Mainstage Center for the Arts

Harmony, Encore, High Pointe, and the Gloucester County Children’s Choir Present Festive Holiday Concert

Ed Fiscella — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:07:59 +0000

The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents it annual Holiday Concert and Cookie walk of Sunday, December 21st at 2:00 pm in the Dennis Flyer Theatre located in Lincoln Hall on the Blackwood Campus of Camden County College at 200 College Drive, Blackwood, New Jersey.

As you enter the theatre, take a short walk down the cookie high way and treat your self to the purchase of a variety of home made cookies and treats. Then settle down into the comfort of the recently renovated Dennis Flyer Theatre to enjoy the sights and sounds of three professionally staged and directed youth choirs. Merry are the sights and sounds of Encore and Harmony Show Choirs, two auditioned groups of professionally staged and choreographed middle and high school performers from all over the Delaware Valley. Their fully staged tribute to Christmas will be complimented by the melodious sounds of the Gloucester county Children’s Choir, a select group of South Jersey vocalists betwenn the ages of 9 and 17 under the direction of Sylvia Richardson. An afternoon of musical treasures both new and old will help to keep your family in the holiday mood. In addition to the choirs, our new dance troupe, High Pointe will debut with three new dances celebrating the holiday season.

Don’t miss a minute of these melodious medleys of musical treasures and an opportunity to stir holiday merriment in family members of all ages. Tickets are $11.00 and $8 for senior citizens, children and groups. They can be purchased on line at www.mainstage.org or by calling 856-227-3091. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts .

Join us at our Frank Sinatra Birthday Tribute on Sunday, December 14th and get both great shows for only $30. Buy the package here:

Sinatra Big Band Birthday Bash

Ed Fiscella — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:23:36 +0000

Get Ready to Celebrate the Holiday Season as Mainstage Center For the Arts and Kortair Productions presents “The Sinatra Big Band Birthday Bash,” Sunday, December 14th, from 1- 4 pm, at the beautiful new Stardust Ballroom, on Browning Rd, in Bellmawr, NJ. Andy Kortman of WNJC1360 and WFYL 1180 will be your host as we mark what would have been Frank’s 93rd Birthday by welcoming The John Hoey Orchestra and vocalist, Rick Anthony, as they showcase the timeless classics made famous by Frank Sinatra. The orchestra will also be joined by the Harmony and Encore Showchoirs in-between acts with an assortment of holiday tunes to liven your holiday spirits.

This is going to be a GREAT party. Door open at 1:00pm. The All New Stardust Ballroom features the largest sprung dance floor in South Jersey. We will provide some light desserts and coffee, please feel free to bring your own bottle and any addition munchies you may crave. We’re having a party!!!!!! For those who love to dance, you can’t ask for more than Sinatra at the Stardust, but for those who just want to watch a great show, you will be transported back to the supper clubs of the of the 1940’s with a ringside table. The Stardust is all on one level and is easily accessible.

You will also enjoy the holiday sounds of the Harmony and Encore Choirs as they sing and dance in a professionally choreography production. These talented young performers are some of the best that South Jersey has to offer. Harmony recently performed at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and was featured during the 4th of July Welcome America activities at the foot of the Art Museum in Philadelphia.

All of this for only $25!!!!!!

Lovers of Sinatra’s music know that not only did he sing the best songs from the best composers and lyricists, but he also had the best arrangers. Hearing Sinatra’s music on CD or record is one thing, but to hear it live sends a rush to any lover of the big band sound. There are many Sinatra impersonators around and make no mistake, there was only one Frank Sinatra, and there will never be another. What makes this concert so special is that song stylist Rick Anthony does not try to impersonate Frank Sinatra, but is himself, a wonderful stylist of the classic American standard song. He has performed at private parties as vocalist for both Frank Sinatra, Jr and Nancy Sinatra. At a private party in New York for the Sinatras, Rick seranaded Nancy Sinatra with the song “Someone to Watch Over Me” - a song her dad use to sing to her when she was a little girl.

The 8-piece John Hoey Orchestra, on the other hand, is an extremely hot band. The music is first class with tight arrangements and virtuoso performances that captures accurately the Sinatra music. This will be a fabulous concert. If you love the sounds of Sinatra, the arrangments of Nelson Riddle, and Quincy Jones, the music and lyrics of Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Oscar Hammerstein, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, then this is the concert for you at a great price.

Calendar Raffle winners Announced Here

Ed Fiscella — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:38:35 +0000

Winners of the Calendar Raffle will be posted each Sunday beginning on August 31, 2008

Calendar Raffle Winners

Sept 1, 2008 - # 797 - Gerard Osterman $150.00

Sept 2, 2008 - # 168 - Mary Pensiero $40.00

Sept 3, 2008 - # 395 - Michele Konitzer $50.00

Sept 4, 2008 - # 227 - Amy Hill $40.00

Sept 5, 2008 - # 253 - Michelle Bunting $60.00

Sept 6, 2008 - # 451 - Gloria Miller $75.00

Sept 7, 2008 - # 811 George Tait $50

Sept 8, 2008 - # 397 Margie Gatto $40

Sept 9, 2008 - # 118 Kate Costello $40

Sept 10, 2008 - # 147 Christine Malandrino $50

Sept 11, 2008 - # 532 Donna Dwyer $40

Sept 12, 2008 - # 431 William & Lenore Locke $60

Sept 13, 2008 - # 047 Marcia Feeney $75

Sept. 14 # 103 Jennifer Bottino $50

Sept. 15 # 526 Virginia Davis $40

Sept. 16 # 125 Sharon Parker $40

Sept. 17 # 219 Sandi Bengel $50

Sept. 18 # 122 Colleen Kennedy $40

Sept. 19 # 175 John DiPipi $60

Sept. 20 # 184 Theresa Bank $75

Sept. 21 # 623 Gloria Miller $50

Sept. 22 # 998 Joan Whorisky $40

Sept. 23 # 255 Sue Cahalane $40

Sept. 24 # 272 Joe Lees $50

Sept. 25 # 606 Penny Kirkbride $40

Sept. 26 # 177 Lisa Magnotta $60

Sept. 27 # 993 Bill & Bev Scollay $75

Sept. 28 #767 Dave Mayer $50

Sept. 29 #468 Yvonne Grace $40

Sept. 30 #819 Ginger Wagner $150

Oct. 1 #007 Nathan McCall $150

Oct. 2 #229 Rick Davis $40

Oct. 3 #862 Denise & Al Chrsitinzio $60

Oct. 4 #309 June Federico $75

Oct. 5 # 114 Denise Magliocco $50

Oct. 6 # 798 Lorie Landrau $40

Oct. 7 # 790 Warren Hamilton $40

Oct. 8 # 037 Krista Briglia $50

Oct. 9 # 914 Wayne Knight $40

Oct. 10 # 447 Kathy Sasser $60

Oct. 11 # 740 Michelle Bunting $75

Oct. 12 # 199 Ann Boyle $50

Oct. 13 # 022 Erin Weaver $40

Oct. 14 # 114 Denise Magliocco $40

Oct. 15 # 325 Linda Neese $50

Oct. 16 # 804 Nancy Ruiz $40

Oct. 17 # 483 Sandi Love $60

Oct. 18 #856 Nancy Fiscella $75

Oct. 19 # 428 Patricia McCarthy $50

Oct. 20 # 861 Edward Fiscella, Sr. $40

Oct. 21 # 231 Reanne Schwegel $40

Oct. 22 # 180 Sandi Ginotti $50

Oct. 23 # 164 Patti Krawice $40

Oct. 24 # 758 Fred Fischback $60

Oct. 25 # 175 John Di Pipi $75

Oct. 26 #511 Hannah Akin $50

Oct. 27 #996 Lorena Melcher $40

Oct. 28 #100 Domenic Bonadies $40

Oct. 29 #706 Anthony D’Orazio $50

Oct. 30 #310 June Federico $40

Oct. 31 #160 Debbie Edwards $150

Nov. 1 #191 Pat Beatty $150

Nov. 2 #178 Chris Keogh $50

Nov. 3 #714 Dina Bender $40

Nov. 4 #512 Rude Hawgs $40

Nov. 5 #654 Robert Frett $50

Nov. 6 #758 Fred Fischbach $40

Nov. 7 #510 Tim Melcher $60

Nov. 8 #337 Frank Sulik $75

Nov. 16 #147 Christine Malandrino $50

Nov. 17 #272 Joe Lees $40

Nov. 18 #030 Danny Vitullo $40

Nov. 19 #530 Zaida Hernandez $50

Nov. 20 #175 John DiPipi $40

Nov. 21 #423 Thelma Spivack $60

Nov. 22 #992 Jim and Linda McGrail $75

ZUMBA FITNESS (new video)

Ed Fiscella — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:25:44 +0000

About Zumba

(see the video below)

Let’s face it, working out can be healthy, rewarding, beneficial…

Working out can be lots of things, but its never been known to be much fun…..TILL NOW!

Zumba fuses hypnotic music rhythms and tantalizing moves to create a dynamic workout system designed to be FUN and EASY TO DO!

The primary elements that make Zumba so unique and successful are:

It’s fun! Zumba is “Exercise in Disguise.” Participants are having so much fun, they do not realize they are exercising. Finally, here is a type of exercise people want to do everyday.
It’s different! The music, the steps, the moves, the class, the feel…all are like no other.
It’s easy! Zumba is designed for everyone. Participants of any fitness level, and any background can start right away. Zumba basic steps formula makes it easy for everyone.
It’s effective! Zumba is a cardio-based workout with components of resistance/sculpting training to tone the entire body and achieve any desired fitness goals.

Our goal is simple: We want people to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and International zest in to the mix and you’ve got ZUMBA!

In the past years Zumba has become nothing short of a revolution. Coining the concept of “fitness-party” and making fitness fun, Zumba has spread like wild-fire, and has positioned itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness.

Over 2 million students practice Zuma daily. Join us for this new adventure here in Camden County. Why? Because it is the best party around!

2 Classes (6:30pm and 7:30pm are held on Wednesday Nights beginning

Sept 17 (ages 18 and over please)

Lots of New Classes, New Teachers, Along with the Return of Many of Your Favorites

Ed Fiscella — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:23:42 +0000

Our Studio classes are bigger and better than ever with many new choices and a few new teachers also. We are now offering a kids combo class in dance along with Kids in the Biz, a perfect class for young kids interested in all areas of musical theatre. Other new entries are African Dance, Movement for the Stage, and Jazz.

In Acting, Anne Marie Weaver returns with all of her popular classes for students of all ages. Our Vocal Studio is also expanded with group voice lessons for the young, private voice lessons for those who are interested in a more serious study, and vocal coaching which is a great way to polish that song for an audition or show.

We also have classes for adults like private guitar lessons(all ages), voice lessons and vocal coaching, and Zumba Fitness (adults 18 and over only, please) on wednesdays, beginning Sept 17.

Mainstage Center for the Arts is pleased to welcome Stacey Wylie as our new Manager of Educational Programs. Stacey is a dynamic professional, dedicated teacher, and accomplished arts administrator who will help to guide you to the right course and teachers to meet your artistic goals. You can reach Stacey directly by calling her at 856-649-5679 or emailing her at: stacey@mainstage.org.

Join us this year for one of our fabulous courses, and be sure to check back often as we will be adding new courses and short duration workshops all year long.

See our Studio page and get our brochure online

Courier Post: Mainstage Center for the Arts 20th Anniversary Reunion and Show

Ed Fiscella — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:40:51 +0000

Facebook Phenomenon

COURIERPOSTONLINE.COM • MAY 18, 200

by Robert Baxter

Social networking site provides creative inspiration for Summer Stage

As soon as the 20th anniversary of Summer Stage was approaching, co-founders Joe Bretschneider (executive director) and Ed Fiscella (artistic director) decided to put on a party.

As soon as Fiscella put up a notice on www.facebook.com, several hundred alumni from around the country responded with enthusiasm.

After e-mails began arriving from alumni of the summer theater program sponsored by the Mainstage Center for the Arts, Bretschneider and Fiscella discovered they had a lot to celebrate.

Since 1989, more than 15,000 young people have performed in Summer Stage’s musical shows and honed their theater skills in classes. Many have gone on to enjoy careers as singers, dancers, filmmakers and writers, set designers and lighting designers.

There’s so much talent, Fiscella decided to turn the July 12 gala over to the alumni. Former students are writing songs for a show other alumni will perform and stage.

“I always believed you can judge the quality of an organization by the quality of its alumni,” notes Fiscella, who lives in Washington Township.

“We have been very forunate. The little kids we had 20 years ago are now coming into their own and it’s a joy to know this is only the beginning.”

Summer Stage began its life at the Glenn Landing Middle School in Blackwood, where Bretschneider and Fiscella were teachers. As teachers, they were aware of how the performing arts can impact on the lives of young people. They also were aware there were few opportunities for students to perform or study music, theater and dance.

Bretschneider and Fiscella founded Mainstage Center for the Arts to provide year-round training. They put the focus on Summer Stage, a summer camp that attracted 65 students in its first year.

Summer Stage stayed at Glenn Landing Middle for more than a decade before the program moved to Camden County College in 2002. The move provided more space and better facilities. A year later, Camden County College became the official home of Mainstage Center for the Arts.

“Our partnership with Camden County College has benefitted both Mainstage and the college,” explains Bretschneider, who lives in Woodbury. “We serve a population the college does not serve and they provide friendly support for what we do.”

Bretschneider retired last year and now devotes his full-time attention to Mainstage and Summer Stage. Fiscella plans to retire in June. He will become the full-time artistic director. Together, the founders hope to take their programs to another level with some crucial help from special projects director Anne Marie Weaver and director of educational programming Rob Romani, both of Cherry Hill.

“While I strengthen our business plan, Ed is taking the artistic side to a new level,” explains Bretschneider. “We have a new strategic plan. Now that we will both work fulltime, we can do important things we did not have time for.”

Fiscella already is planning a few changes for the 20th anniversary season. For the first time, Summer Stage will sponsor an outreach program for 11th and 12th graders who will take a show on the road to reach children who cannot attend performances at Camden County College.

Mainstage also will increase its studio offerings and work with the college on continuing education programs.

Fiscella and Bretschneider say they can devote another decade to Mainstage Center for the Arts. They are working to professionalize further the center’s staffing, policies and prrocedures.

“We want to establish a pathway for succession when we leave,” explains Fiscella. “The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has given us fabulous support in the past few years through grants and the South Jersey Staffing Initiative. The arts council has helped us raise our work.”

The July 12 anniversary celebration includes a barbeque, as well as an evening performance. Fiscella encourages Summer Stage alumni to reconnect with the program by sending an e-mail toinfo@mainstage.org. The center’s Web site – www.mainstage.org – offers another way for alumni to stay in touch.

In addition to five fully staged children’s shows, the anniversary season offers a production of “Ragtime.”

Fiscella calls the musical “a huge show,” but says it will provide an opportunity for Summer Stage to use some of its older talent. Until now, the cut-off age for Summer Stage musicals was 25.

“The thrill for us,” sums up Bretschneider, “is seeing kids come into the program and then blossom and grow. We’ve been blessed with the talent we’ve attracted here for 20 seasons.”

Reach Robert Baxter at (856) 486-2436 or rbaxter@courierpostonline.co