‘First Night’ N.J. events reel a bit in recession, but thousands still enjoy New Year’s Eve fun

N.J. residents turned out in big numbers for the popular alcohol-free celebrations

Looking back on 2010: Top stories around Morristown

This has been a big year for Morristown, and for MorristownGreen.com.

We started MG with The Star-Ledger at the tail end of 2007, and I re-launched it as an independent venture in May of 2010. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this possible. There certainly has been no shortage of stories to cover!

So many, in fact, that it’s very hard to rank them. So let’s tackle the big ones in no particular order except for….

KABOOM!

My vote for Story of the Year in Morristown is the May 3 explosion at the Morristown & Township Library. Miraculously, there were no injuries. Alert staff recognized warning signs and evacuated the building moments before the blast.

Luckily, the library had not yet opened for patrons that morning. And busloads of schoolchildren coming to the Community Theatre, right across the street, were still en route when the basement explosion blew out windows and buckled floors at the library.

The cause remains under investigation. Library officials hope to reopen a portion of the structure early in 2011. We take Mayor Dougherty at his word that the cause will be unearthed–a 1994 library blast never got solved–so that library staff and patrons never are put at risk again.

The May incident has reminded everyone of the integral role the library plays in our daily lives–and how extremely fortunate we are that no precious lives were lost.

Images of 2011 from around Morristown

LOSSES

Lauren Failla, a 25-year-old member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, died while snorkeling in India in April. She touched many lives and always will be missed.

The Colonial Symphony folded after 62 years of beautiful music in the Morristown area.

After 40 years of helping low-income families in Morristown, the Collinsville Child Care Center moved to Whippany.

CRIME

Morristown teenager Nigel Dumas was charged with felony murder and robbery in connection with the fatal beating of a Salvadoran immigrant in Summit in July.

ODDEST STORY

A St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Easter bonnets?  Just about. The Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled moments before its scheduled start in March by town officials concerned about gusty winds. (When porta-johns started toppling, they knew it was time to pull the plug.) A sparse crowd watched the rescheduled parade weeks later, in April.

CAUSES FOR CELEBRATION

Nobody was injured when the library blew up.

Foundations, individuals and the nonprofit NJ After 3 rescued the STARS after-school program of the Morristown Neighborhood House after state cutbacks had jeopardized it.

Civic involvement is on the rise; happenings are sprouting all over town. While it might be a stretch to peg all this to Tim Dougherty being sworn in as mayor last January, his upbeat, inclusive style has sent positive ripples from town hall.

Among the year’s exciting developments:

The third annual Morristown’s Got Talent! show packed the Community Theatre and raised $30,000 for the Morris School District. The second Revolutionary Times Weekend was so successful that George Washington came to see for himself.

Grow It Green Morristown opened the Urban Farm at Lafayette--its second community garden in town.

Our Youth, Their Future, a new organization started by single moms, focused attention on solving problems facing minority youths in Morristown.

Nice crowds turned out for Sustainable Morristown’s first Festival Earth celebration, for  our third annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest, for the Arts Council’s first Pumpkin Illumination and for the first Art Around the Park gallery walk.

The Morristown Partnership’s annual fall Festival on the Morristown Green and the Christmas Festival on the Morristown Green showed off the downtown, which celebrated the holidays with its first windows decorating contest.

After a shaky start, the Morristown High School football team won its first state title since 1999. The Colonials, whose lineup mirrors the diversity that makes Morristown so fascinating, trounced Nutley, 40-6, at the New Meadowlands Stadium in December. Kevin Gaskins ran for more than 300 yards, capping a phenomenal season for the running back.

No doubt, First Night Morris County will close out this jam-packed year with more memorable moments.

We are only skimming the surface here, of course. What events get your votes for the biggest local stories of 2010?  Was it a good year for you, or one that’s best viewed from a safe distance?  Please add your comments below, or on our Facebook page.

And have a very Happy New Year!  See you in ’11.

Step right up and get your badges for First Night Morris County

Brandi Marks and Amberle Gilroy are at their post, near the indoor waterfall of the Hyatt Morristown, ready to sell you a badge for First Night Morris County.  Go ahead, make their day!

A $25 badge gets you into as many events as you can manage between 7 pm and midnight. Fireworks on the Morristown Green, 9:15 pm and midnight.

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

The fun starts at 7 pm! Forty acts, 80 performances, two sets of fireworks. Admission badges are $25 and may be purchased at the Community Theatre or at the Hyatt Morristown. A badge gets you into any and all First Night events. Please share your photos and reviews with us!

Photos, guitars, drums and more, tonight at First Night in Morristown

Like photography?  Stop by the Masonic lodge on Maple Avenue tonight to see the winners of the First Night photo contest.

There also are some provocative shots at the Atrium Gallery, in the county records building on Court Street.

And here’s a preview of the Frank Vignola Trio. They will be playing at the First Baptist Church at 7:15 pm and 8:15 pm.

And now for something completely different, try Taikoza…. This Japanese percussion ensemble will be at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 9:45 pm and 10:45 pm.

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

The fun starts at 7 pm! Forty acts, 80 performances, two sets of fireworks. Admission badges are $25 and may be purchased at the Community Theatre or at the Hyatt Morristown. A badge gets you into any and all First Night events. Please share your photos and reviews with us!

MG Kids: Have no illusions; David Garrity will bring real magic to First Night in Morristown

By Alyse Jefferson, MG Kids Correspondent

First Night Morris County is one of this biggest nights for Morristown.  Several artists will showcase their talents to keep everyone entertained until the start of 2011.  It doesn’t matter your age, there is something for everyone on New Year’s Eve !

A newcomer to First Night is an illusionist, David Garrity.  Although this is David’s first year performing at First Night, he has been mesmerizing audiences for 20 years.

David realized his passion for magic during a family vacation, and after high school started to fulfill his dream of becoming an illusionist.

He performs all over the world, at community events, resorts and theme parks.  A self-taught magician– with help from library books and fellow magicians in his hometown of Hartford, CT — David works hard to add new material to his performances.

When asked what kids and adults will get from his performances, David said he hopes “kids think it is cool to see live magic and adults get to feel like a kid again.”

David Garrity will be performing upstairs in Morristown’s Presbyterian Parish House at 7 pm and 8:15 pm. To learn more about him, see www.magicalartist.com.

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

The fun starts at 7 pm!  Forty acts, 80 performances, two sets of fireworks. Admission badges are $25 and may be purchased at the Community Theatre or at the Hyatt Morristown. A badge gets you into any and all First Night events. Please share your photos and reviews with us!

Illusionist David Garrity. Catch him at 7 tonight at First Night Morris County.

Illusionist David Garrity goes through hoops for his fans.

Harmonium can’t wait for First Night in Morristown

What better way to ring in a new year than with joyous sounds?  The Harmonium Choral Society knows exactly how to do this–which has made the ensemble a fan favorite at First Night Morris County for virtually the entire 19 years of the festival in Morristown.

Harmonium gave memorable holiday performances of its Cantata for the Animals at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church earlier this month. On New Year’s Eve, the choir crosses South Street to the Church of the Redeemer.

We asked Harmonium Artistic Director Anne Matlack to share some First Night memories. For the free-wheeling flavor of the choir, check out the video promo below that we did a couple of years back.

MorristownGreen.com: Hi Anne. How many years has Harmonium played First Night?

Anne Matlack: I’m not sure if it was from the beginning or the second year, so about 18 years!

MG: Why do you enjoy this gig?  Any favorite First Night memories?

Anne Matlack: We always get a lot of folks hearing us for the first time at this event, so we try to put on a good variety of music. It’s of course not the full hundred singers, but a solid 30 or so. 

Bonnie Monte [artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey] finally heard us at First Night two years ago and the first piece we did gave her the idea of working with us on a soundscape for Hamlet the next year.

Other less intellectual stories include spontaneously doing the Macarena to Goodnight Sweetheart one year–that MUST have been the 90s!

MG: What material will you be performing this year?

Anne Matlack: The program includes the surround-sound pieces we began and ended out December concerts with, Earth Song by Ticheli and Hope for Resolution which combines a Christmas chant and a South African freedom song.

It also includes some Hebrew pieces, several folksong settings featuring different soloists, and the Morristown premiere of Chatham composer David Thomson’s setting of A.A. Milne’s King John’s Christmas.

David has written a lot of settings of A.A.Milne and I gave the world premiere with a mixed choir of Grace Church families and kids, David’s family and some Harmonium folks last July in something at Grace Madison we called the “Teddy Bear” concert.  It was a freewill donation benefit that raised $1000 for the Madison Library. The piece is tuneful and charming to go with the “story-poem”!

MG: Will Sharlys Dugan sing with you or Dugan’s Hooligans?

Anne Matlack: Sharlys is performing with both! We are before the 9 pm fireworks and they are after.

We’ve had other Harmonium folks do double duty before–namely John Lamb with the Early Music Players, but this year they are scheduled opposite us.

Sharlys is a wonderful musician. We used Dugan’s Hooligans last year for a performance of the Celtic Mass…then she decided to join as a singer. In Harmonium we do lots of styles, as you know. Last year, Sharlys played Irish whistle with a Chamber Singers Celtic piece.

MG: A newspaper story suggested hard economic times could bring down the curtain on First Night. What would that mean for the community?

Anne Matlack: That would be really sad. People should come out and support this excellent way to see in the year and support local restaurants and local performers.  There is surely something for everyone and the price can’t be beat.

I disagree that economics are the reason. It costs the same as a movie or two. It would be more likely apathy. There is nothing like live performance, so everyone should personally invite your friends!

MG: Thanks, Anne. Good luck Friday, and Happy New Year!

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

There’s still time to get discounted badges for First Night Morris County, the New Year’s Eve entertainment extravaganza in Morristown. They are on sale through Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Community Theatre, and at FirstNightMorris.com, for $20, or $70 for four badges. On dec. 31, all badges are $25. A badge gets you in to as many performances as you like…there are 80 to choose from!

New for New Year’s Eve: Singer Christine DeLeon at First Night in Morristown

If you’re looking for something new on New Year’s Eve, give Christine DeLeon a listen at First Night Morris County.

Let’s clarify that. Christine is new to First Night. Fans of The Minstrel series in Morris Township already are enamored of her crystal-pure voice and catchy songs. And she won new fans at our MG Film Fest and Festival Earth this year.

Christine will perform at 9:45 pm and 10:45 pm Friday at the Market Street Mission. She’s pretty excited about the gig, as she explains in this interview:

MorristownGreen.com: First Night has many returning acts. It’s always interesting to hear the impressions of newcomers. What have you heard about First Night Morris County, and what are you feeling as you approach your first one?

Christine DeLeon:  I’m very excited about my first “First Night” for sure!  I simply can’t yet believe that so much could go on in such a concentrated area. I’m looking forward to all the people and the energy that kind of gathering will bring to the occasion. My only worry is that I won’t have
enough time to see and hear absolutely everything.

MG: Typically, how do you spend New Year’s Eve?  Have you performed before on New Year’s Eve?

Christine DeLeon:  I have enjoyed many quiet celebrations of the new year at home with friends and family, and those are very nice ndeed.   But this time I’m going to enjoy a bigger kind of celebration. I have never performed on New Year’s Eve before, so the fact that I’m not only observing the event, but I am actually going to be a part of creating it is a big thrill for me.

MG: Although it’s your first time at First Night, you are no
stranger to the area. You have performed at The Minstrel in Morris
Township, and at MG’s Festival Earth last spring. You also contributed a
song to our Film Festival that was included in a couple of movies. What
sort of reaction have you been getting from folks around Morristown?

Christine DeLeon:  So often, I’ll meet up with someone who once saw a performance of mine in the past and I hear comments from them about a particular song I sang or a story I told and how it touched them.  Many times they’ll say something like “I had a relative with the same kind of apartment as your grandmother’s”  or “Do you wear those shoes with the gold buckles anymore?”  It’s really a huge honor to have been able to pen a song or two that stick with your listeners.

MG: For those who haven’t seen you perform, please share some quick background.  Where are you from, and what set you on a musical path?

Christine DeLeon:  I grew up in Northern New Jersey.  For the last dozen years or so, I’ve lived in Bergen County but have recently married and now reside in this area. I got an acoustic guitar for my 14th birthday and started teaching myself to play it.

My songwriting journey (as I like to call it) was begun when I was about 17. But, more importantly, I can remember the moment in my room when I was about eight years old and was humming along with a song on the radio.  I just knew right then and there that singing was going to be the way I could leave my creative mark in the world.

MG: Who are your musical influences?  How would you describe your music?

Christine DeLeon:  My first serious musical infatuation in grade school years was with John Denver, but he mostly taught me how to harmonize because his voice was not in the same range as mine, so I had to figure out something in order to sing with him.

When I was a teenager in high school, I wanted to sing like Pat Benatar.  Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon was a key influence because he played an acoustic guitar in a rock and roll setting and I thought that was great.

I’ve also worked as a singer in churches for the last 20 years or so and that’s where I learned to be more comfortable singing in front of large crowds.  When I began seriously and actively developing my folk chops about six years ago, Dar Williams was front and center in my emulation.

More recently, as a songwriter, I’ve really taken to local artists like Joe Crookston, Christine Lavin and the folks from Gathering Time. These guys were able to show me that writing songs should be more about the world around the songwriter and not just about the songwriter.  They taught me that it’s very important to be able to step outside yourself and tell someone else’s story, so that’s what I’ve tried to do more of lately.

MG: What will you be playing at First Night?  Who should come to see you, and what can they expect?

Christine DeLeon: In one of the advertisements I read about my performance, it mentioned “wide vocal range and stylistic versatility,” so I thought it was only fair that I try my best to deliver that rainbow.

There will be some songs like I Am Irish where I can enjoy what I love the most, singing and utilizing my higher range.  But I also know it’s a party night, so there will be a few fun sing along songs like my Two Sets of Keys with a catchy chorus.

I want to be a bit eclectic in this performance, knowing that there could be a lot of different people attending. I want every one of them to go away with something that makes them smile and say “yeah, I know what that’s like.”

MG: Thanks, Christine.  Good luck, and Happy New Year!

Christine DeLeon: And many same wishes for you and MorristownGreen.com, Kevin. Thanks so much for your interest!

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

There’s still time to get discounted badges for First Night Morris County, the New Year’s Eve entertainment extravaganza in Morristown. They are on sale through Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Community Theatre, and at FirstNightMorris.com, for $20, or $70 for four badges. On Dec. 31, all badges are $25. A badge gets you in to as many performances as you like…there are 80 to choose from!

This Dugan’s doing double-duty at First Night in Morristown: Sharlys to sing classics with Harmonium, and Celtic with family Hooligans

If First Night Morris County were handing out an Iron Woman award on New Year’s Eve, Sharlys Dugan Leszczuk would be the favorite.

Sharlys, 16, is scheduled to dance, sing and play harp with her family’s Celtic band, Dugan’s Hooligans. (St. Peter’s Parish House in Morristown, 9:45 pm and 10:45 pm.)

That’s after she sings with the Harmonium Choral Society at 7 pm and 8:15 pm, one block away at the Church of the Redeemer.

Does Sharlys run on nuclear power?  Which gig does she fancy more? What’s it like being managed by mom?  Read on!  And how did this 21st century version of the Partridge Family get its start, anyway?  Nancy Dugan, the Hooligans’ manager/mom, dishes the secret sauce.

MorristownGreen.com:  Sharlys, we see that you are playing a First Night doubleheader–Harmonium and the Hooligans.  That sounds exhausting!  How are you preparing yourself for this?  Extra coffee?  Red Bull?

Sharlys: It’s going to be tough, but I’ll rest during the day, and sleep all day New Year’s to recover!  I’ll be super warmed up for DH after all that singing in Harmonium.  It’s very exciting to be that busy, and interesting to run the gamut in one night through centuries of music, and from all over the world. . . singing, dancing, playing.

MG: Is Connor [Sharlys' big brother, who plays fiddle] also doing double-duty at First Night?

Nancy: Connor will be setting up sound for DH.  No double duty for him!

MG:  How did Dugan’s Hooligans come about?

Nancy: We wanted an activity that would engage the children’s minds and bodies and that they could use for enjoyment their whole life long, something that would set them apart from everyone else and make them have a special skill.

On top of that, we wanted something we could do together that would force us to communicate even when adolescence and other life challenges moved in.  It worked like a charm on all levels.

The actual literal forming of the group came about when Dr. Anne Matlack [Harmonium choral director/conductor] asked us to do a fundraiser for Harmonium.  The kids were 7 and 9, and it was the first time we played a whole set together like that.

Bill and Lauren Corson [Ridge Light Opera] were there, and they asked us to participate in their concert series in Basking Ridge, so that was the first time we did two sets.

Mike Agranoff from the Folk Project [the Minstrel series] was there, and he asked us to open an act at the Minstrel, then later we did our own shows.  And so on.  It just built on itself.

MG:  Now that Connor is in college, is that making Dugan’s Hooligans events harder  to pull together?   Tell us what Connor’s been up to, musically?

Nancy: It’s more challenging to get together, but Connor is majoring in violin performance and having all kinds of musical experiences that he couldn’t have with DH.  He’s the type of musician where you can just send him a CD of your stuff, rehearse with him once or twice, put him in your show, and he’ll do a great job.  He can figure things out by ear, and he can play anything that’s written.

He wants to be one of those guys that get called for all kinds of gigs.  He wants to be known as the guy that can do/play anything.  Right now he’s selecting music, musicians and prepping for directing the musical accompaniment to John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath to be at Montclair State University from March 9-12.

It’s quite an honor, and a lot of work.  He was in the production last year at the Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University, so this time he’s at the musical helm with a little professional experience under his belt.

MG: Nancy, would you consider yourself a typical stage mom?  How much grief did the kids give you when you made them practice their instruments?

Nancy: I don’t think anyone would use the word typical in any sense when referring to me!  They only gave me grief until they could actually play something well.  Then they wanted to perform, and I made sure they had audiences all along.

MG: Sharlys, how tough a manager is your mom?   Looking back, how do you feel about all the practice time?

Sharlys: She’s pretty tough, but it paid off.  I’m happy I’m where I’m at musically.

MG: Sharlys, which do you prefer most– singing, dancing, the harp?   Do you prefer singing Celtic tunes with the Hooligans, or classical pieces with Harmonium?   What are your career goals?

Sharlys: I love singing with Harmonium because there’s such an array of beautiful music which gives me a wide repertoire and lots of experiences.  Then I love playing the harp and singing solo as well.  Career?  That changes.  In the last six months it’s gone from CSI operative to veterinarian, entertainment attorney and currently, I’m thinking maybe orthodontist.  Time will tell, and I’ll always have music.

MG:  Nancy, where does George (Leszczuk, your husband) fit into the Hooligans picture?  Do you envision the four of you always performing together in some fashion?

Nancy: George is the great facilitator.  Since the day I met him, everything I’ve thought up, he’s figured out a way to engineer it into a reality.  We predict that we will be tossed out of the band as soon as [the kids] figure out how to make a musical living on their own without me sticking my nose into everything.

MG:  When you’re all at home, do you ever play together just for fun?  At Christmas, perhaps?  Or are you strictly a professional enterprise now?

Nancy: It’s been hard enough to do the things we’ve been engaged to do, so no, we haven’t gotten a whole lot of fun playing in except for a couple of times we get together with other musicians just for fun a couple of times a year.

MG: How many time have you played First Night?  What do you remember from those gigs?  What do you enjoy about First Night?

Nancy: This is our fourth First Night.  Historically it’s always been snowing or bitter cold!  But it is always fun, there’s always a great energy all through the towns we’ve played at, and the audiences are usually big, appreciative and very satisfying to play for.

MG:   For those who have not seen the Hooligans, what can they expect on Friday?

George: Forty-five minutes of the best tunes you never heard before.

Connor: A chance to watch a functional family in action.

Nancy: In all, an engaging and eclectic musical evening that’s enjoyable for everyone no matter what their age or musical tastes.

FIRST NIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NIGHT PROGRAM

MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT…

There’s still time to get discounted badges for First Night Morris County, the New Year’s Eve entertainment extravaganza in Morristown. They are on sale through Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Community Theatre, and at FirstNightMorris.com, for $20, or $70 for four badges. On dec. 31, all badges are $25. A badge gets you in to as many performances as you like…there are 80 to choose from!

Art walk returning to Morristown on Feb. 1 with more venues

Art Around the Park went so well in November that the organizers are ready to do another art walk in Morristown.

Scheduled for Feb. 1, the next walk will add two venues, a free shuttle bus and a meal special at the Hyatt Morristown.

“The mission of Art Around the Park is pure and simple: Create a reputation for Morristown as an arts destination,” said Harry Simon, owner of the Simon Gallery on Bank Street.

Once again, the walk will showcase exhibitions at his gallery and at Gallery Egan; the Gallery at 14 Maple, which is curated by the Arts Council of the Morris Area; and the Hyatt Morristown’s Eclectic Grill. Harry will curate the latter exhibition.

New venues are the lobby of the Gensler architectural firm at 10 Park Place, and the Atrium Gallery at 10 Court Street.

Harry also is curating the Gensler exhibition. It will feature Philadelphia artist Matthew Craig, who specializes in “hard-line geometric abstraction,” Harry said.

The Atrium’s exhibition, Memories of Russell, will honor the late Russell Aldo Murray, one of the founders of Art in the Atrium, and will showcase works by more than 30 African-American artists.

“That show is a fantastic show,” the Arts Council’s Kadie Dempsey said of the Atrium exhibition. “We’re all hoping this art walk will be bigger and better than the last one.”

“The more you can see in an art walk, the better,” Harry said. “Our goal in creating this reputation is to entice anyone interested in opening a commercial gallery anywhere in New Jersey to make that location Morristown.”

Scenes from the first Art Around the Park tour:

A $25 prix fixe menu at the Eclectic Grill after the walk will offer participants a chance to discuss what they have seen, while dining on chicken puttanesca with Mediterranean couscous and seared tilapia with lemon dill butter and zucchini fritters.

The Arts Council counted 120 people at the November event, which was modeled after Philadelphia’s First Friday art tours.

“We learned that it was appreciated, and that it was viable. Enough people in the community, when they learn of it, will come out and take the walk,” Harry predicted.

And if the weather is really cold this time, they can hop a free shuttle bus. Broadway Elite, a bus company that serves the Hyatt Morristown, has volunteered its services.

Alexis Egan, owner of Gallery Egan, said the November walk encouraged her.

“It got a really great response,” she said. “A lot of people signed up for my mailing list . . . People are really excited about it.”

That includes the artists, who plan to be present on Feb. 1, according to Alexis.

Her gallery will be displaying works by Kimberly Martin, an abstract expressionist painter from Philadelphia. Robert Atwell will be featured at the Simon Gallery. At 14 Maple, the Whimsy show will be winding down.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the Atrium exhibition. MG regrets the error.

N.J. towns assert budget cuts, layoffs bog down snow removal

Municipalities doing the best they can with diminishing resources

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