Sunday Scoop Week of 9/22/24 What's Happening This Week and More

A) Beginning Performances 

In New Jersey

1) What the Constitution Means to Me

In New York

2) Distant Thunder

3) Drag The Musical 

4) Hold On to Me Darling

5) Moving Pictures: Songs from the Screen

6) Romeo & Juliet

7)Sunset Boulevard

8) Sunset, Eclipsed by Seagulls

9) Women of Will 

B)What Else is Happening This Week and More 

10) Ann Kittredge Romantic Notions

Chelsea Table & Stage 9/27 & 11/14

11) BAM Upcoming Events

12 Broadway Votes &  Joy to the Polls Presents 

Free Times Square Concert 9/29

13) Bruce Silverman Gallery Presents 

Sarah Sense I Want to Hold You Longer Through 11/23

14) Centenary Stage Co. Auditions for the A Christmas Carol

9/27 & 9/28

15) Dance Patrelle Auditions for The Yorkville Nutcracker

9/28 & 9/29

16) Fishtown Street Festival

9/28

17) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park 20224 Festival Presents New Works

9/28 & 9/29

18) McCarter Center 2024 Programming

19) Philly AIDS Thrift Annual Block Party & 19th Anniversary Festival

9/28

20) Schwartzman Animal Center Concert for Canines & Companions

9/26

21) TADA! Musical Theater 2024 Fall Semester Classes

22) WHYY Celebrates 70th Anniversary with All Creatures Pet Fest

at Peddler's Village 9/28

23) Water for Elephants Memory Maker Program

24) Works & Process Presents Martha Graham: Baye & Asa 

9/29

A) Beginning Performances 

In New Jersey

1) What the Constitution Means to Me

How relevant is the United States Constitution in today's society? Does this document truly protect ALL Americans?

Playwright Heidi Schreck delves into multiple facets of this historic document, debating as to whether or not we should keep or abolish it. By blending together different American perspectives, What the Constitution Means to Me allows the audience to define the Constitution's true worth.

NBPAC (11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick)

9/24 - 10/13

Opening Night 9/27

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.georgestreetplayhouse.org.

 

In New York

Courtesy of Richard Hillman PR

2) Distant Thunder

In Distant Thunder, a child is taken from his Blackfeet tribe and returns as a young attorney with an opportunity that unwittingly sets off a firestorm. Pop-rock merges with Native drumming and dancing, fusing cultures in this ultimately joyful first-of-its-kind musical.

Mezzanine Theatre A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 W. 53rd St.)

9/25 - 10/27

Opening Night 10/3

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.amasmusical.org

Courtesy of DKC/O&M

3) Drag The Musical 

In DRAG: The Musical, two Drag Houses, both alike in indignity, vie for supremacy in a wig-snatching journey of fashion, family, and forgiveness. After a bitter split, two estranged queens bring their already simmering tensions to a boiling point when they open competing clubs. In this queen-eat-queen tale of spite and survival, there’s only one rule: No Lip Synching Allowed. 

New World Stages (340 W 50th St.)

Beginning performances 12/30

Opening Night 10/21

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit dragthemusical.com

Courtesy of DKC/O&M

4) Hold On to Me Darling

On learning of his mother’s death, country music icon Strings McCrane (Driver) finds himself in an existential tailspin. The only way out, he decides, is to abandon superstardom in favor of the simple life, so he moves back to his hometown in Tennessee. The simple life turns out to be anything but simple in this brilliantly observed tragicomedy, as the consequences of Strings’s success and mind-bending effects of his fame prove all but impossible to outrun.

Lucille Lortel Theatre  (121 Christopher St.)

9/14 - 12/22

Opening Night 10/16

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 

holdontomedarling.com

5) Moving Pictures: Songs from the Screen

MOVING PICTURES: Songs From the Screen features songs used in classic films and on TV such as Mrs. Robinson, Last Train to Clarksville, and Ring Them Bells; as well as songs written by The Beatles, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton and more!

The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd St.)

9/26 & 9/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  linktr.ee/inkwellsinger

6) Romeo & Juliet

Courtesy of Polk and Co. PR

Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway)

9/26 - 2/16

Opening Night 10/24

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.romeoandjulietnyc.com

7)Sunset Boulevard

When The Jamie Lloyd Company’s new production of Sunset Blvd. began performances last fall, it immediately grabbed the attention of theatergoers worldwide as an extraordinary reimagination of Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical.

St. James Theatre (246 W. 44th St.)

Beginning performances 9/28

Opening Night 10/20

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.sunsetblvdbroadway.com

8) Sunset, Eclipsed by Seagulls

Sunset, Eclipsed by Seagulls tells a true story of intercontinental love stifled by physical separation due to political frictions between Iran and the US. Jake (an American white man in his 30s) and Leyla (an Iranian woman in her late 20s), who met on a trip to Paris, fall in love and decide to be together although they live oceans away. Just when Jake applies for Leyla’s visa to bring her to the US as his fiancée, Trump’s travel ban goes into effect preventing any Iranians from entering the US. The couple struggle to maintain their relationship through this situation.

The Tank Theater (312 West 36th St.)

9/26 - 10/13

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thetanknyc.org

9) Women of Will 

In a funny, fierce, deep and unforgettable evening of theatre, Women of Will explores themes of love, loss, freedom, control, violence, and power through Shakespeare’s heroines. Royal Shakespeare Company veteran and Founding Artistic Director of the renowned Shakespeare & Company, Tina Packer created this acclaimed work tracing the chronological evolution of Shakespeare’s female characters and examining Shakespeare’s own journey  and growth as a writer. Following critically acclaimed runs all over the world, Bedlam brings this fresh, funny, brilliant exploration of Shakespeare’s women back to New York City for a limited, Off Broadway engagement. 

West End Theatre, The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (263 W, 86th St.)

9/28 - 10/20

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://bedlam.org

B)What Else is Happening This Week and More 

10) VOCALIST ANN KITTREDGE
TO MAKE CHELSEA TABLE +STAGE DEBUT

ENCORE PERFORMANCES OF “ROMANTIC NOTIONS”

CHELSEA TABLE+STAGE
152 WEST 26TH STREET- NYC

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 @7PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 @ 7PM

Vocalist Ann Kittredge will make her Chelsea Table+Stage (150 West 26th Street – NYC) debut with encore performances of “Romantic Notions,” continuing to celebrate her critically acclaimed second album, Romantic Notions (Jazzheads, Inc./King Kozmo Music), a diverse collection of songs on the numerous “notions” of love which was released this Spring. Ms. Kittredge will take the stage on Friday, September 27 @ 7pm and then again on Thursday, November 14 @ 7pm with her Musical Director Christopher Denny (piano), Sean Harkness (guitar), Jay Leonhart (9/27) MaryAnn McSweeeny (11/14) (bass), Rex Benincasa (drums/percussion) and Aaron Heick (saxophone/flute) - 9/27 only. The evening will be directed by Barry Kleinbort. Tickets are $20-40 (plus fees) and there is a $25 food/beverage minimum. Tickets are available here or by calling (212) 439-0499. The album was produced by award-winning songwriter and record producer Paul Rolnick, and is available on all digital platforms. For more information, visit www.jazzheads.com. 

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11) Fall Fun in Brooklyn BAM’s Family and Community Events

 

Join BAM for Free and Low-Cost Activities

 Highlighting Dance, Film, and Cultural

 Celebrations Across Brooklyn for Kids, Families, 

and the Community

BAM's fall season features an exciting lineup of family-friendly and community-focused events designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages. From dance workshops and film festivals to Halloween festivities, and interactive cultural experiences, BAM’s fall programming is designed to inspire, educate, and entertain young audiences and their families.

 

Season highlights include Celebrate 'Stacey Speaks Up' with Stacey Abrams, the return of the Best of BAMkids Film Festival, and matinee performances of the holiday hit The Hard Nut by the Mark Morris Dance Group. Families can also enjoy BAMboo!, Brooklyn’s favorite Halloween celebration, and a special pre-screening activity before the showing of Migration, co-curated by the BAM Parent Advisory Circle.

For more information and a full list of events, visit www.bam.org/#Kids

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Courtesy of DKC/O&M

12) GIANT COORDINATED GOTV EFFORT

BROADWAY VOTES

INTRODUCES INITIATIVES WITH

“HADESTOWN”, “THE OUTSIDERS”, “WATER FOR ELEPHANTS”,

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”, “SUFFS” AND MORE

 

INCLUDING

A FREE CONCERT IN TIMES SQUARE

IN COLLABORATION WITH JOY TO THE POLLS

SEPTEMBER 29^TH

Broadway Votes, the New York theater industry’s largest organized Get Out The Vote effort announced today that numerous Broadway shows, including Hadestown, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants, Once Upon a Mattress, Suffs, and more, are getting involved in various GOTV activations including curtain call speeches, social media collaborations and free in person and live-streamed concerts.

 

Broadway Votes will collaborate with Joy To The Polls to host a free concert on Sunday, September 29th from 11:00am – 1:00pm on Times Square’s Military Island (43^rd Street and 7^th Avenue). Co-hosted by Sirius XM’s Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson, and including performances by Julie Benko (Harmony), Norbert Leo Butz (Wicked), Lilli Cooper (POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive), Activist behind ‘The Trans March on Broadway’ Sis Thee Doll, Ana Gasteyer (Once Upon a Mattress), Ta’Nika Gibson (Into The Woods), Beth Leavel (Lempicka). The concert is intended to motivate and mobilize theater lovers around the country to make a plan to vote, just as first ballots begin to drop. Additional concert performers will be announced soon.

 

To celebrate National Voter Registration Day, the award-winning “Stars In The House”, with hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson, will return to the airwaves with a special episode on Monday, September 16^th at 8:00pm with proceeds to benefit Broadway Votes. “Stars in the House” can be viewed at starsinthehouse.com.

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13) Bruce Silverman Gallery Presents 

Sarah Sense I Want to Hold You Longer

Bruce Silverstein Gallery is pleased to announce the second solo exhibition for Sarah Sense, a contemporary Indigenous artist, curator, and writer. Featuring over twenty unique, hand-woven, sculptural photographs, I Want to Hold You Longer examines the intricate and often fraught history of Indigenous basket-making and collecting. This exhibition considers the traditional practices of Chitimacha and Choctaw weaving and their original purpose, reflecting on their personal and collective histories. Using historical, colonial documents and maps interwoven with contemporary photographs of ancestral lands, Sense reflects on the connections between individual memory and collective heritage. I Want to Hold You Longer invites viewers to see each piece as a vessel, a conduit between personal and collective memory, carrying a genealogy, a history, and a profound desire for continuity and survival.

Bruce Silverman Gallery (529 W. 20th St., Ste. 3)

Exhibit open through 11/23

For more information please contact visit www.brucesilverstein.com

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14) CENTENARY STAGE COMPANY TO HOST OPEN CALL AUDITIONS FOR THE CHRISTMAS CAROL ON SEPTEMBER 27TH AND 28TH

Centenary Stage company, a professional not for profit theater company located on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown NJ, will be holding an open call (AEA & Non-union welcome) for their upcoming production of “The Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent. This production will be produced under an AEA SPT 4 contract, and both AEA members and non-union actors will be seen. Auditions will be held on Friday, September 27th from 6pm – 10pm and Saturday, September 28th from 1pm – 5pm with a dance call taking place from 4pm – 5pm. To schedule an appointment, call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900. Walk-ins will be seen as time permits. Auditions will be in the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ.

This production will be Directed & Choreographed by Michael Restaino with Musical Director Sarah Brett England; Produced by Carl Wallnau.

Actors should prepare 16-24 bars of a mid-century musical theatre song (1960-late 1990s, roughly) with a strong, theatrical point of view and dynamic music and lyrics, OR a traditional Christmas carol. Consider material by Alan Menken, Flaherty and Ahrens, Stephen Schwartz, the Sherman Brothers, Lucy Simon, etc. CSC recommends avoiding contemplative ballads and love songs that feel general or generic. Those auditioning are also encouraged to make strong acting choices in the song.

Those auditioning on Saturday may also be asked to stay for a dance portion of the audition from 4pm – 5pm so all should be prepared to dance. If necessary, you may also be asked to read from sides which will be made available at the audition and online at centenarystageco.org. The first rehearsal will take place on October 4, 2024, and performances will run November 29 through December 15. For more information, go to centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

15) Dances Patrelle

Announces Student Auditions for

The Yorkville Nutcracker

Dances Patrelle announces young dancer auditions for The Yorkville Nutcracker on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Ballet Academy East, 1651 Third Avenue, Third Floor, NYC. For more information, visit https://www.dancespatrelle.org/.

All Auditions to be held at Ballet Academy East Studios

1651 Third Ave, 3rd Floor, NYC

Dancers should arrive in appropriate dance attire. (For soloist roles, dancers should be prepared to dance en pointe).

Auditions for Dancers Age 10-12

Saturday, September 28 - 5PM (Registration starts 4:30PM)

Parent Meeting 5PM

Auditions for Dancers Age 6-7

Sunday, September 29 - 3PM (Registration starts 2:30PM)

Parent Meeting 3PM

Audition for Ages 12+ (Corp and Soloist roles, dancers performing en pointe)

Sunday, September 29 - 3PM (Registration 2:30PM)

Dancers at this level can join Dances Patrelle's MASTERWORKS for Spring Workshops

Auditions for Dancers Age 8-9

Sunday, September 29 - 4:30PM (Registration starts 4PM)

Parent Meeting 4:30P

Production Fee: $325, with a discount for siblings. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Dancers are encouraged to pre-register online for auditions by age group at https://www.dancespatrelle.org/.

A comprehensive rehearsal schedule will be available at the audition. All students must be currently enrolled in a ballet school.

For questions, email nutcracker@dancespatrelle.org

*Please do not call Ballet Academy East or Dances Patrelle Offices*

Dances Patrelle will present The Yorkville Nutcracker from December 19-22, 2024 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 524 W 59th St., NYC.

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Courtesy of Kory Aversa PR

16) FISHTOWN FALL FEASTIVALE RETURNS WITH PHILADELPHIA'S TOP RESTAURANTS AND BARS, DJS AND MUSIC, FAMILY FUN ZONE, FRANKFORD HALL OKTOBERFEST AND OVER 125 VENDORS, ARTISTS AND MAKERS

Fishtown's largest street festival and block party is back - and bigger than ever! Fishtown District, with support from Penn Treaty Special Services District, presents Fishtown Fall Feastivale on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, on Frankford Avenue, from Girard to Palmer. The all day, all ages block party will feature outdoor food and drink, DJs and German folk music, family fun and carnival games, charity celebrity dunk tank, artists and makers, vendors and community groups, and much more. Look for some of the biggest names in the city to serve street food, made in Fishtown beers and speciality seasonal sips outside under the autumn skies, including Evil Genius Beer Company, Two Robbers Spirits Co., Front Street Cafe, FNA Beer Tent Fundraiser, Johnny Brenda's, Bottle Bar East/ Mom Mom's Kitchen, Kraftwork, Heffe Tacos, R&D, LMNO, Frankford Hall, Fette Sau, Interstate Drafthouse/ Meyers Brewing Co., Fiore, La Colombe, Kismet Bagels, Tatsu Tea, Calle del sabor, Humpty's Dumplings, Fishtown Pickle Project, and many more. Frankford Hall will host a special block party in the festival footprint for Oktoberfest, with authentic oompah music, kids' crafts, balloon artist, face painters and more. Fishtown Fall Feastivale is no charge to attend, with food and drink pay as you go. The event is family and fido friendly, with 21 and up to drink (with identification). For more information, visit www.fishtownfeastivale.com/ and follow @fishtownfestivale.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

17) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park 2024 Annual Festival

presents

NEW WORKS BILL: Limón Dance Company, Boca Tuya, and Music From The Sole

Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7pm & Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2pm

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park presents NEW WORKS BILL: Limón Dance Company, Boca Tuya, and Music From The Sole as part of the 2024 Annual Festival in Tivoli, NY, on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7pm & Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2pm. For more information visit https://kaatsbaan.org/performances-festivals. Tickets are available at: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36035/production/1204944.

NEW WORKS BILL: Limón Dance Company, Boca Tuya, and Music From The Sole

Dates: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7pm & Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 2pm

Tickets: $25 General

Venue: Black Box Theater, INDOORS

Join a mixed bill of dance performances built during residencies at Kaatsbaan, highlighting Kaatsbaan’s dual role as incubator and presenter. Limón Dance Company previews a performance of a new creation by Bessie Awardee Kayla Farrish that examines two thematically aligned works by José Limón. Redes (Nets) (1951) is a representation of collective work and unity, and El Grito (The Scream) (1952) is an awakening of consciousness. Farrish, who has roots as an African American woman from the south, connects the work to the displacement of colored bodies and a continuous seeking for identity and community—themes Limón explored over 70 years ago.

Boca Tuya performs Like Those Playground Kids at Midnight, a shapeshifting duet developed at Kaatsbaan in 2023. Boca Tuya is led by queer Puertorriqueño choreographer and director Omar Román De Jesús. He describes this piece as “a beacon of defiance, encouraging everyone to embrace their uniqueness and challenge the boundaries that confine them.” The rhythmic complexity and daring physicality invite us to explore the mysterious landscapes of desire, identity, and aspiration. Omar was the inaugural Baryshnikov Arts Fellow at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, a 2023 Dance Magazine Harkness Promise Awardee, and a 2022 Princess Grace Award Winner in Choreography.

The program also features a performance by Music From The Sole, including material from a new work-in-development that explores the profound link between tap dance, Afro-Brazilian, and house music. The work is being created by 10 dancers and musicians in an intertwined process, demonstrating the movement and music of tap. Company dancers perform with their trademark embrace of tap’s Afro-diasporic roots and connection to various forms of music, such as jazz, funk, soul, house, samba, and hip-hop. Support for Music From The Sole provided by Works & Process LaunchPAD.

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18) McCarter Theatre Center begins its
2024-2025 Presented Programming Season: 
Featuring a Mix of New Discoveries,   High Profile Headliners and Perennial Favorites

McCarter Theatre Center (Sarah Rasmussen, Artistic Director and Martin Miller, Executive Director) proudly begins its highly anticipated 2024-2025 Presenting Season, offering a blend of perennial favorites and exciting cutting-edge talent. This season reaffirms McCarter’s status as premier cultural destination, showcasing top-tier performances in music, dance, and spoken word. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

For the first time, McCarter will host a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, curated by Abreu, who hails from Rio de Janeiro. This vibrant lineup includes:  

Ballet Hispánico, renowned for celebrating Latinx culture through dance, will bring a high-energy, evocative performance to McCarter on Saturday, September 28. The largest Latinx/e/Hispanic organization in the United States, Ballet Hispánico fuses classical ballet, modern dance, and Latin rhythms in a stirring showcase.

On Friday, October 4, create magical memories with the whole family at Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert, an interactive performance and screening features live music by Banda de la Casita. Dress up as your favorite character and enjoy this enchanting musical adventure! 

Rounding out Hispanic Heritage Month, will be a special event, An Evening with Natalia Lafourcade on Sunday, October 6. The most awarded female artist in Latin GRAMMY history, Lafourcade’s work reflects both her deep cultural heritage and innovative spirit. In this exclusive appearance, Lafourcade will play solo guitar and share stories.  

Words and Music  

Humorist, NPR contributor, and Princeton favorite, David Sedaris returns for a night of readings, reflections, as well as a Q&A session and book signing on Thursday, October 3. 

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash, hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the most ambitious and literary songwriters of her generation,” join forces with her husband and guitarist, John Leventhal, to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of her landmark album, The Wheel, on Friday, October 18.   

Known for her distinctive blend of modern indie music and classic jazz influences, the soulful GRAMMY award winning vocalist Laufey comes to McCarter on Friday, September 27 for an exclusive conversation in this special partnership event with Princeton University.   Assistant Professor of Musicology Anna Yu Wang will interview the 25-year-old Icelandic Chinese multi-instrumentalist who has revitalized jazz and classical music for a new generation.   

Jazz, Indie Folk, and Swing Dance 

Enjoy a double bill of jazz brilliance with Makaya McCraven & SHABAKA on Saturday, October 19. McCraven, a visionary drummer and composer, blends jazz, folk, and hip-hop in his latest album, “In These Times.” SHABAKA, known for his work with bands like Sons of Kemet, the Comet is Coming, showcases his newest flute-forward album, Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace, offering a rich sound that spans cultures and traditions.   

Indie folk band The Mountain Goats, founded by singer-songwriter John Darnielle, performs as a trio on Sunday, October 20. Known for their cross-generational storytelling and song-craft, their low-fidelity recordings have gained a dedicated following, and their live performances are not to be missed

Acclaimed choreographer Caleb Teicher brings the best of the swing dance world with live music by the Eyal Vilner Big Band to McCarter on Friday, October 25.  A New York Times’s Critic’s Pick, SW!NG OUT celebrates the unbridled joy of Lindy Hop and the excitement of the artists’ distinct improvisational styles—generating a different show each night. The performance concludes with the audience invited to participate in an on-stage jam session with the company! 

Laughter, An Epic Queen Sing-along, and Timeless Jazz 

Political satirist Andy Borowitz presents Election Therapy in conversation with Princeton University’s Pulitzer Winning journalist Eliza Griswold on Saturday, October 26. Borowitz will offer his humorous take on current events and the state of American politics, promising a night of sharp, insightful comedy. Opening for him, comedian and writer Jena Friedman will perform a stand-up comedy set.

Known for his incisive commentary on The Daily Show, Roy Wood Jr. presents an evening of stand-up on Saturday, November 2, blending razor-sharp wit with profound storytelling for a thought-provoking and hilarious night of comedy.

Unleash your inner Freddie Mercury with Choir! Choir! Choir! on Sunday, November 3, as they lead an interactive Queen sing-along. Grab your friends and create unforgettable harmonies to anthems like “We Will Rock You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”    

The Hot Sardines bring their contagious energy and fresh take on timeless jazz to McCarter on Friday, November 8. With a mission to revitalize classic jazz and bring people together, their performances have captivated audiences worldwide, and they are sure to deliver an unforgettable evening.  

Classical Highlights, Spoken Word, and Holiday Cheer 

The dynamic Renaissance Quartet, comprising violinists Randall Goosby and Jeremiah Blacklow, violist Jameel Martin, and cellist Daniel Hass, takes the stage on Thursday, November 21.  Mentored by Itzhak Perlman, these Juilliard School graduates blend classical mastery with contemporary flair, showcasing their technical prowess and innovative spirit.   

On Saturday, November 23, The Moth returns to McCarter, celebrating the power of storytelling, with true stories told live and without notes, connecting us through shared human experiences. 

Hailed by the New Yorker as ‘joyous, effervescent, and yes, festive,’ immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on Monday, December 16. The concert takes place at Richardson Auditorium, located within Alexander Hall on the campus of Princeton University. 

Looking Ahead to Afro-futurism, Aerial Artistry, and a Broadway Legend 

Ring in the new year with Sun Ra Arkestra in an evening of cosmic jazz and Afro-futurism on Thursday, January 30. The Arkestra blends big-band swing, space-age jazz, and vibrant Afro-pageantry into their electrifying performances.

Witness the world premiere of Noli Timere, (Latin for “be not afraid”), a groundbreaking aerial performance by Director/Choreographer - and Princeton University Professor – Rebecca Lazier and sculptor Janet Echelman, featuring dancers suspended within a custom-designed net sculpture. The performance will have three showings on February 7 and 8, including a Relaxed Performance on February 8 at 2pm. In partnership with the Lewis Center for the Arts.  

Before he was an Emmy-winning TV star, Mandy Patinkin was already a Tony-winning Broadway legend. On Friday, February 14, he brings BEING ALIVE to McCarter, a collection of his favorite Broadway and classic American tunes. From Irving Berlin to Stephen Sondheim.

AND MORE 

A full calendar of McCarter events including those highlighted here can be found at McCarter.org. Additional events will continue to be added throughout the year.

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Courtesy of Kory Aversa PR

19) PHILLY AIDS THRIFT CELEBRATES 19TH ANNIVERSARY HELPING PHILADELPHIA WITH ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY AND STREET FESTIVAL

Philly AIDS Thrift brings back their beloved block party and fall festival with a full day of no-charge, family and fido friendly fun!  Philly AIDS Thrift 19th Anniversary Block Party will take place at the 700 blocks of S. 5th Street and E. Passyunk Avenue (between Bainbridge St. and Monroe St.) on Saturday, September 28th, with the streets opening at 12:00pm and closing at 6:00pm. Enjoy music, circus performers, food and drinks, a celebrity dunk tank, games, a caricature artist, a dog-kissing booth, stilt walkers, craft/vintage vendors, a pie-eating contest, double dutch, and dancing in the street. Look for Peabody Award-winning radio host and producer at WXPN, DJ Robert Drake – who will be emcee and spinning tunes all day for everyone dancing in the streets. Other entertainment includes live performances and fun include Reverend MacKenzie Moltov, the sword-swallowing clownbabe, Reese “Stoop Kid” Crawleywith fire and flow arts, and Double Dutch Meetup. In addition to commemorating 19 successful years, the block party kicks off the Halloween season, which is the busiest time for the non-profit organization that has become known as one of the largest retail stores and destinations for costumes, accessories, and decorations during the spooky season each and every year. For more information about Philly AIDS Thrift, visit www.phillyaidsthrift.com

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20) Schwarzman Animal Medical Center to Host the “Concert for Canines and Their Companions” Event, Celebrating the Human-Animal Bond During National Dog Week

On Thursday, September 26 at 4 pm, The Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) invites humans and their furry friends to an afternoon of pet-friendly music, photo ops, giveaways, and more

WHO:  Michelle Leifer, Director of the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center; Highline String Quartet; and AMC furry ambassadors.

WHAT: In honor of National Dog Week, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and New York City’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, will celebrate the fur-ever bond between humans and their dogs with a special event, “Concert for Canines and Their Companions,” on Thursday, September 26 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Many studies have shown that music can have therapeutic benefits for humans, as well as their canine companions, including the ability to reduce stress. At a time of so much uncertainty, AMC is offering a moment for both humans and their four-legged friends to unwind to relaxing music and spend quality time together. This free, feel-good event will take place outdoors at the 25^th Street Plaza, with an enchanting performance from the Highline String Quartet starting at 5 pm.  

In addition to calming tunes to ease the mind and body, attendees can pick up helpful pet health information, create keepsakes with their furry companions at the photo booth, and try their luck at some fun giveaways to round out the paws-itively perfect afternoon. The event is hosted by The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at AMC, the leading provider of pet health information, offering guidance on a wide range of pet health topics. Its mission is to educate and empower pet owners by delivering the most reliable and up-to-date information for all of their pet needs, from how to safely dress up your pet for Halloween to keeping them away from the Thanksgiving turkey, tips on assembling the perfect pet-proofed Christmas tree, and more. Pet parents can also take advantage of the Usdan Institute’s free monthly webinars, which cover a wide range of pet health topics, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and emergency first aid for pets.

For more information, visit www.amcny.org/concertforcanines. In the case of inclement weather, AMC will post a status update to this page by 1 pm on 9/26.

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21) TADA! YOUTH THEATER ANNOUNCES 2024 MUSICAL THEATER FALL SEMESTER CLASSES

September 28^th  through December 17^th

TADA! Youth Theater announces after-school and weekend Fall Semester Musical Theater Classes for students, ages 4 to 12, from September 28, 2024 through December 17, 2024. Classes are divided by age groups and take place at TADA! Youth Theater at 15 W 28^th Street, 3^rd floor, (between Broadway & Fifth Avenue) in Manhattan. Young people Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Gotta Act!

Students will engage in musical theater training, learn vocals and choreography to upbeat Broadway Songs, benefit from one-on-one attention and solo opportunities and experience ensemble-based instruction by professional NYC Teaching Artists while making connections with new friends.  The final class will culminate in a live performance for an audience of invited family and friends.

To register for Fall Semester Classes, please visit https://tadatheater.com/fall-classes/

Musical Theater Minis, Ages 4-5, on Mondays from 3:45PM-5:15PM.

 

Jazzy Juniors, Ages 5-7, on Saturdays from 10AM-11:30AM & Ages 6-8 on Mondays from 3:45PM-5:15PM.

 

Rising Stars, Ages 8-12, on Wednesdays from 4:00PM-5:30PM & Ages 8-12 on Saturdays from 12:00PM-1:30PM. 

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22) WHYY CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL PET FEST AT PEDDLER'S VILLAGE WITH 

JENNIFER LYNN

Greater Philadelphia public media station WHYY is thrilled to celebrate its 70th Anniversary with a special event, the All Creatures Pet Fest with Morning Edition Host and Producer Jennifer Lynn, taking place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. This family-friendly fall event invites pet lovers and their pets to join the festivities while celebrating the PBS series All Creatures Great and Small. The event will take place at Peddler's Village, at 100 Peddlers Village/ Rt. 202 and 265, in Lahaska, PA 18931. Festivities will include ask-a-vet, pet costume contest, adoptions, giveaways, pet themed vendors and other surprises. Tickets are $10 for adults and kids under 12 are no charge with purchase of an adult tickets. Tickets are available online at www.whyyorg/events. Tickets are also available the day of the event.

The All Creatures Pet Fest promises a day filled with activities for the whole family, including beloved pets. The event will feature a pavilion showcasing local pet businesses, an ask-a-vet clinic, an adoption fair and various opportunities for grooming tips and products. Attendees can also participate in a pet costume contest and capture memories at the professional pet photo booth. Doors open at Noon, with ask-a-vet at 1:00pm, costume contest at 2:00pm and vet photos, adoptions, giveaways and vendors Noon to 3:30pm.

For an early list of vendors and organizations, see below:

Sponsor and Vet Minute Clinic:
Central Bucks Veterinary Hospital

Sponsor & Vet Minute Clinic
Sycamore Veterinary Hospital

Vet Minute Clinic:
Quakertown Veterinary Clinic

Other Vendors:
Little Mac's Snax
Holiday House Pet Resort and Training Center
Montgomery County SPCA
WOW Pets
Digger Dogs Pet Grooming
Boyd Pet Photo Booth
Lower Bucks Dog Training Club
Curiosity Satisfied Dog Camp
Bark Busters Home Dog Training
Pretty Little Pooch Boutique LLC
Party Animals Express
Others to be announced

Important event rules:

* Attendees must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult.
* WHYY RTR to refuse entry to any aggressive or obviously ill animals.
* Pets must be kept on a non-retractable leash or a locked 6’ maximum lead and must not be left unattended.
* Non-exotic pets must remain in secure enclosures.
* Attendees must clean up after their pets and ensure pets are up to date on vaccinations.

For any questions, please contact: ysizer at whyy dot org. For Sponsorship and tabling, contact hbaker at whyy.org.

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Courtesy of Polk and Co. PR

23) WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Announces

Memory Maker Program

The producers of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning Broadway musical WATER FOR ELEPHANTS announced today the WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Memory Maker Program—a special ticketing initiative with a number of non-profit organizations to help support their missions and efforts. This ticketing initiative will offer subsidized tickets to students, underserved and senior audiences, beginning September 24.  Programs included in this special ticketing initiative include Vet Tix, Broadway for All, Lower East Side Girls Club, R. Evolucion Latina, Actors Fund Home, Maestra Music, New York Foundation for Senior Citizens and many more.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

24) Works & Process Presents

Martha Graham Dance Company: Baye & Asa

Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 7pm

Peter B. Lewis Theater, 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Works & Process presents Martha Graham Dance Company: Baye & Asa on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 7pm at the Guggenheim’s Peter B. Lewis Theater, 1071 Fifth Avenue, NY. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at https://www.worksandprocess.org/calendar/works-and-process-at-the-guggenheim-marthagraham-baye-asa.

See highlights from Baye & Asa’s Cortege, a new work commissioned by the Martha Graham Dance Company. Drawing inspiration from Martha Graham's 1967 Cortege of Eagles, Baye & Asa focus on Charon, the ferryman who shepherds souls to the underworld. In Graham's work, the Trojan Empire is crumbling, and Charon is the conductor of its inevitable fall. Baye & Asa’s Cortege removes this central figure of mythological predestination, and instead places the burden of fate on the ensemble. Together, they generate the cyclical momentum of war.

Martha Graham Dance Company members will perform excerpts of this work, and Baye & Asa will participate in a moderated discussion with Graham Company Artistic Director Janet Eilber. This evening culminates a weeklong Works & Process LaunchPAD technical residency at the Catskill Mountain Foundation. Cortege is set to premiere in April 2025.

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday.

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