Health and Wellness classes to begin at Arts at St. John’s, Tuesday July 17th. Free Preview Tuesday July10th.

A.S.J. artists in Union City want you take a good look at yourself, inside and out.    

By co-contributor Melissa Murray-Mutch

 You may remember me as the character of “Franceline” in the last Revival of the Arts Cabaret back in May.   She was the West Indian, highly skilled, union-usher, who co-hosted the event along with the Donavon Ensemble.  She is a character I've written who is alive and well in a solo show called "Obnoxious". I’d like to consider myself “alive and well”  too but I’m at the age where I’m constantly questioning every little ache and pain and considering going back to school to receive a master's degree in "Internet Self-Diagnosis". I made that up.  I really am a professional actress, mother of two and struggling to hold on to the memory of a once fast metabolism.  Yes, it is indeed a memory never to return in its real form again. Okay, I can live with that. But can I live in Union City where one can’t escape the constant blare of the ice cream truck's repetitive music at every corner, at all hours of the day and night?   Okay, there’s a science-fiction movie in there, about a post-apocalyptic Hudson County town, where obesity is the norm and Mr. Softee is the Mayor and State Senator.  But who can resist the alluring scent of fresh baked bread and fruit tarts from both the Cuba and Argentinian bakeries? The beckoning call of Comidas Latinas…EVERYWHERE?

Yes, the food in U.C. is pretty kickass compared to our neighbors in Weehawken. And pretty darn cheap too! Typically, one can order two entrees at one’s favorite Latin joint and the meal could produce leftovers for days and days. There is never enough rice to dish out. Lot’s of rice and beans and meats seasoned to make you want to call home.  And oh, the sandwiches. The sandwiches!!! The Big Mac cannot compare to what’s between the buns of a Mexican sandwich:  steak, fried baloney, french fries, guac, cheese, ketchup and mayo all at once. My ldl cholesterol rises just thinking about it!!  It’s tasty stuff, high on starch but low on veggies.  I try to make it a point of having some kind of vegetable with every meal but sometimes I get so distracted by the large serving that I tend to have the “let it go” this time, attitude. This town ain’t exactly Berkeley, CA. There aren’t too many brown rice sides or organic-smoothie, soy-latte, gluten-free, vegan joints in Union City. Sometimes the take-out styrofoam containers might include a slice of avocado, a sliver of red onion and a large white, piece of iceberg lettuce leaf. But I digress, getting back to my wistful longing for my former self, I’m excited to spare you my troubles and get you readers excited about the Arts at St. John’s Health and Wellness Program!!! 

The artists and teachers, Joe Kolbow, Guinevere DiPiazza, Felix Gosse and Caridad Rivera have come to the rescue by not only throwing a cabaret every now and then but also to provide an escape from the over consumption of Union City cuisine. Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings, from July17th till September 4^th Arts at St. John’s will offer Stretch and Strength Aerial Lessons (Yes, aerial lessons suckahs!!) Kundalini Yoga, Meditation and Belly Dancing.  Best of all there is free preview class on Tuesday, July 10th and a free grand opening class on Tuesday, July 17^th. Free is quite a deal in these hard times and the deals are pretty amazing once you sign up for the summer long program.  Munch on that Berkeley!

You may also remember in the last Revival Cabaret me Belly Dancing alongside Caridad Rivera.  Yes, that was me shaking it in front of my two young children in skimpy clothes on a church alter. There’s something so wrong about that but what can you do? They’ll have to work it out in therapy, I suppose.   In any case what’s best about belly dancing is that you don’t have to look like America’s Next Top (anorexic) Model and you won’t get screamed at and you won’t have to have a tear jerky moment when you’ve lost a pound or two. You just get to wear a jingley skirt, be sexy and lose weight!! You also get top notch, teachers who provide group and private lessons who will do their best to tame those voices in your head without leaving the hood.  For more info click on to this link : www.stjohnsuc.com.