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I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing like holiday music to get me in the holiday spirit.   So, I will definitely attend the Mainstage Holiday Concert and Family Festival on December 21, 2019 at 7 pm and again on December 22 at 2 pm. If you’re planning to attend as well, you and your family will enjoy hot chocolate, a visit with Santa, and a joyful  holiday   concert  featuring Mainstage Center for the Arts ’ professionally-staged and choreographed show choirs, Harmony and Encore, Dance Company, Performing Arts Academy and more.  The  concert  begins at  7:00 p.m. ,  December 21 , and  2:00 p.m. ,  December 22  in Lincoln Hall and the Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ. Doors will open for  festival  activities one hour before each show time. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for children under12/senior citizens .  For nominal additional fees, those attending can participate in an ornament-making station and a cookie fundraiser to benefit

Are you familiar with Giving Tuesday? GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019, and every day. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. The GivingTuesday website has a directory to help you find organizations, events, and ways to give back in your own community. Consider donating to Mainstage Center for the Arts to continue with our programming for our students!

It’s that time of year again, when the Executive Director, Joe Bretschneider, at Mainstage Center for the Arts completes its long-range plan for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. ADA plans are a requirement for all organizations receiving funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State. While it’s a plan that requires

Casting "Tuck Everlasting." Synopsis: What would you give for everlasting life? When Winnie goes looking for adventure and meets a family with a fabulous secret, their chance encounter will change them all forever. Based on the bestselling novel, this musical explores eternal love, never-ending life, and what it means to truly feel alive. Auditions: November 22, 2019 at 5p Callbacks(by invite): November 23, 2019 at 2:30 Address: 27 S Black Horse Pike, Blackwood NJ 08012 Please prepare 32 bars of any contemporary piece, singing from the show is welcome! 10th graders and under, musical cuts from the show will be provided. There will not be an accompanist provided, there will be a stereo and aux cord provided, please bring your own music. Come in comfortable dance clothes! If you can't make auditions or have any questions, email  meghan@mainstage.org WINNIE FOSTER  - Female, to play 11. Our story’s protagonist who has recently lost her father. Unhappy

Pumpkin Festival 2019 Ah, fall – time for pumpkins, cider doughnuts, leaves splashed in color, and the 28th Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival sponsored by Mainstage Center for the Arts, Beneficial Bank, and others. This year’s event takes place Sunday, October 6, 2019, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.(rain date: Oct. 13th) in and around The Studio at Mainstage, 27 South Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ. The festival draws 10,000 people each year to enjoy food, games, music, shopping among 200 vendors, and four stages of entertainment. Activities include pumpkin painting, hayrides, amusement rides, Scarecrow making, bounce houses, a pumpkin carving contest, face painting, a costume contest, talent contest and more. “After such a long hot summer, the Pumpkin Festival is a great way to celebrate the joys of the fall season,” said Anne Marie Weaver, Director of Special Projects, Mainstage Center for the Arts. “We look forward to welcoming and entertaining the thousands of families who make it a

Join us this Sunday, Oct 6 at our Ukulele tent, located in the parking lot of the Blackwood Fire Company, at the 28th Annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival in Blackwood, NJ. We have copies of music books on hand, opportunities for open mic and all-day jam. We'll also be helping attendees play their first uke chords! Bring your uke, stand and yourself! 40 Easy Songs For Uke https://drive.google.com/open… 2017 Jam Book: https://drive.google.com/open… (We can play from this too, but the official public jam book is the one above.) Mainstage Link: https://mainstage.org/pumpkin-festival/ Festival Info: " (The Pumpkin Festival ) is a great event for kids so people can bring their kids. 0ver 200 craft vendors, 3 food courts, contests, amusement rides for little kids, hayride, pony rides, pumpkin painting contest, and three stages of entertainment. It is a fun day. We will get people who will see the group and will come in to play and learn if we have ukulele's

Did you know that the U.S. Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee recommended $157 million for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities for Fiscal Year 2020.   Sounds like a lot of money, right?   Well, it’s actually $10.5 million less than what the U.S. House approved in May and what advocates asked for on Arts Advocacy Day ($167.5 million).   Arts funding is actually at risk in the federal budget!   Mainstage Center for the Arts , through the NewJersey State Council on the Arts funding, receives money through the federal budget.   Since the Senate and House have different funding levels that are being approved, there will be a conference later this year to reconcile these numbers.   Why is this important to you?   You can take action by contacting your U.S. Senators to request that the higher numbers approved by the U.S. House is also adopted by the U.S. Senate. Arts funding is a small percentage of the federal budget

Historically, the Annual Mainstage Blackwood Pumpkin Festival has been a great way to generate funds for Mainstage Center for the Arts.   Another great source of funding is the New Jersey State Council for the Arts .   So what is this Arts Council? Well, in 1966, the legislature passed and the governor signed a law creating the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and directed the Council to do all that is necessary and appropriate to: Support, encourage, and foster public interest in the arts Enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts Promote freedom of expression in the arts Facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is a division of the New Jersey Department of State.   The Council works with a broad array of partner organizations in carrying out this work, all of which is governed by strategic plans made in the broader context of Arts Plan New Jersey. Among its pr

October 6, 2019 will be Mainstage’s 28th Annual Pumpkin Festival.   Every year, the team, led by Special Projects Director, AnneMarie Weaver, work super hard to ensure it’s a memorable event.   The team has developed a survey that asks a few questions about the Pumpkin Festival.    Mainstage appreciates feedback from patrons, vendors and volunteers to find out what works and how they can make the event bigger and better each year. So, please be sure to complete the survey, which will be located at each Pumpkin Festival Information Booth.  When you complete the survey, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a prize.  Now there’s an incentive! For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Scarecrows are designed to scare off pesky birds like crows (hence the name scarecrow) and blackbirds.   However, i f you’ve used scarecrows, I’m sure you know that the effect is almost always temporary.  Over time, the birds get used to the stationary dummies and resume their destructive habits. (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji) Mainstage will be hosting a scarecrow making station at it’s upcoming Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.   Even if they don’t scare off the pesky birds, they make awesome lawn décor and your children will love this fun activity!  The Scarecrow Making Station will be at Harwan Park, next to the Rite Aid parking lot, just behind the gazebo. For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Mainstage will be hosting a Treasure Hunt for the children that attend the Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.   While it will be incredibly fun, there are actually some educational benefits to treasure/scavenger hunts!    Here are some benefits of scavenger hunts, taken from the Institute of Educational Advancement : Builds Problem-Solving Skills Hands-on learning has numerous benefits , including increased memory of previously taught concepts. Scavenger hunts allow kids to practice problem-solving in a tangible way. It helps to reinforce and act-out methods they have been taught by parents or teachers in a physical way, leading to increased retention of the lessons. Easy to Customize Scavenger hunts are easy to customize to your child’s abilities and interests. Is your child really into pirates? Create a “treasure” hunt with pirate-themed clues. Do you have a math-lover in your life? Have them solve number problems to get to the next clue. If you are doing a hu

Word on the street is the Mainstage hosts a pretty amazing bake off contest at it's Annual Pumpkin Festival!   This will be my first year attending the Pumpkin Festival, which will be held on October 6, 2019.   In addition to the talent show, I’m most excited about the Great Cake Bake Off Contest.   I mean, it’s cake! (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji)   If you’d like to enter the contest, you can deliver your cake to Mainstage’s Academy Hall, 27 South Black Horse Pike from 11 am to 2 pm.   Winners will be announced at 3:00 pm at the stage in the Blackwood Rotary Library parking lot. For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event.

Hope you’re ready for our Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.  We have something for everyone:  puppy parades , treasure hunt , talent contests, axe throwing, a beer garden and even a basket auction.   Our Basket Auction with baskets filled with wonderful prizes will be held in the Rite Aid parking lot.  For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to see the performers in this year’s talent contest at our Pumpkin Festival on October 6, 2019.  If I was brave, I’d register and read some of poetry.  But like I said, if I was brave (insert girl shrugging her shoulders emoji).  You can enjoy watching the pre-registered acts between 11:15 am and 3:00 pm at the Library Stage.  You’ll also be in for another treat, because South Jersey  Nashville Recording Artist Sherry Lynn will be performing! For more information about our Pumpkin Festival, visit our website or the Pumpkin Festival Information booth the day of the event. 

Have you always wanted your puppy to participate in a puppy parade?   Well now here’s your chance!   On October 6, 2019 at 12 pm and 1:45 pm at East Railroad Avenue, between Central and West Lake Avenues, your puppy can strut his stuff at our Annual Pumpkin Festival.   Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to register. Here are two tips to remember when bringing your puppy to the parade: Monitor your dog’s stress levels Many dogs do quite well at events like parades and have a great time with their owners and other four-legged friends.   However, a parade can be a very hectic and stimulating environment for a dog. So, it’s up to you to recognize when your pet is uncomfortable or stressed and help him however you can. Sometimes that means taking your dog away from the crowd for a few minutes. Keep facial accessories at a minimum Most dogs don’t mind costumes that can be worn over their bodies, like jackets or shirts. However, accessories worn on their faces like sunglas

Our Pumpkin Festival wouldn’t be such a hit without our vendors, volunteers and sponsors!   If you’re interested in becoming a craft or food vendor, visit: Pumpkin Festival Vendor Information  If you’re interested in volunteering, you just have to be 15 years of age or older, or volunteer with a parent, teacher or club advisor.  Pre-registered volunteers get parking passes and a free event t-shirt.   To sign-up, visit: Pumpkin Festival Volunteer Sign-Up   Our sponsorship packages allow businesses in the community visibility while offering a variety of activities for our children and families.   If you would like an opportunity to reach over 10,000 consumers, we invite your business to be a part of one of South Jersey’s largest festivals.   For more information, visit: Pumpkin Festival Sponsorship Packages     Contact our Executive Director Joe Bretschneider  to learn more.

As a newcomer on the scene, this is my first experience with Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival.   I honestly didn’t realize all the work and behind the scenes coordination that happens to organize a Pumpkin Festival that typically draws 10,000 people.  Ann Marie Weaver, Director of Special Projects at Mainstage leads all committee meetings and ensures we closely track vendor sponsors, offer engaging activities for families and have enough volunteers for this big event.   Past events have been a hit and this year, we’re planning to top previous years with axe throwing activities and a beer garden! For more details, check back here or at Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival page .

We’re switching gears as Summer Stage at Mainstage has come to a close.   Next up is our 28th Anniversary Pumpkin Festival , which is scheduled for October 6 from 11-4 pm and the rain date is October 13.   The Pumpkin Festival is an annual event for families to celebrate all things fall and pumpkins!    We will have arts, crafts and food vendors, family entertainment and games.  The event will be held at in and around the area at Mainstage Performing Arts Academy at 27 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ  08012. All proceeds benefit Mainstage Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization committed to providing affordable, quality arts education and entertainment for the South Jersey Community. For more details, check back here or at Mainstage’s Pumpkin Festival page .

One of my favorite, favorite movies is Pitch Perfect (1, 2 and 3).   The riff off scene and the Bella’s final performance  may or may not be in playlist on YouTube.   I felt like I was transported into Pitch Perfect when I attended the Harmony Show Choir on August 3 at the Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ.   In Pitch Perfect like fashion, the choir sang catchy medleys with first-rate vocals and an innovative approach to harmony arrangements. My three boys, twins are ages 14 and the youngest age 7, attended the show with me and they were as thoroughly entertained as me.  With its fast pace, great music, and exciting choreography, this concert entertained audiences of all ages.   It’s no wonder the Harmony Show Choir is one of longest-running Mainstage  summer traditions.

Do you think your kid has an interest in  performing arts ? Do you think your son or daughter can do well in this field? If that’s the case, even if your child has a busy academic schedule, enroll them in performing arts without any hesitation. The education of performing arts will undoubtedly play a significant role in your shaping of his or her future. Take note that even the researchers have linked the involvement in the arts for better child development and higher achievement. A few reasons to consider enrolling your kid in one of the best performing  art education classes in South Jersey  include: Higher academic achievement. Improved confidence and self-presentation skills. A medium for self-expression. Enhanced problem solving and perseverance. Developed empathy & compassion. That said, are you now interested in getting your son or daughter enrolled for performing arts classes in South Jersey? If so, choose  Mainstage Center for the Arts , a member or

It’s a show packed with memories for anyone who remembers the iconic 70s Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock cartoon that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever songs. The musical brings all of it to life onstage, chronicling the story of Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher nervous about his first day of teaching. Tom tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such beloved Schoolhouse Rock songs as  Just A Bill ,  Lolly, Lolly, Lolly  and  Conjunction Junction . For many, Schoolhouse Rock is pure nostalgia. “For me, as a middle school teacher in the 1980s and 1990s", says Ed Fiscella, Artistic Director for Mainstage Center for the Arts, " School House Rock was a shared experience. I used it in my teaching to make the subjects fun and memorable. Once the live shows became available, we incorpora

Mainstage Center for the Arts (MCA) is proud to present its third Summer Stage 2019 production of  Frozen JR ., based on the Disney Broadway hit  Frozen , on July 24-26, 2019.  This enchanting musical brings Elsa (played at various ages by Charlotte Capie as the young Elsa, Claire Corriveau as the middle Elsa, and Diana Pinolini as the adult Elsa), and Anna (Played by Riley Cassidy as the young Anna, Olivia Williams as the middle Anna, and Caroline Corriveau as the adult Anna), and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters who are kept apart by prejudice and fear, but are later brought together by courage and love. The plot thickens with a zany talking snowman, a sinister prince charming, and lots of ice-cold magic that makes this a

I saw The Drowsy Chaperone for the first time on Sunday.   After watching High School Musical JR and Cinderella , I was pleasantly caught off guard by the adult humor.   But before I say anymore, here’s a quick synopsis, in case you’re new to this musical as well: A Broadway fanatic, who narrates much of the story from his chair, listens to a recording of a fictional 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone .    While listening to the record from his chair in his apartment, the characters from the musical appear and his apartment is now the set of a Broadway musical.   Essentially, The Drowsy Chaperone is a show-within-a-show, that centers on Janet Van De Graaff, a showgirl who plans to give up her career in order to marry an oil tycoon, Robert Martin.   Janet’s "Drowsy" (i.e. "Tipsy") Chaperone, is charged with keeping Janet away from Robert, as the soon-to-be bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the wedding. Watching from his armchai

Mainstage’s Center for the Arts Cinderella  performance was phenomenal!  My lens was from that of a dancer. I have always admired dancers—their gracefulness, the fluidity of their movements and the effortless way they handle intricate choreography.  So much so, that in college, (which seems like many moons ago) I participated in several semesters of African Drum and Dance.  I recently started dancing again, this time as a backup dancer to a local artist.  The choreography is typically to Afrobeats, a music genre that blends West African musical styles with jazz, soul, funk and in more contemporary tracks, electronic music.  Many people today would describe Afrobeat as a mix of African music with Western-pop.  To learn choreography for a typical 3-minute song has required numerous hours of practice per week.  So, when I watched Mainstage’s Cinderella performance, I was truly in awe over the vocals and particularly the dance choreography.  I started to calculate the m

As a published poet, I have a deep love for the arts, but zero talent when it comes to performing my work. So, as a new member of the Mainstage Center for the Arts team, I was most excited about attending the performances. As I suspected, I was not disappointed. My first show was Disney’s High School Musical JR . Quick synopsis in case you haven't seen the musical: It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes all find their cliques. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. The couple cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well. The Mainstage cast was phenomenal with classic themes that emerged during the

     Disney's High School Musical JR. 60-Minute Version   We're all in this together in Disney Channel's smash hit musical phenomenon.  Summer Stage Children’s Theatre 31 st season kicks off with High School Musical, Jr.   Based on the Emmy-award winning television movie, High School Musical , it runs July 10-12, Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College, Blackwood. Bowman & Co, 1 st Colonial Community Bank, and Ryan Bansky Expert Tree Service sponsor the production. Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical comes to life at Summer Stage at Mainstage Center for the Arts  in   Disney’s High School Musical JR.  Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs are sure to engage performers and audiences alike. Tickets to High School Musical, Jr, are $12 adults and $11 for seniors/stude