Jersey City
Gloria Concert Chorale
North River Sing joins the NJCU Gloria Concert Chorale for a year-end celebration, performing Vivaldi’s Gloria and other selections. Tickets are required.
Margaret Williams Theatre, New Jersey City University, 2039 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305.
3:00 p.m..

Seussical Jr.
A production by Art House Productions. Multiple showtimes may be available throughout the weekend (Dec 6-7).
Art House Productions, 345 Marin Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07302.
Multiple times (specific Sunday times were not listed, but the run concludes on this date).

The post Events for Sunday, December 7, 2025 Jersey City and Hoboken first appeared on River View Observer.

Art House Productions (Meredith Burns, Executive Director) is proud to announce their first audio play, Black Tom Island by Martin Casella available starting Monday, January 18 at 10:00am EST. This free audio play will be available for download on www.arthouseproductions.org and www.youtube.com/arthouseproductions. A free virtual panel discussion about the actual event featuring historians and the playâ€s creative team will take place on Sunday, February 7 at 3:00pm EST on Zoom.

Based on an actual incident that took place in Jersey City in 1916, Black Tom Island explores the first documented terrorist attack on American soil through the lens of a fictionalized Slovak immigrant and his wife who may or may not be involved in the attack. Funded in part through the Hudson County Historical Partnership Grant, the original project was imagined to include in-person readings on location in Jersey City, however, to adapt the project to the current safety guidelines, Casellaâ€s play has been adapted as a radio play directed by Darren Lee with sound design by Megumi Katayama. The cast includes Michael Stewart Allen, Damian Buzzerio, Mason Hensley, and Jenna Krasowski.

The post Art House Productions Announces Black Tom Island Radio Play first appeared on River View Observer.

Spring has arrived, later than usual, but whoâ€s complaining now that temps are in the comfy 70s. Check out this fun list of things to do in May & June, from outdoor happenings like Fleet Week in Liberty State Park to Movies Under the Stars in Hoboken, and Magnolia Landingâ€s art & music in Journal Square. Itâ€s time to shed those wintry blues and have some fun!

MORNING CALM, A SOLO SHOW OPENS SUN, MAY 20; Art by Alyssa Ki

Alyssa Kiâ€s new show opens at Village West Gallery on Newark Ave in Jersey City on Sun, May 20, from noon to 3 pm. There will be a JC Fridays reception on Fri, June 1, 5-9 pm, and a Closing Reception on Thurs, June 28, 6-8 pm.  Ms. Kiâ€s solo show is billed as “a story in photographs, objects and memories.” For more info, go to villagewestgallery.com.  

GILBERT GOTTFRIED HEADLINES 6BCF

 THURS-TO-SUN, JUNE 7-10; The 6^th Borough Comedy Fest at Art House JC

Beginning Thurs, June 7, and running through Sun, June 10, Art House Productions in Jersey City will shine a spotlight on more than 70 comics doing stand up, sketch, improv, comedy podcasts and more. Itâ€s the 6^th Borough Comedy Festival – 6BCF – and on Sat, June 8^th, one of the highlights will be funnyman Gilbert Gottfried who headlines an evening of the The Best of the Fest. An All Access Pass for the entire festival is $65. For most performances, admission is $12-$20. For Gilbert Gottfried and The Best of the Fest, admission is $25. For more info, go to: arthouseproductions.org. For the festivalâ€s line-up, go to 6BCF.com.

FLEET WEEK DEMONSTRATIONS

SUN, MAY 27: U.S. Maritime Services Showcase

On Sun, May 27, from noon-to-5 pm, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard will put on some magnificent displays to showcase the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Now in its 3^rd year, the event celebrates these three branches of service and offers local residents the opportunity to meet Sailors, Marines and members of the Coast Guard who patrol the Hudson and keep it safe. The event will include performances and demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Band, U.S. Navy Helicopter Static Display & Dive Tank, the U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment, the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard Silent Drill Team, and Military Static Displays. Kids can look forward to participating in some fun activities, too. Partners for this event include the State of New Jersey, City of Jersey City, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry and Liberty State Park. Sun, May 27, noon-5 pm, Liberty State Park, Audrey Zapp Drive, JC. For more info, go to libertystateparknj.gov. Free.

MAGNOLIA LANDING

THURS, JUNE 2 & 16: Food, Crafts, Live Music

Every other Thursday in Journal Square – through November — visitors are invited to enjoy local foods, crafts and live music to put a little sizzle in their Thursday evening commute. There are themes, too: May 19 is Vintage Bazaar; June 2 & 16 are Record Riot; July 7 & 21 will be Multicultural Days; Aug 4 & 18 will be Pet Days; and so much more. Magnolia Landing – the plaza facing Magnolia Avenue – is at the corner of Magnolia & Summit Aves, adjacent to Journal Squared. Thurs, June 2 & 16, 12 noon-5 pm, Magnolia Landing, Food, Crafts & Music Fair, Magnolia Landing, Magnolia & Summit Aves, JC.

HOBOKENâ€S MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Wednesdays in June, July & August

Wednesdays are free movie nights in Hoboken as Movies Under the Stars takes off in June. Outdoor Movie Screenings take place at Pier “A” Park on First St. & Sinatra Dr. at 9 pm in June and July. For the best seating, come early and bring a blanket or comfortable chair. You may bring a picnic, but alcohol consumption is not permitted and subject to a fine. Assisted listening devices will be available upon request. Must call 201-420-2000 ex. 5100 with 3 weeks†notice. Juneâ€s schedule: Wed, June 13, LA LA LAND; Wed, June 20: LADY BIRD; Wed, June 27: THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. For more info, go to www.hobokennj.org.

The post SPRING IS IN THE AIR    Fun Things to Do in Hudson in May & June first appeared on River View Observer.

Original 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 doesnâ€t know what theyâ€re getting into until itâ€s too late. Situations like this are the basis of a new collaborative play by Jersey Cityâ€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.

“Itâ€s a play about survivors of domestic violence, the staff members of Women Rising, and the police officers and friends who have helped them survive,” Heather Wahl, Producing & Artistic Director of Speranza Theatre Company says. “We started this process a year ago by interviewing people who have personal connections to domestic violence. The interviews are anonymous but the words and feelings they evoke show throughout the play.”

WOMEN RISING: Stories of Hope features

Alicia Rivas, Vanessa Rappa and Samille Ganges

The cast includes Laura Gourdine, Alicia Rivas, Larissa Adamczyk, Vanessa Rappa, Jason Faust and Samille Ganges.

“We hope this play will start a conversation about domestic violence,” Wahl says. “Itâ€s learned behavior, itâ€s generational, but it doesnâ€t discriminate. Thatâ€s something weâ€re trying to show in this play; it can happen to anybody. You hear a lot of different voices from different cultures. You hear from a young Latina, and an Indian woman in an arranged marriage whose mother-in-law abused her. The monologues are all inspired from true stories.”

Speranza Theatre Coâ€s Heather Wahl and actor Laura Gourdine

It was about a year ago that Wahl and her staff reached out to Women Risingâ€s Joaneileen Coughlan, Director of Domestic Violence Services at Women Rising, to see if the non-profit would be open to collaborating on a play about domestic violence. The two groups have worked joined forces on other projects, too.

“A lot of fundraisers Speranza Theatre Company does, including our annual production of ‘The Vagina Monologues†have been partnered with Women Rising,” Wahl says. “With WOMEN RISING: Stories of Hope, everyone was excited to have another venue to discuss domestic violence with the community.”

Domestic violence is a tough topic to tackle, but Wahl knows people who have experienced domestic violence and itâ€s important to get the issue out in the open, she says.

“Even though Iâ€m not a survivor, I know survivors, I can empathize with them,” Wahl says. “I know we can make a difference with this play. One of the big things about domestic violence is that it does not discriminate. Thereâ€s no one socio-economic group or race or culture or religion —it doesnâ€t pigeon-hole any of these categories. Rich, poor, a lot of the survivors were Caucasian, well off, well-educated. These were smart women. How did it happen? It happens over time. The batterer slowly starts to isolate you, control you and take away your power. For these women, they didnâ€t realize until they were too far in.  Then they asked, how did this happen to me? Iâ€m a smart girl, how did this happen to me?”
WOMEN RISING: Stories of Hope will be going on tour at colleges, womenâ€s organizations, and churches through the Tri-State area and the show is available for bookings, Wahl says. After the production at Art House, Speranza will be presenting the play for students and faculty at Hudson County Community College on Oct. 27^th.

“For the shows in Jersey City, weâ€re doing a dress rehearsal in front of an audience on Wednesday, October 19^th,” Wahl says. “Itâ€s open to the public and ‘pay what you can†night. Any amount of cash. All the proceeds go straight to Women Rising. Whether it is one dollar or a hundred, it all goes to Women Rising.”

Joaneileen Coughlan is the Director of Domestic Violence Services at Women Rising and sees the play as a new way to get their message across.

“Iâ€m really excited to be doing something different to raise awareness of domestic violence,” Coughlan says. “I believe this play will definitely have an impact.”

 

If you go

Thurs, Oct. 20-Sun, Oct 23

WOMEN RISING, Stories of Hope

Speranza Theatre Company at

Art House Productions

136 Magnolia Ave, JC

www.speranzatheatrecompany.com

 

Thurs, Oct 27, 6 pm

Hudson County Community College

 

For tix www.brownpapertickets.com

Tix can also be purchased at the door: $20 (cash only, please)

 

Women Rising

24/7 hotline: 201-333-5700

 www.womenrising.org

 

 

The post HOPE RISES New Play by Speranza Theatre & Women Rising explores Domestic Violence first appeared on River View Observer.

Throughout the year, Jersey City and other Hudson locales snap, crackle and pop with cultural events – art shows, plays, and dance performances – put on by the diverse and richly-talented artists who live in our local neighborhoods. Art is a huge part of Hudsonâ€s community and quality-of-life; so, from now on, in every issue of River View Observer, weâ€ll list this go-to guide to whatâ€s happening on the local ArtSCENE.

 313 Gallery at JC Art School

 

313 GALLERY, 313 –3^rd Street, JC, (732) 877-9116, www.jcartist.org.

Now through Feb 21: GENTRIFICATION, The Changing Landscape of Jersey City – A documentary art exhibition featuring Narciso Espiritu, Fabricio Suarez, Sam Pullin; curated by Allison Hall.

ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS, 136 Magnolia Ave, JC, (201) 915-9911, www.arthouseproductions.org. A non-profit organization bringing multi-media arts programs to Jersey City including original theater, music events, visual arts, experimental performance, classes, video/new media and the citywide arts festival, JC Fridays. Feb. 12-14, 19-21 at 8 pm; Feb 15 and 22 at 7 pm: THE SHAPESHIFTER, A sensory play by Meg Merriet.

THE BRUNSWICK WINDOW, 158 Brunswick St, JC, (201) 978-8939, Artistic window displays 24/7.
EVENING STAR STUDIOS, 11 Monitor St, JC, (201) 388-7323, Handcrafted art pieces; pottery throwing demonstrations.

 

GAIA STUDIO 315 3rd St, JC, www.gaiastudio.org. Each month Gaia gallery exhibits the work of a Gaia member and colleagues. Openings are on the first Friday of the month, 6-9 pm.

 ”Wonder Woman” by Teresa Garcia at Grassroots Community Space

 

GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY SPACE, 54 Coles St, JC, (201) 500-5483, www.grassrootscommunityspace.com. Classes held in Bollywood Funk, Martial Arts, Drum Circles; the work of local artists exhibited throughout the space.

 

LITM (Love is the Message), 140 Newark Ave, JC, (201) 536-5557, www.litm.com. In February: SHIFTING REALITIES, works by Liz Defrain, Mumbot, Lau Gallico, Gail Boykewich and Andrea Morin. “These five artists, while having different aesthetic styles, create works that delve into the otherworldly. Some are subtle, leaving the viewer with an inexplicable eerie feeling or strange sense of wonder. Others take you straight into a realm of the fantastic. Come and step into their worlds.”

  

    Costumes from the Armitage at MANA now through March 13

MANA CONTEMPORARY, 818 Newark Ave, JC, (201) 604-2702, www.manacontemporary.com. Large art complex with exhibitions, artist studios, framing and restoration. Through March 13: MAKING ART DANCE: Backdrops and Costumes from the Armitage Foundation. “Curated by Jeffrey Deitch, the exhibit features sets and costumes created in the past 30 years by Armitage in collaboration with artists and designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Jeff Koons, Christian Lacroix, David Salle, Peter Speliopoulos, and Philip Taaffe.” Now through April 24: John Newsomâ€s ROGUE ARENA, “Each of John Newsomâ€s arresting, kaleidoscopic paintings is a visual adventure. The New York-based artistâ€s super-sized canvases display a dense depiction of life-like animals and vegetation, which sit atop layers of abstract backgrounds comprised of impastoed textures, schizophrenic brushstrokes, and hard-edged, monochrome shapes.” Thereâ€s more to see; visit the website.

  Mary Benson Gallery, Jersey City

 

MARY BENSON GALLERY, 369 Third St, JC. For more info, visit their Facebook page.

PANEPINTO GALLERIES, 371 Warren Street, www.panepintogalleries.com; art@panepintogalleries.com. “Panepinto Galleries was founded by Stefania Panepinto in 2011 as a collective space to host gallery viewings, film screenings, theatrical performances, photo shoots, art exhibitions and events of all kinds, as well as build a vibrant community of artists. Located in the heart of the Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City.”

  Local artists†work fills the walls at Port-O-Lounge, JC

 PORT-O LOUNGE, 286 1st St, JC. www.portolounge.com.

 

PRO ARTS, 135 Greene St, JC; 201-736-7057; www.proartsjerseycity.org; proarts@gmail.com.

Now through April 27: GESTURES IN ART, New Paintings and the Gimme Shelter Project, featuring works by Michele Vitale and Gail Winbury; curated by Eileen Ferara, and on view at Windows On Columbus on Columbus Drive between Washington and Greene Streets, and at the Lobby on Greene St, at 135 Greene Street off Columbus Drive. The exhibit is free and open to the public 24/7. “Pro Arts Jersey City is an organization of professionals in the visual arts, mainly from Jersey City and the surrounding metropolitan area, who are working to promote the arts and to better communicate Jersey Cityâ€s identity as a growing arts center.” Visit their website www.proartsjerseycity.org or call 201-736-7057 for more information.

 

RAVEN GALLERY AND BOUTIQUE, 304 Newark Ave, JC; (201) 565-3046; www.theravengalleryandboutique.com. Fri, Feb. 13, 6-10 pm: EAT YOUR HEART OUT! “Come to The Raven Gallery & Boutique to mend your broken heart, celebrate yourself, look at some great art from our Industrial NJ show, engage in some interactive anti-Valentine’s activities, check out our broken hearts curtain, drink some Cupid’s blood (hehe!), or just hang out! We will be open special hours for that special person- YOU!” Thereâ€s more to see; visit their website. Artists†works curated by Javiera Rodriguez and Andrea McKenna.

Sno-Balls by Pamela Talese at the Village West Gallery, downtown.

VILLAGE WEST GALLERY, 331 Newark Ave, JC. www.villagewestgallery.com; robinsonholloway@gmail.com. Opening Feb. 18 and running through March 8: BREAD AND CIRCUSES. “The term dates back to ancient Rome (‘panem et circensesâ€), when “bread and circuses” were deemed enough to keep the population distracted and undemanding – our modern day equivalent might be ‘corn syrup and Kardashians.†Twenty eight artists have tackled the theme, both literally and politically. Village West Gallery is located in the Village neighborhood of Historic Downtown Jersey City.  Aside from receptions and special events, it is open by appointment only.

If you have an art opening or performances coming up including visual arts, performing arts and street arts, send an email to:  Riverviewobserver@gmail.com or call 201-776-9222 and weâ€ll list it in ArtSCENE.

Compiled by Sally Deering and Fermin Mendoza.

The post ArtSCENE: ART SHOWS, PLAYS AND DANCE PERFORMANCE LISTINGS first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Art House Productions grew from a post-9/11 open mic night on the top floor of a church, to a respected company of artists performing, exhibiting, teaching and building a creative presence in Jersey City. As Founder and Executive Director of Art House Productions, Christine Goodman oversees INKubator, a play-development program; STAGES, a youth theater program; .JC FRIDAYS, a quarterly arts event held in 50 venues throughout Jersey City; Snow Ball, the non-profitâ€s annual fundraiser and “THE ART HOUSE TV SHOW” featuring performances by poets, musicians, comedians and performance artists that airs weekly on Jersey City Comcast Channel 51. Goodmanâ€s efforts have been so successful the City of Jersey City gave her the Key to the City in 2007.

Art House Productions began its 13^th season this past September and its fall JC Fridays event was just held the first week of December. These days, Goodman is busy getting LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, put on by Art House Productions†youth company ready for opening night while she plans the upcoming fundraiser Snow Ball to be held January 25^th.  She recently took time out of her busy schedule to talk with Riverview Observer about her role as Executive Director of Art House Productions and the many projects she and her staff oversees.

RVO: Can you tell our readers how Art House Productions came about?

CG: I founded it 2001in response to ‘9/11â€.  I wanted to have an event that brought people in Jersey City together that were artistic, I had no idea where to find them, so I held an ‘open mic†in late September 2001 and that was the first event. In January 2002, we launched our monthly open mic series at Victory Hall, connecting with writers and poets like Reg E. Gaines. (Reg E. Gaines, a Jersey City resident, wrote the libretto and lyrics for the Broadway musical BRING IN DA NOISE; BRING IN DA FUNK.)  And in 2007 we moved into our space on Hamilton Park.  It started with an open mic and a handful of people; now we have things happening year round and we serve over 16,000 people a year through our programs.

 RVO:  What is JC Fridays?

CG: JC Fridays is a city-wide arts festival that features artists in all artistic disciplines in venues across Jersey City. It happens four times a year – March, June, September and December – at the start of every season and it encourages local spending and is a wonderful catalyst for neighborhoods to pull together multiple venues as destinations for audiences to come out and explore their neighborhood. It builds participation in the arts city-wide, connects people within neighborhoods and supports local business. For us it was a natural fit. We come from an inter-disciplinary background, so to connect visual artists, galleries, theaters and restaurants, and bring people together that way, is at the core of what we do. Itâ€s been exciting to see the festival expand over the years, from 15 venues to 50.

RV: What is the annual Snow Ball?

CG: Thatâ€s our big fundraiser and it helps us raise a large portion of our operating budget for the year. (The next Snow Ball is Jan. 25, 2014.)  Itâ€s an important event and a really fun one. What makes it such an experience is that itâ€s a celebration of the artistic spirit while raising funds and its ‘black tie-creativeâ€. People come in costumes, vintage, their old wedding dress or what they wore to prom if they can still fit into it. Weâ€ll have live Bossa Nova music by the Jersey City-based group “Vespertine” and multiple restaurants will be serving food, wine, beer and dessert. Itâ€s an all-inclusive ticket ($80) and when tickets go on sale in mid-December they can be purchased by going to the website: www.arthouseproductions.org.  

RVO:  How big is Art House Productions†staff?

CG: We have an amazing technical director and lightning designer Lance Michel, and our production coordinator Shimeon Nandlal. Thatâ€s really the core team that brings our in-house projects to life.

RVO:  Is your space at One McWilliams Place a permanent or temporary home?

CG: Where we are now has always been a temporary facility. Weâ€re committed to being a part of Jersey Cityâ€s cultural scene for the foreseeable future and would love to find a permanent home. Weâ€re a very active organization and thereâ€s a lot of need for our organization to find adequate space. As we know, across the city thereâ€s a lack of space generally for the arts to present programs on a city-wide level.  

 RVO: What are you working on now?

CG:  On Dec. 12^th we open LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. We have 32 youths in our STAGES company, a semester-long program for 4^th to 12^th graders that meets after school twice a week and puts on two musicals a year. We also just produced an international modern dance festival with 21 companies from across the country and across the world. It was amazing.

 RVO: How can an artist get involved with Art House Productions?

CG: We recommend they join our email list. When we do group shows, we have calls for art.  For our plays, we hold auditions and those can be found in the trades like “Backstage” or our Facebook page, which is www.facebook.com/njarthouse.

 For more info, go to: www.arthouseproductions.org.

Contact: info@arthouseproductions.org.

The post Behind the Scenes at Art House Productions Executive Director Christine Goodman gives Artists a Place to Shine first appeared on River View Observer.

PERFORMANCE DATES
Thurs – Sat, June 20-22 at 8pm
Sun, June 23 at 4pm
Thurs – Fri, June 27-28 at 8pm
Sat, June 29 at 7pm**

SPECIAL EVENTS
** Saturday, June 29: Special 7pm show followed by
the Art House Summer Blowout,  our annual end-of-season party w/live music, food, raffles & more ($10)

TICKETS
$18 general admission
$12 students/seniors

VIP TICKETS
$25 VIP seats with Complimentary Refreshments (limited availability)

$35 VIP Opening Night Reception
Includes a pre-show wine & cheese reception
at Madame Claude Wine (7pm)
and premium seating

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:
http://fontofknowledge.brownpapertickets.com

STARRING
Baltsar Beckeld, Lindsay Brill, Terence MacSweeny*, Paul Nugent*,
Alexandra Pflaster, Elena Zazanis*

WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Goldberg
DIRECTED BY: Mason Beggs
STAGE MANAGER: Amanda Levie
MUSIC AND AUDIO DESIGN: Michael Flinck
LIGHTING DESIGN: Lance A. Michel
DRAMATURG: Carolyn Light
SET DESIGN: Gail-Marie Boykewich
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Shimeon Nandlal
PROP ASSISTANT: Jovelle Melgar
BOX OFFICE MANAGER: Samille Ganges

LOCATION
Art House Productions Theaterspace
Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
(SE Corner of Hamilton Park near Erie St./8th St.)

Wheelchair accessible
Pre-Show Tactile Tours, Braille/Large Print Programs Available

Sponsored by Hamilton Square, Jersey City Independent,
and SILVERMAN: Building Neighborhoods

Made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; administered by the Hudson County Office
of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development,
and by the County of Hudson, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive,
and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders

* Member of Actors†Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States,
appearing under a Special Appearance Contract

The post Art House Productions presents- Font of Knowledge a noir comedy first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

 In October 2012, the second annual Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City lit up screens at the Landmark Loewâ€s Jersey Theatre and other venues where films from all over the world premiered and winners chosen. On Sat, March 16th, the festivalâ€s Executive Director Bill Sorvino presents “The Best of the Fest” where three films from the Golden Door International Film Festival will have encore screenings at Art House Productions in Jersey City.

 

The feature film to be shown is “Maybe Tomorrow” directed by Michael Wolfe and starring Wolfe, Dominik Tiefenthaler and Paul Lange. At the Golden Door, the film won Best Picture, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay. The film centers on the friendship between three men and the test their friendship endures when they become involved in a crime that ultimately changes their lives forever.

  

Next on the bill is “Pollination*”  a short film about the special life of plants by filmmaker Sam Borowski and starring Federico Castelluccio (of “The Sopranos”) and Chris Kattan. 

 

Rounding out the evening is “My Time with the English Tourist,” a short documentary by Jersey City resident John Dunstan that won the Audience Choice award. The film short is a 13-minute valentine to Jersey Cityâ€s Liberty State Park and the wildlife that resides there as seen through Dunstanâ€s camera lens during walks with his English bulldog Tommy.

 “These three films were chosen across the spectrum,” Sorvino says. “The feature film, ‘Maybe Tomorrow†is a powerhouse movie starring Michael Wolfe.  Johnâ€s film is a short documentary about the walks he took with his dog and the beautiful wildlife in Liberty State Park. Itâ€s a great film. And Samâ€s film ‘Pollination*†packs a 7-minute wallop.â€

 The Best of the Fest is a fundraising event for Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City as it gears up for its third year this fall.

 “We run the festival on a very tight budget,” Sorvino says, “and we need every penny we can bring in.”

 Early film submissions to the 2013 festival are being accepted as of March 7^th and there are several deadlines throughout the year for filmmakers to submit their work. Sorvino and his staff held a Best of the Fest last year after the first festival where he says they had a full house at Art House Productions space near Hamilton Park in Jersey City. This yearâ€s event will again be held at Art House with the three filmmakers attending the screening and then conducting a Q&A with the audience afterwards.

 Dunstan, who directed and stars in the short documentary “My Time with the English Tourist” with his dog Tommy participated in the first Golden Door festival when he submitted his film “The Secret Life of my Small Urban Backyard” which won Best Documentary that year and played film festivals in Montana and Finland.

 “My first film was a nature documentary, an extremely close look at life in my backyard,” Dunstan says.

 A carpenter by trade, Dunstan describes himself as a hobbyist filmmaker. He says the festival is a great venue for filmmakers to learn from each other and garner support for their work.

 “Itâ€s nice as an amateur to hang out with people who made serious films,” Dunstan says “One thing that impressed me with the Golden Door film festival is that an enthusiast filmmaker like myself gets the same respect and supportive atmosphere as the bigger players. In spite of the demands of organizing and running the festival, Bill has really made it a special event, personally encouraging my work.”

 This is the second year Best of the Fest will be held at Art House Productions in Jersey City, a non-profit performance, art, and theater space run by Christine Goodman. Itâ€s a great venue for screenings, Sorvino says.

 “Itâ€s one of the most successful venues of the film festival,” Sorvino says. “We seem to pack the house with them. They have a nice screen, a nice setting, great sound. It doesnâ€t look like a movie theater but itâ€s an awesome space.”

 On March 16^th, the Best of the Fest will screen the three films from 7-9 pm and after the Q&A, thereâ€s an after party scheduled at GPâ€s Restaurant just a few steps away on Pavonia Avenue.  Admission to Best of the Fest is $20, cash only, at the door and the price includes admission to the screenings and the after party.

“The Golden Door is getting bigger and better,” Sorvino says. “Itâ€s blowing up in fact.”

 

If you go:

Sat, Mar 16, 7 pm

The Best of the Fest

Art House Productions

Hamilton Square

1 McWilliams Place

Jersey City

Admission:  $20

For more info:

www.goldendoorfilmfestival.org

www.facebook.com/goldendoorfest

 

The post Golden Door Does Its Best Film Festival’s ‘Best of’ to be Screened at Art House Productions in Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.