The annual Middletown Renaissance Pageant begins performances Friday. Photo by Michelle Stein.

MIDDLETOWN – It is a family affair for the 16th annual Middletown Renaissance Pageant as five sets of families are participating.

Dr. Kimberly Fordham, Lady Greystone, is joined by her daughter Emily and father Gregg; Jon Haber, Lord Greystone and his wife Stephanie Haber, Lady Montvale; Dennis Fay, Lord Berkshire, and Jo Anne Fay, Lady Fairfax; twins Jasmine and Jaime Rainey are tumblers, Barbara Clark, Lady Alexandra Fairfax is joined by her son Robert Clark who plays Cedric.

An additional 14 persons round out the cast for the two hour event which features a three-course meal, 17 songs, dancing, games and audience participation.

If four or more tickets are purchased a $5 discount is available from the $35 price. No tickets are sold at the door.

Join them at Greystone Castle – aka the Historic Middletown Community United Methodist Stone Church – on Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 6, and Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 13, for this year’s Renaissance Pageant and Feast.

Tickets are at the Arts Council Gallery on Main Street in Lakeport, Neft & Neft Realtors on Calistoga Street in Middletown and by phone at 707 987-2653.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Guests are asked to arrive between 15 and 20 minutes early as there is no late seating. Special seating is provided for groups of four or more.

The pageant is produced by the Middletown Community United Methodist Church and community players.

"Greystone Castle” is located at 15843 Armstrong Street, at Washington, one block east of Highway 29.

For tickets call 707-987-2653. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check www.middletownmethodist.org .

Saddle Ceratops by Larry Williams is 18 inches high by 23 inches long. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – The Rotary Club of Middletown is pleased to sponsor the premier of Wine Country Saddle Trees of Middletown art exhibit on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The exhibit will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 21168 Calistoga St. (Highway 29) in downtown Middletown.

It will remain open for free viewing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, and Monday, Dec. 7.

The premier, a benefit for the Wiloth Equine Therapy Program on Saturday, includes great art, interesting artists, acoustic music, wine and refreshments. A door charge of $10 per person will help support Wiloth’s equine therapy programs.

A saddle tree is the seat and horn form of an equestrian saddle before it is padded, leathered, tooled and becomes a working saddle.

There are nine saddle tree works in the exhibit. Artists were asked to provide sculptural reinterpretations of the form.

The exhibit explores themes and concepts that are closely linked to the artist’s experiences. The viewer will be struck by the widely varied interpretations in these pieces.

Beauty, history, fantasy and personal struggle are some of the themes captured within the formal concerns of color, shape and texture. The effect is an intriguing synergy of expression and purpose.

Featured artists are Glinda Addington, Reeba Barrows, Christalene Loren, David McMillen, Julia Regina, Jeanne Marble Tennison, Karen Turcotte and Larry Williams.

The exhibit is a project of EcoArts of Lake County and has been over a year in the making. Wine Country Saddle Trees of Middletown premiers in Middletown before traveling to the Gualala and Mendocino Arts Centers.

EcoArts of Lake County, 501©3 nonprofit arts organization, is dedicated to bringing visual arts opportunities and ecologic stewardship to the resident and visitors of Lake County.

For more information visit www.EcoArtsofLakeCounty.org .

The Last Scythian by Christalene Loren, approximately 4 feet high by 3 feet wide. Courtesy photo.

The reception will be held from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 325 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

New in the December show are Phil Mathewson, with his bold and provocative acrylic abstracts; Jo Bergeson presents an eclectic show in oils with subject matter ranging from nudes to abstracts; Julie Cole's more traditional works in oil will be on display; and, under the tutelage of Richard Seisser, Shelby Posada is presenting a collection softly painted pastels.

Continuing in the December show are Bruce Vandariss, exhibiting his vivid paintings done in colored pencil, and Toni Stewart's one-of-a-kind handcrafted hats.

The popular artist Ray Farrow is showing a new side of his talent with his abstracts while Elaine Lewis displays her flair with acrylics.

Keith Nelson's 8-foot metal giraffe gains immediate attention as you walk into the gallery, but take time to examine his other work as well. Each of Bill Blum's miniature wooden gnome homes hold a surprise. To accompany them, Chris Schreier has fashioned wee folk art gnomes.

Sunny Franson's beautifully executed oils reflect wonderfully soft landscapes and wildlife of Lake County. Judy Cardinale continues in this show exhibiting watercolor landscapes and seascapes. Rounding out this fine collection of artists is the intricately fashioned jewelry by Anna Koot.

Returning to the Linda Carpenter Gallery to show their ever-growing talent and experimentation with various mediums and techniques are students from Cobb Mountain under the energetic guidance of Linda Prather. This is not just a student exhibition but a fine example of how art expands our lives by having us explore other cultures, nature and science.

For the December show, the gallery will have the work of kindergarten students who have been studying Picasso with Tappy Nelson and executing their own work in watercolor. Mrs. Ferguson's upper grades have been studying how light effects shading and color in their study of pears. How appropriate for Lake County. These students are very fortunate to have the encouragement of the very talented docent Glenda Wilson.

The Lake County Arts Council welcomes you to join them at the beginning of this holiday season for an evening of art. Meet the featured artists and sample the awardwinning wines from High Valley Vineyard.

Adding to the celebration of the evening will be the fine sounds of Linda Brown on harp.

We look forward to meeting with you and sharing our gallery and gift shop during this very special time of year.

For more information call the Main Street Gallery at 707-263-6658.

The Dastardly Dr. Devereaux is played by Chris Murphy, with Nurse Cratchit played by Cathy O'Connell. Sitting in amazement is Shelby Posada. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Arts Council (LCAC) is preparing to present “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre opening in December.

The production will begin with a 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday, Dec. 5, and an evening performance at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Three more performances will round out the show on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, Dec. 14.

This is a very entertaining musical melodrama giving the audience an opportunity to interact with the actors by hissing and booing the villain and cheering on the hero or heroine, which ever may be the case. It's a theatrical production that will put you in the holiday mood and is appropriate for the entire family.

"Although, we have produced the Winter Music Fest and the Spring Dance Festival for over 18 years, it's been some time since LCAC has been involved in a theatrical production and the first for LCAC at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre," said President Sandi Ciaradelli. "We are especially pleased to be partnering in this endeavor with Mendocino College-Lake Side by holding Acting Class 200 at the Soper-Reese and culminating with the presentation of the play."

LCAC'S Executive Director Shelby Posada emphasized the important role that the arts can play in the educational process. With LCAC taking an active role in working with the college by supporting the class and play, we are showing how two major non-profits can interact to encourage the arts, further education and, in the process, benefit the community.

The Soper-Reese Theatre provides the perfect setting for teaching an acting class on a real stage, in a real theater and thus enhancing the learning experience for the 25 students, the instructor/director, the producers and all who are involved in this "win/win" production. This is what a community theater is all about.

For more information visit the Soper-Reese's Web site at www.soperreesetheatre.com or call Jenna Radtke at 707-533-7472.

CLEARLAKE – “Moonlight and Melodrama” is a unique dining experience for everyone that will be hosted at The Lakehouse Lamplighter in Clearlake at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28.

Tickets are $15 a piece, or $25 a couple.

For the cost of a ticket patrons receive a beer/wine ticket, an appetizer, a dinner, a dessert, and a sneak-peak at the upcoming production, "The Dastardly Doctor Deveraux."

Children are welcome and tickets are available now for presale at Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, Wildhurst Winery in Kelseyville, Wild About Books in Clearlake and Shannon Ridge Winery in Clearlake Oaks.

For tickets or more information, please call Jenna Radtke at 707-533-7472.