Initiated in spring of 2010, this series of free outdoor world music concerts, reflects a collaboration between Morris Arts and Mayo Performing Arts Center, with the rainsite graciously provided by Morristown United Methodist Church (50 Park Place on the Green).
The 2012 series featured four free world music concerts scheduled on the following dates:
Tuesdays, June 26, July 10, July 24 and August 7 at 12:00 noon-1:00 pm on the Morristown Green
Concerts ran from 12 pm – 1:00 pm. Music Without Borders series is sponsored by Novartis.
Each Music Beyond Borders concert featured a performance of world music reflecting the diverse culture and population of the area.
“We hope that people will enjoy our wonderful free lunchtime outdoor concerts that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the area,” said Allison Larena, President and CEO of the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Tom Werder, Executive Director of the Arts Council of the Morris Area, adds, “It’s exciting to collaborate with the Mayo Center on this special series and to literally bring the world to the center of Morristown.”
MEXICAN MUSIC: Mariachi Citlalli
Nearly 250 people attended the June 26th kickoff featuring Mariachi Citlalli. It was a glorious day – cool and sunny – and everyone was having a good time!
For a brief video of the band performing, click HERE. Click HERE for additional coverage by Kevin Coughlin and staff of MorristownGreen.com (more videos and photos) and HERE for coverage (with photos and video) by MorristownPATCH.com.
Here are some other scenes:
L-R: Talking with new fans; dancing to the music; a question for the band; the band poses with the Music Without Borders Banner (l-r: Bernardo Ponce, Nick Navarrete, Jerry Navarrete and Francisco Navarrete); young fan models a sombrero.
BRAZILIAN MUSIC: Mauricio de Souza and Bossa Brasil
On July 10, 2012, over 300 people attended the program of Brazilian music by Mauricio de Souza and Bossa Brasil®. The weather was glorious…sunny, not too hot and with a slight breeze. The group’s performers featured Mauricio de Souza on drums, Gary Mazzaroppi (formerly bassist with Les Paul) on bass, Juilliard grad Sharel Cassity on sax and Alan Chaubert, miraculously, on trumpet and keyboard, simultaneously!
L-R: Crowds enjoy Bossa Brasil®; Mauricio de Souza and Bossa Brasil® performing (Mauricio de Souza on drums, Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, Sharel Cassity on sax and Alan Chaubert on keyboard and trumpet); more crowds throughout the park enjoying the music.
To hear the group playing Brazilian jazz, click HERE and to hear Alan Chaubert working his trumpet and keyboard magic, click HERE.
NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AND DANCE: Redhawk Native American Arts Council Dance Troupe
On July 24, nearly 300 people attended (including nearly 100 children) the performance by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council Dance Troupe which performed a wide variety of “first nation” dances, including the Smoke Dance, The Grass Dance, the Iroquois Robin Dance, the Jingle Dress Dance, the Shawl Dance and the intricate and extraordinary Hoop Dance. Cliff Matias (Kichwa, Taino) explained the intricacies and symbolism of the dances, serving and singer and drummer in addition to masterfully dancing the Hoop Dance. He was joined by dancers Malia Mahi (Native Hawaiaan, Taino), Lucero Cavelight (Navajo, Aztec) and Robert White Magpie (Lakota). The many children were eager participants in the dancing and Leslie Bensley of the Morris County Tourism Bureau played the part of a maiden to be wooed by a young warrior’s flute music and dancing.
L-R: Children participating in the Buffalo dance; Luvero Cavelight performing the Shawl Dance and Robert White Magpie with his warrior’s flute to woo his ladylove.
L-R: The Troupe- Lucero Cavelight, Cliff Matias, Robert White Magpie and Malia Mahi; Cliff Matias dances the intricate Hoop Dance; Malia Mahi performing the Jingle Dress Dance
For a brief video of Robert White Magpie performing the Grass Dance, click HERE
For a brief video of children performing the Iroquois Robin Dance, click HERE
For a brief video of Cliff Mattias performing part of the Hoop Dance, click HERE
for a brief video of Lucero Cavelight performing part of the Shawl Dance, click HERE
BARYNYA: RUSSIAN MUSIC AND DANCE
On August 7th, 2012, Music Without Borders had a record crowd of 436 people (150 of them kids) + all those enjoying the performance from their seats at cafes and restaurants around the Green. Perfect weather – warm and dry greeted the Barynya trio who brought a wide variety of Russian music and dance to Morristown, showcasing Cossack, Russian folk, Russian Jewish and gypsy traditions in the music, costuming and dancing. Mikhail Smirnov, the artistic director of the troupe, sang and accompanied the others on garmoshka (Russian accordian) and guitar, while Elina Karokhina demostrated her virtuosity on the balalaika and Valentina Kvasova brought energy and grace to her marvelous folk dancing and singing.
L-R: Dancer/singer Valentina Kvasova with balalaika virtuoso, Elina Karokhina; Valentina Kvasova performs Russian gypsy dance; Mikhail Smirnov on garmoshka with Elina Karokhina holding balalaika.
L-R: Enthusiastic crowds clapped along; Valentina Kvasova performs Russian gypsy dance; more enthusiastic crowds.
For a brief video of Valentina Kvasova performing a dance from Siberia, click HERE .
For a brief video of Valentina Kvasova performing part of the Russian Jewish wedding dance, Mazal Tov, click HERE.
For a brief video of Valentina Kvasova performing part of Dve Gitary (Two Guitars), a gypsy folk song and dance, click HERE.
For a brief video of Elina Karokhina demonstrating her virtuosic balalaika skills in a solo entitled Birch Tree, click HERE.
For a brief video of Valentina Kvasova performing a Russian maiden’s dance, click HERE.
For a brief video of Valentina Kvasova performing the traditional Russian folk dance, Kalinka, click HERE.
Additional Background on Music/Dance from Mexico, Brazil, Native America and Russia
The Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morris Arts and the United Methodist Church present their third annual Music Without Borders free summer outdoor lunchtime concert series on the Morristown Green. The series begins June 26 and runs every other Tuesday through August 7. Concerts run from 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm. Rainsite is the Morristown United Methodist Church (50 S. Park Place on the Green).
JUNE 26: Mariachi Citlalli (Mexican Music)
Described by the NY Times as “four young musicians, decked out in elegant black uniforms, with fancy buttonwork typical of roving Mexican troubadours,” this highly talented mariachi band performs a wide range of Mexican music from traditional to contemporary. Founded in 2000, the group’s four members perform on trumpet, vihuela (5 string guitar-like instrument), guitarron (large guitar), and keyboard/accordion. Mariachi Citlalli has performed on national media with such celebrities as Rosie O’Donnell, Sally Jessie Raphael, President Bush (Sr.), former Mexican President Ernesto Cedillo, former leader of the Dominican Republic Pena Gomez, Donald Trump, Mariah Carey, and Conan O’Brien, among others. They have also performed at such leading venues as Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, the Sullivan Theater (David Letterman’s studios), Shea Stadium, the Plaza Hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, the United Nations and a vast list of caterers and clubs all over New York. For more information on the group, visit www.mariachicitlalli.com
JULY 10: Mauricio de Souza with Bossa Brasil® (Brazilian music)
Maurício de Souza and Bossa Brasil®, with their unique, exciting, and sophisticated arrangements, cover a wide array of Brazilian jazz standards including the music of Tom Jobim and Hermeto Pascoal, and Egberto Gismonti, among others. Their 2010 album, Here.There, has received widespread critical acclaim – featured on WBGO, and voted the #1 jazz album by WWPV FM. On Jazz Week for three weeks, it was also reviewed by Jazz Times Magazine, All About Jazz NY, Jazz Inside Magazine, and All About Jazz (online). Additionally, the album is in Pandora’s music library and was voted among the top 30 jazz albums by Music Choice. For more details and information, visit www.mauriciodesouzajazz.com
JULY 24: Red Hawk Native American Arts Council Dance Troupe (Native American music and dance)
The Redhawk Dance Troupe features Native American performing artists who educate and delight audiences by interpreting and presenting social, traditional, and contemporary dances. Since 1993, the Redhawk Native American Arts Council’s performing artists have been sharing Native American dance, music, art and history with audiences around the world. With live singing and drumming, they present traditional and social dances along with articulate verbal interpretation in high energy, exciting performances, combining traditions from various nations to help audiences understand the differences among Native American nations. Redhawk also hosts four of the largest Native American Pow Wows in New York and New Jersey. Visitors enjoy Native food, music, dance, crafts, art and traditions at these annual events which include over 1,000 Native American artists, performers, and educators from across the Americas, provide opportunities for cross-cultural interaction, and help to insure the survival of Native American traditions. The Troupe has performed for the President of the United States and at such venues as NY’s Woodstock Festival, the renowned Apollo Theatre, and Dance Theater of Harlem. They have also appeared such TV shows as Good Day New York and Regis & Kathy Lee, among others. For more information, visit www.redhawkcouncil.org.
AUGUST 7: Barynya (Russian Music and Dance)
Established in 1991, Barynya is considered the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. It presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Russian Jewish, and Roma Gypsy traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, domra and garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion). Barynya has performed at such top venues as Carnegie Hall, the National Constitution Center (Philadelphia), the Smithsonian Institute (DC), the United Nations, and the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC. With an impressive client roster of dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and organizations from around the world, Barynya performed at the 2008 Gala after former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev received the Liberty Medal from then-President George H.W. Bush and Barynya’s members have performed at private celebrity parties, hosted by the likes of Barbara Walters, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and Tommy Hilfiger. Most recently, in recognition of his work as founder/artistic director of Baryna, Mikhail Smirnov was invited to serve as a judge on NBC’s hit dance show, Superstars of Dance. Participants in this international competition – hosted by Michael Flatley (“Lord of the Dance”) and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA – Barynya dancers were pictured on the TV GUIDE website during the competition in which they performed their acrobatic Cossack dance. For more information, visit www.barynya.com.
The 2011 offerings were as follows:
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| Wednesdays, June 22, July 6, July 20 and August 3 at 12 pm on the Morristown GreenFeaturing music from India, China, Colombia and the Balkans |
The Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morris Arts and the United Methodist Church present their second annual Music Without Borders free summer outdoor lunchtime concert series on the Morristown Green. The series begins June 22 and runs every other Wednesday through August 3. Concerts run from 12 pm – 1:30 pm. Music Without Borders series is sponsored by Novartis.
Each Music Without Borders concert will feature a performance of world music reflecting the diverse culture and population of the area. Brown bag a meal, stop by while walking your dog and experience a world music celebration while getting to know your neighbors. (In case of rain, concerts will be held indoors at the Morristown United Methodist Church except for July 6th when the concert will be cancelled in the event of rain).
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CHIA’S DANCE PARTY (Colombian music)
WED., JUNE 22, 2011 AT 12 PM
Inspired by Colombian rhythmic and melodic traditions, Chia’s Dance Party delivers a unique musical experience of infectious Latino danceable grooves.CHIA’s Dance Party is a New York City-based Quartet/Quintet. The band delivers a unique musical experience where infectious danceable grooves mix harmoniously with extensive compositional and improvisational work. The band performs original material inspired by the Colombian rhythmic and melodic traditions, yet explores different genres and compositional approaches. CHIA’s Dance Party has a distinct sound as a result of the diverse background of its musicians. Ben Stapp, an exceptional tuba player brings his vast experience in experimental, classical and rock music. Alex Terrier on soprano saxophone delivers the best, virtuosic sounds of modern jazz, and Justin Wood on alto sax and flute adds adventurous and fearless contemporary sounds and concepts. All of these qualities are catalyzed by musical director, Martín Vejarano on Drums. ENJOY!!!Check out the June 23nd video by MorristownGreen.com and the June 22nd video by MorristownPatch for a glimpse of the performance by Chia’s Dance Party…including dancing in the street!
CHALGIYA (Balkan music)
WED., JULY 6, 2011 AT 12 PM
Chalgiya plays music from the Balkans – specifically Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania. This classic trio instrumentation of clarinet or saxophone, accordion, and traditional drums (tapan or darabouka) brings both the spirit of village dances and the flavor of urban cafe music. Chalgiya means “orchestra” in Turkish, and refers to the urban songs and sounds found in Balkan cafes and nightclubs in much of the 20th century. The trio is comprised of musicians at the heart of the booming Balkan scene in NYC: Greg Squared (Ansambl Mastika, Veveritse Brass Band) on woodwinds, Matthew Fass (Raya Brass Band) on accordion, and Matt Moran (Slavic Soul Party!) on percussion.Missed the concert? See YouTube video of dancing on the Green to Chalgiya.Check out coverage by MorristownGreen.com and MorristownPATCH as well.
MUSIC FROM CHINA TRIO
WED., JULY 20, 2011 AT 12 PM
This trio from the NY-based ensemble Music from China, showcases Wang Guowei, renowned master of the erhu (a 2-string fiddle with snakeskin resonator), who will be performing with Wang Junling on zheng (21 string zither with movable bridges) and Susan Cheng on the yangqin (hammered dulcimer). Music from China was founded in 1984 by Director Susan Cheng and is under the artistic direction of Wang Guowei. What began as a mission to introduce audiences ot the best of Chinese musical cultural evolved into an affinity for the eclectic that embraces both traditional and new music. In fact, members of this ensemble have performed widely, including with major symphony orchestras, chamber groups and with such jazz greats as Ornette Coleman and Anthony Braxton. Today, they will present a hauntingly lovely program featuring classical and folk arrangements that evoke the sonorities of age-old musical traditions and interpret the music of today.www.musicfromchina.org
INDIA: SOUNDS OF THE NORTH, BELLS OF THE SOUTH
WED., AUGUST 3, 2011 AT 12 PM
Music: Known for its intricacy, richness and variety, Indian music matches every occasion, reason and season. This presentation celebrates the onset of “SAAWAN”, the rainy season, which brings joy and relief after a harsh summer and hence is eagerly awaited and celebrated with music and dance. Showcasing India’s classical, devotional and folk genres, these compositions describe the beautiful mood created by the dark clouds, cool breezes and gentle showers and the atmosphere of joy and festivity felt by one and all. The program features Ms. Astha Shukla a vocalist specializing in Hindustani Classical, semi- classical and light music. Ms. Shukla is an active concert artist and the founder of the SwarVeena School of Music in New Jersey.
| Dance: Shubanjali’s award-winning artistic director and founder of both the dance school and company of the same name, Suba Ramesh Parmar, has been honored by the government of India, Union County and the State of NJ for her outstanding contributions to the art of Indian classical and folk dance. At Music Without Borders, she will showcase the intricate traditions of temple dancers of India, accompanied by Ms. Madhumita Parmar and a team of dancers from Shubanjali. Highlights of the program will be a breathtaking Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva, Tales of Krishna, a devotional Meera Bhajana, Tillana and the spectacular Peacock Dance. |
Check out the June 19th, 2011 Daily Record and June 21st. 2011 Morristown PATCH feature articles on the series.
The 2010 season included:
On June 15, the public enjoyed hearing West African music with the Fula Flute Trio, performing on balafon (African xylophone), kora and tambin (African flute). The group performed a special preview concert when Carnegie Hall’s new Zankel Hall opened in 2003 and has continued to earn critical acclaim for its outstanding work. Click here to see video.
Fula Flute Trio on the Green
On June 29, the festive mood led to limbo dancing, singing and even a conga line in response to the infectiously cheerful Caribbean music of The Conroy Warren Duo, which showcased Patrick Gomes on steel pan and Antiguan native guitarist, Conroy Warren, who graduated from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, and has performed internationally with some of the top names in Caribbean music.
On July 13, Latin dancing erupted spontaneously in the lobby of the Community Theatre, thanks to the compelling rhythms of Los Ciegos Del Barrio, a multi-genre Latin band featuring keyboard, Latin percussion and voice. The Blind Boys of the Neighborhood (the band members are all legally blind) performed Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton and Rock in both English and Spanish. They have enjoyed major hits, and were featured on Sound in Sight Volume 1, a compilation sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind which features different blind artists from around the USA. Click here to see video.
Closing out the series on July 27, the public thrilled to the powerful, athletic taiko drumming, the piercing sounds of the fue flute and the antics of the mime/dancer of Taikoza, a Japanese music ensemble which has performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Symphony Space and Lincoln Center as well as sold-out houses in Russia and Europe. Click here to see video.