The Whole Five Feet

Christopher R. Beha is celebrating the publication of his first book, The Whole Five Feet. Chris is the brother of my neighbor's sister-in-law.

He will be in Princeton for a reading/reception on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 6 p.m.

Labyrinth Books
122 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ




“Christopher Beha has written a unique memoir: intimate, confiding, deeply moving, and yet wonderfully informative and ‘intellectual’ in the very best sense of the word. Undertaking to read ‘The Whole Five Feet’ of classics of western civilization at a time of crisis in his personal life is an illuminating experience both for Mr. Beha and for the reader.” -JOYCE CAROL OATES

For more information:
http://www.thewholefivefeet.com/

Pennington Dance's 29th Year Recital

It's been another great year of training young dancers to reach their potential. And the time has arrived for them to showcase what they've learned in the year-end recital. This year's recital will also feature a production number to 'Camp Rock.' And if Joe Jonas doesn't excite you, little ones in farmer costumes should. I'm even taking the stage along with some alumni students to Dolly's '9 to 5.'

There is a change in venue from the War Memorial this year. We will be performing at the Hopewell Valley Central High School's Performing Arts Center.

Sunday, June 7, 2009
1 pm

Hopewell Valley Central High School
259 Pennington-Titusville Road
Pennington, NJ 08534

Tickets are available at the door only: $20

She's Crafty...

Across the ocean, colleague Michaela Edwards (ME) has been knitting herself silly. Actually, she was silly before she started knitting. I think the monkey might be my favorite! Check out her work here:

http://www.meloveloveme.com/LOVE_ME/COMMISSIONS.html

Samurai Elf

Husband and wife team, Miguel Guerra and Suzy Dias, are publishing a 7 part grapic novel series titled Samurai Elf(R). Your teens (and adult children) will love these beautifully illustrated short stories. You can by them on Amazon too!

Suzy is a colleague of mine, a great talent, and hard worker, so I wasn't surprised when she shared these books with me. But, I was in awe. Check them out!

http://www.iberianpress.com/samuraielf/

TEDI Turns 20

For those of you that haven't seen the students of the Trenton Education Dance Institute (TEDI) perform, you must make it out this Thursday evening to see them at their end of year performance titled "TEDI Turns 20," celebrating 20 remarkable years of service to the Trenton Community. TEDI is an arts-in-education program that I have been volunteering with over the past 3 years. It's an amazing progam that unfortunately might not be able to survive another year if they don't get the funding that they need, so I beg you to contribute to this incredible program.

Thursday, May 28, 2009
Performance at 7 pm - Free
Reception at 8 pm - $30

Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ

If you can't make or just feel like giving, donations can be made to:
The Trenton Education Dance Institute
PO Box 7245
Trenton, NJ 08628
For more information, email:
TEDIkid@aol.com

Nine Bridges Back

Vince di Mura has been in Sarasota music directing shows for the Florida Studio Theatre. But, he's back North and will be playing keys in 'Nine Bridges Back.' In Komunyakaa's 'Nine Bridges Back,' twelve artists create a collage of text, voices and instruments that address complex histories and personal experiences in the context of the war.

April 1, 2009
6:00 pm: Conversation
7:30 pm: Concert

Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street
NYC

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.harlemstage.org or by calling the Harlem Stage box office at 212-281-9240, ext. 19.

For more information:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=32012

Pretty Slammin'

Director Peter Rhoads and Musician Don McCloskey won the first ever Grand Jury Award for Best Music Video for "Mr. Novocaine" at the 2009 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. They beat out big budget videos from major-label acts Fiest, Gnarls Barkley, My Morning Jacket and Adele.

You can find the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrtUMwlU0vs

Dig out your parachute pants, Madonna bracelets and aviators. Grice Middle School is going back to the future. Jessica Belardo has been busy rehearsing her cast to take us 'Back to the 80s.'

Back to the 80s Musical
March 26-28
7:30 pm

Grice Middle School
901 Whitehouse-Hamilton Square Rd
Hamilton, NJ 08610

Tickets: jbelardo@hamilton.k1.nj.us

A New Approach to Children's Blankets

"Any children's blanket can warm fingers and toes. But only a Round&Spiky blanket can warm their hearts. Because only Round&Spiky blankets come with beautiful, meaningful poems printed directly on them."

These story-filled blanklets were designed by Jason Koye's friend, Kieran. The interactive website will be complete soon, but in the interim check out:
http://www.roundandspiky.com/

Start your New Year D-style

Don McCloskey's Upcoming Shows

The Tin Angel
Philly
Saturday, January 31st
10:30 pm
http://www.tinangel.com/

Sidewalk Cafe
Manhattan
Saturday, February 20th
Midnight
http://www.antifolk.net/