JUNE JC FRIDAYS

ACCESS EDITION!

Friday, June 7th, 2019

A City-Wide, All-Day Celebration of Art & Culture in Jersey City

Friday, June 7th, 2019

JC Fridays Citywide, All-Day Arts & Culture Festival in Jersey City!

(Jersey City, NJ; May 1st, 2019)- June 7th, 2019, Art House Productions†JC Fridays will be holding its seasonal festival!  Featuring art events that take place in restaurants, galleries, stores, and event spaces in almost every neighborhood of our great city.  This June is our 2nd annual ACCESS JC Fridays  It focuses on inclusion and encourages participants to present work from artists with disabilities and/or work that celebrates disability in any of its many forms, including, but not limited to: impairments that are cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, and sensory. We also encourage you to find easy and inexpensive ways to make your physical space accessible to all.

All events are free and open to the public. As one of the preeminent art scenes in the tri-state area, Jersey City is abound with visual and performing artists of all types, musicians, and individuals with unique talent; JC Fridays is one of the best times for them to share their newest projects and works.

Sponsors: Harrison Rand, Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Jersey City Municipal Council & Cultural Affairs, Historic Downtown SID, JCEDC*

Made possible in part by funds from 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. * Supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism

Supporters: Jersey City Arts Council, Friends of JC Fridays: Triangle Park Community Center, Hudson Partnership

EVENTS AT ART HOUSE:
Cast Iron Lofts- 262 17th Street  (Coles St /Jersey Ave)

201-918- 6019. Wheelchair Accessible.

The post JC FRIDAYS ACCESS EDITION first appeared on River View Observer.

 

By Sally Deering

 Photos by Fermín Mendoza

You can see it from Rt. 139 feeding into the Holland Tunnel or catch it from downtown Jersey City as you head into Hoboken. David Bowieâ€s image 18-stories high on the side of the Cast Iron Lofts in Jersey City, painted by international muralist Eduardo Kobra.  Bowie passed-away January 10^th of this year, but his music and artistry live on throughout the world; and Kobraâ€s mural is now part of the Jersey City landscape, an urban landmark and the latest addition to the Jersey City Mural Arts Program.

On Fri, Nov. 4, Mayor Steven M. Fulop, members of the City Council, local real estate developers, and local artists welcomed Kobra to Jersey City and thanked him for painting the dazzling, eye-catching image of David Bowie. Mayor Fulop held the press conference on the buildingâ€s 5^th floor deck where visitors could get an up-close look at the mural, and meet and take pictures with Kobra who spent the past few weeks painting from a scaffold hanging 180-feet off the side of the Cast Iron Lofts hi-rise on Jersey Avenue.  

The Mural Arts Program which links established and emerging local, national and international mural artists with property owners city-wide is part of a beautification project to reduce graffiti and engage local residents. Murals are painted on walls throughout Jersey City, turning Jersey City into a public art gallery. According to Mayor Fulop, public art is a shared experience.

“Iâ€m a believer in public art,” Mayor Fulop told the crowd. “If you look at every period of time, public art is a reflection of whatâ€s happening during that time. Itâ€s symbolic of the times we live in. Iâ€m proud of what weâ€re doing. Jersey City is a thriving art community, and a welcoming community.”

Real estate developer Paul Silverman of Silverman Properties in Jersey City, attended the event. Silverman, who owns several properties in Jersey City, said having artists paint murals on buildings enhances the aesthetics of Jersey Cityâ€s architecture and brightens up the vibes in the neighborhood.

“A mural brings attention and discussion,” Silverman said. “It improves the buildingâ€s value and it helps make people proud. It changes your feelings about a neighborhood.”

 “I think itâ€s awesome,” local muralist 4Sakn of Jersey City said. “The scale and the colors. The geometric shapes mixed with realism.”

4Sakn sees the mural of David Bowie as a tribute to Bowieâ€s influence on the music industry. He said, “Itâ€s a memorial to Bowie and all the music he created.”

Kobraâ€s fame as a mural artist is as international as his mural projects. He just earned entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for the “largest spray paint mural by a team” for his “Ethnicities” mural featuring five faces from five continents painted outside the Rio 2016 Olympic stadium. Working with a four-person crew, Kobraâ€s murals enhance the landscape of many major cities throughout the world including London, Athens, Lyon, Los Angeles and New York.

Kobra, who is Brazilian and spoke through an interpreter, was asked why he chose an image of David Bowie to paint on the Cast Iron Lofts.

“I wanted to paint David Bowie because he is an icon and I wanted to represent his life to all of his fans,” Kobra told the assembled guests. He mentioned how thrilled he was to be in Jersey City and how an early visit to New York City when he was a boy helped shape his love of art.

“When I was 12, I was inspired by New York artists,” Kobra said. “Thatâ€s what made me who I am today. I have enjoyed working on this project. Itâ€s been a privilege and honor to be here.”

Artists John Ruddy and John Falcon are the curators of the Jersey City Artist Studio Tourâ€s gallery on the first floor of the Cast Iron Lofts building. Ruddy said Kobraâ€s mural of David Bowie stretches the limits of identity and creativity.

“An icon like David Bowie is a local hero in the spiritual sense,” Ruddy said.

“Itâ€s timely,” Falcon said, “and to have someone on the level of Kobra is great. Heâ€s painted one of the biggest murals in the world.”

Falcon said the Murals Project has established Jersey City as an art city.

“Art helps maintain Jersey City as an art-centric city,” Falcon said. “I hope a lot of other developers finance and pay local and international artists to work.”

Anne Novado, who is soon opening the Novado Gallery on Morgan Street in Jersey City, compared the mural to one of the ancient wonders of the world.

 “Its great energy,” Novado said. “Itâ€s a wonderful interpretation of David Bowie. By the scale of the piece, I would compare it to the Pyramids of Egypt.”

For more info on the

Mural Arts Project, go to

www.jerseycityculture.org

 

For more info on Kobra, go to

www.eduardokobra.com

 

 

The post KOBRA & BOWIE Int’l Muralist KOBRA paints 18-story David Bowie in Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that the City of Jersey City will partner with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to host a series of free community concerts through a partnership with the PSEG Foundation, as the Fulop administration continues to introduce new cultural events to the City, increase events for families and residents, and grow Jersey City as a destination.

The first New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th, as Mayor Fulop narrates a woodwind quintet in a special arrangement of Sergei Prokofievâ€s “Peter and the Wolf” in City Hall Council Chambers. 

“‘Peter and the Wolf†is a timeless masterpiece that will introduce people of all ages to the world of classical music,” said Mayor Fulop. “I am honored to perform with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and look forward to creating even more opportunities for Jersey City residents to enjoy this incredible composition right here in our community.”

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will also present a Brass Quintet Performance at Hamilton Park on Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m.

The summer concert series is only one of many events the Fulop Administration has supported, including numerous sporting events, the Golden Gloves Finals, an expanded SummerFest Concert Series, Movies in the Park, a Halloween event for children, Project: Eats, and the return and expansion of Jersey Cityâ€s annual Fourth of July event in Liberty State Park, now in its second year.  Jersey City was also the site of the 2013 Barclays Golf Tournament and will host the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National, and in November will host the Tri-State 2015 Tough Mudder event in Liberty State Park.

The Fulop administration has also focused on supporting the small business community by making improvements to the Business Department, which has led to more than 60 new restaurants opening in the past two years, creating a vibrant dining and cultural scene in Jersey City. Last week, more than 50 licenses were issued for new food truck operators, adding to Jersey Cityâ€s attractiveness as a destination and event site.  The Fulop Administration is also set to launch later this year a bike share program with 350 initial bikes located at docking stations throughout the city and which links directly with the NYC bike share program.

Following the implementation of the $1.2 million branding campaign,  “Jersey City: Make it Yours,” the NJSO concerts continue to contribute to the administrationâ€s efforts to increase public interest, celebrate diversity, and the development of Jersey City as a world class destination.

“The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and PSEG Foundation share a strong commitment to providing unique and meaningful cultural experiences for our diverse communities, and we are excited to work with Jersey City to bring its residents high-quality musical programs right at home,” said James Roe-President & CEO, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. “We are especially proud that Mayor Fulop will join our musicians to narrate Peter and the Wolf – his desire to participate further underscores the passion and commitment Jersey Cityâ€s leaders have for a flourishing artistic culture in one of our stateâ€s most vibrant cities.”

The two-year partnership between the NJSO and the PSEG Foundation will also foster and celebrate diversity within communities by connecting families through cultural events. As a part of their partnershipâ€s diversity and inclusion initiative, the NJSO Chamber Players will perform free community concerts at City Hall and Hamilton Park in Jersey City.

“Bringing experiences like the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to communities in which we serve is just one way the PSEG Foundation supports celebrating diversity,” said Ellen Lambert, President of the PSEG Foundation. “We are excited to be a part of this event with Mayor Fulop and the NJSO as we work together to serve as a catalyst for strengthening community ties.”

All performances are free and open to the public. No prior registration is required. For more information on the free concert series, please visit http://www.njsymphony.org/concerts-events/promotions/free-chamber-concerts-in-jersey-city-and-plainfield

ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:

Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestraâ€s superb musicians.

Under the bold leadership of Music Director Jacques Lacombe, the NJSO presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestraâ€s statewide identity.

The NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement promoting multiple offerings and reaching as many as 17,000 people in nearly all of New Jerseyâ€s 21 counties.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestraâ€s programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors. United is the official airline of the NJSO.

 ABOUT THE PSEG FOUNDATION:

The PSEG Foundation (501c3) is the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group

(NYSE:PEG). The Foundation generally supports and invests in programs in three areas:

community and the environment, education and safety. The Foundation provides grants to

organizations in communities served by PSEG and its subsidiaries. PSEG (NYSE: PEG) is a diversified energy company based in Newark, NJ. PSEG has three main subsidiaries: PSE&G, NJâ€s largest and oldest combined gas and electric delivery company, PSEG Power, a merchant power generation company, and PSEG Long Island, operator of the Long Island Power Authorityâ€s transmission and distribution system.

For more information about the NJSO, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestraâ€s website.

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699. 

The post City of Jersey City Announces Partnership with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra first appeared on River View Observer.

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today denounced planned toll increases set to take effect December 1st by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, an agency that continues to enjoy strong profits while New Jerseyans struggle to recover from the recession.

“By moving forward with toll and fare hikes, the Port Authority continues to punish New Jerseyans – and especially Jersey City residents – at a time of continued economic hardship,” said Mayor Fulop.   “The Port Authority dumps a heavy burden on Jersey City taxpayers in three ways — from the costs of municipal services provided to the Port Authority, from the increasing tolls and PATH fares, and from a staggering underpayment by the Port Authority to the City for its property here.”

According to just released data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank, North Jersey is lagging behind the rest of the metropolitan area in recovering from the recession.  Last year, the $4 billion Port Authority had a 31 percent profit margin, not including depreciation, amortization, taxes, interest and capital expenditures.

“The Port Authority is financially strong and could choose to delay this increase,” added Mayor Fulop.

On Dec. 1, 2013, tolls on cars using E-ZPass will increase 75 cents, following increases in 2011 and in 2012.  The Port Authority will continue to increase the tolls by 75 cents for each of the next two years on cars using E-ZPass. Tolls on cars paying with cash will increase $1 in 2014 and 2015.  Fares will also increase for car pool and green pass motorists.

For PATH riders, a single PATH ride will cost $1.00 more – from $1.75 to $2.75 – by October 2014, with 25 cent annual fare increases that began in 2011 and continue through next year.

Earlier this month, Mayor Fulop announced that the city will file suit against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for $400 million for missed tax payments and undue economic harm caused to the taxpayers of Jersey City by the bi-state transportation agency.

Currently, for all Jersey City properties owned by the Port Authority – excluding the Holland Tunnel which is tax exempt – the agency pays the City $2.2 million annually.  Those same properties are assessed at a rate that would result in $18.2 million in property taxes annually to the City.

“The Port Authority continues to create hardship for the people of Jersey City and it is time they pay their fare share,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Thatâ€s why we are suing for back taxes and interest totaling approximately $400 million and going forward we will also set the rate at a more realistic payment to benefit Jersey City taxpayers.  The Port Authority isnâ€t struggling, though its host cities bear a tremendous burden. Itâ€s time make the Port Authority respect the commuters whose money they grab every day.”

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699.////

The post Mayor Fulop Denounces Port Authority Moving Forward With Toll & Fare Increases first appeared on River View Observer.