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The New Jersey State Children’s Chorus (NJSCC) presents “Songs of the Earth” at 4 pm on Sunday

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey State Children’s Chorus (NJSCC) presents “Songs of the Earth” at 4 pm on Sunday, March 24 at Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Ave., Ridgewood. Admission is $10/under 18 admitted free. Tickets are on sale at www.njstatechildrenschorus.org or may be purchased at the door. There is a snow date of March 31: notices will be posted online.

The concert opens with a round by Lowell Mason, dean of American choirs, aptly titled “O Music.” Pieces celebrating the winter weather in all its glory include “I’m Walking in the Air” from the feature cartoon, “The Snowman,” and Edward Elgar’s “The Snow.”  The “Lion and the Unicorn” is a 200 year old setting of a children’s poem in which the animals represent winter and spring. The children explore far-off places with “Dodi li,” a lively Hebrew setting of words from the Song of Songs and “Sakura,” a Japanese folk song about cherry blossoms. Eric Whitacre’s enchanting “The Seal Lullaby” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from “Oklahoma!” round out the afternoon.

Continue reading The New Jersey State Children’s Chorus (NJSCC) presents “Songs of the Earth” at 4 pm on Sunday
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Horn and Piano duo to Present Recital at Ridgewood United Methodist Church

Joshua at piano
May 30,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood United Methodist Church is hosting Internationally-acclaimed soloists, Music Director Susan LaFever and pianist Joshua Pierce will bring exquisite musical style and breadth of experience to the horn and piano duo repertoire in a performance at 3 pm, Sunday, June 4, in the Sanctuary to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our beautiful church building. The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will benefit CUMAC.

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Classical Concert: Horn and Piano Duo
Sunday, June 4, 3:00 PM
Location:
Ridgewood United Methodist Church
100 Dayton Street
Ridgewood
Contact Information:
201-652-2868
https://ridgewoodumc.net/wp/

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Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company Presents Patience in Ridgewood!

Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company Presents Patience in Ridgewood!

Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan presents Patience in Ridgewood!

Saturday, May 20 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 21 at 3pm
at Ridgewood United Methodist Church
100 Dayton Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Ridgewood NJ, Tickets are $20 online and $22 the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased on our website.

Visit www.ridgewoodgands.com for more information! A direct link to our ticket purchasing page on our website is provided in the URL above.

All of the maidens in the village are besotted with Reginald Bunthorne, a moody and handsome poet, but he has eyes only for the simple milkmaid, Patience. The problem? Bunthorne’s artistic ways are all just an act to attract women to him–he doesn’t even like poetry! Besides, Patience is in love with her childhood sweetheart, who happens to be a real poet named Archibald Grosvenor, but feels she cannot marry him because he is just too perfect. In the meantime, the serious (and decidedly non-poetic) platoon of Heavy Dragoon Guards that were meant to marry the village maidens find themselves dismayed and perplexed by their sudden loss of prospects. One of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most successful shows, Patience is a rollicking satire that pits the straight-laced ideals of the Victorian era against the passions and indulgences of the 1870s Aesthetic Movement, ridiculing each side of the spectrum.

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Martin Luther King Day Observance in Ridgewood and Glen Rock Features Controversial Islamic Speaker

Imam Zaid Shakir at Lebanese Muslim Association in Sydney, AU
by Imam Zaid Shakir at Lebanese Muslim Association in Sydney, AU. 2015.
Martin Luther King Day Observance in Ridgewood and Glen Rock will Mark 35th Year
Martin Luther King Day Observance in Ridgewood and Glen Rock will Mark 35th Year Community Program to Feature Leading Muslim Scholar Imam Zaid Shakir ?

January 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD NJ,  Noted Muslim scholar Imam Zaid Shakir will deliver remarks addressing the theme, “Together in Hope,” as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Ridgewood and Glen Rock marks the 35th year of its annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy. Sounds nice but what does Islam have to do with Martin Luther King Day and the struggles of black Americans to gain equality ?

The community is invited to attend this free event, which will take place on Monday, January 16 at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

We are told ; Imam Zaid Shakir, widely regarded as one of the most influential Muslim scholars in the West, will be the guest speaker during an interfaith worship service beginning at 10 a.m. The morning service will be followed by an outdoor rally at 11:30 a.m. and a community lunch at 12:15 p.m. The program will also feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir and Men of Umoja chorus.

“Imam Zaid Shakir is a highly respected voice on Islam and African-American issues and a leader in the emergence of a uniquely western Islamic tradition,” said committee co-chair Alice Newton. “At a time when civil rights issues dominate the headlines, we welcome his insights and inspiration as we share Dr. King’s hopeful message of finding common ground and working together to create positive change.”

A native of Berkeley, California, Imam Zaid Shakir is co-founder, trustee and a faculty member of Zaytuna College, the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. He accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force, and co-founded and served as Imam of Masjid al-Islam in New Haven, Connecticut from 1988 to 1994. He was also an adjunct professor of Political Science and Arabic at Southern Connecticut State University until his departure for Syria to further his studies in the traditional Islamic sciences. Imam Zaid Shakir returned to the U.S. in 2001 and later moved back to California, where he co-founded Zaytuna College in Berkeley in 2009. He is a writer and a sought-after lecturer on African-American issues and Islam in the American context.

A little research turns up some interesting side notes  ; Shakir, 54, was born Ricky Mitchell. He converted to Islam in 1977 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. A Berkeley native, he graduated from American University and received a master’s in political science from Rutgers University, where he says he was active in South African divestment campaigns.https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/501.pdf

An examination of Shakir’s writings and speeches, however, shows a man prone to conspiracy theories that veer toward extremism. Though his speaking style often is elliptical and rambling, and many of his points are not clearly defined, Shakir expresses doubts about who was responsible for 9/11 and other terrorist attacks. He defends terrorist groups such as Hizballah and hopes for a day in which America is a Muslim country ruled by Islamic law. Shakir also has a long record of portraying the United States as an evil force in world affairs. American society “is sinful and constitutes open rebellion against Allah,” he says.10 Shakir also suggests that Muslims could “take over” the United States if they were better organized.https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/501.pdf

Shakir has questioned whether Muslims bombed the World Trade Center in 1993, and raises questions about the official 9/11 narrative. He emphatically argues that 9/11 has been used as a pretext to target Islam in America.https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/501.pdf

In his writings and speeches, Shakir often depicts the United States as an evil force in world affairs. It is a nation born through genocide that wages wanton slaughter during wartime. “I believe that the U.S. war machine is the single greatest threat to world peace,” he wrote in November 2009. And on numerous occasions, Shakir suggests that there is no moral difference between terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian deaths resulting from U.S. military actions such as World War II and the current conflict in Afghanistan. https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/501.pdf

Not the way we would be honoring Doctor Martin Luther King . Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs
The annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration began in 1983 in an effort to unite area residents, regardless of faith or ethnic background, in worship and action as they work towards peace and justice for all. More than 20 religious groups, local government and civic organizations participate in and support the event each year. For more information contact Alice Newton at 201-951-9903; email MLKgrrwd@gmail.com; or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Glen Rock/Ridgewood, N.J. on Facebook.

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Jersey Jubilation Handbell Choir Home Concert – Heavenly Bells Friday, December 16, 2016

Jersey Jubilation Handbell Choir Home Concert

Friday, December 16, 2016 (8:00pm) at The Ridgewood United Methodist Church

December 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood United Methodist Church (RUMC) is the residence of Jersey Jubilation. RUMC is an ‘acoustically active’ venue that reverberates musical presentations equivalent to many fine music halls in New York City. The venue has been the site of concerts and recordings of many professional, accomplished groups and musicians including the Youth Ringers (a touring, concert and broadcasting youth handbell choir resident for over 15 years under Christine Braden, Director), Dr. Jean Langlais, Virgil Fox, Dr. Richard E. Frey, Dr. James Wynne, and the current guest resident choir, the Jersey Jubilation Handbell Choir.

We are delighted to be offering our 13th Annual Home Holiday Concert through the RUMC music department. The Concert is open to the community and takes a free will offering to support the costs of the Handbell Choir, the music program of the RUMC and in addition, to other programs in need.

Programs are part of the RUMC 2016-2017 Music Concert Series which presents music of different mediums throughout the year. The programs begin at 8:00pm and will be presented at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church Sanctuary located at 100 Dayton Street in Ridgewood, NJ. (Office Phone: 201-652-2868)

Jersey Jubilation Handbell Choir (JJHC)

JJHC is currently centered in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and is being hosted by the Ridgewood United Methodist Church. Members moving up from the predecessor choirs and ensembles have significant concert experience throughout the eastern US from Maine to Florida and as far west as Ohio and Ontario.

JJHC rings on two 5-octaves sets of Whitechapel English Handbells originally tuned using the analogue tuning system that was employed for years giving the Whitechapel Bells their distintive clarity and overtone sound. In addition to the Whitechapel instruments, JJHC also rings a 5-octave set of Suzuki hand chimes which most closely matches the tonal mosaic that the ensemble wishes to present.

JJHC selected this combination of these instruments in order to accomplish two goals in preenting their musical programs. The first is that Whitechapel bells are superb in allowing higher paced ringing when required to maintain lightness in the music(Ring of Fire had same conclusion).

The second goal is to allow interpretive changes in volume within any given arrangement. This requires that the ringers learn to modulate their playing techniques while handling the Whitechapel bells to give texture to the music as differentiated from the american versions of handbells which typically are set for a given sound by changing the clapper setting once prior to the start of the music selection.

Suzuki handchimes also are responsive to the same modulation techniques of the Whitechapel bells. The harmonic structures of both instrument sets are complimentary, thus giving cohesiveness in sound in the entire presentation.

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Ridgewood Singers at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church

ridgewood singers
Ridgewood Singers Present Feel the Spirit 
April 24,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Singers are presenting their annual spring concert at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church on Sunday May 1 at 3:00PM
Feel The Spirit will be presented at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church located at 100 Dayton St.

We are celebrating early American folk music and songs.
For details and tickets contact The Ridgewood Singerstheridgewoodsingers@yahoo.com
Web Site: theridgewoodsingers.com
Phone: 201-265-8949

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Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus Spring Concerts at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church

Orpheus Club Men's Chorus

April 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus will present its annual Spring Concerts on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 7:30 pm, and on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 4:00 pm at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street, in downtown Ridgewood, NJ.

The concerts feature a diverse selection songs ranging from Beethoven to the Beach Boys to delight every age and interest. Among the choral offerings are Auf Dem Meere from the Brahms concerto, Rinaldo; a medley of songs from the hit Broadway show Jersey Boys; Palestrina’s  O Bone Jesu; Blackbird by Lennon and McCartney; Hallelujah from Beethoven’s  Mount of Olives; and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square by Maschwitz and Sherman.  Rounding out the program, the Orpheus Doo Woppers will perform their rendition of Kokomo, and so much more.

Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance purchase may be made online at the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus website www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org and at any of the following local businesses: Daily Treat Restaurant, Wine Seller and Town and Country Apothecary in Ridgewood; Lewis Drug in Westwood; Perry’s Florist and Rock Ridge Pharmacy in Glen Rock; Wine and Spirit World in Ho-Ho-Kus; and Benny’s Luncheonette in Fair Lawn. Seniors and students under 17 years of age may purchase tickets at the door for $18.

The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus has been a keystone of the cultural life of the tri-state region for 110 years. Founded in 1905, it is the oldest cultural institution in all of Bergen County. Now over 50 voices strong, it is directed by John Palatucci and accompanied by pianist Ron Levy.

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Ridgewood and Glen Rock hosts its 34th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King

MLK

MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION – JANUARY 18TH

January 15,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , U.S. Senator Cory Booker will deliver remarks addressing the theme, “We Shall Not Be Silent,” as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Ridgewood and Glen Rock hosts its 34th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. The community is invited to attend this free program, which will take place on Monday, January 18 at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Senator Booker and The Rev. Joseph Ellwanger, Pastor Emeritus of Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, will be guest speakers during an interfaith worship service beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Ellwanger is best known as a civil rights activist who marched alongside Dr. King.

The morning service will be followed by an 11:30 a.m. outdoor rally, 12 p.m. community lunch, and 1 p.m. screening of the documentary I Shall Not be Silent. The film highlights the work of Rabbi Joachim Prinz, a key figure in the American civil rights movement.

The program will also include Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir and Men of Umoja chorus.

“We are thrilled that Senator Booker and Rev. Ellwanger will be joining us as we shine a light on the continuing struggle for racial justice in our country,” said committee co-chair Alice Newton. “Each of them embodies Dr. King’s legacy of not only speaking out for justice, but actively advocating for change. At a time when civil rights issues dominate the headlines – locally and nationally – we welcome their insights and inspiration.”

Rev. Ellwanger, a white pastor, led an African American congregation for nine years at St. Paul Lutheran in Birmingham, Alabama. He went on to serve as pastor of Cross Lutheran from 1967 to 2001. Rev. Ellwanger was active in the civil rights movement and shares his experiences in his book, Strength for the Struggle, copies of which will be available for purchase at the event. He was awarded the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in 2008, and continues to work on projects involving social justice and other issues facing communities today.

I Shall Not Be Silentis an award-winning documentary of the life of Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who spoke out for justice from the synagogues of 1930’s Berlin to the 1963 March on Washington. Rabbi Prinz addressed the crowd just before Dr. King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech, urging them to actively advocate for racial and social justice.

The annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration began in 1983 in an effort to unite area residents, regardless of faith or ethnic background, in worship and action as they work towards peace and justice for all. More than 20 religious groups, the Ridgewood and Glen Rock Boards of Education, local government, and civic organizations participate in and support the event each year. For more information contact Alice Newton at 201-951-9903 or Roann Rubin at 201-704-4650; email MLKgrrwd@gmail.com; or visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Glen Rock/Ridgewood, N.J. on Facebook.