Bringing together community, culture and commerce

The world is what we make it. In that world, we can create magic if we only wish for it. Much cultural magic has already enriched our community, as seen in events like the History Book Festival, Lewes in Bloom, the Lewes Public Library’s SummerScape programs, the Socrates Café gatherings, Sodelo musical events, the Fireside Chat and Science and Society series, and initiatives by environmental, LGBTQ and civil rights groups. But there is more – much more – we can do to improve our community’s culture.  

Of course, to do these things, we need more venues, since the calendar of the Lewes Public Library, an amazing cultural rainmaker, is busier than ever. Some of the same holds true for local churches and public schools. Until Lewes has its own community center – an idea long overdue – we must be more creative about how and where to host cultural events. That’s where local businesses come into play.  

Case in point: On Oct. 7, 1955, Allen Ginsberg famously recited his “Howl” poem at the Six Gallery in San Francisco. The gallery was an old auto repair shop. It was a landmark moment in literary history. There is a cultural lesson there.      

Sometimes, a commercial venue can serve multiple purposes. For example, the Nectar Cafe & Juice Bar, off Second Street, serves food and beverages; its spacious venue closes at 3 p.m. This means that later in the day, the space might be available for cultural events. Lisa McDonald, Nectar’s owner, recognized this potential when she suggested to Mary Alice Kelly, chair of the Lewes 250 Committee, that a 1776 event be held at her restaurant. A meeting of the minds created magic when tickets went on sale for the celebratory event, complete with special decorations and period costumes. The event, the first of several, was a huge success. In the process, culture found another welcoming home in Lewes. 

That reveals something about community, culture and commerce. Consider this: Wherever there’s unused commercial space, there’s cultural potential. That space can host cultural events like poetry readings, jazz performances, talks on diet and health, bicycle safety programs and interviews with book authors. Returning to Lisa McDonald’s Nectar model, what if they launched something called “Nectar Nights”? Imagine these cultural events happening once or twice a month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. People would pay a small fee to attend. Afterward, if the event wasn’t a dinner one, attendees could go out to dinner at a nearby restaurant – a boost for local businesses.   

How can we best bring such ideas to fruition? Betsy Reamer at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce may have suggestions, especially given the chamber’s important role in enriching our community’s culture. After all, what benefits our community can also benefit local businesses if we choose to make it so. 

There is also this: What if various business venues – whether they are restaurants, coffee shops (think poetry readings), clothing stores (think fashion shows), art galleries (think artist interviews), bookstores (think author-to-author exchanges), medical offices (think talks on preventing cancer), law offices (think estate-planning events) or even bars (think book events related to the new biography of John Prine) all played a role? The folks over at the “We in Lewes” podcast might also contribute in their unique way. 

The Cinema Art Theater has begun to host lecture programs, among other activities. And The Listening Booth on Route 1 hosts a variety of creative musical programs. All of this contributes to a cultural quilt that makes our community even more remarkable. Such venues could also be used for fundraising to support worthy charities and local nonprofit groups.     

Mayor Amy Marasco makes a telling point: “History lives through our historic character, culture and legacy. It also lives vividly through our public art displays and performing arts venues. These spark our imagination; they can evoke a sense of wonder; and yes, they can bring magic to our everyday lives.”

Our community has a wealth of talent and civic pride. We should explore that cultural potential more deeply. Should we organize a public brainstorming session to probe that potential?  

Again, the world is what we make it. So, let us join arms and minds and make Lewes even more magical. You in? Ideas welcome!