By Mabel Pais

Wharton Arts’ new season presents the first Salon Series concert featuring Tharanga Goonetilleke, soprano, and Ryan Bridge, piano, on Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wharton Black Box Theater at 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922.

The 45th Season Opening Concert on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. takes place at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton. The NJYS (New Jersey Youth Symphony) led by Helen H. Cha-Pyo and NJYO (New Jersey Youth Orchestra) led by Simon Lipskar will perform works by Louise Farrenc, Jennifer Higdon, Giacomo Puccini, Ottorino Respighi, Jean Sibelius, and Dmitri Shostakovich.

During the month of December, Wharton Arts presents exciting concerts and events embodying the holiday spirit with the Wharton Players’ production of Beauty and the Beast Jr., New Jersey Youth Chorus’ (NJYC) Readings and Carols, the Holiday Kids-for-Kids Choral Festival by the Paterson Music Project (PMP) Choir, and the All That Jazz Holiday Concert featuring the NJYS and Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to performances, Wharton Arts has planned an informative Parent Circle Series, offering insights into supporting student musicians. These discussions cover a range of topics, including preparing college applications and supporting neurodiverse children in their study of music.

Wharton Arts celebrates the New Jersey Youth Symphony’s 45th Anniversary Season with an exciting Alumni Weekend, May 4-5, 2024 and 45th Anniversary Concert on Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 p.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.

Throughout the 2023-24 season, NJYS honors its vibrant history and bright future with premieres of new compositions and beloved music from the inaugural season in 1979. Alumni are warmly invited to perform alongside current students at the 2024 Playathon and spring concerts in May. Wharton Arts, New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit performing arts education center, announces its 2023-24 season dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in performing arts education. Over the course of the season, the nearly 2,000 Wharton Arts students and music lovers of all ages will inspire audiences through the power of collaboration and celebrating the strength that comes from creating together.

MORE INFORMATION & TICKETS

Tickets to the first Salon Series Concert, intimate performances with esteemed faculty where the audience is seated on stage with the performers, include a wine and cheese reception and the chance to connect with the artists.

For a complete listing of concerts and events and to purchase tickets, visit WhartonArts.org.

Said Artistic Director Helen H. Cha-Pyo, “We are thrilled to present a diverse lineup of events and performances showcasing remarkable talent within our community. I invite you to join us in experiencing the transformative power of performing arts in the 23-24 season at Wharton Arts. Together, we can create moments of beauty, connection, and inspiration that resonate for a lifetime.” 

 Wharton Arts

Learn more at whartonarts.org

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HOT SPRINGS BRINGS YOU 32ND DOC FILM FEST

By Mabel Pais

Screening Shorts:

ANDREW NADKARNI’s ‘Between Earth & Sky’

KARLA MURTHY’s ‘Love, Jamie’

VEENA RAO’s ‘You Can’t Shrink Love’

And many more

The critically acclaimed Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF), Arkansas presented by Oaklawn has the lineup of films and honorees for its 32nd edition, taking place October 6-14. Screenings will begin at Oaklawn’s Event Center. All other screenings will take place at The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Arkansas.

This year’s Honorary Chair, Mary Steenburgen, will participate in the Southern Storytellers Screening and Panel, one of a handful of special events and new initiatives featured at this year’s edition of the film festival. Sky Hopinka will receive the HSDFF Brent Renaud Career Achievement Award, and Diane Becker and Shane Boris will be the recipients of this year’s Impact Award.

Other new initiatives include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)-funded Filmmaker Forum, The Natural State – a new section focused on the environment, outdoor adventure, athletic achievement and the stories and people of Arkansas, a new film series added to the lineup – The Wellness Series, True Stories: A Live Storytelling Event, and a Secret Screening.

HSDFF Executive Director, Ken Jacobson, said, “In our 32nd year, we are underlining the high level of film programming that has made the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival such a beacon for the best and most innovative filmmakers working in the documentary form today. In addition, we are incorporating dynamic new programs and events to enrich the audience experience and support the documentary filmmaking community. Our goal is to embrace the rich tableau of nonfiction storytelling and forge deeper connections between filmmakers, the people and place of Hot Springs, Arkansas and the broader world. We are thrilled to be launching these efforts alongside this year’s Honorary Chair, the extraordinary and beloved Arkansan, the multi-talented Mary Steenburgen.”

For the complete lineup of Galas, Special Presentations, Highlights, Opening Night, Centerpiece, Closing Night films and events, visit hsdfi.org.

TICKETS

For Tickets & Passes to the Festival, visit hsdfi.org/attend.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Learn more at hsdfi.org.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)