October - December / 04

		Vladimir Feltsman Ever since his much-heralded arrival in the United States in 1987, pianist Vladimir Feltsman has been defying expectations. Although Russian born and trained, he prefers Germanic music, and brings a thoughtful, even spiritual approach to the masterpieces of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. At the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood on January 8th. Visit www.bergenpac.org
		Black Nativity Langston Hughes’ jazzed up version of the Christmas story – with a distinctly African-American rhythm – includes poetry, music, and electrifying dance. Presented by the African Globe Theater at Crossroads Theater on December 29, 30, and January 2nd. Visit www.africanglobe.com
		The Last Tsar and His Family An exhibition at the Newark Museum takes us inside the private world of Russia’s last Imperial Family, and shows the Tsar as not only a powerful monarch, but as a loving father and devoted husband. Through January 9, 2005. Visit www.newarkmuseum.org
		Small World Images too small to be seen by the naked eye can, with the help of cameras and microscopes and a strong artistic vision, become striking art images. The winning entries in the 30th annual Nikon Small World contest, which recognizes excellence in photomicrography, are now on view at The New Jersey State Museum Galleries at 225 West State Street, December 6 through February 4, 2005. Visit www.state.nj.us/state/museum/
		Christmas Carol No writer is more associated with Christmas than Charles Dickens – his “Christmas Carol" has spawned endless stage and screen versions, including the McCarter Theater’s highly praised adaptation. But when Dickens wrote his novella in 1843, he had much more serious intentions than simply creating a holiday confection. Visit www.mccarter.org
		Lord of the Rings Symphony for Orchestra and Chorus A musical tour of the realm of Middle Earth takes place in NJPAC’s Prudential Hall when more than 200 performers from the New Jersey Symphony, the New Jersey Youth Chorus, and the Montclair State University Chorale convene to play and sing the two-hour “Lord of the Rings Symphony for Orchestra and Chorus” – a multi-media spectacular featuring music from Howard Shore’s Oscar-winning film scores. December 4th and 5th at NJPAC in Newark. Visit www.njsymphony.org and www.njpac.org
		She Loves Me Set in Budapest in the 1930's, “She Loves Me” is the story of two intensely competitive perfume shop clerks who find romance with the most unlikely people - each other. The Paper Mill Playhouse presents a rarely done revival of this 1963 Broadway classic about secret romantic pen pals. Through December 5th. Visit www.papermill.org
		Roxey Ballet The Roxey Ballet likes to think of itself as “Ballet for the People” – they’ve made a point of reaching out to audiences who ordinarily don’t like the ballet or have never been. To that end, they created the “Brown Bag and Ballet” series - open rehearsals available to anybody with curiosity and their own bag lunch. November 16, 18, and 19 at the Canal Studios in Lambertville. Visit www.roxeyballet.com
		New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Neeme Jarvi, the new music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, has plans to make the orchestra grow – and brings with him a gentle collaborative spirit that the players find inspiring. His debut concert is an all-Brahms program the weekend of November 19th. Visit www.njsymphony.org
		Jan Matulka Czech-born painter Jan Matulka was one of the most prolific, wide-ranging artists of the 20th century – and is largely forgotten today. A retrospective of his work at the Montclair Museum re-examines the life’s work of a gifted but underappreciated master. Visit www.montclairartmuseum.org
		Steve Gerberich “Springs, Sprockets and Pulleys: The Mechanical Sculpture of Steve Gerberich” combines art, science, and sheer fun, with 20 interactive sculptures and installations constructed from old machine parts, kitchen utensils, pieces of furniture, lighting fixtures and carnival figures. Gerberich's work offers viewers a unique way to interact with contemporary sculpture and explore the principles of simple motion. On view at the Morris Museum through November 14. Visit www.morrismuseum.org
		Stefon Harris Grammy nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris was planning to join the New York Philharmonic when he decided that jazz was more to his liking. He’s featured in a concert at the Jersey City Museum, as part of the WBGO/NJPAC Children’s Jazz Series at 12:30pm on October 30th. Free, but adults must be accompanied by a child. Visit www.jerseycitymuseum.org
		Willie B. Came Into the Sun “Willie B. Came Into the Sun” is the story of an unlikely friendship that develops – through a shared passion for music – between a Vietnamese farmer and the American POW he holds for 20 years. Jean Sterrett’s play is having its world premiere at Passage Theatre in Trenton through November 7, 2004. Visit www.passagetheatre.org
		South America’s Female Singers Three of South America’s most interesting female singers -- Totó La Momposina, Mariana Montalvo, and Belo Velloso – from Colombia, Chile, and Brazil – come together for a concert showcasing the diversity and richness of Latin American culture. At SJPAC in Camden on October 16th. Visit www.sjpac.com