Northport Arts Coalition - December 2007

December 12 - Matthew Pierce – Composer/Violinist. The Northport Arts Coalition, in cooperation with the Northport Library, presents East Northport resident Matthew Pierce who has written music for the Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet and others, including a recent premiere for the Houston Ballet, “Pecos Bill”, which was called “possibly the best commissioned score in Houston Ballet’s history,” by the Houston Chronicle. The work he composed for the San Francisco Ballet, “Imaginal Disc”, was voted “Best Cultural Event of 2003” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Pierce was resident composer of HERE Theater for ten years where he won a Meet the Composer grant and performed a selection from his opera, “The Cry Pitch Carrolls” at the 1999 Village Voice Obie Awards. As a violinist he has performed on recordings by pop artists Jewel, Sheryl Crow and Suzanne Vega and on Philip Glass’ score, “Kundun”. Matthew Pierce is the Music Director of the Gemini Youth Orchestra, and will conduct the 39^th Gala concert at Avery Fisher Hall in the spring of 2008. Mr. Pierce will be joined by friends and music professionals from the Northport community. Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport at 7:00 p.m. For additional information call (631) 261-6930.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqlxuXICL-s for a sample.

We are delighted to have such an exceptional performance here in Northport and want to thank all our members for their support which permits us to offer these events free of charge.

December 28 – Poets in Port will feature poet Phil Reinstein reading poems by Marie Emmons Wayne Reinstein at Caffe Portofino, 249 Main St., Northport at 7:30 p.m. There will also be an Open Reading – the audience is encouraged to bring their poems and participate. For additional information about Poets in Port contact Steven Schmidt at stevenschmidt@optonline.com

Marie Emmons Wayne Reinstein (3/13/1952-5/22/2007) wrote poetry under the name of Marie Emmons. In the words of Phil Reinstein:

Marie wrote her "old poems" between 1968 and 1974. She stopped writing poetry until 2001, as she devoted herself to her family, her friends, and her nursing work, mostly in the ICU. We met in October 2001 and soon found ourselves in love with a Capital "L". It was a second chance for both of us and we married on August 24, 2004. We had the 5 BEST years of our lives. When Marie became ill last Spring 2007, the love and compassion among her family and friends... her "pit crew"...thank you all, from Marie and from me. I am including a poem that was found posthumously. It was written on a blue 3" by 5" notepad. Titled "Four Days in Montauk 10/15/01-10/1901". I first met Marie 10/20/01.

More of her poetry is available at MarieReinstein.com

Last month we had the privilege of seeing an exceptionally wonderful performance of an original play by Douglas MacLeod, starring well known actor John Shea and Kim Fitzgerald.

The Library was packed and absolutely enthralled by the performance. Thanks to our dues paying members for supporting this free performance allowing those who might not afford a night at the theater enjoy a wonderful evening.

December 3 – No Auditions, No Rehearsals, No Memorizing Lines. Playwrights and readers are welcome. Northport Reader’s Theater will meet at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main St., Northport at 7:30 p.m. to read "Bellamy Road" by George Sidoti. Take three New York City Police Officers and put them in a room four stories above the ground, in a building in Queens, across the street from a mob hangout and watch and listen to how they interact with one another. Audience and readers are welcome. If you’re interested in reading or need additional information contact Jo Ann Katz at jak@cosmeticmall.com or (631) 261-5089.

The Northport High School Tour Choir has been given the esteemed opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall on April 22, 2008 at 8pm!

High School choral directors, Ellen McCarthy and Nicholas Hart have invited elementary and middle school students to join them for this special event. Two to five 5th grade students from each elementary school and students from each middle school will be selected to join the Tour Choir for this event.

Northport-East Northport students who are interested should fill out an application (from their classroom music teachers) and return it to their classroom music teacher or choral director by December 18th. After the applications have been reviewed students will then be asked to audition for Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Hart. The selected students will be notified in writing at the end of January.

The GRAMMY Signature Schools program has announced the 2008 list of Finalists and our Northport-E. Northport District music program was selected . You can view the posting at www.GRAMMYintheSchools.com on the Signature Schools page. Up to forty public high schools music programs will be named GRAMMY Signature Schools from this list, of which some will become Gold Recipients, and one will be named the National GRAMMY Signature School. All GRAMMY Signature Schools selected will receive monetary grants ranging from $1000 up to $25,000. Good luck Northport-East Northport in the next round!

The Shmendricks ...Klezmer Band with clarinetist Zach Paige. The Shmendricks will be performing at Flushing Library on Monday December 3rd at 6pm. Address is 41-17 Main Street, Flushing, New York 11355 Contact 718-661-1200 for more information.

Music and Dance of Java...Zach Paige will be performing with the Gamelan Kusuma Lara on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at 8pm and on Sunday, December 2nd at 3pm. Performance will take place at : The consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, 5 East 68th Street, New York..call for reservations 212-479-8446 and for more information contact 718-812-1414

Italian concert pianist, Francesco Attesti , whose magnificent artistry many of you may have heard in his Northport Library concert last year, is in the U.S.from Tuscany, with German soprano Annika Kaschenz, for a joint Holiday concert tour. They will be performing at the North Shore Public Library, 25A, Shoreham, on Sunday afternoon, at 3:00 p.m., December 16, in a free concert. The concert will feature Mr. Attesti playing Chopin and also accompanying Ms. Kaschenz in opera classics and traditional European Christmas selections. This will be an afternoon of outstanding music, and is sure to delight your senses during the holiday season.

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Opera Night in Northport - Join us for a festive celebration of Long Island's finest voices.

Friday, December 7th, 2007, 7:30 pm, 270 Main St., Northport $5 suggested donation.

7:00 -7:30 "Off Main Street"--select choir members from Northport High School will sing Christmas Carols on the steps of St. Paul. for more information got to: www.myspace.com/operanight Opera Night, November 2, 2007 video:

This years Annual Holiday Exhibition at Mystic Seaport's Marine Art Gallery is titled "Maritime Miniatures by Maritime Masters." The show will be held from December 1st through December 31st with an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, December 1st from 5 to 7:30pm. I was invited to exhibit 2 pieces in this show and I will be present at the opening.

OPEN GALLERY 66 Main Street Northport Village

Eclectic group show featuring selected new work

by James Twomey

James Twomey III (fine art photography) and Victoria Twomey (digital art) will open the Twomey Gallery for private holiday shopping appointments during the month of December. Conveniently located in Huntington, the gallery also offers gift certificates and shipping. For more information, go to www.twomeygallery.com or call 631-754-1009.

Dr. David B. Axelrod, Suffolk County's new Poet Laureate, wants to pair established poets with students who will then work to complete a small book of their own work. Established poets are coming forward to offer their expertise. Now Dr. Axelrod is asking young poets, between the ages of 14 and 25, to contact him, so he can pair them with a poet. The project will be open to all Suffolk County residents. "Established poets," anyone who has published poetry, and teachers are eligible to mentor a poet and may offer a young poet's name if they wish. Any young poet in Suffolk may also apply directly to participate in the program. Dr. Axelrod has posted a website for his Laureate activities at www.writersunlimited.org/laureate For more information contact: axelrodthepoet@yahoo.com

Just to let you know that B.J. Spoke gallery at 299 Main Street in Huntington will be hosting a poetry/ music Bob Dylan night on Friday, January 18th from 8:30 to 11:30 p.p. There will be an open mike, with limited spots available. Admission is by a suggested(5$) voluntary contribution. Pleas contact Kevin Larkin @ The B.J. Spoke Gallery at 631-549-5106 Join us for what promises to be a special evening of poetry, music and memories

(Northport, N.Y., ) - The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport and Commerce Bank are pleased to announce the Children's Theater production of CINDERELLA running JANUARY 19, 2008 - FEBRUARY 17, 2008. This classic fairytale is sure to please audiences young and old. We welcome you to come "dressed to go to the ball."

Rediscover two of the most beautiful children’s films ever made when French director Albert Lamorisse’s legendary classics are presented in gorgeous new 35mm prints

Gene Connor is a one-man army in the war against cancer. After three siblings and his mother were all diagnosed with different cancers within two years, Gene took to his bicycle. See how you can support him as he cycles 2,000 miles to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Thom Bond, a writer, teacher, speaker and coach, has taught thousands of clients, participants, readers, and listeners Non-Violent Communication. He has been featured in the New York Times, New York Magazine, Yoga Magazine, and is a regular guest on radio and television. He is a founder and the Executive Director of The New York Center for Nonviolent Communication and is also a member of the Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations. He will bring an introduction to skills, strategies, and concepts to the Inner Spirit Yoga Center – 24 Vernon Valley Road, East Northport (one block from the LIRR Station) on Friday, December 7^th from 7:00 pm to 9:15 pm. To register or for more information call Inner Spirit at 63 1 262-9642 or visit www.nycnvc.org

We are starting a membership drive this January. So if you have not already renewed your NAC membership look for an envelope, which will be sent to your home, after the first of January.

NAC members have been bringing the arts to the community for almost ten years and our membership continues to grow. The Northport Arts Coalition is a not for profit all volunteer effort in support of the arts. Without your yearly membership support, we would not be able to continue to bring the arts to the community. Your membership is the backbone of our coalition. You can be proud of your contribution to the arts. Our events are free to the community. We are unique in representing all the arts…poets, visual artists, dancers, musicians, actors, singers and writers. .

Your membership dollars go towards paying out artists stipends, publicity costs, office supplies, liability insurance and CPA fees. These costs add up each year and your continued support is very much appreciated. NAC believes the arts make the world a better place!

If you are not a member and would like to join our NAC family of artists and art lovers please go to our website at www.northportarts.org …and print out our membership form and mail back to NAC at P.O. box 508, Northport N.Y. 11768...Or contact us at nacnewsletter@gmail.com

The NAC Executive and Advisory board wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season filled with peace and a creative artful New Year!!!