Monetary donations set to support arts programs
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE Grants for the year 2003 from the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission will support two programs to be offered by the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission.
The county commission announced two weeks ago grants of $1,900 to the township Cultural Arts Commission and $2,000 to the Monroe Patrons of the Arts, a group supportive of the township Arts Commission’s programs.
The grants will bring a mime and country-western performer Tim Gillis to Monroe Township next year as part of the township commission’s yearlong offering of varied forms of the performing and visual arts.
The county commission announced 37 grants ranging from $14,000 to the New Brunswick-based Arts and Education Center to awards of $1,000 each to the Livingston Theater Productions of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Public Library and South Plainfield Summer Drama.
Ina Bondy of the Monroe commission said the commission is negotiating for a date for mime Yass Hakashima, a native of Japan who has lived in New Jersey for 20 years.
"Mr. Hakashima was trained in Japan, but has been an American performer for more than two decades.
"We plan to schedule his appearance in Monroe for later in the year," Ms. Bondy said.
She said Mr. Gillis will bring his singers and musicians to Monroe in August.
"Mr. Gillis’ show takes the form of a country-western musical tour of, and tribute to, American cities and wraps up with a rousing patriotic and gospel-type finish," Ms. Bondy said.
She said Mr. Gillis group is expected to include three women backup singers and six musicians in addition to Mr. Gillis.