Page 16 Thursday, July 21, 2011 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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Westfield’s Transit Radio Makes History at Starland Ballroom Earning Spot in Finals By ERIC NIERSTEDT earlier this year, took the stage be- the next song, the New Found Glory- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times tween these two groups, and they esque “Sarah,” where he showed the SAYREVILLE — In eighth grade, were ready to go from the start. They band’s excellent showmanship. most kids have enough on their plate launched into their first song, “Don’t While pumping up the crowd, Barry without making history. But Transit Let Go,” a fast-and-hard rock song took a wrong step backwards and Radio, made up of four eighth-grad- pushed forward by Mike Maguire’s fell. But he simply sat back up, ers from Westfield, managed to find furious drumming and Connor smiled, and continued to clap as the MUSICFEST…Collective Soul, left, will headline at the Union County MusicFest on Friday, September 16, at Oak Ridge time this weekend to win a space in Wynne’s solid bass work. Guitarist band played on around him, with Park in Clark. The Smithereens, right, will perform at the Union County MusicFest for New Jersey Family Day presented the finals of Jersey Shows’ “Battle of by Kean University, on Sunday, September 18, at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Julian Mone, dressed for the occa- Wynne taking a slap-and-pop-heavy the Bands,” becoming the youngest sion in a red suit and top hat, shone as bass solo. band to ever do so. he played a pentatonic lick reminis- The group then did a small shift, as MusicFest Adds Collective Soul, ‘Southside Jersey Shows is an independent cent of AC/DC’s classic fist-pumper, they introduced their next song, “I Can promotion company that works to “Thunderstruck.” Feel It Coming,” their only love song. give New Jersey bands a chance to Rhythm guitarist Colin Barry es- While slightly mellower, the song was Johnny’ and The Smithereens to Line-Up showcase their music. Their “Battle tablished himself right after the song firmly entrenched in power-pop, with of the Bands,” which scours the en- ended, pumping the crowd with ban- its heavy-but-poppy chord progressions Blondie to perform at MusicFest September 17 tire state for talent, was whittled down ter as he introduced the band and and bursts of guitar picking. UNION COUNTY – Triple-plati- County Fair, MusicFest starts on Hope Strength Association, to the final bands at Sayreville’s asked how many audience members The time then came for the band’s num recording artists Collective Soul Wednesday, September 14, at Oak uclovehopestrength.com. Starland Ballroom this past week- were from Westfield. He then joked final number (just as Barry an- will headline at Union County Ridge Park in Clark. Free MusicFest Prospective sponsors can contact end. The eclectic lineup featured that he was “sorry for you.” Barry nounced his throat was feeling sore). MusicFest 2011 on Friday, Septem- concerts are featured throughout the Cherron Rountree, Director, Union groups such as the pop-punk Fuzzies also mentioned that he was suffer- Transit thanked Jersey Shows for ber 16, joining five days of free music fair, with New Jersey Day wrapping County Division of Intergovernmen- and InSkagntio, who blended ska, ing from a sore throat, but knew he allowing them the chance to play, on multiple stages at the Union up the festivities on Sunday, Septem- tal Policy and Planning, (908) 527- folk, and covers together. had a job to do that night. With that, the crowd for coming out, and Mone County Fair in Oak Ridge Park in ber 18. 4200 or [email protected]. Transit Radio, who won a spot Transit launched into “Summer added a special shout-out to his fa- Clark from Wednesday September The Union County Fair also fea- Nights,” a more melodic tune that, ther, wishing him happy birthday. 14 to Sunday September 18. tures a full-scale carnival, children’s nevertheless, saw the band bounc- The band then asked the crowd for Southside Johnny and the Asbury activities, and many other attrac- ing all around the stage (which they help, as they began “The Day After Jukes, one of the top acts to come out tions including the Rock on! continued throughout their set). That,” with Mone making gestures of the Jersey Shore music scene, will Walkathon and 5K Rock ‘n’ Run Mone then took center stage, play- for the crowd to chant along at vari- also join MusicFest to headline “New fundraisers to fight cancer in part- ing his own song, “Revelation of the ous points. Jersey Family Day” at the Union nership with the Love, Hope, Mind,” which partly echoed Blink The band wouldn’t find out the County Fair, presented by Kean Uni- Strength Foundation and The Valerie 182’s, “Anthem Part II.” Before play- results of the Battle until later that versity on Sunday, Fund, which is based ing, Mone and Barry jokingly en- night, but their set gave them a his- September 18. in Union County. gaged in a long intro about the song, tory-making return to Starland on Longtime indie fa- The Union County before Barry urged Mone to start sing- Saturday, August 27, where they will vorites The Fair featuring ing. The two would also share har- perform in the finals. Anyone who Smithereens, fronted MusicFest is spon- mony on the song’s powerful chorus. loves music should get a ticket as by Union County na- sored by the Union Barry would return to the mic for soon as possible. tive Pat DiNizio, are County Board of Cho- also slated to perform sen Freeholders and on New Jersey Family numerous partners in Day. the business and non- For Family Day, profit sectors includ- MusicFest will be ing Overlook Medical given over to top New Center, which returns Jersey performing art- Southside Johnny will head- as presenting sponsor ists, from national line at the Union County of MusicFest for the touring acts to home- MusicFest at New Jersey Fam- fourth year. town favorites. ily Day presented by Kean Band announce- As previously an- University, on Sunday, Sep- ments will be ongo- tember 18, at Oak Ridge Park nounced, international in Clark. ing. For continuous recording stars updates visit Blondie will take the stage at theucfair.org, ucmusicfest.org, and MusicFest on Saturday, September facebook.com/musicfest, or follow 17. the County Fair and MusicFest on MusicFest is the highlight of Union Twitter, ucnjmusicfest. County’s free seasonal outdoor mu- For information on the Love Hope sic series, which lasts all summer Strength 5-K Rock ‘n’ Run, Rock long. On! Marathon, and bone marrow Eric Nierstedt for The Westfield Leader and The Times As part of the five-day Union registry, visit the Union County Love HISTORY MAKING…Transit Radio, comprised of a group of Westfield stu- dents, became the youngest band to earn a spot in Jersey Shows’ “Battle of the Bands” at Sayreville’s Starland Ballroom this past weekend. Their performance made the grade and they will perform in the finals on Saturday, August 27. 7PULKH*VUZLY]H[VY` Provocative Play Invites All HOME ON THE RANGE…Honey Corbin’s paintings “Cattle Guard,” above, :OV^:JOLK\SL was juried into a national show in Louisville, Colo. The oil painting is based on a photograph taken while the artist was in Wyoming last fall. Honey is the sister of The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times Publisher Horace To Follow Me to Nellie’s Corbin and Assistant Publisher and Sports Editor Dave Corbin. By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY known throughout the area and re- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times spected by blacks and whites alike UNION — Of the more than 300 for her charitable donations to submissions to the 2011 Premiere Natchez. Stages Play Festival at Kean Univer- Each of the women who lives in her sity, Follow Me to Nellie’s, by Domi- house has multi-layered stories and nique Morisseau was selected as this rich characterization. Nyahale Allie’s year’s winner. Last weekend, packed portrayal of Marla, a hard-bitten houses at the intimate, comfortable vixen, shows what some women of Zella Fry Theatre glimpsed the “gold” color had to do to survive in the that judges saw in naming Nellie’s 1950s. Her fellow prostitutes – the number one. seasoned, rational Ree Ann, played American Dreams Follow Me to Nellie’s is a thought- convincingly by Michelle Wilson and ful show about dreams; a freedom a younger, effervescent Sandy, played ...A Musical Salute fighter’s hope for a better future, a perfectly by Ley Smith — give a view 8PM Thursday, July 21 young black girl’s fantasy to become of what mind games the women under “Ravishing Rose,” a blues singer, and went to survive. In a credible, reveal- 8 PM Friday, July 22 a houseful of women who long for a ing moment, Sandy counsels Marla Adults $10.00 Students $7.00 way out of their life in a brothel. that men might try to steal every bit of Set in Natchez, Mississippi in her, but she’s able to overcome any Disney's 1955, the two-act play by Ms. situation by going to a place in her Morisseau transports the audience to soul that no one can touch. The Aristocats Kids a bleak time in history for African One of the key residents of Nellie’s Americans. This is just before Rosa house is a beautiful young, fresh- 11AM & 7 PM Saturday, July 23 Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader and The Times SMOOTH OPERATORS…At the July 14 Village Green Summer Concert Series Parks’ famous stance and well before faced girl named NaRose (Kelly All Seats $7.00 presented by the Scotch Plains Cultural Arts Committee, Funktion 11, above, true integration of southern schools. McCreary) who dreams of becoming rocked the crowd with their smooth, mo-town sound. Below, a performer-in-the- Ossie Brown (the dynamic Warner a blues singer some day. An orphan, making sings along with Eva the Diva, the event’s opening act. The next concert Miller), a student from Howard Uni- CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Seussical Jr. is slated for tonight and will feature Amazing Dave, a children’s act, and Jazz versity, travels to Mississippi to “edu- Lobsters, as the main event. cate” fellow blacks on how to pass 1 PM & 8 PM Wednesday, July 27 Jim Crow voting registration. 1 PM & 8 PM Thursday, July 28 The nearly impossible test, admin- istered by whites, was fraught with Adults $10.00 Students $7.00 hoops through which prospective black voters jumped to get a registra- tion card. When Brown secures se- Crazy for You cret accommodations in a backhouse building of the infamous brothel of 2 PM & 8 PM Saturday July 30 Miss Nellie Jackson (Lynda Gravatt), 2 PM & 8 PM Sunday, July 31 he finds more than just lodging. $11.00 Adults Students $8.00 Miss Nellie, portrayed by the amazing actress Lynda Gravatt, is All Shows Held at: somewhat of an anomaly in her com- munity. A larger-than-life figure and Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre Photo courtesy of Roy Groething similar in ways to Rhett Butler’s red- LADY IN WAITING…Lynda Gravátt 78 Winans Ave. Cranford, NJ headed paramour Belle in Gone with in the Premiere Stages at Kean Tickets at www.PINEDACONSERVATORY.com the Wind, Nellie operates her whore- University’s production of Follow Me or (908) 731-1377 house of black women with the preci- to Nellie’s by Dominique Morisseau, sion of a military general. But she’s directed by John Wooten.