Around Town Aug. 10

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on August 10, 2017

Boyd Martin and his Olympic mount Blackfoot Mystery. (Photo by Jenni Autry.) Plantation Field International Horse Trials are scheduled for Sept. 14-17 at Plantation Field, 387 Green Valley Road.

• On Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m., visitors to the Brandywine River Museum of Art can gain insights into Andrew Wyeth's approach to portraiture during a lecture and conversation presented by Audrey Lewis, curator at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, and Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, associate professor of American Art at the University of Pennsylvania. Lewis will focus on local subjects including Karl and Anna Kuerner and Helga Testorf. Shaw will consider Wyeth's relationships with models from Chadds Ford's African-American community. The museum will open at 5:30 p.m., with a reception after the lecture. Admission is $20, $15 for members.

• The Kennett Symphony of Chester County presents Symphony Under The Stars – Love is in the Air, at Longwood Garden's Open Air Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside at Unionville High School Auditorium. Single ticket prices are $40 in advance, $45 on the day of the concert. Students are $10. Ticket price includes the concert, access to visiting Longwood Gardens during the day on the day of the concert, the post-concert illuminated fountain performance in the new Main Fountain Garden, and free parking. For complete information visit www.KennettSymphony.org or call 610 444 6363.

Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling will perform at the Kennett Flash on Saturday, Aug. 19.

• The Kennett Flash presents Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling with special guest Rich Harkaway on Saturday, Aug. 19. Doors open for the early show at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show. Doors open for the late show at 9:30. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.kennettflash.org. This performance includes adult themes and language.

• Birmingham Township will celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine at Sandy Hollow, the actual location for the heaviest fighting of the Sept. 11, 1777 battle, the largest land battle of the War of Independence. The two-day event is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17. Admission is free. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be battle re-enactments, lectures, fife and drum music and lots of food. For more information, go to https://www.brandywine2017.org

• Plantation Field International Horse Trials are scheduled for Sept. 14-17 at Plantation Field, 387 Green Valley Rd. Brand new for this year, Plantation Field has partnered with the Retired Racehorse Project as our beneficiary to showcase the incredible American Thoroughbred. These horses can have successful second careers in other disciplines after they leave the track, and our aim is to highlight their talent and heart throughout the weekend. The Retired Racehorse Project will give a demonstration on Saturday featuring horses that will compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park in October. We will also have celebrity Thoroughbreds like Icabad Crane making an appearance at the event.

• The Neumann University Center for Leadership is providing free programs for open registration. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about real-world practical solutions to help make their companies, families, schools, health care facilities and organizations well informed and equipped with up to date resources. On Sept. 20, the program is Communications Primer: Meet the News Directors and Learn How To Tell Your Story. The speaker will be Eugene Sonn, the audio news director for WHYY. The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To register, go here.

• Darlington Arts Center is now taking registrations for fall classes and workshops. Programs include workshops in creative arts and movie making, as well as Mommy and Me craft and pottery workshops. To register, go here.

• State Rep Eric Roe, R-158, announced that a new law set to go into effect Aug. 25 will change the way most first-time DUI offenders are penalized in Pennsylvania. The new law will require most first-time offenders with a blood-alcohol level higher than 0.10 percent to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle. Under the new law, most first-time offenders would be eligible to immediately drive with the ignition interlock without having to wait an entire year. Those who are eligible can petition PennDOT for a new Ignition Interlock Limited License, allowing them to install the device for one year and continue to drive. The law will also apply to drivers who refuse to submit to chemical testing. They will be eligible for early interlock after six months.