Pages

Friday, September 29, 2017

RUSSIAN STRING ORCHESTRA @ WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY IN WAYNE

Russian String Orchestra

From the King of Waltz to the King of Tango: The Music of Strauss and Piazzolla

WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 7:30 PM
WHERE:
Shea Center for Performing Arts, William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne
TICKETS: $30

Founded in 1991, the orchestra, formerly known as Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, is comprised of some of Russia's finest young string players, and has carved a niche for itself under the creative baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky. Music selections will include Strauss Jr.'s "Voices of Spring," Tchaikovsky's waltz from "Serenade" for string orchestra and Piazzolla's "Libertango" and more crowd favorites by the "kings."

Thursday, September 28, 2017

2 NEW FREE PROGRAMS @ THE ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM

Salon Series: "After Clara"

WHEN: Sunday, October 1 / 2 pm
WHERE:
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street,New Brunswick

The theme "After Clara" features works by women composers who followed Clara Schumann, performed by the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra. The program begins with “String Quartet in E Flat” by Fanny Mendelssohn (Hensel), followed by Amy Beach’s “Quartet for Strings.” The program is rounded out with works by three contemporary composers: Libby Larsen’s “Emergence,” Jennifer Higdon’s “Sky Quartet,” and Caroline Shaw’s “Limestone & Felt,” a duo for viola and cello. This free salon series features complimentary wine and cheese, conversation, and insightful comments by NBCO’s Artistic Director.   

NBCO’s Salons have become so popular that reservations are necessary to guarantee a seat. To reserve your spot, please visit http://newbrunswickchamberorchestra.org or email Semmlow@gmail.com with the number of attendees in your party. Walk-up attendees may be turned away at the door if all seats are full.   

For details, visit the webpage.

Art After Hours: First Tuesdays

WHEN: Tuesday, October 3 / 5 to 9 pm

Donna Gustafson, Curator of American Art and Mellon Director for Academic Programs, leads tours of Subjective Objective: A Century of Social Photography, which traces the history of documentary photography from the late 19th century to the present. Drawn from the Zimmerli’s collection, supplemented with works from public and private lenders, the exhibition focuses on photographers who use the camera to educate, persuade, and effect social change. And New Jersey-based independent alternative folk band Cold Weather Company returns to the museum! Combining the songwriting experience of its three members, Cold Weather Company carries a diverse sound, rich with vocal harmonies and instrumental builds evoking imagery of mountains, seas, and the cities in between. PaparazZi CafĂ© offers extended hours to accommodate Art After Hours guests.

The program is FREE and open to the public.
For details, visit the web page.


ARTIST TALK WEDNESDAY @ ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

Artist Talk: Ruddy Roye

WHEN: Wednesday, October 4, 7 pm
WHERE:
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
ADMISSION: FREE and open to the public. Visit our website for details.

Radcliffe “Ruddy” Roye is a Brooklyn-based photographer whose work documenting the Black Lives Matter movement, from the series “When Living Is a Protest,” appears in Subjective Objective: A Century of Social Photography.

Roye is inspired by the lives of grassroots people, especially those of his homeland of Jamaica, and he strives to tell the stories of their victories and ills by capturing them in photographs. Roye’s portraits are frequently produced as collaborations with the people he photographs in tandem with text that further humanizes them and evades their exploitation. Roye was named Time Magazine’s Instagram Photographer of the Year in 2016, and his work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Ebony, among other distinguished publications.

A Q&A moderated by curator Donna Gustafson follows the talk.

This program is supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

AUTUMN AFTERNOON OF JAZZ IN BERGEN COUNTY THIS SATURDAY

1st AUTUMN JAZZ FESTIVAL Autumn Jazz Festival 

WHEN: Saturday, September 30, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m
WHERE: Bergen Community College, Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus
DONATION: $50 for adults, $35 for Seniors, and $15
Group rate: $40 per person (required minimum of 6)
Tickets may be purchased at: https://autumnafternoonofjazz.eventbrite.com

The talent lineup for the Bergen County Society Jazz Festival includes Grammy-nominated recording artist/bassist/arranger/composer Curtis Lundy (Sundance Award winner); Flutist extraordinaire/recording artist Sherry Winston; Gary Samuels with Peter Valera Jump Blues Band; Freddy Rodriquez and his 14-piece Latin Jazz band, R&B/Jazz recording artist Ms. Irene Renee; Award-winning recording artists Sounds of Manila Filipino Jazz Band and introducing Bergen Community College alum Annette Genovese (Aband) with special guest pianist Jim West.

Portions of proceeds will go toward student books, transportation for Bergen Community College students and the Bergen County Jazz Society mentoring program: www.bergencountyjazzsociety.org.

Event sponsors: Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, WBGO 88.3 FM, Vision Credit Federal Union, The BulLion Foundation and Bergen Community College Office of Multicultural Affairs.

For further information, please contact: Ronald E. McKnight - (201)301-1695
Ron@bergencountyjazzsociety.org 
Web: www.bergencountyjazzsociety.org
bullioninc@hotmail.com 

The Bergen County Jazz Society was formed by Grammy-Award Nominee and International Jazz Bassist Curtis Lundy and Ronald E. McKnight.  The vision is to celebrate jazz artists in Bergen County and Internationally. The goal is to share the beauty and the richness of jazz with the audience and in the classroom with students. We will assist in providing for jazz musician in need. Housing. Homelessness, Food, Clothing and Medical.
Mission: Bergen Community College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) fosters diversity and intercultural awareness among the college community. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is in line with the mission of the college, “to educate a diverse student population in a supportive and challenging academic environment that fosters civility and respect.” We promote cultural and diversity issues within and beyond the college community. OMA provides a forum for diversity education and training, social and cultural awareness, and self- exploration and discovery. We will provide the tools necessary for students and the community-at-large to empower themselves.

AUDIENCES ARE RAVING ABOUT “A RAISIN IN THE SUN” @ TWO RIVER THEATER IN RED BANK

A RAISIN IN THE SUN
By Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Carl Cofield

WHEN: NOW - OCT 8!
WHERE:
Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
TICKETS: $40 - $70
GROUPS OF 10+ SAVE UP TO 30% $28 - $63 PER TICKET
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE 25% $30 - $52.50 PER TICKET
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS OR CALL 732.345.1400

On the South Side of Chicago, the Younger family has put their dreams on hold while just trying to get by. When the prospect of a large inheritance starts to seem like a reality, the family members must decide which of their dreams to pursue—and whose must remain unfulfilled. Come see why this 1950s classic about family, race, and the American dream was called “the play that changed American theater forever” by The New York Times.


FREE INSIDE TWO RIVER EVENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SHOW: BOOK CLUB

CLYBOURNE PARK
by Bruce Norris

WHEN: Sunday, October 8th at 6:00PM (following the 3pm performance of A Raisin in the Sun)

In a Two River Book Club first, we’ll be reading a play—Bruce Norris’s 2010 CLYBOURNE PARK. The play is in direct conversation with A RAISIN IN THE SUN, and takes place in the house that the Younger family has purchased—first in 1959, with the white family selling the house, and then in 2009, when a different white family wants to buy the house from the Younger descendants and tear it down. We’ll discuss both plays (make sure to read CLYBOURNE PARK before the meeting—we won’t be reading it dramatically at the meeting) and the complex web of racism and real estate in this country.

ADMISSION: free.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT

KAPLEN JCC SCHOOL OF THEATER ARTS SCHEDULING AUDITIONS FOR ANNUAL TALENT SEARCH

JCC Spelling Bee 2014-06-09 (4 of 92)AUDITION NOTICE:

TALENT SEARCH
A Chance to Get Discovered by NJ & NYC Agents

WHEN: Sunday, October 15, Begins 2 PM
WHERE:
Eric Brown Theater on the second floor of the JCC, 444 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
FEE: Registration is $20 for JCC members; $25 public in advance; and $25 JCC members, $30 public at the door, if time permits. Agent auditions are $10 JCC members/$15 public.

The School of Theater Arts at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades is presenting its annual Talent Search, where actors, singers, improv artists and models—ages 3½ to adult—will have a rare chance to perform for industry professionals and agency scouts, who will make constructive suggestions and provide further opportunities to audition for NY and NJ talent agents, casting directors and managers specializing in theater, film, TV, modeling, print work and voice overs for video and internet games. Those who qualify will be invited to a special agent audition on Sunday, November 5.

The preliminary Talent Search will be held on Sunday, October 15, beginning at 2 pm, where really young children can recite a short song, poem, joke or story that shows personality; while older children and adults can prepare short monologues (30 seconds or less) or sing 16 bars of a song, using a CD or iPod for accompaniment.

People who have auditioned at previous Talent Searches at the JCC are currently appearing on Broadway, in films, commercials, voice-overs, on network TV and Nickelodeon, making this a not-to-be-missed opportunity.

For an audition time and details, contact Hagit at 201.408.1493.

DINE WITH THE CAST OF “THE HUNCHBACK OF SEVLLE” @ THE THEATER PROJECT THIS FRIDAY!

This Friday, have post show dinner with the cast or preshow with your date and GLORIOUS SOUTHERN CUISINE

TICKETS: $5 Tasting Plates before or after the show courtesy of Glorious Southern Cuisine, Preshow: 7:30 to 8 PM
Dinner with the cast after their first performance: 9:20 PM.
Dinner is served in the Community Room adjacent to the theater.
http://www.TheTheaterProject.org

An Exuberant "Love Letter" to Shakespeare Opens in Madison October 11!

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Music by Paddy Cunneen
Directed by Bonnie J. Monte

WHEN: Performances begin October 11!
WHERE:
F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave., Madison
Buy tickets!


"The play's a crowd tickler−mistaken identities, a shipwreck, a pirate king, a bit with a dog and love triumphant."

This exuberant theatrical "love letter" is based on the award-winning film of the same name and it's no less a joy than the original screen version. Filled with music, a huge cast of colorful characters (including a feisty little dog), the play captures the Bard as he struggles with writer's block and a forbidden romance with the woman who becomes the muse who inspires some of his greatest work. An epic Elizabethan extravaganza, it is rousing, funny, and a beautiful homage to love, art, and Shakespeare himself.

www.ShakespeareNJ.org | 973-408-5600

Provident Bank of New Jersey and Beacon Trust are proud sponsors of Shakespeare in Love.

Sponsored in part by Dr. W. John Bauer and Nancy Boucher.

Additional support from Wood Huntley and Beirne Donaldson.

Originally produced on the West End by Disney Theatrical Productions & Sonya Friedman Productions, directed by Declan Donnellan, and designed by Nick Ormerod.

Pictured: Jon Barker as Will Shakespeare. Photo credit: Samantha Gordon.

ADDITIONAL TIX RELEASED FOR “THE CONCERT OF A LIFETIME” IN DEAL PARK

WHERE: Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park

"The Concert of a Lifetime" on October 8 is a tribute to the late philanthropist and theater namesake Dr. Herbert Axelrod. This event will help establish an endowment for the arts at the Axelrod PAC. The concert features classical music giant Joshua Bell who was a personal friend of Herbert and Evelyn Axelrod (Deal residents for years) as well as a number of other well- established musicians. The concert will open with the Smithsonian Axelrod Quartet, the four matched Stradivarius instruments that Dr. A personally reunited (a long quest in days before the Internet) and then donated to the Smithsonian Institution. This concert will be one of their rare appearances in the Tri-State area.

We are thrilled to welcome Joshua Bell to our theater as well as the esteemed players of the Axelrod Quartet as well as the other performers from New York City and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Axelrod Tribute
Featuring JOSHUA BELL AND MORE

                                    RESERVE TICKETS

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Drama Geek Studios Presents “Those Were the Days Doo-Wop” at Sussex County College Performing Arts Center

Those Were the Days

Those Were The Days Doo-Wop

WHEN: Friday, September 29, at 8 pm, Saturday, September 30, at 8 pm and Sunday, October 1, at 2 pm
WHERE:
Sussex County Community College Performing Arts Center, 1 College Hill Dr., Newton
TICKETS: $25 at the door. $15 for students and seniors and $20 for adults if you reserve or purchase prior to show.
To reserve or purchase tickets contact 973-512-8251 or visit dramageekstudios.com.

The show features upbeat songs that get your fingers snapping and feet tapping, to those classic ballads that made 1950s teenagers swoon.

Audiences will reminisce from the doo-wop days with songs such as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, In The Still of the Night, Blue Moon, Going to the Chapel, Come See About Me, among many other fun-filled, hit-topping songs. Produced by Josh Reed of Sparta, Those Were the Days Doo-Wop is directed by Dan Reed of North Haledon, NJ. The adult performers include John Prall of Hamburg, Dominick Bartolomeo and Allison Ognibene of Sparta, DJohn Klumpp and Donna King of Byram, Jodi Hryhor of Newton, NJ, Veronica Pollock of Hopatcong, Meg Callan of Saddlebrook, Laura Bolt of Morristown, and Nanci Kline of Stroudsburg, PA. Seven high school and middle school students from the Sussex County area will also be performing.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

  • First Annual One Act Festival - October 20-22
  • Reasons to Be Pretty by Neil LaBute - November 9-12.
  • Disney’s Beauty and the Beast - December 1-17.

About Drama Geek Studios:

Drama Geek Studios, the official community theater at Sussex County Community College Performing Arts Center, is a non-profit community theater located in Newton, NJ. A fun, interactive learning environment centered around the performing arts, Drama Geek Studios firmly believes that by developing creativity, fostering individuality, and allowing inspiration to be pursued, we become more productive people. The studio offers an opportunity for people young and old to come to the studio, take a class or two, have some fun and get geeky! Drama Geek Studios also has a community theater where anybody with an interest in live theater can audition and participate without a participation fee. Drama Geek Studios holds theater classes located at 13 Washington Street, Newton, NJ. For more information about classes and upcoming performances and auditions, visit dramageekstudios.com or call 973-512-8251

WTNJ proudly opens its 2017-18 season with "Surely Goodness and Mercy"

Writers Theatre of New Jersey Logo

Surely Goodness and Mercy

WHEN: opens Friday, September 29 at 8:00 PM and will run through October 14.  Performance times are as follows:  Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sunday matinees at 4 PM.  Student matinees are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM. There will be a 2 PM matinee on Saturday, October 14.  There is no performance on Saturday, September 30. 
WHERE: Newark Symphony Hall, located at 1020 Broad St. in Newark, New Jersey.
TICKETS: $25, senior citizen tickets are $20, and tickets for students with valid student ID are $10.  The two Thursday performances are “pay what you can” evenings.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

Tino is a 12-year old boy in one of Newark’s public schools. Picked on by fellow students for his studiousness and love of reading the Bible, and harassed by his aunt, who became his guardian after the violent death of his mother, he befriends Bernadette, the school lunch lady who doesn’t like kids. When Bernadette’s life is threatened, Tino teams up with Deja, a young girl in his school, to lend a hand. This unlikely trio shows us how empathy and love can make a difference in the face of impossible odds.

We are so proud to open the 2017 Writers Theatre season with the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Surely Goodness and Mercy, a beautiful play by Ms. Chisa Hutchinson that serves to remind us of the better angels who walk among us and dwell within us, no matter how trying times get or what we face.

The play is set in Newark, which prompted our Artistic Director, John Pietrowski, to produce the piece there, honoring Chisa’s vision, as the landmarks, sights, and people of Newark she saw growing up as a Newark native are at the heart of the play.  Additionally, the play is co-produced with Yendor Productions, a Newark-based nonprofit arts organization. Yendor’s Artistic Director, Rodney Gilbert, is directing the play.

Please join us for this heartwarming story of friendship and love.

We commissioned the piece as part of the NJPAC Stage Exchange, a program of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center - John Schreiber, President & CEO, and Writers Theatre of New Jersey, in partnership with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.  This production and educational outreach were made possible by a generous gift from the Kenneth Goldman Donor Fund.  Learn More

bergenPAC PRESENTS THE MIDTOWN MEN OCTOBER 6

image

Midtown Men bergenpac 300dpiTHE MIDTOWN MEN
4 Stars From The Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys

WHEN: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 – 8PM
WHERE:
bergenPAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood
TICKETS: $89-69-59-49-39
Tickets are available at at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling bergenPAC’s Box Office at (201) 227-1030.

This sensational production reunites four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys. Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, star in this one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music that defined the '60s.

These entertainers shared the Broadway stage for over a thousand performances in the mega-hit Jersey Boys. Now, as The Midtown Men, they have thrilled crowds on concert stages and symphony halls across the continent, while also performing on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, Katie and The Chew. Additionally, the Men collaborated with icon Stevie Van Zandt on their first radio single, “All Alone On Christmas,” featuring Van Zandt and members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

RVCC Theatre Slates Musical Theatre, Drama, Puppetry, Political Humor, Music, Dance in October

clip_image001[6]

October is an incredible month at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, with a roundup that includes musical theatre, dramatic adaptations of great literature—including a presentation featuring beloved TV actor Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H)— puppetry representing the refugee crisis, folk music and more. The month ends on a high note with the always timely political humor of The Capitol Steps.

WHERE: Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ.

Legally Blonde The Musical
(Big League Productions)
WHEN: Friday, October 6, at 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $25 & $35 (Reserved seating)

Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery. A fabulously entertaining, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. The action-packed production explodes on stage with memorable songs and dynamic dancing. Equal parts hilarious and heart-warming, this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal.

Sense and Sensibility
(Aquila Theatre)
WHEN: Saturday, October 7, at 8 p.m.
TICKETS
: $25 & $35 (Reserved seating)

One of Jane Austen’s most popular novels, Sense and Sensibility revolves around the lives of two sisters. After their father’s untimely death, both sisters and their mother are uprooted from their comfortable lives, while their half-brother and his wife inherit the family estate. The sisters’ only hope is a profitable marriage. Seduction, courtship, love, heartbreak and surprise abound in this classic romantic comedy, adapted for the stage in a bold and exciting new production.

As a special treat for Jane Austen fans, the evening will begin with a free lecture at 7:15 p.m. RVCC faculty member Dr. Lynne DeCicco will present “Jane Austen in Context: Her Life, Times, and Work.” A professor at RVCC for 33 years, Dr. DeCicco regularly teaches courses on English literature and women in literature. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University and a B.A. from Rutgers College.

Symphonie Dramatique
(Cas Public)
WHEN: Saturday, October 14, at 7 p.m.
TICKETS:
$10 (General admission; recommended for ages 8 and older)

Symphonie Dramatique depicts the story of Romeo and Juliet told through dance, in an exciting adaptation created especially for young people. Fusing ballet, contemporary and hip-hop dance styles, eight dancers tell the tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers with contagious energy, shedding new light on the most famous love story of all time. Passion, innocence, arrogance, rage and impetuousness are communicated through richly detailed choreography in this vibrant and witty reimagining of the story. The dancers perform to a compelling original soundtrack that draws on Romeo and Juliet music written by Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Gounod and others. Clever staging and costumes further enhance the appeal of this intriguing, multilayered performance.

Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards
WHEN: Thursday, October 19, at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
TICKETS
: $15 (General admission; audience members may pre-order a $5 box lunch and dine before the 1 p.m. show. The 7 p.m. show includes light refreshments.)

Propelled by rich vocal harmonies and arresting original songs, Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards has emerged as one of the most intriguing, versatile and refreshing groups in the bountiful New England folk scene. Solidly grounded in traditional fiddle styles, this all-female string group offers its original compositions, arrangements and interpretations of old-time, bluegrass, country and Celtic music. The group’s sound is bold and elegant, schooled in the lyrical rituals of folk music and backed by grooves that alternately inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock-n-roll hip swagger.

Babylon
(Sandglass Theater)
WHEN: Friday, October 20, at 7 p.m.
TICKETS:
$20; Saturday, October 21, at 3 p.m., $15 (Special matinee pricing; reserved seating for both performances)

In this striking new production, the fallen mythic civilization of Babylon becomes a metaphor for the refugee crisis affecting much of the world. Using puppets and moving panoramic scrolls, Babylon tells the story of seven refugees and the challenges they face; their relationship with their homelands, lost and new; and the conflicts that exist within the countries to which they flee. The blending of actual testimony with unreal figures offers a view into how one responds to the crisis and stays interested in someone else’s journey—one that does not necessarily end with arrival in a new land.

The production is being presented by Sandglass Theater, an internationally known, award-winner theatre company specializing in combining puppets with music, actors and visual imagery.

The Other MozartThe Other Mozart
(Samantha Hoefer)
WHEN: Tuesday, October 24, at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
TICKETS:
$15 (General admission; includes discussion and light refreshments; audience members may pre-order a $5 box lunch and dine before the 1 p.m. show)

The production shares the true, forgotten story of Nannerl Mozart—the sister of Amadeus—who was a prodigy, keyboard virtuoso and composer. Nannerl performed throughout Europe with her brother, to equal acclaim, but her work and her story faded away, lost to history. The performance transports the audience into a world of outsized beauty and delight, but also of overwhelming restrictions and prejudice. There, this “other Mozart” at last shares her story with the audience.

The Capitol Steps
WHEN:
Saturday, October 28, at 8 p.m.
TICKETS:
$35 & $45 (Reserved seating)

After more than 35 years and at least that many albums, The Capitol Steps have become a Washington, D.C. institution. The group tours widely and has appeared on The Today Show, Nightline, Entertainment Tonight and numerous NPR specials. With these equal opportunity satirists poking fun at all side of the issues, an evening with The Capitol Steps may be the only thing sure to earn bipartisan support. The troupe’s latest album is titled Orange is the New Barack. Capitol Songs include “Hey Mr. Tangerine Man,” “Oops, I Tweeted Again,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alt-Right” and “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Korea?” What more would one expect from the group that puts the “MOCK” in Democracy?

To purchase tickets for any of October’s offerings at the Theatre, call the Box Office, 908-725-3420, or order online at www.rvccArts.org. Subscribers’ packages are available for most Theatre series. Senior citizen, student and group discounts are also available for most performances.

For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

MARIONETTES BRING MAGIC & MOZART TO JERSEY CITY

JCTC-KIDS and Jersey City’s favorite string-attached theater company—Puppetworks—return for a new season

The Prince & the Magic Flute 300dpiThe Prince & The Magic Flute

WHEN: Sundays at 1:00 pm, beginning October 1st. The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks runs October 1 to December 10th. (Please note: there will be NO performances November 12, 19, 26).
WHERE:
Merseles Studios, 339 Newark Avenue, Jersey City 07302
TICKETS: advance tickets/online sales: $9 for children; $10 for adults. At the door: $11 and $12; $9 each for groups of 20 or more 
School discounts and private party bookings are also available. To purchase online tickets visit: www.jctcenter.org.

Since 2014, JCTCKIDS—the children’s division of Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC)—has brought children’s theater in the form of classic marionette puppetry to the puppet theater at Merseles Studios. While previous productions were based on fairy tales, folklore and classic children’s literature, The Prince & The Magic Flute is based on a beloved opera, adding another dimension to puppetry in Jersey City.

“Our version of The Prince and The Magic Flute is a musical, but all the songs the puppets sing and the instrumental music on the soundtrack are the original compositions by Mozart,” said Mike Leach, Executive Director of Puppetworks. “Puppetworks pride ourselves with keeping timeless, traditional stories alive. Our shows also serve as one of the first introductions to theater and literature that families can give their children. With The Prince & The Magic Flute, we also add operatic storytelling and Mozart to that introduction.”

The Prince and The Magic Flute was performed in 1791—just two months before the premature death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart wrote this fairytale opera for the theatrical troupe at the Theater auf der Wieden, where Mozart frequently performed. The story—of a prince saving a damsel—was actually based on several sources, especially medieval romance literature. The story follows a brave prince and his funny, bird catcher sidekick—with the help of magic bells and a magic flute—on their quest to rescue a princess from the Palace of the Sun. Their story includes such highlights as a giant crocodile, eerie creatures of the night, tests of water, fire and silence, and a final confrontation with the evil Queen of the Night.

JCTC-KIDS presentation of The Prince & The Magic Flute follows on of the most successful Puppetworks runs in Jersey City. The winter/spring production of the Wizard of Oz at Merseles Studios saw sold-out performances as well as special bookings for schools and other groups.

“It is crucial for young audiences to have their first experience with theater to be positive and engaging, and through the artistry of the marionette, children learn about poetry, literature, classical music, and visual storytelling,” said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. “We are very grateful for the support we’ve received from Jersey City families, and the responses have been overwhelmingly positive about our programming from people throughout New Jersey and beyond. JCTC is committed to keeping Puppetworks tickets affordable and working with school administrators, teachers, boards of education and other organizations so we can continue to grow JCTC-KIDS programming.”

Since 1980, Puppetworks has been committed to preserving the tradition of live-theater presentations through the art of Marionettes. Nicolas Coppola, founder and Artistic Director of Puppetworks, was honored by The Puppeteers of America with its 2011 President’s Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Puppetry.

Funding for JCTC-KIDS presentation of The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks was made possible through the generosity of Ben LoPiccolo Development Group, JCTC’s Board of Directors, private donors and local Jersey City businesses.

Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (JCTC) manages programming at Merseles Studios and the adjacent White Eagle Hall. JCTC is a nonprofit, 501c3 arts organization committed to presenting innovative and progressive performing & visual arts as well as educational arts programs that embrace the multicultural identity and preserve the rich history of Jersey City, bringing its community closer together and enhancing its quality of life. www.jctcenter.org

NEW @ THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM


Late Thursdays

The Architecture of the Lewis Arts Complex

WHEN: Thursday, October 5, 4:30 p.m.
WHERE:
10 McCosh Hall, Princeton University, Princeton

To celebrate the opening of the new Lewis Arts Complex, University Architect Ron McCoy; Paul Goldberger, American architectural critic and educator and contributing editor for Vanity Fair magazine; and Princeton University Art Museum Director James Steward discuss the architecture of Steven Holl, including its relationship to contemporary design, its meaning, and its potential for shaping and reshaping the experiences of arts users.

Family Day

Celestial Art


WHEN: Saturday, October 7, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Join us for a fun-filled day of art making and activities inspired by the exhibition Transient Effects: The Solar Eclipses and Celestial Landscapes of Howard Russell Butler. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations are needed. Refreshments will be served.

Save the Date

Lecture and Celebration: Clarence H. White and His World: The Art and Craft of Photography, 1895–1925


WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 5 p.m. | Lecture, 10 McCosh Hall 
6–7:30 p.m. | Reception, Art Museum

Join us for the opening of Clarence H. White and His World—named one of the must-see exhibitions worldwide this fall by Artnet. A lecture by Anne McCauley, curator of the exhibition and David Hunter McAlpin Professor of the History of Photography and Modern Art at Princeton, explores the legacy of one of the early twentieth century’s most gifted photographers and influential teachers—and the time when photography came to be a fine art, thanks in part to White. A reception in the Museum will follow.

Music in the Galleries

The Princeton Singers | The Glory of Venice

WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 5:30 and 8 p.m. 

On the 450th anniversary of the birth of Claudio Monteverdi, the Princeton Singers explore the richness of the Venetian Golden Age. Music of Monteverdi, Gabrieli, Croce, and Merulo. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased here

LUNA STAGE ANNOUNCES SPECIAL BENEFIT EVENT: “SONGS FROM THE 88”

Songs from the 88
by reg e gaines and Calvin Gaines

WHEN: Friday, October 6, at 8pm and Saturday, October 7, at 2pm.
WHERE:
Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road, West Orange
TICKETS: All tickets are $20
For tickets http://www.lunastage.org call the Luna Box Office 973 395-5551

Luna Stage has a very special benefit event to open the 2017-18 season: Songs from the 88, an interactive concert featuring songs, poems and monologues from reg e gaines and Calvin Gaines’ new musical, The 88.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join Luna as it helps launch a new piece of theatre written by reg e gaines and Calvin Gaines, major talents from the hip-hop/spoken word world.

RGaines pix (1)Songs from the 88 is part of a longer piece The 88 about 10 siblings who board the 88 bus, sometimes together, often alone, but always accompanied by their grandmother Marcella. She is their ticket to The Great White Way and why each one learned they belong. This presentation is a fundraiser for the artists to help continue work on the piece, an homage to the brothers' grandmother, Marcella Victoria Quarles.

cal in studio (1)Co-authored by reg e gaines (above left), a two-time Tony Award-nominated playwright and Grammy Award-nominated lyricist, who has published four books of poetry, is editor of the 2015 poetry anthology A Year In Ink, and scored the PBS documentary, Senior Year, and his brother Calvin Gaines (right), an award-winning musician and producer who has worked with such artists as Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, The Temptations and Destiny’s Child with musical direction by Mark Wilson.

For more information about Luna Stage, bus, train and driving directions visit the website www.Lunastage.org

CALL FOR ARTISTS & WRITERS TO DISPLAY WORK @ LEONIA ARTS’ 7TH ANNUAL “MEET THE ARTISTS”

LeoniaArtsLogoCalling Artists and Writers to Display Work at Leonia Arts'

Seventh Annual Meet the Artists

The public, artists, arts patrons and enthusiasts are invited to attend this annual event.


WHEN: Sunday, October 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
WHERE:
American Legion Hall, 399 Broad Avenue, Leonia
ADMISSION: free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

4 x 6 Artist Eva Cellini, Writer John Zeaman copy

Leonia Artists Invited to Display Work

The annual event celebrates the borough’s long history in the arts. Artists from all media—performers, crafts people, sculptors, photographers, writers, multimedia, painters, and other areas—who reside or work in the borough of Leonia, may display their work at the annual event. As display space is limited, artists must register in advance. For information, contact 201-944-0510 or info@leoniaarts.org (Above: Late artist Eva Cellini with writer John Zeaman at Meet the Artists. Photo: James Leynse)

Leonia Arts - Meet the ArtistsThe public is invited to attend and meet the artists and patrons from the borough, while enjoying wine and cheese and listening to live music. Artists’ work from various fields, ranging from poetry to paintings and sculptures, will be displayed throughout the hall. (Right: Musicians from the borough of Leonia. Photo: James Leynse)

Image result for Vincent PribloSuzanne Pancrazi Memorial Grant Recipient

This year, Leonia Arts features the work of painter Vincent Priblo (left), winner of the second annual Suzanne Pancrazi Memorial Grant. The award honors the namesake of the grant, a Leonia resident, who was an audio-visual artist and a member of the Leonia Arts' board of trustees. The purpose of the grant is to further a selected artist's specific project or a body of work.

Mission Supports the Borough's Arts Community

Leonia Arts' mission is to support, stimulate, enhance, promote and connect the arts within the borough and to other communities. The grassroots organization supports the arts by connecting the various diverse artists and creative groups in the town often called the “Athens of New Jersey.” Membership in Leonia Arts is free and available for artists, arts organizations, arts groups, and patrons of the arts in Leonia.

The organization’s web site features an Artist Link page open to Leonia artists in all disciplines. Artists, who are members of Leonia Arts, may link their web site to the Leonia Arts’ web site. Borough artists interested in linking their web site and/or contact information to be listed on the relevant subpage, should send the following to info@leoniaarts.org: name and type of artist (photographer, actor, dancer, writer, etc.), one photo (optional), web site URL (optional), and a short bio or profile no more than two brief paragraphs in length.

For more information about the Meet the Artists event or Leonia Arts, contact Kathy Pecht at 201-944-0510 or send an e-mail to info@leoniaarts.org. Go to www.leoniaarts.org for additional information about the organization, to join Leonia Arts, to view a calendar of upcoming arts events, and much more.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

BRING THE FAMILY TO GREENWOOD GARDENS HISTORY & HARVEST CELEBRATION IN SHORT HILLS

I recently discovered Greenwood Gardens, a hidden gem just off Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills. There is a sign at the driveway entrance. You drive up a winding road, through a gate, to a beautiful house with magnificent gardens. What a treasure! Here’s an event they’re holding that might interest my readers:

GREENWOOD GARDENS HISTORY & HARVEST CELEBRATION

WHEN: Sunday, October 15, from Noon - 4 pm.
WHERE:
Greenwood Gardens, 274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills
ADMISSION: Buy Tickets in advance and save! Purchase by Oct 14: $20 per family—includes 5 free activity tickets. After Oct 14: $25 per family. General admission: Adults $10, Children: $5; Children under 12: free. Activity tickets available on site. Some activities are free.

Express your creative ideas with a decorated pumpkin or scarecrow for the Greenwood Gardens History & Harvest Celebration.

Click here to email Stephanie Murphy for an entry form no later than October 1. Entries must be delivered to Greenwood by 5:00 pm Friday, October 13.

This fun-filled, family-friendly event features live music, pony rides, face painting and lots of crafts & games for kids. The Great Apple Hunt, for kids 10 and under, will take place at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Meet feathered and furry animals with the Friendly Farmyard petting zoo. Enjoy story time and take photos with the Chestnut Street Witch! Learn all about strange carnivorous plants and "creepy" bugs.




There will be old-fashioned games: potato sack and apple-on-a-spoon races and-new this year-square dancing throughout the day! Soulfege, Millburn High School's award winning a cappella group will give two performances at 1:30 and 2:30 pm. Learn the fascinating history with our fun facts of Greenwood and take a guided tour of the Gardens. Visit the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society booth.

Pizza and more from Chew Chew Pizzeria will be available for purchase. Enjoy caramel apples and other delicious treats from Chocolate Works of Millburn. Cider, donuts and snacks will also be available.

This signature event takes advantage of the crisp weather, and seasonal beauty of the Garden.


image


Hours & Admission








What's In Bloom






image


Tour the Garden