PARAMUS, N.J. – The annual Ars Nova Concert Series returns to Bergen Community College’s Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. with “Duet: The Power of Two” – a production packed with musical mash-ups ranging from classical to acoustic Kanye West.
Ars Nova, a New York City-based performing artist incubator and off-Broadway theatre, illustrates the power of collaboration through a diverse program of performances by faculty-student pairings, including original compositions by internationally acclaimed guitarist John La Barbera and rock lead-man Dan Sheehan (Dan Sheehan Conspiracy). Popular local duo Larry Newcomb and Leigh Jonaitis (Jonaitis & Newcomb), a self-described “one voice, one guitar” ensemble, contrast the aforementioned performance with renditions of familiar tunes like “Autumn Leaves.”
Additionally, and coinciding with Art of Motion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of movement, “Duet” explores distinct styles of collaborative dance and music.
Sponsored by the College’s Department of Performing Arts, Community and Cultural Affairs, Office of Student Life and the Distinguished Artist Series, this annual program fosters increased exposure to contemporary themes in the performing arts. Proceeds will benefit the Paul David Walter Scholarship Fund, in loving memory of the late husband of Bergen President Dr. B. Kaye Walter.
Ticket prices for the general public are $12, with discounts offered to senior citizens, Bergen faculty and students. Individuals can purchase tickets by calling (201) 447-7428 or online at tickets.bergen.edu.
“Duet: The Power of Two” Performers:
John La Barbera
Internationally acclaimed guitarist
Dan Sheehan
Rock lead-man from Dan Sheehan Conspiracy
Larry Newcomb and Leigh Jonaitis
Popular local duo performing “Autumn Leaves”
Nadya Kourani
Violinist Performing “Czardas” by Monti
Sony Tiwari and Joe Pearson
Professor and student pop-rock duo
Enki Bello
Harpist and singer-songwriter
Janette Dishuk, Eric Rios and Gabriel Alavarez
Dance professor and students perform with freestyle “b-boy”
Dr. Yikyung Diana Hughes
Professor and pianist
Lynne Needle
Artistic director at New Jersey-based Art of Motion
Ivan Gutierrez
Student and drummer
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.