Adding Flair to Tradition, Richman’s Dancers Promenade to Madonna
 By Sally Deering
 Slip the Clutch, Shoot the Star and Roll Away with a Half Sashay; these may be non-sequiturs to most of us but to square-dance fans these terms get them twirling on the dance floor and if Howard Richman’s calling the dance, there might be some Madonna in the mix.
Square Dance calling may not be a typical job found on a resume, but Richman does it to add to his income as a theater artist and he travels throughout the Tri-State area to gyms, schools and church halls to put people through their paces on the dance floor.
“A cursed bloodline. A family on the edge. If this house could speak, what stories it would tell.â€
THE HOUSE OF ATREUS’ Creative Team, Christine Goodman, Mason Beggs and Meagan Woods
 That’s the tagline for the new play THE HOUSE OF ATREUS which premieres Thursday, June 4, at Art House Productions in Jersey City. It’s a collaborative work between Christine Goodman (Executive Director of Art House Productions) who wrote the piece, Mason Beggs, who directed, and choreographer Meagan Woods.
Gabbie Gowdie and Ema Lakovic in The HOUSE OF ATREUS
THE HOUSE OF ATREUS is an immersive and unconventional theater piece. Instead of putting the actors on stage and the audience in rows of seats to observe, the set takes up the entire theater with a chair and TV in one area, a broken down porch in another, and a dining room table at center. The audience enters through a haze of smoky fog and is encouraged to find a spot of their choosing to watch the play as it unfolds around them. This immerses the audience into the play’s action, which becomes part of the overall theater experience.
Adam Resnick plays Alan in THE HOUSE OF ATREUS, Presented by Art House Production in Jersey City
“The audience will be active observers,†Goodman says, sitting on set with Beggs and Woods during a break in tech rehearsal. “We’re changing the audience’s perspective.â€
On Friday, May 29, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge on Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
Jersey City’s “Restaurant Row†starts at Grove Street and moves west along Newark Avenue where bistros offer foods of many cultures. Now, there’s a new kid on the block – Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge – where guests are invited to enjoy flavors of Spain.
Executive Chef Michael Fiorianti and Restaurant Development Group’s Geza Gulas, Michael Garcia and Andy Siegel, owners of Raval.
Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge recently opened on Newark Avenue with Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop cutting the ribbon at a Grand Opening ceremony and friends gathering for champagne and finger foods to welcome Raval to the neighborhood. Cuisine from Spain is the latest concept from the owners, the Restaurant Development Group (RDG), which also owns the Lucky 7 Tavern, and Satis Bistro in Jersey City.
  The City of Bayonne and Bayonne Department of Recreation will hold its 1st Annual “Bayonne 5K†and “Mayors Mile†on Saturday May 6, 2015 starting at 8:00 AM at the 16th Street Park in Bayonne, NJ. There will also be a 1 mile “Fun Run†that participants are encouraged to participate in as well. Participants of all ages and running levels are encouraged to come out and run (or walk!) Over 200 participants are expected.
It promises to be something for everyone when the Bayonne Home Town Fair opens this weekend and brings the community out for some fun rides, delicious food, and activities for the kids.
On Sat, June 6, 11 am-7 pm, and Sun, June 7, 12-6 pm, 22nd to 24th Streets (along Del Monte Drive) in Bayonne will be packed with more than 60 vendors and non-profits, children’s rides, games and plenty of entertainment. A soundstage will be set up in the parking lot in front of the Polish American Club, and Kiddie Town near the Mini Golf Course will attract kids of all ages. Continue reading FAMILY FUN AT THE BAYONNE HOMETOWN FAIR→
           Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided the City of Bayonne with updated information on the Bayonne Bridge construction project.
At Pier N2, south of 1st Street, by the Kill Van Kull shoreline, work continues on constructing footings.
At Piers N3, N4, and N5, south of 1st Street, work has been completed for now.
 At Piers N6 & Pier N7, north of 1st Street (between 1st and 2nd Streets), the Port Authority will be working in this area until December. Drill shaft work and excavation are under way for sixteen footings. Continue reading Bayonne Bridge Construction Update→
Bayonne’s Culture Scene Takes Off -Art, Theater and New Outdoor Stage on the Rise
By Sally Deering
Jersey City’s culture scene just got some competition. It seems Bayonne, its Hudson sister to the south has been going through a renaissance of sorts. Art galleries, theater companies and now a new performing arts pavilion are giving the city a cultural facelift.
(Richard Dwyer and Adam J. Semanchick of Bayonne Theater Co)
There’s the JCC of Bayonne’s Fine Art Gallery currently featuring A COUPLE OF IMAGES, paintings and photographs by Bayonne residents and artists Billy Zbylut and Patty Mulligan; the Art Circle of Bayonne at the Bayonne Community Museum which has a Spring Art Show underway  featuring Bayonne artists; the new Bayonne Theater Company is hosting a gala on Thursday, May 21, with its first show THE MUSIC MAN in pre-production; and a Bayonne performing arts pavilion which will host local theater, music and dance groups, as well as stars like Willie Nelson is breaking ground in a few weeks. .
Hudson Theater Ensemble presents Songs, Laughs, and Positive Messages
By Sally Deering
 Once upon a time in Hoboken a little theater company decided to put on plays for adults and kids, and now, celebrating its 14th season, Hudson Theatre Ensemble presents the newest musical in its “Silly on Sixth†children’s series, THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
Richard Dwyer and Deborah Michels rehearse their roles as elves in THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
The show, adapted from the old fairy tale, is by Karen Boettcher-Tate and takes a comedic twist on a shoemaker and his wife who have a very demanding landlady. When their luck seems to run out, a complete stranger invites three kooky elves into their lives who start making magical shoes that save the poor shoemaker and his wife from eviction and the unemployment line.
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 Slip the Clutch, Shoot the Star and Roll Away with a Half Sashay; these may be non-sequiturs to most of us but to square-dance fans these terms get them twirling on the dance floor and if Howard Richman’s calling the dance, there might be some Madonna in the mix.
