Watchung Arts Center Features Variety of Performances This Season

Exciting new performances will launch the start of the 2013-14 season at the Watchung Arts Center, the borough's regional arts and performance venue. 

Opening the season on Friday, Sept. 20, is "An Evening with Alvin Madison," featuring a mix of pop, rock, folk and blues; family-friendly comedy improv on Saturday, Sept. 21 with The Improvables; and on Saturday, Oct.12, “Jazz in the Gallery” presents the Nancy Nelson Show featuring Marty Eigen’s Beacon Hill Jazz Band with Fred Fischer.

All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Shows will be updated real time on the center’s website at  WAC website. Purchase tickets to any of the exciting events at Eventbrite.  

Here's the full recounting of WAC offerings for Fall 2013:

An Evening with Alvin Madison on Sept. 20: Alvin Madison been performing over 30 years in various venues in New York and New Jersey. He has graced the stage with Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, the late Richie Havens and Livingston Taylor. Madison recently took a second place spot at a talent contest at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York. His style of music is an eclectic mix of pop, folk and blues with a discernible nod to the stylings of James Taylor, The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Madison accompanies himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica. His interpretations of songs of the sixties, seventies and eighties are soulful and heartfelt — evoking applause and an emotional connection wherever he performs. His renditions of some of the blues classics by masters Robert Johnson, Taj Mahal and Muddy Waters are the "real deal," according to the arts center.

Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door.

Family Improv with The Improvables on Sept. 21: The Improvables have been providing the Center’s audiences with zany, raucous one-of-a-kind and never-to-be-repeated humor since 2002. Each show features a series of games in which the performers act out various scenes, based on audience suggestions, without advanced knowledge of the topics. Come ready to laugh at the antics of this wonderful improvisational troupe of actors including Randy Schweriner, David Kritz, Michele Kerekes, and Brandon Lericos of Bridgewater, Phil Hochman of Plainfield, Roberta Maher of Mt. Arlington and Mike Griffin of Hillsborough.  Tickets to all performances (adult and family-friendly) are $8. Upcoming Shows include: Adult Improv: Saturday, November 16, 8 p.m., Family Improv: Saturday, January 11, 8 p.m., Adult Improv: Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m., and Family Improv: Saturday, May 17, 8 p.m.

“Jazz in the Gallery” presents the Nancy Nelson Show featuring Marty Eigen’s Beacon Hill Jazz Band with Fred Fischer on Oct. 12. Marty Eigen’s Beacon Hill Jazz Band returns to the Upper Gallery to begin its 10th season starring Nancy Nelson, the Band’s extraordinary vocalist, with Fred Fischer, said the announcement from the arts center.  Nelson has performed with Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, and many other jazz giants. Her jazz engagements include the Royal Box at the Americana Hotel and the Rainbow Room in New York City, as well as many clubs in the New York/New Jersey area, with numerous performances at The Shanghai Jazz Club in Madison.

Fred Fischer, the band’s musical director, piano player and male vocalist is a well-known local musician who performs regularly throughout the metropolitan area. He is the musical director of the United Church of Christ in Plainfield, and a piano teacher of note from his home in Scotch Plains.

Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door.

The most up-to-date listings are at the Watchung Arts Center website, where patrons also can sign up to receive email blasts delivered right to you computer or hand-held device.

The Watchung Arts Center’s gallery and office hours are noon-3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment. 

For more information, visit www.watchungarts.org or to place a reservation call 908-753-0190 or email atwacenter@optonline.net.  The Watchung Arts Center is located at 18 Stirling Road.