Page 20 Thursday, May 30, 2019 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION World-Famous Violinist Stefan Milenkovich to Perform at NJFO WHS Rocks the Runway of Dreams, A Fashion Show of Adaptive Clothes Charlotte Cohen, Jillian Laconti, and Styled N Strut. Gina DeFalco, store manager at South Moon Under, is excited to be involved in the show. “We love being part of town events, and we believe we really have clothes for everyone, so we were just so happy for them to include us in such a great cause,” said Ms. DeFalco. “I think it’s fantastic how this club is showing how versa- tile fashion can be.” WHS sophomore Sean Marner is a student-designer and model in the show, and he said the event is the perfect way to encourage young art- ists to showcase their work. “I also think it’s a great way to incorporate people with disabilities,” he said. “I think the fashion industry has made great strides toward more diversity, but this is an area of fashion that is still so underrepresented.” In partnering with Charlotte, Jillian hopes the club will continue promot- ing RODF’s mission of celebrating differences, breaking down stereo- types, and highlighting the need for mainstream adaptive fashion even SEASON FINALE...Internationally acclaimed Serbian violinist Stefan Milenkovich returns to New Jersey Festival after she graduates next year. Orchestra to perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto on Saturday, June 1, at the First United Methodist Church in Westfield. Greta Frontero for The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times “In the years to come we will defi- RUNWAY OF DREAMS...Jillian Laconti, pictured left, is wearing a shirt from student-designer LanguagesNJ, and Charlotte Cohen, right, is wearing a denim nitely do more fashion shows, but I WESTFIELD — Serbia’s Artist Marriner, Lorin Maazel and more. Isolde (Excalibur) and Bernstein’s jacket she designed and painted. The pair are heading the first-ever “WHS Rocks also think there is so much more this of the Century, Most Humane Per- Winner of numerous prizes in inter- Symphonic Dances (West Side Story). the Runway of Dreams,” a student-run fashion show to promote inclusion of club can accomplish,” said Charlotte. son, and Brand Personality of the national violin competitions, Mr. “I think this event will be the dra- people with disabilities, and is set for Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. “I’m not exactly sure what the future Year, virtuoso violinist Stefan Milenkovich has performed for Presi- matic high point of the NJFO sea- of the club will look like, but we defi- Milenkovich, returns to Westfield to dent Ronald Reagan, Mikhail son,” continued Wroe. “The outstand- By GRETA FRONTERO Cohen. Jillian has worked with RODF nitely don’t want to limit ourselves.” perform in New Jersey Festival Gorbachev, and Pope John Paul II. At ing music and virtuoso performances Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times as a stylist for runway shows in New Orchestra’s (NJFO) grand season age 16, he gave his 1,000th concert. are simply spellbinding! We hope that WESTFIELD — The Westfield York and Las Vegas, and was so in- finale on Friday, June 1. Deeply committed to international you will come and join this unique High School (WHS) Runway of spired by the foundation’s mission “Without a doubt, Stefan will en- humanitarian causes, he received the celebration to close our season.” Dreams Club will host the first-ever that she and Charlotte created their thrall our audiences,” commented Lifting Up the World With Oneness The concert has been made possible “WHS Rocks the Runway of Dreams” own Runway of Dreams Club at WHS. NJFO Music Director David Wroe. Heart award for his humanitarian ac- through the generous support of the NJ tomorrow night, Friday, May 31. It is The fashion show will be the first “He is among the ranks of the greatest tivities, handed to him personally by State Council on the Arts, the Geraldine a student-run fashion show to pro- event the club has hosted. violinists of our generation and is the guru Sri Chinmoy. He also partici- R. Dodge Foundation and a new part- mote inclusion of people with dis- “Our main goal is to promote inclu- right up there with Joshua Bell, Sarah pated in a number of gala concerts nership with Atlantic Health System. abilities. The show will highlight siveness in the fashion industry by Chang, and Hilary Hahn to name but under the auspices of UNESCO in Mr. Milenkovich’s appearance has been adaptive clothing for people with showcasing adaptive clothing,” said a few. His talents as a virtuoso and Paris, with such artists as Placido made possible by The Jerome and cognitive and physical disabilities, as Jillian, “but we also want to bring the master interpreter have afforded him Domingo, Lorin Maazel, Alexis Helene Dreskin Family Trust. well as incorporate student designs Westfield community together. That’s opportunities with orchestras across Weissenberg, and Sir Yehudi Menuhin. “Music That Makes Hollywood” and on-trend clothing from local why it was important for us to bring the globe -- that he returns to NJFO in With NJFO, playing on the 1783 takes place on Friday, June 1, at 7 stores. local stores and student designers to- Westfield is a highlight for us all.” Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin, p.m. at the First United Methodist Tickets for the event, which will gether, so that everyone can show- An internationally sought-after Mr. Milenkovich will bring to life Church in Westfield. Michael Rosin take place at 7 p.m. in the WHS case their work, while we bring atten- soloist and recitalist, Mr. Brahms violin concerto, one of the will give his free pre-concert lecture auditorium, can be purchased at tion to such a good cause.” Milenkovich has performed in some most technically challenging scores at 5:30 p.m. at a reception hosted by whsrunway.booktix.com for $10. All The show will include roughly 20 of the world’s most celebrated ven- ever created for the instrument, a work Atlantic Health Primary Care, 142 proceeds will benefit the Runway of able-bodied models and 15 models ues, such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy that was featured in the movie There Central Avenue, Westfield. All ticket Dreams Foundation (RODF), which with disabilities, including students Center, London’s Cadogan Hall, will be Blood, starring Daniel Day holders are welcome, with an option is a nonprofit organization based in from WHS and neighboring towns. Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, and Venice’s Lewis. Audiences should “prepare to to use a free shuttle to the concert Livingston that works toward inclu- They will be dressed in RODF adap- La Fenice Theatre. be wowed once again!” according to provided by Atlantic Health. Advance sion, acceptance, and opportunity in tive-style clothing, as well as pieces He has soloed with the world’s NJFO sources. RSVP required to the fashion industry for people with from South Moon Under, Lord and leading orchestras, including Berlin, The season finale concert, “Music [email protected]. Greta Frontero for The Leader/Times disabilities. Taylor, Athleta, the Gap, and Look FASHION FUN...Jillian Laconti and NDR Hannover, Indianapolis, and That Makes Hollywood,” also fea- Tickets ($30-$76, students U18 The fashion show will be entirely Twice/Look Again. Student designs Charlotte Cohen with Jordan Mcquoid, Utah Symphony Orchestras, Orpheus tures classical music from other epic $15) are available online at on student-run, headed by junior Jillian that will be featured include pieces a Scotch Plains-Fanwood student, who Chamber Orchestra, and Helsinki Hollywood soundtracks including www.njfestivalorchestra.org. Tickets Laconti and freshman Charlotte from LanguagesNJ, Sean Marner, will be modeling in the show. Philharmonic, under the baton of re- Wagner’s Prelude from his monu- may also be purchased by calling the nowned conductors such as Sir Neville mental romantic opera Tristan and box office (908) 232-9400. Sheila E. Headlining Rhythm & Blues by the Brook on June 1 up and stand for something that is activities including inflatables, pony greater than our self-interest. In this rides and a petting zoo, from noon album I use the most incredible music to 5 p.m. from the past to speak to this confus- The event also includes a market- present ing time that we live in. The tracks on place featuring food vendors, a free & this album are some of the greatest car show presented by G-Wiz, and a protest and revolution songs and are health and wellness fair by Zeta Phi reinvented to fit current times,” Sheila Beta Sorority. E. explained. For more details, visit ucnj.org/ As always, Rhythm and Blues by calendar or call the Parks Depart- MUSIC THAT MAKES the Brook will feature free children’s ment at (908) 527-4900. ı

Photo of Sheila E. Courtesy County of Union. Prelude from COUNTY – Union County’s free summer entertainment schedule be- Tristan and Isolde gins this year on Saturday, June 1, Excalibur with the annual Rhythm and Blues by the Brook festival, an afternoon of nonstop music and family fun at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield from Violin Concerto in D major noon to 6 p.m., with DJ Bookeem There Will Be Blood serving as the MC throughout the day. There is no admission charge for the event. featuring Stefan Milenkovich The phenomenal Sheila E. tops this year’s Rhythm and Blues by the Brook free outdoor music festival Symphonic Dances presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Music fans West Side Story of all ages are invited to bring their dancing shoes and enjoy a full after- Stefan Milenkovich noon of music, movement, and fam- ily activities. Also appearing on the bill are: Tho- mas McClary and the Commodores SATURDAY JUNE 1 AT 7PM Experience, Dean Shot and the First United Methodist Church, Westfi eld Solidsenders (A tribute to Howlin’ Wolf), and Plainfield’s own Bindi start at $30 (students $15) Liebowitz of NBC’s The Voice, Sea- TICKETS son 11. Sheila E. is best known for her www.njfestivalorchestra.org • 908 232 9400 legendary collaborations with Prince. She has also performed with Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, done work on Cyndi Lauper’s “At Last” album, and has had numerous solo projects, live performances, and television appear- ances, and written her memoir, “Beat of My Own Drum”. Her latest album, “Message 4 America,” reflects her connection with the past, present, and future of Ameri- can music and the global community, featuring cameos with Ringo Starr, George Clinton, and Candy Dulfer. “This album is a call for us to rise