Fall marks the start of theatre season at the Camden Waterfront, ushering in the variety of rich cultural performances offered annually at the South Jersey Performing Arts Center, Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts and the Tweeter Center.

Presenting world-class jazz, theatre, dance, literary and visual arts, the Camden Waterfront has it all! Whether you're looking for a glimpse of early America, an exhibit of mind-inspiring works of art, an evening of soul-stirring theatre or the thrill of live music, you're journey ends at the Camden Waterfront!

And while the New Jersey State Aquarium closes temporarily to get "bigger, better and wetter," families are sure to enjoy the many other Camden Waterfront attractions that offer fun all-year-round, including the Battleship New Jersey and the Camden Children's Garden. But be sure to return in May of 2005 when the Camden Waterfront will be swimming and soaring, as sharks, hippopotamuses, free-flying birds and sea life from around the world converge when Adventure Aquarium opens in May 2005 on the site of the former New Jersey State Aquarium.

In the meantime, Camden Waterfront events this fall include:

ARTS & CULTURE

The newly formed CityArts On Stage, a partnership between Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts and South Jersey Performing Arts Center, touts a season brimming with a stunning array of theater, music, dance, and family entertainment. Fall performances include:

Twelfth Night

Aquila Theatre Compan

Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 p.m.

RCCA, Gordon Theater @ Rutgers-Camden

$19 & $24

A celebration of romantic love, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night has many of the elements common to classic Elizabethan romantic comedy: mistaken identity, gender-crossing disguise, and overcoming the obstacles to "true" love. A shipwreck separates twins, Viola and Sebastian. Viola is cast ashore in Illyria where, believing Sebastian drowned and fearing for her own safety, she disguises herself as a man... as the plot thickens.

The Invisible Man

Aquila Theater Company

Thursday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.

RCCA, Gordon Theater @ Rutgers-Camden

$19 & $24

H.G. Wells' chilling and thrilling tale of terror and suspense endures as one of the signature stories in science fiction literature. A brilliant scientist uncovers the secret to invisibility, but his grandiose dreams and the power he unleashes cause him to spiral into intrigue, madness, and murder.

Putumayo's Latinas

Saturday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.

RCCA, Gordon Theater @ Rutgers-Camden

$14 & $19

Putumayo, America's premier independent world-music label, presents a concert celebration of the soulful and inspirational music of Latin American women. Columbia, Chile, and Brazil are beautifully represented by the rich texture and power of Latin music by three brilliant singers, Toto' La Momposina, Mariana Montalvo, and Belo Velloso.

Fred Hammond

Friday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m.

SJPAC, Walter Rand Theater @ The Tweeter Center

$24 & $29

Award-winning gospel recording artist and producer Fred Hammond is one of the architects behind the new phenomenon in gospel music: urban-influenced praise and worship. He is one of gospel music's elite, known for his soaring voice as well as his production and songwriting talents. With 10 hit albums under his belt, Hammond has had more number one radio songs than any artist in gospel music. He has toured around the world and blessed thousands and his reach continues to grow. Hammond's dynamic, powerful and vibrant performance will defy any listener to stay in their seats.

Koresh Dance Company

Sunday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.

RCCA, Gordon Theater @ Rutgers-Camden;

$14 & $19

Renowned for their powerful stage presence and high-energy style, Philadelphia's Koresh Dance Company is being hailed as an electrifying player on the national dance stage. Israeli choreographer Ronen Koresh presents an exhilarating blend of jazz, modern, and ballet to create works that are both eloquent and explosive. The company's provocative style keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with works that can be dark and intense or lighthearted and fantastical.

The events listed above will occur at either SJPAC's Studio Theater and the Rand Theater at the Tweeter Center along the Camden Waterfront, or the 660-seat Gordon Theater on the Rutgers-Camden campus, which recently underwent a $700,000 facelift. Other perks to the CityArts On Stage theater experience include the continuation of TalkBack Caf? following each evening performance when audience members are encouraged to interact with performers while enjoying fresh-baked pastries and gourmet coffee beverages from Camden's own, City Coffee. For tickets call the CityArts On Stage box office at (856) 225-2700.

Other upcoming cultural events at Camden Waterfront attractions include:

The Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center presents the James Dupree Exhibit Opening on Friday, September 17th from 5 to 9 p.m. Mr. Dupree's work is exhibited in museums and art galleries around the world, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, African American Museum and others. Exhibit runs through Monday, November 15.

Then enjoy the sounds of Latin jazz band, Don Adolfo and His Orchestra on Friday, October 22nd at 8 p.m., and be sure to mark your calendars for October appearances by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Koumenyakaa and New York writer and lecturer Hugh Seidman; and a performance of God's Trombones in November. (Dates and times TBA). Ticket prices for all shows at Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center are $10 for general admission and $5 for members.

CONCERTS

String Cheese Incident performs with special guests Ratdog, on Friday, November 26th and Saturday, November 27th at 7:30 p.m. All seating is indoors as this state-of-the-art amphitheater converts to a full-enclosed performance venue. Tickets for all seats are $33.

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Battleship New Jersey Regatta Freeholder's Cup Race on Saturday, September 18th at 3 p.m. beginning at Wiggins Park Marina.

The "Big J" will be dressed in pink lighting for the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Be sure to visit for the Fall Fest on Saturday, October 9th and "Jamboree on the Air", the Battleship's radio room which will host scout troops from South Jersey to participate in a ham-radio Jamboree Saturday, October 16th - Sunday, October 17th.

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

The Camden Children's Garden will host "Goblins in the Garden" from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Halloween, Sunday, October 31st. Kids and parents are invited to join Mum Bear, wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy a howling good time. Take a Haunted Train Ride. Dodge costumed characters that surprise you at every turn in our Haunted Maze AND more.

The Battleship New Jersey will host special Halloween-themed simulator rides throughout the month of October. The new 4D Flight Simulator ride allows visitors to "Fly" a Seahawk plane launched from the fantail of the Battleship, soar over the island of Iwo Jima and evade anti-aircraft fire. Then riders can engage an enemy plane in a dogfight and land on the water next to the Battleship. The flight simulator is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets are available at the Battleship box office for $6.50, or just $5.00 when purchased together with a Battleship tour.

JUST FOR KIDS

Get ready for Mum Madness and the Pumpkin Parade at Camden Children's Garden on Saturday, October 9th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Join this salute to Autumn with games, crafts and entertainment, and for a small fee you can purchase and paint a pumpkin to take home.

Be sure to return to the Camden Children's Garden for the Train Festival on Saturday, November 13th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., a nostalgic display of model trains alongside Camden Children's Garden's own, permanently mounted G-scale display and Arrow Rive Train Ride.

GETTING HERE

The Camden Waterfront is conveniently located along the Delaware River, in the heart of the greater Philadelphia region, and getting to these events is now easier than ever with the PATCO Speedline and the new RiverLINE light rail system.

PATCO Speedline offers fast, comfortable and reliable alternatives to traffic congestion and parking fees around-the-clock and every day of the week with connections to SEPTA, via its four stops in Center City Philadelphia, and NJ Transit, at its nine stops in New Jersey. Tickets can be purchased at each station with prices ranging from $1.30 to $2.45 based upon the distance you travel.

The River LINE rail service is new from NJ Transit and connects Trenton to Camden. It operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, Sundays and major holidays and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays' all at the affordable price of $1.10 per person for one-way travel.

Visitors traveling to the Camden Waterfront by car will find that it is easily accessible to and from Interstates 95 and 76, the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes, and Routes 295, 70 73, 130 and 38.

For more information about any of the events listed in this release, call the Camden Waterfront Marketing Bureau at 856-757-9400 or log onto www.camdenwaterfront.com