BACK HOME IN HOPEWELL – THEATER HIRES NEW TALENT BOOKER

*Courtesy photos provided

Meet “Briz”, Hopewell Theater’s latest addition to the talent scene!  Briz enthusiastically joins HT not only because of his love and daily involvement with music on all levels but it’s originally growing up in Hopewell New Jersey that he attributes forming his original appreciation and drive for the arts!

Briz, has made a career performing behind a microphone singing original songs as well as covers with his “Voices of Rock” and “Shakey” shows; the latter a tribute to Neil Young, and the former a tribute to multiple rock musicians, (Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, James Taylor, David Bowie and more).  In addition to performing, the past few years Briz has taken to the business side of the industry as a music booker. His initial foray into presenting artists began at the Stockton Inn where then-owner Fred Strackhouse tapped him as the legendary Inn’s house musician and music booker for their “Storytellers” music series bringing in local and regional musicians from the NJ & PA area.  After the sale of the Inn, Briz became resident artist at Salt Gastropub in Byram, NJ where he presented bi-monthly shows with national acts, including notable artists such as Melanie, David Johansen, Dan Bern, Peter Tork, Patty Larkin, Denny Laine, Kate Taylor, Hilton Valentine, Jeffrey Gaines and many more, all aiding in making the Salt Stage a “must stop” for touring professionals.

When asking Briz on being back home In Hopewell, he clearly states, “I'm so excited to be working with the wonderful folks at The Hopewell Theater as their music booker, especially as we share the mutual vision to bring distinct, quality entertainment to Hopewell and the surrounding area.  I feel a great connection that runs deep here in Hopewell, it’s where I was raised and where my musical ambitions awakened!  With the Hopewell Theater, we have a great opportunity to augment an already vigorous music scene and with so many talented local, regional, national and international acts that either live nearby or pass through this quaint and culturally rich part of New Jersey, all contributing to us offering an endless stream of varied and brilliant shows. The Hopewell Theater will offer some of the same classic performers that have been showcased at nearby venues but more importantly, we also hope to present new and less well known, yet equally talented musicians. Taking it back home here with my greatest memories of Hopewell, my first live performance was with Hopewell Valley High School bandmates, the Green River Ordinance over at the old Hopewell Train Station, this memorable time has an element of irony, as trains seem to be a common thread running through the tracks of my life - my first CD was called "Ivyland Special" as well as two songs I wrote for the Norfolk Southern Railroad "Raise Em Up" and "Rollin Out Again" which has nearly 100,000 YouTube views - How cool is it that 45 years later, I return to a workplace that is within walking distance of the old train station that inspired me and set my career forward.

With the much-anticipated opening of the newly designed Hopewell Theater, Briz looks forward to continuing his exciting routine of bringing quality music for all ages through a variety of genres to such an intimate venue.  He’s especially excited about the future of the theater thanks to the solid and creative vision of production partners Sara Scully and Mitchel Skolnick, and he's particularly happy about having the regular privilege to re-acquaint himself with the charming hamlet of Hopewell Boro where he grew up.

Current day you can also catch Briz during any given moment in the area playing his passion with fellow, local musician friends, Jim Popick, LisaBeth Weber, Kati Kertesz, Gerard Dutka, Dan McCloskey, and Tina Margot.

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