The joy of Nicholas Simmons' watercolor is in the burst of color and immense energy, which are clearly representative of their artist. Mr. Simmons' first career was music, but he painted commissions in his spare time. When the painting became more time-consuming than music, he decided to paint full time and see what happened. A wise decision as he receives subtantial recognition for his work. Gallery RoCa is his Maryland representative, where his work is always available to view. Gallery RoCa is located at 220 N. Washington in Havre de Grace. For more information, call 410-939-6182.

Nicholas Simmons
Gallery RoCa

Rodgers and Hart joined the ranks of many modern composers and lyricists who look to Shakespeare for "great material"! They took a close look at the master's "The Comedy of Errors," tweaked and laughed and came up with a terrific musical they called "The Boys from Syracuse." Director David Schweizer has re-upped this Broadway classic for the boards at CENTERSTAGE where it is running now until January 14. Rhea welcomes Production Dramaturg Gavin Witt to Artworks This Week to talk about this latest production.

CENTERSTAGE

Joyous Voices is a talented group of professional carolers that welcome the holidays with seasonal music beautifully sung by brightly costumed performers. They inspire a merry mood, dressed in Dickens-era recreations. Concert-quality a cappella quartets deliver gorgeous arrangements of everybody's favorite classicsý Joyous Voices spread holiday cheer to all, whether for intimate company or public gatherings.

Joyous Voices

Towson University's Children's Dance Division is a unique program that reaches out to the community. With more than 80 dance courses available to children ages 3 to 18, this program aims to take children as far as possible, even into the professional realm of dance. The next major performances by the group will be Nutcracker performances with the Moscow Ballet at Baltimore's Lyric Opera House from December 21-23, and with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater at the Hippodrome Theater from December 28-30.

Towson University's Children's Dance Division

This week's Salon art is by artist Ruth Pettus. Her current show entitled "Pony Express" is on view at the Galerie Francoise E.S.F. located at 2360 Joppa Road, Lutherville. For more information, call 410-337-2787.

Ruth Pettus
Galerie Francoise E.S.F.

On ArtChat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss why U.S. art museums are in the midst of a building boom. Not to be left out of the current building frenzy in the arts, the Baltimore School for the Arts received a major donation, from actress Jada Pinkett Smith and that will be used as part of a major renovation and expansion at the school, totaling 30 million dollars. And the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels announced this week that it had acquired the maritime collection of Robert H. Burgess, the noted bay historian and writer, who died three years ago. It is believed to be one of the largest and most significant private collections of Chesapeake Bay maritime memorabilia in existence.