Inaugural benefit for township’s arts council packs ’em in
By Michael Redmond Lifestyle Editor
Staff photos by Frank Wojciechowski
The performance area of the atrium at RMJM Hillier, transformed for the evening into a cabaret where more than 30 artists exhibited their work. The benefit for the West Windsor Arts Council attracted some 200 people — a bigger turnout than the organizers had expected.
Above: West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh chats with Pietro del Fabro. Left: Broadway singer Craig Rubano adds some showbiz sparkle to the evening.
Below: Architect J. Robert Hillier, honorary chair; Ilene Dube, event chair; Ruth Kusner Potts, president, West Windsor Arts Council, and Heidi Kleinman, board member, enjoy the reception.
Well, the West Windsor Arts Council has made at least one important point with “Cabin Fever Cabaret,” its first major fundraiser: Not all of the fun in these parts is to be found west of Lake Carnegie. And not all of the art, style and sophistication, either.
The sold-out-to-the-roof affair, which took place Saturday in the sleek atrium of RMJM Hillier in Alexander Park, brought together the township’s social, cultural and professional circles to support the council’s public mandate — the renovation of the Princeton Junction firehouse, vintage 1931, into the township’s own arts center.
Since its founding in 2002, the arts council has been presenting events at various venues, functioning as “an arts council without walls,” according to Ruth Kusner Potts, president. But the firehouse project has been part of the council’s vision right from the start, thanks to the vision of one of the council’s most enthusiastic supporters, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh.
“Cabin Fever Cabaret” was the council’s first major outreach to the community – and the community’s response “surpassed all of our expectations,” said Eduardo Garcia, executive director.
“We thought we would get 100 people — we got about 200. At the post office, we’ve been getting donations from people who weren’t able to come. We thought the event would be a grand success if we took in $10,000 — we took in more than $20,000. What this says to me is that the community is as excited about the firehouse project becoming a reality as we are,” Mr. Garcia said.
The evening featured two noteworthy presentations.
Using an architect’s model, Mr. Garcia acquainted cabaret-goers with the general outline of the building’s re-design, which includes a performance space to accommodate 120 people, plus exhibition space and classroom space.
“I think it’s important to show people that after all this talking about it, concrete activity is taking place. This project is going to happen,” he said. “Can I tell you the date? No — but there’s no question we’re moving forward.”
For his part, Mayor Hsueh spoke of meeting a growing community’s need for a common home — and he surprised arts supporters by urging the council to submit a proposal “for somewhere between $30,000 to $35,000” to a community foundation that was set up after 9/11 to serve West Windsor nonprofits.
The business of the arts aside, it was a night to celebrate local creativity of all kinds — visual arts, music, comedy, even cuisine.
Thanks to the generosity of J. Robert Hillier, who welcomed cabaret-goers by saying “it’s terrific to see so many good friends,” the architectural firm’s atrium and three of its rooms became exhibition spaces for more than 30 local artists, who partnered with the arts council to raise funds through sales and silent auction donations. There was something for every taste, spanning the spectrum of styles and media — and the exhibitor list included names that would be familiar to art lovers who keep track of gallery shows.
Lighting up the night with pop tunes and show tunes were cabaret singer Carol Selick and Broadway singer Craig Rubano, each of whom sang a set, backed by Beth Ertz, keyboard, John Bachalis, winds, and Dave Haneman, bass — who also served as master of ceremonies.
Although there was no dance floor as such, the lack thereof did not faze Ed and Lucia Di Polvere, who elegantly accompanied Craig Rubano’s Cole Porter medley with a romantic demonstration of ballroom style, complete with dips and spins.
“We have a lot of fun,” said Mr. Di Polvere. “We’ve been doing this for 50 years.”
“Him?” said Mrs. Di Polvere, deadpan. “I just met him.”
Paul Cerna, the arts council’s president emeritus, said that only at the event itself did “many of us realize how much Ilene Dube and the (‘Cabin Fever Cabaret’) committee had done. There are so many facets to an event like this — it’s only when it all comes together that one sees the entire picture. And Ilene got all of this accomplished with good humor and a sense of adventure.”
Cabaret-goers enjoyed a lavish appetizer table and a series of hot hors d’oeuvres and other treats, thanks to Beth Feehan, West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, and Elizabeth Stelling, cookAppeal Catering.
The menu included Mushrooms à la Grecque; Bacon Scallop Stacks; Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Toasts, and Greek-Seasoned Chicken.
Major sponsors of “Cabin Fever Cabaret” were RMJM Hillier, Intercap Holdings, the Boyle Family Foundation, PNC Bank, The Dreher Group, and Mack-Cali Bank.
The West Windsor Arts Council offers 25 arts events a year, including a film series, concerts, hands-on art activities for the whole family, opera, dance, poetry, and more.
On the Web: www.westwindsorarts.org.