Page 20 Thursday, June 29, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Arts & Entertainment

POPCORN™ Shaft County Organizes Free Blues Concert Culinary Arts A New Slant on Some To be Held July 5 at Echo Lake Park Offered at Vo-Tech SCOTCH PLAINS – The Old Shtick Union County Vocational-Tech- MOUNTAINSIDE – The Union and picnic baskets are encour- mation, please call the Depart- nical Schools will once again By Michael S. Goldberger County Board of Chosen Free- aged. There will also be a refresh- ment of Parks and Recreation 24- One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent offer a Culinary Arts Program for holders invites blues lovers to a ment stand available at the site at hour hotline at (908) 352-8410 af- adults seeking to enter the food 2 & 1/2 popcorns spoiled brat solicits the Dominican free concert with Rob Paparozzi approximately 6:30 p.m. ter 3 p.m. on the day of the con- industry. Classes will begin on Don’t be surprised if the villains of drug lord to snuff out the lone witness and the Hudson River Rats on In case of rain, all concerts in the cert. Wednesday, September 6. the world charge Shaft with being to his dastardly deed. Singleton uses Wednesday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. in series will be held at Cranford For other concert information, “Twilight Culinary Arts” will politically incorrect. Per this rousing the occasion to inject pop cultural include two separate classes, five update starring Samuel L. Jackson as sentiments on class envy. Echo Lake Park. High School, West End Place off please call the Union County De- days per week, held from 2 to crime-fighting superstar John Shaft, Seizing on the snot-nosed bully’s Mr. Paparozzi has performed Springfield Avenue in Cranford. partment of Parks and Recreation 4:40 p.m. and 5:10 to 7:50 p.m. nephew of the original ghetto crusader request to press his own social-climb- throughout the Metropolitan area For up-to-date concert/rain infor- at (908) 527-4900. Participants, over high school by the same name, bad guys are all ing agenda, the slimy gangster confides since 1967. He has been the lead age, may complete the course in buffoons. And to add insult to injury, societal shortcomings despite his crimi- singer and harmonica player for one year by enrolling in both after the inept malefactors have enter- nal success. If he helps the aristocrat, various bands including The Psy- classes. If a single session is tained us with their criminally comical he’d like it to be an entree to polite selected, course completion will antics and made complete fools of society. “I’d do anything to be you,” he chotic Blues Band, Blues Farm, take two years. themselves by exposing their fragile admits. But one shouldn’t be fooled by Goofer Dust, Mario’s R&B All Stars The program introduces a stu- egos, payment for all the laughs they’ve the apparent display of vulnerability. and currently with the Hudson supplied is an inevitably violent death. This contradictory duality is key to dent to food preparation tech- But that’s “jestice,” Shaft style. Peoples’ power, as well as his charm. River Rats. His bands have ap- niques from cooking principles The good guys fair much better in this In a movie brimming with over-the- peared in concert with B.B. King, to creating gourmet foods. The instant morality tale. Save for the inno- top performances, Wright is a veri- Bruce Springsteen, Deodato, and educational setting is a fully- cent victim of a hate crime that sets in table pole-vaulter. And it’s the indul- Sly and the Family Stone, as well equipped, state-of-the-art com- mercial kitchen under the guid- motion director John Singleton’s “Shaft” gent embodiment of this high-relief as having backed up Phoebe Snow for a new millennium, nary one of them character that allows him to practically ance of a professional chef and is harmed. Just like in the comic books. wrest the film from Jackson. and Etta James. instructor. But then this isn’t about reality. It is about But have no fear. Take it from the The Hudson River Rats’ credits Students learn the preparation swaggering in its most flagrant form. And thumping, Shaft-glorifying theme song include hosting a Blues Jam Series of stocks, soups, sauces, salads, like its title character, the blatant strutting by Isaac Hayes, dusted off and re- at Under Acme, along with back- meats, fish, shellfish, poultry and of stuff is Shaft’s modus operandi. prised for this homage to the ing up Carole King, Willie DeVille vegetables. Portion control, food The story, based on characters in blaxploitation flicks of the early 70’s. presentation, garnishing and the original novel by Ernest Tidyman, The title character is hard-wired to and Cyndi Lauper. They have also preparation of desserts are im- is given a thorough re-working by prevail. The milieu spilling with allu- recorded with Roberta Flack, portant elements of the curricu- director Singleton and co-authors sions to racial enmity, we are re- Lauper, Boy George and the Cul- lum. Shane Salerno and Richard Price. The minded that this bad dude rises above ture Club and Bobby McFerrin. In addition, instructional areas time is the present. And of course the class distinction. He is a super-hero include safety and sanitation, place is New York City. We know that born of social necessity, by definition All of the Summer Arts Festival because of the usual landmarks. But the fittest in urban America’s survival of concerts are held on Wednesdays proper use of tools and equip- the most cynical identification is is- the fittest. beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the ment, purchasing, inventory con- trol, menu planning, diet, nutri- sued by Shaft when, during a raid on Shaft, as Charles Darwin himself might Springfield Avenue end of Echo a suspected drug hideout, he ebul- opine, is The Man. And whether merci- tion, serving, food service man- liently proclaims, “It’s Giuliani time!” lessly beating to a pulp some street Lake Park. Lawn chairs, blankets agement and kitchen operations. He’s also fond of making fashion toughs or talking trash with a cocktail Graduates of the program can statements. Particularly ominous is a waitress, it is his movie to dominate. Crafters Being Sought choose to enter the food industry black, cape-like overcoat that suggests Going in, you know you’re about as a chef, sous chef, banquet powers of a medieval nature by way of to witness 98 minutes of silliness For Second Annual Fair cook, prep cook, line cook or Dracula and GQ. Duds aside, it is bathed in blood, the pageantry of first cook. Many graduates elect understood that one does not want to men settling things a man’s way, By Mountainside PTA to continue their education by run into this cyclonic thresher of justice. and the vicarious delight of seeing pursuing college degrees in culi- Hence, for perfunctory plot purposes it inner-city predators getting their MOUNTAINSIDE – The second nary arts. will take someone far afield of the pale teeth kicked in. But even with the annual Craft Fair, sponsored by the Financial aid is available to to give our hero a run for his money. burlesque sugar coating of laugh- Mountainside Parent Teacher Association, eligible students and job place- Suffice it to note that professional able villains, after nearly 30 years will be held on Saturday, November 18, ment assistance will be offered boxing and wrestling promoters long Shaft acknowledges the limited ap- from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Deerfield School. to graduates. ago discovered that caste warfare pays. It peal of such guilty thrills by posing For more details about “Twi- is the human version of bearbaiting. The the very same question: Can you dig Crafters are encouraged to reserve their more disparate in color and creed, the it? space now for this show which will light Culinary Arts,” please call feature crafts from artisans around the the Admissions Office at (908) better. Trading on the very same preju- * * * * * dices it claims to decry, Shaft assures a area. 889-2999. Shaft, rated R, is a Paramount Pic- A 10-foot space is $35. Space will be steady flow of gratuitous violence. tures release directed by John Single- White, rich and abusively arrogant, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. ton and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jeffrey To reserve space, please call Lauren at Rob Paparozzi the opposite end of the dipole is Wright and Christian Bale. Running Walter Williams, achieved with despi- time: 98 minutes. (908) 232-6964 or Chris at (908) 233-6774. cable cachet by Christian Bale. Out- side a hip club Walter viciously causes Pianist and Instructor Sondra Tammam the brutal demise of an African-Ameri- Community Band in Westfield can contemporary. Arriving at the scene of the crime and immediately assaying Reveals Award-Winning Piano Pupils Walter’s remorseless hauteur, Shaft To Offer Performance Tonight shifts into revenge attitude. WESTFIELD – Several local stu- Consumed with bigotry, the way- Tammam in the Accompanying honorable mention recipient of the ward Brahmin welcomes the chal- WESTFIELD – The Westfield munity Room in the Municipal dents of Pianist Sondra Tammam of category, Grace and Jillee Kim in Piano Teachers Congress in the 8- lenge, daring Shaft to get the goods on Community Band, under the di- Building. Westfield have garnered prizes in the Multi-Talent category, and Kate 10 year old category. him. There is one eyewitness (Toni rection of Elias J. Zareva, will con- All events are free and it is sug- competitions. Bowers in the Music, Art and Poetry Other students who were Collette as barmaid Diane Palmieri), tinue its 88th season of Summer gested that the audience bring lawn The pupils performed in Weill category. awarded prizes in the Young Pia- but she has conveniently disappeared. Concert performances in chairs or blankets. Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in Jean and Henry were also winners nists Competition in the Ensemble Now, you know what happens in the Mindowaskin Park with a concert The series is sponsored by the early June. Winners of the Piano in the Young Pianists Competition of Category were Henry and Jean movies if a devoted policeman with this evening, June 29, at 8 p.m. Westfield Recreation Commission, Teachers Society of America com- New Jersey and were also presented Namkung. Dorothy Chow was a albeit unorthodox methods becomes a The evening’s first musical fea- Glenn S. Burrell, Director. For more petition were Jean and Henry in Weill Recital Hall this month. one-man crusade, especially if he’s dis- contest winner in the Somerset ture will be a clarinet solo by information, please call (908) 789- Namkung in the Zayde-Hambro Students were also awarded by County Library Competition. She puting those powers that be. Why, he’s category, Angela Kim and Jason transferred, or dismissed, or even worse. George Toenes, performing “Trib- 4080. the Music Educators Association of performed there in March in a So when Shaft takes it upon himself to ute to Artie Shaw.” Mr. Toenes, a New Jersey. In the 16-year-old cat- recital. buck the system, he invokes a time long-time Westfielder, has per- egory, Kate Bowers was awarded Seven Year awards of $25 were honored cop film cliche. He quits. formed with the Band for over 20 second prize in the solo and two given to Jean and Henry for out- Pointing up the catch 22 of being a years and has taught music in the piano divisions. She earned a third standing grades in the Music Edu- black police officer, Shaft relates: “Too state’s school districts for over 40 place award. Her duo partner was cators Association. Julie Choi, who black for the uniform, too blue for the years. Angela Kim, who also won second graduated Westfield High School, brothers.” Now a vigilante, he can pur- In addition to his role as concert prize in the 15-year-old division. earned a three-year in for outstand- sue the wicked preppie without an- master of the Band, Mr. Toenes Henry and Jean received second ing scores. Jason Tammam, Eliza- swering to social and political pressures. prize in the duet division for 12- Adding to the ethnic mix is Jeffrey has been a first clarinetist with the beth Encarnacion, Dorothy Chow, Wright’s Hispanic drug lord, an uncanny Union Symphony for the past 20 year-olds. They each were awarded Kate Bowers, Grace Kim, Thomas mixture of curiously fashioned elements. years, a substitute clarinetist with third prize in the solo categories for Killan, Diane Park, and Angela Kim Fussing and preening, Peoples the New Jersey Symphony, and a ages 12 and 11, respectively. Henry all participated in the annual audi- Hernandez dances around the room performer in venues in Illinois, won second place in the 12-year tions of the Association’s annual chattering like the male counterpart of Canada and Germany. old concerto category. First prize auditions, receiving highest grades. Charo. Whether uncharacteristically cra- A second featured soloist for the int he 10-year-old division went to Tanya Tran and Kate Walsh were dling a baby while citing underworld evening will be Bob Vitkowski Grace Kim. president and vice president, respec- policy or downsizing his operation by performing with the band on “A Kathy Yang, a seventh grader, tively, in the Junior Musical Club of throwing a disloyal employee out the Touch of Tuba.” Mr. Vitkowski is a was a winner in the First Andrew Westfield. They both graduated from window, he holds court in his gaudy DeGrado Competition. Receiving a digs 24-7. Fond of relating that he earned retired educator from Caldwell Westfield High School recently. his nickname because he “takes care of who is currently in his sixth sea- monetary prize, Kathy performed Ms. Tammam performs at the his peoples,” the demagogue revels in son with the band. at the Community Theater in Taubman Institute at Williams Col- spouting ad nauseam his raison d’etre. Additional selections include Morristown, and later in Steinway lege in Williamstown, Mass, aside His unmitigated chutzpah is funny, a low brass features of “Them Bases” Hall as winner in the Concert Con- from her teaching responsibilities distraction which makes him even more and “Holiday for Trombones” test of the Young Pianists Competi- at her Westfield studio. She gave vile and dangerous. along with music from Marvin tion of New Jersey. lectures last year for the Rockland But as a study in comparative villainy, Hamlisch and the Broadway musi- Grace Kim, 10, was also a winner County and the Brooklyn Music the pathology that motivates Peoples in the same competition. She won Teachers Association. Her new CD may not be as severe as that which cal A Chorus Line. The Westfield Community second prize in the New York Ko- of the Beethoven Appassionata is drives Walter Williams, the remaining rean Piano Festival and was the one-third of this film’s power structure Band’s Summer Concert series will available through the Institute. (one telling scene has his land-develop- continue on Thursday, July 6, 13, ing Dad showering a trophy wife with and 20 in Mindowaskin Park. In the deceased Mom’s jewels). the event of inclement weather, The two scoundrels meet when the the rainsite is the Westfield Com- Westfield Seniors Receive Fine Arts Recognition 450 Park Avenue WESTFIELD – On May 30, Louie Armstrong Award: Ian Scotch Plains Westfield High School’s (WHS) Fine Patt. Arts Department held its third annual Patrick S. Gilmore Award: Kate A BECKONING BECKWITH...David Findlay Jr. Inc Gallery, 41 East Fine Arts Senior Recognition. The Walsh. (908) 490-1200 57th Street, Suite 1115 in New York City, is currently displaying following scholarships and awards Concert Choir Award: works by James Carroll Beckwith (1852-1917). Pictured, above, is were presented: Stephanie Bistak. “Woman with Japanese Lantern,” which was painted in 1909. Westfield Coalition Scholar- Drama Achievement Scholar- Beckwith was especially influential to many young American ships: Kate E. Walsh, Music; Kate ship: Yari Sigal and Sam Fleder. Impressionists in his day. For more information, please call (212) Punoky, Art; James Patrick Marian Glass Award: Rosie Fine Italian Food at 486-7660, e-mail [email protected] or visit Broadbent, Art; and Rachel Klausner; Hely. www.findlayart.com. Drama. Parent Teacher Organization Bristol Scholarships: James Ian Arts Award: Jason Dreyer. Moderate Prices Patt, Instrumental Music and Shana Parent Teacher Organiza- Golembo, Vocal Music/Drama. tion Crafts Award: Katherine WHS Marching Band Awards: Heinen. Prepared and Served George Stribling and Douglas Yates. Parent Teacher Organization Teacher Grants: Annora Vocal Award: Yao Young Huang. Conway. Parent Teacher Organization Piano - Keyboard - Organ - Accordion Charles Addams Art Award: Instrumental Award: David Paik. by our Seasoned Staff Strings - Woodwinds - Brass - Voice - Guitar - Drums Michael Danskin and Scott Danskin. WHS Purchase Awards: Lessons for the Learning Disabled Westfield Women’s Club Vincent Wilt, Acrylic; Scott Danskin, Call for details about our Private Party Services Award: Thomas Hanscom. Charcoal; Joseph Hubbard, Graphic Kindermusik classes for ages 2 to 7 Director’s Award for Orches- Pieces; Dan Egan, Sculpture; and tra: David Paik. James Broadbent, Sculpture. Riverwalk Plaza SUMMER PROGRAMS Ample parking in rear • Open 7 days for lunch and dinner 34 Ridgedale Avenue 281 Main Street Director’s Award for Band: Art Club Service Awards: Kate East Hanover, NJ 07936 AVAILABLE Millburn, NJ 07041 Louie Torres. Putnoky. Available for parties on and off the premises (973) 428-0405 (973) 467-4688 CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK