AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace
The sultry sounds of the Brazilian Jazz Quartet echoed across the appealing setting of the courtyard at Cafe Mezzanotte as musicians and artists worked their magic beneath sunny skies.
Presented by Jazz Beyond Borders, the event was an enjoyable showcase for musical groups from far and near and for local artists whose work is represented in several Severna Park galleries.
On arriving, most Art In The Park attendees sauntered by various artists at work along the sidewalks before gathering at white linen-draped tables beyond the restaurant’s bountiful gardens.
Three jazz groups performed throughout the afternoon on an improvised stage at one end of the courtyard. The Alex Laquement Trio kicked things off with music that was a crossover between bluegrass and jazz. In addition to Baltimorean Laquement on bass, the trio featured Luke Chohany on electric guitar and E.J. Shaull-Thompson on drums.
They were followed in mid-afternoon by The Brazilian Jazz Ensemble Quartet featuring Rose Moraes from Sao Paulo, Brazil on vocals, leader Leo Lucini from Rio De Janeiro on bass, Jose Luis Martin on keyboards and Lucas Ashby on drums. Their mix of sambas, bossa novas and Baiao music transported the audience south to Brazil.
Along the sidewalks art lovers found a veritable feast for the eyes beginning with the tables of Side Street Framers and Gift Gallery’s wide array of handcrafted jewelry and paintings by local artists. For more than three decades, the family-owned Park Plaza shop has been known for carrying the work of our area’s most talented creators.
Owner/manager Dawn Wilson brought artist Paul DeRemegis with her and displayed a number of his paintings at one end of the shop’s display. DeRemegis’ works are among those most sought after by local art collectors.
An easel set up at the far end of Side Street Framer’s exhibit contained two still-in-progress works of artist Jane Ferguson who’d gone off to view other artists’ work.
Molding clay in the great outdoors suited potters Caleb Gerlach and Mark Weaver just fine. In addition to the small vase Caleb had just finished and removed from the wheel, the pair brought many finished works from The ClayGround Studio and Gallery in historic Ellicott City that were for sale. Many pieces of pottery had Halloween themes.
Opposite the potters, award-winning teacher and landscape painter Richard Niewerth and plein air painter Abigail McBride were adding accents to their canvases while savoring the scene around them spiced by classic Latin tunes like Summer Samba (also known as “So Nice”) from The Brazilian Jazz Ensemble. Niewerth and McBride were representing Benfield Gallery which carries their work though both have had their paintings displayed in a number of galleries locally and further afield.
“Isn’t this great, the vibe here is amazing,” said McBride. “This is my first time getting to paint with Richard. We both taught at Anne Arundel Community College but he’s the real deal where I only taught one class. I’m so excited to watch what he’s doing.”
She added that it was great to be part of a low-key arts fest where there are not too many vendors and it’s about getting some food, hanging out and listening to jazz.
“You get exposure to an art scene that’s hyper-local to Severna Park,” she said.
Artists Richard Niewerth and Abigail McBride loved working in the open. 
Both were representing Benfield Gallery where some of their work is shown.
Finding their own shady spot close to the musicians, friends John Anderson, Ann Bangert and Lindy Anderkin were thoroughly enjoying themselves sipping tea, cocktails and quaffing snacks, grooving to the Latin rhythms and trading neighborhood news. All three had been to Jazz at the Mezz events, in coordination with Jazz Without Borders, at Cafe Mezzanotte before.
“Jazz at the Mezz” takes place at Cafe Mezzanotte every third Sunday of the month and the next one is inside on October 1st, Anderkin said. “But this time being outdoors, it’s just so lovely.”
There was much more to see. A large indoor gallery opened to the courtyard was filled with art from Gallery 564 and Benfield Gallery.
The space was divided between the two, with one half featuring a wide range of art from Gallery 564. Located in the heart of Olde Severna Park, Gallery 564 showcases paintings, photography, and fine art objects from Severna Park, Annapolis and Baltimore artists.
Among the artists represented was Sandy Travis Bildahl who had two abstract acrylic works on canvas on display. Bildahl’s work has also been exhibited at the Mitchell Gallery and MFA Circle galleries in Annapolis among other places. Sandy’s husband, well-known photographer John Bildahl – a partner in Gallery 564 with Michael Brown – had several images on display as well.
Moving on to the opposite half of the gallery we discovered an incredible array of paintings and fine art objects from Benfield Gallery on Jumper’s Hole Road. According to gallery representative Cheryl Farquhart, the works exhibited included several giclee prints from the McBride Gallery in Annapolis with which they are affiliated. However, most pieces were created by artists unique to Benfield Gallery.
Farquhar added that several of the artists represented at Art In The Park also have pieces in Benfield Gallery’s current show “Rythm in Blue”. In fact, popular artist Kathy Dawalt’s acrylic collages, seen here, are also part of that show. Dawalt will be having a solo show at the gallery starting October 1st.
We caught up with Cafe Mezzanote owner and Art In The Park host Tommie Koukoulis and wife Pohai who brought their whole family to the event to absorb and enjoy the music and atmosphere. According to Koukoulis, Cafe Mezzanote began Jazz at the Mezz as a kind of supper club with jazz at the suggestion of customer Theresa Sise. A budding jazz vocalist who also works for Jazz Without Borders, Sise had stopped to dine at the restaurant with her mother and was taken with the cordial atmosphere and Mediterranean cuisine.
“We’ve been doing Jazz at the Mezz for two years now very successfully even when we went virtual for a couple months during the pandemic. We’ve worked with Jazz Without Borders to bring in local, regional and international jazz groups. This is the second annual Art In The Park we’ve held with the help of our sponsor, The Severna Park Voice.
Toward the end of the afternoon, we met Jazz Beyond Borders Executive Director Paula Phillips who’d been busy keeping everything running smoothly and was happy to take a break. Phillips, a well-known educator and promoter of the arts, has worked hand-in-glove with Koukoulis on all Cafe Mezzanotte’s jazz events. Phillips was pleased with the mix of music presented and still looking forward to the final performance by Bethesda-based bassist Phil Rivita’s Ravita Jazz with renderings of tunes from Miles Davis, Chick Corea and other artists.
A reminder: Baldwin Hall’s 2nd Annual Craft Fair & Flea Market October 2
Historic Baldwin Hall’s 2nd Annual Craft Show & Flea Market Fundraiser will be held Sunday, October 2 from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be booths and tables of handmade crafts, jewelry and flea market treasures across the grounds and also inside the Hall. There will be food available as well from Hotdog Hideout. Baldwin Hall is located at 1368 Millersville Road in Millersville.
Shoptoberfest with a Trick or Treat Twist on October 22nd
The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced that this year’s autumn SHOP LOCAL extravaganza at Park Plaza will be held Saturday, October 22 from 11 am to 3 pm. In addition to shopping, there will be trick or treating, a costume contest, games, and entertainment. More details to come.
Around The Park Again is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for football game tailgates.
What a thorough article. Thank you! Our next monthly concert is on Sunday, October 16. Lynn Veronneau & Friends will present “Blue Tapestry,” featuring the music of Joni Mitchell and Carol King!
Tickets are from instant seats. Select Cafe Mezzanotte as the venue: https://instnt.us/CafeMezz