VOLUME L, ISSUE 2
Newsletter www.capemaymac.org
SPRING 2020
A new name and Cape May Music Festival’s 31st season new look for MAC LOOKING AHEAD:
As I write this, with baton of Salvatore Scarpa, turmoil and uncertainty still the group planned the swirling around us, it’s easy perfect program of rousing to long for silver linings and music for the Memorial Day more tranquil times. And Weekend. At this time, we music is certainly one way to hope to present the group soothe that unease, which is during our Holiday Preview why I want to share with you Weekend. our plans for the 2020 Cape We’re very excited May Music Festival Series. to present Backtrack on Hopefully, in a few short Monday, July 20. This is an months, we’ll be sitting in a award-winning a cappella lovely venue enjoying some group based in New York Local favorite, Paula Johns, of this artistry. City that explores the power returns to this year’s Cape This year, due to the of the human voice through May Music Festival. pandemic, our festival unique vocal arrangements, which normally spanned tight harmonies and worlda three-week period, will start later and class beatboxing. The group pushes the run until the holiday season. Atlantic Brass limits of a cappella, with impressive covers Band was to have taken the stage at Rotary (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10) Bandstand on Sunday, May 24. Under the
“Vintage” opens soon at the Physick Estate CAPE MAY - Amid depressing travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, limited trips to the grocery store and humdrum meals at home, there is something to look forward to: a new restaurant is coming to the Emlen Physick Estate. Plans are fully underway, and menus being finalized for “Vintage,” set to open its doors soon, and the anticipation is palpable. Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) has partnered with KARA Restaurant Group to oversee the entire restaurant operation beginning this year. KARA operates some of the most successful and diverse restaurants in the Cape May region -- George’s Place, Scola, Shamone, YB -- and now Vintage, featuring menu items that are unique, as co-owner Chef Nikolaos “Niko” Goutzouris describes them, and “wild.”
Vintage will open seven days a week from 11am-5pm and will offer a brunch menu, with some select options for dinner. “I want to appeal to a broader crowd,” said Niko. “To everyone – young and old.” In that vein, Niko said the menu will appeal to those who like to try something creative as well as those who enjoy the familiar. “You know you go to a lot of restaurants and you always see the same things. We want to make something that’s different, completely, but with one or two items that are familiar. Our menu is going to be something more unique, more wild.” While the menu is not yet final, Niko gave a taste of what’s to come. “You know we’re thinking of things like (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)
In 1970, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) was formed by a band of volunteer citizens with a mission to help preserve the history of the Cape May region. Initially, MAC’s founders had broad, lofty goals for the organization, which was reflected in their choice of a name. Over the course of our 50-year lifetime, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (we expanded our name in 2009) has been the leader in cultural and heritage tourism in the Cape May region. Over this same lifetime, the organization has struggled with an identity crisis. MAC’s name is vague and a little misleading. Additionally, the longstanding branding strategy had been to focus on promoting the unique identity of each of our offerings, rather than promoting MAC as the brand behind each offering. As a result, many visitors and residents are unaware of all that MAC has to offer. In preparing for the 50th anniversary year, MAC’s leaders engaged in strategic planning initiatives to ensure MAC’s stability and success for the next 50 years. One of the major goals identified was the need for MAC to work on establishing a strong, clear brand to launch itself into the future. Over the course of 2018-19, MAC’s board and staff, working with the Princeton Strategic Communications Group, poured time and energy into a (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)
In This Issue
Coming Attractions ..........Pages 3 & 4 Donor Profile..............................Page 5 Education Wrap-up................Page 11 Membership News ..................Page 6 Message from the Director...Page 12 Recent Happenings.......... Pages 2, 11 Thank You Department.......Pages 7-9