Monthly Archives: May 2015

The Bergen Film Festival
Presented by the Bergen Museum of Art & Science
The festival is planned to be held in the early spring of 2004.
It was decided that the Museums mastodons, symbols of power and endurance, would lend to the festival’s theme. The Festival will present The “Mastodon Tusk” Award to the best film in the selected categories.
The Festival is an opportunity to view new films, participate in lectures and enjoy the tributes to film classics during the festival.
The festival encourages a diverse range of filmmakers to participate and is open to International as well as American films. It is hoped that entrees will include new films for children. Films will be viewed and placed into either competition or non-competition categories.
A segment of the festival will include a tribute to a classic film in addition to a special event and lecture. Lectures will be provided by both film scholars and film makers.
The Bergen Museum is please to announce the Bergen Festival’s
film partner, the Loews Theaters.

Maritime Exhibit featuring Works of Art from the US Coast Guard with display of Naval Vessels by NJ Miniaturist Al Bosworth. December 6th through February 28th
There will be a reception on Thursday, January 15th 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Representatives from the Coast Guard and featured artists will be present during the opening reception and will describe the work. This reception is open to the public with a $20 donation.
The Bergen Museum will host a special exhibit featuring United States Coast Guard Art in the Main Gallery from December 6 through January 17, 2004. The exhibit will provide an overview of the Coast Guard, both historically and in terms of present-day missions. The show is subdivided into five key Coast Guard functions: guardian, defender, beacon, savior and enforcer. The exhibit will include a brief overview of the entire show including one for each section.
Among several New Jersey artists with works in the exhibit will be Tom Austin of Ramsey. Austin is a member of CoGap, a volunteer group of artists who donate their talents to help the Coast Guard record its rich heritage. The Museum’s exhibit includes a fleet of miniature naval vessels built by River Edge resident Al Bosworth. Each of the ships are built on a 175-foot to 1-inch scale.
The fleet includes frigates, aircraft carriers, steamships and even British naval ships. The Coast Guard has had a rich and important history here in New Jersey, New York City Metropolitan area and the New York harbor. The US Coast Guard continues this long tradition of service in our region. The Museum’s president, Peter Knipe, in speaking about the exhibit, said “we are proud to showcase the outstanding art that depicts the tradition and honor of the United States Coast Guard”. Knipe continued, “this exhibit is a way to bring great art to our community and to honor the men and women that serve our country as members of the Coast Guard.”
As one of the five armed services, the Coast Guard is at the forefront of efforts to defend our nation from threats to its people and the values on which it was founded. The Coast Guard has command responsibilities for the U.S. Maritime Defense Zone, countering potential threats to American’s coasts, ports, and inland waterways through numerous port-security, harbor-defense, and coastal-warfare operations and exercises. In times of international conflict, the service has been deployed overseas to support U. S. war efforts.
The Coast Guard has assumed one of the lead roles in responding to these unscrupulous attacks upon our nation by providing homeland security in our nation’s harbors, ports and our coastal communities.
The Bergen Museum is located in the Bergen Mall on the Lower Promenade. The Bergen Mall is on Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Free to members; Adults $5., $3. for students and children, Seniors Free on Wednesday. For more information go to our web site : http:www.bergenmuseum.com. Telephone number: (201)291-8848.

Finding Freedom: 40 Years of Soviet and Russian Art

Selections from the Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art.

October 15 – November 30, 2003.

Co-organized with the Kolodzei Art Foundation, Inc.
For more information about the exhibition click here.
Oleg Vassiliev “Portrait of
Ratgauz,” 1964. Oil on canvas
Gallery Talks in connection with Finding Freedom: 40 Years of Soviet and Russian Art: Selections from the Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art.
Natalia Kolodzei, Curator of The Bergen Museum and co-owner of the Kolodzei Collection, will discuss works in this exhibition on the following dates:
Saturday, November 15 at 2 and 5 PM
Saturday, November 29 at 2 and 4

Talks last approximately 1 hour, and are free with museum admission.
In connection with this exhibition, there will be a trip for friends of The Bergen Museum to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia in April-May, 2004, Art of the Old and New Russia. During this intimate trip you will see the sights of Russia’s two major cities–including the Kremlin, the Hermitage, the Bolshoi, and the Kirov–as well as go behind closed doors into the centers of art and culture of Russia, including meeting some of the artists whose works are exhibited in this show. This memorable journey will be led by Natalia Kolodzei, Trustee and Curator of The Bergen Museum. For further information please call 1-212-758-8230 and mention code BM4A.

Paramus, NJ; September 28, 2003
PRESS RELEASE
The Bergen Museum of Art and Science, in cooperation
with the Kolodzei Art Foundation, present
Finding Freedom: 40 Years of Soviet and Russian Art
Selections from the Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art
October 15, 2003-November 30, 2003
Public Reception Saturday, October 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sixty works by twenty-five artists have been selected for the exhibition Finding Freedom: 40 Years of Soviet and Russian Art. Selections from the Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art. One or two works per year during this period have been selected to represent the rich diversity of art that emerged and survived during the past forty years in the Soviet Union and Russia. This exhibition illustrates several stages in the evolution of nonconformist (unofficial) and independent art in Russia.
In this exhibition, works are grouped roughly chronologically as well as according to the stages or movements with which the artists are most closely identified. The first group, the artists who began their careers at the time of Khrushchev’s “Thaw” and took part in the first, crucial, unofficial exhibitions of the 1960’s and 1970’s, challenging the official, approved style of Socialist Realism, includes Oleg Vassiliev, Ilya Kabakov, Anatolii Zverev, Dmitri Plavinsky, and Eduard Shteinberg. The second group, those who emerged in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, include Natalia Nesterova and Olga Bulgakova. The third group, those who became known during the 1980’s to the present, the era of Gorbachev, perestroika, and the birth of a free and democratic Russia, include artists who work with photography, mixed media, and digital art forms, such as Tatiana Antoshina and Farid Bogdalov.
The Kolodzei Collection of Russian and Eastern European Art, consisting of paintings, drawings and sculptures by more than three hundred artists, chronicles four decades of Russian and Soviet non-conformist art, from the post-Stalinist era to the present. Works from the Kolodzei Collection have been shown in exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe, and Russia, and there have been numerous articles about the collection in the American, European, and Russian press. The Kolodzei Art Foundation, Inc., founded in 1991, organizes exhibitions in museums and cultural centers in the United States and other countries, provides art supplies to Russian artists, and conducts Russian-American cultural exchanges. For further information about the Kolodzei Art Foundation and the Kolodzei Collection please visit www.KolodzeiArt.org or contact Natalia Kolodzei at Kolodzei@KolodzeiArt.org.
The Bergen Museum of Art and Science, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1956 to provide a center for the purpose of stimulating youth and adult interest in the arts and sciences. The Bergen Museum hosts international exhibitions as well as explores the region’s roots and identity by promoting its regional artists through our exhibitions, the Bergen Music & Art Festival, juried shows, the Youth Art Gallery, music programs, the Holocaust Yom Hashoah Remembrance and visual arts and science programs. Museum hours are from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and till 8 PM on Thursdays.
The Bergen Museum presents these works in partnership with the Kolodzei Art Foundation, Inc. The exhibition is on view from October 15 through November 30, 2003. For more information visit the Museum’s web site www.thebergenmuseum.com or call 201-291-8848.

“Bergen Music & Art Festival” Presents a Tribute to Rock & Roll

GT Express and “Bergen Music & Art Festival” celebrates Rock & Roll at 7:30 PM Saturday, September 20th .

GT Express with Tony Saxon and Kristen and Shaina Steitz are the featured artists during the Saturday segment of the Festival. The GT Express and special guest saxophonist Tony Saxon will evoke the sprit of Elvis and the best of Rock & Roll. Following them are Kristen and Shaina Steitz. They say their style is influenced by a diverse range of artists such as Christina Aguilera, The Dixie Chicks, Stevie Wonder. “In The Spot Lite Dancers” will perform during their program as backup dancers. This is an act you won’t want to miss.

Bound by blood and harmony, Kristen and Shaina Steitz have an eclectic musical style. Influenced by a diverse range of artists such as Christina Aguilera, The Dixie Chicks, Stevie Wonder, Tamia, The Coors, and Celine Dion, the girls have been writing and singing together for over three years and, although, they may look like your average pop stars, their music is a blend of R&B, Pop, Funk, and Soul.

They have received and accepted numerous invitations to perform all over the tri-state area at various events including the PNC Arts Center, the WB 11 Street Fairs, In The Spotlight Productions and most recently in support of their local minor league baseball team, The N.J. Cardinals, by performing their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Earlier this year, Shaina was also a featured artist on CBS’s Star Search and successfully competed through the semi-finalist competition.

Performances are held in the Auditorium at the Bergen Mall on Route 4 east & Forest Ave. in Paramus starting at 7:30 PM. Bring your dance shoes and be prepared to have some fun. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased in advance at the Bergen Museum or at the door. Photos and Digital Images Available Upon Request
The Rock & Roll program follows the day long Art Show and Sale.

Salsa & Merengue by The Latin Thing Band Friday, September 19

The Latin Thing Band will appear at the “Bergen Music & Art Festival” on Friday night, September 19th . The band will perform in the Auditorium at the Bergen Mall on Route 4 East & Forest Ave. in Paramus starting at
7:30 PM.

The Latin Thing Band’s members are all veterans of the well known clubs and recording studios of New York. The band’s reputation has been correctly referred to as legendary. They describe their music as pounding and joyous-to-the-soul.

This is a band that will keep you moving so bring your dance shoes and enjoy a great night of Latin music. The band plays Merengue, Salsa, Cubia, Cha-Cha, Bolero and Salsa with American lyrics as well.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased in advance at the Bergen Museum or may be purchased at the door.

What is Salsa

Salsa is the Spanish for ‘hot sauce’ which is a good way of describing the dance craze which has hit the clubs! It describes a style of music which came from New York City’s Hispanic community in the mid 1970s. It is typically a blend of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican music with Rock and Jazz. Salsa dance and music is becoming increasingly popular on a global scale, evolving from its original Latino domain. Izzy Sanabria, (pictured left) otherwise known as “Mr. Salsa”, popularized the term for New York’s Latin music, so we have him to thank for this saucy dance style!

The influences of other Cuban rhythms such as Mambo, son and Merengue can be seen in salsa music.

WHY THEY CALL HIM “MR. SALSA”

In 1978, the prestigious GQ (Gentlemen’s Quarterly) magazine published a profile of Izzy Sanabria in which it stated: Known as “Mr. Salsa” because he almost single-handedly popularized the term “Salsa” (during the 1970s) which the world now recognizes as the name for New York’s Latin Music.

Sanabria is something of a Puerto Rican Toulouse Lautrec as well. His bold colorful posters plastered throughout the walls of New York documented and immortalized Salsa’s (subculture) events in much the same way Lautrec’s posters immortalized the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Izzy’s album cover designs and illustrations also set new standards of quality in Latin music packaging and provided the world with its first visual imagery of Salsa.

Sanabria is a multi-talented artist who regards the world as his canvas. Besides being an artist, writer, actor, dancer, photographer, publisher, philosopher and visionary, he is also a versatile stand-up comedian. Sanabria’s brand of bi-lingual humor have made him one of the community’s favorite master of ceremonies.

As the official emcee of the Fania All-Stars (the world’s greatest exponents of Salsa), Izzy has traveled throughout South America, Europe and as far as Africa and Japan always adding little bits of humor to his presentations. In Japan, to everyone’s surprise, he actually emceed in perfect Japanese (by using Spanish phonetics).

Bergen Music & Art Festival

Gala Reception & Concert

Thursday, September 18, 2003 7:30 PM
The Gala Reception & Concert will be held in the Bergen Museum’s new home space and Auditorium at the BERGEN MALL on Route 4 East & Forest Avenue, Paramus.

The concert will feature American Tenor Sensation, Frank Porretta and Soprano, Jennifer Moore
For pictures from the 2002 Bergen Music & Art Festival including participating artists and musicians, please
click here. For additional information, visit the festival web site located at http://www.njfestival.com.
Co-Chairing the Gala will be Ms. Dorothy Nicklus, 1st VP of the Bergen Museum and Ms. Valerie Coniglio, Clerk to Bergen County Board of Freeholders

The Gala Reception & Concert is the Museum’s largest fundraising event of the year. Funds raised will go to the Museum’s general operating fund. This year’s Gala promises to be a real treat. Mr. Frank Porretta will be our featured performer. Porretta is currently singing the title role in Otello at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. His good looks, powerful voice and stage skills will give you a night you will not easily forget.

Performing with Mr. Porretta is American Soprano Ms. Jennifer Moore. Ms. Moore is a former Miss Oregon and a Miss America finalist in 1998. She is a rising star on the operatic stage. For a more detailed look at both of these artists, click on the Performing Arts selection in the upper left column.

Maestro Winston dan Vogel, the Bergen Museum’s Performing Arts and Music Director, will direct and conduct the evenings music program. Mr. Vogel is an internationally renowned conductor of opera, choral and symphony. Mr. Vogel has distinguished himself on six continents as a dynamic conductor, forceful orchestra builder, imaginative program creator, composer and effective lecturer. He was music director and conductor of both the Virginia Symphony and the Shore Festival of Classics in New Jersey, his dedicated leadership, popularity and unanimous critical acclaim have increased box-office sales and markedly augmented attendance. First Prize winner of the prestigious Malko International Competition in Denmark and prize-winner in Rome’s Santa Cecilia Competition, the Cantelli Competition in Milan and Citta di Sorrento International Competition, Maestro Vogel has conducted symphony orchestras, opera, ballet and choirs throughout the world with leading stars including Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, Lynn Harrell, Rudolf Firkushny, Janos Starker, Roberta Peters, Tito Gobbi, Andre-Michel Schub, Mikhail Barishnikov and Rudolf Nureyev.

Maestro Vogel brings world class music to the Museum’s stage with productions through out the year. Watch the Museum’s calendar for the next muscial event.

In talking about the Gala’s Concert, Vogel said, “I am extremely happy to work with my friends Frank Porretta and Jennifer Moore … we are pleased to bring to Bergen County such talent as Porretta, Moore and the others that will perform at the Gala. The evening will present to our guests the quality of performers you would only expect to see in one of the world’s great opera houses.”

The Event Supports The Museum’s General Fund
Tickets are $50 each
Opportunities to sponsors this 3 day event or to appear in the Gala’s printed program are available. The “Meet the Artist Reception” is open to sponsors only.
Other events: FRI. Salsa ● SAT. Art Show & Sale 10 – 5pm, SAT 7PM Tribute to the 50’s

Bergen Museum of Art & Science
Presents the 2nd Annual 3 Day
Bergen Music & Art Festival©
September 18th, 19th & 20th

Thursday, September 18th at 7:30 PM
Gala Reception & Concert fundraiser
with Featured performer
American Tenor – Frank Porretta
Soprano Ms. Jennifer Moore & friends
Maestro Winston dan Vogel, Conductor
Tickets $50. each

Friday, Sept. 19th

Salsa & Meringue 7:30
Tickets $20. each

Saturday Sept. 20th 10 – 5 PM
ART SHOW & SALE FREE Admission
Followed by
Saturday 7 PM 50’s Tribute to Rock & Roll
Tickets $20. each

Thanks to the Trustcompany Bank and BC The Magazine for their continued support of the Bergen Museum

Opportunities to sponsor this exciting program or to advertise in the Festival printed program are available.