RED BANK, NJ: Lucas Wilson, a senior from Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank, was named State Champion at the 2024 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals, part of the National Poetry Out Loud recitation program. The adjudication took place on March 14th at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ.
Lucas Wilson will represent New Jersey at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington D.C. from April 30th – May 2, 2024. State Champions will compete for the national Poetry Out Loud title and the
chance to win prizes, including $20,000 in college scholarships.
Amya Martinez, a senior from North Star Academy Washington Park in Newark, earned the title of State Runner-Up.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.3 million students and 76,000 teachers from 19,000 schools and organizations across the nation have participated in Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the 55 state and jurisdictional arts agencies.
“As presenting partner in New Jersey’s Poetry Out Loud competition, more than 69 schools and other organizations have become active participants in the program,” said Adam Philipson, President & CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “It has been a pleasure to host this year’s finalists from across the great Garden State, and we look forward to watching Lucas Wilson represent the Garden State at this year’s national Poetry Out Loud competition in May.”
The State Finals was the culmination of a statewide initiative that began in the fall of 2023 and included 10,587 New Jersey students from 69 high schools and organizations across the state.
“The State Arts Council is extremely proud of all the students who participated in this year’s Poetry Out Loud Program and grateful to the many educators and caregivers who supported the students throughout the year,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “Their passion for and dedication to poetry is one of the reasons New Jersey consistently ranks amongst the top in the nation for participation in this national program. We know that Lucas will make New Jersey proud as they represent us in Washington D.C. in May.”
Congratulations to all who participated, including State Finalists:
• Kailan Cass-Adams-Johnson, from Mainland Regional High School in Linwood
• Nay’Quan Coriano, from Cumberland County Technical Education Center in Vineland
• Gianna Escobar, from Union County Vo-tech High School in Scotch Plains
• Michaela Giuliani, from Vineland High School in Vineland
• Elicia Johnson, from South River High School in South River
• Yumna Juha, from Montgomery High School in Skillman
• Amya Martinez, from North Star Academy Washington Park in Newark
• Sophia Padilla, from The Morris County School of Technology in Denville
• Leah Seche, from Doane Academy in Burlington
• Dhriti Somas, from Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in Demarest
• Nola Walker, from Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City
• Lucas Wilson, from Red Bank Regional High School in Little Silver
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]]>CHATHAM, NJ -- The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. On Sunday afternoon, the Chatham Historical Society hopes a recreated picture will help celebrate Chatham's history for another 100 years.
As part of the Chatham Historical Society's Centennial celebration, the Dec. 18, 1930, panoramic photo of the first electric train to pass through the Chatham Train Station will be recreated with the gathering of current Chatham residents. Chatham was a stop on the route between Hoboken and Morristown.
To highlight the train station's importance in Chatham's development, residents are encouraged to show up on Sunday for the event that will take place from 2-4 p.m. at the Chatham Train Station. The panoramic picture will be taken at approximately 3 p.m.
Debbie Fabian of the Chatham Historical Society talks about the recreation set for Sunday
Old pictures depicting the evolution of trains through Chatham will be on display and refreshments will be served.
The first steam-powered train reached Chatham arriving from Newark in 1837. The train service allowed passengers to travel to and from Newark in about two hours. From Newark, travelers could take a boat to New York City.
The Morris & Essex Railroad began service to its Hudson River waterfront terminal in Hoboken in 1863. Fast and easy ferryboat connections made quick round trips to Manhattan, a practice that led to the birth of the suburban commuter.
Many changes and improvements were made over the years. In 1914, the tracks through Chatham were elevated, eliminating street-level crossings. A new train station was built at this time, one that still serves Chatham commuters 110 years later. Growth in passenger traffic necessitated further improvements, and on December 18, 1930, the first electric train arrived in Chatham.
The upgrading of the electric trains through Chatham opened up the possibility of achieving another dream: direct passenger trains into New York City. On June 10, 1996, train 6604 from Dover was the first train to stop in Chatham and then proceed directly to Penn Station, New York.
The historical society is planning multiple events for the centennial. Information regarding the upcoming events can be found at Chathamnjhistoricalsociety.com. Anyone interested in helping out with the events can email at chathamnjhistory@gmail.com. The society is looking for designers, organizers, artists, actors, worker bees, and creative individuals to join the fun!
]]>Princeton, NJ – Given the lifelong interest in the late Princeton Mayor Phyllis Marchand in creating pathways for young women to thrive as community leaders, the Phyllis Marchand 2024 Leadership Lecture at the Princeton Public Library on Thursday, March 21, will focus on a particularly relevant societal topic: social media’s noxious effect on women.
The March 21 event, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Princeton Public Library, will feature communications strategists Kara Alaimo and Jane Greenway Carr discussing Alaimo’s new book: “Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls – and How We Can Take It Back.” The in-person event is presented in partnership with the Princeton Public Library, Labyrinth Books of Princeton, the Phyllis Marchand Lecture Series Fund, and Princeton University’s Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies.
The publisher describes Alaimo’s book as a rallying cry for women to recognize and reject the ways social media is being weaponized against us — and instead wield it to empower ourselves.
In the book Alaimo demonstrates how social media affects the lives of women, girls, and nonbinary people, from our relationships and our parenting to our physical and mental wellbeing. It is a book about what it means to live in the world social media has wrought and shows why you’re likely to get fewer followers if you’re a woman. Alaimo explains how fake news is crafted to prey on women’s vulnerabilities. And she reveals why so much of the content we find in our feeds is specifically designed to hold us back.
But, according to the publicity material, Alaimo offers advice for how to get over the influence — how to handle our daughters’ use of social media, use apps to find the romantic partners we’re looking for, and bolster our careers, and protect ourselves from sextortionists, catfishers, and trolls. "Over the Influence" calls on women to recognize and call out the subtle (and not-so-subtle) sexism, misogyny, and misinformation we find online and use our platforms to empower ourselves and other women.
The discussion will be followed by book sales and book signing. The first 25 students to sign in at the lecture will receive a free, signed copy of the book. The event will be in-person only. It will be available on the library's YouTube channel within a week of the event.
Alaimo is associate professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she created the university’s programs in social media. She has written for CNN Opinion about the social impact of social media and issues affecting women and girls since 2016. She also served as a communications specialist in the Obama administration and for the United Nations.
Greenway Carr is a CNN Opinion senior editor whose work has appeared in CNN Opinion, as well as in several other publications, including The Atlantic, Slate, and Vox. She was previously a contributing editor and fellow at the think tank New America and a lecturer in the English Department at New York University. She is the co-editor of a forthcoming book to be published in June, “The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Writings: Tales of a Newspaper Woman.”
The Marchand Lecture, dedicated to inspiring excellence in community-based leadership, is an annual library event held in honor of Phyllis Marchand, Princeton Township’s longest serving mayor and a leader and leadership mentor in the community for five decades. https://phyllisleadershipseries.org
Marchand died in the spring of 2021, after serving on the Princeton Township Committee for 22 years, 14 of them as mayor. In addition to her government service, she had leadership roles in many community non-profits.
Tuesday, March 19
5 to 7 p.m.: What Free Speech Is - And What It Isn't - Princetonians for Free Speech, Bowen Hall 222. The Honorable Kyle Duncan, judge, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, and Robert P. George, Princeton professor of jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
George and Duncan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit will engage in a conversation on civil liberties and contemporary free speech issues. The professor and the judge will discuss constitutional protections and limitations on free speech, jurisprudential approaches to the First Amendment and constitutional interpretation, and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. They will also discuss a rise in campus illiberalism and Judge Duncan's recent experience encountering anti-free speech agitators at Stanford Law School.
7 to 9 p.m.: Songwriters Circle and Open Mic, Princeton Public Library - Community Room, 65 Witherspoon Street. The Princeton Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association provides feedback and tips to help songwriters improve at this event, which also includes an acoustic open mic.
Singers/songwriters are invited to present their original songs (covers of other artists' material is not permitted). Songs are presented in a "round" style to maximize time, and attendees should be prepared with two of their best songs in case there is time for a second round.
The goal is to promote writing great original songs and provide information that may help songwriters get their music heard. Sign in begins at 6:30 p.m. Singers/songwriters will be invited on stage in a first-come manner as time allows. This event is for singer/songwriters, not a showcase for bands.
Wednesday, March 20
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens, Tipple and Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary, 210 Nassau Street. Informal meet-up with Princeton Council member Leighton Newlin.
6 to 7 p.m.: Author Rachel Cohen in Conversation with Jill Dolan, Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street. In collaboration with the Princeton Public Library. The author discusses the updated, newly released version of her classic book “A Chance Meeting,” first published 20 years ago, with Jill Dolan, dean of the college at Princeton University.
From the Publisher: Cohen shows us a series of, now boldly, now subtly, transformative encounters between a wide and surprising range of Americans. A young Henry James has his portrait taken by the photographer Mathew Brady—Brady, who will receive Walt Whitman in his studio and depict General Grant on the battlefield. Later, W.E.B. Du Bois and his professor William James visit Helen Keller; Edward Steichen and Alfred Stieglitz argue about photography; and Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston write a play together. Throughout, Cohen’s narrative loops back and leaps forward with supreme agility, connecting, among others, Willa Cather, Elizabeth Bishop, Marianne Moore, Beauford Delaney, James Baldwin, and Richard Avedon.
7 to 9 p.m.: Jersey Art Meetup (JAM), Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton Comic Makers. A weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media.
7:30 p.m.: Dream Girls, McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org. A 1960s Motown girl group rises from obscurity to superstardom after catching a big break in an amateur competition.
Thursday, March 21
5:30 p.m.: Princeton University Art Museum, Visiting Artist Talk: Fazal Sheikh, Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building, Room A17. The photographer Fazal Sheikh, Princeton University Class of 1987 and former visiting professor, will deliver the Art Museum Student Advisory Board’s annual artist talk.
Sheikh has spent his career photographing individuals and communities displaced by conflict and environmental change. Acclaimed for his intimate portraits, Sheikh collaborates closely with his subjects to better understand and share their stories. In this talk, he will discuss his newest body of work, Exposure (2017–2022). To make Exposure, set in the American Southwest, Sheikh worked closely with Utah Diné Bikéyah, a Native American grassroots organization, to examine the human and environmental costs of the exploitation of public lands. The expansive landscapes seen in the series pay homage to the spiritual significance of the land, while portraits and collected testimonies reveal the ongoing but often invisible effects of environmental racism, especially on Indigenous inhabitants.
6 to 7:30 p.m.: Author Kara Alaimo in conversation with Jane Carr, Phyllis Marchand Leadership Lecture, Princeton Public Library, Community Room. The author discusses “Over the Influence” with Jane Greenway Carr and examines how social media affects women.
7:30 p.m.: Dream Girls, McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org. A 1960s Motown girl group rises from obscurity to superstardom after catching a big break in an amateur competition.
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]]>PARAMUS, NJ - "As soon as the lights dim, you feel as if you are transported to a Broadway theater."
Paramus Schools Superintendent Sean Adams was all about praise when he was reporting on his experience seeing the high school musical production of "Newsies".
At the March 18 Board of Education meeting, Adams was pleased to tell the board how he spent part of his weekend.
"I am never surprised by how incredibly talented our staff and students are when I see these productions," he said. "I am still always in awe of what they are able to do."
"You'll know that what I'm about to say is not hyperbolic. As soon as the lights dim, you feel as if you are transported to a Broadway theater."
Adams said from the voices on the stage to the orchestra, the performance "flow[ed] around you."
He complimented the crew on the stage and the set design, including "the ways in which they were able to transition between scenes. It truly was incredibly powerful.
"So much so that I have not been able to stop listening to the soundtrack for Newsies," Adams said. "That's as much as it sticks with you.
"I do want to give a shout-out to the cast, the crew, the staff members, all the families and parents who supported their children in this production, it was truly a sight to behold."
"So, I would just like to give a round of applause from those of us here to those students. It was amazing."
The musical ran from March 14 to March 16.
]]>Experience the timeless elegance of Tony Bennett’s music with Frankie Cirell’s “The Magic Of Tony Bennett” on June 1st at the Sieminski Theater with performances at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. This extraordinary show, backed by the grandeur of a full orchestra, brings to life the soulful melodies and classical charm of one of music’s most beloved icons. Frankie Cirelli's soul-stirring and accurate portrayal of the legendary artist takes audiences on a musical journey through Bennett's enduring legacy, from the heart-rending "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" to the soaring "Fly Me to the Moon."
Frankie Cirell is an extraordinary entertainer with over five decades of experience captivating audiences with his vocal prowess and versatility, which are unmatched and have earned him praise from audiences and critics. He began his career as part of the critically acclaimed comedy/music duo Andre & Cirell, where he developed his comedic genius. But Frankie’s magic is in his voice! Recently, turning his focus and talent to the last great jazz singer of a generation, Tony Bennett, he created a show that is not just a tribute, but a celebration of Tony's greatest hits. If you close your eyes, you'd be hard-pressed to believe it's not Tony Bennett's voice you hear. Accompanied by talented singer Kelsey Demsky, whose voice blends seamlessly with the orchestra, together with the energy and passion of the music, these two talented artists will have you singing along and swaying to the rhythm.
Don't miss this romantic and elegant tribute on June 1st at the Sieminski Theater with performances at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Please book your tickets now and immerse yourself in the magic of Tony Bennett's music, celebrating his legacy like never before. Visit sieminskitheater.org or call 908-580-3892. The Sieminski Theater, located at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, provides an intimate and state-of-the-art experience, perfect for enjoying this unforgettable performance. The Sieminski Theater offers student and senior discounts, dinner and show packages, and onsite parking.
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Enjoy an exceptional preshow dining experience at Wilson’s Tapas Bar Lounge restaurant. Located steps away from the Sieminski Theater, culinary dishes prepared by Fellowship Village’s award-winning executive chef feature only the freshest ingredients and highest quality. Make a reservation by calling 908-580-3818 for 5:30 pm for the show date.
About the Sieminski Theater: Bringing a professional performing arts venue with a diverse lineup of entertainment to Basking Ridge and the surrounding communities makes the Sieminski Theater and Somerset County an artistic and cultural destination. We enjoy a newly expanded performance schedule from the American Theater Group, Light Opera of New Jersey, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Trilogy Repertory, and countless national touring groups. Our intimate, award-winning non-profit venue features technical amenities that rival any Broadway theater. Visit us at www.sieminskitheater.org to view our upcoming entertainment schedule, where any seat is the best seat in the house.
]]>HOBOKEN, NJ - A set of brothers from Hoboken who own a small local production company beat out hundreds of other international contestants to win a $50,000 grant to edit and shoot a film in Lower Manhattan.
Andrew and Remy Neymarc won the grant after a panel of cultural leaders in New York City viewed their original treatment for Dreamscape, a short film which the brothers say is about “a talented yet struggling dancer who faces eviction unless she is able to land a role during a life-changing audition.”
The Neymarc brothers were born in the U.S. and moved to Paris when they were young and grew up there. Now, they live in Hoboken where they own the local production company Neymarc Visuals.
"It’s an honor to be recognized by NYC’s cultural leaders and valued as filmmakers based in NJ. We’re proud to have set up our creative studio and company in Hoboken and hope to support our town and state the same way we are doing for Lower Manhattan and NYC,” Andrew and Remy Neymarc said in an email statement to TAPinto Hoboken.
“Even though we’re from France, we’ve fallen in love with this area ever since our first film and TV commercial projects. We are now more excited than ever to share with the world our passion for filmmaking in the world’s most cinematic locations,” they added.
]]>MONTVILLE, NJ - Featuring a "Cast of Thousands" -- or nearly 100 students from grades 6, 7 and 8 -- the musical "Bugsy Malone JR." will be performed by the Robert R. Lazar Middle School Theatre Company on Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Performances will be held in the Montville Township High School auditorium. MTHS is located at 100 Horseneck Road. A FREE Senior Citizen performance will be held on Wednesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.
"Bugsy Malone JR." is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the Roaring Twenties. Lazar's action-packed production of non-stop choreography, eye-popping costumes, brightly designed sets, and classic comic characters, features flappers and fedoras, and the show's score and lyrics by 6-time Oscar-winner Paul Williams. The musical "Bugsy Malone JR." is based on the 1976 film "Bugsy Malone" written and directed by Oscar-nominated Alan Parker ("Fame," "Evita," "Come See the Paradise"). The music of this classic show highlights characters with names like: Ritzy, Knuckles, Tallulah, and Sam.
At its heart, "Bugsy Malone JR." is a love story on the scale of "West Side Story." In a fictitious city, populated only by children who are in a rivalry of Capone-ian-like standards, a one-time boxer, Bugsy Malone, discovers the love of his life: Blousey. Dandy Dan and his group seem to have the upper hand in the rivalry, but Fat Sam thinks Bugsy holds the key to winning. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with Blousey...but that just doesn't seem to be in the cards.
The principal cast includes: Bugsy Malone: Max Davis (Grade 7), Blousey Brown: Chelsea Adest (7), Fat Sam: Reid Quinn (8), Dandy Dan: Benjamin Mason (8), Tallulah: Kelsie Faherty (8), Lena Marelli: Rebecca Neadel (7), Ritzy: Aadit Tembe (7), Tallulah’s Quartet: Mateya Pereski (7), Sethu Arunachalam (8), Marissa Mathew (8), Vivienne Palmiero (8), Knuckles: Vasileos Sakkos (8), Fizzy: Julie Choi (8), and Oscar DeVelt: Issac Bedell (8).
"Bugsy Malone JR." is produced by Special Education teacher Rebecca Friedman and, and co-directed by Friedman and Choral teacher Jordan Green. Green is also the Musical Director. Leala Mills is the Choreographer, Lighting Designer is Mal Hoeland, and Sound Design is provided by Audio, Inc. Set design is led by Lazar Science teacher Karin Wardell with Likhila Tummala serving as the Junior Set Designer. The Stage Manager team is led by Timothy Faherty with Assistant Stage Managers Ryan Cortes and Nicole Londono. Junior Stage Managers Alyssa Leff and Brielle Cuccia round out the Creative Team.
For eight years in a row the Montville Township Public Schools, a pre-k to grade 12 district, have been awarded the national designation of "Outstanding Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM foundation.
Don't miss this live production of "Bugsy Malone JR." the musical. Performances by the Robert R. Lazar Middle School Theatre Company will be held on Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at: www.montville.net/bugsy.
A FREE Senior Citizen performance will be held on Wednesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.
A VIDEO promo of the upcoming production of “Bugsy Malone, JR.,” by videographer Lauren Moran, can be viewed at the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel.
All three performances will be held at Montville Township High School, 100 Horseneck Road, Montville, NJ.
]]>MILLTOWN, NJ - It may not feel exactly like spring is in the air this week, but the season officially arrives on Tuesday, March 19. To celebrate, the Milltown Public Library is hosting Blossom Bingo on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. Adults and families are welcome to stop by the public library to enjoy spring bingo along with snacks and refreshments. There will also be a kids' scavenger hunt. Registration is not required to attend.
]]>SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Scotch Plains Fanwood High School will host the 27th annual "Moonglower's Jazz Festival" on Friday, March 22, beginning at 4 p.m. The festival featuers 12 of the most talented jazz bands in the state of New Jersey, including our own Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Jazz Band and the Moonglowers
Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.
2024 Moonglowers Jazz Festival Schedule | Time |
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Jazz Band | 4:00 PM |
Delaware Valley HS | 4:25 PM |
Edison HS "B" Band | 4:50 PM |
J.P. Lab Jazz Band | 5:15 PM |
Bridgewater HS | 5:40 PM |
Bayonne HS | 6:05 PM |
N. Highlands HS | 6:30 PM |
Sparta Blues Inc. | 6:55 PM |
Carteret HS | 7:20 PM |
Piscataway HS | 7:45 PM |
E. Brunswick HS | 8:00 PM |
Edison HS "A" Band | 8:25 PM |
J.P. Stevens HS Jazz Ensemble | 8:50 PM |
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Moonglowers | 9:15 PM |
Awards Ceremony | 10:00 PM |
The Moonglowers were established in 1942, and 81 years later, continue to delight audiences with their wide variety of jazz music. To view their award-winning 2023 performance, click here:
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KENILWORTH, N.J. – On Saturday, May 18, the Kenilworth Historical Society will host an “Afternoon Tea With a ‘Weird N.J.’ Twist” at the Kenilworth Veterans Center located at 33 South 21st Street in the Kennedy Room beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Participants will explore the unique, mysterious and peculiar side of New Jersey through an enlightening presentation by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, founders and publishers of the acclaimed Weird N.J. semi-annual magazine.
In addition to the featured program highlighting little-known N.J. legends, folklore, ghost sightings and other fascinating stories, the event will include a gift auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Assorted teas, tea sandwiches and desserts will be served. Admission is $30 and advance reservations are required (by May 1 recommended), as seating is limited.
For reservations/tickets, please call 908-709-0434 or visit Love You More floral boutique at 13 North 20th Street, Kenilworth, where tickets are being sold.
During the Afternoon Tea, Moran and Sceurman will speak of people, places and happenings in New Jersey that are not found on most tourist maps or historical records, as the primary focus of their backroad travels and research is on local unwritten history and modern folklore considered to be strange, odd or unique.
Proceeds from the Afternoon Tea will benefit the Kenilworth Historical Society’s Oswald J. Nitschke House (c. 1880) “living history” museum and cultural arts center by helping defray operating expenses, including the cost of an elevator that makes all levels of the site (“living history” museum, exhibition center and cultural arts center) fully accessible to everyone.
Moran and Sceurman began their search of unwritten New Jersey history and modern folklore more than 30 years ago in the course of compiling a homespun newsletter, called “Weird N.J.,” that they distributed annually to their friends. The pamphlet, comprising odd news, bizarre facts, little-known historical anecdotes and anomalous encounters from across the Garden State, was based on the idea that “every town in the state had a least one good tale to tell.”
Soon thereafter, “Weird N.J.” evolved into the popular self-published magazine Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. At that time, “the two Marks,” as they familiarly are referred to, started conducting their own investigations into local legends, ancient mysteries, bizarre beasts, ghosts, unexplained phenomena and fabled people and places throughout New Jersey.
In 2003, Barnes & Noble released the first Weird N.J. hardcover book, authored by Moran and Sceurman under their own imprint. Additional books followed in a nationally successful Weird U.S. series, also produced by “the two Marks.” A number of Weird N.J. publications will be available for sale during the Kenilworth Historical Society’s May 18 “Afternoon Tea With a ‘Weird N.J.’ Twist.”
In 2005, Weird U.S. became a weekly television series, starring Moran and Sceurman, on the History Channel. “The two Marks” are currently commentators on the program Paranormal Caught on Camera, which airs weekly on the Travel Channel and on Discovery +.
The Kenilworth Historical Society (www.kenilworthhistoricalsociety.org) is an independent, volunteer-based, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the research, preservation and interpretation of the Oswald J. Nitschke House (c. 1880), local history and culture.
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YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Shrub Oak native Nadia Briones grew up studying the art of arias. But these days, the 2013 Lakeland High School grad and classically trained singer spends more time immersed in the science of anatomy as a student at the New York Medical College (NYMC) School of Medicine.
With a musical ear attuned to harmony and rhythm, and hands adept at healing touch (she’s also a licensed massage therapist), Briones is about to finish her first year at NYMC, where she’s training for a career devoted to compassionate care and holistic well-being.
Briones has always had a gift for music. Born into a musical family, she began singing at the age of five. She has explored various genres throughout her life, including classical, jazz, and – inspired by a connection to her Argentinian roots – tango.
Her introduction to formal musical training was with the Taconic Opera, a Croton-based company that was then looking for children to join its chorus. She would eventually perform regularly with the New York City Opera and The Metropolitan Opera, enjoying a decade-long career. Choosing a favorite performance is difficult for Briones; however, she says portraying Lucia from Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” and singing in Jimmy López’s “Bel Canto” rank among her most memorable experiences.
“I just look back and think of how much fun I had performing,” Briones said. “I loved music production and the whole performance environment.”
Briones, a coloratura soprano, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford. During a study-abroad trip singing opera in Milan, Italy, her passion for the arts collided with her interest in the sciences when a friend introduced her to the tech startup Bright Line Eating.
“The idea of people struggling with food and eating intrigued me,” she said. “I can’t really explain where it came from, but we’ve all encountered our own struggles with our bodies and eating healthily.”
After piquing her curiosity, the startup marked her first venture into the sciences, as she worked remotely in customer service, research, and IT.
After graduating college, Briones came back to New York and continued her work with Bright Line Eating. She also renewed her involvement with the Taconic Opera, where she helped start a summer program for young adults. While she also had performances in between, she started feeling the work-from-home blues, long before it became the norm in the years of the pandemic.
“Even though I was grateful that I had a job that allowed me a lot of flexibility [with Bright Line], I missed human connection,” she said.
While looking for a way to find that connection, she found an advertisement for the Finger Lakes School of Massage. She took a leap of faith and went to orientation. Briones ran into a family friend who was a massage therapist and encouraged her to make a career change.
“This was a really fun and meaningful way of interacting with a body that I had never thought about,” Briones said.
Without formal science training, massage therapy was Briones’ first exposure to the study of anatomy; she said it was a pivotal moment in her life.
“My teachers said, ‘You don’t belong here. You belong somewhere where you can really study this stuff in an advanced way,’” she recalled.
At first, Briones shrugged off suggestions by her teacher and mentor that she pursue a science-based career. But that started to change after her massage therapy program was invited by NYMC to explore the anatomy lab. One of her teachers asked Briones if she could see herself working there; at first, she dismissed the suggestion as “ridiculous.”
Yet a few years later, she would be in that same lab studying anatomy with the same professors she met during her tour.
After working at an athletic center providing massage therapy for Olympic weightlifters, Briones realized she wanted to advance her knowledge in healthcare. She said the familiarity and “homeyness” of NYMC made her choice of medical school easy.
With a guitar in hand and a certification in massage therapy, Briones, who expects to graduate from NYMC in 2027, brings a unique perspective to medicine.
“I love music,” she said. “Music is medicine for my soul. But I will say that something I love in particular is performing. Connecting with an audience and telling a story.”
As a School of Medicine student senator, she is helping to organize a public speaking workshop in April with NYMC’s Phillip Capozzi, M.D., Library to teach students ways to engage, convince, and present in front of an audience. She says she was inspired by her undergraduate studies in performance and saw the need for students to master the art of communication in the medical field.
“I’ve been a student nonstop almost since I was born,” said Briones, who still finds time to sing as a member of the choir Choral Chameleon along with some smaller local community choirs and occasional performances with the Taconic Opera and the Hudson River Opera. “I know it’s early in my medical education, but I fantasize about all the different specialties I could pursue. It’s hard to choose one now, but I can see myself happily being a physician knowing that my scope would end at the depths of the field and not the width.”
As for how music and medicine continue to coexist in her life, Briones said that while the stage and the surgery are very different places, they inspire her in similar ways.
“I find that medicine and music share so many elements actually,” she said. “One thing that links music and medicine for me is my love of learning. My parents showed me that knowledge and education are the most valuable things you can acquire. No one can take education away from you. I also happen to just love both fields so much, and I find a deep sense of fulfillment by immersing myself in them. When I was young, I used to worry a lot about how to make different aspects of my life ‘fit together, and someone close to me assured me: ‘If you’re ever worried that you can’t find the connection between two distant aspects of your life, then remember that you are that connection.’”
Article courtesy New York Medical College/edited by Yorktown News
]]>(South Orange, NJ) – On Monday, March 25th, at 6 pm, Orange High School students will walk the Red Carpet and then watch their films on the big screen at The Village at SOPAC Theatres in South Orange. The general public is invited to this free event, which is the culmination of “DocFilmBoot,” a filmmaking bootcamp that is a collaboration between the local non-profit Cinema Ed, Drew University and Orange School District. Luke Parker Bowles and his team at Cinema Lab have generously donated a theatre space to screen these films. For the past six weeks, Drew students' mentors, along with professional filmmaking mentors from Cinema Ed have been visiting Orange High School to work with filmmaking students to help create six documentaries. The films will then be sent to documentary industry professionals who will judge them and choose the top two documentaries. Awards will be given after the screening.
Cinema Ed provides high school students with a variety of intensive programs designed to teach them the skills they need to craft their own independent films and find work in the film and television industry. These programs also provide them with the opportunity to work on specific film projects with professional filmmakers while also focusing on their studies in all areas of their high school curriculum. Drew University’s Center for Civic Engagement has also partnered with Orange and Cinema Ed to provide Drew students the opportunity to work at Orange High School as part of their Civic Media Class. In its third year, DocFilmBoot operates as part of a grant from Essex County and Jersey Arts.
The general public is invited to attend this free screening, and the first 100 attendees will also receive a free small popcorn and soda to enjoy while they watch the films created by these local high school students. For more information on this event and how to obtain tickets, please visit www.CinemaEd.org.
]]>ROSELLE PARK, NJ —It’ll be a showdown in the squared circle when the Roselle Park Diversity and Inclusion Committee team up with Invictus Pro Wrestling to bring their latest show, The Warrior’s Code, to Roselle Park on Friday, March 22 at the Anthony Signorello Youth Center, 234 Chestnut St.
Check out Invictus’ world-class performers as they slam and suplex their way to a night of good family fun. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a 7 p.m. belltime. General admission is $20 and a family four-pack is $60. Buy your tickets at the link here.
Read more Arts & Entertainment news from around Roselle Park here:
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HOBOKEN, NJ - Hoboken’s Main Street Pops Artisan Market is back, featuring an exciting new “Be A Maker” series
Main Street Pops will kick off its fourth season of monthly Artisan Markets under the viaduct on Sunday, March 24, featuring a varied collection of talented local makers, live music and fun family-friendly activities. The launch will also include the unveiling of an exciting new "Be a Maker" series, designed to spark creativity and bring out the “maker” in all that are inspired by the markets’ talented artisans. The "Be a Maker" series will feature a variety of workshops and hands-on activities, aiming to empower individuals to transform their ideas into reality.
"We believe that everyone has the potential to be a maker," said Zabrina Stoffel, Co-Founder of the women-owned Main Street Pops. "Whether you're a seasoned maker or someone just discovering your passion for creation, our events provide a supportive and inclusive environment where creativity knows no bounds."
One of the key objectives of the "Be a Maker" series is to foster a culture of lifelong learning and creative curiosity.
"We're not just hosting events; we're building a community of makers who are passionate about creating," added Shan Gettens. "Through the 'Be a Maker' series, we hope to inspire a new generation of innovators who will shape the future through their ingenuity and imagination."
The inaugural event of the "Be a Maker" series is scheduled to take place on March 24 at Main Street Pops Artisan Market under the 14th Street Viaduct, 1401 Adams Street, where participants can dive into a day of creativity, discovery, and fun with GALASTELLA STUDIO to embroider your zodiac sign. Classes are on the hour 11-3pm and there is a $10 materials fee. Sign up ahead at Galastella.com. Walk-ins accepted as available.
Upcoming makers in the series include Blue Skies Pottery in May, Urban Arts in June, and Fred Astaire Dance Hoboken in July.
The March 24th market will also feature live music from “Two for the Road” and face painting and other family fun from Mile Square Early Learning.
For more information and to stay updated on events popping up, follow rhem @mainstreetpops or visit MAINSTREETPOPS.COM
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UNION, NJ - Hinchliffe Stadium historian Brian LoPinto will present a retrospective on the Newark Eagles' Time at Hinchliffe Stadium with a focus on the Newark Eagles' contributions as a home team at this historic venue.
The presentation will be held on Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Vauxhall Branch Library, 123 Hilton Avenue, Vauxhall.
To register, click HERE.
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]]>SAYREVILLE, NJ - The Sayreville War Memorial Theatre Society held their performance of Tuck Everlasting on Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16.
Related: Sayreville HS Theatre Will Present 'Tuck Everlasting' March 15-16 (includes cast list)
This production was directed by Ms. Laura Distaulo, Theatre Teacher at SWMHS, and included a team of dedicated staff members and volunteers such as Justin Sanford (Musical Director), Dr. Paul Caruso (Pit Band Musical Conductor), Cynthia Gallagher (Costume Design), Jordan Gallagher (Makeup Design), Michael Mergner (Set Design), Nick Taylor (Technical Director) and Megan Terrano (Business Manager).
"As a result of their incredibly hard work, the students that took part in this unbelievable theatrical experience had the privilege of participating in a Broadway-like show with all the amenities," said Dr. Richard Labbe, Sayreville School District Superintendent. "It was clear in the performances of all our students that they and the staff and volunteers that assisted them, worked tirelessly over the past several months to prepare this masterpiece."
]]>RED BANK, NJ: Tanisha Ford, author of “Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement,” is a 2024 NAACP Image Award winner.
Her book, “Our Secret Society, Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement,” is what brings her to Two River Theater on March 22, at 7 pm, as the guest speaker for the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center fundraiser.
The event is dubbed “Welcome to Our Met Gala,” which salutes the traveling fashion show known as “Ebony Fashion Fair,” lauded by the Black community, founded by Eunice Johnson, and produced by Johnson
Publishing Company, who Ford writes extensively about in her award-winning book.
Today’s term used to describe her would be influencer. Ford was named to Root Magazine list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans, in 2019. The CUNY history professor and contributing writer for the New York Times and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, heads up a stellar line-up of events for Women’s History Month, presented by the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center.
The salute to Ebony Magazine, is a Fashion Retrospective in conjunction with Two River Theater’s Costume Department, to benefit the Art of Social Justice, a professional development program for teachers.
Tickets and Information
Contact shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org for more information. Tickets $100.
With a signed copy of the award-winning book, $150.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Guest Speaker for New Exhibit: “Shaping Black identity & Black Influence on Mass Media”
Saturday, March 23, 3:00-5:00 pm, Caroline Hunter Williams is the guest speaker for the opening of the new exhibit “Shaping Black identity & Black Influence on Mass Media.”
Williams is a founding member of the Polaroid Revolutionary Workers Movement, and an important catalyst for world change. It was her voice and action, along with the movement that led to the toppling of apartheid in South Africa.
This is a story you DO NOT want to miss, and the bonus part, Williams is alive to tell it.
Registration
You must register with shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org
Donation for exhibit and talk is $20.
Doors open at 2pm. Seating limited for the 3 pm presentation. First come. First served.
Dr. Carla Peterson
Saturday, March 30 - 3-5 pm, Join Dr. Carla Peterson, a professor at the University of Maryland, whose book, “Black Gotham: A Family History of African Americans in Nineteenth Century New York City” was the inspiration behind the African American Scott Family, in the popular HBO/MAX series “The Gilded Age.”
The show also includes the character of T. Thomas Fortune. Dr. Peterson and grandfather, Jerome Peterson, was T. Thomas Fortune’s partner in the New York Age newspaper.
It is an honor to have Dr. Peterson come and share this history with us. We hope you will join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Carla Peterson and the Cultural Center’s Executive Director, Gilda Rogers.
Suggested donation $20. Dr. Peterson’s book will be on sale in the Cultural Center’s gift shop.
Registration
Please register with shanel@tthomasfortunefoundation.org to reserve your seat.
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]]>WESTFIELD, NJ — Get ready to see your beloved characters and hear your favorite songs come to life with Edison Intermediate School Theater Guild’s upcoming spring musical, Disney’s “Frozen, Jr.”
Michael Altman is the director. Janine Dayson is the choreographer and Stephen Markowski is the musical director.
As in the popular Disney movie, sisters Anna and Elsa find themselves in a predicament when Elsa becomes queen and freezes the entire kingdom of Arendelle with her snow powers. Anna must now go on an adventure to find and bring her sister back.
Altman said the story is full of “twists and turns and characters you meet along the way, including the loveable Olaf the snowman, Kristoff the ice salesman, Hans the prince, Sven the reindeer and many others.”
The soundtrack is full of unforgettable and timeless songs many in the audience grew up with, including “Do you Wanna Build a Snowman?” and “Let the Sun Shine On.”
“Part of the things I’m most looking forward to are how the music that everyone has grown to know and love is something that they can see in real life, as opposed to on a TV screen,” Markowski said.
“The song I’m most excited for everyone to see is ‘Let It Go,’ and the costumes, particularly my tear-away dress,” said Corabelle Martin, the eighth grader who plays Elsa.
Using recorded music as background this year instead of live, the songs will have a much fuller sound, according to Markowski.
More than 100 members of the cast and crew are putting their all into this musical. According to Altman, the production is almost entirely run by the students, from creating sets to running lights.
“I’m really excited for everyone to see the sets. A lot of time and work has gone into them,” said eighth grade stage manager Tziona Gras.
Up on stage, the actors have also been hard at work putting together their dances and lines.
“Seeing everything come together has been so fun to see,” said eighth grader Fiona Brown, who plays Anna.
This production of “Frozen, Jr.” will be “far above and beyond anything you would expect any middle school to put together,” Altman said.
If you go:
Catch “Frozen, Jr.” on March 21 at 4 p.m., and March 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. at Edison Intermediate School, 800 Rahway Avenue, Westfield, NJ. Thursday matinée tickets are $8.25 and tickets on Friday and Saturday are $13.50 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available at https://eis.booktix.net/.
“Frozen, Jr.,” based on the book and Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck, features songs from the animated film with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Mahika Dang is a student at Westfield High School participating in a journalism program with TAPinto Westfield.
]]>KENILWORTH, NJ - Please see the list of events hosted by the Kenilworth Public Library the week of March 18 - March 23.
THIS WEEK AT THE LIBRARY....
Monday, March 18:
BINGO (6:30pm - 7:00pm) Ages: 3 & up
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Tuesday, March 19:
PJ STORY TIME (6:30pm – 7:00pm) Ages: 3 & up
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Wednesday, March 20:
NO PROGRAMS TODAY
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Thursday, March 21:
NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Ages: 4 - Adult
Learn about Arab American Heritage Month which takes place during the month of April! Participants will enjoy music played on multiple percussion and string instruments from around the Arab world.
Learn about the history of each instrument and how they are made.
The audience will be invited to join in with rhythmic clapping,
word pronunciation, line dancing, and spontaneous questions.
With humor, acrobatics, articulation, and masterful audience incorporation,
Karim will provide an uplifting experience celebrating Arab and Muslim culture.
This program will be presented by native Egyptian Karim Nagi.
Registration is required.
To register call the library at 908-276-2451 or visit 548 Boulevard.
This program has been made possible by funds from Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
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Friday, March 22:
NO PROGRAMS
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Saturday, March 23:
YOUTH TUNES (12;30pm - 1:30pm) Ages: 5 - 10
Music Education program
Registration is required.
To register call the library at 908-276-2451 or visit 548 Library.
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JERSEY CITY, NJ-In honor of Women’s History Month, the Jersey City Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a luncheon.
The “How Women Inspire Diversity And Inclusion Luncheon” will take place on March 21 from 12 to 2 p.m. at City Hall Annex, 4 Jackson Square (39 Kearney Avenue).
The event will feature guest speaker Madeline Dyer, a medical science Administrative Assistant at Hudson County Community College, a member of the ( D.E.I )Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion community, founder of the Adventist Bridge Program, and a published children's book author.
For more information, call the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 201-547-5166.
]]>BAYONNE, NJ - Thousands of “Irish” lined Broadway to watch the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bayonne on Sunday. Of course, since it was held on St. Patrick’s Day, following the old adage, regardless of background, everyone was Irish, at least for the day!
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is typically Bayonne’s largest of the year, drawing people from around the region, not to mention public officials and those seeking higher office. Those Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, seeking to unseat Rep. Rob Menendez, who was also part of the blocks long march.
Former Gov. Jim McGreevey, running for Mayor of Jersey City, also made an appearance, along with New Jersey State Senator Angela McKnight and her running mates Assembly members Barbara McCann and William Sampson.
Mayor Jimmy Davis, fresh off the one-block parade he hosted on Friday, and Council President Gary LaPelusa, whose portrait was recently hung in the City Council Chambers, were joined by other members of the city council in celebrating that day dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint.
Marchers from many of the local schools made their way up Broadway as did many Irish groups from Bayonne and beyond.
Grand Marshal Sheila O'Boyle Hudacko led the parade, joined by a host of other Honorees including Pat Conway, County Cork Association; Casey Hudacko, County. Donegal Association; Ian Hudacko, Irish American League; and Eileen McGarvey Gill, Shamrock Society of Bayonne.
Summing up the family-friendly affair, with Irish brevity was County Executive Craig Guy who said simply: “It’s a good day.”
]]>KENILWORTH, NJ – Local seniors (age 60 or older) will have an opportunity to show and/or sell their artwork, crafts and photographs during a Kenilworth Senior Arts, Crafts and Photography Show that will take place at the newly renovated Kenilworth Senior Center on Sunday, May 19.
The event, a major highlight of the center’s planned Grand Reopening celebration, coincides with the timing of the Kenilworth Street Fair. Exhibit space in the show will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested participants should register by May 8.
Registration forms will be available at the Kenilworth Senior Center, Kenilworth Public Library, Love You More floral boutique (13 N. 20th Street), Borough Clerk’s office and on the Borough website (www.kenilworthborough.com). For further information, please call Shirley Boyden Maxwell, senior program director, at 908-276-1716.
Other exciting new programs being presented for seniors at the Kenilworth Senior Center include the acclaimed WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) program, which features six enlightening, interactive 2-hour sessions led by knowledgeable facilitators from Prevention Links. Topics to be covered include the aging process and how to make healthy lifestyle choices; risk factors and behaviors to avoid in order to stay healthy; stress/depression management; medication management and prevention of substance misuse; guidance in communicating with health care providers; and tools to build confidence and empowerment in life and in health care.
The WISE program starts on Tuesday, April 23 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) and continues at the same time each subsequent Tuesday through May 28. Admission to the program, including lunch, is free. To register, please call Shirley Maxwell by April 16.
For a complete listing of classes (line dancing, fitness/exercise, Zumba, chair yoga, crafts and more) and other programs offered by the Senior Center, please see postings at the center’s entrances and refer to the Borough website under the Senior Services.
The Kenilworth Senior Center is located at 526 Boulevard.
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BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - In a vibrant "green" display of unity and cultural celebration, the Berkeley Heights community came together on Friday for a special Irish Culture and Heritage Flag Raising Event. Hosted by the Township and supported by Dr. Patrick Smith and the Diversity Council, the event showcased the rich traditions of Irish culture.
The award-winning Heritage Irish Dance Company took center stage, treating attendees to a mesmerizing performance of Irish step dancing. Their graceful movements and intricate footwork added a touch of Irish flair to the festivities, captivating the audience and honoring the cultural heritage of Ireland.
Dr. Smith, who emceed the event, proudly shared his own Irish heritage, tracing his roots back to Dublin, Dingle, and County Kerry. Speaking in Gaelic, he extended warm St. Patrick’s Day blessings to all present.
The highlight of the ceremony was the ceremonial raising of the tricolors at the flagpole by resident Fiona Rouse, accompanied by Dr. Smith and members of the council. Father J.C. of Little Flower Church offered a heartfelt blessing, and the event concluded with a soulful rendition of "Danny Boy" by Connor McKenna, a manager at Delicious Heights. Attendees were invited to continue the festivities at Delicious Heights, where live music from Dan & Shan kept the celebration going.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, bagpipers from Gov. Livingston High School filled the air with melodic tunes. A notable mention was made of the historic day approaching, as the Governor Livingston High School Marching Band participated, for the first time, in the annual New York St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday to showcase their talents, a tradition dating back to 1960. Check back with TAPinto Berkeley Heights for coverage.
Reflecting on the community's commitment to inclusivity, Mayor Angie Devanney highlighted the significance of previous flag raisings honoring various cultural celebrations. Attendees were treated to green-themed treats and had the opportunity to participate in a soda bread bake-off, with Goodman's, Delicious Heights, and Craft Bagels generously providing gift cards to the winners. First place winner - Diana Bjorge; Second place winner - Lauren Foote; and Third place winner - Chrissy Henze and her daughter.
The event served as a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry woven within the community, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation for diversity. As attendees departed, they carried with them the spirit of camaraderie and the joy of celebrating the vibrant heritage of Berkeley Heights.
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BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The spring-like weather outside Bridgewater-Raritan High School had no impact on Matt McCarthy when he proudly spoke about the opening performance of the Festival of the Arts.
The crown- jewel event of the fine and performing arts program in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District launched its 2024 edition when the chorus concert was held on the evening of Mar. 13, in the high school’s main gymnasium.
The audience, which featured family and friends, jammed into Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium to enjoy the gifted singing of school district students from grades four through 12.
McCarthy, the school district’s supervisor of arts education and the director of the Festival of the Arts, relished his review of the first of the four performances in the Festival of the Arts.
“There was so much warmth throughout the concert as our students lifted their voices to the rafters,’’ McCarthy said.
He not only was entertained by the songs, but by the passion and attentiveness that was also delivered throughout the evening,
“The best part for me was seeing the look on the faces of our younger students as their older counterparts performed," he said. "It's without a doubt that events like this encourage and inspire students to continue making the arts a part of their lives."
Once the Star-Spangled Banner was superbly sung by the combined high school choirs, the students delighted the crowded arena, first from the youngest and all the way through to the oldest choralists.
The fourth grade festival chorus, which was conducted by music teachers Rina Sklar of Hamilton Primary School and Brianna Super of Milltown and Adamsville primary schools, kicked off the performance.
The students from Eisenhower and Hillside formed the intermediate school festival chorus, which was conducted by choral directors Lisa Rotondi from Eisenhower and Tony Sgro from Hillside.
Gabriele Hingelberg, who is the middle school choral director, and her seventh and eighth grade students, followed with their terrific voices.
The combined high school choirs, under the guidance of choral director Dr. John Wilson, delivered a lively and spectacular performance while the high school’s Lorelei Ensemble also presented a sound showing.
A blessing was then performed by the combined district chorus and conducted by Alexander Holland, the music director at Bradley Gardens and Adamsville primary schools.
The conductors from all the school’s choral groups were accompanied during the performance by Chris Fortin, who is a pianist from Somerset County and who performs at local school concerts; Paul Conrad, a staff collaborative pianist from Rutgers University; and Tom DiGiovanni, a conductor and pianist from the Phillipsburg area.
The splendid efforts of the directors and the students, and the overflowing audience in the gym, supported McCarthy’s closing remarks.
“We are fortunate to belong to a community that values everything the arts bring to the education experience,’ he said. “Art doesn't happen in a vacuum. Intellectual curiosity feeds the arts and the arts provide a powerful mode of exploring and reflecting on various disciplines. Thank you to all the parents and families who joined us.”
Next up for the Festival of the Arts will be the orchestra concert Mar. 20, and the band concert Mar. 21. Both shows will start at 7 p.m. and will be staged in the high school’s main gym.
The fourth and final performance will be the Visual Arts Exhibit April 17 at the high school gym and cafeteria.
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