FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Kismet Performing Artists Theatre presents the Neil Simon classic comedy, Barefoot in the Park!

Dates: March 7, March 8, March 9, March 14, March 15, and March 16

Join newlyweds Paul and Corie as they navigate the ups and downs of marriage in a tiny apartment in the heart of New York City in 1963.  Can a straight-laced lawyer and a fun-loving free spirit make marriage work?  This charming romantic comedy promises plenty of laughs, heart, and a few surprises!  

The production will see Kismet returning to the Clifton Arts Center for six performances: March 7, March 8, March 9, March 14, March 15, and March 16. Tickets are $40 plus fees when purchased in advance and $45 plus fees if purchased at the door. All seating is assigned upon purchase of tickets. 

You can buy tickets and learn more about the play by visiting Kismet Performing Artists Theatre at kismettheatre.org or calling 973-559-3276. 

Opening Friday, March 7 and running for two weekends, Barefoot in the Park is directed by Kathleen Kellaigh. It stars Devon Borkowski as Corie Bratter, Devon Wells as Paul Bratter, Elisa Tornow as Corie’s mother, Barry Roy as the eccentric neighbor Velasco, Kelvin Diaz as the Telephone Man, and Stephen Burke as the Delivery Man. Tara Freifeld is stage manager, with Judi Niebuhr and Becky Woodward sharing the bill as assistant stage managers. Set design, set build, and sound design will all be led by Kurt Irizarry, with Ken Kida joining for set build. Additionally, the artwork of Devon Borkowski will be exhibited in the gallery and atrium during the run of the show. 

Kismet Performing Artists Theatre is a theatre company built and inspired by artists. The company was founded in 2020 with the purpose of cultivating a broader appreciation of the world as they produce theatre that entertains, educates, and enriches their audiences.  This production is a joint fundraiser with Clifton Arts Center, Inc., the nonprofit organization that supports the Arts Center.

 Join us for an afternoon filled with festive music and a holiday themed reception from our  sponsor JK Realty!  The performance includes classic Christmas carols, heartwarming holiday songs and Hanukkah favorites.

Plus see the Clifton Quarantine Station exhibit while you're here!

Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door

Senior discount $3: Use code “Senior” at checkout online. 

To pay by check drop off payment to the Arts Center in advance with the form below or call 973-472-5499. 

Featuring the music of

One More Once Big Band led by Joey V & Tim Hayward 

Includes Italian tapas from T's Tastes, Wine, Dessert and Tricky Tray

Tickets are $65 online

Senior discount $3: Use code “Senior” at checkout online. Limited seating available, tickets will not be sold at the door.

Presented by 

Bob Ferrel and Vinnie Cutro, 

International Touring & recording Artists and 

Michael Devecka who records with the Thomas Edison National Historical Site

Learn how phonographs work at a live wax cylinder recording session! See in action late 19th-century acoustical recording techniques. Plus view antique phonographs by Edison’s competition, The Victor Company. 

Tickets are $12 online in advance, $15 at the door

Senior discount $3: Use code “Senior” at checkout online or at the door

Limited seating available, online tickets sales close 8/16

The Clifton Arts Center is excited to welcome Clifton native Chris Opperman to perform works from his original solo piano albums, with special guest Julie Krygsman on trombone.

Dr. Chris Opperman is an award-winning composer, top orchestrator and arranger, a dedicated educator, and a trusted advisor for an incredible cross-section of the music industry. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Opperman has performed with and/or orchestrated music for industry luminaries including Grammy-award winning guitarist Steve Vai, virtuoso musician Mike Keneally and former Duran Duran/Missing Persons guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, among many others. Opperman played piano on two of Steve Vai's Grammy-nominated compositions both nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Since starting his Purple Cow Records label in 1998, Dr. Opperman has released six prior albums and three EP’s. With AWR Music, Dr. Opperman has worked on several national and international orchestral and chamber music tours including Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY, The Beach Boys Holiday Vibrations Orchestra Tour, several Mannheim Steamroller Christmas tours, and Undertale LIVE. Dr. Opperman’s arrangements with AWR and others have been performed by renowned and accomplished orchestras at premiere venues which include Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Tokyo International Forum, and more.

Dr. Opperman holds a Ph. D. In Music Composition and has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses on music. He joins us at the Clifton Arts Center to perform originals from his solo piano albums and others including works by Olivier Messiaen, Phillip Schroeder, Ann Southam, and Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.

Julie Krygsman is a freelance trombonist in addition to an aerial musician and has performed alongside acts including Maroon 5 and Cirque du Soleil. She is the Assistant Marching Band Director at Cresskill High School in New Jersey and coach in residence for The New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The Clifton Arts Center is planning a series of music fundraisers featuring a variety of genres this June through December! 

Woe! Misery! Children’s Theater!
Performance dates May 31st - June 2nd and June 7-9th

Kismet Performing Artists Theatre is excited to bring their newest production to Clifton. Woe! Misery! Children’s Theater! is a brand new play from award-winning playwright Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend.  This play for grown-ups is a comedy with a twist, that presents the backstage story of a traveling theatre troupe. Produced by Judi Niebuhr and directed by Kathleen Kellaigh. The play stars Tanvi Jani from Jersey City, Pamela Yachouh from New Milford, and C. W. Robertson from Clifton and Brooke Kaye from Wayne. Tara Freifeld is stage manager, Devin Sogluizzo is assistant stage manager, set design and build as well as sound are by Kurt Irizarry, and lighting and lighting design are by Maz Sailer. 

Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is an award-winning playwright, a member of the Dramatists Guild, and President of the Board of Arts For All. Kismet Performing Artists Theatre is a theatre company built and inspired by artists. The company was founded in 2020 with the purpose of cultivating a broader appreciation of the world through theatre that entertains, educates, and enriches their audiences. Learn more at kismettheatre.org or call 973-559-3276.  

Deadline for Submission: Dec. 15, 2023

Awards Reception: January 13, 2024

Clifton Arts Center, Inc. held its first photo contest fundraiser, to learn more and viewing the winning photos, click here.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to Support the Arts in Clifton!

Three full house audiences enjoyed the musical ensemble of vocalists Dorothy Dobkowski, Mingo Long, Kim Mesiti and Jason Tamashausky, led by musical director Jalmari Vanamo singing Broadway hits along with a reception.

Clifton Arts Center, Inc. hosts an annual city wide garage sale fundraiser, in conjunction with a Tag Sale at the Arts Center run by volunteers. 

During the pandemic, Clifton Arts Center, Inc. opened an online product store with a portion of all sales benefiting the Arts Center.

The 10th Annual Fundraiser with special guest Bill Ervolino was held at the Upper Montclair Country Club, Sunday Oct. 20th.