The city of Frederick boasts a rare musical instrument—a carillon, which consists of large bronze bells suspended in a bellfry and connected to a keyboard, played with fists and feet. ArtWorks had a chance to talk with carillonneur John Widmann about the joys and risks of playing an instrument whose every note can be heard for blocks.

The carillon can be heard every Sunday throughout the year from noon to 12:30 p.m. in Baker Park and Sunday evenings from mid-June through late August from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. before outdoor concerts in the park.

This week's salon art is by an Eastern Shore artist, Susan Webster. Ms. Webster paintings evoke an expressionistic style using vivid colors to reflect her personality and life perspective. The scenes she creates "present events with a deceivingly simple statement rather than a specific focal point." Ms. Webster received her degree in Printmaking from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1986. She chooses to work in a compilation of media including: acrylic, charcoal, collagraph prints, fabric paints, impasto and collage. Her philosophy: "Reality is an everyday task, I prefer to paint an invitation for people to explore how I see my world and to bring their own personal interpretations." Her next-featured showing is at the East of the Bay Gallery, 17 S. Main Street, North East, MD through June 5th. Ms. Webster's artwork is always on view at the Canton Gallery, 2935 O'Donnell Street in Baltimore, MD. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 8pm and Saturdays, 10am to 5pm.

Susan Webster's website
Canton Gallery
East of the Bay Gallery

"Madama Butterfly" is one of the most popular opera's of all time. Puccini's tragic tale of forsaken love features a stunning set design by Paolo Micciche, involving projected light onto the stage and screens. There are three performances remaining: Friday, May 16th at 8:15pm, Saturday, May 17th at 8:15pm, and Sunday, May 18th at 3pm. The performances are in the Lyric Opera House at 110 West Mt. Royal Avenue.

The Baltimore Opera Company's "Madama Butterfly"

The Maryland Accordion Club is the only musical association in the state dedicated to this traditional instrument. Today, we hear a performance by several of their members and talk with the founder and president Joe Fertitta. The Maryland Accordion Club meets from 2-5 pm the third Saturday of every month at the Catonsville Rec Center, second floor, located at 106 Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonville. And accordionist "Ventura" will perform this Saturday at "Wine In The Woods" in Columbia, MD.

Information on Accordion Clubs, including M.A.C

On Art Chat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss the recent Tony nominations for newly released broadway play "Cry Baby" by Baltimore resident John Waters. And there are two musical festivals to add to the summer line up of events. The Stageworks Festival kicks off in Southern Maryland and features 17 concerts in 24 days. In Washington, D.C., Artomatic showcases more than 700 visual artists and more than 300 performances.

Stageworks
Artomatic