CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
Cathy Guisewite
ARTIST OF THE WEEK ARTIST OF THE WEEK ARTIST OF THE WEEK ARTIST OF THE WEEK ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment State State State State State of t of t of t of t of the Art he Art he Art he Art he Art
Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite expresses every woman’s need for chocolate, nonneurotic parents and the perfect relationship through her awardwinning “Cathy” comic strip.
Her cartoon appears in 1,400 newspapers throughout the world.
Guisewite, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, is an alumnus of the University of Michigan. After graduating, she took her talents into the advertising world. She worked as a writer for CampbellEwald Advertising and Norman Prady, Ltd., before becoming Vice President of W. B. Doner & Company Advertising.
However, the personality of “Cathy,” which is patterned after her own adventures, was bursting through. “Cathy” went into syndication in November of 1996.
Guisewite has garnered several awards, including the Reuben Award for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year” by the National Cartoonists Society in 1993. Her awards, honorary degrees and nominations are endless.
Currently a resident of Los Angeles, Calif., Guisewite is a member of the National Cartoonists Society, National Organization of Women and Hollywood Women’s Political Committee. She is included in
Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in American Journalism
and The International Authors’ and Writers’ Who’s Who.
Music Music Music Music Music Theatre Theatre Theatre Theatre Theatre
Craft Fairs Craft Fairs Craft Fairs Craft Fairs Craft Fairs Mixed Bag: Mixed Bag: Mixed Bag: Mixed Bag: Mixed Bag:
Cat on a Country Roof Craft Fair will be held at 82 Reid Place in Verona on November 12, 13 and 14. For more information, please call (973) 2398180.
Paramus Catholic High School will sponsor a craft fair on November 14 from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.
The 16th Annual Westfield Craft Market
will be held from November 12 to 14 at the Westfield Armory. For more information, please call (800) 8349437.
St. Helena’s Little Elves Holiday Craft Show will hold a craft fair on November 13, at 930 Grove Avenue in Edison from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.
Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn will present Rags
until December 13. For more information, please call (973) 3793717 or visit www. papermill. org.
Governor Livingston Hilltop Players will present
You Can’t Take It With You
on November 19 and 20, at 8 p. m. at Governor Livingston High School. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for senior citizens. For more information, please call (908) 4643100. Tickets are available at the door or at Berkeley Print and Copy Center or by calling (908) 4649038.
Union County Arts Center
in Rahway will welcome R& B Diva Roberta Flack to the stage on November 13. For more information and ticket reservations, please call (732) 4998226 or visit www. ucac. org.
Peterstown Reunion of the Bands, featuring The Saints, The Fanatics, The Twilighters, and Special Guest M. C. Brother Jerry, will perform on November 14, from 4 to 8 p.. in the cafeteria at St. Anthony’s School on Third Avenue and Centre Street in Elizabeth. For more information, pleaase call Nick Netta at (908) 2897039.
The Crossroads in Garwood will present PH8, Robert Matarazzo on November 11; Maria & Tapping the Grey Sky on November 12; Zydeco and Snapperhead on November 13 and the Last Open Blues Jam on November 17. For more information, please call (908) 2325666.
Waterloo Village in Stanhope will host a Victorian Thanksgiving at Waterloo from November 13 to 14, noon to 4 p. m. The event is free with general admission. For more information, please call (973) 3470900.
Art Art Art Art Art
Swain Galleries in Plainfield will feature the artwork of Westfield resident Patricia Brentano Bramnick from November 13 to 30. For more information, please call (908) 7561707.
Westfield Art Association
will host a lecture with landscape oil painter Peter Schroth on November 14, from 2 to 4 p. m. in the Westfield Community Room of the Municipal Building. For more information, please call (908) 2327058.
Art Sho Art Sho Art Sho Art Sho Art Show Fundraiser to Featur w Fundraiser to Featur w Fundraiser to Featur w Fundraiser to Featur w Fundraiser to Feature ee ee Local Artist T Local Artist T Local Artist T Local Artist T Local Artist Timot imot imot imot imothy Martin hy Martin hy Martin hy Martin hy Martin
GREEN BROOK – New Jersey artists will participate in an outdoor art show to benefit area flood victims on Sunday, November 14, from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. at The Frame Shop, 230 Route 22, West in Green Brook.
The store’s proprietor, Sharon Schiller, will sponsor the event for the Raritan Valley Community Action Ground (RVCAG), a nonprofit organization which aids flood victims.
Mountainside painter Harry A. Devlin will participate in the “Travertine Tulips” by Stockton resident Timothy Martin
Pen and Ink Pen and Ink Pen and Ink Pen and Ink Pen and Ink
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
James Cameron Mike Myers
Madonna
Definition of Power Escapes Listing Of Celebs by Entertainment Weekly
Strolling down the red carpet at the Emmys, Oscars and Golden Globes, the most famous celebrities, bedecked and bedazzled,
capture our eyes and our intrigue. Famous though they are, could they truly be considered the most powerful celebrities? This would mean that they require high salaries from film producers, or write thoughtprovoking literature and screenplays, and that their names attached to any up and coming actor or actress would immediately bolster the newcomer to rocket stardom. A lot of the individuals on “The Complete Power List” by
Entertainment Weekly do not really carry that much weight. In fact, out of the nearly 101 individuals that made the publication’s list, only a dozen can be truly considered “powerful.”
James Cameron, who directed the blockbuster
Titanic; Madonna, the princess of pop; authors Michael Crichton, Harry Potter, Stephen King and John Grisham; record producer Jimmy Iovine; the master of many faces Mike Meyers; film producer with the Midas Touch, Steven Spielberg; TV mogul Ted Turner; the outrageous craze of Pokémon and the juggler of all TV writers, David E. Kelley certainly possess power potential.
Cameron took the careers of Leonardo DiCaprio (also a power listmaker) and Kate Winslet and attached instant fame to their names. The Material Girl has the strength to turn the most stubborn heads and spark curiosity and criticism. The works of Potter, Crichton, King and Grisham can be found on almost any coffeetable living room or
nightstand. Pokémon is the craze that dominates the imaginations and allowances of kids everywhere. Iovine has helped mold the musical careers of some of the most powerful people in the biz. Myers can turn himself into anyone at anyplace and time in order to tickle our funny bones, and Kelley and Spielberg have the magic wands to make anyone an instant rising star.
The Entertainment Weekly list fails miserably when it attributes power to trendy stars and starlets like Ben Affleck and his bud, Matt Damon; Gwyneth Paltrow, Will Smith, John Travolta and Ashley Judd. It seems as if celebrities who are graced with an award or two instantly slide onto this power list, without any thought or consideration as to their “staying power.” None of these lukewarm listmakers could be associated with the accomplishments and strength of those who really belong on the list.
It seems that Entertainment Weekly has a different definition of “power” than most in the entertainment biz. To consider a celebrity to be truly powerful, there should be a legendary element to the individual – someone who has shaped and branded a unique kind of acting, writing, musical talent, or production skill. Let’s not forget director Frank Capra, actress Audrey Hepburn, actor Al Pacino, or musicians like Whitney Houston and the Gershwins. Most of the “powerful” on the Entertainment Weekly list couldn’t hold a candle to these legendary stars.
All Arts & All Arts & All Arts & All Arts & All Arts & Entertainment Pr Entertainment Pr Entertainment Pr Entertainment Pr Entertainment Press ess ess ess ess
Releases to: Releases to: Releases to: Releases to: Releases to: michelle@goleader michelle@goleader michelle@goleader michelle@goleader michelle@goleader.com .com .com .com .com
b bb bby Fridays at 4 p.m. y Fridays at 4 p.m. y Fridays at 4 p.m. y Fridays at 4 p.m. y Fridays at 4 p.m. for consideration for consideration for consideration for consideration for consideration for t for t for t for t for the ne he ne he ne he ne he next issue. xt issue. xt issue. xt issue. xt issue.
Dancers, Actor Needed For Role in Mame At Cranford Theater
CRANFORD – The Cranford Dramatic Club is currently searching for an Asian actor to portray the featured role of Ito in their production of the musical,
Mame.
In addition, male dancers are needed.
Mame will run on Fridays and Saturdays, February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26.
For more information, please call Bobbie Gleeman, Casting Chairperson, at (908) 2324460.
Embracing Life and Facing Embracing Life and Facing Embracing Life and Facing Embracing Life and Facing Embracing Life and Facing Challenges: Gutsy Musician Challenges: Gutsy Musician Challenges: Gutsy Musician Challenges: Gutsy Musician Challenges: Gutsy Musician Maria W Maria W Maria W Maria W Maria Woodfor oodfor oodfor oodfor oodford Speaks Out d Speaks Out d Speaks Out d Speaks Out d Speaks Out
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
WESTFIELD – “Ever since I’ve seen the light, the sun shines down on my whole life,” quoted Westfield musician Maria Woodford, beaming about her razor sharp honesty in her latest CD, “Brighter Path.”
Learning from life’s harshest lessons and surviving like a champion, Ms. Woodford has proven through her work as a musician, writer and artist that life’s little battle scars are rewards that make one wiser.
Ms. Woodford recently sat down one Thursday afternoon at Café
Java with The Westfield Leader and
The Times to discuss the 13song compilation of “Brighter Path,” which includes everything from acoustic guitar to full scale production. All of it, the musician boasts, is truly “introspective.”
Collaborating with the band “Tapping the Grey Sky,” Alex Radus and other studio musicians, “Brighter Path” is a grab bag of human emotions with a gift for everyone to take with them.
When we last spoke with Ms. Woodford in April, she had revealed that anyone who really wants to know her would just have to sit down and listen to her lyrics. And based on this recent interview, nothing has changed.
“I don’t feel that I have anything to fear,” admitted Ms. Woodford, who spent five weeks at an intensive music training camp called the Augusta Festival which was sponsored by the Augusta Heritage Foundation in West Virginia.
During the festival, Ms. Woodford said she played until her fingers cramped up and when she could no longer play her guitar, she belted out her music instead. Blues, Blue Grass, Cajun and Irish music were just some of the types of influences available to musicians at the festival.
“I believe my music comes through me from certain places.”
Those places Ms. Woodford speaks of range from what she calls “being lost,” “being in pain” and once “being in an unhealthy relationship.” However, for the musician, those days are long gone.
She has a “fresh take on things” and embraces life and all of its experiences with open, unfettered arms.
“I learned my first three chords and I wrote a song,” remembered Ms. Woodford, who has been crooning and fingerpicking folk ballads since her preteenage years.
Being compared to artists like Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan has been a privilege for the musician, but Neil Young is the paragon of lyricists and vocalists for Ms. Woodford.
Describing her flavor and sound as a “rhythm based on funk music,” Ms. Woodford said she
“hit a musical plateau” when she started getting hooked on Young’s music.
“It has an inyourface, real honesty and I learned a lot from his writing techniques,” she revealed, adding that she admires how Young digs deep for his emotion and artistry – crying while he sings.
Ms. Woodford told The Leader and The Times that she is inspired when she plays oneonone for listeners. “When I play for people and that really touches them,” she said, “it makes me really want to know more about them.”
“Running the spectrum of emotions you feel every day,” is another unique aspect of Ms. Woodford’s breakout style. This is precisely why she is continuously geared toward writing from the gut and creating from the heart.
“Writer’s block is a myth as far as I am concerned,” she remarked. According to Ms. Woodford, everything she writes about expresses “a sense of self, a sense of freedom, true love, friendship, joy and passion.”
When asked about the method of lyric writing, she noted, “It’s a subconscious process. In fact, it’s barely a subconscious process.” She said she can have up to 16 songs running through her imagination at once while chatting with a friend over coffee and suddenly stop and create and rework a song in her mind.
“I’ve crossed over from the dark side,” said Ms. Woodford as she remembered the more painful periContinued
on Page 21
Special Special Special Special Special Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
E EE EEdition: dition: dition: dition: dition: N NN NNovember 25 ovember 25 ovember 25 ovember 25 ovember 25
fundraiser, as well as Hunterdon County painter Timothy Martin, Leslie Delgyer of North Plainfield, Mike McAlick of South Bound Brook, and other artists.
“We hope we’ve designed this to be a very ‘inviting’ art show. It’s being held outdoors with refreshments and an opportunity to meet and talk to professional fine artists up close and personal,” stated Ms. Schiller. “We hope the beauty of the artwork will inspire people to extend the beauty of a helping hand.”
Visit Our Web Site www.goleader.com
The Millenium Concert of Outstanding Scholar ship Winner s
presented by The Musical Club of Westfield
For inf or mation call Rachel Hylan (908) 2334466
Sunday, November 21 – 3:00pm
$10 donation at the door
First Baptist Church of Westfield 170 Elm Street
Artists Gallery of Gifts 603 Clark Street, Westfield • 654-3614 603 Clark Street, Westfield • 654-3614 603 Clark Street, Westfield • 654-3614 603 Clark Street, Westfield • 654-3614 603 Clark Street, Westfield • 654-3614 Friday, November 12th – Noon to 4 pm & 7 to 10 pm
Saturday, November 13th – 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, November 14th – 11 am to 2 pm
Artwork • Sterling Jewelry • Painted Glass & Furniture Heirloom Baby Items • Novelty Lamps • Santas & Dolls
Garden Gifts • Leaded Glass Holiday Accents for Your Home and Lovely Giftware
8 New Artists Join Our Traditional Favorites
Piano Keyboard Organ Accordion Strings Woodwinds Brass Voice Guitar Drums
Kindermusik classes for ages 2 to 7
Riverwalk Plaza 34 Ridgedale Avenue • East Hanover (973) 428-0405
281 Main Street • Millburn (973) 467-4688
THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
| www.goleader.com | press@goleader.com | Copyright Covering Fanwood, Mountainside, Scotch Plains and Westfield, Union County, New Jersey (NJ) |