Don Black - Abstract Improv II

Don Black exhibited in Lawrence Gallery in 2015, so we invited him back to share his delightfully imaginative, colorful work. His inspiration comes from the activity of painting, from a love of music, nature and being outdoors, and from regular contact with other talented artists.  

In addition to being a successful professional artist, Don Black is a retired professor of music who directed the orchestra and taught at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for many years. Some of his paintings also reflect his insights as an accomplished jazz musician who performed with the group “The Professors.” We are sure you will be captivated by his latest creations.

Works are for sale, and the public is welcome to view the exhibit any day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

SVWC's Music Therapist, Abigail D'Arcangelis, will be hosting a support group for those who care for loved ones with any type of Dementia. They will be held the first Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. - Noon on SVWC's campus. The public is invited to participate. Should you have questions or want more details, feel free to email Mrs. D'Arcangelis at adarcangelis@svwc.org or call 540-542-0656.

Started in 2020 as a first of its kind in our area, the Memory Café is a safe and comfortable space where care-partners and their loved ones living with any type of dementia can gather to socialize, play games, and enjoy activities together. Come experience community, laughter, and conversation with others navigating similar changes and make new memories together. This is a FREE event hosted by SVWC on the second Monday of each month. For additional details, contact Donielle Weatherholtz-Palmer at dpalmer@svwc.org

On Friday, May 17, rising young musical stars Mathilde Handelsman, pianist, and Edward Cho, cellist, will perform in their second Bistro Concert appearance. A year ago, they ravished us with their performance of Rachmaninov’s beautiful Sonata for Cello.

This year, Mathilde Handelsman and Edward Cho will take us on a captivating journey, exploring J.S. Bach’s profound influence on Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Mendelssohn. Bach's genius, spanning over two hundred years, has left an indelible mark on the Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras. This performance not only offers a fascinating excursion into musical history but also a chance to experience some exceptionally fine pieces written for cello and piano. The Bistro’s excellent acoustics will beautifully showcase this pair of instruments. Handelsman and Cho are both recent doctoral graduates of Shenandoah Conservatory. Both were students of John O’Conor and Julian Schwarz,

Both Handelsman and Cho are recent doctoral graduates of Shenandoah Conservatory.  Both were students respectively of John O’Conor and Julian Schwarz who are world-renowned performers.

Handelsman, from a musical Parisian family, has been praised for her “calm technical mastery, immediate understanding of balance” as well as “extraordinary vigor, flawless musicality.”  Her solo album, Images, features Claude Debussy’s complete piano works of 1903-07.  Her career as a soloist and collaborator has led her to perform across Europe and the United States under conductors such as Seiji Ozawa.  Recent season highlights include her solo debut at Carnegie in 2022 and playing at the Tanglewood Music Festival alongside Yo-Yo Ma.  

Cho, a Canadian Korean, is originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.  He has toured with orchestras in Europe, soloed with orchestras in Ontario and New Brunswick, and won numerous competitions in Canada.  As a chamber musician, Cho has studied with several acclaimed quartets.  He studied first as a piano major.  He soloed one evening with a fine Canadian orchestra as both pianist and cellist.  He also holds degrees from Indiana University and Wilfred Laurier University.

The performance, which is open to the public, begins at 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 cash at the door. We thank our sponsor - Atlantic Union Bank.

Remembering Together: An intergenerational dementia story time in partnership with the Handley Library System and Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury.

Do you love someone living with dementia? Join us for family Storytime featuring books about families like yours, followed by a brief structured playtime and sharing of dementia resources with attending adults.

Background:  The Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury (SVWC) Foundation has purchased roughly 70+ children's dementia-related books to donate to the Handley Library system. In addition, these books will be featured in a once-monthly family story time, Remembering Together, with readings provided by SVWC staff volunteers followed by a brief after-book playtime utilizing the skills of staff readers. 

Activities may include (but are not limited to) a sing-along with our music therapist, a visit from Westminster's certified dementia therapy dog, an art activity with our art instructor, a movement activity with our activity staff, and so on. An informational handout reflecting various dementia resources in the greater community will be provided to adult participants. The SVWC Foundation also approved purchasing duplicates of these books to have available at SVWC for residents and families. 

SVWC Music Therapist Abigail D'Arcangelis came up with the idea for this program proposal because she is passionate about serving those living with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders as well as their families, something that her work involves a significant amount of. She co-leads a committee charged with improving life for those living with dementia at SVWC and in the greater community. In addition, Abby co-facilitates two dementia care partner support groups. In her personal life, her toddler loves attending story time at Handley, and they read many books at home, so combining her love of children's books and dementia care seemed like an excellent concept. We hope you will join in!

‍Remembering Together family Storytime will meet on the 4th Saturday of every month, rotating through each library branch.

Home | Handley Regional Library System

‍May 25 - 1 pm at the Handley Library, 100 W. Piccadilly St., Winchester, VA 22601