Page 16 Thursday, September 2, 2010 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Westfield Resident Tsirigotis ‘Goes to the Mat’ for Martial Arts By MARYLOU MORANO A student of martial arts since he was area. Westfield Boy LaVelle Appears Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times 11, Mr. Tsirigotis holds a black belt in One would expect that with this abun- WESTFIELD – “Back to school” Taekwondo and is the originator of his dance of experience, the author would not only means getting back to the own system of martial arts; it is based take a stance that martial arts are for books; it means heading back to after- on pankration, a combat sport that – every child. Instead, his unbiased look On the YES Network, WFAN Radio school activities as well. blending boxing and wrestling with at martial arts and the martial arts in- strategy – was introduced into the Greek dustry allows each parent to make the By CHRISTIE STORMS meeting the New York Yankees at show, simulcast on TV via the YES Olympic Games in 648 BC and which best decision for his or her child. He Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times their new stadium come true. And (Yankees Entertainment & Sports) featured the philosopher Plato among provides the benefits of martial arts WESTFIELD — In May, the this past week, the same charitable Network and on WFAN 66 AM Ra- its participants. training, but he also provides a list of Make-A-Wish Foundation made 9- organization invited Connor to ap- dio. Mr. Tsirigotis has also trained in 10 the dangers. year-old Connor LaVelle’s dream of pear on Mike Francesa’s sports talk Kerry LaVelle, Connor’s mother, other forms of martial arts and was on Mr. Tsirigotis also compares the reported that the Make-A-Wish the U.S. Boxe Francaise Savate “lone wolf” aspect of martial arts with “My heart was pounding so fast, but I loved it.” Foundation sought a child to appear [kickboxing] Team. team sports. on its behalf and had recalled Mr. Tsirigotis is also the founder of “[The martial arts] student does not ~Connor LaVelle, talking about his on-camera interview with YES Connor’s upbeat personality and Xeiron’s Academy, a martial arts pro- have the …burden of holding the team passion for the Yankees. They in- gram for children and young adults, back…On the flipside, a student is not vited the family down to Bar Antici- and has worked with the campus police held back by the limits of others,” he pation (Bar A) in Belmar, where department at Boston University to writes. Francesa broadcasts a special end- develop a campus safety and crime- Mr. Tsirigotis resides in Westfield of-summer installment of his show prevention program that included self- with his wife and three children. In his annually. defense. He also taught self-defense professional life, he is a corporate secu- The LaVelles received V.I.P. passes and crime prevention through North- rities attorney who works on Wall Street. to view Mr. Francesa’s five-hour si- eastern University and Bentley “Developing Body, Mind, and Spirit” mulcast right in front of the stage College’s residence halls. In addition, is available at amazon.com. last Friday. he has taught self-defense and crime * * * YES Network personality Chris prevention for the federal government, Paid Book Review Shearn then came down into the au- as well as instructed at various martial E-mail [email protected] to learn dience for a brief interview with Parents who are thinking about en- arts schools in the Washington, D.C., more. Connor, who has spent much of his rolling their children in a martial arts life in a wheelchair due to a diagno- program will find a wealth of informa- sis of Neurofibromatosis (NF1). tion in “Developing Body, Mind and Connor wore his Yankees 2009 World Spirit: A Parents Guide To Martial Arts Series shirt and cap for the occasion. Training for Kids,” a book by Westfield Connor told The Westfield Leader resident Peter Tsirigotis. and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times Unless they are serious students of that while show representatives briefed martial arts, most people – especially him ahead of time regarding the Yan- young people – view this sport as enter- kee topics he would be discussing on tainment. air, he still felt nervous once the cam- Popular culture perpetuates this myth YES, AND IT COUNTS...Nine-year-old Westfield boy Connor LaVelle shares his eras were rolling. with the Power Rangers, a live-action feelings on the Yankees’ postseason chances, as well as his favorite player, with the YES Network’s Chris Shearn at Bar A in Belmar. This past week the Make- “My heart was pounding so fast,” children’s show, and other television A-Wish Foundation invited Connor to appear on Mike Francesa’s sports-talk he said. “But I loved it.” programs like “Kung Fu.” show, simulcast on TV via the YES Network and on WFAN 66 AM Radio. Yet those watching him on TV “The media, for entertainment pur- would merely see a boy speaking poses, has created a mystique around calmly and confidently about his the martial arts,” said Mr. Tsirigotis. The Melody Lingers On favorite baseball team, as if he made “My goal is to shatter this mystique and these kinds of appearances all the MAKING ALL HIS NOWHERE PLANS…Nowhere Boy, starring Anne-Marie present to parents an honest assess- Duff and Aaron Johnson (as a young John Lennon), and 20 more not-yet-released At NJWA’s Music Studio time. ment of the benefits and drawbacks of movies will premiere in Filmmakers Symposium’s Arthouse Film Festival, When asked how he made it look children training in the martial arts.” beginning this month at AMC Loews Mountainside. For information, call (800) WESTFIELD – Autumn has long There are separate fall, winter, spring so easy, Connor replied, “You just The book is short but comprehen- 531-9416 or visit PrivateScreenings.org. been associated with a return to and summer sessions, for which stu- have to pretend the camera’s not sive, and includes an introduction that school, and the New Jersey Work- dents may register at any time and even there...I was focusing on his addresses various aspects of martial shop for the Arts (NJWA) Music Stu- tuition will be pro-rated accordingly. questions.” arts in a question-and-answer format. Arthouse Film Festival dio, after a successful summer ses- The Music Studio also offers group On air, Connor shared his feelings Mr. Tsirigotis also discusses martial sion, is now preparing for its fall lessons such as the beginner piano about such topics as visiting the Yan- arts techniques, applications, training, semester. class, for ages 4 and older. In “Kids kees’ new stadium (all positive), his benefits and cautions. Coming to Loews Theater “We’re looking forward to an ex- on Keys,” students use the innovative favorite player, Mark Teixeira, His chapter on finding a martial arts MOUNTAINSIDE – Starting Sep- films that later earned a total of 21 Oscar, citing season,” said Ted Schlosberg, method of Musique Rapide, an accel- (again, positive) and whether the school includes a checklist to help a tember 20, Filmmakers Symposium’s 32 Spirit, 26 British Academy and 16 founder and executive director of the erated program that helps them grasp Yankees would become the 2010 parent determine whether or not a par- Arthouse Film Festival will run for 12 European Film Award nominations.” NJWA. “We are employing additional the fundamentals of reading music. World Series Champions (absolutely ticular school is appropriate for a child. weeks at two New Jersey theatres: AMC “We also work to ferret out potential music-staff members based on the There are also separate group guitar positive with an emphatic nod). Mr. Tsirigotis also fearlessly debunks Loews in Mountainside and AMC hits in the development and production recent increase of interested students and voice lessons specially created Connor also got to meet Francesa, many of the myths associated with Loews at the Monmouth Mall. The stages so we are ready to pounce on the during our summer music lessons.” for children ages 5 to 7. who presented him with an martial arts training. festival has hosted 1,393 movie pre- best films first,” Mr. Rose said. Contemplating that the upswing in In addition to the vocal and instru- autographed photo. He additionally For example, he believes a child mieres, with 926 live guest appear- Confirmed films and those under enrollment may be related to the re- mental music lessons, the Music Stu- received one from retired New York should not begin training until the age ances over the past 20 years. consideration for the upcoming festi- cent statewide cuts in music educa- dio also gives opportunities for area Giants’ football player Sean Landeta, of 7, and he cautions parents against Oscar winners and nominees Danny val include: Blue Valentine, with Ryan tion, Dr. Schlosberg added, “We plan musicians to play in its many bands, who appeared as a guest that day. martial arts schools that enroll younger Aiello, Alan Arkin, James Cromwell, Gosling and Michelle Williams, di- to accommodate students whose orchestras and symphonies. Among Mrs. LaVelle expressed apprecia- children. Ethan Hawke, Viggo Mortensen, Chazz rected by Derek Cianfrance; The Com- music programs have been altered in them are the NJWA Concert Band, tion for the opportunities presented to “I see these types of programs as Palminteri and David Strathairn have pany Men, with Ben Affleck and Chris their local school districts.” NJWA Summer Symphony, Rockin’ Connor thanks to the Make-A-Wish glorified play groups or watered-down joined Famke Janssen, Joseph Gordon- Cooper, directed by John Wells; Con- “Instruction at the Music Studio” Jazz Band, International Alphorn Foundation, which she described as gymnastics class that provide no more Levitt, David Morse, Connie Nielsen, viction, with Hilary Swank and Sam is not solely intended for young stu- Society Ensemble and the Saturday “such an amazing organization.” benefits than the standard ‘mommy Joe Pantoliano and Kevin Smith as guest Rockwell, directed by Tony Goldwyn; dents, but is geared toward musicians Matinee Orchestra. The NJWA in- Overall, Connor said it was “pretty and me’ class offers,” he writes. speakers who have come to share their The Debt, with Helen Mirren and Sam of all ages and ability levels. Many cludes the Full Count Big Band, the cool” to be on a show that his “dad Throughout the book, Mr. Tsirigotis insights with festival participants. Worthington, directed by John Mad- adults register to acquire a new skill Bravura Quintet and a professional listens to a lot,” but seemed to be maintains a casual – yet authoritative – “The program will always be flex- den; The Descendents, with George as well as to master skills they may division of performing artists. taking it all in stride. tone. Mostly, the book reads like one ible in order to take advantage of op- Clooney and Judy Greer, directed by have already learned. For a brochure or more informa- He said he doesn’t know if he’d parent advising another. portunities as they arise,” said festival Alexander Payne; Gerrymandering, These individual vocal and instru- tion on any program of the NJWA, ever consider a career in television. The author’s 30 years of martial arts director Chuck Rose. “Wonderful sur- with Howard Dean and Arnold mental lessons, for both children and call (908) 789-9696, visit the studios, For now, he’s happy to focus on experience has gone into the writing of prises and fantastic celebrities can pop Schwarznegger, directed by Jeff adults, are offered daily in a 30-, 45- at 150-152 East Broad Street in becoming a fourth grader at Franklin this book, and there is virtually no up out of nowhere, so I try to keep the Reichert; How Do You Know?, with or 60-minute format. The fall 2010 Westfield or visit Elementary and seeing friends when aspect of martial arts training that has schedule as fluid as possible. In the past Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon, session begins on September 11. njworkshopforthearts.com. school begins. gone uncovered. three years, we have premiered 101 directed by James L. Brooks; Jack Goes Boating, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Ryan, directed by Mr. Hoffman; The King’s Speech, with Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter, directed by Tom Hooper; Love and Other Drugs, with Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway, directed by Edward Zwick; Miral, with Willem Dafoe and Where Talent & Creativity Develop Freida Pinto, directed by Julian Schnabel; The Next Three Days, with Russell Crowe and Liam Neeson, di- rected by Paul Haggis; 127 Hours, with James Franco and Lizzy Caplan, directed by Danny Boyle; Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, with Li Bing Bing and Hugh Jackman, directed Wayne Wang; Tree of Life, with Brad Pitt and Music Lessons - All Ages Sean Penn, directed by Terrence 150-152 East Broad Street, Westfield Malick; True Grit, with Matt Damon Instruments & Voice - All Ages "#$ % & and Jeff Bridges, directed by The Coen Brothers, and Win Win with Paul 908-789-9696 Kids’ Programs Giamatti and Amy Ryan, directed by $ ' % () Tom McCarthy. Instrument Rentals The festival is open to anyone, but www.njworkshopforthearts.com $ ' *$$ seating is limited, so early enrollment Performance Ensembles is advised. Subscriptions are $171 for A nonprofit organization Westfield Summer Workshop +&, *-* six weeks or $309 for 12 weeks. Dis- established in 1972 & .*& & counts will be available for early regis- / * tration. Also being offered is a “Bring Your Friends” special; for each friend (new subscriber) who signs up with ( * 0 * someone, one will get $50 off a sub- scription for 12 weeks (or $25 off for six weeks); or bring four friends and \ one’s subscription is free. For informa- !! tion or to register, call (800) 531-9416 or visit PrivateScreenings.org.
THE CONTINUO ARTS FOUNDATION chuck rose presents filmmaker symposium’s
From 6 to 60 plus, The Continuo Arts Choral Program offers opportunities for singers of all ages locally and around the world! E
OUS Children’s Chorus Continuo Arts Singers For more information & to H Ages 6-13 Girls ages 13-18 T schedule an audition IVAL please call R T The Continuos! S Civic Chorale 908-264-5324 or email [email protected] Boys ages 13-18 E Adult Singers A ILM F Preview the best & smartest new films before public release enjoy surprise visits by filmmakers & actors F bring your friends & receive a discount
Upcoming Performance: www.PrivateScreenings.org Children’s Chorus Historic Twin Maples Estate, “Live From St. Peters Square” Performance with André Rieu, Home of The Continuo Arts City Vaticano, Italy FILMMAKERS Atlantic City, June 2010 Choral Program Starts in september S Y M P O S I U M Starts in september Spring 2011