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Downtown Shows Off Toms River's Arts, Music & Culture
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Works of art, music, dance and more were on display recently in downtown Toms River. For more photos from this event, visit our photo galleries at www.micromediapubs.com. |
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Art, music and song ushered in a new season of happenings for downtown Toms River at the Toms River Business Improvement District's annual Cultural Festival.
"Celebrate downtown Toms River" showcased local musicians and artists and featured exhibits that offered a history of the downtown area that goes back to the whaling days.
A local group, the Porch Pistols, performed live to an exuberant audience outside of 218 Main Street, the TRBID office.
On the library courtyard steps, young artists Michael Hansen and Richie Brown dabbled at their artwork while inside artists such as Yvonne Yaar and Wendy Ritch displayed their artwork, making downtown a festival of colorful sights and sounds.
Yaar, who focuses primarily on flame working which is displayed in her unique jewelry, wall art and outdoor sculpture, is president and founder of the Toms River Artist's Cooperative Exit 81, or TRACx8, which is housed at the TRBID office,where several works of art by local artists are showcased.
Brown and Hansen worked on an unusual interactive painting that had sound bites on the canvas that created an eerie echo sound, fascinating festival visitors with their electronic music show.
"The art is totally killer," said Courtney Williamson, with friend Julia Stoddard and James Bronson.
On Main Street, the Porch Pistols sang and entertained downtown visitors with Torrise on acoustic guitar and Chafee accompanying on harmonica. A large contingent of the group's family, friends and fans gathered to hear them play.
"We all grew up together," said C.J. Torisse as Chafee picked up his harmonica and the duo went into a set of music.
"We all love them," said friends and family as C.J.'s father, Carmen Torrise, commander of VFW Post 6063, his wife, Georgia, and another son, Tony, watched them entertain.
"I'm very proud of my son," said Torrise.
Porch Pistol fans Marc DeParto, wife Holly, twin sons, Nigel and Orion, and daughter, Emilia, settled in to listen.
"They are totally unique," said DeParto.
"I'm a big fan," laughed a self-termed groupie, Michelle Bailin of Toms River.
The downtown festival featured varied cultures as part of the day's entertainment, said TRBID spokesperson Arleen Read.
In the library's Mancini Hall, the Island Singers performed Broadway hits accompanied by Brian Gilmore of Toms River. The female trio of Janet Tartanella, Diane Phillips and Lisa Paterson sang with a '60s girl group sound, while Jack McGuigan sang songs from "South Pacific."
Polly Moore of Toms River, music director at Christ Church and Harrogate Assisted Living, who has directed the Island Singers for 20 years, said the chorus will perform at the Stafford Arts Center, Manahawkin, on June 23. Information call, 609-361-0671.
Arts and crafts workshops in the library's Green Room featured TRACx81 artist Sally Cornelison, who created magic window drawings, and Wendy Ritch demonstrating finger painting.
In the library atrium, the African Dance Lady, Audrey Davis, entertained with a spirited foot stomping routine accompanied by the pitch of cow bells and bongo drums.
Booths in the courtyard between the Ocean County Library and town hall featured exhibits from the Toms River Seaport and Ocean County Historical Society with displays and information about early downtown activities.
Historical Society President Robert Garthwaite said the museum, located at 26 Hadley Place, has lots of new exhibits and the society's upcoming calendar of events includes participation in Founder's Day on June 7, and an Antique and Collectible Faire, to be held August 30 at the parking garage across from the museum.
The Toms River Seaport Society and Maritime Museum will hold its Wooden Boat Festival on July 19 in Huddy Park, said Crickett Kersens, Karen Porcello and Alicemary Wright, who manned the Seaport's Maritime Shop booth featuring nautical Tshirts and a ship's compass from 1941.
"We were pleased to have the seaport and the historical society join us this year," said Read.
Yaar said the annual art and cultural event is popular and a good venue for local artists.
"Our goal is to bring more art and culture to downtown Toms River and to make residents aware of the art and culture that already exists," Yaar said.
Upcoming downtown events are scheduled throughout the season and visitors are welcome, added Read. "We want to point out all the downtown has to offer."
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