This announcement page is provided free-of-charge by the
Classical New Jersey Society
to New Jersey arts organizations.If you have questions, please contract the organization making the
announcement directly, using the information provided on this page.
NEW CONCERT SERIES TO PREMIERE AT 12 MILES WEST
In an exciting addition to its Guest Artist Series, 12 Miles West Center for the Arts in Bloomfield, NJ, is pleased to present R.A.W.: R.andom A.rtists W.orking a new concert series this season featuring a variety of musical performances ranging from classical to rock. With both emerging and established artists, the series has four offerings and begins on Friday, January 27 at 8pm with The New York Percussion Group, then offers an original rock opera as Madmen and Dreamers present The Children of Children on January 28 at 8pm and January 29 at 3pm. The series continues with a concert performance of a new rock opera by local composer Chris Rich (Glen Ridge) Theatre of the Mind on February 3 at 8pm and concludes with classical viola and guitar duet Duo Fresco on February 4 at 8pm. All performances will
be held at 12 Miles West Center for the Arts located at 562 Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield.The first event on Friday, January 27 at 8pm features The New York Percussion Group. Originally formed in 1984 by Barry Centanni, The New York Percussion Group's members are all freelance musicians in the New York metropolitan area who have performed with incredibly diverse ensembles from orchestras including: the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic; to Broadway orchestras for shows such as: The Phantom of the Opera, Grand Hotel, The Secret Garden, to bands including the heavy metal band Metallica, Moody Blues, Yes, Blues Traveler and with such artists
as Whitney Houston, Elton John, James Taylor, Andrea Bocelli, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra. These collective experiences help them bring a unique perspective to their varied repertoire. This promises to be a thrilling evening of music. Tickets are $20 Adults/$15 Students and Seniors.Next up on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8pm and Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3pm, is the original rock opera The Children of Children performed by Madmen and Dreamers. This highly emotional production is one family's inspirational journey through separation, reconciliation and redemption. In the tradition of early rock operas like The Wall, Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell, this show is comprised of four professional actors/singers and a full, live, progressive rock band. Mark Durstewitz, principle composer recalls, "The opera has been a true labor of love. It was started in 1991. The Children of Children was first independently released as a double CD in 2000 with the theatrical production beginning around this time." It has been presented live in full shows and sets all over New York City and northern New Jersey, playing in coffeehouses, festivals, clubs and even Churches, and received a full production debut in June, 2004 at New York City's Merkin Hall. All tickets are $25.
Then on Friday, February 3 at 8pm is a concert performance of Theatre of the Mind a new rock opera presented by Glen Ridge composer Chris Rich and producer Jimmy Wilgus. The debut is the culmination of 15 months of intense work at The Den recording studio in East Hanover. The work features performances by eleven vocalists and a team of accomplished local musicians including the studio's co-owner Zak Rizvi and vocalist Amy Ward. The story centers around a frustrated young inventor who accidentally builds a machine that enables telepathy and tragically falls victim to the machine and the false prospect of success. According to Rich, "traditional rock operas tend to be concept albums with a murky storyline. Our hope was to tell a clear and linear story - to engage the listener with the plot as much as the music. We wanted to evoke an emotional response more characteristic of a classical opera than a rock album." There is a $5 suggested donation; limited seating available.
The R.A.W. series concludes with Duo Fresco on Saturday, February 4 at 8pm. Violist Brett Deubner and guitarist Christopher Kenniff - together known as Duo Fresco perform a magical evening of classical music. Now in its third season, Duo Fresco finds itself at the forefront of the chamber music scene with numerous commissions to their credit, a debut CD recording, and as the artistic directors of their own chamber music series as well as a summer music festival. All tickets are $20.
R.A.W.: R.andom A.rtists W.orking at 12 Miles West Center for the Arts Jan. 27-Feb. 4. Tickets for all performances are available on-line at www.12MilesWest.org or by calling the theater at (973) 259-9187. 12 Miles West Center for the Arts is located at 562 Bloomfield Avenue two blocks West of the Garden State Parkway in the heart of Bloomfield center. All performances are wheelchair accessible.