CD RELEASE SHOW @ TRUMPETS, AUGUST 7, 2 SETS

Bryant/Fabian/Marsalis: Do For You?
CD Release Show

WHEN: Monday, August 7th, 7:30pm and 9:30pm
WHERE: Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ 07042
 (973) 744-2600
www.trumpetsjazz.com

Lance Bryant and Christian Fabian met in the Lionel Hampton Big Band, and were brought up like Jason Marsalis in old school jazz roots. And they religiously practice the first commandment of the old school:

“Thou shalt give the audience a great show!”

do for you? is proof that jazz roots grow into exciting new tunes, thrive in new times, and produce new jazz masters.

The album showcases new compositions by Bryant and Fabian, with a tune by Marsalis, and the Trio’s collective mastery and virtuosity is consistently front and center. These artists have not only mastered every corner of the tradition—they can do anything. The virtuostic Bryant on saxophone, a groovy solo by Fabian mixing funk and hip-hop flavor, expert punctuation by Marsalis on drums, lightning speed as quick and exciting as it is clean—they can do anything. Of A Certain Age by Bryant, with its nostalgic ballad feel and an artful performance by the Trio, could easily pass for a jazz standard.

The Band never loses its tightness...through impressive solo fills from Marsalis, Fabian’s gloriously clear pizzicato, pitch bends and grooves...Marsalis’ skillful Brazilian rhythms and timbres...unrelenting and funky drum and bass grooves, blazing saxophone melodies...the Band keeps surprising and amazing, and leaves us wowed.

From the liner notes by — Kabir Sehgal & Latin Grammy Award® winner New York City, June 2017

FAMILY TALE OF OLD WEST @ SOMERSET VALLEY PLAYERS IN HILLSBOROUGH

Wagon Wheels West
Directed by Tina Lee
Produced by Karen Abbatiello

WHEN: July 21 - August 6, 2017. Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm. 
WHERE: Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Rd./Route 514, Hillsborough
TICKETS:  General Admission $15; Seniors/Students $13
To Buy Tickets:  Visit the website at www.svptheatre.org
For Further Info:  Call 908-369-7469

Giddy-up, lil' partner! It's time for some rootin'- tootin' good ole fun in this high-steppin', thigh-slappin', laugh-a-minute musical family tale of the old west.  Our happy hero Chuck Wagon gets stranded in the tiny town of Vinegar Bottle and has to battle his way out of a heap of big trouble while fightin' with the kookiest, craziest, and silliest darn townspeople you ever saw.  Come and see what High Noon will bring?

Theatre is wheelchair accessible.

“GREASE” IS THE WORD THIS WEEKEND FOR ASPIRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY

GREASE

WHEN: Friday, July 28 at 8:00pm, Saturday, July 29 at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, and Sunday, July 30 at 3:00pm
WHERE: Barn Theatre, located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ.
TICKETS:
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.aspirepac.com or contact Aspire PAC at 201-220-4933 or aspirepac@gmail.com.

One of the world's most popular musicals, Grease includes everyone you remember from Rydell High's senior class of 1959, including Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie, and all of the "Burger Palace Boys" and their "Pink Ladies!" Relive the romance of those "Summer Nights" and dance your way through "Greased Lightnin'" and all of the songs that became the soundtrack of a generation.

Aspire PAC’s production of Grease is directed and choreographed by Aspire PAC Artistic Director, Lisa Beth Vettoso, and features musical direction by Charles Linnell. Additional choreography is provided by Jaimie Michelle Bass. Cheryl Wilbur serves as Production Manager and Shannah Harris is the Stage Manager.

A rockin’ ensemble is led by Jonathan Cocca as Danny and Courtney Bulger and Olivia Howell alternating as Sandy. They are backed up by the Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies, an ensemble cast that includes Melody Appel, Jolien Avena, Leighann Albanese, Gerald Cetrulo, Jillian Cetrulo, Jade He, Ginger May, Louis Messercola, Annie Pascale, Anthony Paterno, Christina Silvestri and Jason Tobias.

Aspire Performing Arts Company was formed in January 2011 by Lisa Beth Vettoso and represents the culmination of her 20+ years of experience in the performing arts. Aspire PAC’s mission is to provide educational workshops and production opportunities for children and teens, offering a professional arts experience in a friendly atmosphere. Aspire PAC has earned a strong reputation in the Wayne, NJ area for its high-quality theatrical productions and professional arts experiences for local youth. In 2016, Aspire PAC was nominated for a New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) Award for its 2015 production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

For more information on Aspire Performing Arts Company, please visit www.aspirepac.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aspirepac

JAZZ CD RELEASE THIS SATURDAY IN MONTCLAIR

Dave Stryker Strykin' Ahead
(Strikezone 8815)

WHEN: Saturday, July 29 – 8:00pm and 10:00pm
WHERE: Trumpet’s Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ
www.davestryker.com

DAVE STRYKER guitar
STEVE NELSON vibraphone
JARED GOLD organ
McCLENTY HUNTER drums

The notion of moving forward by triangulating a space between creative and pragmatic imperatives is a consistent thread throughout Dave Stryker’s four decades in the jazz business, not least on Strykin’ Ahead, his 28th CD as a leader. Stryker augments his working trio of Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums with vibraphone player Steve Nelson, all on-board for a second go-round after their stellar contri- butions to last year’s Eight-Track II. Like the leader, Nelson is a preternaturally flexible and in-the-moment improviser with deep roots in the tradition who knows how to push the envelope without damaging the contents. Stryker internalized those imperatives on a 1984-1986 run with Brother Jack McDuff, and he received further invaluable training in the art of musical communication during a decade on the road with Stanley Turrentine, to whom he paid homage on the 2015 release Don’t Mess With Mister T.

In contrast to his Eight Track II conception of putting his spin on pop hits of his formative years, Stryker returns to his long-standing practice of presenting originals and reharmonized standards from the jazz and show music songbooks. "Shadowboxing" is a burning 14-bar minor blues; his well-considered chordal variations on Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" proceed to a simmering 5/4 figure. Next is "New You" (a stimulating Stryker contrafact of the oft-played "There Will Never Be Another You"). He personalizes Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower," set to Hunter's insinuating bossa-funk groove. The title track “Strykin’ Ahead” has a Cadillac-racing-down-the-freeway-feel; he imbues the lovely melody of "Who Can I Turn To" with the full measure of his plush, inviting tone.

That Stryker knows his Albert King is evident on the slow-drag “Blues Down Deep,” which evokes wee-hours third sets in the inner city grills and lounges of Stryker’s apprentice years. He knows his bebop, too. On Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” the solo flights over Stryker’s “modernized” progressions transpire over Hunter’s drum-bass beats and crisp, medium-up four-on-the cymbal; on the chopbusting “Donna Lee,” all members springboard off a churchy vamp and Hunter’s funk-infused swing.

“I’ve always wanted to write vehicles that are fun and interesting to blow over,” Stryker says. “Trying to come up with a beautiful melody that lasts is very fulfilling. Writing is a big part of my voice in this music.” Stryker is too modest to say that his voice is also a big part of jazz, to which he’s devoted a career marked by consistent application of the values that he espouses. But that’s all right—I’ll say it for him. (edited liner notes from Ted Panken)

FREE OUTDOOR THEATER: “TWELFTH NIGHT” OPENS THIS WEEKEND IN PLEASANT VALLEY PARK—BRING THE FAMILY!

Twelfth Night

WHEN: July 28, 29, and August 3, 4, and 5, at 8 pm
WHERE: Pleasant Valley Park, Valley Road (next to the Veterans Hospital at Lyons), in Basking Ridge. 
ADMISSION: free, but donations are gratefully accepted to help cover the cost of this production
Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, and a picnic dinner if you choose.  
For information, call 908-204-3003.

Twelfth Night, an enjoyable jumble of mistaken identity, romantic triangles, and colorful characters, was originally written for Queen Elizabeth’s celebration of Epiphany, the twelfth night after Christmas, and was originally entitled What You Will. The play has been produced on Broadway numerous times, most recently during the 2013-2014 season, a production that received six Tony nominations and two awards.  The play has also been a popular vehicle for the movies and television five times in the past thirty years with many familiar faces from both media reprising the roles.

Juliette Hommes of Branchburg and Michael Jay of Hackettstown play the identical twins, Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck.  After Viola disguises herself as a man, The Countess Olivia, played by Emily Miller of Bloomingdale, and a confused Duke Orsino, portrayed by Peter Curley of Maplewood both fall in love with her.  Olivia’s madcap household is comprised of Tim Murphy (Denville) as her hard-drinking uncle, Sir Toby Belch, Kelly Maizenaski (Branchburg) as the wise and witty servant, Maria, and the self-important Steward, Malvolio, is played by Chris Gibbs (Fanwood).  Adam Barr  (Basking Ridge) is the clown Feste, who joins Alicia Hayes (Belleville) as servant Fabian and Aaron Kellner (West Orange) as wealthy, but not too bright, houseguest Sir Andrew Aguecheek as they all torment the overblown Malvolio.  When twin brother Sebastian appears on the scene, confusion reigns.  Other characters include servants Curio and Valentine played by Elizabeth Dreitlein (New Providence) and Elizabeth Sanchez-Quinones (Montclair).   Kevin Vislocky (Hamburg) as Sebastian’s friend Antonio and Hank Barre (Basking Ridge) as the Captain round out this talented cast.  Director Paul Bettys of Parsippany keeps the action moving and the laughs coming in this favorite Shakespeare comedy.

The partnership of Trilogy Repertory and Bernards Township has produced over three decades of family entertainment and achieved several awards for both groups for excellence in theater programming.  Most prominent are the awards from ACT (Achievement in Community Theater) and the prestigious “Excellence in Cultural Arts Programming.”  “Twelfth Night” is made possible, in part, by support from New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR NEW SHOW "FABULOUS FAKES"

FABULOUS FAKES

WHEN: September 13 to October 7, 2017 Opening Reception will be held Sunday, September 17 from 4 to 6 PM
WHERE: ACL Art Gallery, 2310 Carillon Way, Livingston, NJ

The ACL Art Gallery announces its fall show and invites artists to submit artwork featuring original works created in the manner of your favorite Art Masters, whether from old or from modern schools of art. The art can be an exact copy or an imitation of the style and subject matter of a recognized Master.  

All media will be accepted, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, glassware and textiles including wearable art.

Submissions of artwork will be received on Monday, September 11, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Gallery.

For further information, call Vivian Olshen at 973-650-6374.

SUMMER FUN CONTINUES @ HUNTERDON ART MUSEUM

Summer Camps to Explore Fun Forms, Nature Art and More

If you haven't enrolled your kids in one of our summer camps, don't think they've missed out on all the fun! We have several more weeks of terrific camps remaining including Theater Camp: Where the Sidewalk Ends, LEGO® Robotics, Pinhole Photography and Egyptian Art.

We offer an enriching classroom experience thanks to our faculty of professional artists and teachers. Our camps are fun, week-long immersions into a theme, medium or skill. Most camps are half-day so students can enjoy different activities throughout the day and from week to week.

A few popular second-half offerings can be found below, but go here to see the entire list:

• 2D/3D Art Studio (starts July 31, 1 p.m.): A mixed-media class that's perfect for any young artist who likes to experiment with different materials. Use your imagination and have fun with drawing, painting and sculpting. For ages 5 to 7. Register
• Nature Art (starts Aug. 7, 9 a.m.): Explore art in nature and nature in art! Have fun learning about the lives of plants, flowers, and insects by making collages, prints, paintings and sculptures. Ages 4 to 6. Register
• Fun Forms (starts Aug. 7, 9 a.m.): Your kids will create fun forms as they explore the basic concepts of three-dimensional art. Projects in sculpture and weaving cover essential lessons in form, texture, positive & negative space, proportion and balance. Ages 11 to 15. Register
• Old Masters/New Era (starts Aug. 14, 9 a.m.): Drawing, painting and art history merge in this fun camp that teaches the Old Masters while kids create their own works of art using traditional wet and dry media including pencil, charcoal, pastels, watercolor and acrylic paint. Ages 10 to 15. Register

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HAM Offers Watercolor Class for Adults

Beginner/Intermediate Watercolor with Lena Shiffman is a fun and relaxed class designed for students of all levels. Students work at their own pace while receiving individual instruction as they learn basic and advanced techniques using washes, controlled edges, glazing, expressive brush strokes and corrections.
Class includes working from still lifes and, if the weather cooperates, outside on the Museum's Toshiko Takaezu Terrace overlooking the waterfall and the historic Red Mill. This class runs for four consecutive Mondays starting Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. for adults and teens, ages 16 and up.
Register

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Meet the Stone Mill's Last Owner

Joseph Kreidel

The Hunterdon Art Museum is housed in an old stone mill that dates back to the 1830s. (There was an earlier mill on the property that was built in 1763, but that was destroyed in a fire.)

The mill had several owners throughout its history, but it was Joseph Kreidel who sold it to a group of visionaries, led by James Marsh, who sought to convert the building into an art center.

Kreidel was born in Germany and came to the U.S. when he was 19. He was a miller all his life, working in New York and Washington, NJ before coming to Clinton. He bought the mill in 1929 and owned it until 1953, when he turned 87. Activity at the mill had slowed in the years leading up to the sale, and Kreidel was grinding only feed and an occasional batch of cornmeal between the two millstones on the second floor of the building. Equipment for grinding flour had sat idle for many years.

After selling the building for $10,000, Kreidel was named an honorary member of the art center and its caretaker; and he was offered an apartment on the second floor of the building. He lived in the art center for about a year before moving; his apartment being converted into a members room and art library.

Kreidel passed away in Aug. 1959 at the age of 93 and was buried in Washington Cemetery in Warren County.

SAVE THE DATE FOR “CURTAIN CALL”

CELEBRATE 4TH WALL THEATRE’S STAYING POWER!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

TICKETS: $65 early bird special for reservations received by end of day August 15th; $75 for reservations received between August 16th and September 1st
$599 for a group of ten!

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT SONG OR SHOW REQUESTS

We can't promise that we will be able to accommodate every single request,
but we will do our best!
To send a question or comment, email us at info@4thwalltheatre.org

QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN MUSICAL SHOOTS INTO MCCC’S KELSEY THEATRE THIS WEEKEND

The Yardley Players present

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

WHEN: Fridays, July 28 and Aug. 4 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, July 29 and Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, July 30 and Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening performance on July 28.
WHERE: Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor
TICKETS: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 students and children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.

Famous throughout the Wild West for her sharpshooting skills, Annie Oakley meets her match in fellow gunslinger Frank Butler. Performing with the traveling show headlined by the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie and Frank spar both professionally and romantically. Along the way, they belt out some of the most well-known tunes in Broadway history, including Doin' What Comes Naturally, Anything You Can Do, I Got the Sun in the Morning, and, of course, There’s No Business Like Show Business. (Image: From left are Meredith Thomas as Dolly Tate, Brian Davis as Frank Butler, Karaline Rosen as Annie Oakley, Scott Karlin as Buffalo Bill Cody, and Nathan Parker as Charlie Davenport. Photo by John Maurer)

With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Annie Get Your Gun premiered on Broadway in 1946, where it ran for more than 1,100 performances. A film version debuted in 1950 that won the Academy Award for Best Musical Score and received three other nominations.

The show stars Karaline Rosen of Robbinsville as Annie Oakley; Brian Davis of Newtown, Pa., as Frank Butler; Scott Karlin of Plainsboro as Buffalo Bill; Meredith Thomas of East Windsor as Dolly Tate; Nathan Parker of Manalapan as Charles Davenport; John Montero of Ewing as Chief Sitting Bull; Danielle Slaboda of Hamilton as Winnie Tate; Jon Logan of West Windsor as Tommy Keller; Ken McCormick of Yardley, Pa., as Wilson; Wayne Wood of Fairless Hills, Pa., as Pawnee Bill; Dan Mucha of Yardville as Mac; Elise Carey of Yardley, Pa., as Jessie; Shealyn Davis of Newtown, Pa., as Nellie; Tristan Davis of Newtown, Pa., as Little Jake; Andrew Millin of Perrineville as Porter; and Sydney Broitman of Newtown, Pa., as Mrs. Potter Porter.

Ensemble members include Cathy Coryat of Cream Ridge, Sophie Daley-Harris of Princeton, Brayden Davis of Newtown, Pa., Jake Federico of Lawrenceville, Jenna Gottlieb of East Windsor, Grace McFarland of Fairless Hills, Pa., Daniel Montero of Ewing, Jeff Rosenthal of Dayton, Hayley Rubins-Topoleski of Trenton, Madison Russell of Morrisville, Pa., Carissa Salzano of Yardley, Pa., Marge Swider of Langhorne, Pa., Natalie Thomas of East Windsor, Ashley Gafgen of Robbinsville, and Abby Gafgen of Robbinsville.

Featured dancers are Margaret DeLucia of Robbinsville, Maryellen Molnar of Skillman, Nicole Potenza of West Windsor, and Reva Sangal of Princeton Junction.

The production staff includes Producer Marge Swider, Director Kristy Davis, Music Director and Orchestra Conductor Matt South, Choreographer Laura Ghaffoor, Stage Manager Liz Wurtz, Set Designer James Kenna, and Costumer Louisa Murey.

COMING UP @ UCPAC IN RAHWAY

WHEN: August 5 at 3 PM and 7 PM
WHERE: UCPAC Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton St., Rahway
TICKETS: $35
Tickets

They say a girls’ first hero is her dad, but what happens when that hero turns out to be her arch nemesis and destroys all that she will ever come to know about what a man should be? Well, the truth of the matter is that there will come a time when all the pain of the past that we have buried deep within will explode inside us if we don’t let go and let God. Let God what, you say? Well, allow me to draw your attention to Angels Haven, where the answer to that lies deep within the souls of the very women you encounter every day. A Play about the True Gift of FORGIVENESS.

Returning for its 4th smash year, Icon 2017 is a Battle of the Best Musical Theater Voices in the State! Each week the judges AND THE AUDIENCE will each send TWO lucky contestants to the Semi-Finals being held in November. Who will be this year's ICON?

Package Deal: To purchase tickets to all five elimination rounds, the Semi-finals, and Finals for only $60 call or visit the box office directly.

WHEN: Elimination Rounds: September 12, 14 and 28, October 5 and 12 at 8 PM
Tickets

WHEN: Semi-Finals and Finals: November 26 at 7 PM; December 10 at 7 PM
Tickets

ITALIAN-AMERICAN ACTRESS BRINGS 1-WOMAN SHOW TO BICKFORD THEATRE

ITALIAN BRED

WHEN: Saturday, August 5, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road inMorristown
TICKETS: $40 the General Public; $38 Seniors; $35 Museum Members; and $20 Students (18 & under or with valid college ID).
Group rates are available.
Tickets may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org,by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. The Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road inMorristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00am to 5:00pm

Actor and comedian Candice Guardino brings her hit one-woman show  to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre. The show which had a successful and critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run in 2013 has been playing to packed houses across the country for the past couple of years.

Inspired by the acting career of her famous late uncle, Harry Guardino, Candice has based her popular show on her own childhood experiences growing up Italian on Staten Island. This hilarious, heartwarming show includes the unfiltered wisdom of her outspoken grandmother, unique stories of the distinctive personalities of relatives, and video cameos from friends Leslie Jordan (“Will and Grace”), Mario Cantone (“Sex & the City”), Steve Schirripa (“The Sopranos”), and Vic DiBitteto (“Mall Cop 2”).

Candice made a name for herself on the New York theatre scene with her outrageously revealing one-woman show “S.O.S.” which ran at Stage 72 and the Laurie Beechman. Her work has been acclaimed by critics who have called her someone who “Stuns!” and an actor who is “redefining solo performances.” She works with comedy groups such as the Upright Citizens Brigade, The Pit, Cult Comedy, and Second City Showcases. Some of her credits include New York Musical Theatre Festival, the Off-Broadway show “That Other Woman’s Child,” “The Guiding Light,” “All My Children,” and “Law & Order.”

“Whether you are Italian or not, you’ll relate to this very funny and touching show,” says the Bickford Theatre’s Artistic Director Eric Hafen. “I’m sure that our audience will love this extremely talented comedian who possesses a unique storytelling ability.”