Bruce has served as coordinator of the weekly Cadbury Residents Association Center Stage Performances at Cadbury's flagship community in South Jersey since March and plans to continue bringing in bands or solo musicians as well as the the occasional magician and impressionist for shows throughout 2015. Bruce is also president of the Cadbury Residents Association, which involves residents in more than 20 committees, including a movie committee, decorating committee, news and views group, entertainment committee, etc. The Monday night performances have made Cadbury Senior Lifestyles, Cherry Hill's main lobby a happening place to be for community residents and their guests nearly every Monday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"People seem to really like it and look forward to it," said Bruce, who resides in the independent living area of the community with Sharon Zollers, his wife of 24 years. Among the more popular choices for musicians performing at the Cherry Hill community have been artists who have covered the works of Irving Berlin, the Dorsey Brothers and, of course, New Jersey native Frank Sinatra (who often visited the community when it was a lounge). More recently, music-loving residents have enjoyed Christmas carols, the occasional Beatles song and, and in a couple weeks, residents should plan to dust off their line-dancing boots for a country band called Rhythm and Song that is scheduled to play at the community.
Cadbury Director of Activities Agnes Tan, who will collaborate with Bruce by booking shows during alternate weeks in 2015, said they work hard to make sure all musical genres are represented. If jazz or something upbeat doesn’t appeal to a Cadbury resident, they are sure to find something to suit their tastes—everything from Irish, choral and classical music is planned for the not-to-distant future. Agnes said residents relay that they enjoy the convenience of these events so close to their front doors.
Bruce, who grew up in nearby Haddonfield and spent some of his adult years in Alabama and Virginia before “coming home,” said he has been delighted by the fun he’s had working on the program. The experience has been his first foray into volunteering as a booking agent. "I really enjoy it," he said. "I get to meet a lot of people."
His involvement also helped add fuel to his own passion for music … as a musician. He started playing the banjo about three years before moving to the community, and being around so many artists has inspired him to seriously practice his craft, though he jokes that he "plays at the banjo." In fact, he'll be playing his banjo with a yet-unnamed Irish band that has two planned shows, including a Cadbury Residents Association Center Stage Performance at Cadbury Senior Lifestyles, Cherry Hill. But his inspiration doesn’t stop there: He's also taken up piano lessons in recent months.
"That I just do for my own fun," he said of playing instruments. "I just really enjoy music."
Bruce, who grew up in nearby Haddonfield and spent some of his adult years in Alabama and Virginia before “coming home,” said he has been delighted by the fun he’s had working on the program. The experience has been his first foray into volunteering as a booking agent. "I really enjoy it," he said. "I get to meet a lot of people."
His involvement also helped add fuel to his own passion for music … as a musician. He started playing the banjo about three years before moving to the community, and being around so many artists has inspired him to seriously practice his craft, though he jokes that he "plays at the banjo." In fact, he'll be playing his banjo with a yet-unnamed Irish band that has two planned shows, including a Cadbury Residents Association Center Stage Performance at Cadbury Senior Lifestyles, Cherry Hill. But his inspiration doesn’t stop there: He's also taken up piano lessons in recent months.
"That I just do for my own fun," he said of playing instruments. "I just really enjoy music."
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