Just for you Free Shows, Movies and Other Happenings on the Jersey Side
By Sally Deering
Well, its summertime and that means blowing up beach balls and dashing to the sandy Jersey shore to slather on sunblock and frolic in the Atlantic’s waves. But for urban dwellers who can’t slip away for some beach blanket bingo, there are plenty of fun and free activities in Hudson to help you enjoy the sunny days and balmy nights ahead
Hoboken’s Cultural Affairs Department offers movies, kids’ shows, even Shakespeare in the park
Family Fun
Free Outdoor Performances
Shipyard Park, 13th Street & McFeeley Drive
June 28 – Mother Goose, rhymes, songs and stories, www.after3theatre.org; July 12 – The Hey Ya Brothers, slapstick comedy, www.heyyabrothers.com; July 19 – Yosi, kids sing-along, www.yosimusic.com; July 26 – The Fuzzy Lemons, family-friendly rock band, www.thefuzzylemons.com; Aug 2 – Music Together, music and movement for babies and toddlers, www.musictogether.com; Aug 9 – Big Jeff & the Bouncy People, singer-songwriter, www.bigjeffmusic.com; Aug 16 – Starfish, kids/family band, www.myspace.com/rockwithstarfish; Aug 23 – Americana Family Jamboree, bluegrass and folksongs, www.facebook.com/americanafamilyjamobree
Movies under the Stars 2011
Pier “A” Park, First St. and Frank Sinatra Drive
Bring a blanket or comfortable low-back chair. Picnic yes; booze no.
Wednesdays, June & July at 9 pm; Aug, at 8:15 pm
June 29: Breakfast at Tiffany’s; July 13: The King’s Speech; July 20: The Social Network; July 27: Waiting for Superman; Aug 3: The Wizard of Oz (8:30); Aug10: Despicable Me (8:15); Aug 17: Tangled (8:00); Aug 24: Toy Story 3 (8:00)
Concerts in Sinatra Park
Sinatra Drive between 4th & 5th Sts
Performances: Thursdays, 7-9pm
June 30: The 63rd Army Band, patriotic & popular tunes; July 7: Hoboken Summer Bash hosted by Frank Raia; July 14 – Ernie Contri sings the Best of Sinatra; July 21: Gene D’ Plumber, Tex Mex-abilly; July 28: Guitar Bar All-Stars; Aug. 4: Son Nueve; Aug. 11: The Gordys; Aug 18: The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; Aug. 25: Swingadelic
Shakespeare in the Park
Sinatra Park, 7 pm
The Hudson Shakespeare Company, www.hudsonshakespeare.homestead.com
July 25, Aug. 1: “Henry V”; Aug 15, 22: “Tymon of Athens”
Theatre in the Park
Sinatra Park, 7 pm
The Theatre Company of Hoboken
July 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31
Music of “Grease”
Kayaking
Maxwell Place Park, 11th & Sinatra Drive
July 9, 1-7pm; July 23, 12-6pm; Aug. 7, 12:30-6:30pm; Aug. 21, 1-5pm
The City of Bayonne presents summer concerts by the bay
and a family film series
Summer Sounds by the Bay Concert Series
DiDomenico 16th Street Park
Thurs, June 30; Wed, July 6-Aug 17, 7 pm
Bring your own chairs
June 30: John Christian and Soiree; July 6: Cashmere; July 13: Mickey Perry Band, Black 47; July 20: Soul Generation, Jazzique; July 27: Bayonne Senior Orchestra, North Jersey All-Star Big Band; Aug 3: Running Dog; Aug 10: Alan Quinn and Quinntessence; Aug 17: Fantasy
Summer Film Series
Bayonne Public Library
697 Avenue C
Bayonne, NJ 07002-5899
201-858-6970
O’Connor Gallery, 1 pm
June 29: The Philadelphia Story; July 13: The King’s Speech; July 20: The Social Network; July 27: Red; Aug 3: Megaminds; Aug 10: Despicable Me; Aug 17: Tangled; Aug 24: Toy Story 3
Jersey City has lots to offer including films, festivals, fishing and dance parties
Films under the Stars in Van Vorst Park
Montgomery St & Jersey Ave
Wednesdays, June-July at 8:30 pm; Aug at 8 pm
Bring a blanket/lawn chair
July 6: To Kill a Mockingbird; July 20: Inception; Aug 3: The Art of the Steal; Aug 17: Toy Story 3; Aug 31: Secretariat
Egyptian Festival
Journal Square PATH Plaza
Kennedy Blvd & Pavonia Ave
Sat, July 2, 10 am-6 pm
Traditional Egyptian music and dance, children’s entertainment, and posters, drawings, and photographs of ancient and modern Egypt will be exhibited courtesy of the Tourist Department of the Egyptian Consulate
Fishing at the Jersey City Reservoir
Jefferson Ave Gate at Summit Ave
Saturdays through Sept. 24, 10 am-2 pm
Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance offers free fishing – catch and release only please! – at the 13-acre reservoir located in the Heights District, a family park of wildflower meadows and a nature preserve and beautiful lake. Fishing gear is available to use for free
Saturdays Swing in Jersey City
Grassroots Community Space
54 Coles St
Class & Dance Party: $20; Dance Party Only: $5
No Partner Required
How about a night of swing dancing. Each week the class will include a basic “crash course” followed by a class including variations in pattern, footwork and lead/follow technique. The dance party will include swing music for all styles of swing. If you like lindy hop, east coast swing, west coast swing, jive, balboa, foxtrot, shag…you’ll love Saturdays Swing with The Artists’ Lab!
City of Water Day 2011
Sat, July 16, 10 am-5 pm
Liberty State Park
Audrey Zapp Drive
3rd annual City of Water Day festival features free boat tours on historic and educational vessels; free public kayaking and rowing; fishing demonstrations; a special children’s fair with waterfront activities & events; the Waterfront Action Fair and advocacy workshops; food from Vendy-award winning vendors; and live music
Secaucus hosts music throughout the summer
2011 Summer Music Series
Buchmuller Park
7 pm
July 7: The Infernos; July 14: The Happenings; July 21: 45-RPM; Jul 22-24, (5-7 pm at the PAC) National High School Teen Idol; July 28: British Invasion: Aug 4: Show Stoppers (at PAC); Aug 11: Cameos; Aug 18: Jersey Sound; Aug 25: David Aaron Orchestra; Sept 8: Bobby and the Jets (at the Plaza at Harmon Cove)
Weehawken serenades locals with headliner concerts, summer sports clinics for kids and swims for adults
Summer Concerts on the Hudson
Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken Waterfront
Wednesdays at 7 pm
Bring a lawn chair and get there early for a spot!
July 6: Gary U.S. Bonds and the Roadhouse Rockers with special guest Finish This; July 20: Paquito and Friends (Weehawken’s own Paquito d’Rivera); Aug 10: Fusion Tango; Aug 29: Broadway on the Hudson
Fundamentals for the Beginning Golfer
Waterfront Complex
Port Imperial Boulevard
Tues & Thurs: July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26
Ages 8 – 12: 10 – 11 am; Ages 13 – 17: 11am – 12 Noon
Fundamentals for the beginning golfer; chipping, putting and full swing techniques
Two-Week Soccer Clinic
Waterfront Complex
Port Imperial Boulevard
Tues, July 5-Friday, July 15
Ages 5 – 7; 11 – 13
9 am-12 Noon; and 1- 3 pm
Mon, July 18-Fri, July 29
Ages 8 – 10, 9am – 12 Noon
Adult Swimming at Steven’s Institute of Technology
Pool and Fitness Center at Schaefer Athletic Center, Hoboken
Register at the Weehawken Recreation Office, 372 Park Ave
Proof of Weehawken residency and photo ID required.
18 years and older
For more info, 201-319-6061
Recreational Field Trips
Wed, July 13: Swimming and Picnicking at Bear Mountain State Park; Tues, July 19: Swimming and picnicking at Island Beach; Thurs, Aug 4: Swimming and picnicking at Highpoint State Park;
Bingo under the Stars for Senior Citizens
Wed, July 13: At the Nutrition Center; Wed, Aug 17 at 525 Gregory Avenue
Seniors play for prizes
