Don Dixon Performs at DeCafe

I’m a child of the 60s.  I wore my hair long with a center part.  My uniform was a black turtleneck and slim pants, ala Audrey Hepburn.  I listened to cool jazz and earnest folk music on my portable stereo and attended concerts at the local coffee house.  My venue of choice was a church basement, but coffee houses were a common scene, scattered all over Philadelphia and the sprouting suburbs of southern New Jersey.

At my huge high school, I sometimes felt almost invisible among the sea of students.  But, at the coffee house, I discovered other music lovers.  Being there and sharing that passion made me feel like I was a part of something unique.

Regardless of who was playing, those shows felt special.  Instead of watching from across a vast expanse, you experienced the music in an intensely personal way.  And, while I definitely have reveled in my share of arena style shows – think The Who, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and Springsteen, for example – I still prefer live music in a more intimate setting.

Over the years, many small music venues have disappeared.  Coffee shops often feature live music and there are still places where the performer is the primary event.  But, other than a handful of old-school jazz clubs, there aren’t that many options for those who yearn for a specific type of concert experience.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that Moorestown DeCafe, the music performance program at Perkins Center for the Arts, is alive and thriving!

DeCafe...plus Caff.

This series got its start 18 years ago, when 8 music-loving couples ran with the idea of presenting regularly scheduled live music performances in the garage/dance studio on the Perkins’ grounds.  They started on a shoestring, furnishing the small room with discarded utility company wire spools and draping Indian-print bedspreads on the tables and the floor-to-ceiling mirrors.  It took some time for the word to get out.  “At first,” one of the founders told me, “we each had to promise to call 5 people and invite them to come.”  But before too long, the program took hold and the committee made the decision to partner with Perkins and move the concerts into the “big house”.

Zydeco-a-Go-Go

These DeCafe concerts are definitely reminiscent of those coffee house shows I remember.  The stage is set in what was the original living room of the house (named “Evergreen Lawn” when it was built as a wedding gift for Alice and Dudley Perkins in 1910) and across the hall is the dining room, where concert goers can enjoy an assortment of snacks and drinks … coffee, tea, hot cider, fresh fruit, brownies, cookies, small éclairs, cheese and crackers … you get the idea.

Initially, I went to a DeCafe show last fall because a favorite artist, Don Dixon, was on the bill.  I’d seen Dixon once, many years ago in a round-robin format with other singer-songwriters, and his combination of quirky wit and virtuosity stuck with me.  The chance to see him again, at a reasonable cost and in a convenient location, was very appealing.

Within moments of arriving, I ran into a pair of friends there.  From our conversation, it became apparent that my friends were DeCafe regulars, as I imagine were many of the people in the room.  And, while I’m sure the audience was filled with Dixon fans, I’ll bet that more than a few had come simply for the experience.

I went back again to bring some warmth to the winter with a performance by local purveyors of the New Orleans sound, Zydeco a-Go-Go.  Again, I saw old friends and familiar faces.  And, again I noticed that, while some folks had come specifically because this band was playing, it was clear that many people were there just to soak up the vibe.

Moorestown DeCafe is not just a venue, but it’s what a “real” coffee house has always been – a place to gather, have a bite to eat, catch up with friends and neighbors, and share the mutual love of music.  And this serves an especially vital function in the suburbs, where neighborhoods are more diffused.  In a city, there are often a number of places to meet friends or see a band.  In the outlying areas, however, the choices are more limited.  That’s one main reason that the DeCafe is such a jewel.

Some of the DeCafe founders have moved away or moved on, but a solid core crew is still in place.  They meet regularly and, in June, come up with the upcoming season’s schedule.  Every show is hosted by a different person, who is responsible for handling the arrangements with the artists and coordinating other details.  This rotation produces an eclectic line-up – everything from truly local acts, like someone’s neighbor, to major artists drawn to a venue that provides a more personal approach to performing.

Perkins takes care of selling tickets, both in advance and at the door, and promotes the DeCafe shows on the web site, in advertising, and in printed materials.  In return, the committee gives Perkins a portion of the proceeds.

This season, Moorestown DeCafe presented Kurtis Lamkin, Don Dixon, Sharon Little, and Zydeco a-Go-Go.  Coming up on February 25 is Mark Silver and the Stonethrowers, who recently appeared on Gene Shay’s folk show on WXPN.  The final concert for this season, on March 18, will feature Burning Bridgit Cleary, a Celtic band fronted by two female fiddlers, described on the DeCafe site as “known for its exhilarating shows and the driving beat that anchors most of its music.”

Tickets are $15 each and can be ordered in advance and, subject to availability, purchased at the door.  The doors open at 7:30, and the show begins at 8:00.  And the drinks, treats and ambience are included.

Posted by Shen Shellenberger, JerseyArts.com’s Blogger-At-Large. Check out all of Shen’s pics here!

Attending the gala as a volunteer, I got a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into preparing for such an event.  As volunteers, board members and staff worked diligently coordinating a fundraising auction and welcoming guests, I learned just what a gala entails.  One amazing performance, several new friends, and many tasty treats later, my first gala experience was complete.  So, for those considering supporting an arts organization by attending their fundraiser or for those who are already looking forward to an upcoming event, here are my Top 5 Favorite Things About Attending a Gala:

5)   Celebrating the organization’s work. So much hard work goes into helping an arts organization flourish.  I was glad to have the opportunity to honor the staff, board and company members’ hard work in creating a wonderful season.

4)   Partying down! I ate, laughed, and even swing danced with some of my favorite friends in the field.

3)  Supporting a wonderful arts organization. Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company raised funds that will help them continue to provide high quality performances and arts education regionally.

2)  Meeting new friends and spending time with old ones. I had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and enjoyed meeting new friends who share a love of the arts.

1)  Experiencing the work. As the gala’s theme was “In the End…It’s All About Love,” the company’s performance was a celebration of love and relationships.  The fun, engaging dance performances reminded me of the artistry we were there to support and got me excited for projects yet to come.

Posted by Madeline Orton, JerseyArts.com Guest Blogger.

Anne Frank and Peter Van Daan: Spending two years in hiding was difficult for everyone, especially the young Anne Frank. She was thankful to have a companion close to her age in Peter.

And perhaps it is this universality – this quality of Anne’s that allows us to relate to her experiences – that is a primary reason why the stage play, adapted from the book, is perpetually popular with theater goers of all ages.

Mainstage Center for the Arts will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” on February 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, at the recently renovated Dennis Flyer Theatre at Camden County College in Blackwood.  Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8:00 PM; Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are $13 – $21, and can be ordered online or by phone at 856-227-3091.  Group rates are available.

Director Joe Caliva, of Cherry Hill, first became interested in the Holocaust in high school, but didn’t read “The Diary of Anne Frank” until later.  Like Jules and thousands of others, Caliva was deeply affected by Anne’s story.  “Her account,” he said, “drove home the humanity element.  We get to watch this little girl grow up.”  And her story is one that has relevance, even now.  It is clear that, despite the compelling evidence of the effects of racism and hatred, people still have much to learn.  “We have become somewhat numb,” Caliva says, “which makes it even more important for new generations to hear Anne’s message.”

For this production, Caliva chose to use Wendy Kesselman’s 1997 adaptation, rather than the version that was written in 1956.  In Caliva’s opinion, the newer version – which expands the story to include survivor accounts and additional diary entries not included in the original – presents a truer picture of life at the time.  “The adaptation puts back some of the authentic Jewish traditions, such as prayers and the Hanukkah celebration.”  Caliva also cites historical inaccuracies in the original play, which are corrected in the ’97 version.

“In directing this play, I had three goals: to make sure that the cast interacted in a way that the audience could relate to, to get across how the story affected me, and to be sensitive to the Jewish traditions and practices” Caliva said.

Authenticity is also very important to Set Director Claire Bretschneider.  A 2009 Boston University  grad, who studied Set Design and has been involved with Mainstage since her pre-teen days, Bretschneider is equally committed to presenting an accurate portrayal of Anne’s story.

After reading through the script, she went on to do her own research into the time period and the architecture.  “Joe (Caliva) found a couple of old photos,” Bretschneider says, “and that was our jumping off point.”  The pair studied a few previous productions of the play and added their own ideas to create the set design.  “We used certain props that make the audience realize it’s a Jewish home,” Bretschneider explains, “and, without making it too cluttered, I added things that suggested that it was a cramped space.”

The entire play takes place in a small attic, with the windows covered over and very little light.  And, though the overall tone of the story is somber, it is not without its joyful moments.  Bretschneider kept this in mind.  “I didn’t want the set to be too gloomy,” she says. “I tried to strike a balance between dark and bright.”

In addition to the public shows, Mainstage will present special matinee performances for middle and high school age students.  Before they see the show, the students will use the study guides they received to familiarize themselves with the story.  At the performance, they will not only see the play but also have a chance to meet members of the cast and talk with the director.

Caliva is eager to see this story come to life on stage, but is especially excited about the student performances.  “I really want to bring this message to young people, who perhaps don’t realize how a situation like this could happen.  We talk a lot about the destructive effects of bullying.  But bullying begins with rumors being spread and lies being repeated over and over until they become reality.”  Caliva believes that telling Anne’s story to students, from the perspective of someone their age, could put into context what might otherwise seem like a remote historical event.

Caliva has – in his words – “worn every hat” when it comes to theatre.  But directing this show is particularly meaningful for him.  In 2002, Caliva put together a short film for Voorhees Theatre Company in conjunction with their production of “The Diary of Anne Frank”.  “I did a lot of research for that project, and learned about Anne’s life, both before the family went into hiding, and after,” Caliva says.  “It’s a very personal story for me”.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be showing at Mainstage Center for the Arts in Blackwood from February 11th through February 20th.

Posted by Shen Shellenberger, JerseyArts.com’s Blogger-at-Large.

GARY: How did you get the nickname Bucky?
BUCKY: When my father was 16, he hitch-hiked down to Odessa, Texas.  He was the first Italian cowboy! He was a cowboy for a couple of years.  Later on when he got married – much later – his first born was me and he called me Bucky.

You’ve had such an amazing career that keeps on going.  Do you still get as much of a kick out of playing as you did in the beginning?
I do, yeah.  That’s what I wanted to do and I just keep going.  It’s really not a job; it’s a lot of fun!

I know you’re aware of it, but not many people are aware that so many great jazz musicians came from New Jersey.  You’ve certainly played and recorded with most of them.  Any idea why this area has been so great for music?
Well there’s a big population of guitar players here.  I can name a whole gang of them: Tony Gottuso, Al Casamenti, Tony Mottola, Al Caiola – all guitar players!
Was there ever a friendly rivalry or competition among you guys?
Oh yeah, definitely! But in a nice way, you know?  I know that when I got back off the road in 1951, I started going about studio dates and that’s when the rivalry came in because one guy would be working here, another guy would be working there… But everybody was working, that’s the big thing!

When this was happening, did everybody know who was playing on everybody’s records?
Oh sure, yeah.  Everything was freelance.  The only steady jobs were the studios (NBC, ABC, CBS) – they had 65 musicians and those guys all wanted to be on the outside to do all the work we were doing!

Tell me about the beginning.  I know you had uncles in the business.  Did those family jams sort of get you interested in music?
Yeah.  My uncles (Bobby and Pete Domenick) were banjo players and guitar players.  On Sundays, they’d always play at the house.  I wanted to join in, so they showed me a few chords and I ended up playing with them.  Bobby, the younger one, was on the road with a lot of bands (Clyde McCoy, Buddy Rogers, Raymond Scott, Bob Chester) and boy he looked like a million bucks! I saw he had a car and this was during the Depression time!

Bucky and John Pizzarelli

Obviously music is in your family’s blood.  Were you glad your sons became musicians?
They did automatically.  John went to college as a trumpet player and came out a guitar player!

Knowing what you did about life on the road, did you offer them a lot of advice?
Oh yeah, I gave them a little inside stuff that I came across and they listened to me.  But they’re doing very well on the road on their own; they’re making big money.

What’s it like when you record and perform with them on stage?
Oh, it’s thrilling!

Going back to your early career, I know you were a fan of many of the artists you wound up playing and recording with.  What was it like to be in the studio or on stage with people you used to listen to on the radio?
It was a big thrill because when you hear a good singer in the studio you say “this is unbelievable!” and then all of a sudden they ask you to go here and go there and it’s a double thrill!  They’d say can you do this? Vegas, wanna go? So, we’d go for a weekend and fly back.

Was there anybody that you really wish you could have worked with, but never got a chance to?
The only guy that I missed was Bing Crosby.  I wish I had worked for him.  I’d have love to play for him, but I played with Sinatra and Perry Como; Tony Bennett and Andy Williams – a lot of great guys.

Considering all of the great decades of music you’ve had, is there one particular time you would go back to if you could?
I think the one I remember the most was the first time I went with a band.  I was still going to high school.  We were on Christmas vacation and I got a call to go with Vaughn Monroe’s band.  Luckily I was off, so I jumped on a bus with them in New York and played in Scranton, Binghamton, and Rochester.  We took a sleeper train home and I went back to high school! That’s a good trick!

Did that trip show you that this was what you wanted to do for a living?
Yeah, that was it.  The first trip.  I said, “I’ve gotta know how to do this.  I’ve got to know how to do that.” And I worked at it.

How did you get involved with the 7-string?
Well, one of my heroes was George Van Eps and he developed the 7-string at the Epiphone factory on 14th Street.  He once made a beautiful record that just floored everybody.  Nobody had ever heard a guitar like that.  I said that’s for me and went out and bought one.  We had gone down to hear it in person and once you’ve seen him in person playing that thing you wanted to buy four of them!

I still play 6-string too.  I play a lot of dates when I’m playing rhythm and I play 6-string rhythm guitar.

Is the 7-string better for solos?
Yeah, solos and for backing up the singer.  It’s perfect!

I read somewhere that you also paint.
Yeah, I’ve got a whole gang of painting in the cellar.  I’ve been painting for about 40 years.

A lot of musicians seem to paint on the road.
Oh sure.  You see things from the bandstand that nobody else can see and all of a sudden you’re saying, “Gee, I’d like to paint that.”  One of the first paintings I did was of a bunch of waiters that I saw in a club.  They were all standing around with napkins around their arms and they all had different colored socks on…  I have about 100 paintings now.  My Daughter took pictures of about 40 of them and put them in a book for me over Christmas.  It was marvelous!

Bucky Pizzarelli plays the Bickford Theatre on January 11.

Posted by Gary Wien, JerseyArts.com’s Music Blogger.

JOHN BECK, Our Dance Blogger:

I think my biggest resolution is to get out and see more- more dance, more galleries, more poetry. This first year in New Jersey has been a whirl, and now that I’m finally feeling settled (more or less), I’m starting to realize how much art I’ve been missing.  I work down the street from Paper Mill Playhouse, and I live in Morristown, walking distance from the Community Theatre and the Morris Museum.  So I resolve to make time in my schedule for more of the great things my community has to offer… right in between cooking a healthier dinner and my trip to the gym!

COLLEEN VERBUS, Our On-the-Town Blogger:

While I consider myself an immense supporter of the arts, I often limit myself to seeing only theater, by virtue of my job and current experiences. I rarely consciously explore other areas of the arts like dance, music, and visual art. I want to make my 2011 resolution to explore these other areas that I often miss out on. I remember when I was younger in high school and how much move involved I was in visual art (I loved to paint) a painting and  music (I played the flute in band). This year, I want to attend more music concerts, go to more galleries or art museums and go see more dance shows – to experience a wider variety of arts. Who knows–maybe I’ll even start painting, again. It’s a brand new year, and the possibilities are, for the moment, endless.

JONATHAN ELLIOTT, Culture Vultures Editor:

Moorestown Mural, produced by Perkins Center for the Arts' program

I feel like every year, in hindsight, has a sense of the epic. You look at the last trip around the sun and the events of 365 days are chock-full of action, reversals, lessons, and surprises. I expect 2011 to be much of the same–and, from the art I’m going to see, I look forward to taking in and responding to work that’s both community-focused and has an eye on starting conversations, addressing problems, and stimulating dialogue that leads to solutions. The NEA’s Our Town Initiative has me excited to see art and storytelling that tackles local tales and issues under a national framework; in 2011, I want to seek out art that behaves like this; I want the art in my life to come from–and respond to–the community that nurtures and hosts it. I’m a big believer in the sentiment that the primary purpose of art is to comment on culture–while it also often functions to beautify and inspire, I look forward to filling my 2011 with arts experiences that can change communities. I want to cheer when I dive into mural programs, or town initiatives that transform vacant storefronts into galleries and theaterspaces.

In many ways, this has been a trying year for many of us, on numerous levels. I don’t think there’s any denying that; that said, much of the best art is created in periods of hardship and distress, and from its aftermath. I look at the treasures the WPA program gave us in the wake of World War II, and I see many similarities with our current climate and the challenges we face every day. And I look forward to facing those challenges, and I look forward to the art to come.

All of us here at Culture Vultures wish you a happy, safe, and inspired New Year; we wish you joy, and hope you seek out great art, share it with people you love, and pass that inspiration on in creating art of your own. –CV

SHEN SHELLENBERGER, our Blogger-at-Large:

When Twyla moves, you listen...

Twyla Tharp said that “art is the only way to run away without leaving home” and, really, isn’t that the truth?

I’ve always had art in my life – whether I was pounding out adolescent stories on the hulking Royal typewriter in my grandmother’s basement or listening to “West Side Story” and “Funny Girl” with my mother in the living room of our circa 1950s Cherry Hill ranch home.

Through writing for Culture Vultures this year, I’ve been more tuned in to art than I have for a long time.  Not only have I gone to musical concerts, which I’d likely have done regardless, but I also visited a jewel of a cultural site, saw a marvelous art exhibition at an equally marvelous South Jersey museum, watched a remarkable theatre production and attended the WheatonArts fest.

And the conversations that I had with people who make art – or in the case of the Civil War reenactors, keep history alive – reminded me of how glorious it is to have that passion to create.

In the coming year, I want to hear more stories – told from the stage in theatre productions and from authors reading and discussing their work.  I want to see more visual art, and maybe finally get my boyfriend to Grounds for Sculpture.  And I’d love to be a student and challenge myself to learn a new skill or fine-tune something I once knew how to do.  In short, my goal is to spend more time surrounded by art and the people who make it.

And, you’re right, Twyla, I won’t even have to pack a bag.

GARY WIEN, our Music Blogger:

The Strand Theatre in Lakewood

Personally, I´m hoping 2011 is a big year for me as an artist.  I used to think you could either have a 9 to 5 job or be an artist, but you couldn´t do both.  I´m trying to change that in 2011.  I have a book coming out in January and will be working on a major book project throughout the year that I´ve got my fingers crossed on.  Being focused on writing is part of my goal to get back to playwriting in a big way.  My ultimate goal is see one of my plays produced in 2011.

In addition, my online radio station is going to begin broadcasting a few concerts live from the Strand Theatre in Lakewood and I´m excited about that.  It feels good to be plugging away in a few different ways.  Sometimes I think the more I do, the more I want to do…

PATRICIA KIERNAN JOHNSON, our Opera/Classical Music Blogger:

Yeah, that pretty much sums The Ring Cycle up.

As I was thinking about my 2010 arts experiences, I realized that I have been to a lot of live performances this year. I saw 10 ballets, 9 operas (including an entire Ring Cycle by Wagner – yeah, that’s about 20 hours’ worth of German opera right there), 1 orchestral performance and 3 salon vocal concerts. And that’s just the live performances – not counting all the stuff that I’ve seen on TV and the internet.

But one thing just occurred to me: I don’t think I saw any plays, music theater, jazz or choral performances or non-ballet dance events this year. And my museum attendance has been on the low side this year (shush – let’s keep that our secret, ok? Otherwise they’ll take away my art degrees). Of course, since I just gave birth to my first child three weeks ago, I’ve been a little preoccupied this year!

So that’s the big goal for 2011 – broaden my arts-going experience and head outside my ballet/opera comfort zone and see more…of everything!

CAT COSENTINO, our Singer/Songwriter Blogger:

Great Xmas gift...or GREATEST Xmas gift?

When I was a younger, around the age when family and close family friends begin asking you what you want to be when you grow up, I found it annoying that I had many interests and lacked hardcore passion in any particular area. I did not want to succumb to my interest in the broad spectrum of “the arts”: that answer does not bode well with the adults who not only expect you to have focus, but also expect you to make money at some point in your life (teehee, starving artist joke). As I grew up, I realized which “talents” I should capitalize on—all of them. You should never stop expanding on the talents and interests you were born with, and that is, perhaps, what this new-year should bring about. I was given the gift of music in the shape of a new keyboard this Christmas. Do I know how to play the piano like a champ? No. Will I teach myself? Hell yes. Bring it on 2011—Cat’s going to be the next Yanni. Aside from growing as an artist in the comforts of my own home, I plan on expanding my listening ear at venues like The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, The Strand Theater, NJPAC, Starland Ballroom, Susquehanna Bank Center, and all the places in between that quench my thirst for good music.

So if I could inspire any one of your boring Friday nights from here on until the Eve of 2012, I encourage you to get out of the house and see some wonderful artists change the world song by song, person by person, in their own unique way.

That’s all for now, NJ–see you in a few days!–CV

So many Nutcrackers to choose from...

With the holidays fast approaching, we’re all searching for last minute stocking stuffers.

Tickets to a performance make a great gift because:

1)      it’s not a fruitcake or a sweater;

2)      it shows you know the person well enough to at least guess what he or she might like;

3)      if you buy a matching ticket for yourself, it’s a great way to say, “you’re awesome, let’s spend some time together.”

So now that all my friends have a hint of what they’re getting, it’s just a matter of narrowing down the incredible range of art available in the Garden State.  I’m the new dance blogger here at Culture Vultures, I’m going to focus on opening up the dance world to the casual dance watcher- someone like my mother, who regularly watches the television dance shows, who saw Nutcracker a decade ago, but who enjoys a wide range of arts.

Frankly, the first thing I think about is not so much dance, but music. Music is often so important to establishing the atmosphere of a dance work; familiar music provides an instant connection for the casual fan. There’s an abundance of accessible performances in the holiday season, from various encarnations of the Nutcracker, to dance performances set to jazz variants and choral arrangements (LKB at George Street Playhouse).

The next option I’m looking for is a range of work and style. Part of the charm of a show like So You Think You Can Dance is the breadth of work explored- a purist could argue that the judges favor ballet lines and complicated lifts a little too much, but if you’re going to help a budding dance lover appreciate everything the art has to offer, you’ve got to start somewhere. Just after the holiday, the APAP conference decends on New York City, and those of us close enough to get in to the city for an evening of dance can reap the benefits.  Many of the region’s best dance companies will be appearing at one or more venues January 8, 9 and 10 in showcases that are incredibly cheap (or even free!). A trip into Ailey Citigroup Theatre (9^th and 55^th) on Sunday afternoon is a chance to see Jersey’s own Freespace Dance http://www.freespacedance.com/news.php and Gehring Dancetheatre http://www.gehringdancetheatre.org/pages/upcomingevents.html among a slew of showcases, one nearly every 15 minutes. Sunday night brings the Dance Gotham festival at the Skirball Center http://www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu/calendar/dance_gotham_2011, which is a great chance to see eight companies in a single evening at a low price (full disclosure, my employer, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, is on the program).

The final thing I consider when trying to get someone to stretch their love of art to include dance is the production- a part of the success of the television dance shows is in the theatrics.  A quick search of the Discover Jersey Arts roster (click dance in the search box on the right hand side) followed by a trip to YouTube gives me a chance to sample a variety of dance companies. My mother loves the theater, so I’ll pick a ticket that promises to tell a story and show off a dance (though I’m not willing to tell just which show we’re going to see until after Christmas!). Scroll through the listings- ballet, modern, folk dance, tango… there really is something for everyone.

And, if you’re really stumped–guess.

A ticket and a night out always beats a fruitcake.

Posted by John Beck, JerseyArts.com’s Dance Blogger.

JESSE NORTH, Our Theater Blogger:

Not Quite Dylan Thomas...

A Holiday Memory: The holidays can be a confusing time. It was for me when my family took me to the 12 Miles West Theatre Company in Madison when I was in sixth grade for a Christmas-y afternoon of Dylan Thomas poems. First of all, I spent the entire afternoon confusing the Welsh poet with Bob Dylan. What did the Tambourine Man have to do with Christmas anyway? Well, even upon setting the record straight that Dylan Thomas was NOT Bob Dylan, I still didn’t know what he had to do with Christmas. But it wasn’t so much the subject matter, it was the presentation at the 12 Miles West Theatre. We all sat at wooden tables on wooden benches in the black box theater. Hot apple cider was served in mugs and the glow of large, old-fashioned Christmas lights glowed around the stage’s perimeter. A few Welsh carols were sung (yes, Welsh Christmas carols), and I remember rolling my judgmental, sixth-grade eyes in embarrassment. I didn’t think the show made a lot of sense, but all these years later, I remember it as one of the coziest Christmas events I’ve ever been to. And nowadays when I listen to my Bob Dylan Greatest Hits album, I always think of Dylan Thomas.

A New Tradition: Because I like my holiday traditions served with a side of sap, I was thrilled  for the Kelsey Theatre’s reading of “It’s A Wonderful Life – A Radio Play” in West Windsor. The story of George Bailey and his selflessness toward his family and friends brings me to tears at least three times throughout its duration. And in this production performed as a radio show, there’s an old timey aspect added that makes me feel like I’m listening to the story during the characters’ time period. “No man is a failure if he has friends.” Ugh, here come the tears.

GARY WIEN, Our Music Blogger:

Happy Holidays everyone! May it be warm and bright–and remember, we’ve got a whole bunch of events, over at our Holiday Guide! See you soon!–CV

Even the Grinch Loves This Time of Year!

Over here at Culture Vultures, we’re all sorts of excited for this time of year. There’s a chill in the air, the lights twinkle and blink in every color imaginable, and everything has that faint, mysterious flavor of gingerbread. We’ve asked our bloggers to share their favorite holiday memories from years past, and offer some advice on building new arts traditions with your family this season. We’ll have some today, and some more next week. After reading, check out our bloggers’ recommendations on our Holiday Guide. We hope you enjoy! -CV

CHRIS BENINCASA, Our Film Blogger:

George C. Scott as Scrooge (Bah. Humbug)

A Holiday Memory: Aside from the holiday events at church and school, and there were many of those, over the holidays we were pretty much barricaded in at some relative’s house, or at our house, in which case the trains of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, and friends ran until what seemed like the end of Time itself.  We went to church on Christmas eve, made weird-looking ornaments out of Styrofoam, made lanterns for the sidewalk by putting sand at the bottoms of paper bags and then sticking candles in the sand – not the best idea, come to think of it – and then, finally, after the sermon, we watched choir-ish-looking congregation members ring handbells in very ingenious, clucking sequences.  We would also watch the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol – which I still like very much – and, of course, the sacred Charlie Brown special – the one with the little tree who’s so meek that it can’t even hold one red bulb off the ground.  But one experience I can share is what must have been an abridged reading of A Christmas Carol at Rivergate Books in Lambertville.  The store is no longer there, but it was a really cool spot that had a backyard patio overlooking the river, and you could buy a book and sit out there and read it.  The owner lived on our street, and she asked me to do some modest, middle school set design – Scrooge’s hearth made of painted foam core.  At the point when the reader, whose name I cannot remember (Sorry.  You were great!), got to Charles Dickens’ description of that hearth, I got a kick out of seeing someone kind of acting and interacting with the prop I’d made – and seeing it pretty much match up with the words being spoken.

A New Tradition: But if there’s one holiday-ish arts thing I need to get around to doing, it’s checking out a production of Black Nativity.  I’ve always thought that sounded great.  When I was a kid, and my younger brother was still, I don’t know, under the age of one, my family “performed” in our church’s nativity play – meaning we stood around while the story was narrated from the pulpit.  A different family did it every year.  My brother was the baby Messiah, my parents were the parents, my sister was a shepherd, and I was a slightly taller shepherd, wearing a robe and some biblical headgear, pretending to sing.  I wasn’t trying to be uncooperative.  I think I was just distracted by how bored I was, and so couldn’t really keep up with the rest of the cast.  Even today, it seems like the smartest strategy I could’ve hoped to come up with.  And it worked.

CAT COSENTINO, Our Singer/Songwriter Blogger:

Young Cat with a Familiar-Looking Gent.

A Holiday Memory: Tis the season ALWAYS to see Disney on Ice. I forget exactly how many times I’ve seen these various productions in my wee youth, but walking into the Brendan Byrne Arena up in North Jersey was magic year after year. My family and I would venture to the rink after Thanksgiving, and I would buy (my mom would buy) a spiny-flashlight-thing with Disney characters atop its handle. That’s right, and it was only a few years ago when my family finally threw out the spiny-flashlight-thing.

A New Tradition: Moving on from memories we have to memories we will make–Dear public! I give to you 2011! I am not one for New Year’s resolutions, however, I do look forward to turning over a new leaf in the frequency I see live music. Right now my amp is dialed to ‘8’ and I’m going to raise it to an ’11.’ I am psyched for another sweet, sweet Asbury Park summer—gigs at The Sandwitch, Twisted Tree, The Stone Pony…all good things. There are smiles all over my face because the Cape May Singer/Songwriter’s Convention is happening at Congress Hall March 25-26 of 2011. Lucy Kaplansky and Pat DiNizio are the keynote speakers for the weekend. For all you kin singer/songwriters out there, it is not too late to complete your submission for review.

I now leave you with a “Happy Holidays!” and a “Rock on!”

SHEN SHELLENBERGER, Our Blogger-at-Large:

The Shellenbergers Know Their (Festive) Roots!

A Holiday Memory: I’ve often kick started the season by going to Perkins Center for the Arts’ Pottery Show and Sale.  Not only did I find fabulous gifts, but being there – with festive decorations and delicious refreshments – always put me in the holiday spirit.

A New Tradition: This year, I’m exploring new options for setting the mood.  “Black Nativity” at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank is definitely on the list.  Each Christmas season, I vow to add this to the entertainment schedule, and I hope 2010 will be the year I finally see this unique production.  I also want to go on the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts’ Cape May Candlelight Tour.  I love being downtheshore in the wintertime, and this activity will also satisfy the nosy part of me that’s dying for a peek inside those glorious houses.

And, I just discovered another appealing idea – Asbury Park’s Carousel Snow Globe.  The historic Carousel Building on the Asbury Park Boardwalk has apparently been turned into a winter fantasy world, with twinkling lights, make-believe snow, and an ongoing digital display of old holiday photos to add a historical component to the experience.  Again, it’s holiday stuff by the sea.  Works for me.

JOHN BECK, Our (brand spankin’ new!) Dance Blogger:

A Holiday Memory: As a relatively recent Jersey transplant (originally from Central New York), I don’t have the wealth of holiday experiences to draw on that some of the other bloggers enjoy.  If I can veer out of state for the briefest of moments, a personal favorite was a Syracuse production of “Carmina Burana” that I saw with my brother a few years ago.

The Messiah Does, Indeed, Rock.

A New Tradition: So, as the new guy in town, let me focus on all the exciting performances I’d like to see.  I’m looking forward to catching one of the “Nutcracker” performances, either NJ Ballet’s 40th Anniversary edition in Englewood, or the New York Theatre Ballet version at SOPAC. Canadian Brass’ holiday albums have always been staples of the season at my father’s house, and I’m sure he’d enjoy the chance to hear the quintet live. My fiancé and I are both choir lovers, so I’m intrigued by “Handel’s Messiah Rocks” at NJPAC as well.  Looking over the list of wonderful productions at jerseyarts.com, I’m struck by all the things I won’t have time to do.

Too much to see, too little time… That’s what the holidays are all about, right?

Check in with us next week, when we’ll share with you some more of our favorite holiday stories and events to take in this year–and meanwhile, check out our Holiday Guide! Season’s Greetings! –CV