The Connector

The Whole Five Feet

2009-06-11T22:38:00.005-04:00

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

2009-05-24T20:13:00.006-04:00

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...

2009-05-24T20:00:00.008-04:00

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

2009-05-24T19:22:00.006-04:00

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

2009-05-24T18:58:00.007-04:00

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

2009-03-18T20:35:00.002-04:00

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'

2009-03-02T18:30:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-01T15:01:00.009-05:00

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

2009-01-24T12:01:00.005-05:00

"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

2009-01-24T11:50:00.003-05:00

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/

Big D Video Now On-Demand

2008-12-04T18:15:00.012-05:00

Love to cozy up on the sofa in your jammies and watch an on-demand movie? Well, how about a music video? Next time you hit the magic ON DEMAND button on your remote control, navvy to Music > Havoc Tv > Alternative > Focken: Don McCloskey. And escape into a dreamland of pandas, fairies, lederhosens, pimps, mardi gras girls and fire twirlers. It's an amazing adventure that will leave you upside down.

Don't forget to look out for one hot Rapunzel.

Other D-lightful news...Big D will bring holiday cheer to NY & Philly.

12/9 NYC Rockwood Music Hall

12/19 Philly, Tin Angel

For Lost Words

2008-12-04T16:59:00.006-05:00

'For Lost Words" is a spoken word/jazz rock opera based on the Vietnam poetry of Yusef Komunyakaa, composed by Vince di Mura. I've seen this live twice. It's incredible. A beautiful blend of music, poetry and history. Only Vince could pull off something this deep and sensual.

All available to you via CD/downloads.
http://www.digstation.com/ArtistAlbums.aspx?albumID=ALB000023086

http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=vince+di+mura%3A+for+lost+words

http://cdbaby.com/cd/vincedimura2

'Hair' to the 'Spray'

2008-12-04T16:42:00.006-05:00

Rider University grad, Amy Toporek, who was a member of the tribe in my production of 'Hair' (Rider) is starring as Tracy Turnblad in 'Hairspray' at the Walnut Street Theatre. I couldn't be more thrilled for her. She's got quite the vocals.

I loved both versions of the movie, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the musical; even better with her as the lead.

You can't stop the beat!

November 4 – January 4
Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters

http://walnutstreettheatre.org/season/hairspray.php

Bag the Habit

2008-12-04T16:24:00.006-05:00

Bag the Habit has a new line of produce & tote bags. Artwork designed by dear friend, Holly Tienken.

The shoppers in you circle will love these 'green' gifts for Christmas. And so will the environment.

http://www.bagthehabit.com/shop.html

Stuart Duncan's Review of 'Cabaret'

2008-11-23T20:52:00.005-05:00

What's that about 'suggestive dancing'?

http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/11/11/time_off/theater_reviews/doc4919b7bf47af0512019814.txt

The Mayor Never Sleeps...

2008-11-09T19:10:00.006-05:00

I joke that Matt Cauley will be the next Mayor of NYC, following in the footsteps of our boss, Mike Bloomberg. But the truth is, Matt isn't spending his time kissing babies. He's making his own headlines. Check it out:

http://www.dironcowprod.com/features/accolades/icparticle.html

Turkey Eve

2008-11-09T18:43:00.008-05:00

Everyone knows that the best party night of the year is the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. But only the cool kids know the place to celebrate. And that is where the annual Turkey Testicle Festival will be. Get there to give thanks. Big D always serves up the finest turkey balls.

Don McCloskey
Wednesday, November 26th
Time: 10:30 pm
Doc Watson's
216 South 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA

http://www.drwatsonspub.com/

http://www.enormousd.com/

Jazz-Blues-Latin Fusion

2008-11-09T18:32:00.004-05:00

Vince di Mura and The George Street Project
A Performance of jazz-blues-latin fusion

Featuring
Chris Brown on Drums
Dan Fabricatore on Bass
and Dre' di Mura on Electric Guitar

Two nights, two venues:

Friday, November 14th at 8:00 PM
$10.00 Cover Charge
The Jazzberry Patch
Located at 330, Queen Ave Rd. in Teaneck NJ

Saturday, November 15th at 8:00 PM
$10.00 Cover Charge
The Looking Glass Arts Center, Salon 33
Located at 800, Alexander Rd. in Princeton Junction, NJ

The Kit Kat Club is proud to present Rider/Westminster's production of

2008-10-15T20:53:00.007-04:00

Set in 1929-1930 Berlin on the eve of the Nazis’ rise to power, this stunning musical is considered one of America’s musical theater classics. Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub becomes a metaphor for the decadent state of Berlin society wherein the lives of various troubled characters are explored.

** Recommended for mature audiences. **

Dates/Times:
November 6, 7, 13 at 7:00 PM
November 8, 14, 15 at 8:00 PM

Reservations:
8 PM shows CAN be reserved by emailing ticketbooth@rider.edu
7 PM shows CANNOT be reserved. Tickets will only be available in the lobby starting one hour before curtain. GET THERE EARLY!

Tickets:
Prices range from $5 to $20, depending on the date and if you are a student.

Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb; Book by Joe Masteroff

Directed by Patrick Chmel
Musical Direction by Jerry Rife
Vocal Direction by Philip Orr
Choreography by Crystal Moore

Rider University
The Yvonne Theater, Fine Arts Bldg.
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Directions:
http://www.rider.edu/1330.htm

Gigs this Weekend

2008-10-13T21:29:00.000-04:00

Vince di Mura is playing with
Barry Blues
Friday, October 17th
Crossroads
78 North Ave
Garwood, NJ 07027
http://www.crossroadsatgarwood.com/

Ray Kubian is playing with
Frankenstein 3000
Saturday, October 18th
The Brighton Bar
121 Brighton Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
http://www.myspace.com/thebrightonbar

Day-Glo Halloween

2008-09-24T11:07:00.000-04:00

Don McCloskey is throwing a day-glo Halloween party in Philly. Full band show at the Tin Angel! To quote the one and only Big D “If Kanye West's glow-in-the-dark tour were to get romantic with the mexican day of the dead, this party would be it's bastard love child. Skeletons, day-glo, pandas, glockenhorror, halloween night, etc."

No doubt this will sell out. Get yo' tix now.
http://www.comcasttix.com/east/eventinfo/DonMcCloskeyBandTinAngel.php

Save-the-dates for "Cabaret"

2008-09-20T19:10:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to get these dates out to all my fans. :)

For those of you that don't know... I'm choreographing 'Cabaret' at Rider University. Performances will run Nov 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, & 15. Ticket info and times will be posted by mid October.

Inside scoop: I'm only 2 dance rehearsals in to this show, and holy lingerie these kids are blowing me away. You won't want to miss this. Mark ya calendars now!

Dre di Mura Rocks Out

2008-09-20T18:55:00.001-04:00

14-year-old Dre di Mura rocks it out with his Pops. Check out his debut performance at Rhythms of the Night last week. In the words of Vince di Mura, "a little Stevie Wonder via Stevie Ray."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwflQEspDE0

"Glockenspiel" Video

2008-09-20T18:36:00.000-04:00

We've waited a long time for the next Big D (Don McCloskey) music video. Ladies and Gentlemen, it has arrived. Yours truly also makes her video debut as a Rapunzel fairy. I get my close-up around 3:33, "for real, for real, for real."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dSOk3eIzII

Art showcase at SVA

2008-09-10T21:27:00.000-04:00

Running from now through Oct 8th, Matt Cauley has a one-man-show on display at SVA. The show is located at the School of Visual Arts, 380 2nd Avenue, 8th Fl, NYC.

4 out of the 5 paintings are of my co-workers. Pretty amazing stuff.

Jodi Inverso

2008-09-01T20:16:00.000-04:00

My friend Jodi is trying to expand her freelance business. She specializes in creative/design direction and marketing communications.

http://jodiinverso.com/

Vince di Mura Upcoming Projects

2008-09-01T19:42:00.000-04:00

A great talent, friend and inspiration Vince di Mura, has a few upcoming projects. I saw FOR LOST WORDS last year at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton. Incredible.

The George Street Project performs with Jazz/Blues singer, Kyia Stoutt.
Everything from Gershwin to Jonathan Larson.
Saturday, September 13th at 7:00 pm
Westminister Choir College of Rider University, Princeton NJ
Admission is FREE.

Courageous Mac (A Reunion of the Macarones and di Muras)
Thursday, September 18th at 9:30 pm
Rhythms-of-the-Night
729 S. Main St, Manville, NJ 08835
www.rhythms-of-the-night.com

The New York Premier and CD release party of
FOR LOST WORDS.
With Jasper McGruder and Annielee Moffett.
Text by Yusef Komunyakaa; From Dien Cai Dau.
And making his NY debut, blues/rock guitarist DRE' DI MURA.
Monday, September 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
The Cornelia Street Café 29 Cornelia Street, NYC
Admission TBA and 1 drink min.

2008 New York International Fringe Festival

2008-07-29T20:26:00.000-04:00

One of my former students, Jessica Goldschmidt is in this!

Be Brave, Anna!

Aug. 15 - Aug. 23

Featuring its all-star original cast, this critically acclaimed French-style melodrama by genius Brown alum Tara Schuster tells the sordid, morbid, heartwarming and heartbreaking saga of one Anna Nicole Smith; her meteoric rise to fame, her tragic downfall, and most importantly her all-American reality television dream! Last produced at Brown University in October of 2007, "Anna!" played to packed houses and screaming, swooning fans, and this brand new production, directed by genius Brown alum James Rutherford, promises nothing less.

For tickets, http://www.bebraveanna.com/ or http://www.fringenyc.org/.

Adena Artale (Wirski)

2008-07-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

My friend Adena is back on the acting circuit and looking for film work. She's an incredible talent. She can own any character.

Beautiful, comedic, intelligent and dedicated, Adena has been known to speak Yiddish and worry about her liver.

Contact her at adenawirski@hotmail.com.

Moving Up!

2008-07-02T16:19:00.001-04:00

For those of you that haven’t seen an episode of MOVING UP…

The show follows a chain of new homeowners, who moved into one another’s homes and begin the design and renovation process. Lucky girl & friend, Kira Delgado purchased a home in Fairless Hills, PA, and part of the package was to be on this show. The former owners had won the lottery and moved to a bigger home. The episode, THE LOTTERY WINNERS, has already aired. But, I’m sure they’ll repeat it on TLC.

A Very Tuscan Wedding

2008-07-02T16:15:00.000-04:00

Former colleague, Stephanie Shaddock's wedding has been featured on http://portovert.com/. The wood-burning pen could be the coolest idea ever. Friend and colleague, Ali Jeffery, designed the invitations for this beautiful event as well.

Check out the article: http://portovert.com/napa_green_wedding

Joy of Movement Dance Center

2008-07-02T16:13:00.000-04:00

Amazing dancer & friend, Jennifer Smith-Koye has started her own dance center. If you or someone you know live in/near the Jamison, PA area, please pass this info around. She is currently offering a summer program for children.

http://www.joyofmovementdancecenter.com/

Big D on Tour

2008-07-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

Singer/Songwriter, Don McCloskey, has a bucketload of upcoming shows. Get to them. Show listings on EnormousD.com or Myspace.com/donmccloskey. Venues include: The Rocking Chair in Avalon, The House of Blues in Atlantic City, The Beachcomber in Cape Cod, The Standard in Atlanta, GA and many more.

Also, stay tuned for his next video release, “Glockenspiel,” on Youtube. I’m in it!

Illustrations for Macy's T-shirts

2008-07-02T16:05:00.000-04:00

Good friend and colleague, Matt Cauley recently had the opportunity to work with Macy’s to illustrate designs for Boys T-shirts. These shirts are all on the GREENDOG or EPIC THREADS labels and retail for less than 10 bucks. So buy them for you kids, nephews, cousins, etc…

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/rhinodozer.gif

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/1.jpg

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/trex.jpg

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/3.jpg

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/robot_bball.gif

http://www.ironcowprod.com/shirts/4.jpg

To see his other work, visit http://www.ironcowprod.com.

Feed 100

2008-07-02T12:22:00.000-04:00

Whole Foods Market teamed up with Select Design, one of the vendors that I work with, to produce the FEED 100 Bag to Feed Hungry School Children in Rwanda. Each one purchased provides 100 Nutritious Meals for hungry school children in Rwanda through the United Nation World Food Program's School Feeding Program.

Designed solely for Whole Foods Market, the FEED 100 reusable bag is made of organic cotton and natural burlap and is produced with a commitment to ensuring fair treatment of workers, livable wages, paid overtime and safe and clean working environments. It is a lightweight, fresh white tote that collapses easily into its base, which is a zippered rectangular burlap pouch emblazoned with the FEED logo and the number 100.

This bag is only $29.99 & can be purchased at Whole Foods Market.
For a listing of stores, visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

For more info:
http://www.feedprojects.org/
http://www.selectdesign.com/