Tag:

Performing Arts

Woodbridge, NJ
Events
Mom Thought She Was Failing Her Autistic Son — Then Wrote A Hit Show Coming To Avenel PAC Mom Thought She Was Failing Her Autistic Son — Then Wrote A Hit Show Coming To Avenel PAC
Mom Thought She Was Failing Her Autistic Son — Then Wrote A Hit Show Coming To Avenel PAC Megan Dolan spent years believing she was “not the right mom” after her son was diagnosed with autism. The fear followed her through support groups, school meetings, chaotic playdates, and the daily exhaustion of raising two neurodivergent children while quietly struggling herself. Eventually, Dolan stopped hiding those feelings and put them on stage. What came out of it was “Not the Right Mom,” an award-winning one-woman show coming to New Jersey later this month. Dolan will perform “Not the Right Mom” at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 30 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. foll…

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by Cecilia Levine
Great Barrington, MA
Police & Fire
Police ID Woman Killed In Freak Accident At Jacob's Pillow Theater; No Charges Expected Police ID Woman Killed In Freak Accident At Jacob's Pillow Theater; No Charges Expected
Police ID Woman Killed In Freak Accident At Jacob's Pillow Theater; No Charges Expected A tragic accident at the historic Jacob’s Pillow dance center has left one employee dead, local authorities say. Kathryn “Kat” Sirico, a seasonal employee at the Becket, Massachusetts, theater, was helping a summer intern move stage platforms on a dolly across the property on Friday, Aug. 1. As they navigated a sloped area, the dolly began to roll out of control. Sirico attempted to stop it, but fell and was struck by the dolly, causing the platforms to fall on them, authorities said.  Bystanders rushed to help and tried to save their life. View this post on Instag…

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by Josh Lanier
Fairfield, CT
Lifestyle
Meet Chuck Adams, The CT Singer Going Viral After Blowing Away 'AGT' Judges Meet Chuck Adams, The CT Singer Going Viral After Blowing Away 'AGT' Judges
Meet Chuck Adams, The CT Singer Going Viral After Blowing Away 'AGT' Judges Chuck Adams refused to let broken record deals or long odds silence his voice.  The 40-year-old singer from Connecticut stepped onto the “America’s Got Talent” stage with only an acoustic guitar, but he carried years of hard lessons and one unstoppable supporter: his mother, Betty. “I’ve been singing my whole adult life," he said. "Have I let my dream go, as far as, being an artist? Maybe. That’s what this opportunity is about for me.”  It was Betty who nudged him for a decade to try out for "AGT," and she was right to have pushed him all along, judging by the standing ovation he…

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by Josh Lanier
Allentown, PA
News
Outraged Parents Blast Officials At Parkland School Board Meeting After Frank Anonia's Arrest Outraged Parents Blast Officials At Parkland School Board Meeting After Frank Anonia's Arrest
Outraged Parents Blast Officials At Parkland School Board Meeting After Frank Anonia's Arrest Outraged parents showed up to a school board meeting in Lehigh County to blast officials after news broke that a teacher had been arrested for secretly recording a student undressing in a school auditorium. Laura Warmkessel was just one of those parents. "You guys sit up here the majority of the time patting yourselves on the back and congratulating each other on how wonderful this school district is, but under the radar letting these monsters into our system, repeatedly," Warmkessel told the Parkland School District Board of Directors on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Click here to watch the meeting. …

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by Merriell Moyer
Paterson, NJ
News
Township To Buy YMCA Slated For Closure After 15 Years In North Jersey Township To Buy YMCA Slated For Closure After 15 Years In North Jersey
Township To Buy YMCA Slated For Closure After 15 Years In North Jersey Wayne Township's YMCA is closing after 15 years, and the township plans to purchase the facility. The Pike Drive Wayne YMCA, a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA, reached an agreement with local officials to sell the building, according to a press release issued earlier this month. The township is aiming to purchase the facility on or around Nov. 1, however, an exact closing date for the Y will be subject to the terms of the signed contract. Y officials vowed to give ample notice to members and staff. “While we are saddened to be leaving Wayne Township, we are proud to have ser…

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by Cecilia Levine
Middletown, NJ
Lifestyle
Drinks And A Movie: Alcohol Sales Approved At Nonprofit Cinema In Central Jersey Drinks And A Movie: Alcohol Sales Approved At Nonprofit Cinema In Central Jersey
Drinks And A Movie: Alcohol Sales Approved At Nonprofit Cinema In Central Jersey You can now enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail at an independent movie theater in Monmouth County. Basie Center Cinemas will start selling alcoholic beverages to customers 21 and older, the Red Bank theater announced in a news release on Tuesday, May 7. A recent state law cleared the way for the cinema to receive a liquor license. The White Street theater said it will feature products from Jersey craft breweries and wineries. "Basie Center Cinemas is now the only area indie movie house that can offer patrons a glass of wine, a local craft beer, or a cool, canned cocktail to accom…

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by Chris Spiker
Brentwood, NY
Lifestyle
Make Whole Place Shimmer: Taylor Swift Laser Show Planned On Long Island Make Whole Place Shimmer: Taylor Swift Laser Show Planned On Long Island
Make Whole Place Shimmer: Taylor Swift Laser Show Planned On Long Island Swifties, rejoice: a performing arts center on Long Island has plans to put on a Taylor-themed laser show. Fans looking for something to do this summer — that doesn’t involve re-watching the Eras Tour film — can turn to “Taylor Shines - The Laser Spectacular,” hosted by Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA), located at 71 East Main Street in Patchogue. Led by the theater’s DJ Tiff and DJ JC, the event (scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1) will feature all things Taylor combined with the fun of a laser and light show. In the event's description, PTPA wrote that guests should be ready …

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by Sophie Grieser
Cambridge, MA
Police & Fire
She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash
She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash Stephanie Weymouth, a Wilmington native, is being remembered for her passion for teaching and performing after being killed in a car crash earlier this month in Jersey City. The 31-year-old Bayonne resident was killed Saturday, Feb. 3, in a car crash after the vehicle she was riding in struck the back of a tractor trailer, authorities said.  A 2010 graduate of Wilmington High School moved to New Jersey to attend Drew University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in theater arts, and later receiving a master's degree in education, according to her obituary. Weymouth worked at the Institute o…

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by Sam Barron
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life
Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life Stephanie Weymouth, a Wilmington, Mass. native, is being remembered for her passion for teaching and performing after being killed in a car crash earlier this month in Jersey City. The 31-year-old Bayonne resident was killed Saturday, Feb. 3, in a car crash after the vehicle she was riding in struck the back of a tractor trailer, authorities said.  A 2010 graduate of Wilmington High School in Massachusetts, Weymouth moved to New Jersey to attend Drew University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in theater arts, and later receiving a master's degree in education, according to her obituary. …

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by Sam Barron
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Lifestyle
Cirque Italia's Flying Acts Come To Mays Landing Cirque Italia's Flying Acts Come To Mays Landing
Cirque Italia's Flying Acts Come To Mays Landing Cirque Italia is coming to Mays Landing July 6 though 9. In addition to its wire acts, master jugglers and trampoline expertise, it will feature a show that brings the audience back in time to the 1950s. The performances are at Hamilton Mall. Cirque Italia believes multiculturalism is one of its strongest assets. The show features performers from Argentina, Brazil, Romania, and many other countries. Of course, these incredible artists are preparing to wow you with their astounding acts.  low wire fanatics, dazzling contortion and even a wheel of death!  Cirque ItaliaAndris Jansons Pho…

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by Jon Craig
Fairfax, VA
News
Massive Development Could Transform Fairfax Into Entertainment Haven Massive Development Could Transform Fairfax Into Entertainment Haven
Massive Development Could Transform Fairfax Into Entertainment Haven The fate of a massive hotel and performing arts center are in the hands of Fairfax City officials. Plans for The Ox Fairfax located along University Drive and Chain Bridge Road, were submitted earlier this month by developer Ox Hill Companies. The plans include a concert venue with a maximum capacity of up to 4,100 people designed to attract musical acts and other forms of live entertainment; a 163-room hotel; luxury condos; a distillery; conference center and more. According to the developer, the idea for The Ox Fairfax is to integrate historical buildings into the project …

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by Cecilia Levine
Mahopac, NY
Schools
Kevin Bacon Gives Thumbs Up To Hudson Valley High School's Footloose Cast Kevin Bacon Gives Thumbs Up To Hudson Valley High School's Footloose Cast
Kevin Bacon Gives Thumbs Up To Hudson Valley High School's Footloose Cast Actor Kevin Bacon gave a thumbs up and encouragement to students at a Hudson Valley high school who are putting on a performance of "Footloose." Bacon, who starred in the original 1984 movie, gave the shout-out on Instagram to the Putnam County performing arts students at Brewster High School after hearing they were putting on the musical drama that helped launch him to stardom. "Break a leg, jump back, I know you'll be fantastic," Bacon said, referring to Brewster High School by name. The star also laughingly said, "You're probably wondering who this guy is." He ended with a "Knock Em De…

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by Kathy Reakes
Springfield, MA
Police & Fire
Fire: Internationally Famous Western Mass Performance Space Burns Fire: Internationally Famous Western Mass Performance Space Burns
Fire: Internationally Famous Western Mass Performance Space Burns A fire has broken out at a nationally significant performance space in Western Massachusetts. The fire began sometime Tuesday, Nov. 17. at Jacob's Pillow on George Cotter Road in the southern Berkshires community of Becket. It was blazing as of 10 a.m. The fire consumed the Doris Duke Theater, the Berkshire Eagle reported. Jacob's Pillow is the oldest, internationally-acclaimed summer dance festival in the U.S., according to the dance company's and performing arts space's website.  Among firefighters beating back the flames in Becket is the Monterey Fire Department. It is unkno…

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by Kristin Palpini
Norwalk, CT
Lifestyle
Horse, Carriage Ride Highlights Father-Daughter Ball In Norwalk Horse, Carriage Ride Highlights Father-Daughter Ball In Norwalk
Horse, Carriage Ride Highlights Father-Daughter Ball In Norwalk Looking to fill your schedule for Father’s Day weekend? Tickets are still available for Norwalk’s fourth annual Father-Daughter Ball, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 at Stepping Stones Museum For Children (303 West Avenue). The ball is open to all fathers, dads, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, brothers, nephews, cousins, family friends and more. It begins at 6 p.m. and includes dinner and a horse and carriage ride. Formal attire is requested. Proceeds from this event will benefit the LIFT Foundation, Inc. as well as the John-Dolo-Ragin Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships f…

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by Valerie Musson
Mount Pleasant, NY
Lifestyle
Pace University Students Go From Class To Screen In Los Angeles Pace University Students Go From Class To Screen In Los Angeles
Pace University Students Go From Class To Screen In Los Angeles Two students from Pace University are making their network television debuts after landing coveted roles on the CBS series “NCIS.” The students, Shea Vaughan-Gabor and Jason Marrs, received the roles during their time in the school’s LA Acting Intensive Program, a program for seniors that involves a three-week trip to Los Angeles for immersion into the world of Hollywood acting. "I was incredibly impressed with the Pace Performing Arts BFA Acting students and their talent, work ethic, diverse backgrounds, and creative brilliance,” said “NCIS” Casting Director Jason Kennedy. “These young act…

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by Valerie Musson
Paterson, NJ
Obituaries
Wayne Girl, 11, Who Died Of Flu Was Talented Artist, Animal Lover Wayne Girl, 11, Who Died Of Flu Was Talented Artist, Animal Lover
Wayne Girl, 11, Who Died Of Flu Was Talented Artist, Animal Lover An 11-year-old girl from Wayne died Monday after being hospitalized for flu-like symptoms. Halainah Grace Napolitano was taken to an urgent care center where she was treated for the flu, her mom Deanna Napolitano said on a GoFundMe. Three days later, Halainah was sent to the emergency room where doctors found a virus in her bloodstream -- attacking her heart, her mom said. "We lost our precious daughter and the entire reason for our existence," Napolitano wrote. "No one thinks their child will leave this life before them." More than $20,300 had been raised on the GoFundMe as of …

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by Cecilia Levine
Hackensack, NJ
Lifestyle
Bourdain, Donovan Among North Jersey Residents Nominated For NJ Hall Of Fame Bourdain, Donovan Among North Jersey Residents Nominated For NJ Hall Of Fame
Bourdain, Donovan Among North Jersey Residents Nominated For NJ Hall Of Fame Chris Rock, Anthony Bourdain and Anne Donovan are among the many North Jersey natives nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame's 11th class. The organization announced its list of 50 nominees Friday. Inductees will be announced in January 2019. The five categories are Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts, Public Service and Sports. Here are the nominees from Bergen and Passaic counties: Stephen Crane, of Paterson (novelist) Joyce Kilmer, of Mahwah (poet/writer) Anne Morrow Lindbergh, of Englewood (author/aviator) Anthony Bourdain, of Leonia and Dwight-Englewood grad …

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by Cecilia Levine
Paramus, NJ
Obituaries
Services Set For Nicole Minson Of Paramus, 17 Services Set For Nicole Minson Of Paramus, 17
Services Set For Nicole Minson Of Paramus, 17 Nicole Minson of Paramus died on Friday, Feb. 16 after an aggressive battle with cancer. She was 17 years old. Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 22 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home. Funeral Mass will be Friday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Visitation R.C. Church. Nicole, Affectionately known as Mini Nikki, was a senior at Paramus Catholic High School. She was accepted on early admission to Pace University and was planning to attend this fall.  She attended Our Lady of the Visitation Academy elementary school and was a member of the Our Lady of the Visitati…

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by Cecilia Levine