b'Events That Matter SchFoaolll professionals work as ateamintheLuxe Maplewood Village AllianceOrchestraInitiative orwhentheyare Saturdays August 30-September 28 performing in an en-5-9PM Summer Streets features great live music andsemble, be it dance or extended shopping hours music. They learn to DETAILSMaplewood Village; 973-762-4552;lead, follow and listen maplewoodvillagenj.com/maplewood-village-summer- to each other.saturdays Summer Streets Aurora Mendez, a Obenewaa Frimpomaas sketch books were on displayprofessionalviolinist Maplewood Porchfest during the Bartick Award celebration and presentationandteachingartist-to show her thought process when creating art. Credit:in-residenceinthe August 311-5PM Over 70 bands and performersLauren Dick OrangeSchoolDis-on dozens of porches all over the Hiltontrict through the Or-neighborhood processes behind her artwork. ange Strings Residency, said one of DETAILSHilton neighborhood, Maplewood. For information,Justknowingthataplacelikethe most amazing things about the an interactive map of porches and bands, and opportunities to volunteer, go to maplewoodporchfest.com Maplewood Porchfest SOPACandotherperformingartsprogramishowitbringsstudents placesandothermuseumsexisttogether.The Maplewood Strollers and that they are still advancing theTheyre such a special group of dreams of young artists gave me a lotkids.Theyrefromallwalksoflife September 2-3 7-9PM Audition for The Secretof hope, Frimpomaa said. SomearenativeNewJerseyans Adversary: A Tommy and Tuppence Adventure, aMcCrearwonthePaulBartickand some have English as a second new adaptation of Agatha Christies 1922 mystery. AllEmerging Artist Award the year be- language, Mendez says. That means ages welcome, sides provided, full cast breakdownfore (in 2024) and had the oppor- students might not always be able to at TheStrollers.org tunity to choreograph a solo undercommunicatewitheachotherver-DETAILSThe Burgdorff Center, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood;the guidance of a professional Aileybally. Lo and behold, you find out 973-761-8453; thestrollers.org Audition for The Secretdancer. She said it was an amazing,that,inthisclass,musicbecomes Adversary inspiring experience.their common language.South Orange Performing Arts Center It made me want to put in theOne of the most rewarding things September 57:30PM Stella Cole brings timelesstime to be a great artist, McCrearas a teacher, Mendez says, is when says. she sees that light bulb go off and the songs to life with takes on Streisand, Garland, andMcCrear also learned discipline,student realizes they can do whatever more not only for working hard in classtheyre trying to do.September 67:30PM Friends of the Brothers but also in a holistic sense, such asMendez recalls one student who the ultimate Allman Brothers tribute band knowing when to let your body rest.wasconvincedshewasterribleat September 7 7:30PM Ruben Studdard, GrammyTalk to anyone about the SOPACviolin. They tackled the problem to-nominee and American Idol winner singing from hisStella Cole arts education programs long enoughgether, measure by measure. Slowly new album, The Way I Remember It and youll hear that its so much morebutsurely,theyrealizedherhand September 127:30PM Gypsy jazz guitaristthan learning art, music or dance. posturewastheproblem.Herleft Stephane Wrembel blends Django Reinhardts legacyBeardsaidstudentslearnteam- handwasmovingalittletoofast. with his own electrifying style work.ThisincludeswatchinghowOnce they identified it, she nailed it!September 147:30PM David Koechner, ToddThestudentgave Packer from The Office and Champ Kind fromherself the grace and Anchorman, brings his comedy to the stage the space to figure it September 197:30PM Grammy-nominatedout.Andwhenshe Stephane Wrembel did,shewasbeam-Cimafunk fuses Afro-Cuban rhythms and funk intoing.shows Rolling Stone calls must-see Iseetheimpact September 217:30PM The Improvisedthatithas,Men-Shakespeare Company creates a Shakespeareandez says. When you play nightly based on an audience suggestion are able to empower September 267:30PM Masters of the Telecasterpeople with the abil-brings GE Smith, Larry Campbell & Jim Weiderity to do something, together for a night of blues and roots rock youempowerthem The Improvised Shake- to change their state speare Company A small class ensemble from Orange High School sharesof being. Youre able a joyful moment with district music teacher Jhi Eu-Gu (center left) and teaching artist Aurora Mendez. Phototoempowerthem contd on p. 39 courtesy of SOPAC tochangetheirlife. 36/ matters magazine / school 2025'