Screening: GASLAND at Hitchcock Church
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"The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us.
When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND." The film is “Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown” and was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.
Fracking may be coming to the Catskills, where it has the potential to affect more than eight million drinking water consumers, including Westchester and New York City. Should we be concerned? What should we do? What is the current state of play in the New York State Legislature?
The Mission Committee of Hitchcock Church will present a free screening of the film GASLAND on Thursday, June 16, at 7 pm. The screening will be followed by a Q &A with Kate Hudson of the environmental group Riverkeeper and an attorney with more than 25 years experience in New York State government, including the Department of Environmental Conservation. Refreshments will be served. Open to the community.
Lower Children’s House
Hitchcock Church
6 Greenacres Avenue
Scarsdale
Sorkin Captivates Sellout Crowd at SHS
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Academy Award Winner and SHS Class of 1979 graduate Aaron Sorkin returned to Scarsdale High School Thursday evening May 26 to a capacity crowd in the SHS auditorium. SHS Drama Club President, Justine Gelfman, welcomed the crowd and noted that “an evening like this one is a team effort” and then proceeded to thank the drama club officers and faculty who worked tirelessly to organize the event. On behalf of the Drama Club, Gelfman extended a special welcome to Aaron’s parents who were in the audience and thanked Mrs. Sorkin for her efforts in making the evening a reality. After a brief recitation of Sorkin’s biography, the audience viewed clips from the Social Network, Studio 60 on the Sunset Street, the West Wing and a Few Good Men. The Scarsdale natives in the crowd reacted with warm applause at the mention in the West Wing clip of the name Werner Feig who was a long time SHS social studies teacher. Sorkin posthumously honored him with a mention of his name in the third season of his Emmy winning show.
After the clips ended Sorkin walked onto the stage to thunderous applause. Sorkin and Gelfman then sat in two chairs borrowed from Principal Klemme’s office for the occasion. Gelfman invited audience members to line up at two standing microphones for the question and answer portion of the evening. Gelfman opened the question session by asking Sorkin for his “fondest memories” of the Drama Club and how it impacted him. Sorkin first responded by noting how much he appreciated being invited back to SHS. Sorkin said that next to his parents, the Drama Club had a very important impact on him as he made good friends and found what he loved doing at a young age. Sorkin noted that his parents and teachers probably preferred that he spend more time on his schoolwork than Drama Club activities but then wryly noted, “I landed on my feet so it was ok.”
During the next hour, Sorkin answered a variety of questions from the audience. Like so many of his fictional characters, Sorkin was warm, engaging, funny and passionate. He was also very humble and self deprecating. At one point, Sorkin said that he was not the smartest in his family or among his childhood friends, but their influence instilled in him a love of “smart dialogue." Several of the questions solicited career advice from those looking to break into playwriting. Sorkin told the aspiring playwrights in the audience to write all the time, read all the time, to consider applying for jobs in Hollywood, to use networking opportunities and most of all to take chances early in their careers. He implored the students in the audience to applaud classmates who try and fail rather than make fun of their efforts. Other questions delved into Sorkin’s biography. While discussing his switch from acting to play writing, Sorkin regaled the crowd with a story of his watching Nathan Lane perform in a one act play that Sorkin had both written and acted in with a young Nathan Lane. Of Nathan Lane, Sorkin said he thought, “Boy, he is really good. Wouldn’t it be good if all the actors in my play were that good?” Sorkin shared with the audience that the moment made him realize that he was not an actor anymore but a playwright. Sorkin also discussed his philosophy concerning writing, noting that Aristotle’s Poetics contain all the required elements of playwriting and that intention and conflict are of particular importance.
Sorkin captivated the crowd and literally left them wanting more. A last minute change to Sorkin’s schedule required that the Drama Club shorten the event. Before Sorkin departed, Gelfman presented him with a framed collage of pictures, playbills and posters from SHS Drama Club shows that Sorkin appeared in while at SHS. After Sorkin departed the stage, Drama Club Vice President Will Heffner organized the raffle drawing for a signed script of the Social Network. SHS Art Teacher, Elizabeth Colleary, was the winner of the script.
It was a magical evening showcasing a generous graduate of Scarsdale High School who came home for an evening to assist the Drama Club that he adored as a young man.
A special thank you to the Drama Club Faculty advisor Adrienne Meyer, Dave Berry of the Scarsdale High School Audiovisual Department who organized the technical logistics of the evening, NYU film student Sam Butin who compiled the clips the audience saw and the SHS custodial staff.
Willy Wonka this Weekend at Scarsdale High School
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The Scarsdale Senior Class is excited to present Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from May 20 to May 22. The beloved musical is this year’s selection for the Senior Class Play, an annual show run and performed by members of the outgoing senior class. Performances will be on May 20, 21 at 7:30 and on May 22 at 2 pm. All shows will take place in the High School Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door for the price of $15 dollars. Seating will be determined on a first come first serve basis so make sure to arrive early for prime seats!
Willy Wonka is a musical adaption of the popular children’s book by Roald Dahl. The book tells the tale of Charlie Bucket (Leland Chamlin), a poor boy who is presented with an extraordinary opportunity after winning a contest by finding a golden ticket in a chocolate bar. Along with his fellow contest winners Augustus Gloop (Tony Lyons), Mike Teavee (Maqy Quartner), Veruca Salt (Eve Muller), and Violet Beauregard (Allie Goodman), Charlie is invited to a tour of the world famous Wonka Chocolate Factory. Also on the tour is Charlie’s beloved grandfather, Grampa Joe (Cameron Mattis). At the factory, Charlie meets the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka (Karan Adiyta) and embarks on a journey through the strange and wonderful world of the Chocolate Factory.
The play is directed by Greg Seiden, with Jordan Thaler as assistant director. Jun Sasamura is the musical director, along with Andrew Wang as 
assistant musical director. Mara Goldstein is the choreographer and Rachel Shore is the stage manager. Steve Bogardus has provided the play with his invaluable expertise along with Senior Class Advisors, Jose Lamela and Jennifer Wagner. Whether you are a parent of a Scarsdale senior, a fellow student, or just someone looking to enjoy a great musical; attending the Senior Class Play is a way to show your support for members of the senior class and all they accomplished over the years. Much time and effort has been put into the production and the senior class appreciates all support as it seeks to bid farewell to Scarsdale in style.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Scarsdale High School Auditorium
Friday May 20 7:30 pm
Saturday May 21 7:30 pm
Sunday May 22 2 pm
Photos courtesy of Jon Thaler -- see more at www.jonthaler.com
Rock and Roll for Grown-Ups: Scarsdale Teen Center Night of Rock
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On Saturday May 7th, the Scarsdale Teen Center hosted another successful "Adult Night of Rock" event at the Wicked Wolf Tavern in White Plains. The event drew over 200 people as the community gathered to hear some great music and support a good cause.
Bands were ready to rock and roll that night, with a line up that included both students and parents in the Scarsdale community. The host of the evening, Jimmy Fink, is 107.1 The Peak’s disc jockey, and the father of three SHS alumni. First up was Scarsdale High School’s own Liberal Media, a jazz band comprised of juniors Roger Pellegrini, Scott Silberberg, Ethan Zornow and senior Andrés Zambrano-Bravo.
A former SHS alum band, the Offbeats also contributed their musical expertise to the night. The class of 1967 band featured Jay Shulman, John
“It was a Night of Rock to remember,” says Scarsdale Teen Center President, Margarita Meyer. “It was a night full of spirited support topped by a night of rock and roll.”
Other bands included John Zaff and the Bluberries featuring Mark Baldasssare, Ani Azoto, Marty Toub and Andy Berne, and Scarsdale's own Del Bocas, featuring Dave Cannon, Dan Groner, Erika Radin, Erik Wayne and Mike Pearson.
Many of the band members have continued to pursue their love of music with careers in the entertainment industry.
The Night of Rock also featured auctions and raffles with prizes like Yankee tickets and Lady Gaga VIP tickets. Other prizes included tickets to the ballet, an autographed guitar signed by Tom Petty, and a party at Space NK. Local merchants donated their wares to participate in a good cause. Donations included party planning, dog walking, tennis lessons, and a range of other exciting activities and opportunities.
For people who were not able to attend the event but would like to make a donation to the Teen Center, visit their website: at www.scarsdaleteencenter.com or call 914-722-8358.
Contributed by Alexandra Meyer, a 2010 graduate of Scarsdale High School who currently attends Colgate University.
Pictured at top: Erika Radin of the Del Bocas
Photos by Drew Kerr
A Look Through the Lens
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Some people get more done in one day than most of us can accomplish in one week. Edgemont resident Mariela Melamed, one of those lucky high-energy individuals, has been burning the midnight oil for the last six months to produce her seventh solo photography exhibition, “Feelings: A Photographic Non Sequential Narrative”, which runs from May 12- May 30, 2011 at the Piermont Gallery at 218 Ash Street, Piermont, N.Y.
Mariela’s focus is on fine art photography and commercial portraiture, shooting either indoors in her studio or outdoors. Her technique expresses the lingering effect that our emotions have on ourselves and on others as intense feelings forever shape our personality and character. Sentiments are erratic, illogical and non-sequential. The beauty of Melamed’s non-sequential narrative is that it portrays feelings as isolated and unconnected patterns of thought. It is the viewer who must connect the emotions in his or her mind. The art, just like emotion is pure, unrehearsed and natural.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mariela came to New York with her husband, Gabriel, shortly after receiving her six-year degree in Architecture and Urban Planning in 1989 from the University of Buenos Aires. Mariela studied photography at the International Center for Photography in New York City and at the Westchester Art Workshop. Professionally, she continues to divide her time between architecture and photography.
“Feelings: A Photographic Non Sequential Narrative” runs from May 12- May 30, 2011 at the Piermont Gallery located at 218 Ash Street, 
Piermont, N.Y. (845) 398-1907. Gallery hours are Thursday and Sundays from 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.. The artist’s reception will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. To view Mariela’s work, visit www.marielamelamedphotography.com
