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LONG GONE DADDY -Actor, Playwright Joe Gallo of Hoboken debuts New Play on Fatherhood

Mile Square Theatre’s Playwright-in-Residence Debuts new Solo Show

 By Sally Deering

Joe Gallo Playwright
(Pictured: Joseph Gallo in his one-man play LONG GONE DADDY
opens July 20 at Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken)

 A life in the theater can be a wonderful journey if he or she sticks it out long enough and for actor and playwright Joseph Gallo, his long day’s journey in the theater continues to be mined with opportunities.  He just had two of his plays published by River City Books; and as playwright-in-residence at Mile Square Theatre (MST) in Hoboken, Gallo is about to debut his newest one-man show, LONG GONE DADDY directed by MST artistic director Chris O’Connor. Performances begin July 20 and run through August 7 in the company’s new theater on the corner of 14th & Clinton.

 

 

Playwright Joe Gallo Prior to this, Gallo workshopped his play Two-Man Kidnapping Rule at MST. It was later produced by the New Ohio Theatre in New York, and published in Smith & Kraus’s anthology 2012 Best Men’s Stage Monologues and Scenes. As a solo writer/performer Gallo appeared in the original production of his one-man show My Italy Story at Penguin Rep in Stony Point, NY, which later had its debut Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre in New York, starring Danny Mastrogiorgio (“…a compelling page turner.”—The New York Times). An avid storyteller, Gallo won a StorySLAM championship at The Moth in NYC. Continue reading LONG GONE DADDY -Actor, Playwright Joe Gallo of Hoboken debuts New Play on Fatherhood

3rd Annual  Jersey City’s Fourth of July “Freedom & Fireworks Festival” Village People to Headline Massive Celebration in Liberty State Park  

 

FireworksFree Event to Feature Two Stages of Live Music, Amusement Rides, Kids Activities, Food Trucks and Fireworks by Nationally-Renowned Grucci

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the return of New Jersey’s premier Fourth of July concert and fireworks celebration, the Jersey City “Freedom & Fireworks Festival,” at Liberty State Park, with fireworks by nationally-acclaimed Grucci, live musical performances including headliner “Village People,” amusement rides, food and refreshment vendors, and entertainment for all ages.

The event, which is free and open to the public will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4, 2016 at Liberty State Park.  The day-long outdoor celebration is expected to draw over 125,000 people to Liberty State Park, largely considered the most patriotic destination in the country to celebrate America’s independence with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, and the Jersey City and New York City skylines.

“Liberty State Park in Jersey City offers unrivaled views and a place for neighbors to join their community in celebration. There is no greater place to gather for our nation’s independence,” said Mayor Fulop.  “We are continuing our tradition of providing residents and visitors a dynamic family celebration with a breathtaking finale of fireworks.” Continue reading 3rd Annual  Jersey City’s Fourth of July “Freedom & Fireworks Festival” Village People to Headline Massive Celebration in Liberty State Park  

LORD OF THE RING-Bayonne native Bobby Rooney reflects on 30+Years in Boxing  

by Darren Paltrowitz

Bobby Rooney Boxer
Bobby Rooney boxes Toris “The Bull” Brewer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bobby Rooney past away this week and in his honor we would like to rerun an article about him .

Bobby Rooney has been in charge of the Bayonne Police Athletic League’s Boxing Club for almost a decade. Prior to taking over the Bayonne PAL program from his father, professional boxer Bob Rooney, Sr., who ran it for more than 30 years, Bobby Rooney was a professional fighter. He went pro in 2003, winning the WBF Continental Light Heavyweight Title in 2009, and finishing with a win-loss record of 12-3; 7 of his 12 victories were knock-outs, 4 of the victories against previously-undefeated boxers.

Terry Young and Coach Bobby Rooney
Coach Bobby Rooney with Robert Terry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooney’s work with the Bayonne PAL often has him rubbing elbows with top talent, and not been by coincidence. His father was a sparring partner with Chuck Wepner – the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky – who often offers assistance to the Bayonne PAL. Robert Terry is a recent success story of the program, competing at the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City last  month. Continue reading LORD OF THE RING-Bayonne native Bobby Rooney reflects on 30+Years in Boxing  

RJO Presents the Riverview Jazz Festival 2016

RJO presents over 40 events June 3- 11 for the 4th Riverview Jazz Festival 2016

River View Jazz festival

RiverviewJazz.Org (RJO) will present the Fourth Annual Riverview Jazz Festival from June 3 – 11, 2016. All events are free to the public.

The Riverview Jazz festival week starts with an opening party on Friday June 3 at City Life in Jersey City with over 40 events planned through the week and culminating on June 11 at Riverview Fisk Park. This year’s flagship event on Saturday June 11 at Riverview Fisk Park will feature two stages, nine bands, beer provided by BuyRite, food trucks curated by Hudson Kitchen, a vintage flea market by Pacific Flea, family events, and a cobblestone artwalk produced by Riverview Neighborhood Association with artist Jeankarlos Cruz. And best yet – it’s free to the public!

The Riverview Jazz Festival is made possible in part by Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs, by generous support from the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and many others including Hudson Reporter, Buy Rite, Sawyer Smith Residential Brokerage, Riverview Neighborhood Association, Remco Press, Silverman, New Jersey City University, Farms in the Heights, New Heights Art Supply, ModCup, Palisade’s Liquors, Gino’s Pizzeria, Guitar Bar/Drum Den, all the venues hosting events and other individual supporters.

Ogden Ave Stage

Noon : RJO All-Stars
1:30pm : Winard Harper
3:00pm : Donny McCaslin Quartet
4:30pm : Slavic Soul Party
6:30pm : Tipica 73 Continue reading RJO Presents the Riverview Jazz Festival 2016

Hudson County Community College Celebrates Its North Hudson Campus Accreditation and the Class of 2016 Graduates

Hudson county commumnity college
Pictured with several Hudson County Community College’s 2016 graduating students are, in foreground, Pamela Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Division of Academic Development and Support Services; (in background, from left) Glen Gabert, Ph.D., HCCC President, Joseph Caniglia, Acting Director, Academic Foundations-English; Christopher Wahl, Dean of Instruction/Arts; and Paula Pando, Ed.D., Vice President for the North Hudson Campus and Student Affairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 16, 2016, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) held festivities to mark achieving full campus accreditation for its North Hudson location – 4800 Kennedy Boulevard in Union City – on Wednesday, May 11 at 12 noon. The event also celebrated the graduates of the College’s Class of 2016 with a barbecue lunch.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education had granted the College’s Union City site campus designation earlier this year, said HCCC President Glen Gabert, Ph.D. There are presently four degree programs students may acquire entirely from the HCCC North Hudson Campus – Liberal Arts, Psychology, Elementary Education and Secondary Education. Continue reading Hudson County Community College Celebrates Its North Hudson Campus Accreditation and the Class of 2016 Graduates

Mile Square Miracle- Mile Square Theater in Hoboken (finally) gets New Theater

Mile Square Theater
The Mile Square Theatre Company has fun on the set of its first play in its
new theater, “Goodnight Moon”.Company members includes: (l.-r.) Elizabeth Candilo,Annie McAdams, Stephanie Rostan, Zabrina Stoffel, Sarah Weber-Gallo, Mark Cirnigliaro, Chase Leyner, Jeanne Lubin, Rachel Eckerling, and Anne Teutschel.(Not pictured: Artistic Director Chris O’Connor)
(Photo: Joe Epstein)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First SHow was Goodnight Moon Charms the Kids ( and parent’s too!)

By Sally Deering

Hallelujah, Baby! The heavens parted and the Gods of Comedy and Tragedy have smiled down on Hoboken with a new theater. Twelve years in the making, Mile Square Theatre can now hang the lights and unpack the costumes in its beautiful, new 140-seat, black box on 14th & Clinton – and what a little gem it is.

A fundraising campaign that took 8 years has finally paid off.  On Sat,

Hoboken's Mile Square Theater
Mile Square Theater
Hoboken

April 9th, Mile Square Theatre opened the door to its first season in its new digs with GOODNIGHT MOON, a charming musical based on the beloved children’s book, performed on a set that looks like it jumped from the page to the stage. Up next? A play by Annie Baker, who won the 2015 Pulitzer for Drama, called CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION to be directed by the company’s artistic director Chris O’Connor and starring Obie Award winner Deborah Hedwall and MST company member Matthew Lawler, who also stars on ABC’s The Family. Continue reading Mile Square Miracle- Mile Square Theater in Hoboken (finally) gets New Theater

WRITER’S ROCK Weehawken Music Writer Jim Testa on Hudson’s Music Scene

Writer/Musician Debuts New EP

By Sally Deering

Musician Jim Testa
Jim Testa at home in Weehawken
(Photo by Dan Bracaglia)

There’s an old saying, “write what you know” and for music writer Jim Testa of Weehawken, the words fit like an old pair of jeans. Testa writes the music column CONSTANT LISTENER for The Jersey Journal and has covered the rock and roll music scene since the 1980s, when Maxwell’s was the go-to club to see new bands and local indie labels produced their records. Testa wrote about bands when they were still unknowns, offering insightful commentary about their work in his weekly column. Like Chicago-based music writer Jim DeRogotis (who is from Jersey City and worked as a reporter for several local papers) Testa continues to be an important voice covering today’s music scene.

Jim Testa perfomring
Jim Testa performs at NJ Arts Benefit
(Photo: Kaos Music Promotions)

Testa’s career in music sways from writing to performing. A guitarist, Testa’s played in bands since his teen years. These days, he performs locally and recently recorded a new EP at Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen in Bushwick, five songs he wrote – political songs like those of Phil Ochs, witty tunes evoking Tom Lehrer, and love songs, too. The EP, AMERICAN SPIRITS AND ARTISANAL CHEESE, can be purchased online at Jimtesta.bandcamp.com.

Continue reading WRITER’S ROCK Weehawken Music Writer Jim Testa on Hudson’s Music Scene