Imagine yourself in an intimate place, absorbing the glorious sound of music or laughing to the comedian’s antics while surrounded by the inspiring colors and forms of works of art! The Upper Gallery has 12-foot ceilings, superb acoustics, and a seating capacity of 100.
“JaZZ in the Gallery”
ImpresaRIO: Rio Clemente, pianist
Friday, February 10, 8 p.m.
Rio Clemente has played jazz piano on concert stages, in clubs and restaurants, in churches, even in supermarkets. But on December 22, he sat down at the historic 1938 Steinway piano in the East Room of the White House to an audience of visitors on a holiday tour for over two hours. Rio received a standing ovation when he was finished.
The Center is fortunate to have this master pianist and former member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary perform in its intimate Upper Gallery. At this special solo performance, Rio will charm and delight all with his musical prowess and talent. The audience will be treated to the energy and charisma of this jazz virtuoso and enjoy a night filled with musical inspiration and pure joy.
Rio played at the JVC Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center as well as jazz clubs from Manhattan to Cape Cod and from Florida to California. He has entertained audiences in Europe, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands and Antigua. He has performed at the United Nations and has appeared with the Symphony in Golden, CO, with the Livingston (NJ) Symphony and with ensemble groups like the Morris Choral Society and Orchestra. In addition he has travelled from coast to coast to entertain senators, governors, mayors and other dignitaries.
The Bishop of Jazz recorded with bassist Milt Hinton, performed Dave Brubeck’s mass (To Hope! A Celebration) and prepared a feature CD on Richard Rodgers that led Linda Rodgers to say, “Rio plays my father’s music better than anyone I ever heard — with unremitting style and sensitivity, and always with a technique that is elegant.” Dave Brubeck has written, “Rio Clemente is EXCELLENT!,” and comedian Freddy Roman has said, “I want to open for you!”
A native of Morristown, NJ, Rio Clemente is a member of its Hall of Fame. He’s been named Professional Artist of the Year by the Arts Council of the Morris Area, New Jersey Monthly Magazine selected him among its “Top 40 New Jerseyans” and the New Jersey Jazz Society named Rio Musician of the Year.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 ($20 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely using PayPal from our Ticket Reservation page. For more information, please call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
A series of paintings of Rio Clemente by artist, Alice Joan Luthy, will be on display in the WAC Studio during the month of February.
WAC Benefit
Mike De Parto and Friends
Saturday, March 24, 8 p.m.
The Watchung Arts Center is thrilled to once more showcase the vocal talents of Mike De Parto. Mike will bring his friends along to accompany him for an intimate evening of songs chosen from both the great American songbook and popular music ranging from the 60’s all the way to the present. His bright and engaging vocal style will stir memories and warm hearts as he magically tells the tales of love, good times and heartbreak through his beautifully-crafted melodies during this special evening.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. You may purchase tickets securely using PayPal from our Ticket Reservation page. For more information call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
Improv
The Improvables
Adult Improv: Saturday, March 10, 8 p.m.
Family Improv: Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m.
Adult Improv: Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m.
Family Improv: Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Join The Improvables, the Watchung Arts Center’s cast of hilarious characters.
They bring new meaning to phrases like “he has a gift for gab” and “I laughed so hard my belly
hurt”. The Improvables have been performing to crowds of families and adults for eight years so purchase a
ticket and join the cast including Mike Griffin, Phil Hochman, Michele Kerekes, David Kritz,
Brandon Lericos, Roberta Maher, and Randi Schweriner.
Each show is a new experience, refreshing and full of outrageous moments and hysterical experiences. The troupe performs a series of “games” in which they act out various scenarios without knowing in advance what they are going to say or how things are going to turn out. The audience often sets the scenes for the players on-the-spot and may be pulled up to join in the fun!
Family-friendly shows and those geared for the adult crowd are available for $8 tickets. The room is small, the laughter large so book early before the seats run out. Visit www.theimprovables.com/guestbook.cfm and check out the reviews…
You may purchase tickets securely using PayPal from our Ticket Reservation page. For more information call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
“Classicals at the Circle”
Romanza Music Harp-Cello Duo
Sunday, March 18, 4 p.m.
On March 18, 1902, the great Enrico Caruso made his first recordings. Among them was “E lucevan le stelle.” He went on to sell millions of recordings, becoming the first true rock star in history. On March 18, 2012, the Romanza Music Harp-Cello Duo of Florence Lombardo and Martin Steinberg will play this moving aria from Puccini’s tragic opera “Tosca,” as well as other selections from the world of opera, plus light classics.
Florence Lombardo
With her musical interest beginning on the piano at age 3, Florence Lombardo started playing piano for church choirs and congregational singing at age 8. She began studying harp at 12 and graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s of fine arts in performance. Lombardo teaches harp and piano and has performed at Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and at numerous private events. Among them: the wedding of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and at P. Diddy’s birthday bash.
Martin Steinberg
Cellist Martin Steinberg has performed in numerous venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He started playing at age 8 in Philadelphia, and continues to study with the pedagogue Irene Sharp. He is principal cellist and on the coaching staff of the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra in Berkeley Heights and teaches in his studio in South Orange. Steinberg is founder of Romanza Music, a boutique of outstanding musicians who perform at private parties in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely using PayPal from our Ticket Reservation page. For more information call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.