Page 22 Thursday, February 8, 2007 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION No ‘Changing’ of Vocal Quality At Celebration Singers’ Feast By SUSAN M. DOUGHERTY table. She gave her sob story: she was the guests as they ate. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times formerly a chef for the king until his Mr. Berg’s segment of a sing-a- SCOTCH PLAINS – “Oh, it’s a cos- majesty found her hair in his soup. long with the audience was a delight- Westfield Songster Jesse tume party,” one little boy noted as he Alas, she was reduced to a lowly ful highlight of the night. “It’s easy,” saw the Celebration Singers in mad- serving wench. he said slyly. “Just repeat after me,” rigal garb at Snuffy’s Pantagis’ Res- The characters affected British ac- then sang a tongue twister to beat all taurant in Scotch Plains on Saturday, cents, as they welcomed the guests to tongue twisters. Hershkowitz Raps Up Cancer January 26. their seats in the banquet hall dubbed Undaunted, guests got up to take By LINDA B. CONDRILLO forward’ this time in my life.” fracture.” In layman’s terms, it was a In reality, it was a Madrigal Dinner Deep Manor (pronounced “manure”.) part in the sing-off competition. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Until last August, with eyebrows tumor, so small it was barely visible Theater experience entitled, “The Right on cue, the procession began Then, a melodrama took the stage WESTFIELD — Out of the hospi- that could once make Brooke Shields on the film, which had caused his Changing of the Guard, A Madrigal with brass musical heraldry and pag- with Wiley Wanda (Barbara Stroz), a tal and – with a little luck – out of the jealous, Mr. Hershkowitz lived and humerus to break. Dinner.” eantry galore. damsel in distress, being hounded by woods, Jesse Hershkowitz’s battle worked in Georgia with former col- And while it certainly helps to have It felt like stepping back to the Four light songs presented before the evil Sheriff of Notting, better with cancer will be all but a distant lege roommate Moses Hernandez, a mother who is as skillful at dishing medieval era, with colorful banners dinner were interrupted by the known as Not ‘n Honey, played to the memory one fine day. Gone forever, whose nom de rap is Moe Mentum. out meds as any “Top Chef” con- unfurled, castle boulders arrayed, “Changing of the Guard,” a running hilt by Sean Carroll. but definitely not forgotten. With a bit The pair earned culinary arts de- tender, it also helps to have an on- serving wenches, a jester, a juggler gag that reared its corny but cute head Robin the Boy Wonder (Rene more luck, the 26-year-old aspiring grees at Johnson and Wales and dis- cologist in the family with ties to Gabbai) paid a visit in the sketch hip-hop/rap artist known as “Urbalist” covered early on that they had more Sloan Kettering. while a Country Western melody will have his plight immortalized in in common than food preparation. After the trip to Overlook, they twanged away in “A Song for Wanda.” his newest release, “Cancerous Flow: “We were just sitting around in were soon on their way to Connecti- After a series of groaner jokes in Lyrical Journal.” the dorm one day and Moe thought cut to see Ms. Linder’s cousin, Dr. the too-long play, (“Let your pages Mr. Hershkowitz never planned on I was working on a paper – when I Dennis Slater. Mr. Hershkowitz still do the walking through the yellow using cancer as his shtick, but for told him it wasn’t homework, but a didn’t know what the words “patho- fingers”), the singers did what they Urbalist, healing via hip-hop was a do best: sing. lifesaver. There’s even a Jewish spin They finished off the evening with to the CD, with one of the tracts numbers previewed in their Decem- entitled “Oy-Vey.” But it is the first ber concert. Memorable classics like song, “The First Five Days,” which “Lullay Thou Little Tiny Child,” “An- chronicles the awful reality of being gels We Have Heard on High” and diagnosed with cancer, that transcends “Silent Night” took a Herculean ef- the limits of any musical genre. fort of concentration on the vocalists’ Speaking to the The Westfield part with dance music thumping from Leader and The Scotch Plains- the next room blasting in the back- Fanwood Times from his parents’ ground. home in Westfield, where he has been A testament to their talent and recuperating since last summer after mental focus, the group’s candle lit being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins vocal recession was especially lovely. lymphoma, Mr. Hershkowitz said, Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader and The Times A fun night for a family of all ages, “When I write and record, I forget FROM JESTERS TO KING…Royally costumed Celebration Singers entertain this proved to be a rousing collabora- at their January 26 Madrigal Dinner Theater at Snuffy’s in Scotch Plains. about everything else–including the tive project for the Celebration Sing- fact that I have cancer. Making the and ladies and lords of the court ready many times throughout the night. ers to share with friends and family. album was a way for me to ‘fast for the introduction of the king and With fanfare, young pages brought queen. in a decorated fake boar’s head on a Before the program, however, the platter and the singers burst forth into Powerful Women of Song costumed members of the cast “Boar’s Head Carol.” mingled with the guests and intro- Host of the evening, Inn Keeper duced themselves as people from an- Sean Berg, ever the versatile, ener- Presents Singer Toshi Reagon other time and place. getic and charismatic conductor of By MEREDITH MANNINO smooth voice gave the reggae song a “I am Sou Fflé,” announced so- the Cranford-based vocal group, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times jazzy feel, and it sounded great. prano Alisa Olin to those seated at our strummed a guitar and interacted with WESTFIELD – Entertaining and She developed a following and rhythmic singer Toshi Reagon per- earned the respect of musicians and Linda B. Condrillo for The Westfield Leader and The Times formed at last weekend’s Powerful critics after opening for popular rock UNDER WRAPS…To prevent repeated sticking with needles to accommodate Shanghai String Quartet Women of Song concert series at the star Lenny Kravitz on his first world the amount of chemotherapy necessary to treat his cancer, a mediport was Watchung Arts Center. The series is tour several years ago. surgically implanted under Jesse Hershkowitz’s skin. the brainchild of Ahrre Maros, owner Music and political activism are in song I was writing, we started talk- logical fracture” meant. As forthright To Perform with Symphony of Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery in her blood; her parents belonged to ing about music, and found out we as his music, he asked his mom WESTFIELD – On Saturday, Feb- in residence, said. Westfield. Tickets are reasonably SNCC’s (Student Non-Violent Coor- both liked the same thing. We started straight up for a best-case/worst-case ruary 10, at 8 p.m., at The Presbyte- Originally formed in Shanghai, the priced, and proceeds are donated to dinating Committee), and The Free- writing together and decided to form scenario. rian Church in Westfield, the Westfield Shanghai Quartet is known for their the Watchung Arts Center. dom Singers, a folk group that sprung a group, and to really take it seri- It was then, on the long car ride, he Symphony (WSO) will present Val- passionate musicality, technique and In September 2006, Mr. Maros from the Civil Rights movement and ously.” heard the word cancer for the first entine – Asian style, an eclectic mix multicultural innovations. “We are launched the women’s music series, toured the country to teach people After graduation, they stayed in time. “I just sat back in my seat ‘beg- of dance, romance, creativity and truly honored to welcome and part- hoping it would create a loyal fan about civil rights through song. Her Providence and formed the group ging karma’ please, don’t let it be unbridled energy, all from masters ner with a quartet of such refinement base. mother, Bernice “Hybrid H.” Three years later, they cancer.” But luckily for Urbalist, be- spanning four centuries of musical and musical distinction,” WSO Mu- “I know lots and lots Johnson Reagon, is moved to Atlanta, where, according cause the cancer was found so early, tradition. sic Director David Wroe said. of singer / songwriters, founder of the world- to Mr. Hershkowitz, hip hop is not his chances for a full recovery are This program includes Strauss Since its founding at the Shanghai and many of them are renowned, a capella only thriving, but also an affordable excellent. “Waltzes,” Debussy’s scandalous “Pre- Conservatory in 1983, the Shanghai women. I’ve noticed ensemble Sweet place to live in comparison to New Oddly, it wasn’t the fact that he was lude to Afternoon of a Faun,” Zhou Quartet have been seen on stage with that these women are Honey In The Rock. York, Los Angeles and Miami. facing his own mortality that worried Long’s “Poems From Tang” and cul- artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, David Soyer, incredibly powerful; Ms. Reagon’s bio Moe Mentum soon found work as Urbalist. Mr. Hershkowitz told The minates in Mozart’s passionate “Sym- Eugenia Zukerman, Sharon Isbin, they touch you,” Mr. at toshireagon.com, a chef by day, spending off hours with Westfield Leader, “My first thought phony No. 40,” with its almost univer- Ruth Laredo and Arnold Steinhardt. Maros said. “Many paints a very accurate Urbalist cutting demos. The two were wasn’t that it was life threatening. It sal language of elegance and charm. Tickets may be purchased directly female artists are ex- and clear picture: “In up and running in their Pro Tools- was more like a giant inconvenience. This Valentine’s celebration concert from the WSO office, 224 East Broad tremely soulful, intro- CONCRETEsome ways, singer equipped studio, recording other art- All I could think about was that I features a guest appearance by the Street, or by calling the box office at spective and inspir- JUNGLE...Rhythmic singer Toshi Reagon is a Toshi Reagon performs at the ists under the indie “Risk It All didn’t want to leave my friends in Shanghai String Quartet, partnering (908) 232-9400. Tickets are also avail- ing.” Powerful Women of Song con- throwback to classic Records” label, as well as trying to Atlanta, leave my grind, leave my with WSO in a special performance of able at Fastframe on Westfield’s After seeing Ms. cert series at the Watchung Arts R&B artists, like get their own big label contract. hustle. I was working on a record Mr. Long’s “Poems From Tang” (1995). Quimby Street and Martin Jewelers Reagon perform live, Center. Stevie Wonder or Mr. Hershkowitz got recognition, deal, and I just took the news as “I can think of no better ensemble in Cranford. Mr. Maros asked her Prince, or old-school taking first prize in the Great Ameri- ‘squashing my dreams.’ to help me bring alive the Tang Dy- For information, call (908) 232 9400, to perform; fortunately, she said yes. rock group Led Zeppelin. Despite (or can Song Contest of 2006 in the hip- “All I could think about was how nasty mystique through 21st century e-mail [email protected] Saturday’s show was great, as Ms. because of) her genre-bending, Toshi hop category for his song “Depres- the recovery would make me lose musical colors,” Mr. Long, composer or go to westfieldsymphony.org. Reagon played her guitar and sang to fits comfortably on a stage at Carnegie sion.” Life was good. time promoting the record, stopping a packed house. Her performance was Hall, or in a dirty rock club.” Then, an annoying pain in Urbalist’s me in my tracks,” he added. See it all on the web in color . . . fun and evocative, and the beats The rich artistic and educational arm that just wouldn’t go away led to His parents provided studio equip- grooved and rocked. The girl power history of the Watchung Arts Center an emergency room visit, where, with- ment in their home, allowing their www.goleader.com energy was refreshing and vital, remi- makes it a perfect venue for the Pow- out so much as an x-ray, he was told son to record—when he was up to it. niscent of being a student at Hobart erful Women of Song series. The cen- it was probably bursitis and given a Urbalist said, “If I didn’t have an and William Smith Colleges. ter is in a 125-year-old building, part Motrin. album to work on with songs to write JUXTAPOSE Perhaps the best thing about the of which was the original school- As they say with cooking, timing is and record, or my love for music and GALLERY singer / songwriter /guitar player is house for the Borough of Watchung. everything. It just so happened Mr. my need for healing, I would have her smile is as big, exuberant and The non-profit volunteer-run cen- Hershkowitz had plans to fly to New gone absolutely insane; torn myself warm as her voice and music. Of ter is also host to many art exhibitions Jersey to attend his grandmother’s up.” course, she’s not always singing about and performing arts shows, and of- 85th birthday party the very next day. But he was torn up, physically at Creative Custom Framing happy experiences and subjects; her fers classes in drawing, photography He never made it to the party. least. “It was a nightmare; the whole D C C M expression of sorrow and pain is just and yoga. Instead, his mother, Louise Linder, thing was just a nightmare,” Ms. esign onsultation & reative atting as moving as the joyful one. Next month, the Powerful Women took him to Overlook Hospital where Linder told the newspaper. Urbalist Needlepoint • Mirrors Hearing Ms. Reagon sing in her of Song series will present Zoë Lewis. he did have an x-ray and, being a wrote at his “lowest points,” which Box Framing • Shadow Boxes for Memorabilia incredibly strong, far-ranging voice, Ms. Lewis is a British-born musician, nurse herself, “was horrified” when included painful side effects from a lyrics, such as “I believe in kindness / who combines jazz, Latin grooves, she heard the words “pathological CONTINUED ON PAGE 21 JUXTAPOSE GALLERY I believe in sweetness,” exemplify that swing, international folk and funk 58 Elm Street, Westfield 908-232-3278 words truly can transform and inspire. originals, according to press mate- www.juxtaposegallery.com Early in the show, she performed a rial. If interested, check out Filmmakers Brings Best moving, folk rendition of Bob eventbrite.com/event/41825100/ for Marley’s “Concrete Jungle.” Her more information. Of Festival Circuit to NJ MOUNTAINSIDE –Starting Febru- Aiello, Alan Arkin, James Cromwell, ary 26, Filmmakers Symposium will Frank Darabont, Ethan Hawke, Jean- run for 12 weeks in New Jersey at AMC Pierre Jeunet, John Sayles, Marc Loews Mountainside and AMC Loews Shaiman, Howard Shore and David Monmouth Mall. This series has hosted Strathairn have joined Dylan Baker, 1,162 movie premieres with 765 live Al Franken, Famke Janssen, Delroy guest appearances over the past 16 years. Lindo, Derek Luke, David Morse, DAVID WROE, MUSIC DIRECTOR “The program will always be flex- Viggo Mortensen, Connie Nielsen and ible in order to take advantage of Kevin Smith as guest speakers who opportunities as they arise,” said Sym- have come to share their insights with posium director Chuck Rose. “Won- Symposium participants. VALENTINE derful surprises and fantastic celebri- Mr. Rose added, “Last fall, well in ties can pop up out of nowhere, so I advance of public release, we pre- try to keep the schedule as fluid as viewed Academy Award nominees ASIAN STYLE possible. In the past two years, we Pan’s Labyrinth, Jesus Camp and premiered 91 films, which later earned Little Children, highlighted by a fas- DEBUSSY Prelude to Afternoon of a Faun a total of 38 Oscar, 44 British Acad- cinating discussion with ZHOU LONG Poems of Tang featuring Shanghai String Quartet emy, 39 Golden Globe, and 31 Euro- screenwriting nominee Tom Perrotta. MOZART Symphony No. 40, G Minor, K.550 pean Film Award nominations.” In the spring, we previewed Oscar Oscar winners and nominees Danny nominee Water with its captivating star, Lisa Ray joining us.” Among the many films under con- sideration for the upcoming session are: Away From Her with Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, director Sarah Polley; Gracie with Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney, director Davis Guggenheim; The TV Set with David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, director Jake Kasdan; and Paris Je T’aime directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, Alfonso Cuaron, Alexander Payne, Walter Salles and Tom Tykwer. Saturday February 10 at 8PM For information or to register, call The Presbyterian Church 1-800-531-9416 or visit in Westfield

Design: MoldaveDesigns, Mountainside NJ • www.moldavedesigns.com MoldaveDesigns, Design: PrivateScreenings.org Tickets: $60, $30 FOR TICKETS: CALL 908 232 9400 The series is open to anyone, but EMAIL wso@westfieldsymphony.org seating is limited, so early enrollment OR VISIT OUR TICKET OUTLETS: is advised. Subscription is $166 for FASTFRAME: Quimby St. Westfield six weeks or $299 for 12 weeks. Dis- MARTIN JEWELERS: Cranford counts will be available for registra- tions made by Monday, February 12.