JERSEY EXPLORATIONS: RIDGEWOOD CONSERVATORY     bY CALVIN SCHWARTZ     May 17th 2015

It’s not often when I leave my journalistic confines of Central Jersey and actually head north on the Garden State Parkway, passing several toll plazas, traversing my old Essex County stomping grounds ( I was born  there) and landing just off Route 17 in Paramus, Bergen County.  Some people would walk a mile for their proverbial indulgence; I would drive over an hour for mine; exploring musical offerings in new worlds.  And thanks to all the advancements in social media, my name and occupation (journalist with proclivities in music, environment, homelessness, hunger) was  picked out of a random hat and I was asked if I’d like to explore the Ridgewood Conservatory/School for the Performing Arts in Paramus. The decision was instant; it would be a positive wonderful learning experience.

Donna Baccaro, Program Director actually found me and my writings on social media and NJ Discover. Just prior to meeting Louis Caimano, Director and Jan King Caimano, Associate Director, Donna and I went through the discovery process as she enhanced my understanding of all they do at Ridgewood Conservatory. Of course I was taken with the depth and breadth of their programs as we toured the facility. To me, there are music schools all over, but there was something special here from the physical plant, to the faculty, most with Masters Degrees, to the wide variety of programs for all age groups, even mine.

Rather than outlining all that I absorbed, I asked Jan Caimano to provide me with general information

Calvin Schwartz   May 17, 2015  

Thanks to Jan Caimano for the encapsulated information:

The Ridgewood Conservatory School for the Performing Arts offers premium instrument, vocal, acting and dance education for students of all levels and ages without going into Manhattan.

The Conservatory’s Director, Lou Caimano, is a consummate professional performer with credits including three degrees in music, 14 Broadway shows, three CD-releases, and too many live and recording performances to possibly list here. Critically acclaimed as an “extraordinary saxophonist,” Lou’s latest CD Dyad Plays Puccini, recorded with pianist Eric Olsen, and was listed as one of the Top 50 Jazz CDs of 2013 by Jazz Times.

The current location has 14 private teaching studios, a large Early Childhood Music room and an elegant Dance/Recital space. This year, The Ridgewood Conservatory’s dance program is undergoing enormous growth under the direction of professional dancer, choreographer and educator, Donna Baccaro. The Conservatory’s newly expanded Dance Program includes private instruction and group classes for students of all ages and levels in ballet and pointe, modern/contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, dance acrobatics, musical theater and ballroom, as well as in pilates for adults.

The Ridgewood Conservatory offers private music lessons by world-class virtuosi on strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, percussion, guitar, and voice; private acting lessons and group workshops; chamber music and jazz ensembles; jazz improvisation workshops; theory and musicianship, composition, music history, audition preparation and music AP coaching for children, teens and adults at all levels.

The Rock Shop offers private lessons as well as band, performance and songwriting coaching, to aspiring rock musicians and vocalists of all ages by our staff of top Rock and R&B professionals. The Early Childhood Program at The Ridgewood Conservatory includes joyful, non-competitive, Music and Dance classes specially designed to meet the developmental needs for the youngest students.

To find out more about The Ridgewood Conservatory, call 201-612-6686 or visit them on the web at www.ridgewoodconservatory.org.

A town wide event at Temple Rodeph Torah of Western Monmouth in Marlboro, New Jersey brought animal lovers together for a special celebration. The Blessing of the Animals celebration began with a gathering of pets and their owners seated before the Rabbi Donald Weber and Cantor Joanna Alexander. The Rabbi spoke of the love and bond between human and animal – “Our connections stretch back to creation and forward to a time when we may find our relationship free of domination and cruelty. We do not know how to measure the joy and spiritual well-being that animals, incapable of speech, provide for us, but we do know that their love is immeasurable and unconditional.”

Each of the blessings were done as individual prayers and songs for “God and Dog”, “Blessings for Cats”, “Blessings for Dogs” and “Blessings for All Animals.” Between songs of prayer and celebration, the Rabbi took special time to pray for the healing of sick animals and remembering animals that have died.

After the ceremony, neighbors, friends and families enjoyed snacks and refreshments beside a fire pit where children toasted marshmallows. The dogs were all wagging their tails and enjoying new friends.

President of the Temple, Larry Rosen, said this was the second year for The Blessing of the Animals and they will continue to celebrate this tradition annually.

-TaraJean McDonald Vitale
NJ Discover

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO SHOW with Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz May 18th 8 PM “LIVING TO 150”

Agreed, the theme of our show on May 18th is a little dramatic and ‘out there.’ But there is so much information, technology and practicality in the world of longevity, that we’d like to begin our own discussions. I have my pet theories, emananting from my sophomore year at Rutgers in 1965 studying pharmacology, about deciding not to age traditionally. I think being open-minded and exploring the universe and learning is part of the process of longevity. I also know we’ve got to be our own advocates for everything concerning our bodies. Our guests for this first show  were carefully considered for what they contribute to the healthful and aging process. Of course, if our show went on for 12 hours, we’d barely scratch the proverbial surface. But every journey begins with a first step. I’m always amazed (I’ll be a little cryptic now) at the depth, diversity and breadth of people pursuing the knowledge and care of our guests.    Calvin Schwartz

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g   on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

WE’RE BACK. BETTER THAN EVER. NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO with your hosts TaraJean Vitale and Cal Schwartz. And what better way to get off to a resounding, healthful opening night than to present our new segment “Living to 150” with very special guests, Dr. Luis Garcia, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, American Biomagnetism and Dr. Lauren Laurino,ND, affectionately known as “Dr. Ren, America’s Holistic Sweetheart” Dr. Ren is a Board Certified, Award Winning Naturopath.

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

The video re-broadcast will be available on YouTube   after May 18th    https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g

For more guest info: Dr. Luis Garcia: http://www.usbiomag.com/aboutus/
Dr. Lauren Laurino: http://laurenlaurino.com/

                                        PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMAGNETISM

Biomagnetism results Dr. Luis Garcia

Patient A: Fungus on index finger for over 20 years…After having treating it with creams, oils, oral medications, etc, it never improved.  After 1 session of BIomagnetism, it disappeared.

Patient B: Excessive dryness, scaling, itchyness on right hand for over 8 months.  After 1 Biomanetism therapy and 3 weeks later, right hand returned to normality.  It was most likely a fungus issue.

Patient C: Unknown pink itchy rash slowly appeared and grew in size in this patients leg for about 3 months.  After 1 Biomagnetism therapy, 4 weeks later it disappeared and only left a slight scar on the skin.  Almost a year has past and leg remains clear of any rash.

SPOTLIGHT: My Conversation with Troubadour, Singer, Songwriter Arlan Feiles after his trip to Selma, Alabama for the 50^th Anniversary Jubilee of March from Selma to Montgomery and a Tribute to Viola Liuzzo       bY Calvin Schwartz          May   3^rd 2015    

Life can be like a synchronistic loose thick thread. Tethered to a pole, it blows in the wind and if you can plot its movement, there might be a message spelled out. Three years ago, who knew I’d become friends with Arlan Feiles. Two summers ago, before the winds of winter arrived, we shot hoops together in each of our backyards and managed to see Kobe and the Lakers play the Brooklyn Nets. Three years ago, Scott Fadynich, a mutual friend, perseverated that I had to hear Arlan Feiles sing. So I did finally at The Saint in Asbury Park. My reaction was instant and lasting; Arlan is an extraordinarily sensitive, introspective, hugely talented singer songwriter with an unusual (for today’s world) social conscience which emanates, permeates and saturates his soulful songs.  I came out of the sixties where troubadours like Dylan, Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Tom Paxton flourished. With Arlan, I felt back home again in the future.

Arlan asked if I wanted to go to Selma for the Jubilee. The timing wasn’t right but I should’ve been there. Perhaps the next best thing was to sit down with Arlan in his kitchen for two hours after he got back. He was invited by the family of Viola Liuzzo to sing the song he wrote seven years ago, ‘Viola’ at the service at a chapel near her memorial on Route 80 in Selma. It’s best if you check this link out on Viola Liuzzo’s life: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_Liuzzo ) Yes, Viola Liuzzo was a housewife in Detroit in 1965, a mother of five and a civil rights activist who went down to Selma to help. She was murdered by the Klan (an FBI informant was in the car that pulled her over) There is still much to the story of courageous Viola that has yet been told. Arlan heard about Viola, the only white woman murdered in the civil rights movement. He was so moved by her life and death, that he wrote the song ‘Viola’ and became part of the Liuzzo family. More on that later. Also, here is Arlan singing ‘Viola’ on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPpihyVY0JE

His kitchen was comfortable; the family dog rested on my left shoe under the table. This interview is streams of consciousness and in the exact order of revelation. I asked about what I read about Viola and the FBI.  “Viola got it from both directions. Hoover hated Dr. King and Jimmy Hoffa even more.” Viola’s husband was an executive with the Teamsters in Detroit.  Arlan jumped to the flight home. “I flew home with Lucy Baines Johnson and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. We talked about Viola. I gave them both CDs and told them why I was there.”

I mentioned to Arlan about the synchronicity of the night before when I was at a new gig as co-host of Danny Coleman’s Rock on Radio Show. Walking around the 40 Foot Hole Studio, which was really part of the living quarters of the Murray Grove Retreat Center and Universalist Unitarian Church, I saw a poster of a hundred Church members who made a difference including pictures of Albert Schweitzer, Charles Darwin and Dickens, Clara Barton and Pete Seeger. There was Viola’s picture; I was seeing Arlan in the morning. “She was very ahead of her time; One of the first white women to join the NAACP.”

“I want to let people know that it’s important Viola’s story be told. Viola is not given her equal due in the civil rights community; A fair plain statement. However the movie, ‘Selma’ has brought a lot of new people to her story. There was a constant flow of people to her marker. It’s half way between Selma and Montgomery exactly where she was driven off the road and murdered. There’s a small church at the roadside where I played the piano. I also stopped at both the Hank Williams Museum across the street from the Rosa Parks Museum.”

I asked Arlan about the current state of information about Viola’s murder. “It’s frustrating that her story isn’t fully realized. The more people that become aware of Viola and what she stood for and what she died for; there will be more hunger to hear the rest of that story.”

They flew into Atlanta on the Friday night and drove to Montgomery where they lodged. “A lot of Italians were there. They were interested in the Liuzzo’s. A few young Italian girls were making a documentary about Viola and another one was from the Italian press.”  “I wrote the song ’50 miles’ because of the March from Selma to Montgomery.”

“What about Sunday in Selma?” “So many people came into Selma, they were held at the bridge. (Edmund Pettus Bridge) The politicians left on Saturday which was kind of bogus. Sunday was for the real people. A lot of dignitaries, organizers, I think Martin Luther King’s daughter, after the service, were supposed to go over the bridge. There were so many people, they couldn’t agitate them, and so they let some people cross. Well, they soon found out, once you crossed the bridge out of Selma, you could not come back in because the National Guard closed Selma because of the huge numbers of people. Once you cross, you can’t come back. Next thing you know everyone stops on bridge. Many groups did cross and buses picked them up.”

I asked if Arlan and the Liuzzo family crossed. “No we didn’t. People were trying to turn around. Police couldn’t insure the safety of the dignitaries, so they cancelled them; wouldn’t let them cross. Many did get over. I saw one group with a banner go maybe 15 feet in 45 minutes. There were some protestors who said when you get to the other side of the bridge; there will no longer be systemic racism. We know racism is still here. But to celebrate the advancement has merit.”

On Saturday night they screened the documentary ‘Home of the Brave’ about Viola Liuzzo. Paola di Florio, the director did the screening. Arlan performed after the Q & A. “Viola is buried in Detroit. The Teamsters took care of getting her back to Detroit.”  “When did you write the song ’50 Miles’?” “I was talking to Mary Liuzzo when she invited me to come down. She said you should write a song for the 50^th Anniversary. A few weeks ago I recorded it before I left. It took a few hours to write for the most part.”

We talked next about the memorial for Viola. “The memorial has been vandalized many times.” I reminded Arlan about the man (Edmund Pettus) for whom the bridge is named. We both laughed sardonically.  Mr. Pettus was a U.S. Senator from Alabama and Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan. “The Mayor of Selma did appoint a KKK Dragon to be a member of his council. During the March, the KKK went around house to house with flyers to get people to join and they bought a billboard to promote seeing the Civil War sights.” The billboard is dedicated to KKK founder Nathan Bedford Forrest and contains the quote, “Keep the skeer on ’em.” It features a Confederate flag.  I thought to myself about why I’ve never been down south and decided to leave it that way beginning right after I saw ‘Easy Rider’ in 1969. Am I just a damn Yankee?

There was a lull in the conversation after our Klan talk. We both sensed introspection. Then Arlan continued. “My effort is to get more people to hear her name; to have role models like that for white people to know they can be involved. She died for injustice to people. Viola really believed we are our brother’s keepers. She didn’t see blacks being oppressed; she saw people. She answered that call. If all of us had that ideal ingrained, the world would be a better place. It seems like an easy solution.”

Arlan was back to Saturday. “We had breakfast with Sally and Penny (Viola’s daughters). We met at the Cracker Barrel. I guess I was really down south; had to have biscuits and gravy with grits. I’m going to my cardiologist tomorrow. Sally gets a text from Mary. “We walked out of the Mayor’s dinner last night.” It’s public knowledge. They (the family) were snubbed. There are a lot of times like that. Once in Shreveport; they were there to get an award for Viola. The following morning they go to check out of the hotel. Everyone is gone and left them (the family) with the bill. They were crying. “

More from the breakfast; “Learned FBI approached Penny and Sally. It’s not a secret. They wanted to talk to them. They felt exploited. There was an FBI informant in car which pulled Viola over and killed her. The family sued the Federal Government for years and years but they lost. FBI informant never went to jail.”  Arlan took a deep pensive breath. I waited. “The story is not finished. They are living it. Still a work in progress; they can’t make a movie yet. Viola’s story is a cold case as far as family and advocates concerned.”

“After breakfast, Dan (who documented Arlan’s trip) and I went on an exploratory journey to Montgomery; museums, downtown, Rosa Park Museum, Hank Williams Library. Downtown is almost a ghost-town although it was a weekend. A KIA plant is there with a large Asian population so Sushi is available.”

“Later three buses of Teamsters pulled up; 150 or so. They came out to honor Viola and family and escorted them from the chapel to the marker. Teamsters chanted all the way which the girls participated in. They’re proud to be a Teamster family. Most of the Teamsters were black. A young black women’s group did a reading honoring Viola at the Wright Chapel where I played the piano and sang. 150 people were at the memorial but no politicians. I sent Congressman (NJ) Frank Pallone a note. I’m a constituent in his district. He was in Selma. His presence would’ve been appreciated. No response of course.”

I wondered about President Obama and his knowledge of Viola. “The President has mentioned Viola’s name several times. The whole weekend worked out beautifully for politicians and rock stars on the big stage. The Liuzzo’s keep getting knocked down, half respect, left with the check, yet they pick themselves up and continue to do Viola’s work.”

Arlan’s oldest pre-school daughter, Tessa, walked into the kitchen. I marveled at her animated wondrous face and expressiveness. She was hungry. Her timing was perfect too. We were in a heavy modality and needed relief. Tessa took my pen and created precious art on my yellow legal pad.  Arlan plunged back into consciousness. “When Viola’s body came back to Detroit, people threw bricks and shot guns into their house. They were called racial epithets. The family has endured a lifetime of abuse and spent years in courts trying to clear their mothers name. It all started with Hoover (FBI) and it’s documented. Even her autopsy was altered to include needle marks in her arm. They said on the news she was a drug addict.” I asked Arlan if it was to discredit her. “Yes. And even an article blamed her for leaving her family. Still fighting to get the recognition she deserves.”

Logically, I next asked Arlan how he got involved with the Liuzzo family. “Three years ago, during Light of Day, I performed ‘Viola’ at The Watermark. A woman from the Asbury Park Press was interested in the story and wrote about my performing the song and included lyrics and talked about Viola Liuzzo, Civil Rights Martyr. The article came out on Martin Luther King Day. Sally Liuzzo had her Google alerts set for Viola Liuzzo in national press. Google alert said Arlan Feiles performs song, ‘Viola.’ “Who is this guy? I have to hear this song.” She hunts me down and is so overwhelmed, she wrote me a beautiful long letter via Facebook, thanking me. It was followed by two more letters by Mary and Penny with an invitation to join them in Shreveport for Viola Liuzzo Day.”

Tessa was still hungry. I knew it was time. It had been two fascinating intense hours. And I got to know someone just a little bit better. I visualized that string blowing in the wind. And today is May 1^st.  Beyond my computer screen is a May Pole. Children are laughing, playing and dancing. The blowing string is spelling out the words, “A caring special soul.”Arlan Feiles.

Please check out:  http://www.arlanfeilesmusic.com

A JERSEY SHORE SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: SPRING LAKE: THE IRISH FESTIVAL: SAT MAY 16   By Calvin Schwartz

The beauty of New Jersey lies not only along its shore coastline, or mountains in the northwest, or expanses of pine lands or in towns and hamlets along the Delaware River but in its indefatigable, diverse, resilient people. I’ve often written about New Jersey achieving its independence from New York and Philadelphia as we’ve become a pop culture phenomenon. You just have to look at movies and television; The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Jersey Shore,  Garden State, Jersey Boys or Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi and global music. New Jersey is hot.

It therefore becomes a perfect alignment when an event highlighting our diversity and rich cultural heritage originates from a quaint historic Victorian Jersey Shore town.  Welcome to the Spring Lake NJ Irish Festival Saturday May 16^th.  And suddenly there’s live music, cultural food, beer garden, contests, kids activities, Atlantic Ocean, Jersey Shore ambiance, sports personalities and more. What a perfect Saturday afternoon way before the long lines of summer.     Calvin Schwartz   4-29-15

Regarding the sports figures:  Ray  Lucas – Rutgers star, who played 7 years as an NFL  QB, including the NY Jets and is now a TV and radio broadcaster.

Jeff Feagles – Played 22 years in the NFL and earned the named Mr. Coffin for pinning the opposing team deep on their side of the field. Jeff also is a TV and radio broadcaster

Each will be autographing photos, items brought in and taking pictures for a nominal fee that will be 100% donated to a worthy local charity.

Ray and Jeff will appear between 1PM to 3PM.

COMING JERSEY SHORE ATTRACTIONS: Friends for Danny  Federici Benefit at Bar Anticipation on  Saturday May 9     By Calvin Schwartz    

When I was told about this event, it was one of those “have to be there “experiences for several personal reasons.  Of course it’s Danny Federici, a Jersey native and part of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.  In 2014, Federici was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band. Danny died on April 17, 2008 in New York City after three years fighting melanoma.  So the benefit is to raise money for Melanoma research. The Danny Fund, part of The Melanoma Research Alliance was founded and named after him.

Melanoma personally hit home for me 15 years ago when a dear friend, a powerful, black belt karate, part time bar bouncer and gentle giving soul had a small sore on his arm which became the entry point of this horrific disease. He passed away within a few months, devastating his family and friends. I had never been that close to melanoma. I saw his family unravel and his father soon pass away seemingly from the overwhelming loss and tragedy.

So the fund raiser for Danny Federici , in Belmar, close to E Street is the perfect place and time to celebrate his life and to raise consciousness and funds to fight a terrible disease.

Calvin Schwartz   April 27, 2015

For more info please check the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1587321221482975/

Friends For Danny is a fund Raising Effort Featuring The Jersey Shore’s most popular bands coming together to raise monies for the Research Of Melanoma. The Danny Fund part of The Melanoma Research Alliance was founded and Named after The Late great Danny Federici,keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen’s E. Street Band. Please join us to celebrate the life of Danny Federici and support our effort to raise money and awareness for Melanoma in the hopes of someday finding a cure.

Friends for Danny Benefit at Bar Anticipation on

Saturday May 9th 1:00 pm to 9:00pm

with friends Tommy Byrne , Bobby Mahoney , Projex Band , Strumburry Pie, The Eddie Testa Band, Sandy Mack “Band” , Alex Julia, StoneBaby , The Nick Clemons Band , JT Bowen, Jo Wymer , Slim Chance & The Gamblers , Bob Polding, Dawg Whistle with Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Vini Lopez and Ryan Maher

Produced by:

Marta Elena and Jersey Music Live Productions LLC

Associate Producer:

Jesse James Warren of Jesse James Productions

Creative Consultant:

J Robert Stanton – Creative Music Marketing Group

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE:

http://friendsfordanny.bpt.me/

‘FUNNY’ COMING ATTRACTIONS: MIKE MARINO BACK IN JERSEY FOR 2 CONCERTS; FRIDAY APRIL 24^TH  and Friday May 1^st

I’ve been a huge fan of Mike Marino for the last three years since I first met him at the Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a unique handle, a release and grasp of our world.

It’s funny, every time (which is several times a week) I go in to one of those convenience stores, some with those strange birds in their logo, and I pass by the computer station to order sandwiches, I stop, stare, smile and think of Mike Marino. And I know customers see me smiling and they must think I’m a little out there. But Mike makes me smile and laugh even when he’s in California, a few thousand miles away.

The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, my being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike on stage, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny.  His concerts are a happening especially when he’s back home in front of a Jersey audience.

Calvin Schwartz   April 22, 2015

Mike Marino’s Official BIO:

Mike Marino – affectionately known to thousands of his fans as New Jersey’s Bad Boy – is one of the most unique comics of our time. He has performed in every major comedy club from New York to Los Angeles including: The MGM Grand, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Stand Up NY, The Improv, Rascals and The Icehouse. Mike, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, can be seen nightly as a top headliner at both the world famous Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Mike was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He entered the world of theatre at an early age, and is a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Mike has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, and has received a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many Prime Time soaps and television shows including: As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Pizza with Bullets, Hangin’ in Hedo and Steven King’s Lucky Quarter

HEADLINE:  “Mike Marino – Out of the Hospital & Back on Stage!”   Mike recently finished an 8 month battle with diverticulitis on April 1^st when he had successful stomach surgery at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank. For me, the best is that he’s recovered, back on stage and ADDED  all this new  material from being in the hospital and if its Mike, it has to be hugely funny!!!!! (side-splitting)

And don’t forget Mike’s  new DVD is out now on iTunes, GooglePlay, Xbox and Sony and now also on Amazon Prime!  Currently it’s a TOP SELLER on iTunes!!!

Mike’s new website coming soon!!   http://mikemarino.net/

CHECK OUT THE FLYERS BELOW  ALSO THE AFTER PARTY FOR FRI APRIL 24^TH CONCERT IN METUCHEN

HEY, WE’RE RUNNING  OUT OF EARTH TIME. COMING ATTRACTION: THIS WEDNESDAY APRIL 22^ND EARTH DAY. ONLY NEW JERSEY SCREENING OF POWERFUL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM ‘PLANETARY’ AT CROSSROADS IN GARWOOD NJ.  READ ALL ABOUT IT.   CALVIN SCHWARTZ  APRIL 20, 2015

Somehow I feel a full circle coming on.  On April 22^nd 1970, a year after graduating from Rutgers University, the first Earth Day was held and I’ve been involved ever since. A few days ago, I met(for NJ Discover) with Dr. Lauren Laurino, ND and Lee Frankel of the Crossroads night club in Garwood, New Jersey. We three realized how critically important it was for New Jersey to join the other 90 theaters all over the world showing the environmentally haunting, poignant, beautiful documentary, ‘Planetary.’

Perhaps when you get to be a certain age, that critical epiphany about the planet Earth arrives at sensibility; I’ve been there actively for a few years to the extent, philosophically, that nothing really matters here on earth except the planet’s continuing existence and we’re really running out of time.  We all (7 billion of us) seem to live for the day in varying degrees of excesses. When and how do we really start making a lasting difference? Because it’s not working. From all I learned about ‘Planetary,’ this film  can be that emotional, spiritual realization to move us to more action before we run out of time.  Kind of like a ‘Moonstruck’ slap in the face.

So I think if you’re under 30 or even over 30, and a Jersey person living anywhere within 100 mile radius of Garwood, please please (2 ‘pleases’ together is as heavy as I ever get) make that effort to join us Wednesday night and begin your own arrival and spiritual elevation to making a difference here on earth. And bring friends and teenagers; it’s their inherited planet.  And this just in, world renowned mime, Janet Carafa is coming from New York to join us and present a special short mime act, ‘Gaia’ she created especially for our Wednesday together.

Calvin Schwartz  April 20, 2015

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE!!!!!   https://www.facebook.com/events/1600245936883099/

CHECK OUT FILM TRAILER:   http://www.xxroads.com/#!film/ct4g

OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF THE FILM:

PLANETARY is a feature length documentary that expands on the mind-blowing perspective shared by astronauts and indigenous elders alike – that each and every one of us is inseparable from each other, the planet and the universe as a whole, a realization that is both humbling and comforting. If more of us start to experience the simple truth of our interdependence and connection, we believe there is hope for the next stage in our human journey. PLANETARY is meant to inspire awe and wonder by seeing things as they are, placing our individual stories in the context of the larger planetary / cosmic story.

Ultimately, the film makes the assertion that we are in the midst of a global crisis, brought on by a disconnection from Earth and from each other. Stephen Apkon, president of associated production company Reconsider, said of the film, “At the heart of all of our environmental and social challenges is a profound disconnection with the natural world. Planetary deals with this magnificently – not from a place of fear, but of affection. For this planet we call home and for the experience of life itself.”

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN BRINGING FILM TO CROSSROADS IN GARWOOD ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 22ND :

LEE FRANKEL:  The Crossroads in Garwood NJ is a entertainment venue that hosts a over 100 events of various genre on and off site each month.  For the past 19 years, the owner Lee Frankel has utilized The Crossroads as a platform to bring community together through music festivals, comedy, shows, film and other events throughout New Jersey.

On Earth Day 4.22.2015 The Crossroads will be hosting the only screening in the State of the documentary film Planetary. The film will be screened in over 90 theatres Worldwide and has been brought to NJ by none other than NJ’s own “Dr Ren, America’s Holistic Sweetheart.”

DR.LAUREN LAURINO, ND: founded the State’s first Holistic Chamber of Commerce and currently hosts the first Holistic Lifestyle segment called “Think Healthy with Dr. Ren” on Public Access Television- UnionTV34. [ https://vimeo.com/channels/863110 ]  With 15 years in private and public event coordination, ‘Dr. Ren’ has been involved in various media and educational based projects independently and through the New York Open Center. (The largest Holistic Urban Learning Center in the World opencenter.org)  She is part of the films social media crew and is known for her ‘Holistic Health Crusade’ or Natural health advocacy. Dr. Ren recently won the Higher Achievement Award from the American Naturopathic Medical Association and a CA State Senate award for Outstanding Community Service.  ‘Dr. Ren’ hope’s this film will further encourage a sense of community and awareness that in this critical time we must come together to preserve our Garden State and ensure it’s sustainability.

CALVIN SCHWARTZ: is a novelist (‘Vichy Water’) and journalist for NJ Discover writing about homelessness, hunger, environment, music and co-hosts Rock on Radio.

LINKS TO THE ABOVE:     www.Xxroads.com            www.Laurenlaurino.com                      www.njdiscover.com

‘PLANETARY’ PEOPLE

JEFF GITTERMAN: Keeping it ‘Consciously Jersey’ Associate Producer ALSO of Gitterman Wealth Management in Iselin and co-author of  Beyond Success , which is a Holistic Approach to money management was one of the large driving forces in helping the film get off the ground.

GUY REID: ‘Planetary’ film director was on MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com/greenhouse/watch/interrupting-our-worldview-through-film-429137475580 ) the other day and spoke about the feedback Planetary Collective has received since the films world premiere at SXSW on 3/14/15. He and viewers have reported that the film is creating an emotional and cognitive shift globally.

During the Environmental Film Festival in Washington DC at the National Geographic Theatre Director Reid commented that: “The best review on the film I have received as of yet was from ‘Dr. Ren’. Turns out she had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening while Lawrence Ellis was speaking.” Luckily for Dr. Ren she was sitting in VIP between Director Reid’s mother, who flew in from London and a Holistic Nurse. When questioned as to what happened Dr Ren stated “I’ve been practicing Kundalini Yoga for a decade and a half and have only read about spontaneous awakenings. In the book ‘Kundalini Rising’ I remember reading that it can happen at any given time and sometimes in a crowded place. Thankfully the nurse next to me had a clue. I remember becoming very hot, lightheaded and my heart started racing. She took me outside into the hallway and monitored me until I felt grounded. I thought it was pretty cool that this happened during my third time watching the film in it’s entirety and have heard others report similar experiences since then.”

SPECIAL MIME GUEST JANET CARAFA: Is a founder of the NY Entertainment Connection and Art of Mime will be introducing the NJ exclusive premiere of Planetary at the Crossroads in Garwood. She will be performing a piece she has created for this special event called “Gaia”. Janet is a world renown Mime who was taught and directed by the legendary Marcel Marceau. With many notable productions to her name, Janet event produced the 911 memorials at Madison Square Garden and Ground Zero working with the Port Authority of NY and NJ. She even produced ‘NJ Welcomes the World’ to greet players and fans with her ‘YES Team’ during last years Superbowl week at Newark Airport.

“We are thrilled to have Janet Carafa introduce the film in Mime. Her silent movements speak a universal language which go beyond borders amplifying the message of the Planetary Collective.” -Dr. Ren, America’s Holistic Sweetheart at the NJ Earth Day Premiere

http://www.artofmime.com/

http://www.nyentertainmentconnect.com/allpages/gala.htm

https://vimeo.com/88357762 << Superbowl week welcoming video with yes team

It’s heavy. It’s not my brother or a hard rain but the old Upstage Club in Asbury Park, NJ, USA  A Memorial?    April 12, 2015       By Calvin Schwartz

This op-ed or whatever it is, structurally, is best designed to be that stream of almost absurd consciousness that I’ve grown accustomed to these past few literary years. Suddenly, last summer, I heard The Everly Brothers singing ‘Bye Bye Love’ in a pinball amusement place on Ocean Avenue in Belmar, New Jersey. It’s 1957 and my parents rented a bungalow for August. If I behaved all week, watched my three year old sister Hildy, walked her in a stroller around the block every weekday morning, then when my father came down by Jersey Central rail train on the weekend, the family would go to Asbury Park’s boardwalk on Saturday night. My first experienced love of the city.

I’ll get to the Upstage. What I’m doing now is creating the background to suggest I am eminently qualified to deliver all kinds of coinage (two cents) about the city of Asbury Park and this special place on Cookman Avenue that launched a thousand musical ships, future careers and dreams. Well maybe not a thousand. Let’s cut to four years ago. Suddenly, during the summer of 2011, I became a journalist covering all aspects of Monmouth County life. The epicenter of that life for me was Asbury Park. I’ve covered the President visiting the boardwalk, Zombie Walk, Jersey Shore Dream Center (food pantry & kitchen), NJ Hall of Fame Induction, Light of Day, Hurricane Sandy, Asbury Lanes and Dr. Sketchy, all the historic music venues, Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation, Asbury Park Comedy Festival, Bamboozle, Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Jersey Shore Arts Center (the old Neptune High Building, hmmm?) and have spent countless days and nights, seemingly full-time becoming a denizen of the boardwalk.

As much as four or five times a week, I absorbed music all over the city; even a collection of indigenous drummers, percussionists and hula-hoop purveyors on the boardwalk, before police would chase them away, all reveling naturally in self-expression before a setting summer sun. Yes, the ingredients of a real music city.

A few years ago, I got off a tour bus in Asbury Park, part of the Springsteen Symposium at Monmouth University, and heard local historians/journalists(Jean Mikle and Stan Goldstein) talk about Bruce, Convention Hall and the Stone Pony. Later, we stood in front of a building signed ‘Extreme,’ (back in 2001, the first floor was a shoe store) the top two floors, windows extant but covered over with concrete, like deliberately sealing a part of its past; a sarcophagus perhaps. They explained the hidden floors were the old ‘Upstage Club,’ founded by visionaries Margaret and Tom Potter, where Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Little Steven Van Zandt, Vini Lopez, Garry Tallent and Danny Federici were all regulars from 1968 to 1971 until it closed permanently. The door was padlocked and the last four decade history was explained to the group. Actually there is no history just endless abandonment and rumors that it might be torn down for condos. Back then, it was an almost all night (no alcohol) club where creative young musicians performed and explored until early morning hours. It was all for music’s sake; a brilliant concept and launching pad of expression and destiny. How synchronistic; the granddaughter of Margaret and Tom  Potter, Carrie Potter Devening, published this wonderful book, ‘For Music’s Sake’ giving the history of the Upstage Club.  I was haunted standing there, looking up, imagining what it must’ve been like all those years ago with incredible musical talent that has gone on to the global stage. This was my first ‘Upstage’ exposure and the early particulates of the molecular energy that birthed my love affair with the building, its history, founders and supporters.

I was smitten with sentimentality and history. On several occasions, over the years, around midnight,(like the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere)  I went to Asbury Park on a meditative sojourn, stood outside the Upstage Club, looked up to a snow flurry or a starry summer sky and dreamed what was and what could be. I took pictures of the silence of the building and posted on social media. That’s when Carrie Potter Devening saw my posts, pictures and we became friends.

My dream collection process was accelerated; why couldn’t Asbury Park take its place as an international music destination so that one day it would be impossible to find a parking space on Cookman Avenue in the dead of winter; the city would be frenetic and alive with the sounds of music and the Upstage Club would again become that creative purist musical mecca. If you want to make it in New York, you have to make it at the Jersey shore first. If the club was crowded, I’d even sit on the floor, stare at vintage art on the walls and dreamily listen to music until 4 am, with just a cup of espresso. The music closed my eyes to dreams. I remember Robert Kennedy’s quote, “There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” The streams of consciousness remind me of a scene from Henry Fonda in ‘Mister Roberts.’ What’s this I hear, that so many in the Asbury Park concentric circles of commonality, are letting the concept of Margaret and Tom Potter, musical creativity and even the brick and mortar of the Upstage Club disappear.

More streams. There’s a skeleton of a building, concrete pillars and a make-shift fence surrounding the massive property; a project started and quickly abandoned years ago. It’s on Ocean Avenue, a few blocks from Convention Hall. Of course, it’s an eye-sore, but for me it dramatizes a part of the Asbury Park experience. On several occasions, I conducted tours of Asbury Park and explained to foreign visitors, this was actually a commissioned sculpture depicting the future rising of Asbury Park. I can’t remember if I ever finally told them the truth. It doesn’t matter. The only truth is there are so many circles (‘interest’ groups) that want Asbury Park to finally arrive, but with so many different agendas on pastel brick roads.

It’s really not my place here to talk about the haunting history and emotional evocation of this magical place, The Upstage Club; so much has been said, written, talked about on radio or in restaurants up and down our Jersey shore. It’s the lighting of a fire, somewhere (someone) and installation of commitment to keep the concept within the city alive (or perhaps a block away?). Carrie Potter Devening has been tirelessly working for the past ten years to keep it alive; perhaps make it a museum and night club (without alcohol) again. There are efforts to raise money to buy the building, petitions to all those circles rolling around.

In 2012, on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, was the Asbury Angels first induction ceremony. The Angels are people who’ve passed, but contributed much to the rich musical history of the city going back way before Margaret and Tom Potter, who were also inducted that September day.  Music came to Asbury Park basically from the day it was born in 1871. From John Phillip Sousa and the city’s own Arthur Pryor, one of the greatest trombone players, to the clubs along Springwood Avenue on the city’s Westside where the likes of Billie Holiday (who would’ve turned 100 as I’m writing this) Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and many other jazz and blues greats performed, to the Upstage, and right up to today, music is Asbury Park.

I met Carrie at the Angels Induction Ceremony, after her book, ‘For Music’s Sake’ signing in Convention Hall Arcade and later she facilitated my first visit to the Upstage Club. The building owner had graciously opened (for a few) the top two floors, left absolutely intact since 1971, with the walls still replete with unique psychedelic art. In the men’s room, I saw scrawled on the wall, ‘Steel Mill 1971.’(Springsteen’s early band).  There was a strange silence walking around; one of those hard to explain moments. I stopped in front a brightly painted psychedelic wall and posed for a picture by a photographer who took the same picture of Bruce Springsteen just a year earlier, when he stopped by for ostensibly the last time. Sentimentality crosses barriers of time, space and people.

Walking around in the sounds of silence of the Upstage, I asked questions of a few who were there when it mattered. Tom Potter wanted a place with no peer pressure, where you can refine your skills and play music if you were too young to play at bars; the beauty of a non-alcoholic stage and the fact the Upstage was never a business just a club. I wonder who wrote the book of love and if all the ‘circles’ realize this. Jam sessions would seemingly never finish. Vinnie Roslin once started a song and it lasted 140 minutes. Things happened fast at the young club. Sometimes before a band could come up with a name, the band broke up. But those days are long gone. Things are different now; sound, technology, smart phones, fracking and internet.

My impulse as a sentimental journalist (oxymoron?) is to find a way to save this part of Americana and musical history. ‘You Can’t Go Home Again,” by Thomas Wolfe rings in my ear like a troublesome tinnitus. Perhaps you really CAN get home despite his admonition; so I’d like to believe. That’s why I’m doing this writing. Then slowly I turned around, came full circle and an epiphany (it was that strong) slapped sense and sensibility which means inevitability and probability. I heard what one of the E-Street Band members said that The Upstage is only brick and mortar and the memories last forever; some truth and maybe not an evasion. But what’s really important is the future of Asbury Park, NJ, USA. The concept of the Upstage Club must never fade away like an old general. The spirit must endure so today’s young musicians have something to propel Asbury Park into the future and a place where they are nurtured. And the future is slowly getting there. I have that dream of seeing Asbury Park as a global musical destination. Another ingredient is a first recording studio which is now here.  So to my ‘now’ epiphany, if its only brick and mortar, that’s alright ‘Mah’, we just have to keep the concept alive. The Upstage could find a different format if or when all the ‘circles’ decide to let the old tired walls come down.

Sometimes I ask myself, whom I’m going to call now. Ghostbusters or all those ‘circles’ I know of? A few weeks ago, I received an invite to presumably the last walk through of the Upstage. Then the best; I went back to the future when Vini Lopez, Paul Whistler, Joe Petillo, Rich Gulya, Jon Sebastian Brice and Sharon Lasher took the stage with all the holes behind them, paint was peeling from ceiling and walls and they jammed for a last time like there is a tomorrow. A box of plaster pieces for souvenirs rested to stage right; we stuffed our pockets with history; a Berlin wall?  I closed my eyes for a few seconds while the band played on. I dreamed again. Being there fueled my writing this piece. I’ve now said my peace.  One final thought as the clock on my computer approaches 4:44 AM Sunday morning. There’s a wonderful historic building a block from Asbury Park that used to be the old Neptune High School a long time ago. Now it’s the Jersey Shore Arts Center.  I wrote a feature article about them for NJ The Shore Thing last September. Yet another Calvin epiphany hit me a year ago; a new Upstage Club? And I wonder who really wrote the book of love.

Post script:  Watch for acclaimed director Tom Jones’ film about The Upstage Club to be released next year

Carrie Potter Devening book link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-Musics-Sake-Asbury-Parks-Upstage-Club-and-Green-Mermaid-Cafe/127404970667418?pnref=story

GoFund Me to raise money to buy the building: http://www.gofundme.com/6d1l6k

Sign the Petition at change.org to save The Upstage Club: http://chn.ge/1aGM1Zs

NJ Discover Spotlight: FREEHOLD AREA ‘OPEN DOOR’ FOOD PANTRY & MORE & “My Hometown” Fund Raising By Calvin Schwartz April 8th, 2015

A few years ago, as a new journalist, I was taken literally into the world of homelessness a mere 23 miles (Tent City, Lakewood NJ) from my suburban Monmouth County home.  Logically for me, what followed was a heightened awareness into hunger in America; I spent the equivalent of days at the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and attended a Red Bank seminar with Governor Christie on hunger.  What  I learned that day is part of my soul now; in 1980 there were 40 food pantries in America. Today there are 40,000. It’s pretty hard to comprehend or dismiss this numerical factoid. I’m actually at a loss for words every time I ponder the depth and gravity of hunger. Then I’m drawn to it with words that need to find a receptive audience.  The issues keep finding me sometimes when I least expect it.

Last week I was asked to stop by a local elementary school and do a favor by picking up and delivering boxes and bags of food collected by the students for a local food pantry. Purely random, I picked the Freehold Area Open Door, close to my house and subliminally, the town where Bruce Springsteen was born. After four trips to bring food stuffs into the pantry, I asked to talk to the administrator. First up was Kathy Mueller, Advocacy Program Director who gave background of Open Door which is into its 28^th year serving the community. Next I sat down with Jeanne Yaecker, Director, and Certified Volunteer Administrator. Internally I smiled; what was a simple errand had become yet another learning experience and opportunity to meet effusive, dedicated people. Next I toured the small facility and met the volunteer staff.

Open Door trustees are multi-denominational as is the community they serve. Everything is donated. The soup kitchen is nearby at St. Peter’s but they share volunteers and food. Open Door serves 375-400 households a month which translates to 900-1300 individuals; serious numbers for small suburban middle-upper income Monmouth County towns. They serve Freehold Boro and Township, Marlboro, Colts Neck and Millstone. I remembered what I learned about hunger at the seminar. It’s insidious. You never know if your next door neighbors are hungry. They’re too embarrassed to tell you. Open Door food packages are specifically designed; preferences are asked. Food provided is nutritious in the three to five day standard package.

I asked about other services of Open Door besides the Food Pantry program which is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 39 Throckmorton Street in Freehold. There is an after school program for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders as well as a scholarship and emergency funding and advocacy program. SNAP representatives are there on Wednesday’s to help with food applications.

I accepted this day as synchronistic; it wasn’t planned or designed. I even had to borrow a sheet of paper to take notes. But it’s something that is so important for all of us; being aware then caring enough to do something. I worry about articles I read about social unrest and economic disparity impacting our future.  I’ve attached information on fund raising efforts called “MY HOMETOWN” Please check it out. Also Open Door accepts food and money donations. For more information: www.freeholdareaopendoor.org