Trenton Downtwoner | November 2018

DOWNTOWNER NOVEMBER 2018 |

TRENTON’S CITY PAPER

COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG

TURNING ON THE ARTS

ART ALL DAY LIGHTS UP TRENTON AND BRINGS A HISTORIC SCULPTURE BACK TO LIFE

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Trenton arts: The French connection

By Dan Aubrey

I

n a Downtowner issue largely dedicated to the city’s contemporary art scene, it can be instructive to look back at historical influences on Trenton’s arts scene. In the 1920s a young composer and pianist from Trenton arrived in Paris and played a part in shaping the modernist movement — including an influence on James Joyce and Ezra Pound. Then in the 1960s artists and writers from Paris arrived in Trenton and helped shape the capital city’s heritage.

Trenton-born composer George Antheil, born in 1900, was an accomplished young pianist when he began studying music composition in Philadelphia in the early 1920s. Fired up by some new ideas in art and youthfully confident, Antheil headed to Europe in 1922, where he produced a series of well received concerts in London, Budapest, and Vienna and began interacting with European composers such as Stravinsky.

In 1923 Antheil arrived in Paris, where he rented an apartment from fellow New Jerseyan Sylvia Beach. She had moved from Princeton to Paris and ran the English-language bookshop Shakespeare and Company, a gathering place for English-speaking artists and writers.

In 1922 Beach had published Joyce’s monumental novel “Ulysses” and introduced Antheil to the famed Irish writer.

At the same time Antheil continued to perform his new works, including the “Airplane Sonata” and “Sonata Savage.”

One concert erupted in an audience riot

Alexander Calder’s sculpture ‘El Sol Rojo’ outside the State Museum, above. Inset, Ezra Pound and George Antheil in Paris in 1923. where traditionalists jeered and contemporary composers Erik Satie and Darius Milhaud applauded.

It was at this time that influential American poet and critic Ezra Pound expressed his enthusiasm on Antheil by writing the book “Antheil and the Treatise on Harmony.” In addition to being a fan of Antheil’s music, Pound would sometimes play a conga drum during an Antheil concert. Joyce had also started to attend and had become interested in Antheil’s music.

Also at this time, late 1923, Antheil started composing his most famous work, “Ballet Mecanique,” originally de-

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2Trenton Downtowner | November 2018

vised as a score for cubist/futurist painter Fernand Leger’s silent film of the same name.

The film and score were paeans to machines with Antheil’s composition being recognized as the work scored for several automated instruments and mechanical devices: player pianos, an airplane propeller, electric bells, and sirens The “Ballet” premiered at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in 1925 and again caused a riot and made the composer even more famous.

Joyce had attended, and he and Antheil began collaborating. They published a preliminary section of an opera based on the Cyclops section of Joyce’s “Ulysses,” and Antheil later set Joyce’s “Night Piece.” Meanwhile Pound introduced Antheil to influential poet and playwright William Butler Yeats, and Antheil created a score for the play “Fighting the Waves.”

Antheil traveled between Europe and the United States for several years and would stop in Trenton to visit family and friends and perform new works by contemporary European composers.

He died in 1959. His music continues to grow in public awareness and his “Ballet Mecanique” has been the subject of several new recordings, including one overseen by Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey musical director Daniel Spalding.

Meanwhile back in late 1920s Paris, a handful of artists who were part of the scene that Antheil helped create were unaware of the impact they would make on Trenton.

That included novelist Glenway Wescott, his longtime lover and partner, curator Monroe Wheeler, and their colleague and occasional lover, New Jerseyborn art photographer George Platt Lynes.

There was also Barbara Harrison, who with Wheeler established the arts press Harrison of Paris, creating special editions that involved cutting-edge artists (such as American sculptor Alexander Calder).

In Paris Harrison met her future husband, Glenway’s brother, Lloyd, who had parlayed the family’s Wisconsin dairy farming background into a series of successful ventures, including artificial breeding of livestock.

After Paris and a stay in New York, Harrison and Wescott moved to a farm in lower Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Then in the mid-1930s Wheeler became the first director of exhibitions at the new Museum of Modern Art and he, Glenway, and Lynes returned to America — eventually moving to the Hunterdon farm.

An internet search will produce paintings and photographs by prominent artists of the farm and its occupants, including a pastoral of Lloyd and Barbara.

In the 1960s the Paris-influenced New Jerseyans began to influence Trenton.

Lloyd Wescott — who was named chair of the New Jersey State Board of Control of Institutions and Agencies — and Harrison became active with the New Jersey State Museum when the institution was redefining itself, creating an art collection and moving into a modern new building.

In addition to being part of an influential circle of artists who would advise and sometimes attend Trenton functions, Wescott and Harrison were known art collectors, and their involvement, along with Wheeler’s role as an informal advisor, helped the museum establish the foundation of the important collection that can be seen there today.

It was also during that time that the state purchased several pieces of public art, including the Calder sculpture that stands in front of the State Museum.

Harrison continued her museum involvement until her death in 1977, when a publication noting influential Hunterdon County women made the following assessment: “A noted collector of fine works of art, Barbara Harrison Wescott’s appointment to the advisory council of the New Jersey State Museum proved to be the turning point in the museum’s existence.

Prior to her influence, the museum was largely ‘a collection of arrowheads.’ It was her knowledge, taste, and love of fine art that propelled the museum forward in its quest for a collection that would distinguish the state museum.”

After Harrison’s death, Lloyd Wescott continued his involvement with the museum’s collection for over two decades more. However, his death in 1990 — a few years after the deaths of Glenway and Wheeler — ended the physical link between Trenton and avant-garde Paris — one that still exists and is part of the city’s cultural memory.

In late 1920s Paris, a handful of artists were part of the scene that Antheil helped create and were unaware of the impact they would make on Trenton.

New partnerships, initiatives announced

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ov.

Phil Murphy’s recently announced New Jersey State Capital Partnership is an indication that the State of New Jersey has once again discovered that it occupies a city that has both potential and needs.

The executive order was launched in late September and is “designed to harness state support and resources to spur economic development in Trenton and help chart a new course for New Jersey’s capital city,” according to the initiative’s announcement.

The Department of the Treasury is the state agency charged with partnering with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT), NJ Transit, Economic Development Authority (EDA), Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS), and other state agencies “to establish a framework for aligning state resources with the City of Trenton’s plans for development.”

That partnership “is designed to provide an effective and efficient mechanism for the state to join with city and county government to create and execute strategies for economic development.”

It will also “be tasked with working in consultation with the offices of the mayor and the Mercer County executive to pursue a wide-range of objectives.”

The state describes those objectives as follows: • Reviewing the city’s long-range Master Plan, Trenton250, and identifying funding and resources to implement those initiatives.

• Creating an action plan for the redevelopment of state properties in downtown Trenton and around transit centers that support a mix of residential, office, and/or retail uses.

•Developing initiatives to support new market-rate housing in downtown Trenton.

• Aligning state resources to implement Trenton’s vision for the Capital Park and access to the waterfront.

• Supporting public safety initiatives.

State and City • Attracting private capital into Trenton’s Opportunity Zones.

• Attracting federal grant funding for infrastructure plans.

• Integrating institutions of higher education within Mercer County into revitalization and workforce development strategies.

• Utilizing the arts, culture, and historical assets to attract visitors to downtown Trenton.

The announcement also quotes Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, who calls the executive order “a long way toward forging a true partnership between the capital city and the state. In the past, one side or the other may have been striving for this collaborative approach, but rarely have two administrations been on the same page as much as myself and Governor Murphy. I applaud his proactive measures to quickly reestablish Trenton as the prime example of New Jersey’s government working for the people it serves.”

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his initiative follows two other recent Trenton-related actions by the state: The EDA awarded the city an Innovation Challenge grant initiative to support the Trenton Production and Knowledge Innovation Campus (TPKIC).

That’s a downtown Trenton multi-university collaborative led by a consortium of all five institutions of higher education in Mercer County: Mercer County Community College, Princeton University, Rider University, the College of New Jersey, and Thomas Edison State University. Other partners include Greater Trenton and New Jersey Future. The details of the project have yet to be revealed.

The NJEDA also unveiled a package of economic incentives to help three local Trenton businesses: Mill Hill Pharmacy; Dunkin Donuts; and owners of the building of East State Deli. Each business will receive aid from either the EDA’s Business Lease Incentive or Business Improvement Incentive programs.

Both programs support businesses in EDA-designated Garden State Growth Zones.

FELTUS

Building plan faces continued opposition

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n another state and city interaction, the EDA appeared at the October 11 planning board meeting to present its plan for one of two new office buildings planned to replace three existing ones.

That project was initiated by Gov. Chris Christie during his final year and was met with resistance from city businesses owners, community leaders, city residents, and a former EDA executive.

Their argument was that the project did not reflect existing planning, did not include public and private partnerships to enhance the business climate and tax base, and would have a negative impact on Trenton business.

When the Christie administration refused to reconsider, community members formed Stakeholders Allied for the Core of Trenton (ACT) and initiated an unsuccessful lawsuit to stop the EDA from securing the necessary bonds.

Those actively opposing the state project include former Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, former Mercer County Executive Bob Prunetti, and Mayor Reed Gusciora.

That the Murphy administration seems intent on complying with the Christie plan was evident at the planning session where EDA representatives outlined their plans.

While the planning board was not in

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the position to approve or reject the state construction, the planners several times pointed out design changes and embellishments that were added to address community concerns.

The community, however, expressed its opposition to the buildings and site during the public comment session.

And while one small business owner saw the positive in a state building being moved nearer to his business, others asked the state to re-envision the project by using a public-private approach to help stimulate the city’s economy and build in a manner that produced more foot traffic to downtown businesses.

Those speakers included Prunetti, Trenton business owner T. C. Nelson, Segal LaBate Commercial Real Estate president and ACT organizer Anne LaBate, and Trenton City Councilman Jerell Blakeley.

Two other community members mentioned that none of the people involved with the presentation or the EDA lived in Trenton and would feel the lasting impact of their decisions.

After a question and answer session, board members reiterated that the project did not conform to existing plans and voted unanimously to write a letter to the EDA to outline the board’s concerns and those of the community.

The topic of the buildings may also be a consideration when the city and treasury begin the above mentioned partnership and discuss reviewing and implementing the city’s long-range Master Plan, Trenton250. Stay tuned.

Vinroy D. Brown, Jr.

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Trenton arts community opens up to Art All Day

By Dan Aubrey

T

renton’s annual Art All Day returns on Saturday, November 3, with open artists’ studios, gallery exhibitions, tours of city art and architecture, and musical and theater performances.

Produced by Artworks Trenton and supported by Wells Fargo & Company, the seven-year-old citywide event involves roughly 100 artists at 25 sites.

Trenton’s artistic community ranges from nationally known established artists to young innovators. And the city’s cultural resources include a major art collection, public art by American masters, new gallery spaces, a professional theater, a symphonic orchestra, a circus school, a Revolutionary War museum, and a nationally connected indie-rock and jazz scene.

Community participants can plan their own citywide tour by stopping at Artworks Trenton’s headquarters at 19 Everett Alley to obtain an Art All Day site map or join scheduled trolley, bike, and walking tours. Visitors can also go to the event’s online directory at www. artworkstrenton.org/artallday.

Open studios, demonstrations, and tours are scheduled from noon to 6 p.m.

An artist and community reception follows 6 to 8 p.m. at Artworks.

Here’s a peek at some of the day’s offering, starting with artists exhibiting as several established venues:

Artworks Trenton: Exhibiting art- The scene at a past Art All Day reception at Artworks, left, ists include Tunisia-born area artist Alia Benslimane’s “Mind Stroll,” drawings and Trenton photographer C.a. Shofed in his studio, right. reflecting the current state of our soci1719 William Trent House or participate in the interactive art makety and various political issues; the Six Oh Nine Project’s photographs by Tren- Museum: The Colonial-era mansion ing activities for children. 205 West State ton teens showcasing the beauty of the becomes a venue to exhibit mixed media Street.

Trenton Free Public Librar y prescity; a Moms Demand Action commu- art and photography, sculpture, jewelry, nity art project started at Art All Night and contemporary furniture. 15 Market ents the Trenton Artists Workshop Association (TAWA) featuring Trenton that asks visitors to “imagine a world Street.

New Jersey State Museum: Visitors area artists Liz Aubrey, Marge Miccio, free of gun violence”; and an exhibition

by Artworks studio artists Jean Bickal, can see an exhibition of recent acquisi- Terri McNichol, Mary Yess, and JadKhalilah Sabree, Suzanne Dinger, and tions, explore the permanent collection wiga “Heidi” Wroblewska-Jedrzejczyk. of works by state and national artists, 120 Academy Street. others. 19 Everett Alley.

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3 p.m.: Family-friendly staged playreading with puppets of “The Real Life Adventures of Jimmy de las Rosas,” Passage Theater, Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street.

4 p.m.: Sprout U School of the Arts students perform, Artworks, 19 Everett Alley.

All day: Demonstrations of 18th-century tailoring, Old Barracks, 101 Barrack Street.

Blacksmithing demonstrations, Blacksmith of Trenton, 334 North Olden Avenue.

Analog Trenton records local singersongwriters with analog equipment live, Trenton Coffee House & Records, 750 Cass Street.

Art All Day, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley. Saturday, November 3, noon to 6 p.m. Most events are free, but some may request donation or small fee. * www.artworkstrenton.org/artallday.

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such as Trenton-based fine arts photographer S. Bola Okoya whose exhibition, “Big City State of Mind,” is on view through November. 71 Clark Street.

S.L.O.W Art Studios is on the top floor of the former Polish Falcons Club of Trenton. Today its second story is the studios of artist Andrew Wilkinson and artist and Art All Day founder Lauren

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‘Sunset at Sea’ by Polish-born Trenton artist Jadwiga Jedrzejczyk, left, and one of Trenton’s working blacksmiths, above.

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Trenton’s artistic community ranges from nationally known established artists to young innovators — with an array of cultural resources to match.

Otis. The bottom floor is occupied by Trenton Coffee House and Roasters, also a center for music and art. 750 Cass Street.

RANTEE Several and social UA city businesses organizations are also involved: Latin American Legal Defense and *** Education Fund (LALDEF) is opening APY its new home at the historic In & Out ClubO R and hosting Aartists Tamara TorE res and O Ivelisse N E YOjeda Nieves. 714-716 South Clinton Avenue.

Natural Edge, the woodworking studio of artisan David Robinson, who will show his art work, commissions, and landscape constructions. 2 Pearl Street.

Zienowicz Sign Co. features the sign work of craftsman, musician, and neon artist George Zienowicz. There is also a pop-up gallery for noted Trenton street artist and muralist Leon Rainbow. 202 East Canal Street.

The day also includes several demonstrations and live performances that include the following: 1 p.m.: The Trenton Circus Squad, Roebling Wire Works building, 675 South Clinton Avenue.

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traits of people and places and in the immediate Trenton neighborhood. 134 East Hanover Street.

Roebling Galler y. Located in a newly renovated 1917 factory building, its focus is on new and emerging artists,

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At new nonprofit or emerging independent galleries: A-Team Studio, the converted horse carriage turned art center used by the regionally known collective of self-trained or outsider artists, 51 North Stockton Street.

BSB Galler y, the Trenton Downtown Association’s new gallery in the historic early 20th-century structure recognized as the capital city’s first skyscraper. The exhibition is “C.a. Shofed — the Collaborators,” where the Trenton photographer created works in collaboration with 13 area artists: Will Kasso, Tamara Torres, Laura Beard, Jessica Klein, Alia Bensliman, Phillip McConnell, Addison Vincent, Antoinette Marchfelder, Brigitte Aflalo-Calderon, Meredith Remz, Erica Rachel, Vinita Mathur, and Jennifer Hill. On view to December 1. 143 East State Street.

Orchid House is a community education and cultural exchange center located in the city’s Creek 2 Canal cultural district. On view are furniture and consumables made by hand and using reclaimed or recycled materials and artist Walter Roberts’ “Faces of Old,” por-

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Innovative sculpture turned on

C WITH INTEREST

By Dan Aubrey

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he November 3 Art All Day 2018 coordinators are highlighting a special event that will put the light on Trenton’s role as a cultural center — literally.

Internationally known American artist Nam June Paik’s monumental 1992 sculpture “PBS: 1967-2000” in downtown Trenton is scheduled to have its 52 television monitors and linguistic symbols fashioned in neon lights switched back on after years of being dark.

The plight of the innovative sculpture housed in the former New Jersey Net• NO Monthly Service Charges • NO Deposit Fees work Broadcasting building began with • NO Minimum Balance • FREE Business Debit Card delayed maintenance and then with the • UNLIMITED Check Writing • FREE Business Online Banking and Bill Pay Christie administration’s closure of the New Jersey Network building in 2011.

RANTEE But recent efforts by concerned arts A U leaders at Artworks Trenton and the State of New Jersey are bringing the sculpture back into the public view.

APY*** Cited by the Smithsonian Institute as O an artist whose art work and ideas “were RO EA Y SBA loans can help you conserve cash with reduced down payments and extended loan amortizations.* NE a major influence on late 20th-century art Call one of our experienced lenders to see how an SBA Loan at Grand Bank can help you. and continue to inspire a new generation of artists,” Paik (1936-2006) is known • Expand or renovate existing • Start a new business • Provide working capital, for coupling new aesthetic concepts with structures and buildings • Purchase or expand finance receivables new technologies — something in the • Purchasing machinery, an existing business or inventory plan when the state Economic Developequipment, fixtures and fund • Refinance existing debt • Commercial real estate ment Authority (NJEDA) built the building and commissioned the artist. leasehold improvements purchase and construction • Franchise Financing “Paik is one of the most important artN A T EE Lopez Lauretta Lucchesi Andrew Palmieri AR Bernice ists of the 20th century. He always did U NMLS#954467 VP/DIRECTOR OF SBA LENDING AVP/BUSINESS work to challenge sculpture and the viEVP/ SENIOR LOAN OFFICER 732.547.3833 DEVELOPMENT OFFICER sual art in general. And he is the grand609.269.1625 908.907.4606 father of video art,” says Trenton * Branch Office Corporate Offices Contact Us APY* STRINGS resident and artist • 1 Edinburg Road, • 2297 Highway 33, grandbk.com Tom Moran one ATTACHED M Mercerville, NJ Hamilton Square, NJ 1.800.234.3459 recent morning 8 A ATTACHED Y 31, 2 0 1 • 2265 Highway 33, • Freehold Loan Office, outside his office Hamilton Square, NJ 76 West Main Street, Suite #102 IN OUR COMMUNITY! at Grounds For Sculpture in Ham1 Edinburg Road 2265 Route #33 ilton.

Mercerville, NJ Hamilton Square, NJ Moran should OF COMMUNITY BANKING 609-269-1616 609-269-1619 know. In addition NO MINIMUM BALANCE REQUIRED Bank Local • Shop Local • Go Local TO EARN .75% ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD. See how well we can work together. to his role as the *All Loans are subject to credit approval. current chief cu*** Interest bearing account. No minimum to open account. rator of Grounds No qualifications. No minimum balance required to earn .75% Annual Percentage Yield. Accurate as of 05/25/2017.

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New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) public art coordinator and headed the team that com munitynews.org brought the Paik sculpture to the capital city. (And I should know because I worked with Moran on several New Jersey public arts projects).

As Moran says during the interview and through shared letters to the State of Visit our website or follow us on Facebook to get New Jersey, the project reflected an innoupdates about your community all month long. vation in state regulations and optimism for the city — that can also be restarted.

It was 1988 and a new Trenton Office Complex was envisioned. “The building was daring. It was the first time the state was building a multi-use space after the guidelines of the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC).”

“The installation of the Nam June Paik artwork was a concerted effort by the State of New Jersey, NJSCA, City of Trenton, and the NJEDA,” notes Moran.

It was also in compliance with the /TrentonDowntowner state’s arts inclusion legislation that stip-

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STRINGS

Tom Moran, above, was on the panel that selected Nam June Paik to create a new work in downtown Trenton. ulates up to 1.5 percent of the total cost of a public building be allocated to art that would enhance both building and community.

The protocol for selecting the public art and engaging artists includes the establishment of a selection committee representing various stakeholders, including the state divisions utilizing the building — in this case the Department of Motor Vehicles and New Jersey Network. Other members included representatives of the State Treasury and CCRC. “The committee selected Mr. Paik, the world-renowned multimedia artist and pioneer of the video art, to submit a proposal for this major new public building,” Moran says in a letter.

Moran says there were several reasons to think of Paik.

With “mixed use, post office, and restaurants, it was a visionary plan for Trenton. The whole idea was to slow people down to stay in Trenton and to make it a destination place. There could have been a tendency to create art work that was internal, but this was intended to make the work be seen from the outside — designed to interact with the redevelopment of this part of town.”

Moran says Paik had affiliations throughout the New York and New Jersey area, interacted with the Rutgers faculty, and was a member of the innovative and exploratory Fluxus and pop art movements, which had strong connections to Rutgers artists, including George Segal and Roy Lichtenstein.

“The major intersection (to attract Paik’s interest) was with New Jersey Network and then the Sarnoff connection,” says Moran.

The Sarnoff Center on Route 1 in West Windsor is an acknowledged home of television and video technology — especially the advancement of the cathode ray technology to generate screen images.

‘It broke the mold of a state building to have something dynamic and different. It wasn’t a sculpture or mural, traditional approaches.

But it fit the theme of the building.’

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“We realized we could tie in a major device that had been developed in this area,” says Moran. “I believe that is why (Paik) took the job. How could he say no to that? It links to the greater Trenton area — and Trenton Makes the World Takes.”

Paik took on the project and “brought a lot of interest and that brought in a lot of content, such as the neon. There are several different languages because television touches so many cultures in the world. One side has language and diagrammatic images of the cathode ray tube.”

In addition to referencing the broadcast station client and New Jersey innovation, Paik took the work to another dimension. “He made it a retrospective of all the artists that he worked with.

He basically created a video collage. He would pull images from the broadcasts and then images of artists he worked with. Some of the monitors were live feeds, and this was before the word ‘streaming’ was used.”

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he project also reflects Paik’s general approach to creating art.

Although the Korean-born Paik was originally a musician and composer, he changed direction after meeting and working with avant-garde artists and theoreticians John Cage and Fluxus founder George Maciunas. Paik began creating visual and performance art using nontraditional media such as electricity and broadcast audio and imagery. In one interview Paik says his early interest was in humanizing technology. Paik is also credited with coining the phrase “telecommunication superhighway.”

“The way he works is at a master control board like a TV editor,” says Moran.

“There is a laser disc that contains the brain of the imagery of visual things he gathered.”

Thinking back on the project, Moran says, “I created a wish list of artists and created a book for all the panelists.

What kind of great artist could we bring to Trenton? It was a mixture of (the NJSCA’s) slide registry and list of prominent artists. The panel ended up picking up

After years of delayed maintenance and a building closure, Paik’s ‘PBS: 1967-2000’ will be illuminated for Art All Day.

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three of the premiere artists working at the time. “ In addition to Paik, respected national public art artists were selected: R.M. Fisher to create a sculpture on the broadcast tower and Larry Kirkland to create art at the Department of Motor The The LewisLewis School School of Princeton and the Center forthe Educational Testing and Academic Planning present of Princeton Center for Educati onaland Testi ng and The Lewis School ofand Princeton andand the Center forimpact Educational Testing Academic The Lewis School of Princeton theseminars Center for Educational Testing and Academic Planning Plannin presen Vehicles. The project cost was $500,000. monthly neuroscience-based on topics that children who learn differently.

Academic Planning present monthly neuroscience-based seminars on monthly neuroscience-based on topics impactwho children learn differe monthly seminars onseminars topics that impact children learnwho differently.

Please join us in a panel discussion.

“It is one of the greatestThe projects of Lewis School of neuroscience-based Princeton and the Center for Educational Testing andthat Academic Planning present topics that impactus children who diff erently.

Please join us in alearn panelwho discussion. the state’s arts inclusion,” says monthly Moran. neuroscience-based Please in a impact panel discussion. seminars on join topics that children learn differently.

November 14, 2018 Please join us in a panel discussion.

“It broke the mold of a state building to Please join us in a panel discussion. Auditory ProcessingNovember and November 14,Attention 2018 14, 2018 TOPICS AND TRENDS IN EDUCATION have something dynamic and different.

December 5, 2018 Auditory Processing and Atte November 14, 2018 14, 2018 and Attention Auditory Processing Upcoming Session: It wasn’t a sculpture or mural, traditional Wednesday, October 24, 2018 INNovember TOPICS AND TRENDS EDUCATION Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift 5, 2018 December Auditory Processing and Att enti on The Lewis School of Princeton and the Center for Educational Testing and Academic Planning present Auditory Processing and Attention December 5, 2018 approaches. But it fit the theme of the January 16, 2019 Wednesday, October 24,that2018 Wednesday, Dyslexia: Unwrapping the 1:00pm-2:30pm monthly neuroscience-based seminars2018 on topics impact children who learn differently.

December 5,Unwrapping 2018 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Dyslexia: the Gift building. I wouldn’t put Paik in the stateThe Lewis SchoolOctober of Princeton and24, the Center for Educational Testing and Academic Planning present Numerical Cognition January Please join us in a panel discussion.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift16, 2019 1:00pm-2:30pm November 14, 2018 house. But it was a new building, a telemonthly neuroscience-based seminars on topics that impact children who learn differently.

January 2019 February 20,16, 2019 Numerical Cognition 1:00pm-2:30pm November 14, 2018 join us in a panel discussion.

January 16, vision station, and PBS affiliate. It was 1:00pm-2:30pm January 16,2019 2019 Memory and Attention The Intricacies ofPlease Reading: Numerical Cognition20, 2019 1:00pm-2:30pm February Auditory Processing and Attention Upcoming Session: an exciting time. It was a continuation of Numerical Cognition March 13, 2018 2019 November 14, Numerical Cogniti on2019 February 20, What is the role of visual December 5,Memory 2018 The Intricacies of Reading: The Multilingual Childand Attention a commitment to downtown Trenton for The Intricacies Auditory Processing and Attention February 20, 2019 Upcoming Session: February 20, and 2019 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Memory Attention of Reading: Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift 13, 2019 Auditory Processing March processing in reading?

December 5, 2018 April 24,2019 2019 the state to build there.”

MemoryJanuary and Attention The Intricacies of Reading: What is the role of visual 16, Memory and Att enti on March 13, 2019 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 1:00pm-2:30pm Dyslexia: Unwrapping the GiftPresent Child enti The Multilingual Trends in Education Past and WhatCall isand theAtt role ofon: visual Moran says he was also proud to Numerical Cognition 13, 2019 March 13, 2019 The Multilingual Child (609) 924-8120 to in register.

January 16, 2019 What is the role of visual processing reading? TheMarch April 24, 2019 May 16, 2019 1:00pm-2:30pm “bring a very innovative and dynamic February 20, 2019 Multilingual Child Numerical Cognition processing in reading?

The Multi lingual Child ADHD is not always April 24, 2019 Conversation and Language Trends in Education Past and P Memory and Attention Thein Intricacies of Reading: artist” into the state collection. “Aprocessing reading?

April 24, 2019 February 20, 2019 Call (609) 924-8120 to register. Trends April 24, 2019 March 13, 2019 Past in Education and Present the reason.

May 16, similar triumph was the George Segal What is the role of visual Memory and Attention The Intricacies of Reading: Trends in Education Past and Present 2019 Call (609) 924-8120 to register.

The Multilingual Child Trends in Educati onMay Past and Present 16, 2019 Conversation and Langua (sculpture) at the Mary Roebling buildMarch 13, 2019 Call (609) 924-8120 tois register.

TheMay leading, research-based education at 16, 2019 processing in reading?

What the role of visual April 24, 2019 Call (609) 924-8120 May 16, 2019 The Multilingual ChildLanguage Conversation and ing. It took the program to a new height.

The Lewis School prepares students Trends in Education Past and Present Conversation and24, Language in reading?

April 2019Language-based impacted byand Dyslexia, Conversati on Language It was his largest public art and involved Callprocessing (609) 924-8120 to register. to register.

May 16, 2019 Trends in Education Past and Present Learning Differences™ and ADHD to The leading, research-based edu an innovation made in Trenton — the IConversation and Language Call (609) 924-8120 to register. achieve academic independence and May The 16, 2019 Lewis School preparesatstu The leading, research-based education beam. The Trenton Makes theme was a path to success.

The leading,Conversation research-based education at Languag and Language impacted

by Dyslexia, TheThe leading, research-based Lewis School prepares students also involved.”

The Lewis School prepares students Learning Differences™ and AD The leading, research-based education at impacted by Dyslexia, Language-based education at The Lewis impactedThe

by Lewis Dyslexia, Language-based Moran says he is also proud that the School prepares students independenc achieve academic The Lewis School Champions the Gifts Learning Differences™ and ADHD The leading, research-based education at of to Learning Differences™ and ADHD to impacted by Dyslexia, Language-based School prepares students state organization that supported him astudents path to success.

Learning Differently and the Value of and The Lewis School prepares achieve academic independence Differences™ and ADHD achieveLearning academic independence and to impacted by Dyslexia, and the arts projects for three decades impacted

by Dyslexia, Language-based Thinking Outside ofsuccess. the Box™ achieve academic independence and a path to a pathDifferences™ to success. and ADHD to Learning a path to success. has partnered with Artworks Trenton Language-based Learning achieve academic independence The Lewis Schooland Champions th and allocated $160,000 to return PBS Differences™ andDifferently ADHD and the V a path to success.

Learning to the community. “The arts council deThe Lewis School Champions the Gifts The Lewis School Champions Giftsof of of TheSchool Lewis School Champions thethe Gifts to achieve academic Thinking Outside the of Bo For Admissions, Pre-K through High and Post-Graduate Learning Differently and the Valuethe Learning Differently and Learning Differently and the Value ofof Value of serves a lot of credit. They went out on Open Houses (Oct 27, Nov 7, Nov 10,The Dec 1, Dec 12) Lewis School Champions Gifts of independence and athepath Thinking Outside of the Box™ Thinking the of Box™ Thinking Outside ofOutside the Box™ Learning Differently and theof Value a limb to do this. I was thrilled that they success.

Contact (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ to lewisschool.org Thinking Outside of the Box™ stuck to it. They could have said there For Admissions, Pre-K through High School and Post-Graduate was too much need in the arts communiFor Admissions, Pre-K through High School and Post-Graduate Open Houses (Oct 27, Nov 7,the Nov 10, Dec 1, Dec 12) ty and put (the money) into arts funding.

The Lewis School Gifts Open Houses (Oct 27, Champions Nov 7, Nov 10,Post-Graduate Dec 1, Post-Graduate Dec 12) of For Admissions, Pre-K through High School and For Admissions, Pre-K through High School and Post-Graduate For Admissions, Pre-K through High School and They made a commitment to the arts Contact (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, OpenContact Houses (Oct 27, Nov 7, Nov 10, Dec 1, 12) Open Houses (Oct 27,and Nov Nov 10,Dec Dec 1, 12) 12) NJ lewisschool.org 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, lewisschool.org Open (609) Houses (Oct 27, Nov 7, 7,Nov 10, DecNJ 1,Dec Dec Learning Differently the Value of Thinking inclusion that is 40 years old. They saw Contact (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ lewisschool.org (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ lewisschool.org Outside of thePrinceton, Box™ it was an important work. It’s the only Contact Contact (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, NJ lewisschool.org work of its kind. It’s a retrospective and it deals with the Sarnoff center.”

Pre-K through High School, Post-Graduate and Gap Year Study

TOPICS AND TRENDS IN EDUCATION TOPICS AND TRENDS IN EDUCATION TOPICS AND TRENDS IN EDUCATION TOPICS AND TRENDS IN EDUCATION Upcoming Session:

Upcoming Session: Upcoming Session: Upcoming Session:

Art All Day, Artworks Trenton.

Saturday, November 3, noon to 6 p.m. www.artworkstrenton.org/artallday

Open Houses (Nov 7, Nov 10, Dec 1, Dec 12) Contact (609) 924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ lewisschool.org

November 2018 | Trenton Downtowner7

Pioneering song cycle arrives at the War Memorial

By Ross Amico

‘Pioneer Songs’ composer Eric Houghton.

‘P

ioneer Songs,” area composer Eric Houghton’s epic meditation, arrives at the Trenton War Memorial on Saturday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Houghton’s cycle of 15 symphonic songs for vocal soloists, choir, and narrator celebrates the first successful passage of wagon trains to California in the 1840s.

The piece grew out of a relationship between Houghton and Robert Marquis, a public relations consultant who had just begun to take piano lessons at Westminster Conservatory.

Houghton says, “I had written a couple of short piano pieces. One I just called ‘Folk Song’ and another was called ‘Cradle Song.’ I’d given them to him to take home to play, and he came back after a week or two and said, ‘Eric, these pieces are terrific. They have this early American kind of folk sound to them. I’ve always wanted to write a show about the West, maybe pioneers.’ So we started exchanging ideas. It was just one thing after another, and within six months, we had 15 songs, the entire show, written.”

Marquis produced the show and delivered the narration himself. He also paid for a recording that they peddled on a television “infomercial” that would air in the early morning hours. But six months later, Marquis died of a heart attack at the age of 48.

The original version of “Pioneer Songs” earned Houghton a 1993 ASCAP “Meet the Composer Award.” While he had it in the back of his mind that he might want to do something more with the piece, it would be more than two decades before he would embark on an ambitious revision.

“It just kind of sat until about two and a half years ago, when I met with the original soprano, Joy Bechtler,” he says. “I had handwritten some orchestration years ago, but nothing had really been done with it. Something about the

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meeting with Joy just spurred my interest, and I said, I’ve just got to spend the time and do it. So that’s what I did that whole winter of 2016. I added a chorus to eight of the movements and expanded the orchestration. Not that I expanded the songs so much, per se, but just the whole orchestration and chorus made it a whole different animal, really.”

The revised version was given its world premiere at the Princeton Meadow Road Arts and Events Center in May. A Houghton colleague at Westminster, Dr. Ruth Ochs, conducted the Westmin-

ster Community Orchestra, Westminster Community Chorus, and Pennsbury Chamber Choir.

“The orchestra was very enthusiastic about the piece,” Ochs notes. “We all found ourselves after the May concert humming the melodies for days. The musical idiom is very accessible. People were asking us if it had ever been recorded.”

In the audience happened to be James Bushong. “He’s the director of the Patriots Arts Coalition,” Ochs says, “which is a committee that brings performances to the War Memorial and the Patriots Theater. He thought that this might be very appropriate for that space.”

Houghton has been at Westminster Conservatory for 34 years. His duties include “teaching piano, mostly, and some composition, and doing a lot of arranging.”

The upcoming Trenton performance will feature guest soprano Carla Maffioletti. Maffioletti first achieved fame through her association with Andre Rieu and his wildly popular Johann Strauss Orchestra.

Concurrently, she has maintained an active schedule in European opera houses, singing some of the most challenging coloratura roles. In 2014, it was announced that she would be leaving

the Johann Strauss Orchestra to focus on her operatic career. Maffioletti, who is also a professional guitarist, is a dual citizen of Brazil and Italy and will be performing in December with the Capital Philharmonic.

For “Pioneer Songs,” she will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with soprano Kathee Zenn and mezzo-soprano Miranda Landers-Smith, both graduates of Westminster Choir College, lyric tenor Jeremy Blossey, and bass-baritone Martin Hargrove. Nancy Froysland-Hoerl will narrate the perils and triumphs of the 1840s pioneers.

The Westminster Community Orchestra will be joined by a hundred-voice choir, made up of the Westminster Community Chorus, prepared by Sinhaeng Lee, and the Ewing-based Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble, which is directed by Chaequan Anderson.

“They’re a professional ensemble, a 30-voice choir that’s absolutely stunning,” Ochs says of Glassbrook. “We also have members of the community who are not in the Community Chorus who will be joining us just for this project. Eric’s wife is a church choir director. Members of her choir will join forces with other alumnae from Westminster.”

Ochs adds that “Pioneer Songs” was the largest premiere she has ever conducted, in terms of both the forces involved and the length of the piece. It will also be her first time conducting at the Trenton War Memorial.

The Trenton and Mercer County War Memorial — Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Me-

morial Building (Trenton War Memorial, for short) was designed by Philadelphia-born architect Louis S. Kaplan (1896-1964). Kaplan, at the time a young man, won a competition to design the building, which was constructed in 1930.

Dedicated “to the Soldiers and Sailors and Other Patriotic Citizens of Trenton and Mercer County as a Memorial of Their Faithful Services in Time of Na-

‘Pioneer Songs’ reflects ‘a great coming together of musicians from our community in a piece that was locally nurtured,’ Ochs says. tional Need” (i.e. World War I), the venue opened in 1932, and Kaplan went on to become Trenton’s leading architect.

Trenton’s memorial to its fallen was not a statue or a monument, but a functional concert hall, at one time attracting performers like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughan. Ignacy Paderewski played there in 1933; Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1940. Eleanor Steber recorded Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1916” at the War Memorial in 1962.

The ornate hall, in an Italian Renaissance style, holds more than 1,800 seats.

After a good 30-year run, however, it began to show signs of wear and tear and crowds began to dwindle. The building was added to the National Historic Register of Historic Places in 1986. It was restored in the 1990s and rededicated in 1999. The main auditorium was renamed the Patriots Theater in 2001.

Everyone involved hopes the public will take advantage of this special evening. “Community is so important,” Houghton says, “the whole idea of doing something together. We have a new mayor in Trenton, we have a new governor. We are trying to get some revitalization for Trenton. It can help if we start utilizing that theater, which is just an amazing space. I know James [Bushong] is trying to get more things coming into the War Memorial like there used to be. This is a piece that can reach a wider audience.”

Houghton has lived in Ewing with his family for almost 30 years. He and his youngest daughter are involved in Meals on Wheels in Trenton. His wife, Carol, is music director at Ewing Presbyterian Church, for which he writes anthems.

For the past three decades, Houghton has also been director of music at Saint Adalbert and Saints Peter and Paul, a combined Catholic church, in Elizabeth.

His historical oratorio about the triumph of the American spirit will be enhanced by projected images. Ochs finds added resonance in the fact that the work will be performed on November 10.

“It happens to be the eve of the Armi-

Soprano Carla Maffioletti. stice,” she says, referring to the end of World War I, on November 11, 100 years ago. “The concert is being presented at the Trenton War Memorial, built in honor of those who served in World War I. It will be a great coming together of musicians from our community in a piece that was locally nurtured by Eric and Bob Marquis. It’s just a wonderful occasion of musical elements from Mercer County coming together in probably one of the premier concert halls in the area.”

Pioneer Songs, Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive.

Saturday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. $25 to $75. www.communitymusical.com.

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November 2018 | Trenton Downtowner9

Bensilman goes mind strolling in Trenton

By Michele Alperin

T

he work of Tunisian-American artist Alia Bensliman integrates and contrasts the Eastern symbolism and experiences of her native North Africa with the peculiarly American and Western impressions of her married life in New Jersey.

Of her upcoming show, “Mind Stroll” at the Artworks Trenton, on view November 3 to November 24, she says, “When you go to that show, you really go through my brain and see all the many and different thoughts I have, and it is a sort of roller coaster of thoughts.”

Bensliman has always loved to tell stories, and because she is dyslexic the storytelling always happened through art. She traces her artistic talent to her grandmothers, both artists. As a youngster she took lots of art classes, but the artistic technique she still uses today

started to develop as a teen while she talked on the phone with friends. “I was doing many lines and felt like I was putting my feelings in those lines,” she says.

Usually Bensliman starts a painting with a subject she develops organically

Bensilman describes her Artworks show as a ‘roller coaster of thoughts’ that takes viewers on a trip through her brain. through intricate symbolism and arabesque lines using pens with different thicknesses and types of ink and more

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recently, watercolors. She likens her process to that of a writer, starting with a subject, then adding description and plot.

The newest painting that appears in the show is “Chess of Life.” “I’m trying to analyze my thoughts in my drawing — it talks about how you go through death.”

Asserting her attitude toward religion is respectful, and she considers herself a believer, she adds, “Sometimes I question a lot of things.” The process of drawing becomes for her one of psychoanalysis, “when you analyze your thinking.”

Much of her work uses arabesque lines that Bensliman calls Arabic or Muslim geometry. Fascinated by the lines in some Mediterranean churches and Alia Bensilman’s ‘Chess of Life.’ mosques, she started painting after her marriage “because of a sort of nostalgia artistically and politically,” Bensliman says. Her maternal grandmother, Asma that I feel.”

The Artworks show will include about Rebai, fought for women’s rights in Tu25 pieces, some large, some small. These nisia, and her grandfather, Azouz Rebai, reflect not only her thoughts about the served as Tunisia’s Secretary of Youth present but her many and varying life and Culture.

Having drawn and painted throughout experiences.

Bensliman’s mother recently retired her school years, Bensliman decided to from a career as a speech therapist and go to a fine arts school after she graduprofessor of speech therapy at a univer- ated from high school and earned a desity in Tunis. Her father continues his gree in product design and modeling.

Her first job was with architects, work in dental surgery.

“I belonged to an interesting family where she drew miniature views of the

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The Cryptkeeper Five sounds off at Millhill

By Susan Van Dongen

T

Artist Alia Bensilman exhibits her paintings at Artworks Trenton, November 3 through 24. insides of houses and buildings to help clients envision what the completed construction would look like.

Bensliman met her husband, Khaled, an environmental engineer at Sadat Associates in Trenton, at his cousin’s wedding. She knew all his cousins in Tunisia. They started dating 10 years ago and married a little over a year later when Bensliman was 25. They have two children, a son who will be six in February and a daughter born in September.

She and her husband moved to New Jersey, first to an apartment in Plainsboro and then Robbinsville. When she was pregnant with her son, her creative urges came to the fore, and she decided to focus more on painting and jewelry design, using recycled magazine paper to create paper beads with different shapes.

After she delivered her son, she started working on “Motherhood” — her favorite piece so far. “It talks about how beautiful it is becoming a mother . . . (yet) I was afraid a lot: of having a child, of how am I going to raise him; am I going to be a good parent or not? At the same time, it was a blessing: having a small human being inside my belly.”

A clearly political painting titled “Grab’ Em by the D” builds both on Bensliman’s background in Tunis and her experience of U.S. politics today.

In Tunisia, she says, wearing a hijab was an option. “We are more open-minded and less strict than other countries.”

Also in Tunisia, she adds, “women and men get paid the same amount of money.”

Despite her self-description as a “women’s rights fighter,” Bensliman is not comfortable using the word “feminist.” “It’s something obvious. We shouldn’t have to fight for rights. We should have them already. It should be normal.”

Mind Stroll, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley. On view Saturday, November 3, through Saturday, November 24.

Opening reception November 3, 6 to 8 p.m. 609-394-9436 or www.artworkstrenton.org.

he Trenton-based Cryptkeeper Five has been marking its 20th anniversary of bringing its punk rock/horror punk/Jersey rock sound to loyal fans here on the East Coast, around the United States, Canada, Europe, and most importantly in Trenton, where it will be performing at the Millhill Basement on Friday, November 23.

That “Trenton Makeage: A Descendents Tribute” concert is being billed as a benefit for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and features two other Trenton bands, School Drugs and Pissed.

The tribute aspect means that bands will give a musical nod to an earlier group, with the Cryptkeepers performing as the Ramones.

The Cryptkeepers has gone through a number of incarnations over the years The Cryptkeeper Five performs at Millhill Basement on November 23. but has retained the same singer, Johnny Ott, and lead guitarist, Jimmy Ray, for listen to it, instead of the music just be- the 10th grade. Ott then went to Mercer ing in the background.”

County Community College to delve into two decades.

That’s one of the reasons the CK5 re- his love for and natural talent in visual art.

The other members of the CK5 are “I still paint and draw and do all the Mikey G. on bass and vocals and D.T. leased “The Stronghold” on vinyl as well CK5’s posters and albums covers,” Ott Graves on drums/percussion and vo- as other formats.

“The Stronghold” opens with “Mad says. His day job is as a delivery person cals. The band just signed with the VirDog 20/20 No. 2,” a kind of E Street for Sherwin-Williams. ginia label Say-10 Records.

The urge to start a band came after “The Cryptkeeper Five started as a Band-meets-Roy Orbison sound, featurfive-piece band, and has been everything ing straight-forward guitars and drums, attending his second live rock show: the Ramones at City Gardens. “It was from a trio to a seven-piece band,” says accented with glockenspiel.

“We love the E Street Band, and when all over after that,” Ott says. “That conOtt. (The band’s name is an homage to classic pop groups from the 1960s such we recorded we went a little crazy,” Ott cert changed the direction of my life: I as the Dave Clark Five, and not a refer- says. “We wanted to go for a very retro went from wanting to be an art teacher ence to the song “The Monster Mash.”) Bruce Springsteen/Tom Petty sound to wanting to be in a punk rock band.”

“City Gardens closed down when I was You can hear tales of Trenton and vari- and feel mixed with a Jersey sound.”

The CK5 has been around long about 19, but in those (intervening) years, ous growing pains in the CK5’s latest selfreleased album, “The Stronghold,” which enough to know exactly what it wants in I must have seen something like 80 shows came out in 2017. Ott says the theme of a project’s sound, and the group was for- there,” he says. “I saw everyone, such cratunate to be able to hire Brian Lucey to zy bands, and it was at such a young age growing up ties the project together.

Keeping the fires stoked under a band master the album at his Magic Garden that it changed everything for me.

“My parents were so cool about drivthat writes and plays its own original ing me to City Gardens. I don’t know music has been a struggle, but Ott says why they did that, and if I had kids, I cerarea venues have helped fuel those fires. tainly wouldn’t do it now.”

One such spot is the basement at the As far as balancing work at SherwinMill Hill Saloon in Trenton, where rockWilliams with rock life, Ott says, “We ers, artists, and other members of the all have day jobs, but we all try to find underground cultural community come work that is flexible enough to let us do out to play and support one another. what we do. (When you have a day job) “I love the basement at Mill Hill, it makes you appreciate how great it is to they’re pretty open-minded, it’s a great get out and play music. My thinking is, ‘I crowd, and everyone just likes good mudo this so I can go out and rock.’” sic,” Ott says. “Everyone is respectful of One side of Ott is obviously a rocker, all styles, and we’ve played with all kinds but the other loves his down time, livof bands there, everything from hip hop Mastering facilities in Los Angeles.

“Brian has mastered some of my fa- ing quietly in the Sylvan Glen section artists to acoustic bands.”

His comments reflect some experi- vorite albums by artists like the Black of Bordentown Township with his wife, ence of other venues. “We played Eu- Keys, Cage the Elephant, Brandy Car- Leigh-Ann, who works at Grounds For rope last year. We did six shows in Ger- lisle, Delta Spirit, Dr. John, etc.,” Ott Sculpture.

If there is an anthem song on “The many, as well as shows in London and says. “We knew we wanted a very natuLiverpool, England; Belfast, Northern ral rock and roll sound, not overly pro- Stronghold,” something a band might Ireland; Wales; and Canada,” Ott says. cessed, and we felt Brian was right for open or close a show with, it’s “Ignite,” “That’s one of our goals — to keep doing our album. We’re really happy with how with its hard rocking guitars, driving tempo, and crank-up-the-volume chorus. this, getting in front of foreign crowds.” it came out.”

Also integral to the sound of “The With all the political upheaval going “That’s the upside of digital music — it puts you together with crowds (around Stronghold” is Sean Glonek, who co- on, “Ignite” could be a protest song, but the world) who can find out about you produced, recorded/engineered, and Ott says it’s much more personal: the mixed the album at SRG Studios in Ham- theme is basically, “I’m still rocking.” and hear your music,” he continues.

As much as the digital music phenom- ilton Square.

The Cr yptkeeper Five, Mill Hill Ott, 41, grew up on the border of Basement, 300 South Broad Street. Frienon has enhanced the CK5’s career, Ott muses that it has also taken a cer- Trenton and Hamilton. His father was a day, November 23, 7:30 p.m. $8. 609tain something away from the listening warehouse manager; his mother worked 989-1600 or www.themillhill.com. at a variety of jobs, including collections. experience.

The CK5: thecr yptkeeperfive1.

He attended Steinert High School “With digital the magic of listening to an album is lost,” he says. “Whereas (Class of 1994), where he met guitarist bandcamp.com and www.facebook. with vinyl I’ll sit on my couch and really Jimmy Ray, and the two started a band in com/TheCr yptkeeperFive.

The Trenton upbringing of lead singer Johnny Ott is reflected in Cryptkeeper Five’s newest album, ‘The Stronghold.’

November 2018 | Trenton Downtowner11



Thursday 11/1

The Rivals, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, 215-785-6664. www. brtstage.org. A new musical based on the play. $10-$53. Through November 18. 7:30 p.m.

Information Session, LifeTies, 1901 North Olden Avenue, Suite 44, Ewing, 609-4142083. www.lifeties.org. Learn about how to become a mentor to at-risk youth. Call or email dyates@lifeties.org to register. Also November 14. 5:30 p.m.

Kidsbridge Humanitarian Award Celebration, Trenton Country Club, 201 Sullivan Way, West Trenton. www.kidsbridgecenter.org.

Marie Blistan, Lori Danko, Kris Muse, and New Jersey Advance Media will be honored.

5:30 p.m.

Friday 11/2

Beauty and the Beast, Kelsey Theater, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.net. The Disney classic. $20. Through November 11. 8 p.m.

11/2



11/2 & 3

NOVeMBeR HeadLiNeRS 

The Real Life Adventures of Jimmy de las Rosas, Passage Theater, 205 East Front Street, Trenton, 609-392-0766. www.passagetheatre.org. Thirteen-year-old Jimmy longs to use his secret telekinetic powers.

He just didn’t want his mother’s life to be in danger. $5-$10. Play by Ricardo Gamboa.

Also November 3. 11 a.m.

Opening Reception, BSB Gallery, 143 East State Street, Trenton. www.bsbgallery.com. “The Collaborators.” 5 p.m.  First Friday Art Opening, Roebling Gallery, Roebling Lofts, 71 Clark Street, Trenton, 609638-3250 . Featuring photography by S. Bola Okoya. 5:30 p.m.

Friday Dance Party, American Ballroom, 1523 Parkway Avenue, Ewing, 609-931-0149. www.americanballroomco.com. Every Friday. $10. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bedlam, 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-392-6409. $20. 8 p.m.

Saturday 11/3

Art All Day, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton, 609-394-9436. www.artworkstrenton.org. Tour studios, art centers, pop-up galleries, and other creative spaces in Trenton. Noon to 6 p.m.

Opening Reception, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. www.artworkstrenton. org. Featuring work by Art All Day artists and Alia Bensliman. Exhibition runs through Saturday, Nov. 24. 6 to 8 p.m.  Carl Bartlett, Jr. Saxophone Quartet, Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic Street, Trenton, 609-695-9612. www.jazztrenton.com. $10.

6 p.m.

Isles Fall Fest, Mill One, 1 North Johnston Avenue, Hamilton, 609-341-4722. www.isles. org. Food, drinks, entertainment, and art benefitting Isles. $150. Register. 5:30 p.m.

Roast Beef Dinner, Pearson United Methodist



11/3

Church, 71 Pearson Drive, Trenton, 609-8881220. Adults and take-out containers $13.

Seniors $12. Children 5-12 $12. Children under 5 free. 3 p.m.

Cannon Firing Demonstration, Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 609-7370623. Demonstrations conducted by Lamb’s Artillery Company, a Revolutionary War reenactments group, at noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Noon.

Sunday 11/4

TAWA @ Ellarslie: The Early Years, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, 609-989-3632. www.ellarslie.org. Panel discussion featuring Aubrey Kaufman, Mel Leipzig, and Mary Yess, followed by a gallery talk. Free. 1:30 p.m.

Make Our Garden Grow, Capital Singers of Trenton, St. David’s Episcopal Church, 90 South Main Street, Cranbury. www.capitalsingers.org. $10. 4 p.m.

Clipper Erickson: American Music, 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-3926409. www.1867Sanctuary.org. $20. 3 p.m.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Ricketti to our practice Allergist – Immunologist – Sleep Medicine Specialist Pediatric and Adult Patients

DR. PETER RICKETTI

MERCER ALLERGY & PULMONARY ASSOCIATES

12Trenton Downtowner | November 2018

1544 KUSER ROAD, SUITE C-6, HAMILTON, NJ 08619 | 609-581-9900

 Annual Totengedenkfeier (Memorial Service), Donauschwaben of Trenton, Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Cedar Lane, Hamilton, 609-586-6109. www.trentondonauschwaben.com. 1 p.m.

Monday 11/5

West Trenton Garden Club, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 137 West Upper Ferry Road, West Trenton, 609-883-5904. www. westtrentongc.org. “Designing for the Holidays,” presented by Alan Kieyhuk. All are welcome. Guests $10. 7 p.m.

Art Chill Night, Championship Bar, 931 Chambers Street, Trenton. www.championshipbartrenton.com. Crayons and drinks. Art supplies provided. Free. 8 p.m.

Tuesday 11/6

Square Dance, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1620 Prospect Street, Ewing, 609-844-1140.

For dancers of all skills levels. Learn new material each week. 7:30 Open Mic Night, Trenton Social, 449 South Broad Street, Trenton. www.facebook.com/ trentonsocial. 8 p.m.

11/12

Friday 11/9

Joe Holt and Maria Rusu, 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-392-6409. www.1867Sanctuary.org. $20. 8 p.m.

Yia Yia’s Kitchen, St. George Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton, 609-586-4448. Greek lunch, dinner, and pastries, plus a flea market. Also November 10. Noon to 9 p.m.

Saturday 11/10

Artist Talk, BSB Gallery, 143 East State Street, Trenton. www.bsbgallery.com. “The Collaborators.” 1 p.m.

Pioneer Songs, Westminster Choir College, Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. www.communitymusical.com. Fifteen-song musical event featuring soprano Carla Maffioletti, the Westminster Community Orchestra and Choir, and

Thursday 11/8

CASA Information Session, CASA of Mercer and Burlington Counties, 1450 Parkside Avenue, Suite 22, Ewing. www.casamb.org.

CASA for Children is a non-profit organization that recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers who speak up in family court for the best interests of children who have been removed from their families due to abuse and/or neglect. Also November 14.

10 a.m.

11/13

the Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble uses music

by Eric Houghton and Robert Marquis documenting the journey from the American frontier to California in 1841. $25. 7:30 p.m.

Andre Mutcherson Trombone Quartet, Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic Street, Trenton, 609-695-9612. www.jazztrenton.com. $10.

6 p.m.

Cabaret, Trenton Youth Club, National Guard Armory, 101 Eggerts Crossing Road, Lawrenceville, 609-847-4129. Featuring DJ Slow Ice. $30 at the door. Proceeds benefit Trenton Youth Club. 7 p.m.

World War I Commemoration, Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609396-1776. www.barracks.org. World War I artifact assessment, children’s activities, and more. Adults $10. Seniors and students $8.

Children under 5 and military free. 10 a.m.

Sunday 11/11



11/14

Veterans Day. The Empty Bowl, Trenton City Museum, Trenton Social, at 449 South Broad Street. www. ellarslie.org. Fundraising event combining art and food in support of American Legion Post #182. Guests select their own artistmade bowl and fill it with homemade soup. $20 to $40. Register. Noon to 4 p.m.

Monday 11/12 

The Harm, Mill Hill Basement, 300 South Broad Street, Trenton. Rock band. $10. www.themillhill.com. 6 to 11 p.m.

Art Chill Night, Championship Bar, 931 Chambers Street, Trenton. www.championshipbartrenton.com. Crayons and drinks. Art supplies provided. Free. 8 p.m.

Tuesday 11/13

See EvEnTS, Page 14

SAVE THE DATE • HOLIDAY BAZAAR • DECEMBER 1ST, 2018 Calling ALL CRAFTERS! Space is limited

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Wednesday 11/7

Artist’s Talk, Rider Art Gallery, Bart Luedeke Center, 2083 Lawrenceville Road. www. rider.edu. Watercolors by Harry I. Narr. Exhibition runs through Friday, Nov. 30. 7 p.m.

Ballroom Newcomers Dance, American Ballroom, 1523 Parkway Avenue, Ewing, 609931-0149. www.americanballroomco.com.

Group class included. $10. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Jonathan Kirschner Band, 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-392-6409. www.1867Sanctuary.org. $20. 8 p.m.

Mercer County Community College Culinary Tasting Benefit, Student Center Cafeteria, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. www. kelseytheatre.net. Featuring dishes prepared by chefs from area restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Chef Anne Lumberger and Chef Shari Widmayer Pastry Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund. $50. Resgister. 6 p.m.

Women’s Leadership Summit, Education Building, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing. www.business. tcnj.edu. Speakers, panel discussions, and a workshop. $87.50-$100. 8:30 a.m.



Age Three Through Eighth Grade

Saturday, December 1, 2018 10am – 3pm activities-rh@rosehillassistedliving.com

Anne Fox/Activities Director

Open Classrooms November 9th December 4th 8:30 a.m

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 10th • 1pm to 4pm

Everyone invited!

Join in for fun, refreshments & Karaoke with Big Daddy G & The Faithful Special gift for each Veteran attending, Thank you for your Service!

609-371-7007

Call for Lunch and a Tour!

1150 Washington Boulevard, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 located across from Foxmoor Shopping Center www.rosehillassistedliving.com

DePaul Healthcare Systems

November 2018 | Trenton Downtowner13

EvEnTS, continued from Page 13 Open Mic Night, Trenton Social, 449 South Broad Street, Trenton. www.facebook.com/ trentonsocial. 8 p.m.  Light and Life in the Colonies: Candlelight Tours, Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776. www.barracks.org. Discover how light and darkness affected daily activities, work, and entertainment during the 18th century. 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday 11/14 

The Great War and the Origins of the Cold War, New Jersey State Library, 185 West State Street, Trenton. www.njstatelib.org.

James Hockenberry presents. Noon.

Thursday 11/15

Art Space Exhibit, HomeFront Family Campus, 101 Celia Way, Ewing. www.homefrontnj. org. Featuring “An Artistic Perspective on Poverty: Paintings and Poetry by HomeFront Clients.” Program at 6 p.m. Refreshments served. Non-perishable food donations welcome. 4 p.m.

Pop-Up Poetry Cafe, Big Easy, 111 South Warren Street, Trenton. www.taacf.com. Open mic even for all ages, plus music by DJ Say Whaat. Light snacks and beverages provided. Todd Evans and Giovanni Williams host. Free. 5 p.m.

Trenton Music Makers, Trinity Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton. www.trentonmusicmakers.org. “Puerto Rico, You Lovely Island,” a concert to support the continued rebuilding effort after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. 5:30 p.m.  Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, Dec. 25, 1776-Jan. 3, 1777, Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776. Free. 7 p.m.

Friday 11/16



11/15

Tricky Tray, Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, Lawrence, 609-588-0744. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Trenton Irish Heritage Association’s scholarship programs. Call or email tclark609@optonline.net for tickets. 6 p.m.

Saturday 11/17 

Stop the Wrecking Ball, Trenton Historical Society, City Hall, 319 East State Street, 609396-4478. www.trentonhistory.org. Annual fundraiser. $100 to $150. 6 to 9 p.m.

Artist Talk, BSB Gallery, 143 East State Street, Trenton. www.bsbgallery.com. “The Collaborators.” 1 p.m.

Josh Lawrence Trumpet Quartet, Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic Street, Trenton, 609-6959612. www.jazztrenton.com. $10. 6 p.m.

Sunday 11/18

 Lost and Found Edges: Cool Women at Ellarlsie, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, 609-989-3632. www. ellarslie.org. Poetry reading by Cool Women Poets. 4 p.m.

Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529. www.princetonlibrary. org. Performing selections from the 1400s to the present day. 2 p.m.

Schlachtfest, Donauschwaben of Trenton, 127 Route 156, Yardville, 609-586-6109. www. trentondonauschwaben.com. Homemade sausages, Sarma (stuffed cabbage), and roasted pork. Register. 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Pancake Breakfast, Trenton Elks, 42 DeCou Avenue, Ewing. www.trentonelks105.org. Tickets available online. 8 a.m.

Monday 11/19

Art Chill Night, Championship Bar, 931 Chambers Street, Trenton. www.championshipbartrenton.com. Free. 8 p.m.

Tuesday 11/20

Open Mic Night, Trenton Social, 449 South Broad Street, Trenton. www.facebook.com/ trentonsocial. 8 p.m.

Light and Life in the Colonies: Candlelight Tours, Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, 609-396-1776. www.barracks.org. Discover how light and darkness affected daily activities, work, and entertainment during the 18th century. 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday 11/21

Off The Chain, Orchid House, 143 East Hanover Street, Trenton, 609-610-0824. Workshops on bicycle repairs, arts, and related bicyclethemed projects. Free. 6 p.m.

Join us for our 55th Nutcracker season!

McCarter Theatre Center

Princeton, NJ November 23 | 2:00 PM* & 7:30 PM* November 24 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM November 25 | 1:00 PM 609.258.2787 | arballet.org *with special guest Unity Phelan, New York City Ballet Soloist and Princeton Ballet School alum

14Trenton Downtowner | November 2018

11/17

Photo By Lois Greenfield

Trenton’s cultural soul on display

By Dan Aubrey

T

he exhibition “Pushing 40” continues at the Trenton City Museum (TCM) through Saturday, November 10 with a related public program set for Sunday, November 4. The exhibition commemorates the Trenton Museum Society’s (TMS) 40th anniversary.

That culture involves the history of Trenton and the creation of art by regional artists.

“Pushing 40” combines both and acknowledges how the artists contribute to the life of an institution while artists acknowledge the importance of the museum in their development.

The exhibition was born of the collective memory of individuals who devoted time and care to the process of supporting artists and creating exhibitions: TMS trustee Carolyn Stetson, former TCM director Brian Hill, and former Trenton Artists Workshop Association (TAWA) president and exhibitions director of TAWA at Ellarslie Tricia Fagan.

Ellarslie is the name of the Italianate villa-styled mansion built in 1845 by Scottish-born American architect John Notman. It is a variation on a Scottish name connected to the birthplace of freedom fighter William Wallace and has been translated as “the field of the elder trees.”

As a recent TCM exhibition on the building located in the Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed Cadwalader Park noted, the house was originally designed as a summer home for Philadelphia businessman and Trenton paper mill owner Henry McCall.

After a succession of other property owners, the City of Trenton became the owner and used the building for a variety of community and entertainment purposes, including a “monkey house.”

The building was refurbished and made into a museum during the tenure of Mayor Arthur Holland.

With 56 artists of various approaches and connections to the museum, the result is a visual testament to the strength of the region’s artist and artistry.

It is also a reunion of sorts for many in the area —

Thursday 11/22

Thanksgiving. Bank and postal holiday.

Saturday 11/24

Lawrence Clark Saxophone Quartet, Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic Street, Trenton, 609-695-9612. www.jazztrenton.com. $10.

6 p.m.

Brunch with Santa, Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, Lawrence. www.chsofnj.org. Tricky tray, refreshments, face painting, baked goods, games, crafts, holiday play, raffle and more. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey Foster Care program. $7. Register. 9:30 a.m.

‘Sleep and Sleep and Sleep’ by Trace Drury. individuals like me who were involved in the early days of the Trenton City Museum and the establishment of the Trenton Artists Workshop Association, which played a vital role in the museum’s life.

TAWA was launched by Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus dean Mary Howard and artist and student Lotta Paterson. Its success was enhanced by the involvement of the MCCC faculty and the efforts of one of its most prominent instructors, nationally known artist Mel Leipzig, who has devoted hours to the cause of exhibiting artists in the region.

Another successful effort that put Ellarslie on the art map was the establishment of the annual Ellarslie Open, a juried exhibition now heading into its 36th year.

TAWA, MCCC, and the Ellarslie efforts are recurring themes on artists’ statements and demonstrate the importance of community partnerships to help individuals develop in the arts.

As painter and musician Dave Orban, represented by his painting “The Work Party,” notes, “I, with several others was involved with the founding of (TAWA) in the late ’70s. In those early days, we organized and met wherever we could, in church basements, libraries, college classrooms, and bars. At some point, Ben

and noon.

Monday 11/26

Art Chill Night, Championship Bar, 931 Chambers Street, Trenton. www.championshipbartrenton.com. Crayons and drinks. Art supplies provided. Free. 8 p.m.

Tuesday 11/27

Square Dance, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1620 Prospect Street, Ewing, 609-844-1140.

For dancers of all skills levels. Learn new material each week. 7:30 p.m.

Open Mic Night, Trenton Social, 449 South Broad Street, Trenton. www.facebook.com/ trentonsocial. 8 p.m.

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Whitmire, then director of Ellarslie — which had just opened its doors in 1978 — took pity on us and offered us the storeroom as a meeting place. In exchange, he got some assistance with exhibition installation, and together we launched the TAWA at Ellarslie series of summer exhibitions. TAWA founding member Mary Yess also conspired with (Whitmire) to launch the Ellarslie open juried exhibition series in 1983. … Ellarslie has been a great resource for both artist and the greater community, and I am pleased that, in spite of many challenges along the way, it continues to this day to be a vibrant centerpiece of culture in the capital city.

“Sleep and Sleep and Sleep’s” Trace Drury notes, “TAWA was the first artistic organization to really take me seriously as an artist. Before I even took myself seriously. TAWA gave me the opportunity to show my work on a professional level at Ellarslie. I can never really fully express my gratitude to TAWA for giving me the courage to pursue all my artistic endeavors.”

And established award-winning photographer Aubrey Kaufman, who served as TAWA president during the organization’s exchange with artists in the Soviet Union and organized the “Trenton Takes: 24 Hours in the City” photography exhibition at Ellarslie, says TCM was the “first gallery show for me and many other artists. This collaboration helped to make Trenton part of the cultural landscape.” Kauffman, a contributor to U.S. 1, a sister publication to the Downtowner, is represented by the large photograph “Break of Dawn.”

The community can learn more about the exhibition, the Trenton Museum Society, and TAWA during a public panel discussion and artist gallery walk on Sunday, November 4, at 1:30 p.m.

The program starts with the discussion “TAWA @ Ellarslie: The Early Years.” Participants include Mary Yess, Aubrey Kauffman, and Mel Leipzig. Co-curator Tricia Fagan moderates.

The gallery talk follows with participating artists Jeff Epstein, Elizabeth McCue, David Organ, Terry Rosiak, and Nancy Zamboni. Admission is free.

Pushing 40, Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, is on view through Saturday, November 10. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Free.

609-989-3632 or www.ellarslie.org.

Wednesday 11/28

AT YOUR SERVICE

Ballroom Newcomers Dance, American Ballroom, 1523 Parkway Avenue, Ewing, 609931-0149. www.americanballroomco.com.

Group class included. $10. 7 to 9 p.m.

VASQUEZ R J

Michaela McClain, 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-392-6409. www.1867Sanctuary.org. $20. 8 p.m.

tREE SERVicE

Friday 11/30

tREE REmoval, tRimming and stump gRinding.

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MUST SIGN RELEASE for purpose of filming job! This must be a complete remodeling job, not just patch up work. This remodeling is to be specially priced out of work, with compensation back to the homeowner for signed release.

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Ask for TV Project Department, for job evaluation & estimate of cost & compensations! seRious iNQuiRies PLeAse!

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November 2018 | Trenton Downtowner15

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Open an account at any of our branches, by calling (609) 538-4061 or by visiting gocunj.com *APY=Annual Percentage Yield. 7.5% APY will be paid on the daily balance in your account up to the first $500.00. A dividend rate of 0.05% will be paid only on the portion of your daily balance between $500.01 to $9,999.99 with an APY range for this tier of 7.500% APY to 0.423% APY depending on the balance in the account. A dividend rate of 0.10% will be paid only on the portion of your daily balance between $10,000 and $250,000 with an APY range for this tier of 0.423% APY to 0.113% APY depending on the balance in the account. All rates are subject to change, after account opening, without notice. Maximum deposit amount is $250,000. Membership in good standing and a Regular Share account with a $5 minimum deposit is required. Requires a $50.00 minimum balance. Fees could reduce earnings. Additional savings accounts established under the same member name, and related tax identification number, are not eligible for these special terms. APY is effective as of June 1, 2018. One 7.5% Savings account per member.

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16Trenton Downtowner | November 2018