Last Sunday I attended the wonderful opening reception of local artist, John Ruddy, at the Paul Vincent Gallery in Hoboken. The gallery gives an artist the space to spread their art out into multiple rooms, and during the afternoon we all moved into one of the rooms for a special musical performance by Cris Nyne. It’s wonderful to see the artists community come out and support one another and the place was hopping! Different types of artists crowded the rooms, painters, photographers, actors, etc…
John Ruddy’s art was quite original. What I loved was that he treated the frame and the wall surrounding the picture as part of the piece. The frames were decorated, the walls were decorated… it made me think where does the art begin and where does it end? It makes me realize art is not just a picture on a wall, (not that I thought this, but it’s a nice reminder) but everything surrounding the piece and me as well.
Have a look at some of the folks who attended and John Ruddy’s work.
Sunday, May 2 felt more like August 2! It was 90+ degrees, humid and as I walked around, seeing friends, listening to musicians and handing out postcards for Frogs Are Green, the day was exhausting, but great as usual.
It was great seeing so many friends who’re also artists, among them were, Anna (Art by Anna, I have quite a few pieces of hers already!), Beth (Baublettes, have some rings and earrings), Florence (Hudson Theatre Ensemble, who was out there with my latest poster for “the 3 Little Pigs” advertising that next production which is coming in June). I didn’t get a chance to say howdy to Sissi (Face Capades) because the line sure was long with kids, (Hi Sissi!)
For the last few festivals, Mother Nature hasn’t been too kind, rain outs and wind, but when it’s a nice day, thousands of people flock to Washington St. I’m not sure how well the sales were given the economy, but they couldn’t have a bigger turnout, so hopefully everyone did well.
I met up with Mary Jo, my business partner for FROGS ARE GREEN, and off we went wearing our matching company t-shirts to alert all of Hoboken about our cause. We walked down Washington St. looking left and right to see the booths and handing out postcards as we walked. Once we got down to Newark St. we decided we needed to find a shady (and cooler) spot with good foot traffic.
Red-Eyed Tree Frog poster and postcard
Slightly around the corner from Starbucks was perfect! People coming from the PATH and people leaving to get to the PATH. What was quite interesting was the different types of people walking back and forth, and who was interested in what we were doing and who snubbed us. Older people, and families stopped and when kids saw our graphic with the lovely red-eyed tree frog, they’d squeal, ooooooooohhhh!
However, they don’t call it the “me” generation for no reason. I’ve never seen so many self-absorbed young adults in my life. They’d walk past ignoring us, texting into their phones or shooting dirty looks. Geez, I hate to tell you young people this, but this planet you’re living on—is yours too… so you better look around at what’s happening.
Anyway, we did hand out hundreds of cards, and hopefully each person at least read the card, even if they then trashed it. That’s our goal. To enlighten. We don’t care if they hang the card up, just that they are now aware of the crisis frogs and other amphibians face.
Later in the afternoon, I walked over to listen to Freedy Johnston (click to see Gallery shots). He’s awesome and wowed the crowd. If you haven’t yet heard him, check him out!
Freedy Johnston performs at the First Street Stage, Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, May 2, 2010
By the time I got home, I was beat, but it was a great day for us and for the FROGS!
On Sunday, March 21 I attended a fabulous concert of Beethoven at The Hudson School in Hoboken, NJ. Two Chicks and A ‘Cellist, an ensemble in residence at The Hudson School delighted us with the soft and abrupt sounds by way of a piano, violin and cello. Playing the violin was Una Tone, at the piano was Pamela Ross, and charming us with the cello was Adrian Daurov.
The audience was a mix of young children, teenagers who most likely attend the school and adults, and we were all mesmerized with the sounds and proficiency of the artists.
The pieces performed were, Sonata for Violin and Piano, op.30, No. 3, Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, op. 5, no. 1, and Trio for violin, ‘cello, and piano, op.70, no.1 “The Ghost.”
Pamela Ross, an award winning pianist, actress, writer, and recording artist, has performed one woman shows off broadway, has performed as a soloist with major orchestras, and has various CDs and DVDs available. Many of her programs can be seen on public television and heard on classical radio stations. Her website is: www.pamelaross.com
Una Tone, born in Riga, Latvia, lives in NYC and has international experience as a chamber musician. Una has been on various TV shows such as David Letterman and performed with many distinguished artists such as Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocceli and in the classical arena, Itzak Perlman, and James Levine. In addition she plays with ensembles as diverse as The NY Pops and American Ballet Theater Orchestra.
Adrian Daurov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and after studying at the St. Petersburg conservatory, he made his debut in 1997 with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded 1st prize at the international music competitions in Dobrich, Bulgaria in 1996. Adrian has degrees from the Juilliard School of Music and performs chamber music regularly in the New York area. His string quartet, Voxare, is the quartet-in-residence at Bargemusic. He is currently principal ‘cellist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York.
In addition Woody Proctor, actor and student at the school read “Heiligenstadt Testament” which was written by Beethoven and gave us a window into what he was thinking, his despair while composing.
