editor ’ sletter
For those who love storytelling — and who among usdoesn ’ t ? — fall is the most wonderful time of the year in these parts . First , there ’ s the Montclair Film Festival , which returns for its eleventh season . We welcome Beth Gottung , the new co-head executive director ofMontclair Film , who shares leadership with MF ’ s longtime executive director-turnedartistic director , Tom Hall . Meet her and learn about all the movies and panels you ’ re going to want tosee in “ The Montclair Film Experience .”
In this issue , we explore other ways artists share moving stories , too . Bloomfield resident Lisa Vettoso , whose resume includes work atthe Carnegie Hall CINDY and American Repertory Ballet , SCHWEICH
HANDLER talks about her work asexecutive director ofLiterature toLife , anonprofit that sends professional actors to perform hourlong adaptations ofbooks such as The Giver at theaters , schools and other settings . If you prefer to hold great books inyour hands , you ’ ll want to know about Hester . The page turner brings to life America ’ s “ original badass single mother ,” Hester Prynne , as imagined by local author Laurie Lico Albanese .
You ’ ll also meet Rafe Gomez , aMontclair resident whose Twitch channel , Danceteria REWIND , pays homage tothe great New York City club where Madonna , Cyndi Lauper , Sade , Billy Idol , Run-DMC and other stars of the ’ 80s music scene danced the night away . Somuch to see , hear and feel , and so little time , Montclair . Enjoy . ■
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MAGAZINE
FALL 2022
PUBLISHED BY North Jersey Media Group
advertising VICE PRESIDENT – SALES Kim Gergel
DIRECTOR – SALES
Jeramiah Martin ( 973 ) 569-7237
editorial
NEW JERSEY STATE EDITOR / USA TODAY NETWORK Hollis R . Towns
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dan Sforza
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Flynn
EDITOR Cindy Schweich Handler
handler @ northjersey . com | montclair @ northjersey . com
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CONTRIBUTORS Jim Beckerman , Esther Davidowitz , Julia Martin
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BACK ISSUES Back issues of Montclair Magazine can be purchased online by visiting www . shoptherecord . com / montclairmag . All contents © 2022 North Jersey Media Group . All rights reserved . No portion of Montclair Magazine may be reproduced without permission .
ON THE COVER
Please recycle this magazine .
MONTCLAIR FILM CO-DIRECTORS BETH GOTTUNG AND TOM HALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MITSU YASUKAWA
2 FALL 2022 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE