TELL ME A STORY: Joanie Leeds is one of two storytellers booked for the popular Milk & Cookies series presented online by State Theatre NJ.
Milk & Cookies Series To Be Available Online
State Theatre New Jersey announces the return of the storytelling series Milk & Cookies for fall 2020. A popular State Theatre program for more t han 10 years, the series will be available online. Two programs are geared to children ages 3-10 and their families. The series begins Saturday, October 24, with storyteller Charlot te Bla ke A ls ton ; fol lowed by musician Joanie Leeds on November 14. Alston has shared her African and African American tales with audiences from Cape Tow n to Car negie Hall, at events ranging from concerts in Japan to the U.S. Presidential Inaugural festivities. For her original kids music, singer-song-
writer Leeds has won first place in the USA Songwriting Competition, the Independent Music Award, Gold Parents’ Choice Award, NAPPA Gold Award, and Family Choice Award. One of the top nationally-touring kindie rock singers today, Leeds recently released her ninth studio album, All the Ladies. Patrons who donate will receive an email the day of the event at 10 a.m. with a link to watch the performance. The video can be viewed at any time and will be active from October 24 through December 23, 2020. To participate, a minimum donation of $10 per event is required and gives an entire household access to a Milk & Cookies show. To donate or for more information, visit STNJ.org.
A. Pennacchi & Sons Co. Established in 1947
MASON CONTRACTORS RESTORE-PRESERVE-ALL MASONRY
Mercer County's oldest, reliable, experienced firm. We serve you for all your masonry needs.
BRICK~STONE~STUCCO NEW~RESTORED Simplest Repair to the Most Grandeur Project, our staff will accommodate your every need!
Call us as your past generations did for over 72 years!
Complete Masonry & Waterproofing Services
Paul G. Pennacchi, Sr., Historical Preservationist #5. Support your community businesses. Princeton business since 1947.
609-394-7354 paul@apennacchi.com
all public or private middle Arts Ed NJ Launches Solo and Ensemble Festival school and high school stu-
Arts Ed NJ, the statewide arts education policy and advocacy organization, has announced the inaugural New Jersey State Solo and Ensemble Festival (NJSEF) for the 2020/2021 school year to recognize student achievement in music education across the state. The NJSEF Festival has five primary goals: improve s t u d e nt s’ m u s ic p er for mance; increase students’ u nder s ta nd i ng of mus ic literature and music concepts ; motivate students to continue their study of music; establish standards of excellence in music performance; and provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences. Open to
dents, the event will be held virtually in 2021 with both regional and state festivals, to provide opportunities for scholastic music students to showcase their talents either individually or in an ensemble. The festival will take place starting in February 2021. Students will submit their video performances online. Performances are adjudicated by judges, with each student performance receiving a rating. Students with the highest festival ratings will be invited to participate in the State Festival in April, 2021. A second regional festival will also take place in April. “With all of the cancelat ions of ac t iv it ies and events for our st udents
the state of New Jersey and plans to work closely with NFHS on this and future endeavors for the benefit of New Jersey arts students. Music educator and administrator Dennis Argul has been appointed as the director of the New Jersey Solo and Ensemble Festival and will be coordinating with committees comprised of New Jersey music educators on the development of the Festival as the event evolves. Arts Ed NJ and the NJSEF are committed to equity. In order to make participation widely available to all students, regardless of circumstances, there is no membership requirement (for schools or the music educator). Any students in grades 6-12 attending a public or private school, or is home schooled, may participate. Additionally, through the Grunin Foundation’s generosity, educators will be able to request scholarships to cover the cost of participation for students with demonstrated need. To learn more and to sign up for additional information, go to artsednj.org.
21 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEdNESday, OCTObER 21, 2020
Performing Arts
across the state we believed we need to create some platform for our music educators to be able to showcase their students’ talents and musical growth in spite of the COVID19 Pandemic”, said Bob Morrison, director of Arts Ed NJ. “Providing this virtual festival during the current school year will provide something for our students to look forward to right now and set the stage for an annual solo and ensemble experience for future students.” T hrough the Solo and Ensemble experience, students learn the discipline of rehearsal, are challenged to advance their musical skills, perform for an adjudicator, and receive feedback on their performance. Students that perform at the highest level during the Regional Festival will be invited to advance to the State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students may also perform for “comments only” from the adjudicators w ithout re ceiving a rating. Through practice, performance, and in receiving the constructive feedback offered by adjudicators, students will be encouraged to develop socially, emotionally, and artistically. The inaugural festival is being powered by the music education organization Music for All, which has provided the virtual platform and adjudication infrastructure. Additionally, the solo and ensemble repertoire list, comprised of more than 11,000 titles, has been made available through a cooperative arrangement with the Wisconsin School Music Association, which has more than 80 years of solo and ensemble festival experience. The New Jersey State Solo and Ensemble Festival grew out of discussions between Arts Ed NJ and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and is modeled after best practices from around the nation. Arts Ed NJ is working to become the NFHS performing arts affiliate for
Annual Costume and Prop Sale Held by Shakespeare Theatre
Find cost umes, props, crafts, and lots more at the The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s annual tag sale, being held Saturday, October 24 at the Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory, 3 Vreeland Road in Florham Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale features bargains for costume-hunters, crafters, drama teachers, tag sale regulars, students, actors, artists, collectors, vinyl-lovers, furniture bargain-hunters, clothing mavens, and anyone looking for a deal. Among the items offered are props, shoes, gowns, knick k nacks, lamps, jewelr y, hats, masks, greeting cards, wigs, coats, artwork, flowers, belts, LP records, fabric, scenery, baskets, blankets, books, lights, frames, and more. For more information, visit shakespearenj.org.
