Page 16 Thursday, September 3, 2009 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION WCP Announces Long’s Passion ‘Colors’ Art Its 75th Season WESTFIELD – Westfield Com- Awareness in WF, County munity Players (WCP) has an- By MARYLOU MORANO among organizations that work with youth. nounced the lineup for its 75th anni- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Today, Mrs. Long oversees the admin- versary season beginning in October WESTFIELD – Lifelong Westfield resi- istration of more than 52 art grants. as well as an open house for pro- dent Paula Long is as much an arts advo- She also assists the OCHA staff in the spective members and volunteers Westfield’s Full Count Band Keeps cate as she is a coordinator. design, promotion and implementation of Saturday, September 12, from 1 to 4 “I see myself as someone [who] identi- workshops, information programs, arts p.m. with light refreshments. fies areas where arts can help improve events and other public programs support- Located at 1000 North Avenue lives,” she said. ing and promoting the arts in Union County. Sounds of Big Band Alive, Current Since 1998, she has held the position of “In general, Union County is very strong West in Westfield, the open house is Local Arts Development Coordinator in in arts education,” Mrs. Long stated. for anyone interested in learning By ERIC NIERSTEDT Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Union County’s Office of Cultural and Other programs facilitated by Mrs. Long more about the operations of a com- Heritage Affairs (OCHA). bring art to senior citizens and those in munity-based, non-profit theater and GARWOOD — On Thursday night, She began her career at the Fashion homeless shelters. willing to give their time to support the Garwood Crossroads was filled Institute of Technology, where she studied To Mrs. Long, art and art appreciation the new season of four shows. with classic Big Band music from merchandising. affects all aspects of people’s lives. Incoming President JoAnne Westfield, as the Full Count Big Band After a “detour” in her education that “The arts are critical to our well-being,” Lemenille noted the new season fea- took the stage. Based in Westfield, lasted almost 30 years, she returned to she said. turing comedy, mystery and farce the six-year-old band has been dedi- Kean University, graduating Magna Cum To illustrate her point, she mentioned Laude with a major in Art the role of art after 9/11. will open Saturday evening October cated to keeping the sounds of Big History and a minor in Com- “Artists of all types per- 3. Don’t Drink the Water, Woody Band music alive and current. munications. formed free. It was a calming Allen’s comedy hit, presents a fam- “Big Band and jazz are really the Soon after, she joined the influence on the country,” she ily from New Jersey on the run from classical music of America,” said band staff at OCHA. said. “The arts are not always the secret police somewhere behind president (and alternate bass player) Even while caring for a valued for all the contribu- the Iron Curtain. Mitch Kolesaire. “We really want to family – husband, Bruce, now tions they make to society.” January brings Henry Denker’s keep this music alive, but that doesn’t a retired vice-president of the “For example, art spurs comedy, Second Time Around, about mean just playing the more nostalgic Prudential Realty Group and the economy. An exhibit or senior citizens falling in love over tunes. Otherwise, we’d just play nurs- sons, Christian and Craig – performance gets people out. art, especially youth art edu- This, in turn, helps restau- the objections of their children. ing homes. We try to bring in more cation and appreciation, was rants and other businesses,” Frederick Knott’s murder mystery modern music into the Big Band a major part of her life. Paula Long she said. Dial M for Murder about a husband sound.” When her sons attended Naturally, Mrs. Long committing a perfect crime follows To accomplish this, Full Count has Tamaques School, she chaired the Art would like to see the arts become an even in March, and the season concludes an array of talented musicians, in- Appreciation Committee, a program stronger force in our society, and to make in May with a Ray Cooney farce, cluding many local residents who whereby parents volunteered to bring re- this happen, she encourages people to Caught in the Net, about a man with often bring professional skill to the Eric Nierstedt for The Westfield Leader and The Times productions of famous works of art to the take an active role in promoting the arts. two families comically trying to keep fold. COUNT ON IT...The Full Count Big Band, a division of the New Jersey Workshop classroom and introducing them to the “One way people can do this is by his children apart. “We’ve always been an open band, for the Arts, is an 18-piece big-band consisting of sax, trombone, trumpet and students. contacting their legislators,” she sug- rhythm section. Recently, the band visited the Crossroads in Garwood to bring the She also volunteered in the Westfield gested. Season subscriptions for all four and it’s amazing how we’ve found Big Band sound to newer audiences. School System as chair of the Fine Arts Mrs. Long has been honored by many shows are $50, a 40-percent savings some of these people,” Mr. Kolesaire Committee, and along with several other organizations for her contributions to art over individual ticket prices of $20 said. “One of our members, Frank instrumentals, including “Blues for with an amazing alto-sax solo by Mr. Westfield parents, she founded the non- awareness, among them Community Ac- per show. Interested theatergoers can Grasso, led a Big Band in Europe for Bassie” and, in a more contemporary San Filippo, and “High Maintenance,” profit Westfield Coalition for the Arts to cess Unlimited, and Families and Com- call (908) 232-9568 for subscription 20 years. And another, Bob San turn, a Big Band version of James which was referred to as a “band provide art and music scholarships to gradu- munities Together (FACT). information. Filippo, worked on Broadway. Our Taylor’s “Country Road.” The latter favorite.” ating Westfield High School seniors. She is a member of the National Trust Ms. Lemenille said last year’s open vocalist, Aubrey Parasolle, studied featured brassy horns and a funky Not to be outdone, Ms. Parasolle Mrs. Long first joined the county’s for Historic Preservation, and the house netted new people willing to jazz vocals at the University of Mi- bassline, yet was always recogniz- returned with the longtime standard OCHA team as a volunteer coordinator of Westfield Historic Society, as well as a work backstage and on the business ami and has her own three-piece able as the Taylor classic. “Fever,” which was ripe with dark the Teen Arts Council. volunteer for the Westfield Symphony After another instrumental, Ms. bass lines and sexy vocals. Full Count Later, she was instrumental in develop- Orchestra. side of things such as set painting band.” ing and implementing the Youth Art Con- Mrs. Long’s passion for the arts can be and selling ads for the season play- The array of talent has led Full Count Parasolle returned to the stage to add then ended the show with a trio of sortium, a forum for networking and col- summed up in one sentence. bill. to much success, and the band has vocals to the jazz classic “It Had To vocal songs – another Nat King Cole laborating that often results in partnerships “Without art, there is no life,” she said. She explained, “It is a great oppor- played at several charity events and Be You” and the stomping “My Heart classic, “L-O-V-E,” the Latin-tinged tunity to come see what WCP is fundraisers. Full Count has also played Belongs to Daddy,” which was made “Dance With Me” and the contempo- about and to help us get ready for our the Westfield Jazz Festival. Currently, famous by Marilyn Monroe. rary “How Sweet It Is” (also per- 75th anniversary season beginning Full Count is working to make the Full Count then took a quick break, formed by James Taylor). this October.” Crossroads a more frequent stop on its only to return with instrumentals “This Afterwards, the only thing prevent- She also added that all skills are tour list, hence the evening’s show. Time The Dreams On Me” and “When ing the requested encore was the fact needed, from stage crew, set con- The band opened with the classic, You’re Smilin,” which had the perfect there were other bands on the struction, costumes, makeup and ush- “I’ve got the Whole World On A mix of gentle, dreamlike horns and a evening’s agenda. More on Full Count ers to box office and facilities. “Be- String,” with smooth vocals from Ms. driving beat punctuated by drum rolls. can be found at sides,” she added, “even if you have Parasolle. Afterwards, they moved The band shone again on “Skyluck,” fullcountbigband.com. no theater skills, WCP has plenty of into the Nat King Cole classic, “Per- folks willing to train a new genera- haps, Perhaps, Perhaps.” Ms. tion of backstage and office work- Parasolle then moved down so the Museum to Host SP Author ers.” band could play a couple of
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