Annual Festival Gala Features Contemporary Dress & Vintage Finery
Port Jefferson: The shorefront of historic Port Jefferson Village will be transformed back to the era of Charles Dickens as the Greater Port Jefferson – Northern Brookhaven Arts Council (GPJNB Arts Council) unveils the ‘Then and Now’ theme for its annual Crystal Ball gala at a news conference, Friday, November 2nd.
 The Crystal Ball is one of the crowning events of the GPJNB Arts Council’s annual Dickens Festival. The November 2nd announcement featured performers dressed in period clothing as the outline for this public-private partnership is detailed by GPJNB Arts Council officials and their event coordinators.
“We are so delighted about this year’s theme for our Crystal Ball. It will prove to be the social event of the season.” said Ron Fitterer, member of the ball committee and member of the Dickens Street Performers Troupe. Fitterer attended the press conference as the character Harry Hawkins in his best period duds. “The Arts Council is encouraging each and every one of our friends to speak to their neighbors, co workers, associates and family and invite all to enjoy this extraordinary gala with the entire community. They say that ‘Three is a charm,’ well our third annual Ball is definitely the very best party that has ever been planned in Port Jefferson Village.”
The ‘Then and Now’ ballwill feature live music by New York Heat; a variety of delicious hot and cold cuisine prepared and served by Lombardi’s on the Sound; pastries, cakes and sweets of all kinds of caloric indulgence by La Bonne Boulangerie; and many others.
“The dress is formal of course – Then and Now. Just think of three floors of frosty, shimmering, and brilliant white icicles” said Grace Fitterer, co-chair of the ball committee and member of the arts council Board of Directors. “We’re encouraging our guests to wear their most exquisite modern outfits or vintage fine clothes.”
Van Stamatiadis, community outreach for the ball said, “The response of support from local merchants and the community from Stony Brook to Rocky Point is overwhelming and exciting.” Christine Simone said, “The decoration committee works magic to transform this beautiful venue into a fairyland. You just have to be part of the transformation to understand the magic – and the ball makes lasting memories for all who attend.”
 The Dickens Festival annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Village of Port Jefferson, as the GPJNB Arts Council transforms the waterfront tourist location back to an old English Town of the 1800s and the era of Charles Dickens during the holiday season. A street troupe of performers and characters playing the role of 19th century townspeople will circulate throughout the sidewalks and shops of Port Jefferson Village throughout the festival.
The tickets for the ‘Then and Now’ gala, which is being held on November 30th from 8 pm to midnight at the Port Jefferson Village Center, are reasonably priced at $75 per person. “This is a great bargain and the best kickoff ever for the Charles Dickens Festival Weekend and the holiday season,” said Lynne Marchiano, co-chair of the ball committee. “We will also be having outstanding raffles that will present excellent opportunities to continue the fun well into the New Year. Come and join the festivities.”
Tickets for the Crystal Ball are available for purchase at the Port Jefferson Village Center from 9 am – 9 pm; or call 631-828-3182. “Get your tickets now for this special and exciting gala,” said Allan Varella, executive artistic director of the arts council.
The Port Times Record
10/05/2007
You've got to love a place where scullery maids, street urchins, nobles, Christmas carolers and a town crier can rub shoulders. "We've got to create a town," said Lori Anne Casdia of the Greater Port Jefferson and Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, whose mission it is to prepare her panoply of players for the not-so-mean streets of the Dickens Festival weekend, "We're nice to each other," she admonishes, "We watch out for each other."
School is in session each Monday at 6:30 pm at the new Teen Center at 150 East Main Street. Volunteers practice improvs and research authentic street games favored by the guttersnipes of Dickens era England. All are welcome.
— WILLINGER
-- Student Theatre Arts Scholarship Recognition Program Launched with
$10,000 Grant from Wal-Mart; Participating High Schools Announced --
Rocky Point, NY (August 28, 2007) – The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council today launched the First Annual Teeny Awards for Northern Brookhaven High Schools. At a ceremony held at Rocky Point High School in Rocky Point, NY, elected officials, including Assemblyman Steve Engelbright; and Legislator Daniel P. Losquadro, Dr. Carla D’Ambrosio, Superintendent of Schools in Rocky Point School District, Charles Wittreich, College Director of Theater Arts for Suffolk County Community College, Matthew Whelan, Assistant Provost for Admissions and Financial Aid - Stony Brook University and local arts leaders gathered to announce the participating high schools and a $10,000 grant from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc for the scholarship program.
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards®, qualified judges will attend high school plays and musicals at the participating Long Island high schools, and assess a variety of skills and disciplines. The top scoring students will be announced as the nominees, and attend a gala awards ceremony in June, where the winners will be announced and presented with a trophy and scholarship. In addition to acting awards, categories in drama, comedy and musical will also include: choreography, set design, lighting design, poster art, and recognition of stage managers.
“The Teeny Awards will recognize and celebrate the talented theatre students across Northern Brookhaven and encourage them to pursue their dreams. By stimulating local interest in this program, we hope to develop an understanding of the value of the arts in education in a well rounded school curriculum, raise the bar on theatre education and promote increased attendance and community pride at our school productions,” said Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia, Director, GPJNB Teeny Awards. “We are grateful to Wal-Mart for their generous support, seeing the vision and making a commitment to The Teeny Awards. This endowment allows the Council to realize an important community initiative.”
The high schools participating in the program will be from the Greater Port Jefferson/North Brookhaven Arts Council service area.
“I believe everyone has gifts,” said Dr. Carla D'Ambrosio, Superintendent of Schools -Rocky Point UFSD. “In Rocky Point we support students who excel in the Fine Arts. Participating in the Scholarship Recognition Program of the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council provides the opportunity for our students to be adjudicated by professionals in the field of theatre and encourages them to pursue their dreams.”
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is supporting this student Theatre Arts scholarship recognition programwith a sponsorship of $10,000. The announcement came during a ceremonial check presentation which was also attended by representatives and associates from the Middle Island Wal-Mart.
“Wal-Mart is committed to being a good neighbor and valuable member of the Long Island community,” said Steven V. Restivo, Director of Corporate Affairs – Northeast Region, Wal-Mart. “This culturally enriching and educational project is just one of many community-based initiatives we have been involved with in the area. We look forward to forging a lasting relationship with the Arts of Long Island and supporting its various community programs.”
In 2006, Wal-Mart’s philanthropic efforts in the State of New York totaled more than $11.7 million, including $347,890 on Long Island.
Theatre Arts develop in students many important life skills and qualities including: communication skills, self esteem, teamwork, improvisational skills, and creative problem solving. The New York State Education Department has added Theatre Arts to its learning standards, understanding its importance to an academic curriculum.
The Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council supports artistic activity in the Northern Brookhaven area by coordinating its efforts with arts organizations, artists, local municipalities, schools, art galleries, libraries, and theaters. Through extensive services including grant writing, technology, software and Internet support, and an aggressive programming schedule the Council seeks to inspire our youth to achieve excellence.
For more information about the Teeny Awards, please call 516-983-3591 or email at gpjnbac@teenyawards.com.
Stony Brook University is proud to be a partner with the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council. We are delighted to be hosting the recognition dinner to be held in May 2008 for the Teeny Award nominees and their families. It is a wonderful chance for us to congratulate these talented students and for them to see our campus and the opportunities we have for them to pursue their dreams. We will be delighted to offer a matching scholarship to any student who receives one from the Arts Council who is admitted and enrolled as a full time matriculated student at Stony Brook.
We look forward to a long relationship with the Arts Council and support your efforts to expand this program throughout Suffolk County and beyond.
Congratulations…
Matt Whelan
Assistant Provost for Admissions and Financial Aid
Stony Brook University
8/28/2007
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