Local Madison Institutions Celebrate 20 Years of Fellowship and Cultural Exchange

When Terry Armstrong, Director of the Madison Montessori School (MMS) and head Kindergarten teacher, thought about this year’s annual kindergarten field trip to Shanghai Jazz for a Chinese New Year’s Celebration, she realized that the partnership between these two local community institutions stretched back many years. Madison Montessori recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, and Shanghai Jazz has been part of its global cultural curriculum for 20 of those years. This year’s event fell right at the end of the week-long celebration of the Year of the Rooster.

“We had celebrated [Chinese New Year] at various local restaurants, but once we met Martha [Chang] at Shanghai Jazz we couldn’t imagine going anywhere else,” lauds Armstrong. Several years later, Chang’s nephew attended MMS – solidifying an already strong community bond.

Known both locally and nationally for its superb cuisine and wide-ranging entertainment, Shanghai Jazz opened in 1995 and has received rave reviews from everyone from Zagat’s to the New York Times – and, of course, from years of MMS kindergarten classes. Inspired by Shanghai in the 1920s and 30s, when it was known as the "Paris of the Orient," proprietors Martha Chang and David Niu have sought to create a jazz club infused with "jazz and joy” – and have been named One of the Top 100 Great Jazz Clubs in the World as a result of their efforts. Chang describes the passion behind their success, noting “we love sharing this world-class music to guests of all ages -- from 4 weeks to over 100 in our 22 years in business. Kids are transported by the experience of live music of this caliber.” The children from MMS, however, are very special repeat guests. "We've had the honor of hosting the MMS Chinese New Year Celebration at Shanghai Jazz every year for the past 20 years,” explains Chang. “It's truly a magical experience.”

In addition to all of the effort behind the lunch itself, what Armstrong considers a “truly wonderful gift” is the involvement of the Shanghai Jazz staff in the celebrations. The afternoon includes performances related to Chinese New Year, and culinary selections designed at once to reflect those traditions and appeal to a young palate. Chang details, “[First] we enjoy lots of lucky dumplings, long life noodles and sweets for a sweet New Year (like brownies and mint chocolate chip ice cream).”

But the annual celebration at Shanghai Jazz goes beyond just delicious food. “We share what we've learned about the Lunar New Year, and then we put on a show,” details Chang. “Two shows, actually: First, the Shanghai Jazz Lion Dancers perform a traditional Lion Dance to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to all who witness its dance. And then our MMS kindergartners perform a good luck Dragon Dance. I don't know who gets more excited -- me or the kids. It's joy, pure and simple, and we all can't stop smiling for days.”

The Dragon Dance involves a paper and cloth dragon created by then-MMS parent (and architectural historian) Janet Foster of Madison. From her photo archives, she confirmed that she created the dragon in the spring of 1994; it features a cardboard and papier-mâché head and long fabric body. Over the years, the dragon has undergone two “restorative facelifts” at the hands of two different MMS families. What’s remarkable, Foster notes, is the dragon’s longevity: “The dragon has lasted a long time, as we all do, because of love and care from others!”

Back at Madison Montessori, the kindergartners always perform the Dragon Dance for their younger classmates (MMS students range from 2.5 -6 years old), and take great care to appear happy and excited so as alleviate any fears the younger students might have about the ferocious dragon head. Armstrong shares that one student who has attended MMS since the age of 2 recently enthused: “I can’t believe I’m a kindergartner and get to the do the Dragon Dance this year. I always wondered what it would be like!”

The Year of the Dog will mark year 21 of this great local partnership, and Chang and the Shanghai Jazz team are already preparing: “Thank you Terry and MMS for creating this wonderful caring community. We love MMS!"

Madison Montessori is currently accepting applications for its 2017-2018 school year, for children from age 2.5 through kindergarten. Information can be found on their website at www.madisonmontessorinj.org. or at 973-966-9544.