Eye On The Arts, April 9

Caption: Robbie Robertson (right) and the members of The Band. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures/Elliot Landy.

HamptonsFilm continues its “Now Showing” series this week with Oscilloscope Labs “Saint Frances,” directed by Alex Thompson and starring Kelly O’Sullivan, Charin Alvarz and Braden Crothers. The film tells the story of a deadbeat nanny, who after an accidental pregnancy and abortion finds an unlikely friendship with the six-year old she is charged with protecting.

Hamptons Film dropped that film for screen for the week of April 6. The week of April 13, “Now Showing” will continue with Magnolia Pictures “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band.” Directed by Daniel Roher and starring Martin Scorsese, Marilyn Monroe and Bob Dylan, the film is the confessional, cautionary and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in popular music, The Band.

The films are available for rent for $12 for three days and supports the filmmakers, the Hamptons International Film Festival and Guild Hall. Visit hamptonsfilmfest.org for more information and to access rentals through “Now Showing.”

Want to go to the Springs General Store, Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk or Parish of the Sacred Heart in Southampton, without breaking social distancing rules? One New York City-based author has you covered.

Color Our Town founder Jake Rose announced this week he would bring his celebrated coloring pages featuring scenes to the Hamptons into the homes of those sheltering in place for free.

“In these challenging times, I want to do something to help others,” said Rose in an email this week. “I know that it is important that we stay home, but I also know being cooped up for long periods can be trying.”

Rose has created what he is calling “Color The Hamptons … While You Are Stuck Inside,” a collection of free coloring pages available for download at bit.ly/freehamptons.

“I hope that this small gesture helps people in some way and brings them a bit of enjoyment and relaxation,” said Rose.

Tripoli Gallery owner Tripoli Patterson has announced he will bring is Wainscott gallery exhibition, Alice Hope’s “Surge” online during the gallery’s temporary closure due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak.

The exhibit can be viewed online at tripoligallery.com and at the gallery’s Instagram profile, @tripoligallery.

Guests can also view previous exhibitions on the website, including the “15th Annual Thanksgiving Collective: What Have We Done.”

The Hampton Theatre Company wants to help local theatre students break a leg.

HTC has announced its Peter Marbury Scholarship, created in the name of the company’s longtime set designer, Peter Marbury, who died in 2009, has been extended to April 30.

The HTC scholarship is for graduating seniors from local high schools who have shown ability in theatre arts, whether in the high school or at the community level who plan to further their theatre education after graduation.

Applications, including the name, mailing address, phone number, school district of the student, as well as a personal essay and performance/participation resume featuring theater and music-related activities, should be mailed to George Loizides, Scholarship Administrator, at stagecoach46@gmail.com. The application must also include two letters of recommendation, including one from a teacher or director in theater or music.

Winners will be mailed a congratulatory letter and check and have their names added to the list of winners in programs for future HTC productions.

One singer-songwriter is trying to find the bright side during turbulent times.

On April 3, local guitarist, singer, and songwriter John Tocco — an East Quogue resident — released his debut album of original music, “Almost on the Bright Side.” The album is available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, and download services.

Tocco has been an active part of the local music community for years. Most recently, he has been seen performing with noted Long Island singer and YouTuber Emi Pellegrino, local cover band Souled Out, and jazz singer Maddy Seitles. He also performed with the Southampton Cultural Center in their recent production of The Little Mermaid, serving as the music director and orchestra conductor.

Tocco originally planned for a May release for his debut solo album, but announced the early release in April amid the Covid-19 pandemic in an effort to bring music to people during a time of crisis.

Hamptons Doc Fest executive director Jacqui Lofaro has announced the nonprofit will be sharing a “Fest Favorite” documentary film every Wednesday as a mid-week treat for all their fans to enjoy. The films can be enjoyed at hamptonsdocfest.com.

The nonprofit began with a screening of “Penny and Red: The Life of Secretariat’s Owner,” about the life of Penny Chenery Tweedy, “the first lady of racing," with her famous racehorse Secretariat who won the Triple Crown. The documentary is still being offered at no charge, courtesy of Penny’s son and filmmaker John Tweedy, along with the introductory remarks and post film “question and answer” session with John Tweedy and celebrated horse racing sports writer Bill Nack.

In tribute to the passing of four-time Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally on March 24 from complications from corona virus, Hamptons Doc Fest is also making the film “Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life” available through its website. The film was directed/produced by Jeff Kaufman and served as the Opening Night Film at Hamptons Doc Fest in December 2018. The website includes the post-film “question and answer” session led by actor Harris Yulin, with McNally and his husband Tom Kirdahy.

The film first offered on Wednesday, April 1, and still available, along with the question and answer session with director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, is “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” about the life of the Nobel Prize-winning author.

To coincide with the start of Passover, the film available Wednesday, April 8 is “In Search of Israeli Cuisine,” directed by the South Fork’s own Roger Sherman.

Keep referring to HamptonsDocFest.com for each week’s “Fest Favorite” recommendation.

The Education Department of the Parrish Art Museum has created Live from the Studio, a new series of free, live-streamed art workshops every Wednesday morning, featuring a rotating roster of Parrish teaching artists. The series kicked off Wednesday, April 8, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. with painter Barbara Thomas, who led a Still Life Flower Painting class, inspired by selections from the Parrish collection and her own works.

It will continue at the same time with Eric Dever on April 15 and Laurie Lambrecht on April 22. All classes will be recorded and available on parrishart.org for future viewing.

"The artists who teach at the Parrish each have their own expertise and following. They have volunteered to share workshops from their studios to connect with students from home,” said Cara Conklin-Wingfield, Parrish Education Director. “We all need art right now and Barbara and the other artists are generously sharing their time to bring art to the Parrish community. They are helping to keep us connected through making art."

WPPB 88.3 FM, the newly acquired NPR station by WNET, New York, will simulcast WLIW Channel 21’s airing of WNET’s MetroFocus, the magazine show focusing on the New York region every weeknight at 11 p.m. Ed German’s show — Friday Night Soul — will run from 8 to 11 p.m., followed immediately by the MetroFocus simulcast. Expect the show to expand featuring guests and experts from the East End of Long Island.

MetroFocus is a multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. The MetroFocus television program features news, smart conversations, in-depth reporting, content from many partners and solutions-oriented reports from the community. Major areas of coverage include sustainability, education, science and technology, the environment, transportation, poverty and underserved communities.