Plainfield Symphony's 'duCABARET' fundraiser this weekend

A special Valentine's Day weekend treat.

Roses? Chocolates? Fuggedaboutit! This Valentine's Day weekend, take your sweetheart to the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra's 'duCABARET' event. It will be the best Valentine you've ever given!

Award-winning cabaret singer and longtime Plainfield resident
John DeMarco will headline the evening.

Plainfield resident and award-winning cabaret sensation John DeMarco will headline an evening of cabaret entertainment featuring greats from the American Songbook, a fabulous supper and an open bar.

DeMarco will be joined by performers Greg Myers, Dean Field, Jackie Fornatale, Kim Grogg and The Del Angels for an evening of cabaret classics, hosted by Manhattan cabaret singer Jim Speake.

The event gets under way at 7:00 PM with a scrumptious supper and open bar, a silent auction with some fabulous Valentine surprises and a silent ART auction featuring wildlife artists Leslie Delgyer and Douglas Allen. The cabaret begins at 8:00 P.M.

duCret, New Jersey's oldest non-profit visual arts school, is no stranger to performing as well as visual artists, ranging from the fabled Helen Hayes of yesteryear to Ralph Attanasia of today's popular Cake Boss TV show. The auditorium makes a perfect setting for an evening of cabaret -- large enough for both supper and a show and yet offering the intimacy so essential to successful cabaret.

Proceeds from 'duCABARET' will benefit the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey's oldest community orchestra, now under the musical leadership of Charles Prince, and with new community outreach programs such as the Junior Board of Directors and an immensely popular annual free family concert hosted by Shiloh Baptist Church (this year's was this past weekend).

Seating is limited, so make reservations now by email here or purchase tickets online at www.plainfieldsymphony.org/.

The Plainfield Symphony performs in the magnificent
space of the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church.

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duCABARET
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra

Saturday · February 12 · 7:00 PM

Ticket: $75/person

duCret School of Art
1030 Central Avenue
(Parking in lot at rear of campus complex, entrance directly off lot)

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Plainfield does Mahler

Gustav Mahler at 32. His First Symphony was already four years behind him.

The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra does Mahler for the first time ever Saturday night -- specifically Mahler's Symphony No. 1 -- making it a 'first' all around.

Charles Prince, the PSO's new music director has already gotten a couple of outstanding notches on his belt, especially with the Verdi Requiem in the spring and the delicious romp through musical 'borrowing and stealing' by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Charles Ives, as led by Bernstein's daughter Jamie, which in September opened this, the Symphony's 91st season.

The Mahler work is large, make that LARGE, scored for about one hundred instruments, though all are used at once only in the final movement. The front of the church is sure to be crowded with the assembled musical forces.

Even those not thoroughly familiar with Mahler may recognize two themes from his Songs of a Wayfarer as they make their appearances.

And of course everyone will recognize the double bass solo variations on Frere Jacques which opens the third movement -- though perhaps not in the dark, unsettling setting Mahler gives it.

Aficionados will not want to miss Mr. Prince's 'Chat with Charles' which precedes the concert at 7:00 PM, and in which the conductor discusses the works on the evening's concert. This is in the Chapel of Crescent Avenue Prebyterian Church and is free to ticketholders.

Mozart's Violin Concert No. 5 will open the evening, with Evelyn Estava as soloist.

Though Mahler's notations include 'Schleppend' (dragging) for the Symphony's first movement and 'Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen' (Solemn and measured, without dragging) in the Frere Jacques variations, concertgoers will definitely NOT find the PSO's second concert of its 91st season a SCHLEP.

Come on out for what is sure to be a sparkling evening.

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Plainfield Symphony: Mahler's First
Continuing the PSO's 91st Season
and Conductor Charles Prince's first full season

7 PM in the chapel, 'Chat with Charles'
8 PM Concert

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue
(Parking in church lot, on street, or in Swain Galleries lot)

Tickets: $45/Reserved, $25/General admission, $15/Seniors/Students, under 12 free
Info: (908) 561-5140 or visit the PSO website www.plainfieldsymphony.org.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Symphony's 91st season kickoff tonight features Jamie Bernstein

Composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein's daughter Jamie
will open the PSO's 91st season.

The Plainfield Symphony kicks off its 91st season tonight with a lively overview of three of the 20th century's leading American composers.

Jamie Bernstein, daughter of the famed Leonard Bernstein will talk about the works of her father, Aaron Copland, and Charles Ives, with musical illustrations provided by the PSO.

A delightful speaker (and something of a raconteur), Bernstein will provide a glimpse into how the very best composers borrow -- and even steal -- from one another both to show off their own talent and  to give homage to the person they are quoting...or upstaging, as the case may be.

Asked once when she realized her father was not just 'dad' but a major musical force, Bernstein said it was 'a trip to Bedrock' that did it.

As she related in an article on OPUS 3 --

There was a moment we realized it — it was when we were watching ‘The Flintstones,’ Bernstein said. “Betty and Wilma were going to the Hollyrock Bowl to hear ‘Leonard Bernstone.’” She laughed: “That’s when we realized that he had hit the big time."

You won't want to miss this truly different evening with the Plainfield Symphony, which Music Director Charles Prince has been referring to as 'a young people's concert for adults'.

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PLAINFIELD SYMPHONY

Tonight, September 25 | 7:00 PM
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue
(Parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries)

Tickets: $45 reserved seating, $25 general admission

Martinis & More, Symphony After-Party

Attendees are invited at 9:00 PM to the after-party at the home
of Craig Bowman and John Stewart, where Jamie Bernstein will be a special guest.
Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
$50/person, payable at the door.
308 West 8th Street (parking at Higgins Home for Funerals, 8th & Madison).

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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PSO ends 90th season with Verdi's 'Requiem' Saturday

The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra will close its 90th season with a performance of Verdi's 'Requiem', in which it will join forces with the Crescent Choral Society.

While the 'Requiem' is thoroughly operatic -- it is Verdi, after all -- it has inspired generations with its emotional settings of the traditional texts of the Mass (see an appreciation here).

Come, be inspired by great music as the PSO closes its 90th and heads confidently into the last decade of its first century.

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Plainfield Symphony and Crescent Choral Society

Verdi Requiem

Saturday | 8:00 PM

The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra and the Crescent Choral Society join forces
to perform the incomparable Verdi Requiem with four stellar soloists.
Tickets: $25 general admission; Seniors/Students $15; 12 and under FREE.
Info: (908) 561-5140 or 756-2468, www.plainfieldsymphony.org/ or crescentconcerts.org/
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue
(parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries)

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Three must-do events for this Holiday weekend

Shepherds at the manger (Canterbury Cathedral).

Plainfielders have three outstanding holiday opportunities this weekend --

PLAINFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: BOOK-SIGNING AND GIFTING EVENT

On Saturday afternoon, local authors will be hosted by the Plainfield Public Library at a book-signing event. Originally setting a goal of 20 authors, assistant library director Mary Ellen Rogan has been thrilled by the response -- with more than 30 authors slated to sign and sell their works at the event. For those book-lovers on your gift list (or for yourself), this is an easy one-stop opportunity to find them the perfect gift without battling the lines at the big box stores. Romance? Murder? Photography? New Jersey beers or minor league baseball? You'll find all this and more. Do yourself a favor and drop in.

Publication Party & Book Signing.
Saturday | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room
Plainfield Public Library
Park Avenue and 8th Street

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PLAINFIELD SYMPHONY: HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT

Playing with renewed vigor and enthusiasm under their new musical director Charles Prince, the PSO wowed the crowd at the opening concert of its 90th season in October.

On Saturday, Prince and the PSO offer a Holiday Pops Concert sure to bedazzle, including a medley of holiday carols as well as Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Victor Herbert's March of the Toys, and Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, an American classic.

Plainfield Symphony Holiday Pops Concert
Saturday | 7:00 PM
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue
(parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries)
$25 at the door; $5 off with the presentation of two non-perishable food items
(which will benefit Starfish, Plainfield's food pantry).
Tickets may also be purchased online at www.plainfieldsymphony.org/.

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CRESCENT CONCERTS: YULETIDE BY CANDLELIGHT

This annual gift to the community by the acclaimed Crescent Singers provides an opportunity to decompress from the holiday shopping and entertaining bustle, and find an inspiring location in which to center one's thoughts and hopes for the holidays and the New Year, drawing inspiration from the carols and music of the season, reflected in selections from ancient to modern. Recharge your inner self and reflect on the reason for the season.

Crescent Concerts: Yuletide by Candlelight.
Sunday | 5:30 PM
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
Watchung Avenue at East 7th Street
(parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries)
Tickets: $20, $15/senior, $5/student

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Everyone (almost) honors the Symphony's 90th season

Recovering from the Plainfield Symphony's 90th season opener, I had time to go over the program booklet Sunday, and noted that everyone -- well, ALMOST EVERYONE -- honored the Symphony on reaching this milestone.

The front of the book contains congratulatory letters of recognition from U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and Gov. Jon Corzine.

The back of the book has letters of recognition and congratulations from Assemblyman Jerry Green and Union County Freeholder chairperson Alexander Mirabella.

Missing in action?

There is no letter from Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs.

Nor was a proclamation offered at the concert itself, jammed though it was with perhaps 800 or more people of voting age.

The Mayor, who arrived during the concert's opening piece, Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 6, departed shortly after the intermission.

Perhaps she had a more important engagement, or didn't want to be thought to be campaigning at an event held by a private organization.

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-- Dan Damon

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Dan done in by Symphony Gala

The Plainfield Symphony's most excellent opening concert for its 90th season packed the hall at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church last night.

And the gala party afterward was oversubscribed.

Altogether, a swell evening.

But it kept this little blogger up waaaay past his bedtime.

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-- Dan Damon

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Symphony Pops Concert tonight; After-party honors Jean & Lois Mattson

This year's Plainfield Symphony Orchestra's Springtime Pops Concert is tonight at 8:00 PM. Longtime Symphony supporters Jean and Lois Mattson will be honored at the 'Conductor's Circle' party following the concert.

Alan Baer, principal tuba with the New York Philharmonic will be featured as the soloist in John Williams' Concerto for Tuba.

Guest conductor Chris Wilhejm, of the Ridge-Wood Concert Band, will lead the orchestra in Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and other pops favorites.

The 'Conductor's Circle' after-party will be at the home of John DeMarco and Alan Cohen and will feature a buffet supper and open bar. Tickets available at the door.

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PSO Springtime Pops Concert

Today, 8:00 PM.
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue
(Parking at Swain's or on 1st Place)
Tickets: $25/person, $15/seniors and students. 12 and under free.

'Conductor's Circle' After-Party

Immediately following the Concert
At the home of John DeMarco and Alan Cohen
940 Glenwood Avenue.
Tickets: $35/person, available at the door

-- Dan Damon

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Make money from your scrap gold -- for yourself and the Symphony

In times like these, many Plainfielders are thinking about ways to come up with a few (or maybe more than a few) extra bucks.

Now comes an opportunity to get some cash -- and help the cause of the Plainfield Symphony at the same time.

Bring in your scrap gold to Suburban Jewelers today, tomorrow and Saturday and they will buy it from you and make a donation out of the proceeds to the Plainfield Symphony. (You MUST mention the Symphony when bringing the items in.)

'Scrap gold', you ask? As did I.

Not being a jewelry buff, I was intrigued that folks would have 'scrap' gold, but when I asked
Suburban Jewelers' helpful owner Lisa Cohen, she promptly explained how gold items can become 'scrap'.

"Lots of earrings and cufflinks end up losing their mates," Lisa said, "and go to live in the back of a drawer or a jewelry box. Then there are chains and bracelets that may get broken or lose some links. And we shouldn't forget that some items go out-of-style or are gifts or hand-me-downs that the owner knows they will never use or wear."

Suburban Jewelers has bought such items from customers ever since it began business, and Lisa thought it would be a great opportunity to also benefit the Plainfield Symphony, of which she is a long-time champion.

How does it work?

Scoop up your loose items and bring them down to the store -- which will be open tonight and tomorrow until 7 PM just for this event.

Lisa will assess the purity of the gold in the items (see the slide show below), weigh them up, and calculate the value to you based on what gold is selling for on the open market that day.

One customer was surprised to find that the items she brought in netted her $450 in cash on the spot.

Not bad, huh?


The slide show above details the steps from bringing your items in to the store to determining the value to you -- and a contribution to the Plainfield Symphony.

Lisa's offer stands for the balance of the month of October, but YOU MUST MENTION THE PLAINFIELD SYMPHONY for the Symphony to benefit.

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Suburban Jewelers
126 East Front Street

Phone: (908) 756-1774

Open this today and tomorrow, 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday, 10 AM - 5 PM

http://www.suburbanjewelers.com/

Metered parking available on Front Street and in the City lot
behind the store, accessible off East Second Street.

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-- Dan Damon

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Hundreds throng Saturday's quinfecta of events

Plainfielders had a wealth of opportunities to get out on Saturday, despite the heat, humidity and general sogginess outdoors.

ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR

There was no parking for blocks around as families crowded the 9th Annual Environmental Fair. Here are some pictures I snapped of folks enjoying themselves.


The only smudge? One comment on the blog post advertising the day noted that there was debris right in front of the podium as Mayor Robinson-Briggs and Assemblyman Green spoke and that no one thought to clean it up first.


BOOK SIGNING

John Grady and Dotte Pollard's book signing at Borders was a smash success. By the time I got there, just before the midpoint of the two-hour event, they had completely sold out the store's stock and polished off the stack that John had stashed in the back of his station wagon.

Not to fret! Borders will be restocking the book (Plainfield, New Jersey's History and Architecture), and copies will also be available at Swain Galleries and the Drake House. Read the reviews here.


OBAMA RALLY

Though I was not able to be there because of the overlapping events, reports were that the rally was well-attended (though perhaps not quite as well-attended as Councilor Burney estimates here) and enthusiastic, with Newark mayor Cory Booker's remarks being the high point of the afternoon.

With the Monmouth/Gannett poll indicating a dead heat in New Jersey, the notion that Obama can coast to a win has gone out the window. Will the Obama campaign relent on its spend-as-little-as-possible mantra in NJ and at least distribute some yard signs? We can only hope.

The combined Obama and local Democratic candidates' headquarters is at 311 East Front Street. Volunteers welcome!

CHILDREN'S CONCERT

This is always a highlight of the Plainfield Symphony's annual season, and reports are that guest conductor Michael Avagliano did not disappoint with David Ramelis' introduction to the symphonic orchestra, 'Phil Harmonic and His Fabulous Orchestra'.

The Symphony's 89th season features four performances from October through March, all under guest conductors while a search committee seeks a permanent music director to replace Sabin Pautza, the Symphony's longtime conductor.


LIBRARY WINE TASTING

Despite overcast skies and the occasional spritz, hundreds gathered at the gracious home of Mr. and Mrs. William Gearhart on Rahway Road to sample dozens of red, white and sparkling wines and dine on Sandy Spector's excellent hors d'oeuvres and the largest roast haunch I can recollect in a long time.

Dozens of items were on display for a successful silent auction and exclusive tours were offered of the Gearhart's stunning home. But perhaps the most excitement was generated by the announcement that Library Board member Vicky Rappold and her husband Charles were donating $10,000 to the Children's Room makeover currently under way, in the name of the Gearhart's.

I think it is fair to say that summer is over, and the Fall 'season' has begun in earnest.

-- Dan Damon

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Cut a rug at Symphony's 'Jitterbug Jive' tonight

Ladies, get out your bobby sox and snoods; gents, your zoot suit and gold watch chain!

Tonight, jitterbug and swing enthusiasts will really cut a rug in support of the Plainfield Symphony.

Billed as 'Jitterbug Jive', the bash gets under way at 8 PM and features the jumpin' rhythms of Carrie Jackson and her Sultans of Swing, lots of dancing and an open bar and light fare. The music will highlight the songs and dance steps of the World War II swing era, including jitterbug and boogie woogie and more.

Additional attractions are live and silent auctions featuring such items as an overnight theater package for two in Manhattan ('Sunday in the Park with George', dinner and hotel for the night); a box -- a whole box -- at NJPAC for Broadway's 'Movin' Up'; tickets to David Letterman; a weekend getaway at Cape May, and much much more.

'Beat me daddy, eight to the bar'? No problem.

''Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me'? Gotcha.

'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy'?

Cool, daddy.

The Andrews Sisters made 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' a wartime hit.

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JITTERBUG JIVE
A Benefit Celebrating 88 Years of the Plainfield Symphony

Tonight, 8 PM.
At the Burney Juke Joint
1127 Watchung Avenue
$88 per person (it's the Symphony's 88th season)
Dress: Formal, casual or Swing Era attire

-- Dan Damon

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ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
http://plainfieldtoday.blogspot.com/

Symphony fundraiser at the Bonefish Grill

Bang Bang Shrimp. Yum. Cajun Chicken Egg Roll. Yum. Bacon-wrapped Atlantic Scallops. Yum, yum, yum. Just some of the tantalizing fare at the Bonefish Grill.

You can enjoy all this and more -- and hang out with a friendly crowd of music lovers -- all in support of the Plainfield Symphony.

This Sunday, January 20, from 5:30 to 7:30, you can enjoy hors d'oeuvres and entrée samplers at this renowned seafood establishment. Cash bar. Just make a $25 per person donation to the Plainfield Symphony (check or cash). Check out the Bonefish Grill menu online here (PDF).

No reservation required, just come along and enjoy the food and the company! Info: (908) 561-5140 or visit the symphony's website here.

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Bonefish Grill
(732) 926-8060
215 Route 22 East
(Between Warrenville Road and Washington Avenue)
Greenbrook NJ 08812

-- Dan Damon

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Plainfield Symphony kicks off with a fiesta of Latin and Spanish music tomorrow

Guest Conductor César Iván Lara

The Plainfield Symphony kicks off its 88th season with some of the most treasured music of Latin American and Spain tomorrow evening, under the baton of guest conductor César Iván Lara, musical director of the Merida Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela, and highly sought out guest conductor of orchestras throughout Latin America and Mexico.

In a rare treat for local audiences, the concert will feature some of the finest classical music ever composed in Latin America and Spain. Maestro Lara will lead the orchestra in a number of compositions that represent the best of the Americas and Spain. The program features composers from Argentina (Alberto Ginastera), Brazil (Heitor Villa-Lobos), Mexico (Jose Pablo Moncayo and Arturo Márquez), Venezuela (Antonio Estévez and Ricardo Teruel) and Spain (Manuel De Falla).

Interestingly, many of these colorful compositions are relatively unknown in the U.S. but yet are treasured in many other parts of the world.

This is the first of four subscription concerts during the Plainfield Symphony's 2007-08 season. The remaining three concerts will be led by Music Director Sabin Pautza, now in his 21st season with the Plainfield Symphony.

For season ticket or single concert ticket information, call (908) 561-5140 or e-mail info@plainfieldsymphony.org.

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The Plainfield Symphony
Music of the Americas and Spain

Saturday, October 6, 2007
8:00 PM

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
Watchung Avenue at East Seventh Street
Plainfield

$25 at the door

On the Web --

• PSO: "The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra"
• César Iván Lara: "The Maazel-Vilar Conductors Competition"
• OSEM: "The State Symphony Orchestra of Merida"
  

-- Dan Damon

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ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
http://plainfieldtoday.blogspot.com/