28 / matters magazine / summer 2018 The Talent Keeps Coming Columbia High School grads bring their magic home BY ADRIANNA DONAT I t’s no secret that Colum- bia High School consistently pumps out talent. But all too often students graduate, take their talents to larger cities, and we don’t get the chance to see them shine here at home. This summer, however, two alums are bringing their talents back for us to see firsthand. Between June 29th and July 1st, you can see 2008 CHS grad Gregory Omar Osborne’s (CHS ’08) chore- ography and direction in Five Guys Named Moe. You may remem- ber Osborne from his parts in CHS productions of An- nie, Grease (as Eu- gene), Little Shop of Horrors, and Once on This Island (as Papa Ge), as well as from the Parnas- sian Society. He got his big break in dance at 12 years old when, on a cold day at Ma- plewood Middle School, he was danc- is much more beautiful than we’ve ever had for outdoor music and it’s only the beginning of the improvement of out- door space in South Orange. There are tons of areas that need our love and support and this is just the first.” As Bob Zuckerman, Executive Di- rector of SOV- CA, comment- ed, “I’m so thrilled to now have a park in the heart of our downtown that with very little money we can be proud of. It’s going to be an amazing space for our Downtown after Sundown concerts all summer long, then Play Day in September.” You can catch the concerts at the Gazebo for Jazz on Sloan or in Spiotta Park where every style of music from acoustic to zydeco and jazz to flamenco will be represented. Concerts kicked off on Memorial Day weekend and run through Labor Day, every Friday and Saturday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. Academy Heights and owners of Sa- die’s, volunteered to repair and paint the turtle and alligator wooden ani- mals. PSE&G fixed the gas lamps, festoon lights were added and the foun- tain got a fresh coat of paint – just in time for a kickoff ceremony on May 23. Against the backdrop of a sunny day with jazz from Mark Murphy’s Music, Glass addressed the crowd at the ceremony. “This is the result of simple contribu- tions from everyday people. This venue Cat Fisher and Andrew Kit refurbished the wooden animals (left). L-R: Mike Scalora, Matt Glass and Bob Zuckerman With a coat of paint the fountain looks brand new. Bob Zuckerman (L) and Matt Glass (R) address the crowd at the kickoff for the refurbished Spiotta Park. Artist Dan Fenelon painted this modern, colorful mural.