Maplewood Local Promotes Local Filmmaker’s ‘Good Jazz Back to You’ Documentary

March 1, 2021

From Goldfin Films, LLC : Maplewood local Sophia Loren Heriveaux is raising funds for her latest film in development Good Jazz Back to You. Produced by Heriveaux’s blossoming new production company Goldfin Films, Good Jazz Back to You is a mixed-media documentary — parts interview, performance, and animation — about women in jazz. The film looks at those (often under-recognized) who significantly

South Orange to Rename Street for the Late, Great Lee Boswell May

February 27, 2021

The Township of South Orange is renaming a street near the Kenny Graham Tennis Courts for Lee Boswell May, a lifelong South Orange resident and promoter of music and community, who passed away last April at the age of 74. Because of state restrictions on gatherings, the Township is encouraging residents to attend the ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. on March

Maplewood Home That Hosted ‘Mrs. Maisel’ Sells for Record-Breaking $2.15 Million

February 26, 2021

The iconic Kessler House at 15 Tower Drive — a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home in the Upper Wyoming neighborhood of Maplewood, NJ — has sold for a township record of $2,151,000. The home previously made news when it appeared in Season 3, Episode 5 of Amazon’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. In that episode, Lenny Bruce (played by Luke Kirby) and Midge Maisel

SOPAC Livestream Will Make You ‘Dizzy’ With Jazz Greats, February 25

February 24, 2021

“Oh man, they are so good, it’s just ridiculous.” So said Aretha Franklin when asked about the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars, a quintet of direct descendants of the beloved trumpet master known for his puffed-out cheeks, curiously bent horn, mischievous sense of humor, and his brilliant contribution as a progenitor of the Bebop jazz movement. The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars are ready to

Residents Hope to Give Maplewood Theater – Shuttered by Pandemic – a Second Act

February 23, 2021

The Maplewood Theater, in the heart of downtown Maplewood, first opened almost 94 years ago in 1927. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre shut down in March 2020 and was permanently closed in December. A group of Maplewood and South Orange residents have now come together in hopes of reopening and renovating the theatre with new features such as indie

Architect to Present Plans to Save Historic Squier House to South Orange Trustees Feb. 22

February 22, 2021

On February 22, a local architect will update the South Orange Board of Trustees on plans and progress made to save the historic Squier House at 167 N. Ridgewood Road. Meanwhile, the South Orange Historical & Preservation Society will be introducing a GoFundMe page to raise funds to cover costs for researching and developing the plans (link to come). As previously

Valley Arts Welcomes First Black Female Executive Director, June Smith

February 21, 2021

From Valley Arts NJ: On the heels of Women’s month, Valley Arts NJ makes a bold statement in welcoming June Smith on board as the first woman of color to hold the Executive Director title for the culturally and economically diverse organization. Tasked with overseeing day-to-day activities, improving performance, developing organizational culture, reporting on revenue, and directing organizational strategy, Board President