the power of Jack Lewis’ work to life in a compelling talk on Lewes’ most renowned visual artist.

The Lewes Historical Society promotes and advocates the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Lewes region through museum exhibits, educational programs, historical research, and publications.
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The region’s premiere ballet company, First State Ballet, brings its newest piece to our stage. A premiere Lewes happening!

First State Ballet Theatre is a performing arts organization dedicated to the idea that diversity strengthens our community. Their mission is to present ballet boldly to Delaware, enrich our community with live professional performances, inspire and educate dancers and audiences of the future, and connect local youth with a creative, inclusive movement experience.

For this event only, all seating will be on the grass surrounding the pavilion. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. No seating will be available under the pavilion.

NO REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY. In case of inclement weather, this performance will be cancelled.

Be the first to experience this hidden gem of medieval French literature in its English-language world première performance! Light-hearted and modern in tone, Christine de Pizan’s tale written in 1400CE barely veils the poet’s surprising proto-feminism. Christine and her courtier friends take us on a glorious ride through the French countryside and witness first-hand the cloistered life of a self-sufficient community of nuns. Meanwhile, a big spat erupts between a lady and a gentleman over which of them has the most disastrous love-life, stirring up heartbreak and hilarity, and begging the question: Do nuns perhaps have it better than noblewomen after all?

Music performed on lute and images of the remains of the priory of St.-Louis-de Poissy illuminate this staged reading. Bill Burford, a veteran of New York and Texas theatre, directs. Translator/performer Suzanne Savoy, a classically trained theatre artist, is also known for film roles and recurring TV appearances on How to Get Away with Murder, Full Circle, The Knick, House of Cards, Better Call Saul, and many others. Her most recent film, All of It, recently won “Best Comedy Feature” at the Marina del Rey Film Festival and has been submitted for the November 2025 Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival.

For more information, please read the program for this performance.

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World Renowned and local favorites Gerald Dickens and Suzanne Savoy team up to do a staged reading of A Child’s Journey with Dickens. In the late 1860s, a young Kate Douglas Smith, later Kate Douglas Wiggin, the author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, had a chance encounter on a train with her very favorite author, Charles Dickens. They spent the ride in conversation, and this is the memoir of that event.

After the reading, Gerald and Suzanne will engage the audience in discussion of a life in the arts and on the road.

Gerald Dickens is an actor, director, and producer, and the great-great-grandson of the author Charles Dickens. In 1993 he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol inspired by Charles Dickens’ own energetic readings of the 1860s. A fascination with the life and works of Charles led him to write and direct further one-man shows including Mr. Dickens is Coming!, Nicholas Nickleby, and Sketches by Boz. Dickens regularly performs in major theatres and arts centres, arts and literary festivals in the UK, as well as at hotels, stately homes, and on cruise ships.

Suzanne Savoy has made a career of performing on TV and in film and onstage in regional theatres, playing Shakespeare’s Desdemona, Emilia, Rosalind, Viola, and many other classical roles. Lately she has been translating the works of Christine de Pizan for performance and publication.
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World famous and local favorite Gerald Dickens presents a one-man performance of his great-great grandfather’s immortal Nicholas Nickleby.

Gerald Dickens is an actor, director, and producer, and the great-great-grandson of the author Charles Dickens. In 1993 he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol inspired by Charles Dickens’ own energetic readings of the 1860s. A fascination with the life and works of Charles led him to write and direct further one-man shows including Mr. Dickens is Coming!, Nicholas Nickleby, and Sketches by Boz. Dickens regularly performs in major theatres and arts centres, arts and literary festivals in the UK, as well as at hotels, stately homes, and on cruise ships.

Thank you to Byers’ Choice Ltd. for bringing Gerald Dickens to the United States.
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