Local Commotion Walking History

Experience the "Miss'tory" in American History

Plus- American Made Musical Programs

P.O Box 34
Hazlet, NJ 07730
WalkingHistory1@yahoo.com

About Us

Kati Beddow Brower has always been knee deep in imagination. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where she started in theater and sang in local bands. She ventured out of Detroit to come to the Tri-State area. She took her theatrical training in NYC at HB Studios, Lee Strasberg and the New York Academy. While living in New York in the '70's, Kati was in a fledgling Actors/Writers/Directors group that produced a local cable show of works by new authors. Kati is an accomplished vocalist with a love for all music especially blues and jazz and has recording experience.   In the 1980s, while living in the Los Angeles area, she was lead singer of a rock group that played local clubs.

Beddow Brower and her family moved back East in 1986 where she participated in local theater productions. Kati created Local Commotion in the Fall of 1993.   As chief, cook and bottle washer, she does the research as well as the writing.   She's written, directed and produced plays in Michigan and Central Jersey theaters, and has performed throughout New Jersey and New York. For many years Kati has taught theater, improv and writing workshops.

Kati now makes her new home (2013) in Gouldsboro, PA with her wonderful husband and beautiful daughter. She just moved to PA from Matawan, NJ where she had lived over 20 years. She is a proud member of the National Women's History Project, the Matawan Historical Society, former Board member of Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation.

From 2006 to 2011, Kati had been the Educational Programming and Jazz and Blues Youth Project Director for the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation. For several years Kati's a capella group has sung at the JSJBF's Red Bank (NJ) Blues and Jazz Festival. Her musical programs shared on the Education stage she developed at festivals.

Since 2001- 2011 she had organized the educational stage at the JSBF festivals, procuring excellent mix of jazz and blues performers. Kati was also a committee member and representive on the JSJBF's Educational Programs and Jazz 'n' Blues in the Schools programs. She worked with 2 great educators and friends, Patti Wade and Everald Williams.

She is an artist and jewelry maker with a company she founded C'est Tout Handcrafted Jewelry and Art. While at Rutgers, Kati had her jewelry being sold at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum. That was an honor for her.

Her newest project is Heroes: A Definition. A documentary she wanted to make for many many years. AdHoc Company (productions) is the film company Kati is involved in.

Kati earned her Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University, Douglass College, Mary Bunting Program New Brunswick, NJ. She graduatied with honors. She Majored in History with a Minor in American Studies (Women’s Studies & African American) Ceremonies on Douglass College Campus. Commencement speaker Dr. Jane Goodall was awesome!

During her years at Rutgers University, Kati was a Mary Bunting Student Advisor. She made the 2004 Dean’s List, and in 2004-2005 was awarded the Lois Zapolsky Prize for Outstanding Participation in Sophia in recognition of Outstanding Achievement and Accomplishment. Kati was accepted the Phi Theta Alpha History Honor Society. She is a proud Member of Mary Bunting Sophia Club and Bunting Connections/ Douglas Connections. Kati will continue to work towards her Masters.

She continues to work and instruct youth in musical and theaterical performance with her PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE programs.

Kati loves what she does!

Our Performers

Kati is proud and honored to have these fabulously talented performers, presenters and friends join in Local Commotion's endeavors.

Diane Wran-Farris joined Local Commotion in 1999. Diane hails from Neptune, NJ and has a Masters in Education. She is a talented actress and vocalist. For many years, Diane was an admissions officer at Brookdale Community College. Her caring and nuturing work helped so many Brookdale students and helped them on their way to a higher education. SisterFriend Diane is such a wonderful and honored asset to Kati's company. Her friendship is cherished.

 Ms G is well known in Florida and as a Jersey Shore resident and entertainer. She performs not only as a singer, but an actress, too. Kati loves that she performs with Local Commotion's! G performs with her band Ms G & Da Guyz. Check them out for their unique mix of Blues, R&B, R&R, Popular music and some downright fun they call a “Bluesical Experience”. Since G is also a studio musician, you may find her name in the credits on some of your cd’s or perhaps you have one of hers. You may also be greeted by her as a museum docent or enjoy her performance in other venues as she fills a variety of roles in multiple entertainment endeavors on the East Coast USA.

A few COMMENTS:

Kati you are just great as Constance- we love you here at Deanne Porter Elementary School in Rumson (NJ)….
D. Berry, PTA (2004 to 2011)

Elizabeth Van Lew, the Southern spy was a big hit! You handled the Boy Scout troupe beautifully…
Patti, audience member, Brick Cultural Center, 2006

Your Blues and Jazz Queens program was fabulous and a wealth of information of the black women of the classic blues era…their lives ... their wonderful stories…

Dottie Ray, Sunrise Sr. Living Facility resident, 2006

Photos by friends and family- thank you so much for your great contribution to Local Commotion's website! Hugs!

Our Musical Performers

Kati is proud and honored to have these very talented musicians, presenters, and friends join Local Commotion's endeavors.

SISTERFRIENDS, a cappella:

Diane Wran-Farris has performed with NJs Cabaret for Life, and various musical venues.

Ms G resides in Bradley Beach, NJ. She performs not only as a singer (Ms G and the Boyz) , but an actress, too.

Althea Williams lives with her family in Brick, NJ. She is a wonderful vocalist, as well as an accomplished pianist. She is a mother with a beautiful daughter and a handsome son.

Other Performing Artists are:

Bill Henry is a wonderfully talented keyboardist who hails from Perth Amboy. Bill plays Sundays at a Red Bank Church, and has his own Jazz Trio.

Bo Pezzullo resides in Highlands, NJ. He's been playing or having the blues for years! Bo often team up with various musicians to kick out some excellent Blues! He has paired with Kati for many shows and hopefully many more to come!