The exhibit celebrates the art and influence of the hip-hop movement.

Hudson County Community College’s  first exhibit of the new year presented by the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Department of Cultural Affairs is one of the most unique and explores a cultural phenomenon, hip-hop.

The exhibit, “Hip-Hop Utopia: Culture + Community” was curated by Michelle Vitale and Fred Fleisher, and may be viewed from Monday, January 23^rd through Tuesday, February 21^st in the Collegeâ€s Benjamin J. Dineen, III & Dennis C. Hull Gallery, 71 Sip Avenue in Jersey City. The exhibit and all of the related events are open to the entire community and there is no charge for admission.

Since its inception, hip-hop has given a voice to the marginalized and disenfranchised. Today, the park jams have evolved into a global community of bold expression that influences and provides commentary on current issues including culture, ethnicity, class, and gender.

The exhibition features artists Karlos Carcomo, Raphael Gonzalez and street art aficionado among others. Mr. Carcomoâ€s work has been exhibited throughout New York City, including Artists†Space, The Brooklyn Museum, PS1 Center for Contemporary Art, El Museo del Barrio and Queens Museum of Art.  Photographer Raphael Gonzalez (aka Zurbaran 1) has created visually dynamic images of street art that primarily focus on artists at work for several years. Mr. Gonzalez often collaborates with the street artists he photographs; his work has included some of the worldâ€s most renowned graffiti artists, including Giz, Trans 1, Noir, and Fumero. The popular graffiti-focused art blog, STREETARTNYC, which is curated by Lois Stavsky, will be digitally featured in the Gallery as part of the exhibit. STREETARTNYC has been recognized for capturing some of the greatest graffiti from around the world.

The “Hip-Hop Utopia: Culture + Community” exhibit will also include artists and community partners Grove Street Bicycles, Chilltown Collective, and artist Yishai Minkin, as well as Hudson County Community College alumni Freddy Samboy, Alex Melo, Eligio A. Rosa and Karon Clerk.

An exhibit reception is scheduled for Tuesday evening, January 31^st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will also be a panel discussion with exhibit artists and community members titled “Utopia or Bust,” on Wednesday, February 8^th from noon to 2 p.m.

A two-part listening session, “Turntable Tuesdays,” featuring Jersey City-based DJs Kevlove and Unkle Chip will take place on February 7^th and February 21^st from 6 to 8 p.m.

Finally, those who visit the exhibition may sign up for a chance to win a graffiitiâ€d, fat-tire bicycle donated by Grove Street Bicycles.

Located on the top floor of the HCCC Library, the Benjamin J. Dineen, III & Dennis C. Hull Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (The Gallery is closed on Sundays.)

Additional information on “Hip-Hop Utopia: Culture + Community” may be obtained by emailing Gallery@hccc.edu.

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The Newport Neighborhood Association (“NNA”) is excited to be hosting its fourth annual International Cultural Festival on Saturday, September 25th from noon to 7:00 pm on Town Square Place, the old Pavonia Avenue, in Jersey City’s downtown Newport community.  This location is just outside the Newport/Pavonia PATH station in Newport, across the street from the eastern entrance to the Newport Mall.  The NNA has planned an even bigger event than last year’s Festival which drew roughly 2,500 to Newport as this year’s event will have something for all ages, many cultures, and something new, including showcasing a bike show by Grove Street Bicycles, several new performers and legos for kids.

 

            Robert Vivien, NNA President, said that “the Festival is a multi-cultural event that will celebrate the rich diversity of Newport and Jersey City.”  Vivien added that “the Festival is also a Charity Benefit to raise funds that will enable the NNA to continue the NNA Scholarship Fund for an eligible student.   

Besides featuring a large cross-section of music and dance including Asian, Indian, Latino and American, the celebratory part of the Festival has local teen sensation Brady Cudmore with his band, Aphrodesia, who will perform pop tunes and dance numbers.  Brady has a large following among Jersey City public school students.

            The live entertainment doesn’t stop there – also appearing is ANEJO, fronted by Newport employee Willie Maldonado, which will provide ample rhythms to get everyone up and dancing.  Coming back to the Newport stage is the electric Indian dance troupe, Ayesha’s Bollywood Funk NYC, which thrilled last year’s audience. China will amply be represented as both the New Tang Dynasty dancers will perform with the mystery and grace of the Orient as well as Chinese Boy, who will play an authentic ARHOO.  The Doo Wop legends, “Select Blendz” will sing a capella classics of the ’50s and ’60s.

            The children’s portion of the show includes local violin instructor Muhammad Bilal’s Childrens Classical Music Ensemble, which is comprised of a collection of up to 2 dozen kids who performed a breathtaking violin interpretation of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy;” Kala’s Indian children dancers, Legos for Kids brought to you by The LEGOMASTER and face painters and clowns round out the children’s portion of the Festival.

            The Festival is also a Charity Benefit to raise funds that will continue the NNA Scholarship Fund earmarked for an eligible student.  Vivien stated that “the Festival’s substantive purpose is to address the needs of an eligible student dedicated to serving the community by providing a scholarship for him/her to fulfill a dream of attending college or for an at-risk youth to attend an after-school program. 

            When you get hungry, there will be plenty of fine cuisine from several cultures to choose from, including the French fare of Hoboken based “The Crepe Grill”, delights from Amiya’s north Indian cuisine and Newport’s CC Caterers, who specialize in South Indian cuisine, the Asian Fusion of Nanking, the dishes of three of the most prominent Newport restaurants, the Italian fare of Newport’s own Michael Anthony’s Restaurant,  the seafood of South City Grill and the Mexican dishes of Boca Grande.  The Middle East will be represented by Taboulle Grill from the Newport Mall, with the lighter fare of wraps from Tommy2 Scoops.

            Need something to wash that down?  Michael Anthony’s will be there to serve a selection of fine wines and Samuel Adams, Yuengling Lager and Coors Light beer.  Need a pick me up to go with desserts, check out the fine pastries and coffees of the Cocoa Bakery, Jersey City’s newest addition founded by Jessica Issacs, former pastry chef at New York City’s Nobu Restaurant, as well as the homemade gelato of Tommy2 Scoops. 

            What other fun is there to be had?  Kids will enjoy the clowns and face painting as well as the children’s boutique, Giggles n Barks, and Legos for Kids brought by The Legomaster.  Christ Hospital will have tables to provide blood pressure testing, Modells Sporting Goods will hold Raffles; Metro PCS will be signing folks up for new cell phone service and Mandarin Together Fun will sign folks up for Chinese language classes.   

            And to meet the NNA’s goal of establishing the NNA Scholarship Fund, there will be an Auction and Raffle to raise funds with donated items from prominent local merchants, including a weekend stay at the posh new Newport WESTIN with other prizes from donors such as several leading local restaurants, including Confucius.  Donations were also provided by downtown merchants Canis Minor Pet Boutique, New York Sports Club, Runner’s High, Big Drum FRAME Shop, and Carol’s Daughter. 

            Joseph Reiman, an NNA Trustee, says, “by reaching out to so many cultures and by presenting such an array of talent, performers, artists and culinary delights, folks are going to want to come check this out.”  The NNA Festival’s major sponsor is Knight Capital, with Morton Williams, Amiya Restaurant, Tommy2 Scoops, South City Grill, Peerless Beverage Co., the University of Phoenix and Capital One Bank community level sponsors.

            The Festival is easily accessible by public transportation as Town Square Place/Pavonia Avenue is directly across from the Newport Pavonia PATH station and around the corner from the Newport Bergen-Hudson Light Rail stop by the Newport Centre Mall.  There is also ample parking with garages nearby the Festival grounds. The RAIN Date is Saturday, October 2^nd, noon to 7 pm.

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Twelve hours of creativity and fun—October 3, 2009, 10 am-10 pm
On Saturday, October 3, 2009, 4th Street Arts, in cooperation with The Village Neighborhood Association and in tandem with the Jersey City Artists†Studio Tour, will yet again throw the ultimate celebration for creativity—the 4th Street Art & Music Festival.

Located at the crossroads of 4th Street, Newark Avenue and Brunswick Street, the Festival will feature an array of local visual artists†works (from sculpture to paintings to photography); live, interactive pieces; exciting childrenâ€s activities; the finest up-and-coming bands New Jersey has to offer; as well as delicious food and refreshing drinks. This year, the Festival is likely to draw more than 1,000 residents, truly bringing the community together while providing unprecedented exposure for businesses and artists alike.
ART
The 4th Street Art & Music Festival will showcase art in all its various formats and in a wide breadth of media.
Highlights include:
• Theme—Festival designer Thomas John Carlson will bring the concept of “growth” to life via painted wall decoration and vibrant displays using vegetation throughout. In an effort to illustrate the organic control of
space, Carlson will weed the Festival area and replace the unruly plants with real and painted flowers emphasizing the “gathering” of community, growth of retailers, food we eat (and those who provide it), and expansion of culture through music and art.
• Art for sale—artisans and visual artists will have pieces for sale, ranging from jewelry to photographs to soft goods to paintings. See next page for list of participants.
• Interactive & performance art—Called 2 X Four, this portion of the Festival will consist of two interactive art pieces and two performance art pieces. The interactive portions will feature separate showcases by Kevin
Darmanie and Nyugen E. Smith who will satire to reflect on how historical lineage, personal, and social issues impacts identity. Simultaneously Angela KaRIOTis will deliver a work offering insight about our collective
histories, greatest ideas, and thinking in new contexts. Another piece will feature an ensemble of musicians from multiple disciplines interpreting the energy generated by the environment through transfer of sound.
• Live art—Opening the artistâ€s studio for the public eye, artists ranging from various areas of expertise—from fine to street—will each paint a wood panel in their own unique style. In December, the works will be exhibited
and sold in the rotunda of City Hall. See next page for list of participating artists.
• Childrenâ€s corner—Run by Cara Campoli, this special area dedicated to kids will allow them to let their art
skills go wild with chalk, paint, and more. In addition, there will be face painting from 1-5. In addition, Michael Napolitano will perform music. Napolitano teaches at The Blue School in NYC, Music for Aardvarks and runs his own program Preschool of Rock. An advocate of early relationships with music he believes music, song and
rhyme aid in literacy development years before formal schooling.
MUSIC
Starting at noon, attendees will get down to groovy tunes, from folk to rock, played from two Festival stages. Line-up includes (subject to change):
THE VILLAGE STAGE
• Any Day Parade
• Frozen Gentlemen
• In Musth
• Bongo Surf
In between acts (and throughout the Festival), comedy troupe trip-and-fall will entertain the crowd with finely tuned comedic performances, including; live sketch comedy, street art, and just hanging out being funny. Based out of Jersey City, trip-and-fall is made up of best friends, compatriots, and all-around silly duo Sarah Roxanne Shields and Alissa Ahlberg. To learn more about this riot act, visit tripandfallproductions.wordpress.com.
CHARITY
4th Street Arts is pleased to partner with Mission:Remission, a not for profit organization dedicated to cancer research and awareness. Presently they have three pillars supporting cancer related groups: “Support” benefits Gilda Club, helping those living with cancer, as well as their friends and families; “Awareness” benefits Maureen Fund, committed to ovarian cancer awareness and education; and “Research” benefitting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund dedicated to finding better ways to detect and treat ovarian cancer. Mission:Remission will be hosting a silent auction, featuring artwork and services including a photo series by Steph Caldwell titled “Portrait Of A Lady” (proceeds from this item will benefit the Susan G Komen Foundation, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month), during the duration of the Festival. For more information, contact Jesse Caldwell at mission.remission@gmail.com.

Contacts: Mike McNamara | 516.782.6584
Marc Caterina | 732.742.2153
Email: 4thstreetfest@gmail.com URL: 4thstreetart.com
THE WHITE EAGLE STAGE
• Fairmont
• Miss Ohio
• Beacon
• Una Pong
• Andrew Sullivan
• 2 X Four Orchestra
• Angela KaRIOTis
• Natty Adams
• Manouche Bag
• Knotworking
• One Foot In
• Thomas Francis Takes His Chances
• Land of the Look Behind
• Dancing Tonyâ€s DJ Consortium
• Special guests

SPONSORSHIPS
4th Street Arts would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Sabrett, Stephen Roth/Prudential, Lucky 7 Tavern, 327 5th Street Corp., Metropolis Music, Another Manâ€s Treasure, Christopher Larsen, JC Tattoo Company, Grove Street Bicycles, LITM, The Little Gym, Eyesore Apparel,The Jersey City Independent, Skinners Loft, Edwards Steakhouse, Made With Love, Hudson County Art Supply, York Street Tavern, Carmen Rosa Bakery, FJB  Comics and Games, Brennanâ€s Florist, Madame Claudeâ€s Café, 2nd Street Bakery, Abbeyâ€s, Pecarraros, and Carmines.

Information about The Little Gym: A recreational gymnastics and dance center for children from 4 months to 12 years old. Classes include parent/child motor development, preschool gymnastics, dance, sports skills development, and grade school gymnastics for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. For more information, visit thelittlegym.com.
ARTISTS & ARTISANS (list may not be complete)
Lau Gallico Klohe, Sue Gerner, Tunde Cseke, Luca Cusolito (Lollibomb Beauty), Veronica Rosas, Christina Cruz, Sharon Harvey, Teri Sanders, Edmund Derrick, Shanon Dejong, Allison Garguilo (Minor Treat Bakery), Christina Entcheva, Corey Fleming, Kayt Hester, Matt Caputo, Norman Kirby, Mark Megara, Andrea Morin, Debbie Manville, David Reynolds, Paul Kiesche, Kevin Mccarthy, Joe Russo, Ron Erickson, Lynn Presley, Christine Kimmel, Christina Allesi, Debbie Mendel, Grayson Bagwell, Frank Palaia, Joe Chirchirillo, Mike McNamara, Thomas John Carlson, Christopher Silk, Doug Mitchell, Jesse A. Caldwell, The Agitators, Nyugen E. Smith, Mike Mandracchia, Rebecca Feranec, Yvonne Raley Designs , Johanna Wood, Emily August (Go Go Distro), Megan Gulick, Katherine Ramos (Sweet Ruination), Stefanie Flodmand (Howdy Sailor)

Some artisans featured are members of The Jersey City Craft Mafia, the newest addition to the Craft Mafia family—an international organization aimed at promoting artists and alterna-crafters on a local level. Members currently include fine artists and photographers, jewelry and accessory designers, a glass artist, and a beauty goods producer.
LIVE ART PARTICIPANTS (list may not be complete)
Joe Russo, Joe Iurato, Mark Finne, Nathan Lee Pickett, Ellis Gallagher, Cern, Matt Caputo & Norm Kirby, Damon Ginandes, Robots Will Kill, Steve Lew,
Gocha Tzisade, Nicholas Forker, Elmer Quiroz, Ken Bastard, Nico Kwan Phillips, Sean Lugo, Darren Defield, David Cooper, Matthew Okpych
BANDS
• Frozen Gentlemen: Frozen Gentlemen likens themselves to the “good” Bee Gees on amphetamines. They mix dance with rock in a way that gets the
crowd involved physically and emotionally.
• In Musth: This is how In Musth describes themselves—“Riffs that old people canâ€t hear. Not keen on repeating ourselves. Ever striving to resolve thin lizzy to ghetto boys, complex machinery to meat ‘n potatoes. We button the top button, tighten our tie and play by the rules in technicolor. Also, for the patient listener, there’s the fifth amendment. Aftertaste of extra-dimensional consciousness and the fanning tail display of male peacocks.”
• Knotworking: An ever-changing cast of musicians who support the voice and songwriting of Edward Gorch, whoâ€s literate songs come from homes in the margins of society. The fall 2009 band line-up features a back-to-basics two guitar, electric bass and drums approach.
• Thomas Francis Takes His Chances: TFTHC is a son, a brother. a friend. a lover, a husband, a grandfather. a cousin, a peeper, a doubter, a little engine that could, a scientist, an inventor, a cat, a gun, a half of a drum, an English muffin, a president, a principle, a saint, a martyr, a human, an animal, an orator, a listener, an aquarium drinker, an inspiration, a hero, but above all the rest “Our Father,” AMEN.
FOOD
The 4th Street Arts & Music Festival will host a collection of delectable food vendors. Among them Glenn Gilliar will provide his gourmet tasties. About
participating in this yearâ€s Festival, he says “I grew up with many food allergies and had to learn to cook more for necessity than pleasure. I’m a daring eater and will try almost anything presented to me I haven’t eaten before (as long as I’m not allergic). I love to experiment when cooking but I’ll be featuring my tried and true selections for the festival. All of the selections will be meat or seafood based. My booth will be more focused on quality rather than quantity.”
SPECIAL NOTE
To support this yearâ€s Festival, 4th Street Arts hosted a Mac & Cheese Bake Off on September 13. Twelve chefs participated, including restaurants and home cooks, and more than 250 locals came out as testers. This yearâ€s winners included: Judgeâ€s Restaurant Choice Lamp Post Bar and Grill, Judgeâ€s Individual Choice Judy Nunez, Peopleâ€s Choice Restaurant Iron Monkey, Peopleâ€s Individual Choice Rob Castillo, all of whom will enjoy free food and drink at the Festival, compliments of 4th Street Arts. Special thanks to Star Ledger contributor Pete Genovese, Councilman Steve Fulop, and Tony Susco who judged; and Sam Adams for providing beer and White Star Bar for their support.

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