April - June / 04

		Alan Klawans When Alan Klawans retired from a career as a corporate art director, he could finally be a full time artist. But first he taught himself to draw on a computer - a completely new medium with a steep learning curve. An exhibition of his digital images is at the Artists Gallery in Lambertville. Visit www.lambertvillearts.com
		Guys and Dolls "Guys and Dolls", now playing at the Paper Mill Playhouse, is the most frequently performed musical ever written, and most of the credit for its popularity belongs to the show's composer and lyricist Frank Loesser. His gift for turning slang and ordinary conversation into timeless songs is even more remarkable considering he grew up in a family that spoke only German and disdained popular culture. Visit www.papermill.org
		Bridgeton Folk Festival The 21st annual Bridgeton Folk Festival is a South Jersey tradition that takes place in the city park and features artists like Vance Gilbert, Phil Roy, Eileen Ivers, and Los Lobos. The music starts at noon on Saturday, June 19th in the Bridgeton City Park. Visit www.bridgetonfolkfestival.com
		Princeton Singers The Princeton Singers, a select 16 member professional chamber choir, celebrate their 20th anniversary with a concert of songs about love, ranging from medieval texts to Gershwin. Sunday, June 13th at 4 PM at Princeton's Trinity Episcopal Church. Visit www.princetonsingers.org
		Zimmerli Transcultural As part of the Transcultural Initiative - a year's worth of art exhibitions that showcases New Jersey's remarkable cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity - the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University offers a show that focuses on the artist as an individual, whatever their heritage. "Transcultural New Jersey: Crosscurrents In The Mainstream" is at the Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick through July 31. Visit www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu
		Lemonade New Jersey Repertory in Long Branch presents the world premiere of Mike Folie's "Lemonade"–a tart sex comedy exploring the sweet and bitter aspects of love, lust, infidelity, self-deception, and ambivalence. Playing through June 6th. Visit www.njrep.org
		My Fair Lady McCarter Theater presents a re-conceived revival of Lerner and Loewe's classic "My Fair Lady." With just 10 performers and 2 pianos, this intimate production focuses on the complex relationship between a willful Cockney flower girl and the arrogant professor who transforms her into a lady. Through June 27th. Visit www.mccarter.org
		Sharon Isbin Sharon Isbin, one of the few classical guitarists to ever win a Grammy, believes that she can do anything with her guitar–from Baroque concertos to jazz fusion–because the instrument itself is so versatile. She plays a solo recital at the Community Theater in Morristown on May 22nd. Visit www.communitytheatrenj.com
		Janis Ian Since her first platinum-selling record "Society's Child" in 1966, singer/songwriter Janis Ian has been a presence in popular music. She attributes her longevity to stamina and avoiding bitterness, especially when triumphs inevitably give way to career doldrums. She performs at the Community Theater in Morristown on May 14th, and at Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick on May 15th. Visit www.communitytheatrenj.com and www.statetheaternj.org
		Baubles, Bangles, and Bling Bling There's a lot of flash in the Newark Museum's exhibition "Baubles, Bangles, and Bling Bling", which explores the universal human obsession with adornment, from multiple cultures and periods, starting with Egyptian Pharaohs and ending with gangstah rappers. Visit www.newarkmuseum.org
		Nai Ni Chin Choreographer and dancer Nai Ni Chin describes her modern dance company as "cross-cultural"–which is probably the most accurate way to characterize a diverse organization of American dancers led by a Chinese immigrant. Nai Ni's work reflects a world of influences, including the wide-ranging and rigorous education she received as a child growing up in Taiwan. The company performs at Stockton College in Pomona on Thursday, April 29. Visit intraweb.stockton.edu/pac/spring.html
		Tick Tick Boom Jonathan Larson's musical "Tick Tick Boom" at the George Street Playhouse depicts young, hopeful Bohemians very much like the composer himself, who created the Broadway hit "Rent"–and then died of an aortic aneurysm the night before its first preview, ten days before he turned 36. This production is directed by George Street's Artistic Director David Saint, a close friend of Larsen's. Visit www.georgestplayhouse.org
		Rockapella "Rockapella", a five man vocal group brings a cappella music into the 21st century with their contemporary arrangements and unique rhythm section–a "vocal percussionist" who replicates a drum kit with his voice. "Rockapella" performs at Kean University on April 16th. Visit www.kean.edu/onstage.html