‘Five-Alarm Firehouse Fling’
with West Windsor Arts Council
West Windsor Arts Center continues its Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, Oct. 16, with the “Five-Alarm Firehouse Fling,” featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon as honorary chair and musical entertainment by The Jazz Lobsters.
The celebration at “the junction where the arts and community meet” in the former Princeton Junction Volunteer Firehouse will be the West Windsor Arts Council’s initial fundraiser in the new venue, featuring music, champagne, wine and hors d’oeuvres, together with an opportunity to view its inaugural art exhibition, “Community Collage: West Windsor Then & Now.”
“As we open our new arts center and are welcomed by the community of arts organizations, we are thrilled to have Paul Muldoon serve as our honorary chair. In his position at the helm of Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, which is planning an arts neighborhood just a Dinky ride away, he is an expert in building stronger communities through the arts. We hope to continue to partner with arts organizations like the Lewis Center to bring great programming to West Windsor,” said Ilene Dube, president of the West Windsor Arts Council.
“‘Five-Alarm Firehouse Fling’ was carefully selected as the event name to honor the importance of the building and its heritage while expressing our excitement about offering a festive celebration open to the community,” noted Holly Singer, board member and grand opening celebration chair.
Tickets to the “Five- Alarm Firehouse Fling” are available for both the full program, including the 7-8:30 p.m. champagne reception. and for just the 8:30-10:30 p.m. party, and can be ordered online at www.westwindsorartscenter.org.
The West Windsor Arts Council’s mission is to provide professional quality community arts programming in order to support, educate, inspire, and promote the arts and art appreciation in the greater West Windsor community. Founded in 2002, the arts council has worked diligently towards the September 2010 opening of the new arts center in the Princeton Junction Firehouse at 952 Alexander Road.
For information on the West Windsor Arts Council and West Windsor Arts Center, visit www.westwindsorartscenter.org.
‘Opera New Jersey Meets Broadway’
Opera New Jersey, the State’s leading opera company, will present the sixth annual “Celebrate Opera” Gala on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Hyatt Regency Princeton in West Windsor. The theme will be “Opera New Jersey Meets Broadway” and will star Broadway sensation Lisa Vroman.
Also, Opera New Jersey is privileged this year to honor Edward Matthews and pay tribute to the memory of his wife, Marie Matthews, who passed away in August. The Matthews have made an indelible impact on the community through their commitment and philanthropy to the arts and other areas vitally important to the quality of lives. Their generosity and leadership have had a transformative effect on Princeton and beyond.
From Broadway to classics, on stage and in concert, Lisa Vroman has established herself as one of America’s most versatile voices. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle, “Vroman is a musical and theatrical marvel, capable of moving between the worlds of opera and Broadway with unerring ease.”
Ms. Vroman is familiar to Opera New Jersey audiences from her critically-acclaimed performance as Rosalinda in the 2009 production of “Die Fledermaus.” Ms. Vroman will be joined by several additional performers from the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Emerging Artist Program.
“We are pleased to have Lisa Vroman with us for our sixth annual gala” said Richard Russell, General Director. “She is an incredibly accomplished performer and favorite of Opera New Jersey audiences. We are also to be able to pay tribute to the Matthews. We hope the community will join us as we honor two dear friends of Opera New Jersey and celebrate the life of a remarkable lady.”
A private champagne reception with the artists at 6 p.m. will kick off the festivities. The main events commence at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a sit- down dinner and the musical program. Auction highlights include a once-in-a-lifetime, 20-day luxury cruise to Morocco, a week at a private London flat, a week’s stay in a charming cabin in Vermont, and a Marilyn Horne package including two tickets to a concert at Carnegie Hall, hosted by Ms. Horne.
Proceeds support Opera New Jersey and its mission to present world-class opera and educational offerings that benefit thousands of adults and children throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Tickets for 6:30 reception and dinner begin at $250 per person. The tax-deductible portion of each ticket is $80. For tickets, contact Carrie Care at either 609-799-7700 or [email protected] by Monday, Oct. 4.

