Jazz, poetry and painting on the horizon

Arts Commission to unveil series

By: Joseph Harvie
   Painting, pictures, poetry and the popular sounds of jazz are on the December menu for the township, courtesy of the South Brunswick Arts Commission.
   The commission is sponsoring several events in the coming weeks that will cater to fans and artists of many mediums.
   On Tuesday, the commission will host the third and final installment of the art appreciation lecture, slide and discussion series, "The Nuts and Bolts and Spirit of Art," commission Chairman Jeffrey Leebaw said.
   The free event, held at the Public Library on Kingston Lane from 7 to 9 p.m., will feature lecturer Joan Arbeiter, a studio artist and instructor at the duCret School of Art in Philadelphia, speaking about abstract art.
   In addition, visual art fans are invited to take a look at the latest exhibit, "Traditions," in the Municipal Art Gallery located in the Municipal Building on Route 522.
   The juried exhibit features 23 pieces from 11 area artists that depict various traditions — ranging from holiday to family — of the artists.
   "This is a fine collection of works by skillful local artists representing a wide range of differing art forms and styles," Beth Linnerson-Daly, who served as juror for the exhibit, said in a press release. "Their works evoke memory images of our own and make us grateful to those who have captured and shared their memories and rituals with us."
   The works are on display weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be up until Jan. 6.
   For those who are fans of photography, the South Brunswick Camera Club will have Cranbury resident Burt Lipman, a professional photographer and judge, who will go over how pictures are judged in competitions.
   The free program, scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6Wednesday at the Public Library, is open to photographers of any skill level from beginner to professional.
   According to a press release, participants should bring up to three photographs with them and Mr. Lipman will go through each and look at positive aspects of the photos including composition, cropping and lighting and the nontechnical aspects including creativity, message and mood.
   On the musical front, the commission is continuing its all-ages allowed Jazz Café Series at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 with the band that started the concert program in March, the Willie Martinez Trio with special guest Steve Gluzband on trumpet, performing jazz standards made famous by the likes of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.
   Mr. Leebaw said the trio was invited back to the Herb Eckert Auditorium in the Senior Center, due to residents’ requests.
   Mr. Martinez has regularly played in New York City jazz clubs for more than 20 years and he was featured on VH1’s "Divas" concert with Faith Hill, the PBS series "Sessions at 54" with pop vocalist Jewel, and most recently was the headline act at the Cape May Jazz Festival.
   On top of this, the commission’s Sunday Poetry Series will continue at the Public Library at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 when local poets will read their works.
   The event will feature local poets Ed Belding, a former New Brunswick High School teacher; Adam Fitzgerald, the co-editor of the literary journal Body Parts; Joyce Greenberg Lott, former south Brunswick High School creative writing teacher; South Brunswick Post Managing Editor Hank Kalet and others.
   There also will be a reading of works by Judah Jacobowitz, a longtime South Brunswick resident, who died earlier this year.
   Admission is free for the reading, but those who attend are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the South Brunswick Food Pantry.
   For more information about any of the events leave a message for the South Brunswick Arts Commission at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7635.