I KNOW A COOL, SECLUDED PLACE Cellar 335 in Jersey City

Cellar 335 in JC, Asian American Fusion with a Side of Polynesian Kitsch

By Sally Deering

Jamie Knott
Owner/Chef Jamie Knott,

 

 

 

 

Jared Bane
Chef de Cuisine Jared Bane
Peter Arnone Manager at Cellar 355
General Manager Peter Arnone

 

The buzz on Newark Ave in Jersey City continues to be: when will White Eagle Hall open and when do the bands come on? Meanwhile, just a few steps beneath the White Eagle hall entrance, Cellar 335 has just opened and it’s a cool looking place.

Next to White Eagle Hall Cellar 355Cellar 335 is the newest addition to Jersey City’s downtown restaurant and bar scene, a cool new eatery designed in urban industrial décor and with a kitschy “let’s have fun” vibe. A darkly-lit Tiki bar stands out in the dark mysteriousness of the bar area as soon as you step in from outside. The bar flanks the left side of the bistro with roomy space between barstools and lots of space for standing and mingling. To the right, there’s an enclosed dining room – the type where you make an entrance – that offers dark wood tables, a muted red background and overhanging lights that slide on wires above, so the lighting can change in an instant. Continue reading I KNOW A COOL, SECLUDED PLACE Cellar 335 in Jersey City

NOVEMBER ARTScene  Cultural Happenings in & around Hudson

 

 VISUAL ARTS

Mana

MANA CONTEMPORARY, 818 Newark Ave, JC, (201) 604-2702, www.manacontemporary.com. Through Feb. 25, 2017; hosted by Mana Contemporary’s Middle East Center for the Arts (MECA):  TEXTILE – TERRITORY – TEXT; a group show that examines “concepts of identity, belonging, abjection, and exile in contemporary textile art works by Middle Eastern artists Etti Abergel, Andi Arnovitz, Asad Azi, Hila Lulu Lin Farah Kufr Birim, Fatma Shanan Dery, Mervat Essa, Leor Grady, Buthina Milhem, Yoav Raban, Farid Abu Shakra, Tal Shoshan, Nevet Yitzhak, Amira Ziyan. Curated by Irena Gordon, the show features video installations, animation, painting, photography, and sculpture.

Glossback DEEP SPACE GALLERY, 77 Cornelison Ave, JC (201) 777-0166. Opening Oct. 15 GLOSSBLACK, solo exhibition. “Raised in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, Jimmy is an American graffiti writer who began painting in the early 2000s. Today, with over a decade of work under his belt, he has solidified himself as a nationally recognized practitioner of the art. As graffiti culture rises in popularity, he manages to continually find new territory, creating pieces that are instantly recognizable. Working predominantly in aerosol and oil paint, his dynamic lettering styles, layering techniques, craftsmanship, and dedication to detail result in striking works of art.” For more info, www.glossblack.org.

Continue reading NOVEMBER ARTScene  Cultural Happenings in & around Hudson

HONORING HEROES   Jersey City Veterans Day Parade kicks-off Sat, Nov. 12 at noon

  Standing up for Those Who Serve and Those who have Fallen

 By Sally Deering

Steven F. Fulop
Jersey City Mayor and U.S. Marine Veteran Steven M. Fulop

 

 

 

 

 

In these troubled times, the U.S. turns to its military, the men and women (and four-legged, bomb-sniffing soldiers) to protect America’s freedom and democracy.

On Sat, Nov. 12, starting at noon, Jersey City Mayor and U.S. Marine Veteran Steven M. Fulop and the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, local U.S. military men and women and other dignitaries will lead the 2nd annual Parade of Veterans and Heroes followed by a Veterans Resource Fair that will be held at City Hall until 5 pm.

The Parade of Veterans and Heroes is open to anyone who would like to march, especially men and women who are serving and have served in the military. Registration for participants will begin at 10 am at the Historic Jersey City Harsimus Cemetery on Newark Avenue near Dickinson High School. (You can also register online.) Continue reading HONORING HEROES   Jersey City Veterans Day Parade kicks-off Sat, Nov. 12 at noon

One of the Largest Names in the International Mural Scene, KOBRA, Begins Massive New Mural in Jersey City

Kobra’s Iconic Murals Include Portraits of Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Bob Dylan, Nelson Mandela, and John Lennon, with Murals in More than 20 Countries and 30 U.S. Projects 

The artist named Kobra
KOBRA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION:  International mural artist, Eduardo Kobra, stands in front of his mural of Bob Dylan in downtown Minneapolis.

JERSEY CITY – Fresh off setting the Guinness Book of World Records for the “largest spray paint mural by a team” with his Rio 2016 Olympic Games-inspired “Ethnicities,” internationally-renowned, Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra is bringing his unique vision and talent to Jersey City.

Widely known simply as Kobra, the sought-after artist has begun work on a 180-foot tall mural on the façade of 837 Jersey Avenue in downtown Jersey City.  Continue reading One of the Largest Names in the International Mural Scene, KOBRA, Begins Massive New Mural in Jersey City

WHOSE SONG IS IT ANYWAY?Songwriter Lou Gomez’s BIM SALA BIM surfaces in new Robert DeNiro Flick

   Film a Big Surprise; Rights & Royalties a Bigger Mystery

Songwriter  Lou Gomez
LOU GOMEZ

  

 

 

 

 By Sally Deering  

Photo fo Lou Gomez in Hudson County
HUDSON COUNTY The Band

The story starts with two brothers and a couple of friends from Bayonne who wrote and recorded a song called Bim Sala Bim back in the 1970s. They took the title from “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” when Carson played fortune teller Carnac the Magnificent. He and Ed McMahon would say “Bim Sala Bim” as a greeting to each other.

Lou Gomez wrote the lyrics and his brother Richie Gomez wrote the melody and Ralph Cohen wrote the arrangements to Bim Sala Bim when they were in the 70s band “Hudson County”. The band eventually broke up, but the song lives on. Fast forward to 2016, Gomez finds out from a friend that Bim Sala Bim is on the soundtrack to the new Robert DeNiro movie, HANDS OF STONE.

Disco-Funk “The group became known for its funk sound,” Gomez says, from his home in Sayreville.  “We were signed to RCA records by Warren Schatz and asked to produce some material for a compilation album and a single release. Our single was “Heaven’s Here on Earth” and we were told it would be released at the same time Vickie Sue Robinson was to release Turn the Beat Around. At that time we also recorded Bim Sala Bim. Forty years later I get a call from a friend that Bim Sala Bim is a big underground hit in Europe especially Greece and Italy. It was later found out that the song was bootlegged by some unknown group called Fantastic Soul Inventions who just slapped their name on our recording.” Continue reading WHOSE SONG IS IT ANYWAY?Songwriter Lou Gomez’s BIM SALA BIM surfaces in new Robert DeNiro Flick

“A Tribute” to A Champion Hanshi Grandmaster Ralph Passero


Hanshi (Grandmaster) Ralph Passero An Isshin-Ryu Karate “Living Legend”

One of Bayonne’s 1st Generations of Original Karate and Kick-Boxing Legends was Hanshi (Grand Master) Ralph Passero.

Ralph
Picture: From Left to right:  Ciara Castillo, UWA Brown Belt, Hanshi Grandmaster Ralph Passero, Hanshi Austin Wright Sr. and Hanshi Larry Cureton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Passero is a “Living Legend” and a Professional Kick-Boxing Champion with the New York Puppets (Professional Full Contact Kick-Boxing Team) as well as numerous Karate Kumite Grand Championships.

In fact, most of the Original Martial Artist from the 70’s forward remember the hard work and dedication he has put into Isshin-Ryu Karate. His determination and resilience is what makes Hanshi Ralph Passero the man he is.  He has put his Life’s Mission into A.O.K.A Inc. Continue reading “A Tribute” to A Champion Hanshi Grandmaster Ralph Passero

HOPE RISES New Play by Speranza Theatre & Women Rising explores Domestic Violence

 

ho-riOriginal Play features Stories of Survival and Hope at Art House Productions in JC

 By Sally Deering

 Power and control – two red flags of bad behavior when it comes to relationships, but sometimes a person doesn’t know what they’re getting into until it’s too late. Situations like this are the basis of a new collaborative play by Jersey City’s Speranza Theatre Company and Women Rising, a refuge, resource and referral for survivors of domestic violence.

WOMEN RISING, Stories of Hope, directed by Diana Basmajian, will run Thurs, Oct. 20-Sun, Oct. 23 at Art House Productions in Jersey City.  A compilation by playwrights Megan Lohne, DeLora Whitney, Caren Skibell, Merri Biechler, Lia Romeo, and Dania Ramos, under the guidance of lead writer Jennie Contuzzi, the play is a series of monologues and scenes that focus on the survivors of domestic abuse. It features original music by Drama Desk Award nominee composer Estelle Bajou. Continue reading HOPE RISES New Play by Speranza Theatre & Women Rising explores Domestic Violence

Party of Five Acappella Doo Wop Group to appear at Bayonne Bergen Point Fall Festival October 15th

Party of Five
Party of Five
Front Jack Sepede,
Joe Pupino, Joe Calamito, Jerry Lanzerotti, Bob Goetz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party of Five a Acappella Doo Wop Vocal Group will appear at the Bergen Point Fall Festival the annual community Festival will feature Music Entertainment, Great Food, Inflatable rides, Caricaturist, Sand Art, Face Painting and more.

The Windwill Alliance will also host the following events: Basketball Throw in front of Highways Store, Pumpkin Painting on the Trinity Parish Lawn, The Windmill Center Bake Sale, Basket Raffles.

There will be a Dog Costume Contest at 12 noon

If You Go

October 15

Broadway from 5th street to Cottage Street in Bayonne

12 Noon-6 PM

For more information  call the Bayonne UEZ Office  201-858-6357

 

 

FINDING THEDA- Artist Theda Sandiford of JC exhibits Mixed-Media Artworks at JCTC & JCAST

Collages and Paintings filled with Cultural Ephemera reveal the Artist’s Journey  

Theda Sandiford
(Theda Sandiford and her mixed-media piece “Selfie Joy”
can be seen in VANITY at JC Theater Center)

By Sally Deering

In her email address she’s “Bondgyrl” who, with her dad, has seen every 007 flick ever made. Away from the computer, she’s Theda Sandiford, a mixed-media artist and lover of found objects. Sandiford currently has work in the VANITY show at the Jersey City Theater Center; and five pieces are to be exhibited at Jersey City Art and Studio Tour’s (JCAST) Flagship Gallery on Sat and Sun, Oct 8, and 9, and every weekend in October.   Continue reading FINDING THEDA- Artist Theda Sandiford of JC exhibits Mixed-Media Artworks at JCTC & JCAST

THE SHEPHERD & THE KNUCKLEHEAD

 

   Craft Beer & Cocktails Bar/Steakhouse opens in Hoboken

   Father & Son Owners duplicate successful Haledon Eatery in Mile Square City

 Hoboken Restaurant The Shepherd and Knucklehead

 

 

 

 

 

By Sally Deering

 Joe and Chris Schiavo may be new to Hoboken, but they’re not new to the restaurant biz. The successful father & son team own The Shepherd & The Knucklehead craft beer bar and steakhouse in Haledon and it’s so successful, they branched out here in Hudson.

They just opened “The Shep” a little more than a week ago on Willow Avenue between 13 & 14 Streets. A huge space – it seats 125 – with 23 flatscreen TVs all turned to a sports channel lining the walls. The bar is long with 60 taps and a flatscreen above that has the latest crafts available.  Cocktails are crafty, too, Joe Schiavo says, because the bartenders squeeze fresh juices and make all the syrups from scratch. Continue reading THE SHEPHERD & THE KNUCKLEHEAD

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