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The Bloomingfields
The Bloomingfields are currently touring the world, albeit slowly.
Their influences include The Modern Lovers, Grandaddy, The Taking Heads, The Lilacs, Nick Lowe, The New York Dolls, The Moldy Peaches, and Henrik Ibsen.
Avril Fagan
Avril Fagan is a Montclair Mom and third grade teacher. Born in Jamaica, West Indies and raised in Queens, NY, Avril's first singing experiences occurred in the junior choir at Bethany Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens. Since then she has sung in high school performances, a host of recitals, talent shows and weddings.
These days, Avril takes pleasure in using her voice and love of music to inspire her son Liam, as well as her students, to take chances by performing on stage. She is inspired by all types of music and performs whenever and wherever she can. Avril is very proud to be a parent who rocks!
Rachael and Mark Egan
Rachael and Mark Egan are parents to Arabella.
Rachael is a writer and Stay at Home Mom, and Mark is the New York Bureau Chief for Reuters News Agency.
Shelflife
They are currently in the studio working on their second full release of original material in the vein of The Police, REM and Toad the Wet Sprocket- expected release date Summer 2008. Their 12-song debut "Splice the Mainbrace" spawned a few songs that made their way onto internet radio playlists, a cd compilation by 91.9 FM WNTI featuring the first volume of NJ best unsigned bands, and even a few iPods.
For latest news, upcoming performances, free previews & downloads, photos and more, go to: www.myspace.com/shelflifetheband
Bob Cannon
An editor and music journalist by day for publications like Entertainment Weekly and Performing Songwriter, he has also enjoyed a long career throughout the Northeast as a performer, songwriter, producer, and arranger.
His songs have earned awards from the American Song Festival and graced the country charts, but living the past eight years in New Jersey has long since erased his Southern accent.
Christine Kelly
A life-long New Jerseyan, Kelly emerged from the New Brunswick music scene in the early 1990 as a rising singer-songwriter, winning East Cost Rocker's "Best Songwriter" and "Best Female Artist" in consecutive years.
Having opened up for acts like Ani DeFranco, Richie Havens, Roger McGuinn, and Warren Zevon, she now takes great pleasure in playing local pubs and cafes.
Donate to Parents Who Rock
Parents Who Rock support many charitable causes with the monies raised from their events. Here are some of the causes which we have raised funds for and supported in the past:
- Tsunami Relief
- Mountainside Breast Cancer Education Center
- Montclair Rape Crisis
- Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
- The Developmental Learning Center in Montclair
- Hole In The Wall Gang
Featured Charity - The Developmental Learning Center
The Developmental Learning Center (DLC) is a public school program for preschool students with special needs. Operated by the Montclair Board of Education, the DLC services students who reside in the township of Montclair. The DLC’s mission is to provide a quality early childhood education to preschool students who have been identified with a disability in an area of functioning such as communication, social emotional skills, gross motor development or cognitive abilities. Students who diagnosed with a developmental disability such as autism can also receive services at the DLC. The DLC is unique due to the team of professionals who our available to the students and families in the program. Speech language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists as well as a Child Study Team comprised of a psychologist, learning consultant and social worker work with the students and families at the DLC. Often times, services are provided in a multidisciplinary team, which promotes generalization of skills and reinforces the continuity of services. The DLC is committed to the growth of all of our students.
In the spring of 2007, the PWR held a concert at the Commonwealth Club for the DLC. The music, food and atmosphere of the concert were spectacular. The event raised a significant amount of money for the DLC, as well as awareness about our program. The funds raised at the event have allowed us to expand our services to students. First, we were able to offer a program called “Therapeutic Listening” to many families at the DLC. Therapeutic Listening is an evidence-backed protocol that combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for students with sensory challenges. Therapeutic Listening can impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, postural organization, and speech and language difficulties. We have also expanded our professional development services this year for our teachers as well as parent training for our parents with children with autism. Lastly, our hardworking dedicated teachers were able to enhance their classrooms thanks to the money from the PWR concert. Our entire staff is forever grateful for the amazing contribution that the PWR has made to the DLC.
Nicole Fried, Psy.D., DLC Supervisor
About Parents Who Rock
Parents Who Rock is an association of musicians based in Montclair, NJ, who contribute their time and talents to benefit local not-for-profit organizations. Over the past three years, fundraising events featuring the solo artists, combos, and bands of PWR have supported the Mountainside Hospital Breast Cancer Education Center, the Montclair Rape Crisis Center, and the Montclair Public Schools Developmental Learning Center (DLC), among others.
Board of Directors:
- Alma Schneider, Founder
- Brian Saltzman, Secretary and Treasurer
- Leslie Kunkin, Director
The new CD, “Go Play Outside,” was recorded primarily at the PWR Fall Kickoff, in the Schneider-Saltzman backyard on the gorgeous afternoon of Sept. 8, 2007.
Proceeds from CD sales help fund Montclair’s All Children’s Playground, an outdoor space with universal access, currently scheduled to open in 2008 at Edgemont Park. For more information about the playground, contact Lily Vakili at livakili@verizon.net.
A special thank you to O'Melveny and Meyers Law Firm for helping us become an LLC and an official Non-Profit Organization. Read more...
Alma Schneider
Prior to that, Alma worked as a Social Worker in a New York City settlement house, and in private practice as a therapist. Alma holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Hunter College.
Alma Schneider
Alma is also Founder and CEO of Take Back the Kitchen, LLC (www.takebackthekitchen.blogspot.com), where she combines her background in counseling with her other passion, cooking, to help women overcome the common and individual obstacles to achieving their goals in the kitchen.
Brian Saltzman
Brian holds a Bachelors Degree in International Politics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Leslie Kunkin
Leslie received her Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Brooklyn College and a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School. She worked as an attorney in Manhattan, specializing in medical malpractice litigation, prior to taking on the full time job of raising her daughter.
Read more...
James Feinberg
He is currently the President of the Kids' Division of Parents Who Rock, a Montclair musical organization, and the writer and creator of the column Grandkid's Eye View in 50+ Senior News. He enjoys reading, writing, the Internet, cooking and skiing.
Dea Viola
This mother of 4, is the female vocalist for the local rock n’ roll cover band CRANETOWN.
Ruby on the Vine
Ruby on the Vine is a Montclair, New Jersey based underground fold - rock band featuring Myrna Marcarian (vocals, guitar,keyboards) Geoff Feinberg (guitar), Matt Klss (bass), John Ehlis (mandolin), Dave Cushing (drums). Formed in the late 1990s, ROTV is led by Ms. Marcarian, who from 1977 to 1986, was co-leader of the critically-acclaimed new wave band, Human Switchboard from Cleveland, Ohio. Writing in the New York Times back in 1980, Robert Palmer called Human Switcboard the "best underground white band in America today," After the demise of Human Switchboard, Ms. Marcarian released a solo EP (Human Touch) in 1989, and then retired from the music scene to raise a family.
The retirement didn't last forever. ROTV has been gigging in the New York area now for nearly 10 years , and in 2003 released their debut album, This World of Days, to rave reviews. Containing 10 new original songs, the album features an impressive roster of friends and musicians, including her longtime collaborator and co-songwriter, Geoff Feinberg. Doug Hall (keyboards, backing vocals, guitar, production), Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic (keyboards), Tony Maimone, Pere Ubu (bass) Mark Spencer who has played with Laura Cantrell, Uncle Tupelo and the Blood Oranges, (guitar), Frank Villardi from Feedie Johnson, Suzanne Vega and the Bacon Brosthers (drums), Andy Mckee (bass), Ron Metz (drums, George Usher (keyboards),
"This World of Days is a remarkable comeback . . . Marcarian hasn't missed a beat despite a 14 - year layoff. Purring and wailing like the mature Patti Smith, Marcarian's voice sounds terrific, from slinky sex-kitten torch songs to passionate ballads to drving, garagy rock . . . Here's hoping 2004 sees Ruby on the Vine bring some of that old Human Switchboard magic back to a NYC club scene that's starving for a band with this much substance and passion." Jim Testa, Jerseybeat Magazine
"Intriguing . . . We already knew she could walk alone, and now she's sounding real sharp again," Richard Riegel, Village Voice
"An impressive offering, Ruby on the Vine features Myrna's distinctive vocals at the helm with traces of Marianne Faithful, Patti Smith and Maria McKee . . . The album is loaded with catchy tracks . . from Americana roots to 50s girl- group to 80s New Wave. Give this very original work a listen." Michelle Picardo, Freetime Magazine, Rochester, NY.
Ruby on the Vine is working on a second album.
JOHN “YANNI” FOTIADIS
An Architect by day, and multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter by night, John Fotiadis (‘Yanni’ to his friends) has written and recorded pop music for film, theater and TV. He is presently working on a new album / project called “Empty City Squares”
John’s original music fuses Britpop and Rock. An accomplished musician (guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals), John performs frequently in Manhattan and Northern New Jersey. He often plays music with his 11-year-old daughter Kassandra, a budding pianist and singer.
For more info go to www.soundclick.com/johnfotiadis
Ed Daingerfield
Favorite album: Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' (of course)
Currently listening to: Jim Hall, Buddy Guy, and anything Eric Clapton ever put out.
Maureen Fichten
Originally from Massachusetts she spent her early years performing in New York City and across the US.
She is very happy to be a part of Parents Who Rock.
Rabbi E. Noach Shapiro
Rabbi E. Noach Shapiro has been the rabbi of Shomrei Emunah since August 1, 2004.
Rabbi Shapiro's vision of the role of a congregational rabbi is "to lead a community in transforming a synagogue from a 'Beit Hak'nesset', a place where people gather, to a 'Kehilla Kedosha', a sacred community defined by mitzvot, compassion, commitment, Torah, music and celebration."
A little known fact about Rabbi Shapiro is that 'back in the day' he lived briefly in Northern Thailand and made a living playing music in pubs every night.
John Paul Uva
All-time favorites include Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, and REM, but nowadays he listens to a lot of alt-country bands -- Old 97s, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Jayhawks.
Jack Rigg
Professional Musician, Producer, Songwriter, Composer. 1971-1995.
Performed and recorded as a guitarist; toured internationally and performed in clubs, concert halls and arenas with many bands; played on many recordings, wrote songs and composed music for modern dance companies and off-Broadway shows; produced records; written up in Rolling Stone, People, New York Times, New York Post, Village Voice, Cream; earned Gold Record. Bands that I have toured and recorded with include Blue Oyster Cult and David Johanson. Favorite bands include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, Black Crowes. Currently listening to Richard Thompson, Jeff Buckley.
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