NJ High Schooler Trevor Ostfeld Co-Authors Children's Book: Finding Messi: The Miracle Cat from Kyiv - Proceeds to Help Ukraine People

 

Trevor Ostfeld, a high school student in New York City and a resident of New Jersey, co-authored a children's book, Finding Messi: The Miracle Cat From Kyiv, with Iryna Chernyak after volunteering for a humanitarian mission in March 2022 when the war in Ukraine began. This picture book written by two teenagers and is published by GreenLeaf and already an Amazon bestseller.   Finding Messi: The Miracle Cat From Kyiv tells the true story of 13-year old Iryna and her cat, Messi. When Ukraine was attacked, Iryna and her mother had to abruptly leave everything behind in Kyiv, including their beloved pet. Messi goes missing, and Iryna rallies the community to help her find her cat. The book gently explains the impact of war on families, and young readers will better understand the experiences of children displaced by war.

NY/NJ Event: Caytha Jentis' New Comedy Comes to NJ's Parsippany Arts Center after Successful NYC Run Starting April 12, 2024

After a successful run Off Broadway in Fall 2023,  S*x Work/S*x Play, a new stage play from Caytha Jentis, opens at the Parsippany Arts Center April 12th - 14 2024. The play is a cross generational social commentary comedy about the conundrum of love, dating and human connection in our digital driven world where everything and everybody is a swipe away. Caytha Jentis an award-winning filmmaker, director and writer, whose movies have appeared on most streaming networks.

The show is produced and directed by Lauren Moran, a Boonton mom, and stars two mothers Deshja Driggs, a West Orange mom and Diane Harrington, a Nutley mom.  The New York production was directed by Rosie Gunther, also a Ridgewood mom. The New Jersey Production is produced by LoMotion Live, a theatre dedicated to creating conversation through theatre and the arts.

NYC Event: THE GREENROOM42 PRESENTS A CABARET CELEBRATION FOR THE AUDIOBOOK PUBLICATION OF “CINDERELLAS OF WEST 53RD STREET: STORIES FROM THE LEGENDARY REHEARSAL CLUB” on May 7, 2024

In celebration of the 2023 release of Bear Manor Media’s title, Cinderellas of West 53rd Street: Stories from the Legendary Rehearsal Club, and this year’s release with Blythe Danner and each writer reading their own story for the audiobook, published by Blackstone and available on Audible.com, The Greenroom42 presents “Circle of Cinderella Friends,” in cabaret, May 7, 2024, 7:00pm. To purchase tickets visit: https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/

About the Book: Who are the Cinderellas? Carol Burnett, Blythe Danner and others are recognizable, well-known Rehearsal Club Alums. In the book, each Cinderella shares their same adventurous, determined and generous spirits. By the time the last page turns, similar to those anonymous, back-up dancers who tipped their top hats during “Singular Sensation” (the finale to A Chorus Line), you will know these women. Maybe recognize yourself? What we all do for love.

New Jersey Father and Daughter Co-Write Book Entitled "Dawnah The Zombie Whisperer" - A Great Read for Young Readers Seeking a Fun Adventure

Meet Twelve-year-old Dawnah - the zombie whisperer! It's a collaboration between a dad and his daughter. What's it about? When Dawnah, a socially awkward twelve-old-girl and her widowed father go on a camping trip, they find themselves thrust into the zombie apocalypse. As Dawnah and her dad travel along the Appalachian Trail, in order to reunite with her sibling, Dawnah discovers that she can control the living dead with her voice and that she may be the last hope for humanity.

Suzee: Tell me about the inspiration for the book.

Dana: It arose out of watching zombie movies with my daughter, Georgia, a genre we both love. We wanted to explore the zombie apocalypse genre in a unique way. Writing together was also a way to help Georgia process some social challenges she was facing at school at that time. 

NY/NJ Event: Bergen CASA Holds Casino Night to Benefit Kids in Foster Care April 17, 2024: Honorees are Kundert Volvo and Lorin Konner Sherman Memorial Fund

Bergen County CASA is excited to announce its 2024 very popular Casino Night for April 17, 2024. This organization recruits, screens and trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected foster children. It will be held at Season's, 644 Pascack Road in Washington Township on April 17, from 6:30pm - 10:30pm. For more information, email info@bergencasa.org or visit www.bergencasa.org.

This year's fundraiser will honor two organizations that have provided invaluable support for Bergen CASA: Kundert Volvo of Hasbrouck Heights and the Lorin Konner Sherman Memorial Fund. 

NYC/NJ Area Event: The Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival Runs Four Nights in April - NJ Premiere of The Zombie Wedding, Harlan Coben Q & A, Shorts, Networking Party & More

The Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival (RGIFF) celebrates its 13th year with an enthralling program of independent films and special events spanning three nights and two locations in Bergen County, New Jersey. The event takes place in Bergen County on April 16, 18, and 25, 2024. For tickets and info visit https://ridgewoodguildfilmfest.com/

Tribute Concert for Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan At Carnegie Hall - A Night of Powerful Performances to Bring out the Irish in All of Us - And a Special Song by Roisin Murphy - Video

By Rob Curry
 
Carnegie Hall hosted a tribute to the music and lives of Shane MacGowan and Sinead O’Connor on March 20, 2024. These types of tributes can sometimes be staid affairs, but not this one. When you have two of the best Irish songwriters of the last 40 years it quickly turned into a celebration more like an Irish wake at the local pub. The only thing missing was a perfect pour of a Guinness.

Michael Dorf, of City Winery vintage, put together a stellar group of artists to celebrate Shane and Sinead. They were Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, Steve Earle, Cat Power, Amanda Palmer, Glenn Hansard, Billy Bragg, Imelda May, David Gray, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Josh Ritter; the list goes on and on. 

The set list alternated between Shane and Sinead songs which highlighted the dark and introspective side of Sinead’s songs versus Shane’s raucous celebrations of the good and bad that life can bring.

New York Women in Film and Television Present their 2023 MUSE AWARDS March 27, 2024: Honorees Are Fran Drescher, Kyra Sedgwick, Raney Aronson Rath, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal, Latasha Gillespie, Michele Stephenson and Millicent Simmons.

By Suzanne "Suzee" Ordas Curry

As a member of this organization for many years, I always attend their annual gala as the organization always honors amazing, accomplished women which serve as role models for all in attendance. This year is no different, with the honorees being:

I always walk away from this event feeling inspired and uplifted, be it from the speeches and words of wisdom and inspiration from the honorees, or from the conversation and contacts I make with other women in the industry who are all talking about the new projects that they are working on.

No matter the age you are, looking to the future, following your passion and putting the pieces of the puzzle together to create and be what you want to are, I feel are the keypoints of a successful, happy life for a woman.

This event is open to the public. If you are not a member, but are interested in getting into the entertainment industry in the New York City area or just wanting to know what is going on and connect with the shakers and movers in this area, become a member or attend one of their many events throughout the year. 

Feel Good Interview Series: Honorary Oscar Winner Diane Warren - 11 Things to Know About this Talented Artist

By: Markos Papadatos, #Powerjournalist

Diane Warren is a living legend in the contemporary music landscape having penned some of the most endearing songs of our time. She shared 10 interesting and fun things about herself.

In her illustrious career as a songwriter, Warren has written nine No. 9 singles and 33 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She is tied for having written the most No. 1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. These solo-penned hits include Paloma Faith's "Only Love Can Hurt Like This," Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart" and Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time."

NY Area Event: Axial Theater Presents Staged Reading of "What The Constitution Means to Me" Starring Cady McClain, Patrick McGuinness, Najah Imani Muhammad and Marissa Lowe

Axial Theatre will present a staged workshop reading of Heidi Schreck's powerful play What the Constitution Means to Me on Friday, March 22, at 7 PM, Saturday, March 23 at 7 PM, and Sunday, March 24, at 3 PM, at Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining, N.Y.

As a 15-year-old, Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human show, Schreck resurrects her teenage self to trace the profound relationship connecting four generations of women with the founding document that shaped their lives. Audience Advisory: Although presented in a thoughtful style, the material contains some discussion of violence against women that some may find triggering

The Axial Theatre production stars Axial Artistic Director and three-time Emmy© Winning actress Cady McClain of Manhattan, alongside Axial Theatre ensemble members Patrick McGuinness of Brewster and Najah Imani Muhammad of the Hudson Valley. For tickets www.Axialtheater.org.

Special Oscars Interview: Female Oscar Winners Da 'Vine Joy Rudolph, Emma Stone, Billy Eilish, Emma Thomas and Jennifer Lame Talk about their 2024 Academy Award Wins and What is Means for Females

By: Markos Papadatos, #Powerjournalist

Female filmmakers Jennifer Lame and Emma Thomas and actors Emma Stone and Da'Vine Joy Rudolph and songstress Billie Eilish spoke about their 2024 Academy Award wins at the Oscars Press Room. 

The 96^th annual Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. This journalist was credentialed by the Academy and covered the Press Room interviews with this year's winners.

Emma Stone for 'Best Actress'

In an upset win (where Lily Gladstone was the favorite for "Killers of the Flower Moon"), Emma Stone took home her second career "Best Actress" Oscar, this time for playing Bella Baxter in "Poor Things."

Feel Good Interview Series: Martin Kove of ‘The Karate Kid’ ,‘Cobra Kai’ and the Hallmark Movie "A Taste of Love" - 8 Things to Know About Him

By: Markos Papadatos, #Powerjournalist

Martin Kove is a true legend in the entertainment industry. He is best known for his iconic portrayal of villainous karate sensei, John Kreese, in "The Karate Kid" trilogy, and the Netflix hit series “Cobra Kai.” With five seasons under its belt, “Cobra Kai” continues to rank as one of the best-performing original series on Netflix. 

Kove shared the screen with Leonardo DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." With over 100 movies under his belt, some of Martin's most notable projects include "Rambo II," opposite Sylvester Stallone, and westerns such as “Hard Ground” with Burt Reynolds and the remake of “Gentle Ben.”

The Famous Rehearsal Club in New York City - Get a Peek into the Lives and Stories of the Ladies Who Lived There in the Book "Cinderallas of West 53rd Street" - And Attend their NYC Cabaret on May 7th

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

If you are connoisseur of old Hollywood or New York City, you may have heard about the renowned Rehearsal Club in New York City. It’s a place where young ladies came to dream and persevere for a career in entertainment, writing, singing, stage, movies, TV and of course, Broadway. So many of these women were successful, some became household names in entertainment while others found success in many other ways. And that is not a surprise, because the residents of this building were fearless ladies who left all the comfort of their homes to find a job in one of the toughest industries in the country in one of the most competitive cities.

You may have heard of some of the success stories. They are common names like Blythe Danner, Carol Burnett, Shirley Booth among others. But many others ladies danced and sang through these halls and found success. One of them was Denise Pence Boockvor, who found success on a daytime drama as well as other roles. Now, she has gathered stories about many of the alums in a new book called "Cinderellas of West 53rd Street - Stories from the Legendary Rehearsal Club".