Come one, come all to the magical Snow Ball! Art House Productions and presenting sponsor SILVERMAN proudly announce the 17th Annual Snow Ball Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 8 PM to 11 PM, with an exclusive VIP Honoree Dinner starting at 6 PM. The event will be held at Hudson County Community College’s Culinary Arts School and Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City, NJ 07306. This year’s theme, Spectacle of Wonder, brings the enchantment of the circus to life as we celebrate the vibrant arts and culture scene in Jersey City and honor the incredible individuals who champion Art House Productions’ mission to support artists and enrich Hudson County through exceptional arts programming. Creative black-tie attire is encouraged.

Art House is thrilled to honor the following outstanding contributors to Jersey City’s arts community:

• Hudson County Executive: Craig Guy
• Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Producer: Eddie Baez
• Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID): Rachel Sieg
• Artist, Curator, and Arts Advocate: Bryant Small
• President and CEO of Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas Health: Michael Prilutsky

The post Art House Productions’ Snow Ball Gala: Entertainment Lineup, Festivities & Honorees first appeared on River View Observer.

Seems like Festival Director Larry Rosen is trying to bring a little Tribeca to the Garden State.

“We have a lot of dramatic films,” said Rosen. “We also try to find films that have mass appeal, and are not so obscure. We have a number of horror films this year. We also have one of the best lineups of independent films on the circuit.”

The festival, which runs from September 5th-7th, kicks off in spectacular fashion with the Opening Night film, “Before I Disappear,” screening at 8 p.m. at the cinemas. This film, the winner of the Audience Choice Award at SXSW this past year is the feature version of Shawn Christensen’s Oscar-Winning short, “Curfew.”

The film, nominated for a whopping nine awards – most in the festival – including Best Director, Best Picture and Best Actor (all for Christensen), focuses on Richie, who at the lowest point of his life, gets a call from his estranged sister, asking him to look after his eleven–year old niece, Sophia, for a few hours. It also features several other noteworthy performances from Fatima Ptacek (better known to some as the voice of “Dora the Explorer”), who is nominated for Best Actress in a Feature, Emmy Rossum (nominated for Best Supporting Actress) and Ron Perlman and Paul Wesley (of “The Vampire Diaries,” fame), who are both nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

Earlier on Opening-Day, there will be some other films of note, including “Suck it up Buttercup,” a feature about addiction and denial, debuting at 3 p.m. and starring Best Actress Nominee Lacy Marie Meyer. The film, directed by Best Director Nominee Malindi Fickle, is battling Before I Disappear for Best Picture.

At 5 p.m., immediately preceding the Opening-Night Feature, will be a special out-of-competition screening of “Bloody Slumber Party,” a fun offering from Rosen. The film stars Brian O’Halloran from Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” movies, Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Films (who will be receiving the Indie Spirit Award on Sunday night) and noted horror actresses, Suzi Lorraine and Melantha Blackthorne.

Speaking of the horror genre, Saturday will bring a very special screening to the Teaneck Cinemas at 2 p.m. in the form of “Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man,” from local Award-Winning Filmmaker Sam Borowski (Clark, N.J.). Borowski wrote and produced this feature-length documentary, which celebrates the era behind the creation and distribution of the influential Universal Studios classic horror film, “Creature From the Black Lagoon.” Directed and co-produced by Matthew Crick, the film features Oscar-Winner Benicio Del Toro, a huge fan of the Creature, the late Ben Chapman (who played the original CFTBL and was the last-living original Universal Monster), Julie Adams (female lead of the original CFTBL), Hollywood makeup wizard, Tom Savini,, Oscar-Nominated screenwriter, Arthur Ross (whose son Gary Ross directed “The Hunger Games,” and “Sea Biscuit,”) and is narrated by A-lister Keith David.

“This special screening is the first time this version of the film will be publicly seen,” Borowski said. “Matt’s been working tirelessly at tweaking and perfecting this version to be out this year, the 60th anniversary of Creature From the Black Lagoon. It will also give a preview to many fans, who are eagerly awaiting the DVD, due out about a month after this.”

As are many fans eagerly awaiting the Saturday-Night screening of “Swim Little Fish, Swim,” at 8 p.m. another feature that excelled in SXSW before coming to the NEFF. Directed by Lola Bessis and Ruben Amar and featuring a performance from young N.J. local Olivia Costello, the film balances surrealism, unusual characters, art and magic tricks, in a dreamlike journey from childhood to adulthood.

The list of nominees leading up to Sunday Night’s Awards Gala is impressive and includes Oscar-Nominee Hailee Steinfeld (of “True Grit” fame) for Best Actress in a Short (“The Magic Bracelet,”) battling Hollywood starlet Summer Glau (“Inside the Box,”) and Ashlynn Yennie (nominated for “Last Night,” but perhaps best known for “The Human Centipede,”).

The Best Actor in a Feature category will see New York City native Gregg Prosser (“Behind Closed Doors,”) face some stiff competition in Rob Bogue (for Kenneth Del Vecchio’s “Rock Story,”), Christensen, Dustin Guy Defa (“Swim Little Fish, Swim,”), Ryan Metcalf (“Bridge and Tunnel,”) and Ben Youcef (“The Algerian,”).

But, perhaps the toughest showdown might be in the Best Supporting Actor in A Feature category between Perlman and Wesley (BID) and Oscar-Nominee Eric Roberts (Rock Story), Harry Lennix (The Algerian) and Gregory Konow (Suck it up Buttercup).

The Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to legendary horror producer, Sam Sherman of Freehold, New Jersey and will be presented by his apprentice, Borowski during the Awards Gala on Sunday night, hosted by New York Comedian, Mary Dimino.

“That will be a very emotional moment for me,” Borowski said. “Sam S has been not only a mentor to me, but a friend. I can’t wait to present it to him.”

There will be red carpet events, film screenings and an after-party each day of the festival. Tickets for individual screenings are $12, or you can purchase an All-Access Pass (which includes access to all film screenings, events, gala awards ceremony and after-parties) for $100. These can be purchased through the web site at www.nefilmfestival.com.

With no fewer than three Oscar-Winners and six Oscar-Nominees participating in films – and a good amount of filmmakers and actors expected to attend – as well as other films featuring Regina King, Sean Astin and Oscar-Winning scribe Diablo Cody, certainly sounds a lot like Tribeca has come to the Garden State.

The post NORTHEAST FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THEIR 2014 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE AND LIST OF NOMINEES first appeared on River View Observer.

 

An exciting announcement for those that love NJ nightlife: An all new Party is launching on October 7, 2011 at
West Five Super Club in Hoboken NJ.

It will simply be called ‘Fun Fridays’. So if you love to have “FUN” make sure you make your way to West Five. West Five Supper Club Owners Joe & Nico Percontino, along with Manager Chris Lowther, have contracted Fun Anthony Piscitelli (D’Jais in Belmar, Rise in Lodi, etc), to put on this new party each and every Friday. Anthony has put together a great team of promoters, publicists, DJ’s and staff to bring you a totally “FUN” experience this upcoming fall and winter season.

It’s the party you’ve been waiting for. . . South meets North! All of your favorite bartenders such as: Larry Sauer (D’Jais: Belmar, NJ), Brooke Eve (The Headliner: Neptune, NJ) & Monika Ava (Bar A: Lake Como, NJ) will be slinging your favorite drinks each & every Friday night.

Every Friday, West Five will be offering awesome drink specials including: 2 Bottles of your Choice for only $300!

They also provide a POWER HOUR from 10pm to 11pm with $2 drinks for all. A Special promotion for all the lovely women out there looking to save some cash is also in place. Each Friday they have the opportunity to join the PINK Ladies VIP by liking the West Five Supper Club facebook fan page. Its very simple to do like the page & bring a print out or show visual evidence on your blackberry, iphone or smartphone & you receive a PINK VIP cup that gets you $4 top shelf drinks all night long each & every Friday.

West Five in an effort to help prevent people from drinking and driving & help ease the stress of finding parking has purchased a brand new van to provide Free shuttle service throughout the city of Hoboken. Anyone can utilize this service by calling 201- 665-9667 for a pick-up.

Whether you live in Hoboken or take the train in the West Five shuttle will come pick you up. Brought in for opening night is the very well known and respected DJ John Farruggio (Crooklyn Clan, Resident at D’Jais, performs at The Pool at Harrah’s AC + venues across the tri state area) to headline the event, as well as a very special opening set from the popular NJ crowd pleaser, DJ Danny T (Resident 3 years at Blackthorn Kenilworth, NJ, performed at WMC Miami as well as other hot locations in NJ). The will have an open format and will be spinning the sickest House, Hip-Hop, Classics and Mash-Ups all night long.

The Promotional Team assembled for this event consists of: Fun Anthony (Antwan), Travis Martin, Art Himself, Adam Radice & Dan Caruso. Promotional Event  Coverage (Photo & HD Video) & press releases are being handled by Dan Caruso (Owner NJRMG Media Group, njrockstar, llc & njrockstar.com). NJROCKSTAR.COM will also be shooting this weekly party exclusively.

You can expect full coverage from them each week on their website.

As you can see, the best team has been assembled by Fun Anthony with their motivation being to bring some FUN to your Friday nights. Opening night is October 7, 2011. Live DJ sets begin at 9:00PM. Get you names on the guest list and/or reserve your bottle service now by emailing your full name and contact info to: info@njrockstar.com and/or contact Fun Anthony Piscitelli directly at 201.320.3761 or via facebook at www.facebook.com/TwanJuice.

The countdown to this all new NJ nightlife party has started! Remember: Guys Dress Trendy & Ladies. . .Dress Sexy! See you all on Oct 7th. LET’S GOOOOOOO!!

The post West Five Supper Club Friday’s in Hoboken, NJ North Jersey’s Hottest New Fall & Winter Party Launches October 7th, 2011 first appeared on River View Observer.