b'F cluding students who arrive through Events That Matter Faallll bootcamps,momswhofollowed Maplewood Strollers theirkidsontothematsoryoung professionals looking for a challenge. November 17PM Rocky Horror Picture ShowMixed classes are the norm. Women Sing-Along with LIVE shadowcast: Dress up asspar with men of all sizes. The lesson your favorite Rocky Horror character and bring yourbaked into every round: leverage and friends for a fun night of singing technique over brute force.November 3-47-9PM Auditions for "Narnia," theFor women, especially those new Musical: Seeking performers of all ages for variousto contact sports, the first classes can roles feel daunting. Many apologize con-November 7-8&November 14-15Auditions for Narnia stantlyatthebeginning,Hurtado 8PM ;November 92PM Agatha Christies "Thesays. They worry about seeming too Secret Adversary:" Follow the daring and dizzyingaggressive. Then they realize aggres-adventures of Tommy and Tuppence through 1920ssion and kindness can coexist, that London packed with fast-paced action, comedy, andtheres a respectful way to go hard. a dash of romance Watching that switch flip is one of November 117PM Georges Bizets "Carmen" inthe best parts of teaching. Jessica Dickinson, a purple belt, assists Jessica Dickinson knows the arc.classes. Here she guides Berkowitz (bot-Concert: A glorious evening of music featuring theThe Secret Adversary ShestartedtrainingwithSheridantom) and Brown.vocal stylings of Victoria Thomasch in the role ofabout six and a half years ago, oftening to choke me. Her laugh is quick, Carmen as the only woman in class. Petite bybut the point is serious. The mats be-DETAILSThe Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durandanystandard,competingatroostercome a classroom for composure.Road, Maplewood; 973-761-8453; the maplewoodstrollers.org weight (under 105 lbs), she struggledKristinPiccionecametoBJJ to find size-matched partners at first.to challenge myself during a diffi-Studio Tour SOMA I was having to train at other acad- cult time personally. She expected November 1-2 11AM-5PM Studio Tour SOMAemies just to find more women, shepractical self-defense, but what she 2025: Explore the studios of over 100 professionalsays. Today, shes a purple belt whodidntanticipatewascommunity. and emerging artists showcasing painting, sculpture,assists the white-belt class and men- BJJ is addictive and has tested me ceramics, photography, jewelry, and more tors new students. As more womenphysicallyandmentallyinwaysI DETAILSMany venues around Maplewood and South Orange.started to train, I realized how impor- didntexpect.Ivetrainedinother Visit studiotoursoma.com/meet-the-artists to plan your tour tant it is for newer people to see otherstates and countries, and Im always Studio Tour SOMA womenonthemat,holdingtheirwelcomed. At Sheridan, I know Ill Maplewood Garden Club own and even getting the best of thefind partners who help me improve guys. Jiu jitsu really is for everyone. and keep me safe so I can keep com-November 37:30PM New Ideas from EnglishWhatkeepshercomingbackispeting. The growth of the womens Gardeners: Wake up your beds and borders withas much mental as physical. In jiuprogram says a lot about the gyms fresh ideas from across the pond, drawing on designjitsu, its crucial to stay calm in badculture in a male-dominated sport.techniques and plant pairings from iconic gardenspositionsandworkstepbysteptoAriannaJavatesaysthesport such as the Eden Project and Thames Barrier Park.somethingbetter,shesays.Thathas transformed her. There are so Featuring Marta McDowell of the New York Botanicalmentalcalmnesshelpsmeatworkmany benefits, she says. The physi-Garden and in life. I can take a breath andcal health and the mental health are DETAILSThe Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood;remember: no one here is actively try- most important to me. Training has maplewoodgardenclub.org New Ideas from made me feel assured and confident. English Gardeners Its given me skills to handle diffi-Achieve Foundation of South Orangecult, stressful situationson the mat and Maplewood and in my career. The discipline has also helped me become more physi-November 163PM Our Towns Read "Our Town," acally fit, transforming both my body one-time only dramatic reading of Thornton Wildersand my mind.classic play featuring two-time Tony Award winnerHurtado politely dismantles the Norbert Leo Butz as the Stage Manager alongsideideathatatwo-hourself-defense CHS alumni Marygrace Rumley 24 and Quincyseminar can change your life. Under Hampton 23 as Emily and George stress, you do what youve trained, DETAILSColumbia High School Auditorium, 17 Parker Avenue,he says. If you havent built muscle Maplewood; Tickets on saleearly October. Learn more atmemoryunderrealresistanceif achievefoundation.org. Our Towns Read"Our Town" youhaventfeltthefight-or-flight Jasmin Brown and Amber Berkowitzresponseyoure unlikely to recall sparring at a recent session. techniques when you need them. 42/ matters magazine / fall 2025'