Ramapo Magazine

Berrie Center Outreach Gets Standing Ovation
By Catherine Jellineck

The Ahn Trio

A glance at the fall 2000 schedule for the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts reveals an all-inclusive array of offerings -- there's music, theater, dance, and other performances for every taste, age, and budget. Having welcomed thousands in its successful inaugural year, Ramapo's cultural arts venue launched its second season intent on drawing even greater numbers from northern New Jersey and beyond.

Both a teaching facility and a public resource, the Berrie Center serves not only the student body and faculty, but also individuals and families, schools, and diverse community groups -- segments of the metropolitan-area population it hopes to attract with an exciting calendar of events that ranges from classical to cutting edge.

"Extending our reach to diverse constituencies, including differently-abled and pre-college audiences, is definitely this year's main objective," says Jane Stein, director. "We've already created an enthusiastic following on campus, as well as made inroads in Bergen, Passaic, and Rockland counties. Directing our efforts outward, we'll continue to cultivate patrons as a local and regional cultural destination, and to develop partnerships and collaborations with other arts and education organizations in bringing the highest in artistic quality to the broadest possible public."

The Berrie Center set the stage for ambitious outreach in 1999 with events such as a standing room only performance sponsored by Sanyo Semiconductor of Abuabua, a group of autistic and Down's syndrome young people from Japan. In addition, the Center hosted the first conference of a statewide educational arts consortium, whose members came together on-site to "ignite the spirit and feed the soul." Schooltime Performances for elementary through high school levels that support New Jersey's Core Curriculum Content Standards will be expanded this year. Each relates to visual and performing arts standards, and also links to other disciplines. Study guides provided in advance of visits offer innovative pre-show and post-performance classroom activities.

Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble

Families have also found a new destination for entertainment with the Berrie Center's Not Just for Kids Series, including the Footwork's Percussive Dance Ensemble on November 26, A Chicken's Dream of Flight on December 8, and The Jack Frost Holiday Review, performed by the larger-than-life-sized Poke Puppets on December 17.

The Juilliard-trained Ahn Trio set the stage for a wide sampling of musical sounds and styles on October 6 with Ahn-Plugged, a program that crosses MTV with Carnegie Hall. They're a hard act to follow, but the musical slate for the rest of the season is up to the task. Jazz at the Berrie Center presents modern-day legends including the T.S. Monk Sextet on October 21 and a Salute to Antonio Carlos Jobim with Slide Hampton on December 15. Musique Paradiso on November 4 promises an intimate cabaret evening in the Adler. The York Room Salon Series debuted with Duo Cavatina on October 22 and the Gresham/Cassidy Duo takes the stage on November 5.

For more information on the Berrie Center or its fall 2000 schedule, see this issue's calendar or call (201) 684-7202. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (201) 684-7844. Group discounts are offered and admission to many presentations is free.