75 DAYS OF FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT JCC PROMISES CULTURAL FEAST

75 days of oldies, comedy, ballet, gospel, stage, authors and books, films, children’s programming, and art at the JCC.

The inaugural Festival Of The Arts, to be held at the Milton and Betty Katz Jewish Community Center in Margate, New Jersey, sponsored by Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers and presented by The Jewish Times and The JCC, has set their schedule, and it has something spectacular for everyone.

“This year, instead of having separate events spread throughout the year, we decided to present a comprehensive Festival that, time-wise, coincides with our heaviest influx of residents – the summer and early fall,” said Eric Goldstein, Event Chairman. “Capitol Steps is returning, we have the Atlantic City Ballet, two internationally-known gospel groups – one from Atlantic City and one from Camden – Queen Nur for the kids, a hysterically funny stage play, The Seven Husbands of Harriet Goldberg, featuring 8 characters all played by one man, and The Tokens and Shirley Reeves (lead singer of The Shirelles). Add to that powerful lineup three nationally known and celebrated authors, four incredible movies, plus a wonderful series of art exhibits featuring mosaics, stained glass, paintings, sculpture and jewelry, and we have created a summer and fall that will keep all our members, and the members of our community, culturally sated. “

In addition to Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers, sponsors include Parkshore Development, Roth-Goldstein's, AtlantiCare, Dr. Craig & Joan Glick, Janney Montgomery Scott, Steve & Cookie's, Levine, Staller, Sklar, Chan & Donnelly, PA. & Cape Bank Charitable Foundation.

The full Festival lineup, with dates and ticket prices:

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PURE ENTERTAINMENT

7:00 PM, Thursday, July 3             Tokens/Shirley Reeves

7:00 PM, Thursday, August 7         Capitol Steps

7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 26        Atlantic City Ballet

PURE FUN

7:00 PM, Tuesday, July 22             An Evening of Gospel

7:00 PM, Thursday, July 31            The 7 Husbands of Harriet Goldberg

7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 5          Queen Nur

THE AUTHOR SERIES

Note 7:30 PM Start

 7:30 PM, Tuesday, July 15             Author: David Andelman

7:30 PM, Thursday, July 24            Author: Brad Hirschfield

7:30 PM, Tuesday, Sept 16           Author: Leon Charney

THE FILM SERIES

 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 10            Film: Sixty Six

7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 12        Film: Praying With Lior

7:00 PM, Thursday, Sept 4             Film: Wiesenthal: You Are Not Forgotten

7:00 PM, Tuesday, Sept 9              Film: Beaufort

ART IN THE STALLER GALLERY

 July 1 – July 20 Anne Oshman: Mosaic Sculpture and Wall Hangings

July 21 – August 3                      Expressions: Israeli Paintings, Sculpture, and Jewelry

August 5 – August 17                  Gil Lenett: Stained Glass

August 17 – August 31                Gerry Seltzer: “Fragments,” Impressionist Paintings

September 1 – Sept 15               Charles Micsko: Acrylic and Oil Paintings

JAY SIEGEL AND THE TOKENS, Thursday, July 3, 7:00 PM

In early 1961, The Tokens released a single for Warwick Records titled "Tonight I Fell In Love," which went to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spurred them to an appearance on American Bandstand. This proved to be a prelude to the unleashing of their #1 charted mega-hit signature song for RCA, a version of “Wimoweh,” an African folk song: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" remains one of the biggest hit singles ever recorded. JAY SIEGEL and THE TOKENS are truly one of the pop music scene's most versatile, talented and enduring groups.

SHIRLEY ALSTON REEVES, Thursday, July 3, 7:00 PM

Rock ‘n Roll inductee Shirley co-founded The Shirelles and sang lead vocals for the group. Their very first single release, "I Met Him on A Sunday" was an instant success. All time Shirelle favorites include "Tonight's The Night", "Baby It's You", "This Is Dedicated To The One I Love", "Foolish Little Girl", and, of course, the group's 5-million selling hit "Soldier Boy". The Shirelles, you may remember! Legendary lady Shirley Alston Reeves, you will never forget!

ATLANTIC CITY BALLET, Tuesday, August 26, 7:00 PM

The Atlantic City Ballet is a unique chamber ballet company with an exciting repertoire that cherishes the great tradition of classical ballet and explores the contemporary. It is classic yet extremely different - versatile, dynamic, and ground breaking. Phyllis Papa, the founding Director, has danced all over the world with American Ballet Theatre, Harkness Ballet, Stars of the American Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet. Papa was awarded the 1998 Brazilian Gold Medal in Philadelphia for her work with the children of the world. Miss Papa has choreographed a major part of the repertoire of the Atlantic City Ballet. This will be their first ever downbeach performance.

CAPITOL STEPS, Thursday, August 7, 7:00 PM

The only group in America that attempts to be funnier than the Congress, Capitol Steps is a troupe of current and former Congressional staffers who satirize the very people and places that once employed them. They perform a political musical satire and keep you laughing about events and personalities on Capitol Hill, the Oval Office, and other centers of power, taking a humorous look at serious issues and providing laughs for millions. P. J. O’Rourke said it best, as usual: “The Capitol Steps are what Washington would be like if everyone were smarter and could sing.” The Capitol Steps perform over 500 shows a year, and have recorded 25 albums. They've been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials. 

AN EVENING OF GOSPEL, Tuesday, July 22, 7:00 PM

SENIOR INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR,

FIRST NAZARENE BAPTIST CHURCH, CAMDEN

The Senior Inspirational Choir of the First Nazarene Baptist Church of Camden, NJ was formed over 50 years ago as The Junior Choir. Minister of Music Wanda Taylor-Riddick has been with the choir for 37 years. The present choir has 60 members and has in its repertoire modern and traditional gospel, anthems, hymns and Negro spirituals. In addition to choral work the choir is proficient in drama. It does presentations for the great Holy Days of the church, Christmas and Easter in which they write their own scripts and create their own sets and costumes. The Choir has travel abroad and thought out America singing the songs of Zion.

REVEREND CHARLES LYLE’S & JOHN HOWARD’S GOSPEL CARAVAN, 

VICTORY FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ATLANTIC CITY

The Gospel Caravan has appeared on Bobby Jones’ Gospel and in the off-Broadway hit musicals “Yes, God Is Real” and “Count Your Blessings”. Other achievements include: The 1990 recipient of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Award of Excellence, Best New Artist – Traditional; the first winners of the McDonald’s/United Negro Scholarship Fund “Let The Spirit Move You” Gospel Competition; appearances at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Carnegie Hall, and as background singers for Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, and The Colors of Christmas Tour. The group has three recordings.  In April of 1998, the group recorded live with video “Lift Him Up” in London, England.

THE 7 HUSBANDS OF HARRIET GOLDBERG, Thursday, July 31, 7:00 PM

Harriet Goldberg, a remarkable, adventurous, spiritual, romantic woman, ostensibly in a coma from a boating accident, still has charisma and mystical power - especially over men. All of her seven ex-husbands come to visit her harboring unresolved issues and needs. Through the eyes of her ex-husbands, (a therapist, a blues musician, a clown, a gay actor, a mafia don, a religious Jew, and a corporate executive), all portrayed by Mark Stolzenberg, we comically learn about Harriet's passionate and exciting life and unravel the enigma of who she really was. If you enjoyed Steve Solomon, you will positively love The 7 Husbands of Harriet Goldberg!

KAREN ABDUL-MALIK (QUEEN NUR), SWEET POTATO PIE AND SUCH,

Tuesday, August 5, 7:00 PM

A must-see for the kids! Clap your hands, stomp your feet and sing along! Incomparable storyteller Queen Nur and her percussionist partner as they dish up a tasty treat of multi-cultural stores, songs and dance, featuring the influence of the African Diaspora. This highly energetic and interactive performance will delight, as well as enlighten, the young. Karen Abdul-Malik presents a rich blend of tales, songs and rhymes celebrating African-American heritage and the art of storytelling, all accompanied by African percussion instruments. The repertoire includes “Ruth Oree’s Sweet Potato Pie,” an affectionate parody of Little Red Riding Hood with a contemporary urban setting complete with rap. Workshop in the afternoon, performance 7:00 PM.

DAVID A. ANDELMAN, AUTHOR

A SHATTERED PEACE: VERSAILLES 1919 AND THE PRICE WE PAY TODAY

Tuesday, July 15, 7:30 PM

Andelman is the Executive Editor of Forbes.com. The Versailles peace conference, held between the Allied victorious powers and Germany following World War I, attempted to create a lasting peace-and parcel out the world. The great powers felt that they should inherit much of it. The shortsightedness of the conferees produced a world that fragmented in unexpected ways and arguably generated a century of continuous conflict. With chapters on some of those present, such as the young Ho Chi Min, on the shared goals of Emir Feisal and Chaim Weizmann, and on the abortive stab at making peace in revolutionary Russia, Andelman maintains that the failures of the Versailles conference laid the groundwork for World War II, the iron curtain, the Vietnam War, the various Middle East conflicts, and the Balkan wars

BRAD HIRSCHFIELD, AUTHOR

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE WRONG FOR ME TO BE RIGHT: FINDING FAITH WITHOUT FANATICISM,

Thursday, July 24, 7:30 PM
In this compelling and engaging volume, Hirschfield, Author in Residence for the JCCA, urges people of all faiths to accept their differences while seeking commonality and reaching out to one another with love and forgiveness. An Orthodox rabbi, Hirschfield is not afraid to reference Jesus or Muhammad as great teachers. He posits that there is room for more than one religious or moral viewpoint to be correct. Hirschfield integrates this thesis with many personal anecdotes to keep the text alive and interesting. Hirschfield's admirable objective of expanding ourselves to let others in comes across nicely and attracts a wide interfaith audience.

LEON CHARNEY, AUTHOR

THE MYSTERY OF THE KADDISH: ITS PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON JUDAISM
Tuesday, September 16, 7:30 PM

Leon Charney is a man of amazing gifts. As a lawyer, he guided President Jimmy Carter through the Camp David negotiations, leading to peace between Egypt and Israel. As a television host every Sunday, he fascinates hundreds of thousands of Americans with his intimate knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs and his close relations with some of the world's great statesman. Additionally, he delights his audiences and congregations, Jewish or not, with his ability as a Cantor and his masterfully trained beautiful voice. Now he has published a new book called, "The Kaddish" about one of history's greatest prayers, which has played a vital role in the tragic fate of Jews. His vast knowledge of the subject is amazing. His style shows the highest literary skills and the passion he shows for his people and their God is overwhelming.

FILM: SIXTY SIX, Thursday, July 10, 7:00 PM

It was Bernie's big day, but there was a little competition. A boy's bar mitzvah looks set to be a disaster when it coincides with the 1966 World Cup Final. It is the summer of '66, and England is about to be consumed by World Cup Fever. For 12 year-old Bernie though, the biggest day of his life is looming: his Bar Mitzvah, and the day he becomes a man. However, Bernie's family is increasingly distracted by the threat of losing their business and their wayward older son, and the scale of Bernie's Bar Mitzvah diminishes daily. Worst of all the Cup Final is scheduled to take place on the same day and when England makes it through the qualifying rounds, Bernie's longed-for Bar Mitzvah looks set to be a complete disaster. 93 min., English, PG-13

FILM: PRAYING WITH LIOR, Tuesday, August 12, 7:00 PM

The award-winning, engrossing, wrenching and tender documentary film introduces Lior Liebling, also called "the little rebbe." Lior has Down syndrome, and has spent his entire life praying with utter abandon. Lior - whose name means "my light" - lost his mother at age six, and her words and spirit hover over the film. As Lior approaches Bar Mitzvah, different characters provide a window into life spent "praying with Lior." The movie poses difficult questions such as what is "disability" and who really talks to God? Told with intimacy and humor, “Praying With Lior” is a family story, a triumph story, a grief story, and a divinely inspired story. 87 min., English, NR

FILM: WIESENTHAL: I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU, Thursday, September 4, 7:00 PM

The documentary, "I Have Never Forgotten You," explores the life and legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, the concentration camp survivor who became known as the "Conscience of the Holocaust" for his tireless efforts at tracking down Nazi war criminals and for making sure that the memory of that shameful event would - as the title declares - never be forgotten. Narrated by Nicole Kidman, the film is a moving tribute to a man who turned an inconceivable personal tragedy - the loss of nearly 90 of his own family members, along with millions of fellow Jews and countrymen to the Nazi death machine - into a lifelong search for justice. Much of the Nazi-hunting scenarios contain all the suspense and excitement of good detective fiction. This moving documentary does full justice both to the man and to the giant. 105 min., German/English, PG-13

FILM: BEAUFORT, Tuesday, September 9, 7:00 PM

Winner of the 2007 Berlin Film Festival's Best Director award, and a nominee for the Best Foreign Film Academy Award, Beaufort chronicles the final days of an Israeli army unit's tense, painful withdrawal in 2000 from a strategic bunker inside a 12th century Crusader fortress near the Lebanese border, marking the end of nearly two decades of controversial occupation. The Film tells the story of Liraz Liberti, the 22-year-old commander of Beaufort and his troops during the last few weeks prior to their withdrawal. The base is still under heavy enemy bombardment as Liraz prepares to explode the site, thus destroying everything his comrades have fought and in some cases died to defend. Based on a true story, BEAUFORT is one of the most acclaimed and controversial films in the history of Israeli Cinema, confronting the difficult questions of Israel's military strategy in Lebanon and the sacrifices of young soldiers. 125 min., Hebrew with English subtitles, NR

EVENTS TICKETS

Tickets may be purchased at the JCC front desk, 501 N. Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Make checks payable to "JCC." Tickets may also be ordered by phone, or by email to swhite@jccatlantic.org. For questions, phone orders, or information please call Susan at (609) 822-1167 Ext. 15.

ALL PRICES ARE FOR SINGLE TICKETS. JCC MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT OFF LISTED PRICES.