Big Voices for Ukraine show at Strand in Lakewood drawing support from diverse arts groups
The phone has been ringing off the hook at the Strand Theater in Lakewood.
That's because everyone wants to get involved in the Voices for Ukraine benefit on Sunday, March 27, said Strand executive director Gary Schiavone.
“There's no more room (on stage) — it's just a wonderful thing,” Schiavone said. “Everybody's going to be wearing costumes. It's going to be glorious — it truly is.”
Schiavone's speaking of the region's ethic dance and music groups who will be wearing costumes. We're sure participating rockers Eddie Testa, JT Bowen, the Wag, the Killer Joe Band and more will be wearing their best stage garb.
“We have the Podhalanie dance group (from Clifton) — they're going to be dancing with the Polish kids because we don't have enough room anymore, so the Polish people are splitting up their time with this group,” Schiavone said. “There has to be easily 100 dancers so it's going to be great.”
Things started rolling when Kasia Pawka of the Polish Supplementary School in Lakewood called Schiavone.
“Every year, Kasia Pawka around Christmas rents the theater and does a Polish festival with food and music,” Schiavone said. “She called me three weeks ago and (asked if) the theater be interested in doing a fundraiser for Ukraine.”
Ukraine is at war with Russia after Russian troops invaded the country on Feb. 24.
“It’s important to help others in their time of need, whenever possible,” said Brian Ostering of the Wag via email. “The Wag is happy to help the people of Ukraine during this dark time by performing at the Voices for Ukraine benefit.”
Funds raised will go to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Lviv, Ukraine; the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund; and Agudath Israel of America.
The Lakewood Police Department will form an honor guard, and the Lakewood Fire Department will display the American flag from an aerial fire truck.
Also appearing will be the Yunist Ukrainian dance group of Tappan, N.Y.; the Maki dance troupe of the Polish Supplementary School in Lakewood; Christina Yavdoshnyak of Binghamton N.Y.; Portuguese Dance from South Amboy; the Piner Elementary Children's Choir; Rock 'n' Roll Chorus; the Howell Pal Theatre Company; Ballyhaunis Irish dance; Red House 5; Indigo Sky; Artist Collective Troupe; Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore; and Rev. Volodymyr Popyk of the St. Stephen Ukrainian Church in Toms River.
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There will be food trucks, and the Slava Ukraine, created just for this event, will be available at the Strand's bar.
“It's a blue and yellow drink with all kinds of good stuff in it,” said the Strand's Cindy Zwicker.
Voices for Ukraine, noon to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 27, Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood. $20. www.strand.org.
Seldom Scene in Blairstown
Wait a minute, the progressive bluegrass group the Seldom Scene are coming through.
The band, known for the fan favorite song “Wait a Minute,” plays Saturday, March 26, at Roy's Hall in Blairstown. The Joe Cirotti Trio opens.
The roots of Seldom Scene go back to 1971 and early collaborations with Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Jonathan Edwards.
The lineup has turned over a few times, and some members have passed on, but the picking and singing continues.
Seldom Scene with the Joe Cirotti Trio, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Roy's Hall, 30 Main St., Blairstown. $37.50 to $47.50. royshall.org.
A '90s gospel 'walk'
What's new in gospel music?
Chicago's Zeke Locke and NuXperience are moving feet with their new single “I'm Walking.” It's a '90s thing.
“It’s really New Jack Swing and some Minneapolis funk,” said Locke in statement. “Those synths that you hear in there? That’s that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis influence.”
Check it out on the “Festival of Praise” tour that stars Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Israel Houghton. Shows include 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Lehman College's Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, in the Bronx, N.Y., and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at The Met, 858 N. Broad St., in Philadelphia.
Visit www.instagram.com/nuxentertainment for more info on Locke and NuExperience.
Deadguy redux
New Brunswick hardcore punk legend Deadguy is back.
The band, which released the influential “Fixation on a Co-Worker” in 1995, reunited at the 2021 Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Philly after 25 years apart, and have played a handful of shows since then. Now, the group is the subject of the new movie “Deadguy: Killing Time,” with a screening at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Center Cinemas in Rutherford.
A band member will be in attendance for a Q&A with filmmaker William Saunders, according to the group's Instagram page.
Visit centercinemasnj.com for tickets.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ukraine benefit show at Strand in Lakewood drawing diverse support
