A holiday benefit with Frankie Avalon...and friends

Rowan University gets a “gift” for the holiday season when Frankie Avalon, one of the “Golden Boys” of popular music, headlines an effort to support the arts on campus at the 3rd Annual Marie F. Rader Memorial Fund benefit concert, “GOLDEN DAYS OF YORE: A Holiday Musical Event” on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall.

An entertainment icon, Avalon will present festive evening of seasonal music and popular song in a concert that kicks off a new series of performances and educational programming presented by the College of Performing Arts. Avalon shares the bill with some student talent as well, with appearances by Rowan’s Jazz Band and Concert Choir, along with faculty and guest performers.

From teen idol to international icon

One of America’s most popular entertainers, Avalon has gone from ‘50s teen idol to international icon. Born in Philadelphia, he started as a trumpet player before becoming a recording artist after a family friend heard him sing and got him a record deal. A string of hits followed, including one of the biggest selling records of the era, “Venus.” His musical success took him to Hollywood and film stardom with roles in such classics as “Beach Blanket Bingo,” “The Alamo” with John Wayne, “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” and “Grease.” As a solo concert performer, he has appeared in every major country and, with neighborhood friends Fabian and Bobby Rydell, has toured the world as one of “The Golden Boys” since 1985. A successful businessman as well, Avalon can be seen regularly on the Home Shopping Network on behalf of his company, Avalon Products.

Benefit concert tickets start at $30, with discounts available for seniors, non-Rowan students, alumni, staff and military. Purchase online at rowan.tix.com or call the box office at 856-256-4545. Pfleeger Concert Hall located in Wilson Hall on Rowan’s Glassboro campus. Rowan student tickets are free, but should be reserved in advance by phone.

"This fund started in conjunction with one of our opera productions several years ago by some wonderful folks we affectionately refer to as the ‘Friends of Marie Rader,’” states John Pastin, Dean of the College of Performing Arts.

Honoring Marie F. Rader

The Marie F. Rader Memorial Fund was established in 2008 in the name of the late arts advocate as a way to expand artistic programming at Rowan. The fund supports efforts to bring world-renowned performers to campus, enhancing the cultural life of the university community and the wider region, while continuing to support faculty and student endeavors.

“Proceeds from events like this will enable us to continue to bring outstanding professionals here to interact with our students, as well as entertain,” Pastin adds. “It is our desire to run several performances each year in the name of Marie Rader."

Array of performances

In that vein, the 2015 Marie F. Rader Presenting Series debuts in January 2015 and offers an array of experiences in music, theatre, dance and more.

Brooklyn-based Concrete Temple Theatre is a multi-disciplinary company that presents Gepetto: Extraordinary Extremities, a new production that shares more than a character’s name and profession with a fairy tale. The play also focuses on a longing for magic and a wish for a transformative power that could kindle life where it is lacking. The public performance is Friday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m. in Tohill Theatre, with master classes on Friday, Jan. 23 at noon and 2 p.m.

From Sinatra to the Stones: The Gala Concert at the 45th Annual Rowan Jazz Festival continues the series and features renowned trombonist Mike Davis, who has performed with Ol’ Blue Eyes and The Rolling Stones, and many others in-between. The concert, which includes Rowan University faculty and students, takes place on Friday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall. Davis will also be part of the festival’s daily clinics for student musicians from throughout the region on Feb. 11, 12 and 13. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Council on the Arts.

LeeSaar The Company was established in 2000 by Lee Sher and Saar Harari in New York City and uses the different disciplines and training of theatre and dance to create original dance performances. At Rowan, they offer an “Open Rehearsal” on Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall, in addition to a master class and creation workshop the same day from 2-5 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall

The series concludes with Afro Bop Alliance on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall. Recipients of two Grammy Awards, Afro Bop’s influences come from the musical styles of many different cultures fused together under the umbrella of “Latin” or “Latin Jazz”. The band’s focus is to blend all of these styles and musical traditions with each member’s jazz experiences to forge their own sound. They also offer a master class on April 24 at 2 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall.

Tickets for performances in the series are $15, general admission; and $12, seniors/non-Rowan students/staff/alumni. Rowan student tickets are FREE with valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at rowan.tix.com. For additional information, email arts@rowan.edu. Master classes and clinics are free and open to the public; seating is by availability on a first-come, first-served basis.