Art Across The River 2007

The Annual Art Across The River Festival took place simultaneously in Portland, PA and Columbia, NJ on Sunday September 30th. The event featured numerous artists and crafters from the areas which could be visited by crossing a foot bridge connecting the two towns separated by the Delaware River. Theresa Popiolek*, Linda Mann*, and Marcia Flammonde* were among the participants along with many new friends I met that day. Arline M. Smeltz* and Tricia Lippert Lowery* were among the many who visited the event. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Art Across The River Gallery 2007 at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Co Op Bookhouse

The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL)* in Stroudsburg, PA presented Jazz Quintet Co-Op-Bop* www.co-opbop.net during their Bookhouse Concert Series on Friday September 28th. The Concert was filled with the lively relaxed sounds great jazz is known for to a delightfully pleasant evening for all who attended. Rob Ramos* and Linnae Cintron* (both of The EMPL) along with Arline M. Smeltz* was among appreciative audience who attended the event. The Next Bookhouse concert will be Singer-Songwriter Zac Lawless www.zaclawless.com with Ross the Mentalist on Friday October 26th. Please contact The Eastern Monroe Public Library* at 570-421-0800 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Co Op Bookhouse Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Spooky Sherman Meetings

The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA held their first meeting to plan this year’s Haunted Theatre Event on Monday September 24th. The Actual event will be held October 26th and 27th. Many ideas were shared but they won’t be revealed here as they may cause nightmares. Cheryl Yost*, Theresa Woehrel*, Bill Kelly*, and Arline M. Smeltz* along with Richard and Catherine Berkowitz* were among those who contributed their ideas toward the event. If you knew what some of those ideas were, you may not send too much time with these people. Pretty scary stuff. The next meeting to plan The Haunted Theatre Event will be Friday October 5th at 6pm. Numerous volunteers are welcomed to participate especially actors and people with theatre and/or film experience. Please contact The Sherman Theatre* at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Spooky Sherman Meetings Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Stroud Finale

The Stroud Township* Summer Gazebo Concert Series near Stroudsburg, PA presented The Bonnie Childs Trio* as their final concert for the 2007 Summer season on Sunday September 23rd. It was a wonderful early evening filled with nostalgic songs that created meaningful memories for all who experienced them. Arline M. Smeltz* were among those who enjoyed the entertaining finale. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Stroud Finale Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Columcille Equinox

The Columcille Megalithic Park and Celtic Center* in Bangor, PA held a Fall Equinox Celebration and Celtic Concert featuring a dedication of the new stone work "The Celtic Eye" with bagpipe music by Darius Kaufman* along with Sarah Cohea on recorders and Ann Socha on Celtic Harp on Sunday September 23rd. It was an inspiring afternoon filed with peaceful reverence fot the change in seasons. Bill Cohea* of The Columcille Megalithic Park and Celtic Center*, Arline M. Smeltz*, Mark Letchy*, Wendy Watkins*, Gary Lambert*, Peter Taney*, Amy Cramer*, and Cheryl Peretz* along with Pat and Terri Gaughan* were among the people who made the afternoon a wonderful way to spend the first day of Autumn. The next event at The Columcille Megalithic Park and Celtic Center* will be a Samhuinn Celebration with a Torch lit pageant on Sunday October 27th. Please contact The Columcille Megalithic Park and Celtic Center* at (610) 588-1174 for more information. You’ll find numoerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Columcille Equinox Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Musical Habitat

The Monroe Chapter of Habitat for Humanity held a Habitat Awareness Concert entitled “Raise The Roof” at The St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tannersville, PA featuring the lending of choirs (both individually and collectively) from the vast area on Sunday September 16th. It was an inspiring evening filled with religious music and hymns all to benefit those who are without homes. The Monroe Chapter of Habitat for Humanity works with local builders to provide homes for families who are in need of them. Arline M. Smeltz*, Anna Busteed*, and Suzanne McCool were among the voices that made the evening a delight to experience while Don and Rose Busteed* were among the appreciative audience. Please contact The Monroe Chapter of Habitat for Humanity at 570-476-9846 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Musical Habitat Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Electric Mussorgsky

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Poconos* in Stroudsburg, PA presented a live concert entitled “Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition” and was performed by Electric Diamond featuring Don Slepian* along with Greg and Hong Waltzer* on September 15th. It was a wonderfully relaxed presentation filled with many meditative sounds and images. Arline M. Smeltz* and Jane Slepian* along with Spencer and Nancy Reed* were among the appreciative audience who experienced a transcendence during the performance. Please contact The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Poconos* at 570-420-0580 for more information about them and the work they do relating to the arts. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Electric Mussorgsky Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

COTA 2007

The Celebration of the Arts (COTA)* began their 30th Annual festival on Thursday September 6th with a World Premiere presentation of “Buttercup Days” which is a Jazz Suite composed by COTA* Co-Founder Phil Woods* at The Sherman Theatre* (www.shermantheatre.com) in Stroudsburg, PA and is based upon the A. A. Milne work entitled, “Now We Are Six.” This special event was held as an addition to the three day event usually associated with COTA* in commemoration of their 30th Anniversary. The evening was filled with poetry, singing, and the great jazz compositions which enchanted and entertained the large audience which attended the event. It was a great prelude to the festival and it was appreciated by all.

The festival continued the next evening on Friday September 7th in Delaware Water Gap, PA with Opening Reception of the Music Motif Show at The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery* (www.dutotmuseum.com) and an evening of Music, Theatre, and Dance at The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain*(www.churchofthemountain.org) My duties of preparing the presentations at the church prohibited me from attending the Opening Reception, but this does not mean my evening was void of meaningful and satisfying experiences. After all, I did manage to visit the gallery later during the festival and I enjoyed that experience a great deal. The evening at the church began with the theatrical hilarity of The Water Gap Players which has gained a reputation of presenting biting comedic sketches sprinkled with social and political commentary brining some thought to those who enjoy the humor. The evening continued with the renderings of Calliope whose soothing sounds pleases all who cherish the classics of the centuries.

Anita Bondi* and Company presented their final performance. After making her introductory remarks which included the announcement of this being their final performance, there was a pause before she expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to share her love for dance with the simple words of “Thank you.” Each member of the audience utilized that pause to recount the many meaningful insights the years of performances and how they had enhanced their lives. The hearing of the words “Thank you” placed each remembrances forever in their hearts. The performance which followed was an accumulation of all the love embodied Anita Bondi* and Company’s love and talent in this discipline.

The evening at The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain* concluded with the relaxing sounds of Jazz Pianist Donna Antonnow and her trio. It was a wonderful end to a great evening as it entreated the audience to discover what was yet to come during the two day outdoor festival. Ah, the delights that awaited them.

The outdoor festival on was greeted by some opening remarks by PA State Representative John J. Siptroth*. The music began Saturday September 8th at 12 noon with The Absolute Trio and ended after 9pm on Sunday September 9th with the Bottom O’ the Fox All Stars. These brief doesn’t come near to bring all the incredible happenings of the festival justice. In fact, no amount of words can do so. All I can say is, I’ve taken a great many pictures as they seem to share more than words can convey. You’ll find even more pictures taken by COTA’s official photographers on their website at www.cotajazz.org. There will also be a broadcast of the entire festival on WVIA TV (PBS)* sometime in November if not earlier.

The greatest please I had during the festival is meeting people. I have seen many among The Forwardian Arts Society fellowship during my time at COTA* and they are too numerous to mention without the risk of forgetting to name a few. However, I do welcome your comments, recollections, and reflections on what your experiences were. So, please feel free to comment on this blog and/or the picture I took. Share them with your friends who may not see this. I thank you for being my friend and for all the things you mean to me.

You’ll find a complete album of photographs taken during the Celebration of the Arts at The Forwardian Arts Society COTA 2007 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Final COTA Meeting

The Celebration of the Arts (COTA)* held their final meeting to plan their 30th annual festival honoring all areas of the arts especially the lively yet relaxed form of Jazz Music at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA on Tuesday September 4th. However, before the meeting took place, The Water Gap Races presented their first “Run in the Gap.” It had very little to do with the meetings but I couldn’t help think associating the beginning of that race to the beginning of another 30 years of COTA with all the stamina and endurance that will require. It was great to witness this event as it was the meeting which brought many month of planning and coordinating to an end toward this year’s event. COTA* will begin Thursday September 6th at The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA with a special presentation for children of all ages and continues in Delaware Water Gap, PA on Friday September 7th until Sunday September 9th. Cyndie Dutkiewicz*, Lauren Chamberlain-Mussner*, Jim Wyckoff*, Christine Trembly*, Cheryl Read*, and Tim Helman* (Board Members of COTA) were among those who attended. Richard Chamberlain* and Phil Woods* (two of the co founders of COTA*) were there along with Marie Steeger*, Cheryl Joubert*, Jill Goodwin*, Katie Roche*, Pat and Terri Gaughan* and Bob and Jamie Garner* and were also present. Please Contact COTA* at 570-424-2210 or visit www.cotajazz.org for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society COTA Meetings 2007 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Stroudfest 2007 and More

The First Annual Stroudfest 2007 took place throughout Stroudsburg, PA on Saturday September 1st. The Courthouse Square and the entire Main Street was filled with music, art, food, and merchandise representing the variety of businesses populating the downtown area. The entire event was a joyous celebration of what the town has to offer culturally alongside the material conveniences which enhances our lives. This included many musical performances at the Main Stage and an acoustic performance by Split Fifty* at The Main St. Jukebox*. This event was followed by the Monthly Evening on Main which features the galleries which enlightens the Main Street area. These Galleries include Artspace featuring the works of Richard Spezzano* and Don Manza. In addition to this, The Sherman Theatre* held its First Annual Reggae Festival within its arts center. Please contact Stroudfest at 570-421-2200 for more information on this and next year’s festival. I’ve meet so many of Our Good Friends who are members of The Forwardian Arts Society, any attempt to name them all would result in neglecting more than a few. So, I won’t. However, I invite you to share your experiences of the events on this Blog and/or comment on my words and images. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Stroudfest 2007 and More Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.