Now celebrating its two-year anniversary, "JC Fridays" has tripled in size from a dozen venues to over 25 free events to choose from.
This is the ninth "Friday," as four are held each year. This version will include brand new artist collaborations - many of which are mixed-media productions. Why just listen to music when you can elevate your experience by viewing great paintings at the same time?
Gaining momentum
In just two short years, major art leaders in Jersey City have turned the downtown area and beyond into a living, breathing community for artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Those leaders - Art House Productions, Jersey City Museum, Pro Arts, Victory Hall, Grace Church, Gallery 58, Mana Fine Arts and more - have found innovative ways to bring art to residents in Jersey City and beyond.
At a networking meeting in the spring of 2005, local art leaders discussed ways to bring art lovers, residents, and business owners together. From its modest start of less than a dozen venues to over two dozen spaces plus group collaborations, JC Fridays has made its mark.
Because of the overwhelming response, the event is held at the change of every season. The next one after June 1 is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 7.
This season's steering committee has put together a day that features fashion, theater, a cookie baking contest and more! Members of the committee include: Ev Stone (Mana Fine Arts), Beth Achenbach, Christine Goodman, and Jack Halpin (Art House Productions).
According to Christine Goodman, director of Art House Productions, she is thrilled that they are celebrating the two-year anniversary.
"It feels wonderful," said Goodman. "I'm so excited to see the event growing and to have new organizers come in. It's great to see the program thriving. We are going to continue to thrive."
Goodman said that the audience for the event has reached areas outside Hudson County.
"We had a couple [at the spring event] from Manhattan that came to check out real estate near Exchange Place," said Goodman. "They got so swept up by the whole event that they checked out several venues."
She added, "I happened to see them again at the end of the night. That was wonderful to see people from New York who got a lot out of it."
What you'll see, some highlights
On Friday, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. and goes past midnight, with many of the events taking place during the prime early evening hours. There are several family-friendly events, plus information on venues that have handicap access. In addition, volunteers are welcome. (Visit: www.jcfridays.com for details.)
For complete list of times and events, see sidebar. Even if you've been to past "Fridays," each season has brand new performances and collaborations.
New stuff
One such group effort is the performance at Grace Church Van Vorst, which features Nimbus Dance Works and JC Theater. The trio will show a rehearsal of an upcoming theater and dance project titled "Love is Worse Than Sickness." Guests will get a sneak peek of how a show comes together.
World of Style Vintage and Balance Hair Salon will present a different kind of fashion show. The dancing models will take turns in a go-go cage.
The new venue, Gallery Lucy, will present their first photography exhibit by Jasper Sky Photography. In addition, guests will get a free take-away photo as a gift.
Music lovers have plenty of options to choose from including: Another Man's Treasure, Duck Duck Goose (family event), Waldo Lofts, Railroad, The Iron Monkey, Gallery 919, and others.
Spoken word fans won't want to miss slam champion Dujuana Sharese performing at Bagua Juice.
And to cap off the evening is a one-time only performance of "Late Nite Curiosities" presented by Art House Productions. According to Goodman, the mysterious, original performance will be performed at 10 and 11 p.m.
While Goodman wouldn't divulge details of the performance, she did promise that it would be memorable.
"It's top secret what we are doing," laughed Goodman, "but I guarantee that you'll laugh and be amazed."
The sponsors
The free events presented throughout the city were made possible by support from the following: Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, The Jersey City Municipal Council and Division of Cultural Affairs, The Jersey City Reporter, The Jersey City Magazine, Historic Downtown SID, The Jersey City Museum, Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, and Art House Productions.
This program was made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, which was administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Local business supporters include: NEW, BaGua Juice, and Waldo Lofts. Friends include: Dash Interiors, Sam Pesin in honor of Liberty State Park, the Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association, Duck Duck Goose, Maximillian Boutique, and Skin Organix.
For more information on the event please visit: www.jcfridays.com.
JC FRIDAYS (by time frame)
A Sound Start, 85 Wayne St., music & demo, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gallery Lucy, 138 Wayne St., mini-photo shoot, 12 to 8 p.m.
The Daylight Gallery, 281 Grove St., art, music & performance, 12 to 8 p.m.
Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery St., art, 1 to 5 p.m.
Another Man's Treasure, 109 Brunswick St., art & music, 1 to 9:30 p.m.
Erie Gallery, 18 Erie St., art, 3 to 5 p.m.
Madame Claude Café, 364 4th Street, art, 4 to 11 p.m.
Duck Duck Goose, 16 Erie St., music & art, 5 to 7 p.m.
Maximillian Boutique, 107 Columbus Drive, fashion show, 5 to 7 p.m.
Skin Organix, 297 Grove St., art & demo, 5 to 7 p.m.
LITM, 140 Newark Ave., art, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Grigory Gurevich Studio Gallery, 282 Barrow St., art, film, performance, 5 to 8 p.m.
Nimbus Dance Works & JCity Theater, 39 Erie St., performance, 6 to 9 p.m.
Mana Fine Arts & RockSoupStudios, 227 Coles St., art, 6 to 9 p.m.
The Waldo Lofts & The JC Theater Center, 159 Second St., performance, food, 6 to 10 p.m.
Abaton Annex, 530 Jersey Ave., art & performance, 7 to 9 p.m.
Padna, 140 Bay St., art & contest, 7 to 9 p.m.
World of Style Vintage & Balance Salon, 18 Erie St., fashion show & dance, 7 to 9 p.m.
Studio 411, 411 Monmouth St., art, 7 to 9 p.m.
Nobis Gallery, 58 Coles St., artist reception, 7 to 10 p.m.
Dash Interiors, 140 Bay St. (Suite 2), art, 7 to 10 p.m.
919 Gallery, 150 Bay St. (#919), art, 7 to 11 p.m.
Lex Leonard Gallery, 143 Christopher Columbus Drive, art, 7 to 11 p.m.
Railroad, 150 Newark Ave. (#4R), music, video, art, 7 p.m.
BaGua Juice, 364 Grove St., performance, 8 to 10 p.m.
The Iron Monkey, 97 Greene St., art & music, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Art House Productions, 1 McWilliams Place, performance, 10 & 11 p.m.
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