Page 20 Thursday, August 26, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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AARTIST OF THE WEEK Music Box Town Book Press Announces September Release Date Claude Monet A Review of Local Musicians 1840-1926 By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Famous for his depiction of Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times For ‘Harvesting Ice’ water lilies and women with Basic flowing gowns by the sea, Basic WESTFIELD — Town Book publishers I originally contacted have Claude Oscar Monet was a WESTFIELD – “I think we have a Press, the publishing arm of The yet to respond at all,” he said. French Impressionist painter depths of a relationship are explored at Town Book Store of Westfield, has Town Book Press was created in who pioneered the revolution very unique sound that you can’t com- every angle, haunting with both lyric pare to anyone else. It’s something new announced a Saturday, September 1998 by Grace Roth, the owner of of natural light in painting. and melody, still rumbling like a storm. 11, release date for its first novel, The Town Book Store of Westfield. A native of Paris, Monet and different,” boasted Westfield High This is the song to run with, that makes School (WHS) graduate Brian Gillin “Harvesting Ice,” by Lawrence “With each merger between major spent his teenage years study- the strongest impression of all. Cirelli. publishers, thousands of titles vanish when asked about the not-so-basic sound Basic has been jamming together ing drawing and painting sea- offered by the four-member band, Basic. Set in upstate New York in 1927, from publication,” noted Ms. Roth. scapes with fellow French Claiming The this story chronicles a year in the “Equally, the large publishing houses painter Eugene Louis Boudin. Beatles, Nirvana and lives of its three main characters, increasingly ignore new, talented He was also inspired by the Kristen Scott, Emily Harrison and writers.” The Dave Matthews Mark Lerner. Ms. Roth continued, “The eco- works of Manet, Pissarro, Band as strong inspira- Renoir and Sisley. Jardin de Monet a Giverny by Claude Mr. Cirelli’s writing career started nomics of scale simply do not sup- Monet tions for his song writ- 20 years ago, in college, when he port a large company making a small Exceeding the boundaries ing, Brian credited set forth by traditional paint- grasp. This is a combination wrote a short story that was featured print run and then promoting the former WHS English in Seton Hall University’s quarterly book and the author. We started Town ers, Monet experimented with which has helped Monet stand teacher, Paula Roy, with out as an artist even to this day. magazine. Book Press to bring back carefully the use of sunlight which de- turning English into his He began writing again in 1994. selected old titles and the books of fied the common contemporary Monet painted up until his favorite subject and in- He took a class at The New School new regional authors to fill the gaps artists of his time. death in 1926 in Giverny. creasing his creativity. with author, David Markson. His these vast publishing houses cre- Bold with color and tech- Though his eyesight was failing, Brian, who plays gui- third submission to the class be- ate.” nique, Monet’s composition he still managed to see a certain tar in Basic, is joined by came the fourth chapter of “Har- “Town Book Press seems a natural remained simple and easy to light that few could duplicate. fellow Westfield buddies vesting Ice.” extension of the bookstore for it al- Charlie Irwin (piano/ Mr. Cirelli then joined a local lows us to provide better books and a vocals/lyricist) and Gor- writer’s group at The Palmyra Tea wide selection to our customers. In don Kaslusky (bass/ Room in Bound Brook, and contin- fact, rather than taking on the mega- backup vocals), as well ued working on “Harvesting Ice” publishers, we hope that they will as Bay Head resident for the next two and a half years. continue to ignore the out-of-print Corby Hewson (drums). “The choice of the 1920s was and future novels that we plan to After listening to simple,” he related. “I have always publish,” said Ms. Roth. “Saturday,” from Basic, The cover of the 1998 release of the self-titled album, Basic. Band members include Charlie Irwin, been fascinated by that period, and The release of “Harvesting Ice” on the refrain is so infec- I wanted a point in history where the September 11, will be marked by tious that it continues Brian Gillin, Gordon Kaslusky, all of Westfield and reader would already know the his- book signings in The Town Book to play on the mind long Corby Hewson of Bay Head. torical outcome, in this case, the Store of Maplewood, from 11 a.m. to after the CD has been Wall Street Panic. I wanted it to 1p.m., and The Town Book Store of returned to its case. since mid-February and cut their self- loom over the characters who were Westfield from 2 to 4 p.m. The lyrics to “A Careful Hand” are titled CD at a studio in Middlesex. Open blissfully ignorant of the upcoming Other area bookstore appear- tender and cannot help but linger. “Will mike nights at the Watchung Arts Cen- storm.” ances by Mr. Cirelli are currently you recognize me or will we ever ter and performances at The Crossroads “During the years it took to write being scheduled through Decem- learn? Will you walk away when I’m in Garwood have generated a faithful ‘Harvesting Ice,’ I read only books ber. down and bleeding?” sings Charlie, following of fans. Brian revealed that written in the 1920’s, trying to im- Other titles currently in print from while the guitars cry in the background. the band members will begin booking merse myself in the cadences of the Town Book Press include a collection Lyrics such as “Would the child in- venues at the Jersey Shore, as well as in language and the rhythms of the of illustrated poetry entitled “Subur- side you like to come along and play,” Hoboken, for next summer. times. I researched the ice harvest- ban Mothers: The Funny Life” by are accompanied by soulful riffs during In the meantime, Brian will hit the ing industry, going so far as to par- Tina Lesher and Joan Mund, and the the CD’s third song, “Hey Love.” books at Lehigh University, studying ticipate in an ice harvest as part of a children’s picture book “How Fletcher However, the waters seem calm and business; Charlie will attend Fairleigh Winter Festival in upstate New Was Hatched” by Wende and Harry undisrupted until the final song, “Out of Dickinson University for sound engi- York,” Mr. Cirelli explained. Devlin. Mind” hits the speakers. The outer space neering, Corby will continue studies at “Upon completion, I sent sample Two more releases have been A DREAM COME TRUE…Mountainside resident Kassy Ciasulli made a tones with a drumroll gives the listener Ocean County College and Gordon will chapters out to 10 publishers. I was scheduled for 1999; “A Kiss for A dream come true when she performed the National Anthem before a packed something to anticipate. There’s a storm pursue a music major at Penn State. The prepared to send it to 50. I told my- Warthog” by the Devlins, and a young audience at The Meadowland’s Hambletonian Race on August 5. Pictured, brewing with the sound in this song. band will continue practicing during self if I was rejected by 50, I’d aban- adult novel by Billy Callahan en- above, is Kassy on the big screen monitor at the stadium. She recently Basic offers a selection of four songs, college breaks. don the idea of publishing a novel. titled “Muckraker.” finished up a run as Mrs. Sowerberry and Strawberry Vendor in the the strongest being “Out of Mind.” Approximately 150 copies of Basic Before I had even completed the first Town Book Press books are avail- Westfield Young Artists’ Cooperative Theatre performance of Oliver! at the Dark and sorrowful, it seems like the have been distributed since its recording. draft, Frank Smith, a friend of mine able at bookstores everywhere, and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Kassy, who performs regularly with from Westfield, sent me an article through www.amazon.com and The Tim Gillis Band, will now return to her studies at Governor Livingston about Town Book Press. Half of the barnesandnoble.com. High School. Bluth, Messina, Chattin Trio New Gymnastics Instructor SCOTCH PLAINS – ing if there was an end to each song. New Jersey Workshop for Arts Westfield Glee Club Comes to Dance School Five-year Scotch Plains resident Perhaps waiting for a DJ to announce a commercial. To Hold Rehearsals WESTFIELD — Joanne Carey, Don Messina, who plays bass in the jazz trio of Bluth, Messina and Chatin, Truth be told, the lack of variation in Prepares Music Studio Programs owner and artistic director of the CD made it difficult to appreciate. It WESTFIELD — Rehearsals for stated, “The trio music is evolving and Westfield School of Dance, has changing all the time. We never know felt like 74 minutes of waiting for some- the Westfield Glee Club’s 75th sea- welcomed Ann Marie Zingales of what is going to happen when we start thing that never came. Whenever a new WESTFIELD – The Music Studio, ing ability. There is also the NJWA son will resume on Monday, Sep- Summit as the new gymnastics in- playing, except that we a division of New Jersey Workshop Training Jazz Band and Training tember 13, at 8 p.m. in the choir structor to begin stick to a very strict adher- for the Arts (NJWA) in downtown Strings for students with elementary room at The Presbyterian Church in teaching this fall on ence to the time (tempo) Westfield, will begin its 13th season playing ability. Westfield. Friday afternoons from and form or outline of the in September. Ensembles meet at the Westfield Student and adult male singers 4 to 6 p.m. tune that we are playing, Instrumental and vocal lessons and Y, the Zion Lutheran Church in Clark are invited to sing the new program Miss Zingales was edu- and also you try to hear all ensemble training will be available and at the NJWA building in music for the group’s Winter Con- cated at Indiana University of the three lines that are cre- for all age and skill levels. Westfield. All musicians certs, which will be performed on Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of ated by the group while As a new addition to the studio’s are invited to participate Sunday, December 5, and Saturday, Arts Degree, University of Nice, you are playing. It is still schedule, group voice lessons in these ensembles and December 11. Nice, France and Hofstra Univer- much fun on a very deep will be offered for ages 12 to will be interviewed and Following the run-through of the sity of Law. She is not only known level.” adult. Semi-private piano les- placed according to skill program, Director Thomas Booth as a superb gymnastics teacher, Mr. Messina is accom- sons for 4-year-old chil- level. and Accompanist George coach, and competitor, but also is panied by pianist Larry dren entitled, “Piano Performing ensembles Lachenauer will join with members Lead Attorney assigned to the City Bluth and drummer Bill Pals,” will also be in- such as Chamber Orches- to meet new singers at a coffee and of Passaic. Chattin. The trio, which has cluded in the program this tra, Concert Band and Jazz doughnuts fellowship. Miss Zingales is trained in various been performing together fall. since 1982, has released Band are also offered. These Information will be given on spe- levels of gymnastics as well as all The Music Studio offers ensembles are for musicians with cial 75th anniversary plans for both apparatus. “Live at Orfeo,” “Five Con- certs and a Landscape” and individual lessons on pi- experience in playing in an ensemble. the winter and spring concerts. For further information on class ano, brass, alphorn, bari- Founded in 1972, the mission of For additional information, please schedule and times, please call (908) its most recent work, “For- Formations by the Bluth, Messina, Chattin Trio mations.” tone, French horn, trom- the NJWA “is to enrich the lives by call Dale Juntilla at (908) 232-0673. 789-3011. includes Scotch Plains resident and bass player Don bone, trumpet, tuba, bells, drum providing opportunities to develop Each of the 11 songs on Messina. “Formations” appears to set, snare drum, bass guitar, cello, creative talents and encourage a blend into one another, so that it seems song arrived, it sounded exactly like guitar, harp, string bass, viola, vio- greater understanding of the arts there is hardly a break at all. I kept the one before it. Your mood didn’t lin, bassoon, clarinet, English horn, through both instruction and perfor- COME TO OUR 25TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND finding myself checking the CD to see have the chance to alter or become flute, oboe, recorder and saxo- mance.” if the number changed and moved on enlightened or inspired. The only thing phone. Additional NJWA programs in- to the next song. Fellow listeners that comes to mind is the continuous A variety of ensembles in which clude Kids ‘n’ Arts, Tots ‘n’ Arts, thought we were listening to the radio “bee-bop” of New York City — in a musicians may participate are avail- Drawing Workshop, Fencing, The while the CD was playing, not know- traffic jam. able at The Music Studio. The NJWA Harp Ensemble, Fiddlin’ Fun, Piano Orchestra has two group sessions Pals, The Westfield Summer Work- available: Group I for beginners with shop, Summer Band and Summer STEPHEN J. CANNELL some playing ability and Group II Orchestra and the Westfield Art Gal- creator of for intermediate to advanced musi- lery. cians. For more information on NJWA The Rockford Files & Wiseguy The NJWA Training Band is fea- and The Music Studio programs, tured for beginners with some play- please call (908) 789-9696. will be signing his latest book DEVIL’S WORKSHOP on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND

6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. September 3rd – September 6th or, if you can’t come, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY TODAY at THE TOWN BOOK STORE 255 East Broad Street, Westfield • 908-233-3535

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