TEANECK FESTIVAL OF ARTS PRESENTS SECOND SHOW

Contacts:
Jacqueline B. Kates, TFOA chairperson, 201-837-8095
Lauren Hooker, TFOA Artistic Director, 201-887-7342

The beat goes on with The Teaneck Festival of Arts’ second show: “On The Edge - A Fabulous Night of Offbeat Comedy and Sublime Jazz Vocals” at Cedar Lane Cinemas, 503 Cedar Lane in Teaneck on Saturday, April 5 at 8PM.

Comedian Melvin George II, who has headlined at clubs across the nation and has appeared in the films "Mo’ Better Blues" and "Meteor Man" as well as Fox’s "Comic Strip Live", and A & E’s "An Evening at the Improv”, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Teaneck resident Claire Porter who was recently written up in the The Village Voice as "always delightful,wickedly funny" will present her comedic dance/movement presentation "Portables" and comedian Chipps Cooney who has appeared on The View, The Drew Carey HBO Special and Roseanne Barr's Saturday Night Special for TV will present: "Magic Revealed”. Hailing from Canada, Faustworks will perform the funny and wacky "Mask Messenger” whom the The New York Times says "Tickles some sort of primal funny bone... hilariously hyperbolic..."
 and Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes: "Totally unique... I have never seen anything like it and neither have you… simply stunning."


Live jazz will be interspersed between the comedy acts highlighting Teaneck’s own jazz vocalists Amy London, Curry Allen and Lauren Hooker paying tribute to Annie Ross, Cab Calloway and Peggy Lee. Ms. London who recently won 'Best Vocal Jazz CD 07' (Zan Stewart, Newark Star Ledger) is known in NYC jazz circles for her effortless sound, impeccable musicianship and depth of emotion. Ms. Hooker’s critically acclaimed CD produced by Rufus Reid and Allen Farnham was awarded an Honorable Mention from ALL ABOUT JAZZ' Best Jazz CD’s in ‘07. Curry Allen won Best Male Singer on “Star Search” three times and has graced the stages as back-up singer for Bette Midler and Patti Labelle. The vocalists will be accompanied by jazz greats: Roni Ben-Hur on guitar, Belden Bullock on bass and Vince Ector on drums.

The show will include a screened photo essay created especially for this event celebrating Teaneck’s jazz musicians past, present and future including photographs by Teaneck resident and famed jazz photographer Chuck Stewart. The video will also highlight Teaneck’s Middle school students artwork inspired by the recording of Teaneck Community Chorus’ “I Like Jazz” - a composition written by Loren Daniels set to a poem written by THS student Miles Hodges.

A Meet the Artists Reception will be held on Sunday, March 30 from 3 to 5 pm in the Teaneck Public Library Auditorium on Teaneck Road. The video will be on view as well as the photographs of Teaneck’s Jazz Musicians and artwork created by the students. It is free and open to the public. The art show will be on display at the Teaneck Public Library for the entire month of April in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Tickets for the April 5 event ($20 Adults and $15 for Students) are on sale now at the Teaneck Public Library and The Puffin Foundation, 20 Puffin Way in Teaneck. For more info for this show as well as upcoming shows call 1-800-811-2909 or visit their website at www.teaneckfoa.org

Teaneck Festival of Arts (TFOA) is a project of the non-profit Puffin Foundation Ltd, which has long supported cultural and educational programs in Teaneck. It continues to enjoy the support of local schools, businesses and organizations, including the Teaneck Economic Development Corporation, the Teaneck Suburbanite, Holy Name Hospital, the Cedar Lane Management Group, Mayor Elie Katz, the Township Council, and many other community leaders.

To make a center for the arts in Teaneck a reality, TFOA needs individual donors, businesses, organizations and corporations who are committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community through the arts. Sponsorship opportunities are listed on www.teaneckfoa.org or call Jackie Kates (TFOA Chair) at 201-837-8095. The ad deadline for the April production is Monday, March 17, 2008.