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City of Jersey City Announces Partnership with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

 Concert Series is Part of  Mayor Steven M. Fulop’s  Administration Efforts to Grow Jersey City as a Cultural Destination

New Jerey Symphony Orchestra

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that the City of Jersey City will partner with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to host a series of free community concerts through a partnership with the PSEG Foundation, as the Fulop administration continues to introduce new cultural events to the City, increase events for families and residents, and grow Jersey City as a destination.

The first New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th, as Mayor Fulop narrates a woodwind quintet in a special arrangement of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” in City Hall Council Chambers.  Continue reading City of Jersey City Announces Partnership with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

LORD OF THE SQUARE DANCE Howard Richman gets Dancers Swinging

Adding Flair to Tradition, Richman’s Dancers Promenade to Madonna

 By Sally Deering

Howard Richman Lord of the Square Dance Slip the Clutch, Shoot the Star and Roll Away with a Half Sashay; these may be non-sequiturs to most of us but to square-dance fans these terms get them twirling on the dance floor and if Howard Richman’s calling the dance, there might be some Madonna in the mix.

Square Dance calling may not be a typical job found on a resume, but Richman does it to add to his income as a theater artist and he travels throughout the Tri-State area to gyms, schools and church halls to put people through their paces on the dance floor.

Continue reading LORD OF THE SQUARE DANCE Howard Richman gets Dancers Swinging

HOUSE OF SHARDS-Art House Productions “The House of Atreus” an American Vet Returns Home to More Casualties

Art House Productions’ New Play opens June 4th

By Sally Deering

“A cursed bloodline. A family on the edge.  If this house could speak, what stories it would tell.”

Creative Team at Art House Productions
THE HOUSE OF ATREUS’ Creative Team,
Christine Goodman, Mason Beggs and Meagan Woods

 That’s the tagline for the new play THE HOUSE OF ATREUS which premieres Thursday, June 4, at Art House Productions in Jersey City. It’s a collaborative work between Christine Goodman (Executive Director of Art House Productions) who wrote the piece, Mason Beggs, who directed, and choreographer Meagan Woods.

Gabbie Cowdie in Art House Productions House of Atreus
Gabbie Gowdie and Ema Lakovic in The HOUSE OF ATREUS

THE HOUSE OF ATREUS is an immersive and unconventional theater piece. Instead of putting the actors on stage and the audience in rows of seats to observe, the set takes up the entire theater with a chair and TV in one area, a broken down porch in another, and a dining room table at center. The audience enters through a haze of smoky fog and is encouraged to find a spot of their choosing to watch the play as it unfolds around them. This immerses the audience into the play’s action, which becomes part of the overall theater experience.

Adam Resnick in Art House Productions  House of Atreus
Adam Resnick plays Alan in THE HOUSE OF ATREUS, Presented by Art House Production in Jersey City

“The audience will be active observers,” Goodman says, sitting on set with Beggs and Woods during a break in tech rehearsal. “We’re changing the audience’s perspective.”

The play’s plot focuses on the main character Alan who returns home after serving in Iraq. He comes back only to find his house in ruins and his family broken and as war torn as the place he left behind. Continue reading HOUSE OF SHARDS-Art House Productions “The House of Atreus” an American Vet Returns Home to More Casualties

A TASTE OF SPAIN IN JERSEY CITY- Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge

 

 By Sally Deering   

JC Mayor Steve Fulop cuts ribbon at Ravall restaurant
On Friday, May 29, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of
Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge on Newark Avenue in Jersey City.

Jersey City’s “Restaurant Row” starts at Grove Street and moves west along Newark Avenue where bistros offer foods of many cultures. Now, there’s a new kid on the block – Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge – where guests are invited to enjoy flavors of Spain.

Ravall RESTAURANT
Executive Chef Michael Fiorianti and Restaurant Development Group’s Geza Gulas, Michael Garcia and Andy Siegel, owners of Raval.

Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge recently opened on Newark Avenue with Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop cutting the ribbon at a Grand Opening ceremony and friends gathering for champagne and finger foods to welcome Raval to the neighborhood. Cuisine from Spain is the latest concept from the owners, the Restaurant Development Group (RDG), which also owns the Lucky 7 Tavern, and Satis Bistro in Jersey City.

Continue reading A TASTE OF SPAIN IN JERSEY CITY- Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge

Bayonne 5K and Mayors Mile Saturday, June 6th

  The City of Bayonne and Bayonne Department of Recreation will Running hold its 1st Annual “Bayonne 5K” and “Mayors Mile” on Saturday May 6, 2015 starting at 8:00 AM at the 16th Street Park in Bayonne, NJ.  There will also be a 1 mile “Fun Run” that participants are encouraged to participate in as well.  Participants of all ages and running levels are encouraged to come out and run (or walk!) Over 200 participants are expected.

Continue reading Bayonne 5K and Mayors Mile Saturday, June 6th

FAMILY FUN AT THE BAYONNE HOMETOWN FAIR

bayonne home town fair

It promises to be something for everyone when the Bayonne Home Town Fair opens this weekend and brings the community out for some fun rides, delicious food, and activities for the kids.

On Sat, June 6, 11 am-7 pm, and Sun, June 7, 12-6 pm, 22nd to 24th Streets (along Del Monte Drive) in Bayonne will be packed with more than 60 vendors and non-profits, children’s rides, games and plenty of entertainment. A soundstage will be set up in the parking lot in front of the Polish American Club, and Kiddie Town near the Mini Golf Course will attract kids of all ages. Continue reading FAMILY FUN AT THE BAYONNE HOMETOWN FAIR

Bayonne Bridge Construction Update

 

Bayonne Bridge River View Observer             Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided the City of Bayonne with updated information on the Bayonne Bridge construction project.

At Pier N2, south of 1st Street, by the Kill Van Kull shoreline, work continues on constructing footings.

At Piers N3, N4, and N5, south of 1st Street, work has been completed for now.

 At Piers N6 & Pier N7,  north of 1st Street (between 1st and 2nd Streets), the Port Authority will be working in this area until December.  Drill shaft work and excavation are under way for sixteen footings. Continue reading Bayonne Bridge Construction Update

BAYONNE, THE NEW BOHO?

Bayonne’s Culture Scene Takes Off -Art, Theater and New Outdoor Stage on the Rise

By Sally Deering

Bayonne Arts PavilionPhoto of truck with Bayonne Announcement Jersey City’s culture scene just got some competition. It seems Bayonne, its Hudson sister to the south has been going through a renaissance of sorts. Art galleries, theater companies and now a new performing arts pavilion are giving the city a cultural facelift.

Dwyer and Semanchick
(Richard Dwyer and Adam J. Semanchick
of Bayonne Theater Co)

There’s the JCC of Bayonne’s Fine Art Gallery currently featuring A COUPLE OF IMAGES, paintings and photographs by Bayonne residents and artists Billy Zbylut and Patty Mulligan; the Art Circle of Bayonne at the Bayonne Community Museum which has a Spring Art Show underway  featuring Bayonne artists; the new Bayonne Theater Company is hosting a gala on Thursday, May 21, with its first show THE MUSIC MAN in pre-production; and a Bayonne performing arts pavilion which will host local theater, music and dance groups, as well as stars like Willie Nelson is breaking ground in a few weeks. .

Continue reading BAYONNE, THE NEW BOHO?

9 Bar Café in Jersey City, Where Great Coffee is Science

 Espresso Yourself

By Sally Deering

9 Bar Cafe in Jersey City
9 Bar Cafe’ on Erie Street in Jersey City

Those who drip, press or perk coffee they purchase in a plastic container or who grab a cup from the corner take-out may want to wake up and smell the java at 9 Bar Café on Erie Street in Jersey City. That’s where owner Stefania Cocozza brews coffee like a scientist and the results are one fine cup of elixir from the Gods.

Too much?

Stefania Cocozza

Stefania Cocozza, owner, 9 Bar Cafe’ only serves coffees and espresso in porcelain cups to enhance the flavor

Then you’re obviously not a coffee connoisseur. But if you can’t live without your daily dose of freshly roasted coffee then 9 Bar Café may be worth the trip. Located a block off Newark Ave in Jersey City’s downtown district, 9 Bar Café, which opened in January, offers an oasis for coffee-lovers: big storefront windows for daydreaming and people-watching, large wooden tables for communal sipping, and two-tops where one or more java-lovers can sit with a laptop to write the  Great American Novel. Continue reading 9 Bar Café in Jersey City, Where Great Coffee is Science