Woodland Shakespeare Club looks back on 2022-23 season

Special to The Enterprise

What a joy it was for Woodland Shakespeare Club to meet on-site again at the Woodland Methodist Church in the postCOVID program year 2022-2023. Following the theme “Living the Shakespeare Life or Greatness

Thrust Upon Him,” Women of the club tackled the question: “How does Shakespeare, after 500 years, continue to be so popular, his plays showing up in so many creative performances and venues?”

In October, WSC discussed James Shapiro’s book, “1599,” an in-depth look at a single year in Shakespeare’s development that proved monumental to his artistic and financial status as well as the course of literature.

November followed with discussion of another pivotal event that further solidified Shakespeare’s reputation and put

Stratford on the map.

“What Blest Genius?

The Jubilee that Made Shakespeare” is Andrew McConnell Scott’s account of the 1769 extravaganza that “was a unique cultural moment — a coronation elevating Shakespeare to the throne of genius … except it was a disaster.” Poor planning, not enough lodging and continuous rain worked to make what should have been a glorious salute to the Bard into a sopping wet, muddy circus. Still somehow it worked.

“Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare Classic Novels,” by Gareth Hinds, a graphic novel adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s more controversial plays was December’s book.

Discussion examined the power of illustration to interpret Shakespeare’s dramatic words and popularize his plays, and in January, WSC studied a new play, “Bernhardt/Hamlet” by Theresa Rebeck, focusing on male and female roles as well as the dramatic impact of translation and poetry. This play tells the story of Sarah Bernhardt’s courageous quest to play one of Shakespeare’s most demanding male characters at a time when women had very little power in society, much less the theater.

The rest of the program year highlighted actors who made Shakespeare famous, the controversy over who wrote the plays, and some of the plays’ most famous speeches.

Discussion in February of “Great Shakespeare Actors” by Stanley Wells focused on the life and work of 40 stage actors he believed best represented characters in Shakespeare’s plays. In March, “Mark Twain’s Is Shakespeare Dead?” ignited debate over various controversies about who exactly wrote the plays. And, to end the year, in April, several WSC members recited speeches from some of the Bard’s most famous works, based on selections from “Speaking Shakespeare” by Patsy Rodenburg.

Members were given a compact personalized WSC journal and each month asked to respond to questions such as “When did you first encounter Shakespeare,” and “What is/are your favorite Shakespeare plays?”

The program for 202324, beginning in October, is “Seven Sisters: Stars Among Women.” The Program Committee noted it is “excited about delving into the lives of women who stepped out of ‘normal’ female roles and accomplished extraordinary feats.” Books for programs include “Love and Fury” by Samantha Silva (October), “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd (November), “The Bohemians” by Jasmin Darznik (December), “The Other Einstein” by Marie Benedict (January), “The Woman Behind the New Deal” by Kirstin Downey (February), “A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell (March) and “Just as I Am” by Cicely Tyson (April).

The joint venture of WSC and The Woodland Tree Foundation to host Poetry Under the Oak at City Park to celebrate Arbor Day in March was canceled due to rain on two consecutive Sundays. Hopefully, it will return next year with the community encouraged to participate by reading poems about trees, parks, nature ... and Shakespeare, of course.

Membership in WSC is limited to 50 members; prospective members are sponsored by active members who have been in the club at least five years. Two occasions during the seven-meeting program year include the January Tea and April Luncheon. These special meetings are open to guests invited by current members.

Women interested in learning more about WSC can email President Roberta Boegel at 746.43rab@gmail.com.

Odd Fellows present harp concert

Enterprise staff

The Davis Odd Fellows will partner with Robin's Nest Concerts for an amazing show on Sunday, July 3, at the Odd Fellows Hall. Organizers are calling this show "Harp Fest." The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at 415 Second St. and music will begin at 6:30.

Courtesy photo Catch Boca do Rio at the Winters Gazebo on July 27.

Boca do Rio plays Winters Gazebo next

Enterprise staff

The Winters Friends of the Library 2023 Summer Concerts at the Gazebo winds up with with Boca do Rio bringing their infectious Brazilian samba-funk.

After a decade of performing in San Francisco’s live music scene, Boca do Rio has evolved into a multi-layered BrazilianAmerican psychedelic electro-funk party. Their sound is steeped in the traditional rhythms of Brazilian sambas and choros with a decidedly modern and funky edge. Learn more at www.bocadorio.com

This is WFoL’s 25th year of hosting concerts, creating community and supporting the library! Invite your friends and neighbors, bring a blanket or lawn chairs or sit on the grass, sip a cool drink, and enjoy some fine live music on a summer evening. The concerts are free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Winters Friends of the Library will have delicious refreshments and quality used books for sale, and all proceeds will support the Winters Community Library.

For more information, visit wfol.org.

Cool off with Opera House’s SpongeBob musical

Special to The Enterprise present “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Woodland Opera House, 340 Second St. in Woodland, Aug. 11 to 27.

Jennifer Goldman, D.D.S and Amy Thu Tran, D.D.S.

Get ready to dive into the underwater world of Bikini

Bottom as “The SpongeBob Musical” comes to the Woodland Opera House this summer. Based on the beloved Nickelodeon animated series, this musical adaptation brings all your favorite characters to life in a colorful and vibrant production that's perfect for the whole family.

Featuring a catchy original score by a team of renowned musicians, including David Bowie, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and John Legend, “The SpongeBob Musical” follows the lovable pineapple-dweller, SpongeBob SquarePants and his best friend Patrick Star on a quest to save their hometown from destruction.

Performances are set for

Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. All seating is reserved, ticket prices are $20 for Adults, $18 Seniors (62plus), and $10 for Children under 17. Balcony pricing is Adults at $12 and Children at $7.

Purchase tickets online at www.WoodlandOpera House.Org and at the box office 530-666-9617. Located at 340 Second Street, box office hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.

The show was originally scheduled to happen in Robin Dewey's backyard, but due to extreme heat, she asked to move the show inside upstairs at the Hall

The concert features two exceptional harpists, Anna Maria Mendieta and Alaina Rose. They will be performing a variety of styles, both solo and together.

A Global Music Award winner, Mendieta tours the world and specializes in the Argentine Tango. She is the winner of four Global Music Awards, three Clouzine International Music Awards, two Fox Music USA Latin Music Awards, and two LIT International Music Awards, among others. She is the principal harpist with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, and has performed with many symphony orchestras and chamber music groups in the United States and abroad, including the San Francisco

Symphony, San Francisco Opera & Ballet, Russian National Orchestra, and Russian State Ballet. Rose has performed with numerous orchestras and symphonies in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and the University of the Pacific. She is currently performing with the Mariachi De Uclatian band while attending the Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles. She plays diverse genres of music, from Classical to surf, Flamenco to rock, and likes to explore and expand the potential of the harp.

The Odd Fellows’ bar will be open to sell wine, beer, sodas and water.