About Town: Fort Lee Council of the Arts Defends High School Arts Program

Fort Lee’s Coalition of the Arts attended the Fort Lee Board of Education meeting Monday to question the board’s proposed cuts to the High School’s Academy of the Performing Arts Program. The Coalition’s concerns regard the Administration’s previous response that the Academy of Performing Arts would remain intact, only to discover that major cuts have been proposed that would essentially result in the dismantling of the program.  

The Academy of Performing Arts, which began in 2008, consists of three “schools:" the School of Acting, School of Dance and School of Music; however, the schools collaborate with one another.  

The application process begins before the start of freshman year, when the students must audition and be interviewed by Academy instructors before being accepted into the “school” of their choosing. In addition to maintaining a strong academic standing, the students in the academy also get a chance to study their art in-depth.  

The Coalition is asking the school board and and administration to seriously consider how the Coalition and its members can be more of a partner with the district to avoid any future cuts to the program. For example, the Coalition can help raise funds for the program by hosting fundraisers and providing community outreach, as the Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce does for the High School’s Academy of Finance.

Visit Fort Lee Patch for more updates.

LIQUOR & LITERATURE (OUR TWO FAVORITE PAIRINGS!) AT THE KEARNEY HOUSE TAVERN

Ever get so absorbed in a story that you wished you could hear it read aloud in an 18th century tavern with like-minded people while enjoying a tankard of grog (or a Dixie cup of chardonnay)? Well, now you can! Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Eric Nelsen, Historical Interpreter for the Palisades Interstate Parks, is hosting "Readings Aloud" at Mrs. Kearney's Tavern—the 18th century’s version of Starbucks sans overstuffed chairs and steamed milk.

This Wednesday and on Wednesday, June 1, The Historic Kearney House Tavern at the Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area will play host to a pair of 19th-century-style tavern programs featuring readings from classic texts of the time period. These programs will feature light food and drink, and guests may bring their own beer or wine if they wish. Cost is $8 per guest and space is limited, so reservations are recommended: email or call kearney@njpalisades.org / 201 768-1360 ext. 108.

The subject of this Wednesday's readings is “Transcendentalists”— or as we like to call men like Emerson and Thoreau, "rebels with a cause." (There are only a few remaining spots open for this night so reserve your space now!)

Wednesday, June 1 will be “South Seas Adventure” night at the Kearney House Tavern. What can be better than tales of the high seas told right by the sea? (Okay, river, but it does flow south into the Atlantic.)

If you’ve never attended a Kearney Tavern event, this is your opportunity, especially if you’re a lover of stories. What better place to let your imagination run wild than in an authentic 18th century tavern lit only by candlelight and warmed only by the two fireplaces? Patch wholeheartedly encourages you to attend. Nelson and his staff do an outstanding job taking you back to another era!

All “Readings Aloud” begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.

The Kearney House Tavern is located off PIP Exit 2 (Park Headquarters) at the base of the Alpine Boat Basin and Picnic Area.

CHILDREN’S STORY PROGRAM: SHORT STORIES FOR LONG DAYS

Join the fabulous Miss Lindsey and the wonderful staff of the Kearney House Tavern for the ever-popular, always sold out “Short Stories for Long Days” next Sunday and on Sunday, June 6 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Kearney House Tavern will host this pair of 19th-century-style reading programs for children ages five through nine. These programs will feature stories told by the fireside and include treats, all in an authentic 19th-century setting. Cost is $3 per child and space is limited, so reservations are recommended: email or call kearney@njpalisades.org / 201 768-1360 ext. 108.

The Kearney House Tavern is located off PIP Exit 2 (Park Headquarters) at the base of the Alpine Boat Basin and Picnic Area.

FORT LEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE THIS WEEKEND

Don’t forget that this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. the Fort Lee Public Library will host its annual Book Sale. In addition to books, there will also be DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs and a few other “surprises” for sale. If you purchase more that $10 you get a free environmentally friendly “Green” bag. The sale is being held downstairs in the library’s Meeting Room and in the area outside of the Children’s Room. All proceeds go to support the Fort Lee Public Library, so come on out!