The 2014 Christmas decorations at Drumthwacket will showcase New Jersey’s vibrant cultural arts community, First Lady Mary Pat Christie announced today. This year’s theme, “Fantasy through the Arts,” features a unique partnership between The Garden Club of New Jersey, New Jersey Ballet Company, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
“The holidays at Drumthwacket are a timeless tradition that the Governor and I enjoy very much,” said First Lady Mary Pat Christie. “We are so fortunate to have such a strong and vibrant cultural arts community represented in part, by our collaborative organizations, which bring excellence in dance, music and theatre to audiences throughout the Garden State. This year, we are especially pleased that visitors to the historic residence will have the opportunity to experience the collective artistry of these fine groups.”
Once again, the Garden Club of New Jersey has contributed countless hours of work to adorn the Governor’s Official Residence for the holidays. Club members have been working since summer to create and design arrangements to compliment this year’s theme, Fantasy through the Arts. Participating Garden Club members are: Dogwood Garden Club, Essex Fells Garden Club, Keyport Garden Club, Mountain Lake Garden Club, Shrewsbury Garden Club, Warren Garden Club and West Trenton Garden Club.
The Drumthwacket Foundation Holiday Open Houses, which are open to the public, are scheduled for Wednesday, December 10; Sunday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 16.
Reservations are required and can be made at http://www.drumthwacket.org/visit/open-houses. School field trips and groups of more than fifteen people should contact 609-683-0057, extension #5.
“Fantasy through the Arts” includes the following display presentations located throughout the first floor of the Governor’s Official residence:
Foyer (Presented by New Jersey Ballet Company and the Essex Fells Garden Club): Mannequins dressed in costumes from the New Jersey Ballet Company’s production of Coppelia welcome visitors to the ballet’s enchanted, rustic setting designed by the Essex Fells Garden Club. The décor celebrates the story behind Coppelia’s three acts: the Harvest, the Toy Shop and the Wedding. Essex Fells school children created the hand crafted wooden decorations which adorn the holiday tree and banister with garlands of wheat.
Dining Room (Presented by New Jersey Ballet Company and the Mountain Lakes Garden Club): While graceful ballerinas pirouette in their enchanted forest, pointe shoes peek out from a cloud of tulle below the glistening tree and sideboards overflowing with magical treats. The Garden Club of Mountain Lakes is delighted to bring Swan Lake to life using feathers and tulle in shades of white, black and ballerina blush, highlighted by the gorgeous tutus donated by the New Jersey Ballet Company. True to this fantasy, Odette and Odile might even make an appearance!
Parlor (Presented by The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and the Keyport Garden Club): Taking cues from the costumes from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the Keyport Garden Club is “cloaking” the parlor in mystery, sparkles and winter delight. The costumes selected for display have been chosen not only for their wonderful stage designs and fabrics, but because of their fantastical qualities. All emanate a wonderful sense of mystery and power. Keyport Garden Club collected bits of organic materials from New Jersey’s bay shores to enhance the décor and capture the island spirit of The Tempest.
Music Room (Presented by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the West Trenton Garden Club with designs by David Mitchell, Still Life Event Design,NJ): Bravo! Mr. Francis Scott Key, even after 200 years, you never looked so good as your National Anthem: “The Star Spangled Banner,” still rings true today! In honor of this patriotic song, the Music Room is transformed into a musical fantasy complete with a holiday tree spun from sheet music and accoutrements made from recycled materials central to West Trenton Garden Club’s environmentally conscious “Choices Make Changes” theme.
Library (Presented by Paper Mill Playhouse, Short Hills, NJ and Dogwood Garden Club of Princeton): Escape into fin de siècle Paris where mannequins dressed in sumptuous costumes from the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Can-Can greet visitors with a joie de vivre that only the gaiety of the holidays at the turn of the century can bring. Festively adorned and lit trees reflect the energy of the “sky’s the limit” atmosphere at the time.
Governors Study (Presented by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Shrewsbury Garden Club): A musical fantasy is brought to life with violins hand-painted by New Jersey artists tucked among the book shelves and gifts in festive wrapping strewn around a holiday tree perched on the Governor’s desk.
Drumthwacket Foundation
Founded in 1982, the Drumthwacket Foundation is non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to increase a sense of pride in New Jersey by preserving the Drumthwacket properties and broadening access, furthering awareness and support of the Foundation and its activities. The Foundation’s educational outreach to schools is the Discover Drumthwacket field trip program, which offers the unique combination of the teaching of state history and promoting understanding of state government and public service.
To learn more about Drumthwacket, the Governor’s Official Residence, visit www.drumthwacket.org/
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