Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Some popular shows are finishing their runs while new productions are getting ready to open
One week a bunch of new shows are opening, and before you know it, they're all getting ready to finish their runs. This weekend marks your last chance to see "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" by Chester Theatre Group, "Southern Comforts" by the Women's Theatre Co. and "The Crucible" at Brundage Park Playhouse. The curtain will also soon be coming down on Dover Little Theatre's "Company" and Chatham Community Players' "Cabaret." But new shows are on their way. "Assassins" opens at the Barn Theatre this weekend and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will open its new season next week with "Henry IV Part I." There are also plenty of concerts, comedy shows and family presentations to see. Read on to find out all about them. ON STAGE SCOOP: …
The band was among 12 other high school bands performing.
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School wind ensemble performed this year at the 2012 NJ State Band Gala at Kean University’s Wilkin Theatre, showing off their talents and abilities. The NJ State Band Gala Concert is an annual educational activity that serves between 750 and 1,000 instrumental music students from the state's public high schools in a day-long series of performances. This prestigious event was held on May 6, with the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Wind Ensemble performing last. Selections included "Komm Susser Tod," composed by Johann Sebastian Bach; "Canzona," by Peter Menin; and "Aegean Festival Overture," by Andreas Makris. The 12 high school bands that perform in the Gala Concert are chosen through a series of three …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Lombardi says he will not tolerate drama.
"Jerseylicious" stars and stylists Olivia Blois Sharpe and Tracy DiMarco simply couldn't keep their harsh words to themselves during a grand opening for the Anthony Roberts Salon, as seen on Sunday night's episode of The Style Network reality show. According to The Style Network's blog, Anthony Lombardi, the Anthony Roberts Salon owner, was "stepping out of the Gatsby's shadow" by expanding his own salon at its Verona location. The Gatsby—a competing salon with Lombardi which shares several employees, including DiMarco and Blois Sharpe, a Montville Township High School graduate—is located in Green Brook. Lombardi had tried a soft opening with a "Friends and Family" event that was featured on the last episode, but after that event was …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Event celebrates its 30th season.
When is a balloon festival not (just) a balloon festival? That’s a tough question, especially when a huge yearly event is billed as such (I mean, it's called the Festival of Ballooning, after all) and there certainly are plenty of hot-air balloons to be displayed. Still, the Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning—in its 30th year, running from July 27 through 29 at Solberg Airport in Readington—is also part amusement park, with a healthy number of rides, an arts-and-crafts emporium, a yoga and Zumba demonstration, and lots and lots of food. Of the 30 years, Quick Chek has been a major sponsor for 20. And for the first time, Patch is partnering with the festival to get you in at a great price. Between May 13 and 20, use this link to buy tickets …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The TLB Trio performs together whenever they can.
For three local musicians, they just love performing, and they use their new jazz trio as both a way to spend time together and to share their love of music. Bridgewater-Raritan High School students Dennis Brookner, Rachel Lesser and Jacob Tyles recently formed their own small band—the TLB Trio—outside of their participation in the high school jazz band. Together, the saxophone, bass and piano players, respectively, perform locally whenever they can. And the three musicians, who were featured performers at Saturday's Eco-Blast Fair at the municipal complex, said they are hoping to one day have some kind of career in music.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Area theater lovers can see two shows by the legendary composer in the coming weeks
The works of Stephen Sondheim are among the most challenging in theater, but the great composer obviously isn't intimidating area theater groups. Dover Little Theater is currently staging "Company," Sondheim's groundbreaking 1970 classic about a single man in three relationships. The show is known as one of the first that deals with realistic adult themes, and features such songs as "Being Alive." Meanwhile, The Barn Theatre will present "Assassins," with a run opening May 18. The 1990 musical is about the men and women who either assassinated, or tried to assassinate, presidents of the United States. And even if you don't like Sondheim, there's bound to be something for everyone on a stage near you, from "Cabaret," to "Southern Comforts" …
Monday, May 7, 2012
It ends a banner year for the high school school bands.
On April 28, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School band program continued its string of accomplishments when the Monday Jazz Band was crowned champion at the annual New Jersey Association for Jazz Education State Jazz Festival. Held at J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, the festival featured bands from across New Jersey that qualified for the state finals at earlier preliminary competitions. The Monday Band, under the direction of Larry Markiewicz, qualified for the finals in March by achieving a rating of “Superior,” the highest conferred by NJAJE. Bridgewater’s stirring performance in the state finals began with "23 Degrees North, 82 Degrees West," a tip of the hat to jazz great Stan Kenton, who would have been 100 years old in 2012…
Speakers include reality star Gayle Giacomo, designer Elisa Jimenez and many more.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, based in Bedminster, held its "Look Good, Feel Good" Spring Benefit, "She's All That," Sunday at the Bridgewater Marriott. The event included reality show celebrities, celebrity and fashion bloggers and many fashion and beauty vendors. Among the special guests were Gayle Giacomo, star of the reality TV show, "Jerseylicious." Giacomo, a Bridgewater resident, is a the owner of the Gatsby Salon in Green Brook. Another celebrity guest was Elisa Jimenez, an avant-garde designer and former contestant on the Bravo's "Project Runway." Model and and TV personality Lea Rannells was a special guest, and worked the red carpet at the event. The event was designed to be a look good, feel good experience, and a unique …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
It's a busy time of the year for theater, concerts and comedy shows
It's one of the busiest times of the theater season with new productions of "Cabaret," "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," and "Southern Comforts" joining shows that are already in process, such as "Do! I Do!" "Clue" and "Over the River and Through the Woods." But even if you're not in the mood for a play or musical, there's other stuff happening on area stages, particularly for fans of classic rock. Tribute bands playing the music of Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Carlos Santana are all coming to the area, as are jazz and pop performers, including Debby ("You Light Up My Life") Boone. There are also comedy acts, dance performances and children's shows headed our way. And some audition opportunities too. Read your trusty On Stage Scoop every …
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Will feature double concerto by Brahms.
The Central Jersey Symphony will present its Winter Concert, titled “Seeing Double” at the Theater at Raritan Valley Community College at 3 p.m. May 6. On the program for the afternoon concert will be the "Pelleas et Melisande Suite" by Gabriel Faure, "Ancient Airs and Dances" by Ottorino Respighi, and the Brahms’ double concerto featuring CJSO violinist Evelyn Estava and cellist Jameson Platte as soloists. For more information about the orchestra, visit the orchestra's website. Tickets for the performance are $20, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, and are available through the Theater’s box office in advance by contacting them at 908-275-3420, or at the door on the date of the concert. The Central Jersey Symphony is funded…
40.61665
-74.69503
118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ
/articles/central-jersey-orchestra-sets-may-6-concert
/locations/6895836
Marie Solazzo
12:00 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Congratulations to BRHS' Wind Ensemble for their performance in the State Gala. Kudos also to all the BR students in the Music programs and the band directors for their dedication and pursuit of excellence. more ›