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Giralda Lawn Concert -
Celebrating 25 years, June 29,2008
Held on the last Sunday of June,
this much-anticipated family event heralds the arrival of summer,
offering a program of light classics performed by the New Jersey
Symphony Orchestra on the gracious lawns of the Giralda Farms
Corporate Park in Madison. Lavish prizes are awarded for the most
outstanding picnics brought by audience members who combine
the joy of gathering with friends or family, relaxing in the lovely
outdoor setting, savoring a dinner al fresco and listening to
quality music. A 50-50 Raffle benefits ACMA's scholarship funds.
Tickets are $15 Adults and $5 Children under 12.
"Casting Call" - Giralda
Veterans wanted. Be a star at the 25th Anniversary concert
In
planning for this momentous anniversary of our much-loved concert, we would love
to collect and feature Giralda stories (and perhaps photos) from anyone who
attended the first Lawn Concert in 1983 and/or those who have been coming
regularly for many years. Giralda traditions among families or groups of friends
are also of much interest.
In appreciation for your
participation, we will be offering preferred seating and recognition at this
year's special 25th Anniversary event.
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From earlier Giraldas: First
Prize picnic winners with "Carmen" theme (2004); Uncle Sam visits Giralda
(2004); Patriotic program inspires decorations (2005)
Please contact Dr. Lynn
Siebert at (973) 285-5115,
ext. 10 to share your stories...
Tickets: $15
for adults, $5 for children under 12. They will be available
starting June 1 at Kings Supermarkets in Morristown and Chatham or,
from June 1-20, by calling Kristine Peters at (973) 285-5115, ext.
14.
With this
year's special anniversary, there will be also be special
opportunities for organizations and individuals to purchase ads or
sponsorships in the 25th Anniversary Program Journal. Please contact
Kadie Dempsey at (973) 285-5115, ext. 17 for more information.
To download
information on purchasing ads/sponsorships in the 25th Anniversary
Program Journal, please click
HERE.
Scenes from the
24th Annual Giralda Lawn Concert: June 24, 2007

L-R: Crowds at Giralda 07; Prizewinning picnics, "Petals"
and "African Safari"
The Arts Council of the Morris Area
heralded the summer with its much-anticipated Giralda Lawn Concert, featuring
the NJ Symphony conducted by Jeffrey Grogan and performing on the gracious lawns
of the Giralda Farms Corporate Park.
Friends and families spread their
blankets, set up their picnics, danced on the sidelines and reveled in the
sounds of the symphony and the perfect summer weather.

Spontaneous waltzing ...to Strauss' "On the Blue Danube"
Roving picnic judges selected winners for the
generous prizes (concert or theatre tickets, dinners for two, gift
certificates). Adding to the excitement, there was a prize drawing (for arts
events and a ride on the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield blimp) as well as the
50/50 raffle which not only enriched the winner but contributed significantly to
ACMA's scholarship fund for artistically gifted students.
This year's program included
soul-stirring music of romance and adventure, drawing from classical repertoire,
Broadway and the silver screen. In addition, former Board Chairman, Dick Eger,
concluded the concert, serving as guest conductor, led the orchestra in a
stirring rendition of Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever:
Dick Eger conducting "Stars and Stripes Forever"
PROGRAM
Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
Shostakovitch's Ballet Suite No. 1 (Lyric Waltz, Romance and Galop)
Strauss' On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314
Dvorak's Humoresque No. 7
Suppe's Poet and Peasant Overture
INTERMISSION
Bernstein's Selections from West Side Story
Copland's Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from the ballet,
Rodeo
Williams' Selections from Harry Potter
Badelt's Selections from Pirates of the Caribbean
Williams' Selections from Star Wars
Lowden's Armed Forces Salute
Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever
(guest conductor, Dick Eger)
Midday/Evening Music on the Green
Free, weekly lunchtime concerts
during June and July or, for 2008, an evening concert - held in Morristown's central square known as
The Green. Funded by the Trustees of the Morristown Green, with
artistic programming provided by the Arts Council, these concerts
offer music for every taste, featuring bebop, swing, classical,
Celtic, bluegrass, funk, rock, folk, blues, R&B, pop, Caribbean and
world music.
The Green Was Rockin' on June 26th

L-R: front view of the band and crowds; The
Robert Murdock Band in full swing; crowds enjoying the concert
On June 26th, the
Trustees of the Morristown Green, in cooperation with the Arts Council of the
Morris Area, presented those fab classic rockers, the Robert Murdock
Band, in a free evening concert. Feet were tapping, hands were clapping, and
people were singing (and dancing) along with the band's exciting
performance. With note perfect arrangements, sizzling solos and amazing
vocals, the band delivered two + hours of nonstop rock classics - from the
Beatles, Rolling Stones, Donovan, Guess Who, to Creedence Clearwater, Moody
Blues, Herman's Hermits, the Mommas and the Poppas, the Monkeys and
a host of others...It was a concert no one wanted to end!

Lee Scott Howard lights a fire, photo by Bob Karp for The
Daily Record ©2007; Robert Murdock on vocals, photo by Bob Karp for The Daily
Record, ©2007
Masters of classic 60’s and 70’s
Beatles-era "British Invasion" and "American Response" rock
‘n roll, the Robert Murdock Band generated a major buzz in the Morristown area
when they performed on the Green in October 2007 and, again, at the Community
Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, as part of First Night® Morris
County. Guitar fireworks, especially those by the lead guitarist, Lee Scott Howard, complimented the outstanding singing and
dead-on, 4-piece arrangements. They do it all: everything from "I want to
hold your hand," to "Last train to Clarksville" or the iconic B
side of Abbey Road.

L-R: More happy crowds enjoying the Band;
running and dancing on the Green; Robert Murdock in action; clapping along with
the music
Formed in the 1980s, the Robert
Murdock Band tours extensively in the Northeastern USA, opening for such acts
as New Riders of the Purple Sage, Leon Russell, Glen Burtnik (Styx), John
Eddie, Gary US Bonds and others. Appearing on nationally syndicated TV and
radio shows in England, Sweden, Germany and Chile, leader Murdock writes or
co-writes many of the group’s songs with guitarist Lee Scott Howard. The duo also writes songs for film and TV.
In addition, Robert has worked with notable producers Plinky Giglio (Glen
Burnick/Styx), David Prater (Firehouse), Franke Perevite (Dirty Dancing movie
soundtrack) and John Rollow (Kinks, Paul Young). His
formidable songwriting skills have earned Murdock multiple honorable mentions
in Billboard’s nationwide Song Contest and selection as one of only 25
songwriters (chosen from over 500 applicants) to participate in a recent ASCAP
Songwriting Seminar in NY. Whether performing original or "cover"
tunes, the group just plain rocks!
April
Arts
This
biennial event is a most unique fundraiser. Approximately 20
prominent NJ artists "set up shop" and complete original
artworks at the reception. At the close of the reception, the
artworks are auctioned and then guests proceed to private dinners in
the homes of area hosts.
April Arts 2008 was in full bloom on April 5th
 
 
L-R clockwise: Event Co-Chair Joen Ferrari and
Development Director Gloria Ortiz; Artist Maria
de Mos discusses her work with Co-chairs Joen Ferrari and Dawn Dupak and with
Board President Alan Levitan; ACMA's Interim Executive Director Anne Aronovitch with Local Arts Director Kadie
Dempsey and Trustee Barbara Moran; Russell and Mary Alice Breuninger; Dorothy
and Trustee David Clair; Vera Chapman and Melanie Levitan.
Paint was dabbed,
brushed or stroked onto canvasses, pastels were delicately shaded, watercolors
layered and frames fastened at the Arts Council of the Morris Area’s biennial
APRIL ARTS benefit. Accompanying the spectacular reception generously sponsored
by RexCorp Realty, nineteen artists demonstrated their considerable talents
completing original works for subsequent auction. Guests roamed the stunning
lobby of the Washington Office Center, 44 Whippany Road, Morristown, stopping
at each artist’s "station" to chat with the artists and watch them at
work. Delicious food, good company, a wonderful silent auction and the thrill
of seeing original works take shape before one’s eyes made this a most unique
fundraiser. Auctioneer Richard Eger kept the audience laughing and engaged with
his lively commentary. Afterwards, guests and artists enjoyed private dinners
at the homes of various hosts and hostesses throughout the area.


L-R: Auctioneer Richard Eger sells works by Chris
Kappmeier, Joan Hierholzer and Mary
Ann Wentworth; Silent auction items by Kadie Dempsey, Dan Fenelon
   

Artists at work:
Top row L-R: Joan Hierholzer, Onelio
Marrero, Suzi Bethke; Chris Kappmeier
Bottom row L-R: Elissa Prystauk, Mary Ann Viola, Mary Ann Wentworth, Fran Wood
Participating
artists included Jamie Allen, Suzie Bethke, Maria
de Mos, Mark de Mos, Susan Donnell, Peggy Dressel, Pam Gosner, Annette Adrian Hanna,
Joan Hierholzer, Chris Kappmeier,
Oneilio Marrero, Elissa Prystauk, Debbie Seymour, David Thompson, Mary Ann Viola,
Mary Ann Wentworth, Ruth Wilson and Fran Wood. Co-chairsJoen Luy Ferrari and V.
Dawn Dupak worked with the Arts Council’s Development Director, Gloria Ortiz on
the event. Proceeds from this event support the extensive services and programs
for artists, arts organizations, schools, and the community provided by the
Arts Council of the Morris Area.
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Dinner
afterwards...Master Chef Gene Ferrari welcomes guests; Rio
Clemente, The Bishop of Jazz, entertains
The Arts Council gratefully acknowledges that the
beautiful location and elegant reception were generously sponsored by REXCORP REALTY
Annual Arts & Humanities
Proclamation
Since October is National Arts &
Humanities Month, ACMA obtains an annual proclamation from the Morris County
Board of Chosen Freeholders, declaring a select week in October as Arts &
Humanities Week in Morris County. Each year, representatives from the county's
many arts organizations as well as individual artists support and participate in
the event.
On October 10, 2007 the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders proclaimed the
week of October 13-20, 2007 to be Arts & Humanities Week in Morris County.
Stating that the arts and humanities "embody much of the accumulated wisdom,
intellect and imagination of humankind, adding balance to our lives and
enriching all of us with an appreciation of the beauty and creativity that is
the core of the human spirit" and acknowledging that "the arts and humanities
significantly enhance Morris County's quality of life and rich cultural legacy,
bringing people together to share the enjoyment of originality and talent," the
Proclamation validates and recognizes the contributions of ACMA and the artists,
arts organizations it serves. Artists and representatives from various arts
groups within the county attended the proclamation which was given by Freeholder
Director Margaret Nordstrom to Catharine Vaucher, ACMA's Executive Director.
First Night Morris County
New Jersey’s biggest and brightest
New Year’s Eve non-alcoholic celebration of the arts, has featured
more than 300 artists, 92 events in 26 venues - representing dance,
drama, music, visual arts and children's events.
The Arts Council of the Morris Area is the artistic programmer for
First Night®
Morris County and
encourages the regional artistic community to apply to present and
perform the visual and performing arts at this New Year's Eve
celebration. FNMC strives to create a rich, multi-cultural event
that blends participation in and enjoyment of the arts and the
recognition of the passage of time into a community-centered
celebration. For more
information,
please call (973) 285-5115. Visit the First Night
website at
www.firstnightmorris.com
or call (973) 455-0708 for additional information on the December
31st event.
First Night® Morris - December 31st, 2007
by
Dr. Lynn L. Siebert

On December 31, 2007, Morris County
ushered in the New Year with five hours of the full power and
splendor of the arts at First Night® Morris, New Jersey’s biggest
and brightest alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. Since First
Night’s inception 16 years ago, the Arts Council of the Morris Area
has served as its artistic programmer, selecting and scheduling
hundreds of artists performing in over 25 sites throughout
Morristown. Representing multiple artistic disciplines, the live
performances, exhibits, activities and demonstrations this
year range in style from the popular to the classical, from western
to world cultures - for all ages, from young child through adult.

Top Row (L-R): Morris Choral Society, Laryssa Krupa, Alexander
Slobodyanik, Harmonium Choral Society, Colonial Symphony

Middle Row (L-R): Organist Jim Hicks, Lyrica Chamber Music; Flutist
Inna Gilmore; Coro Lirico conductor Jason Tramm

Bottom Row (L-R): Guitarist Peter Fletcher; Solid Brass;
Piano prodigy Yuqing Meng
For those who love CLASSICAL MUSIC, this year’s event offered
a veritable feast of talents from which to select: the stunning,
world class pianists Alexander Slobodyanik and his wife, Laryssa
Krupa, and Friends; the polished Colonial Symphony; the opera chorus
Coro Lirico, the refined passion of classical guitarist Peter
Fletcher, prize-winning Russian-born flutist Inna Gilmore (soon to
make her Carnegie debut), the acclaimed a cappella Harmonium
Choral Society (with music spanning multiple centuries and
cultures); master organist James Hicks (with a program entitled
"Organ Encores"); Lyrica Chamber Music (offering light selections
from opera and Broadway); perennial favorite, Solid Brass (with
"Meet the Presidents" and brass music from the Middle Ages to the
Beach Boys); the popular Morris Choral Society (with a patriotic
sing-along); the renowned New Philharmonic of New Jersey orchestra;
and piano prodigy Yuqing Meng (who performed with the NY
Philharmonic when he was 13).

Top Row, L-R: Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz; Grover Kemble's Ray
Charles retrospective; Orrin Star & the Sultans of String

Middle Row (L-R): The Stein Brothers; Girl Authority; The Robert
Murdock Band
Aficionados of POP AND JAZZ
delighted in the heartstopping jazz piano mastery of "the Bishop of
Jazz," Rio Clemente;the sophisticated trombone based blues of Danny
Kirkhum’s ensemble ; Jazzman Grover Kemble's tribute to jazz great
Ray Charles; bluegrass at its best with national flatpicking champ
Orrin Star & the Sultans of String; the dazzling bebop art of the
Stein Brothers Quartet; the wholesome 'Tween pop sensations (our
answer to Hannah Montana) Girl Authority; and the truly fab "British
Invasion" rockers, the Robert Murdock Band.

(L-R): Andes Fusion South American band; Mark Levy world
folksinger; Richard Reiter’s Drum Circle; The Russian Duo

(L-R): Native American performer Kenneth Little Hawk; No Discipline
(reggae); Folksinger Mike Agranoff; The Strauss-Warschauer Duo,
klezmer masters
Those with more ECLECTIC MUSICAL TASTES and an interest in WORLD
CULTURES relished the traditional and "New Age" Andean music
from Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia performed by Andes Fusion; or
were entranced and amused by witty and haunting folksongs in French,
Ladino, Yiddish, Russian and Spanish by master folksinger Mark Levy.
Novices were welcome to experience West African drumming firsthand
with Richard Reiter’s Participatory African Drum Circle or to enjoy
the sheer virtuosity of The Russian Duo, with folk instrumental
masters Tamara Volskaya on domra and Anatoliy Trofimov on
bayan (hear/seen on NPR, ABC-TV, at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln
Center). Others went on a spiritual journey (through music and
storytelling) with the spellbinding Native American Cultural
Treasure Kenneth Little Hawk (who has performed at The White House,
Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, in Ken Burns' films, and on TV) or
danced the night away to the joyous Caribbean music of the
much-loved reggae band No Discipline. The clever parodies and zany
humor of Mike Agranoff's folk songs brought smiles and pleasure to
many while still more indulged the irrepressible urge to dance with
the fabled Klezmer Conservatory's own Strauss-Warschauer Duo - who
sang and played (and taught Yiddish dance) in shifting combinations
of violin, guitar, mandolin and accordion. The Duo’s passionate
music has been featured in films, theatre, on HBO, Public Radio
International and throughout Europe, Canada and North America.

L-R: The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company; NJ
Tap Ensemble Company Soloists Jeffry Foote and Maurice Chestnut; The
Shubanjali Dance Company
DANCE fans thrilled to this year’s lineup of outstanding talent
including the unique blend of Chinese classical movement and
American modern dance (and live music) by the renowned Nai-Ni Chen
Dance Company (which has received 12 separate awards for its
outstanding work from the National Endowment for the Arts!).
Dedicated to preserving and celebrating America’s rhythm tap
dancing, the New Jersey Tap Ensemble shared two of its outstanding
Company Soloists (Morristown native Jeffry Foote and the renowned
Maurice Chestnut) who inspired the audience to try out some tapping
tricks! No need to travel to Asia when you could sample some of
South India's cultural riches with the exacting and elegant work
performed by the Shubanjali Dance Company.

L-R: Allison Larkin in her one-woman comedy, The English
American; Dennis Kobray as Chopin (Meet the Musicians); Carol
Titus, master storyteller

L-R: Jennifer Levine's puppet drama "Miracle on Monroe Street";
comedienne Kate Lyn Reiter;
Shakespeare Theatre of NJ's David Foubert and Jay Leibowitz perform
"Who's on First?" with an Elizabethan twist
Those who love DRAMATIC ARTS/COMEDY
can enjoy the last laughs of the year with Allison Larkin, a
"bi-hemispheric" comedienne, author and performer on TV, films,
B'way and radio who starred in her funny, poignant autobiographical
one-woman comedy, The English American. Jennifer Levine took
us back in time, capturing the immigrant experience on the lower
East Side in the 1900's with her puppet drama, Miracle on Monroe
Street (featured in the International Fringe Festival). Baby
Boomers enjoyed From the 60s to 60 at 60mph, comedy about
growing up in the Midwest, surviving the 60s, surviving breast
cancer and generally finding humor in the midst of life - with Kate
Lyn Reiter, an award-winning actress, comedienne and playwright who
performed in The World According to Garp with Robin Williams
and John Lithgow and on Comedy Central and Fox Network. Audiences
experienced the 19th century musical scene with Meet the
Musicians, where actor/musician Dennis Kobray stepped into character
as the famed composer Frederic Chopin; Young people were spellbound
with tales for young people enacted by master storyteller Carol
Titus and capacity crowds entered the zany world of The Shakespeare
Theatre of New Jersey's own Jay Leibowitz and David Foubert who
masterfully performed one of the greatest comedic routines of all
time, Abbott & Costello's "Who's on First?" in its original
form and with a Shakespearean twist.
 
L-R: Bob Lloyd's "More than Magic"; Kit’s
Kaboodle with "The Renaissance"; Big Jeff (with Mr. Kleiner); Mr.
Fish and His Super Circus Stuff
  
L-R: From Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey to Morristown, Will
Shaw's "Fun and Funny Juggling Show"; Kip Rosser's "stand-up
musicianship" blends music and comedy in his "I've got a theremin
and I know how to use it!"; and national champion unicyclists and
jugglers, the Dazzling Mills Family, in action.
CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
delighted in the fabulous juggling, magic, mime and comedy of Bob
Lloyd's More than Magic; Singing, dancing and clapping
accompanied the guitar, harmonica and kazoo of consummate kids’
musicians, Big Jeff and Mr. Kleiner; The scene of spinning plates
and boomerangs were typical of the fun families had with longtime
professional circus performer, Mr. Fish and his Super Circus Stuff
while the arts of ladyship and knighthood with Lady Celia Beaumont
were sampled with Kit’s Kaboodle interactive theatre, The
Renaissance, (where audience members were cast right into the
show!) The zany, deadpan antics of Ringling Brothers trainer,
performer and master juggler/comedian Will Shaw and his Fun and
Funny Juggling Act kept everyone laughing; Others relished the
truly unique experience of "stand-up musicianship," featuring
music/stories/performance art and audience participation with Kip
Rosser, who appeared at the International Fringe Festival and is
considered one of America's top performers on the Theremin - the
only instrument played without being touched (and which produces
that eerie background music in classic horror films). And SRO crowds
thrilled to the Dazzling Mills Family, national juggling and
unicycle champions who have appeared on nationwide TV 9 times in the
last 4 years; And, of course, The Children’s Fun Festival and
traveling street performers brought the joys of face painting,
airbrush tattoos, wizards, magicians, balloon artists, clowns and
the much loved Cow Lady to all the young at heart.
The VISUAL ARTS were well
represented with two separate exhibits: Art Upstairs! offered an
exhibit of photography by Amy Becker, sculpture by Marguerite
Brennan and pastels by J. Carol Goodman on display at the 2nd
floor lobby of the Community Theatre/Mayo Center for the Performing
Arts and the Morris County Administration Building’s Atrium Art
Exhibit featured 4 floors of exhibits showcasing works by Anne
Frommer, Members of the Art Center of New Jersey and the Drew Art
Association.
The evening ended with not one but TWO
rounds of FIREWORKS (one at 9 and one at midnight)!!
Visit
www.firstnightmorris.com for more information and program
details.
Our thanks to the corporate, foundation and individual donors and to
all of the numerous dedicated volunteers for helping it all work.
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