The Scene: November 2021

The Scene
By Jane Harrison
November 2021

There is so much happening with artist friends of mine from all over that I’ve decided to devote this column to their works.

My New Jersey friend, WHEELER ANTABANEZ, has just released another book, a pictorial of the sights he came across as he walked the abandoned rail tracks of New Jersey entitled WALKING THE NEWARK BRANCH. I thoroughly enjoyed his THE OLD ASYLYUM AND OTHER STORIES, which was borne out of his many trespassing ventures into the abandoned OVERLOOK ASYLUM in Cedar Grove, New Jersey which was not too far from where I lived.

The asylum – or hospital, which is how they wish it to be known– has now been razed. Wheeler’s book is kind of spooky, sad, but always intriguing. His 13 FROM THE SWAMP explored the tales from Passaic River lore. I lived across the street from that river. What I really like about his books is you don’t have to have lived in the Garden State to enjoy them. And even if I didn’t know him, I’d be buying these books. You can find them on Amazon.

My very dear friend, CHARLES E. GERBER, whom I met when I lived in Manhattan, only to find that we had traveled in the same circles when we both lived in Chicago but had never met, has a new review for SPLASH MAGAZINES. His latest review is of the recently restored HESTER STREET, restored in 4K by the Cohen Media Group which opened at THE QUAD at 34 West 13th Street in Manhattan and the NUART in Los Angeles October 1 for a limited run. SPLASH MAGAZINES is an Arts magazine (not to be confused with the magazine by the same name which deals with all sports in water), is strictly digital, and can be found here: https://splashmags.com

And now a little closer to home, our own JIMMY DIPRIMA, harp (harmonica) player par excellence, is also a terrific song writer. You may remember me talking about a song he’d forwarded to me in its raw form to get my opinion. And if you know Jimmy, he has a great sense of humor. The song, STEAK TO BOLOGNA, was released this week by the C.D. Brothers, and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Shazam. If you need a smile, give this a listen. You may have to shell out a bit of cash for the full 4.3 minutes, but I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Get a taste for free at distrokid.com.

There is a rather important musical group coming to the Casino on October 30. They’re called the MIDNIGHT CALLERS. I don’t know much about them except they have a recording contract and that they are friends of a good friend who turned me on to them. The last time a performer who was under contract came through here was the great MURALI CORYELL who performed at the HEARTBEAT MUSIC HALL OF GRAHAMSVILLE the summer before COVID. So, I’ll be heading there ($20 bill in hand for the slots because…well, you just have to.).

New York State has a new and improved COVID information website. It’s very user-friendly, and it was easy to find the percentage of vaccinated per hamlet. As of last week, Hurleyville was only at 36%. Pretty dismal. I’m well aware that one cannot change the minds of those who are adamant, so just please, take all the precautions you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. This thing is NOT over.

Stay well, stay safe and stay masked! Until next time…