All in Film
The 1996 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda" is one of several collaborations between Newman and New Jersey's own Danny DeVito, and on March 22nd, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will present "Matilda" live in concert conducted by Newman with live narration by DeVito.
Paul J. Stankard is an internationally acclaimed artist and pioneer in the studio glass movement. His lifelike, nature-based glassworks have changed the paperweight world over his forty-year artistic career. Having begun his career working in scientific glassblowing, it was through this industry that he found creativity and learned that he was indeed an artist.
As we near the end of the 2023 calendar year, the Discover Jersey Arts team decided to take a look back at the things we've accomplished. We've published a wealth of content this year, but these five pieces are the ones we're most proud of—these exemplify the Discover Jersey Arts mission most.
We want to tell exciting, unique stories that will pull you in and seat you in the theatre, dance hall, concert venue, or museum floor. We aim to provide a platform for voices to be heard in a space where they may not normally be seen, and above all else, we're here to help you discover (New) Jersey arts.
Symphony orchestras have long graced the world with beautiful renditions of classical music. However, in the modern era, they face the challenge of attracting younger and more diverse audiences. Playing movie scores and soundtracks has emerged as an effective strategy to broaden their appeal.
Movie soundtracks resonate with audiences because they are often associated with powerful visual and emotional moments. When an orchestra performs pieces from beloved films, they tap into a reservoir of memories and emotions. For instance, John Williams' compositions for "Star Wars" or Howard Shore's work for "The Lord of the Rings" have become cultural touchstones known by millions. Hearing them live, performed by a full symphony orchestra, amplifies their power and evokes the magic of the films.
It’s officially Spooky Season and quite possibly, the best season for a night of debauchery with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour. On October 25th at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ, Rocky Horror fans will be treated to a screening of the original unedited film alongside a live shadowcast. Audience participation is encouraged and expected.
Patricia Quinn, the film’s very own Magenta, will be in attendance as well with special VIP Meet & Greets available.
Jersey Arts speaks with Patricia about Rocky Horror and their journey from stage to screen as we celebrate 48 years of this cult classic film.
Sponsored by the Asbury Park Arts Council (APAC), the APin3 Film Challenge is not so much a “film festival” as a community filmmaking challenge in which budding directors and filmmaking teams create a 3-minute short film highlighting aspects of, and shot entirely within, the city of Asbury Park. The challenge asks filmmakers to include a supplied theme and line of dialogue, a prop native to Asbury Park, and one specific location within the city – the prompt keeps all the contestants on a level playing field. With its rich history and coastal allure, the city provides ample material for gripping narratives and documentaries. In essence, the APin3 Film Challenge aligns perfectly with Asbury Park’s artistic legacy and the potential for cultural celebrations that use the film short in unforgettable ways.
Film short aficionados and art lovers will be thrilled to know that FilmOneFest, the highly regarded annual short film festival, will take place once again in the charming Bayshore town of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. Presented by the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, the event will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the Atlantic Highlands Marina from 5-11 p.m. FilmOneFest challenges filmmakers to tell their stories in under two minutes. The organizers encourage, support, and reward the art of the short filmmaker with film awards including Jury & Judge, Audience Choice, and Young Filmmakers.
Attendees can expect an unforgettable experience as they immerse themselves in short films from around the world, where every frame counts. The festival is presented against the backdrop of the Atlantic Highlands Marina, overlooking Raritan Bay and the majestic New York City skyline.
You may know Billy Bob Thornton as an Oscar winning writer, an Oscar nominated actor, award winning director, or maybe you simply know him as "Bad Santa,” but did you know that he is also an accomplished singer and songwriter?
Along with his friend J.D Andrew, Billy founded the rock and roll group, The Boxmasters. The Boxmasters have recorded an impressive and diverse catalogue of music that touches on their love of a wide array of influences, but most importantly, the rock and roll of the 1960’s. Their tour will soon bring them to New Jersey where audiences can enjoy the uptempo tunes reminiscent of The Beatles, Byrds, and Beach Boys.
Having opened for the likes of ZZ Top, Steve Miller, George Thorogood and Kid Rock, The Boxmasters have proven to win over large audiences.
Jersey Arts is joined by Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew who are currently on a cross country tour of the US promoting their latest album, '69.
The North2Shore (N2S) festival represents something new for the Garden State. Perhaps inspired by the wildly successful South by Southwest festival (SXSW) in Texas, it seeks to bring together a truly diverse range of people, including locals and visitors from different backgrounds. It presents an excellent opportunity to see huge stars, meet new people, and connect with each local community. (Many of the events are free to attend, but tickets or reservations may be necessary.) Hosted by three great cities, Atlantic City (June 4–11), Asbury Park (June 14–18) and Newark (June 21–25), the festival promises an unforgettable experience filled with cultural enrichment, live music, technology, film and a vibrant community atmosphere.
The 28th Annual New Jersey International Film Festival includes feature length films, documentaries, shorts, animated films and works that defy categorization. This year’s festival will be a hybrid, and will take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June 2-11.
Getting a film into the festival is competitive. For the 2023 lineup, 35 out of 711 works from around the world were selected by a panel of 30 judges made up of media professionals, journalists, previous winners of the festival, students and academics.
Seven of the films are by New Jersey filmmakers or were shot in the Garden State.
Over 100 students and arts educators will receive the state’s most prestigious award in arts education at the 43rd Annual New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education celebration June 2 and will be livestreamed via YouTube, Facebook, and the Governor’s Awards website at www.njgaae.org. This event is free and open to the public.
Over the past four decades, the Governor’s Awards has highlighted New Jersey’s most talented youth. Students of artistic disciplines as varied as dance, music, poetry, visual arts, speech, debate and theater have walked across the awards stage to receive their medal.
This year, the annual Governor’s Awards ceremony will be held as the culminating event of the inaugural Arts Ed NJ Day which will also feature the first-ever Gathering Ground Arts Education Call to Collaboration (C2C), networking opportunities, award-winning performances on various stages, an interactive photo booth, alumni guest speakers, pop-up advocacy activities, Live Red Carpet Countdown to the Awards, and a statewide student visual arts exhibit.
The C2C will bring together over 250 educators, nonprofits leaders, artists, teaching artists, school board members, parents, students, businesspeople and legislators.
This year’s Garden State Film Festival kicks off Thursday, March 23, and will be serving up a four-day weekend of more independent films and one-of-a-kind events than even the most die-hard moviegoer could take in.
Since the first festival in 2003, GSFF has provided opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and actors to network with industry pros and have their work showcased in one of the country’s most iconic cities – New Jersey’s Asbury Park.
Five venues there, the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove and the Cranford Theater will host a weekend of films.
Jersey Arts recently spoke with Garden State Film Festival’s Executive Director Lauren Concar, festival founder Diane Raver, Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission David Schoner, Director of Communications for New Jersey Public Broadcasting Service Debra Falk, feature screenplay winner Kelly Byrne, and festival host Sophia Lucia about what to expect this year.
Billed as the largest in New Jersey, First Night Morris County offers plenty of sparkle.
This year, the festival comprises 200 artists, 70 cultural events, 50 on-demand films, 21 venues, a 4-hr Children’s Fun Festival, trio of art exhibits, 2 fireworks displays, and a livestream from Mayo PAC.
Performances include theater, comedy, storytelling, tap, reggae, rock, jazz, classical and opera.
Activities unfold in everyday spaces as varied as churches, Morristown High School, the Hyatt Regency and the County Administration Building.
Now that’s something to celebrate.
Evelyn "Evie" McGee Colbert is an arts advocate, a film producer, and one of the founding board members of Montclair Film, a nonprofit that produces a festival that “connects global filmmakers with audiences in a diverse, culturally vibrant community” and more, “presenting … year-round programs that engage, entertain and educate through the power of visual storytelling.”
The 2022 festival is in its 11th season and it opens Friday, Oct. 21 at the Wellmont Theater with a special screening of “The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” starring Daniel Craig. Friday, Oct. 28 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, Montclair Film will present its 2022 Tribute to the “James Bond” star who will then discuss his life and career with “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert.
In this discussion with host Gina Marie Rodriguez, Evelyn shares what audiences can expect from Montclair Film, the 2022 festival and the “Evening with Daniel Craig + Stephen Colbert.”
The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) will honor the artistry and contributions of Indigenous peoples with a series of workshops, performances and art-making activities with an Indigenous Peoples Weekend Oct. 7 – 10.
The Lenape are the Indigenous people of New Jersey and MAM is inviting adults, children and families across the state to join them in recognizing Native American history and heritage here in Lenapehoking (homelands of the Lenape).
Renée Elise Goldsberry is the Grammy Award- and Tony Award-winning talent behind Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton and currently appears on She-Hulk and Girls5eva.
Goldsberry is headed to Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on September 30th for her concert called Opening Night: An Evening with Renée Elise Goldsberry.
She chatted with host Maddie Orton about creating a show of songs she loves.
Filmmaker Anthony Scalia grew up not far from the Bendix Diner, but he never knew anybody who had ever gone inside. One night when he was out late and it was the only place open, he decided to venture in. What he found was an amazing story that he details in the short documentary, Bendix: Sight Unseen. The film will be available for virtual screening on Oct. 16 as part of the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2022.
One of the longest running film festivals in the region, the New Jersey Film Festival presents a mix of documentary, narrative, and experimental films. The Short Program #2 on Friday, February 11 includes six films that showcase the human experience from around the world.
This Saturday, the hit series Selected Shorts returns to Kean Stage for an evening of beguiling tales for Halloween. For the Jersey Arts Podcast, we recently got the chance to speak with Sonia Manzano about her time with “Sesame Street,” creating her own children’s show, and the joy of telling stories on stage.
Montclair Film Festival founder and Board Chair Bob Feinberg, Board of Trustees President Evie McGee Colbert, and New Jersey-based filmmaker Scott Morris share what they are most looking forward to as the festival kicks off its 10th anniversary season.
