The first ever Hackensack River StoryNight promises to be a magical event that celebrates local waterways and honors the role they play in nurturing and sustaining our communities.  

Against the setting of a beautiful old stone chapel and its scenic grounds, local river protection advocates will tell stories relating their experiences with the land and the people sharing our water resources. Performers Kevin Wright of Bergen County Historical Society; Captain Bill Sheehan of Hackensack Riverkeeper; Mike Trepicchio of Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission; Martus Granirer of West Branch Conservation Association; and Mark Becker and Lori Charkey of Bergen SWAN will regale the audience with their personal adventures that took place on one or more stream within the Hackensack River Watershed.   

Between scheduled speakers, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Greg Remaud of NY/NJ Baykeeper, will offer members of the audience the opportunity to share their own river-related stories.  

Throughout StoryNight, participants will enjoy water-inspired musical improvisations by renowned performers of acoustic music.  The musicians will play in concert with a soundscape of Hackensack River streams, waterfalls, and spillways, recorded this summer by Theatre Maker Will MacAdams, and Bergen SWAN’s Barton Knight and Lori Charkey.   

Providing another highlight of the event, several local artists will display and offer for sale works inspired by Hackensack R. watershed and other regional waterways.  The works, including paintings, mixed media, photography, and mobiles will be set against the backdrop of the church’s outdoor stone cloister and gardens.  A portion of proceeds from sold works will benefit Bergen SWAN. 

The event is sponsored by Bergen SWAN and the Bergen County Historical 
Society. Tickets are $25/person and cover the cost of the show plus free refreshments and informational materials. Seating is limited, so advance reservations are recommended.  To register or for more information, call 201-666-1877, write [email protected], or go to www.bergenswan.org.  Proceeds will benefit Bergen SWAN to advance their environmental education and restoration work in the Hackensack River Watershed and beyond.