Page 20 Thursday, May 26, 2011 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION 1979 Music Lovers, Extreme Sport Athletes Celebrate At Journey’s Backyard BBQ; Await Apocalypse By ERIC NIERSTEDT featuring two Jersey bands from Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Point Pleasant. WOODBRIDGE — Summer be- The first, Catch the Mouse, was gins each year with barbeques all billed as an alternate noise group. over the state. This year, since the Unfortunately, the band proved to world was supposed to end, it be- be another example of a young band gan a bit early, when Journey’s thinking loud metal riffs and inco- Backyard BBQ, a traveling herent singing are enough to make KEY PLAYER...Samantha Donohue will be a featured artist at the Continuo Arts musicfest, played the Woodbridge a band. “The Sounds of Music” concert and will perform Chopin’s Impromtu No. 4 Opus Center. Luckily, Point Pleasant’s other 66. Sponsored by shoe company Jour- band, Like the Stars, redeemed their ney, the Backyard BBQ functions hometown playing a fiery set of Continuo Arts to Present like a small scale Warped Tour. The pop-punk songs. Led by lead singer festivities last all day, mixing in A.J. Hoening’s energy filled per- extreme sports demonstrations and formance, the five-piece made the ‘The Sounds of Music’ musical acts, headlined by a mys- absolute most of their short set, as SPRINGFIELD – The Continuo Association, the Piano Teacher’s So- tery “big name band.” The program the crowd cheered along. Arts Foundation will present “The ciety of America, and the Florence also featured a Battle of the Bands, The band’s music was a mix of Sounds of Music” series at its annual Boughton Competition. New Found Glory style pop-punk spring concert to be held at St. James Since its inception in 2007, The with Fall Out Boy style lyrics the Apostle Church in Springfield, on Continuo Arts Foundation has gar- (“Sabotage is the New Black,” “The Eric Nierstedt for The Westfield Leader and The Times Saturday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. nered the attention of the interna- Love and the Lie”). But regardless SURPRISE APPEARANCE... New Found Glory made a surprise guest appear- Comprising over 150 singers from tional music world and here in the tri- of their influences, Stars came out ance at Journey’s Backyard BBQ held on May 21 at Woodbridge Center. The across Union, Essex, Somerset and state area. Premiering works in purely to pump up the crowd, proven band rocked the crowd after the Battle of the Bands competition, where the winner walked away with $500. Morris Counties, The Continuo Arts Carnegie Hall, Europe, and Vatican by their surprise rendition of Intergenerational Choral ensembles City, The Continuo Arts Foundation Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand include; the Continuo Arts Children’s connects artists to opportunities lo- Miles” that had the entire crowd Cursed With.” But the band took ejected (he announced the venue Chorus, Singers, Continuos, Civic cally and around the world. In addi- singing along. It was that same en- time for some surprises, like the had banned crowd-surfing without Chorale and Seniors Sing. The con- tion, local programs include a three- thusiasm that eventually allowed slightly fried country rock of “Dirty informing the band, or audience cert will showcase music from many week intensive Summer Musical The- Stars to win the Battle, and the five South,” the strummer “Hello and asked the ejected kids be let different genres, time periods and ater Conservatory that runs from July hundred dollar prize. Mexico” and their cover of Lady back in). The band then came back composers. From Stephen Edward’s 5 to July 22 ending in fully staged, Once the battle was over, the Antebellum “Need You Now” (from to the song perfectly, picking up “Revelation Trilogy” to a Rogers and costumed and choreographed pro- “opening act” for the main band hit the Pop Goes Punk CD series). right where they had left off. Hammerstein medley of favorites, ductions of “Beauty and the Beast” the stage. Sparks the Rescue began Finally, it came time for the main The rest of the band also showed there will be musical selections to and “Aladdin’. their set with a surprise touch, play- band to hit the stage, and they were a connection with the audience, as delight concert-goers of all ages. Sponsored in part by the Provident ing a snippet of Jane’s Addiction’s well worth the wait. New Found Gilbert, singer Jordan Pundik, and Young Artist Debut Winner Bank Foundation and the Manley “Mountain Song”. However, the Glory (NFG), the near-legendary bassist Ian Grushka asking fight- Samantha Donohue, a 15-year-old Winser Foundation, the “Sounds of Eric Nierstedt for The Westfield Leader and The band quickly shed away from the punk-poppers of Coral Springs, ing attendees to stop fighting and pianist of Summit, was selected from Music” series is a free concert and Times alternative sound and right in more Fla., hit the stage with ear-deafen- “ruining everyone’s fun.” CATCHING AIR...A BMX athlete outstanding musicians from across open to the public; donations will be energetic pop-punk. ing applause, as they launched into The band also burned through its the country and Canada to make her accepted at the door. performs at Journey’s Backyard BBQ “Understatement.” catalog from its poppy material held at Woodbridge Center May 21. While they were similar to Like debut at the first Festival The St. James the Apostle Church The event also featured a Battle of the the Stars, Sparks played much The set did pause when guitarist (“All Downhill From Here,” “Kiss Internazionale Di Arte Per Giovani is located at 45 S. Springfield Av- Bands, as well as an appearance by a louder and heavier then their coun- Chad Gilbert stopped “Listen to My Me” and “Dressed to Kill”) and it’s Musicisti in Rome last March. enue, Springfield. surprise band, which turned out to be terparts, especially on heavy rhythm Friends” to speak with security con- more hardcore offerings (“Truck Samantha will be a featured artist at For questions, auditions or fur- New Found Glory. songs like “Worst Thing I’ve Been cerning two concert-goers being Stop Blues,” “Don’t let Her Pull “The Sounds of Music” concert and ther information visit You Down,” “Truth of My Youth”). will perform Chopin’s Impromtu No. continuoarts.com, The Continuo In between, they also commented 4 Opus 66. Samantha has emerged as Arts Foundation page on Facebook, RESIDENCESFEATURING IN SUMMIT, BERKELEYDISTINGUISHED HEIGHTS HISTORIC AND WESTFIELD on the Apocalypse scheduled at 6 a rising star at competitions presented or call the Continuo Arts Founda- p.m. (it did not happen), and how by The National Music Educator’s tion at (908) 264-5324. “One guy can say it and everyone believes it.” Still, a massive storm cloud did Cranford’s ‘Paint the Town’ creep up on the venue, though not before NFG finished with “Hit Or Miss” the Ramone’s “Blitzkrieg Event to Begin June 7 Bop” and “My Friends Over You,” A CRANFORD – The Jersey Central just as rain began to fall on the Art Studios (JCAS) will host “Paint concert-goers, who were probably the Town,” its second plein air-paint- glad it was only rain. ing (outdoor landscape painting) event Tour from June 7 – 12. This year’s six-day event will be expanded, providing the SPFHS to Present 28 juried professional artists, not only painting opportunities in our local com- Senior Class Recital munity, but also two full days of paint- June 9 ing in the greater region, making avail- able such locations as Manhattan and SCOTCH PLAINS - the New Jersey shore. FANWOOD – Members of the The public will get the chance to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High meet participating artists, visit artists School’s Music Department, on location, witness as everyday scenes Class of 2011, will perform in are captured on canvas, and have op- a special showcase on Thurs- portunities to purchase work at the end day, June 9, at 7 p.m. at the of the competition on June 11 and 12. Manya Ungar Auditorium lo- There will be approximately 150 paint- REFRESHMENTS cated at the high school. ings on view and on sale at the Event SATURDAY A way to highlight the tal- Gallery located at the Cranford Com- ents from the department’s munity Center, 220 Walnut Avenue. TH MUSIC award-winning jazz and con- Paintings are typically priced from ap- LOCAL COLOR...An artist involved JUNE 4 cert ensembles and choral with “Paint the Town” works on his proximately $100 to over $1,000. rendition of the Cranford Canoe Club. RAFFLE groups, the Senior Recital is an On Saturday, June 11, from 7:30 - 11 Homes Open eclectic evening of entertain- p.m. there will be pre-sale Gala tickets Quick Draw artists work will be shown PLANT SALE ment, featuring Broadway for $25, which offers the chance to on the north side of the Cranford train 10am - 4pm show tunes, jazz combos, clas- socialize with artists and art lovers and station where they are also for sale sical pieces, solos and duets. purchase paintings before the general from 3:30- 5 p.m. Participation in the This is the second annual Se- public. On Sunday, June 12, from 1-5 event is open to any artist. Artists may WESTFIELD TICKET OUTLETS: nior Recital, giving the depart- p.m. the gallery will be open to the register for this event up to 11 a.m.