A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page 15

THE JAMES WARD MANSION

www.jameswardmansion.com

Have your Sweet 16 Party at The James Ward Mansion!

“Make Our Mansion Your Mansion”

Sweet Sixteen

It’s your Library … make the most of it

IIt’s your Library …

make the most of it

550 East Broad Street

Westfield, NJ 07090 www.wmlnj.org

Open to WML and MURAL

cardholders. Sign up online at

www.wmlnj.org and click on the

Calendar link, or call

908.789.4090 option 0.

The Eric Mintel Quartet Presents the Music of Dave Brubeck

on Wednesday, June 26 At 7:00 pm Hear these musicians play the smooth music of Dave Brubeck, the foremost

musician of cool jazz.

The Best Free Entertainment in Town

is at the Westfield Memorial Library!

Musician Liz Queler Presents “The Edna Project”

Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00 pm The poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay set to music! An amazing show.

ART SMART...Carter Modes of Berkeley Heights proudly displays artwork tohis father, Upper School chemistry teacher Kyle Modes, at last week’s LowerSchool Art Show at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison on May 17. Visitorsenjoyed the various paintings, samplers, ceramics and self-portraits that adornedthe art room, hallways and library by students of Susan Howard.

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Photo Courtesy of Michael Endy, President, Westfield Art AssociationART IN THE PARK…On June 9, the Westfield Art Association met inMindowaskin Park for an afternoon of art-making in the sun. Member artists setup easels to capture the beauty of the park at the height of Spring. Many peopleof all ages came to observe, talk to the artists, and join in the art-making -- and wecould not have asked for better weather!

Historical Society ofPlainfield Lecture on Tea

PLAINFIELD — The AnnualMeeting of the Historical Society ofPlainfield will be held on Sunday,June 23, at 1 p.m. at the Drake HouseMuseum. A special lecture will begiven by Judith Krall-Russo, FoodHistorian and Certified Tea Special-ist, entitled: “Tea and Other Meals inVictorian America” immediately fol-lowing the annual meeting at 2 p.m.

“The years after the Civil Warushered in many changes in the eat-ing habits of Victorian America. Eti-quette around the table became veryimportant, tea parties were popular,and soda fountains became a socialcenter. Come and learn more aboutfood and drinks in the 19th century,”said Ms. Krall-Russo.

Ms. Krall-Russo has enjoyed alifelong love of foods, especiallyembracing the rich agriculture of herhome state, New Jersey. She beganstudying customs and traditions oftea, a universal beverage, 30 yearsago, and has earned certifications asa Tea Specialist by the Tea School inPomfret, Connecticut, and The Spe-cialty Tea Institute of New York. Ms.Krall-Russo is currently studying theJapanese Tea Ceremony atBoukakuan Tea House in New Jer-sey, and has studied at the UrasenkeChanoyu Center in New York City.

As a result of her independentstudies and knowledge of historyand trends surrounding many popu-lar New Jersey foods and beverages,Ms. Krall-Russo is a frequent lec-turer and seminar organizer acrossthe state at local libraries and his-

torical societies.This program is made possible by

the Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum, and is inhonor of the City of Plainfield’s ses-quicentennial celebration. Seating islimited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Light refreshments willbe served. Program is free for mem-bers; non-members: a nominal do-nation would be appreciated.

Four Local Residents Earn Top HonorsAt County Senior Citizens Art ExhibitCOUNTY — Four local residents

took home top honors at the 2019Union County Senior Citizens ArtExhibit during the awards receptionin Union.

John Curch of Scotch Plains wonfirst place in the professional water-color category and professional Bestin Show. Barbara Uhr of Westfieldwon first place in the professionalpastel category. Janice Metzger of

Westfield won first place in the pro-fessional printmaking category.Mevin Kevoe of Westfield won firstplace in the non-professional acryliccategory.

The exhibit will be on display untilJuly 8 at Liberty Hall Center, which islocated at 1085 Morris Avenue inUnion. Viewing times are from 9 a.m.until 5 p.m., Monday through Satur-day.

Janice Metzger Mevin Kevoe

Barbara UhrJohn Curch

By Michael S. Goldbergerfilm critic

I actually wanted to see the newGodzilla. Not that I’m a big fan of thefranchise. Maybe it’s the kid in me…orperhaps because the early stuff was sohokey and so terribly dubbed that itwas entertaining. Composed of poorlyconstructed miniatures and the barestof plots, it was probably the hypersuspension of disbelief engendered inus moppets that stirred our imagina-tions more than the calamitous perpe-trations themselves. My curiosity wasup. Hence, as the time approached todecide if it’d be Rocketman or Godzillathis week, the Japanese nomenclaturebecame my recurring word of the day.“Gojira! Gojira!” I repeated in antici-pation of the monster’s approach. Itwould sort of be like going back to theold neighborhood to see how thingsmay have modernized. “Gojira” Imurmured. But then I punked out.

Yeah, the adult said to the adoles-cent, ‘Lose the indulgence. Rocketmanis more significant than a plastic behe-moth that levels entire cityscapes withone giant wag of his tale. Who needsthat, anyway?’ So, I saw Rocketman.Such are life-changing decisions.While certainly not as important aswhether to become a film critic orSecretary of State, choices do havetheir consequences and,serendipitously, this latest selectionalso worked out just fine. Harvestingedifying revelations and soulful divul-gences galore, director DexterFletcher’s biopic tells you everythingyou didn’t even think to ask aboutElton John…that is, unless you’re adevout aficionado of QueenElizabeth’s favorite rocker.

The biggest surprise is that EltonJohn as most of us have perceivedhim, major songwriter and performerextraordinaire, is technically only one-half of the illustrious hit-making dy-namo that gave us iconic tunes likethe one for which this superbly enter-taining film is titled. Think Lernerand Loewe, Rodgers andHammerstein, Lennon andMcCartney. While Rocketman doesn’tdelve into lyricist Bernie Taupin’sbiographical details the way it so per-vasively deconstructs Mr. John, itdramatically informs that this silentpartner was the wordsmith and col-laborating catalyst who made it pos-sible for Elton to realize his musicalgenius.

Attaching the innumerable, chart-topping songs strewn throughout thescreenplay to the often tragic pathElton John traversed on his way tointernational stardom, directorFletcher, working from a screenplayby Lee Hall, amazes us with the pro-lificacy of his subject. But while thetraditional storytelling style oft used

in movies about composers is famil-iar, there is an individualistic vervethat cuts right to the nerve of who thisfilm says Elton John is. Alas, thephenom is the once unloved little boyof absurdly selfish and clueless par-ents. Oh sure, you think, it’d be greatto have all that money and fame,Gojira no longer on your mind. Butassuming you had a great childhood,would you trade it for Elton John’sdebatable consolation prize?

Sharing a bit of DNA from any andall motion pictures about the rocky roadto rock-‘n’-roll eminence, there’s therequired amount of limousines, disin-genuous lovers, corrupt agents, booze,drugs and the ever-fearful insecuritythat comes of sudden success. But whilesuch is afforded compulsory lip ser-vice, the central theme is neither thewiles, joys nor seductive decadences ofshowbiz, but rather, the Rocketman’srelentless and dishearteningly unsuc-cessful search for love. All of whichmakes us give a hoot when he fallsvictim to the shiny temptations…whichhe does with as much masochistic effi-cacy as any of his peers. Taron Egertonis so award-worthy credible, both invoice and thespic impersonation, thatwe nearly forget it’s not Elton Johnplaying himself.

Here’s the deal. Despite the globalcynicism that’s concealing the betteressence of humanity like the candyshell on a Jordan almond, our heart-felt interest belies the cold protectivemechanism of the sardonic worldviewfoisted on us by misanthropes andprofiteers. This film is a big hit. Andwhat’s it about? Love! People likingand needing each other…a lot. Quitea commodity, you know. Gadzooks,man…the poets have been telling usabout it for millennia. But the firmesttruth of it was permanently jolted intomy brain during that rare, memorableinstance when I had a drink withmom. Despondent over my recentloss of a battle in the war between thesexes, I questioningly agonized overthe power of love. Intent on dispel-ling any uncertainties I held, DoraGoldberger looked me in the face andsuccinctly informed, “People kill forit.” Aside from wondering, ‘Wow,where did that come from?’ I knew Iwas now playing in the majors.

Thus, because of its celebratedsongbook and heartrending medita-tion on the search for love, I emphati-cally endorse Rocketman before set-ting my moviegoing trajectory forGodzilla II: King of the Monsters,and wonder if I’ll construe ‘tis alsoamour that motivates the beast.

Rocketman, rated R, is a ParamountPictures release directed by DexterFletcher and stars Taron Egerton,Jamie Bell and Richard Madden.Running time: 121 minutes.

P O P C O R NP O P C O R NP O P C O R NP O P C O R NP O P C O R N

One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent

RocketmanGodzilla vs. Elton John

4 popcorns

‘Backyard to the ConcreteJungle’ at Les Malamut

UNION — The Les Malamut ArtGallery will present Union photogra-pher Stephanie Napholtz in her firstsolo fine art show. The exhibit titled“Backyard to the Concrete Jungle”will open on Monday, June 24, andclose on August 31. There will be aMeet the Artist Reception on June 24from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ms. Napholtz is self-taught and hasbeen awarded first and second place inthe Natural Environment ProfessionalCategory for 2017 Somerset CountyContest, as well as first place in theTransportation Professional Category

for 2017 Somerset County Contest.“Capturing the beauty of the world

is my favorite thing in life to do,” Ms.Napholtz stated. All artwork is avail-able for purchase by contacting theartist.

The gallery is located on the lowerlevel of the Union Public Library, 1980Morris Avenue, Union. The exhibit isfree and open to the public duringregular library hours. It is handicappedaccessible. For further information,v i s i tlesmalamutartgallery.wordpress.com,or call (908) 851-5450.

Hairspray, Jr. Coming toRahway High June 28-30

ELIZABETH – The CAU Com-munity Players will be staging a veryspecial production of Hairspray, Jr. atthe Rahway High School Center forPerforming Arts on Friday, June 28,and Saturday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m.and Sunday, June 30, at 2 p.m.

The CAU Community Players is atroupe of actors both with and withoutdevelopmental disabilities. Formed in2012, the troupe empowers memberswith disabilities to engage in the plea-sures of acting, singing and dancingwith people from the wider commu-nity and to be judged for their talentsrather than disabilities. The produc-tions also allow individuals withoutdisabilities to interact with those withdisabilities and build bonds.

CAU is a Union County-based, state-wide nonprofit that strives to integratepeople with disabilities and at-riskyouth into the general communitythrough comprehensive supports.

The troupe each year selects a playthat is representative of CAU’s advo-cacy message of inclusion, acceptanceand believing in oneself, as well aseveryone’s worth regardless of ability,according to Marguerite Modero, thegroup’s director. They also select aplay that allows for a large cast, as noone is turned away from performing.

This year’s production, Hairspray,Jr., is based on the 1988 film and later

Broadway hit. Set in 1962, Baltimore,Maryland, the story revolves aroundself-proclaimed “pleasantly plump”teenager Tracy Turnblad as she pur-sues stardom as a dancer on a local TVshow and fights racial segregation,body shaming and discriminationagainst special education students.

“The ’60s were a fun time but thesubplot shows how rampant discrimi-nation was, including against specialeducation,” Ms. Modero said. “It isperfect for our troupe because I wantthem to learn something from everyperformance. Some of our older mem-bers lived through that period andsome of our younger members arelearning it for the first time.”

The cast of more than 60 performersincludes members of CAU and theagency’s Academy of Continuing Edu-cation and performers from the widercommunity from throughout NorthCentral New Jersey. The troupe splitsabout evenly between people with andwithout disabilities. Several CAUmembers have leads, including JamesSmith, who plays Tracy Turnblad’smother, Edna, a part made famous onBroadway by Harvey Firestein.

Tickets will be available online byvisiting https://rwhs.booktix.com/. Thecost is $12. Tickets also will be avail-able at the door. To learn more aboutCAU, visit www.caunj.org.

Fanwood Poetry Series Continues onJune 18 with Poets Giura, Harter

FANWOOD – The Carriage HousePoetry Series invites the public to afree event on Tuesday, June 18, at 8p.m., featuring distinguished poetsMaria Giura and Penny Harter in theKuran Arts Center on Watson Road,off North Martine Avenue, adjacentto Fanwood Borough Hall. (GPS use75 N. Martine Avenue). The readingis free and open to the public. Anopen mic will follow the featuredperformances, so individuals are in-vited to read one poem.

Maria Giura has won awards fromthe Academy of American Poets andthe Center for Women Writers. Ms.Giura’s first book, a collection ofpoems about her Brooklyn upbring-

ing, “What My Father Taught Me,” isa finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize.Her second book, a memoir, is due inOctober. Ms. Giura’s writing has ap-peared in numerous journals, includ-ing Lips Magazine, Prime Number,Italian Americana, Presence, andOvunque Siamo.

Penny Harter is the author of manypoetry books, including “The Reso-nance Around Us,” “Lizard Light:Poems from the Earth,” and “TheNight Marsh.” In 2002, she was therecipient of the first William O. Dou-glas Nature Writing Award.

For more, visitcarriagehousepoetryseries.blogspot.com.Or call (908) 889-7223.