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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Out & About in Bridgewater and Surrounds

Hi Everyone – I’m still trying to figure out how to work out the kinks in my blog uploads. In the meantime, several of you wrote last week saying the blog is useful and one person pointed to another blog that has recently started listing events around the community called Hulafrog (https://hulafrog.com/bridgewater-nj) I’ll add a link with the permalinks on the side of this blog but you may also decide that you want to subscribe.

Meanwhile, for those of you who have been attending my “Fairytale Engineering” Programs at Bridgewater Library this summer, I have started posting pictures at http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/. Take a look if you want to find out what we have been doing. Next Tuesday we are building bridges with The Three Billy Goats Gruff!  (10 a.m. for 3-6 year olds, 11:30 for K-4th graders). Because we have had some registration snafus in switching to a new system, I am not worrying about who is or is not registered, so feel free to attend. More details and a full calendar here – Carol

OUT & ABOUT IN OUR COMMUNITY:
“HEART & SOLE” FOR KIDS MARATHON FUNDRAISING CONCERT @ FARMSTEAD ARTS

Mollie Schulenbrg and Annie SchulenburgTeam “Heart and Sole” Team For Kids Marathon Fundraising Concert
a cabaret program that will support fundraising efforts for Team for Kids

WHEN: Saturday, July 22nd at 4:30 PM
WHERE:
Farmstead Arts Center at 450 King George Road in Basking Ridge
TICKETS: $25 at the door or free with proof of donation at https://runwithtfk.org/Donate/Team/251.

Allison Benoit and Jenna MasiThe program will feature vocalists Jenna Masi, Annie Schulenburg, and Angela Rose Masi from Basking Ridge, Allison and Nadine Benoit from Allendale, Cranford resident Kelli Bruno, Allison Gibson from Watchung, and pianists Cinder LeDell and Joshua Narsu in the English Barn at the Farmstead Arts Center at 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. The program will span several musical genres, including classical, musical theatre, and pop. (TOP: Molly Schulenburg, Annie Schulenburg.RIGHT: Allison Benoit, Jenna Masi. All photos property of Farmstead Arts)

Jenna Masi, Annie Schulenburg, Allison Benoit, Kelli Bruno, and Allison Gibson have performed together for 8 years, starting from when they met at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. They are also members of the New York City-based A Capella group, Street Ready. Annie, Jenna, and Allison are running the New York City Marathon on November 5th to support Team For Kids, a group that brings free running and fitness programs to students across the country through school-based programs, free youth events, and a collection of digital resources.

Annie Schulenburg will be joined by her former piano teacher, Cinder LeDell of Basking Ridge, who will be playing two of her recent piano compositions.  Another of Cinder's students, Joshua Narsu, also of Basking Ridge, will entertain guests as they arrive, as well as performing during the program. Allison Benoit will be joined by her mother, Nadine Benoit, for a special mother–daughter duet.

The performers will also be joined by Angela Rose Masi, a New Jersey-based actress and private voice teacher based in Basking Ridge. Favorite roles include Eve (Children of Eden), Kate/Lucy(Avenue Q), and Schwarzy (25th…Spelling Bee).

Further information can be found at www.farmsteadartscenter.org/performances/ or by contacting Operations Manager Kathy Harris at 908-636-7576 or by email: admin@farmsteadarts.org

The barn is wheelchair accessible.  Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services may make a request by sending an e-mail to admin@farmsteadarts.org in advance.

Funds for this event have been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant administered by The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

FOLK MUSIC ICON TOM CHAPIN TO PERFORM @ THE FOLK PROJECT THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

Image result for the folk project njTom Chapin

WHEN: Friday, July 21 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown.
ADMISSION: $10.00 per person at the door. Children 12 and under are free. For further information, call 973-335-9489, or visit www.folkproject.org.
The Folk Project website also offers music samples of Minstrel performers: http://www.folkproject.org/minstrel/minstrel.shtml

Butch Ross opens.

The event is part of The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series, sponsored by The Folk Project each Friday evening at the Fellowship.

Tom Chapin offers up a mix of story songs, ballads, comedic and political songs, family music, sing alongs, old-time folk classics and a song or two written by his late brother, Harry.  He accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, banjo and autoharp.  In a career that spans five decades, 25 albums and three Grammy awards, the Hudson Valley troubadour has covered an incredible amount of creative ground.  In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Chapin has acted on Broadway  as well as working extensively in television, radio and films.

The multi-talented performer has maintained two long and productive parallel careers, both as a respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer in the field of children's music. Tom’s concerts feature strong, intelligent songwriting with clear, engaging vocals and the intricate, melodic guitar work that has become his trademark. Chapin's infectious song craft, sterling musicianship and personal warmth consistently shine through, whether he's performing on a record or in a concert hall, in front of a symphony orchestra or in an intimate coffeehouse.

Tom is sure to include songs from his brand new CD, “THREADS,” (to be released on July 7, 2017), old favorites, and a new folk anthem, penned by his daughters Abigail and Lily (The Chapin Sisters).

In addition to his musical and media endeavors, Chapin is a tireless advocate on behalf of a variety of charitable organizations.  He is on the Board of Directors of WhyHunger, an organization founded in 1975 by his brother Harry. Tom remains active in a variety of environmental causes, as well as efforts on behalf of music and the arts in our public schools.

Opener Butch Ross made the transition from guitar-playing singer-songwriter to one of the most exciting Appalachian dulcimer players in the country. Along with his own songs and traditional tunes, he also plays other contemporary songs that ought to be totally inappropriate to the dulcimer (e.g., Led Zeppelin, The Beatles) but somehow manage to fit the instrument perfectly in his hands. He presents it all with an irresistible intelligence, charm, and gentle humor. He has become an in-demand performer at folk and dulcimer festivals throughout the US and Europe. 

BRING THE FAMILY TO PLEASANT VALLEY PARK FOR FREE PERFORMANCES OF “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” THROUGH JULY 22

Trilogy Repertory PresentsPIP Trilogy Masthead

Jesus Christ Superstar

WHEN: July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22, 8 PM
WHERE:
outdoor amphitheater at Pleasant Valley Park, Valley Road (next to the Veterans Hospital at Lyons), Basking Ridge
ADMISSION: Free but donations are gratefully accepted. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. For information, call 908-204-3003.

Trilogy Repertory Company opens another great summer season of Bernards Township’s “Plays in the Park” with Tim Rice’s and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. The season will continue on July 28, 29, and August 3, 4, 5, with William Shakespeare’s delightful comedy, Twelfth Night.

Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Jaye Barre with musical direction by Joe Lesky of Somerset and choreography by Mariella Klinger of Highland Park.

Jesus, Judas1The musical tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth (Troy Giel of East Orange) through the perspective of Judas Iscariot (David Seamon of Highland Park).  Told only through song and based loosely on the Gospels, the story also delves into the political upheavals of the day and the interpersonal struggles between Jesus and Judas.  Other main roles include Caiaphas (John Lamb of Randolph), Mary Magdalene (Isabel Pluchino of Far Hills), Herod (Joseph Schmidt of Bedminster), Pontius Pilate (John Wells), Annas (Frank Skokan of Bedminster), and Peter (Owen McKenna of Basking Ridge). [Left: Troy Giel  (Jesus) and David Seamon (Judas)]

Jesus Christ Superstar was conceived for the stage by John O’Horgan, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical opened on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theater on October 12, 1971.  It ran for 711 performances and received five Tony award nominations. The show underwent three revivals, plus a filmed version in 1973.  Theatergoers will recognize the hit song “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” sung by Yvonne Elliman, as well as “Everything’s Alright,” and “Superstar.”

The production team for the musical also includes Basking Ridge residents Lorrie Lane (Executive Producer), Erin Taylor and Marilyn Gamba (Stage Manager/Assistant), and Beverly Webb (Set Decoration and Costumes) The cast also includes the following:  Karen Breslow, Emily Certisimo, Zoe Considine, Katie Cozzi, Laura DeFelice, Anchal Dhir, Julia Drahzal, Kyle Gelatka, Suchir Govindarajan, Allison Hewitt, Jack Hillebrecht, Caitlin Iannella, Jessica Idell, Francesca Infante-Meehan, Melissa Johnson, Eleanor Klinger, Mariella Klinger, Emmalee Lafean, Patty Lafean, Virginia Lafean, John C. Lubarsky, Angela Masi, Germaine McGrath, Caroline McKenna, Hannah Mellilo, Jack Mellilo, Jack Pachetti, Chuck Pisano, Catherine Pluchino, Nicholas Re, Angela Ricci, Kristen Sands, Micaela Sands, Rosellen Schussler, William Shelton, Amy Six, Hayden Verbanas Robin Verma, and Ria Wolff.

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

 
KIDS’ MUSIC SUPERSTAR SOARS @ QUICKCHEK NJ FESTIVAL OF BALLOONING ON JULY 28

We Are the Dinosaurs cover small web

Laurie Berkner’s Greatest Hits Solo Tour

WHEN: 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2017. Festival gates open at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, Solberg Airport, 39 Thor Solberg Road, Whitehouse Station (Readington Township), NJ.
TICKETS: $25, $35, $45, plus applicable fees. Super Premium tickets $75*, plus applicable fees. A limited number of $75 Super Premium tickets are available.

*Super Premium tickets include preferred seating, after-show Meet & Greet, photo opportunity, and a personalized, autographed picture of the Laurie Berkner Band from Laurie.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Visit the Ticketfly website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call 973-882-5464 or visit the QuickCheck New Jersey Festival of Ballooning website.

PLEASE NOTE: Children 1 and under may sit on a parent/guardian's lap. Children 2 and older will need a ticket to sit in the reserved seating area. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children.

Concert ticket INCLUDES general admission to the festival (up to a $35 value) and a reserved concert seat for Laurie Berkner’s performance.

Due to space restrictions, this concert does not include access to the VIP Blue Sky Club or VIP Parking.

Concert seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Seats will be assigned when orders are placed. The last day to purchase tickets online and have them mailed is Friday, July 21st. Tickets purchased after July 21st will be held at the Will Call booth.

The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. This concert, presented by Hackensack Meridian Health, marks the first time the Festival has offered a performance geared to young children and their families.

Laurie Berkner solo photo credit Jayme Thornton 72dpiA pioneer in children's music over the last twenty years, the legendary Laurie Berkner will bring such well-loved hits as "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," "Victor Vito," "We Are The Dinosaurs," and "Pig on Her Head" to this performance, along with songs like "Bicycle," "Bubbles," and "I've Got So Much To Give" from her new album, Superhero. Laurie will showcase many fan favorites, including an array of tunes that encourage kids and grownups alike to get up and dance. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads).

At her solo shows, in addition to familiar hits, Laurie Berkner performs songs that don't always fit with a full-band performance: tunes with simpler arrangements, hand motions, and a cappella singing, like "Bottle Caps," "One Seed," "Telephone," and "Drive My Car."

To give everyone a chance to catch their breath between high-energy moments, the show will include quieter interludes, with songs such as Laurie's classic "Moon Moon Moon."

Laurie says, "I have been looking forward to performing at this festival for months. I can't wait to see all the balloons taking off - I know it will be spectacular! (I really hope I can see them from the stage!) I feel so lucky that I was invited to play at such an exciting venue, and that I'll have Kira Willey there singing a few songs with me. It's going to be a great show!"

“We are thrilled to begin celebrating our 35th anniversary with our first ever concert geared for our youngest balloonatics,” notes Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “While we have added the top rising Disney teen sensations into our concert series over the past few years for teens and tweens, Laurie Berkner will be our first Kids’ Concert for children ages 2-8.”

Dubbed "one of children's music's biggest success stories" by USA Today, Laurie Berkner's original songs, albums, DVDs, music videos, and books leave no doubt: Laurie is the uncrowned queen of children's music and the power behind the progressive "kindie rock" movement.

Laurie Berkner was the first artist to ever appear in music videos on Nick Jr. and was featured in nearly all the episodes of the channel's Jack's Big Music Show.

Thanks to Ruth Ross and http://www.njartsmaven.com for some of these listings.

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