"JC Fridays" has doubled in size from its start three years ago and is held quarterly at the change of every season - every September, December, March, and June.
This "Friday" includes over three dozen free events and performances to choose from.
Downtown and beyond
Now at its third anniversary in June, "JC Fridays" has become a much anticipated local seasonal event.
The event continues to grow and has spread to areas outside of the downtown area with the help of two new sponsors - the state of New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone program and the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce.
Christine Goodman, director/founder of Art House Productions, was rewarded last year for her effort in building the arts scene with a proclamation from Mayor Healy.
"It is absolutely thrilling to be at the third anniversary and to see how much it has grown," said Goodman. "June 6 will be the largest event to date. It is reaching out into new neighborhoods with the most diverse lineup of programs yet."
At the last "Friday" on March 7, about 2,000 people came to the event, with the next scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5.
"All the venues had a great turn out even in pouring down rain," said Goodman about the spring event. "The businesses and the public are really embracing the work and the artists are showing their work to even more people than ever before."
Citywide events all day
On Friday, the activities start at 9 a.m. and run past midnight. Maps will be available at event locations and visitors are encouraged to design their own tour of galleries, restaurants, and businesses.
"There is a nice selection of new businesses, artists and organizations that caught the buzz about 'JC Fridays' and want to get involved," said Goodman, who said that many of the events are clustered together so people can take in many different activities in one area.
"There is some really neat stuff happening," she said.
The events are ongoing so people can enjoy a variety of things including music during lunch hour, late night activities for adults, and family friendly events, she said.
In addition to the many venues showing visual art, visitors can take in live music, comedy, dramatic readings and dance. Kids of all ages can enjoy face painting, a pantomime demo or even a create-a-new-flavor of ice cream contest.
Many of the events take place at local bars, cafes, and restaurants allowing guests to indulge all their senses.
But those are just a few of the highlights, there is much more to see at the citywide event. For complete list of times and events, see sidebar. In addition, there is information on venues that have handicap access. Visit: www.jcfridays.com for details.
"If people are interested about finding out more about JC Fridays or artists that are looking for venues, we'd love to have you," said Goodman.
Interested parties can e-mail Christine at info@jcfridays.com.
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, Jersey City Magazine, Historic Downtown SID, The Jersey City Museum, Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, the state of New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Program, the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce.
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: 32 Jones Gallery, BaGua Juice, Balance Salon, Bar Majestic, D.E.E.N., Hudson County Art Supply, LITM, NEW, and World of Style Vintage.
Friends include: Another Man's Treasure, Fish With Braids Gallery, Hala Vintage, JC Tattoo Co., Sam Pesin in honor of Liberty State Park, and Torico's Ice Cream Parlor.
"All the new sponsors have been instrumental in helping the program to grow," said Goodman. "It is so encouraging to see businesses in Jersey City that support the artists as a vital part of our lives."
JC FRIDAYS
(by time frame)
City Hall, John Meagher Rotunda Gallery, 280 Grove St., art, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Morsella & Cupo Italian Deli, 576 Summit Ave., art, 10 a.m. to noon
Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery St., art, 6 to 8 p.m.
Daylight Gallery, 24 Mercer St., art, music, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Daylight Gallery, 67 Greene St., art, music, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Skinner's Loft, 146 Newark St., art, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Journal Square Restoration Corp., 4 PATH Plaza, music, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sava Polish Deli, 346 Grove St., art, noon to 6 p.m.
The Museum of Contemporary Russian Art, 80 Grand St., art, noon to 7 p.m.
Torico's Ice Cream Parlor, 20 Erie St., art, performance, music, 1 to 9 p.m.
Carmines's Panini House, 675 Bergen Ave., art, 2 to 4 p.m.
Prince of Pizza, 763 Bergen Ave., art, 2 to 7 p.m.
Surati & Kims Mediatronics, 88 Pavonia Ave., performance, film, music, 4 to 9 p.m.
Habib Ayat Studio, 360 Marin Blvd., art, music, 4 to 9 p.m.
D.E.E.N., 140 Bay St., art, music, 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Duck Duck Goose, 16 Erie St., art, 5 to 7 p.m.
Grigory Gurevich Studio Gallery, 282 Barrow St., art, demo, 5 to midnight
LITM, 140 Newark Ave., art, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
O'Connell's Bar, 111 Montgomery St., art, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Gallerie Hudson, 197 Newark Ave., art, 6 to 8 p.m.
Jersey City Museum at the Majestic, 222 Montgomery St., art, 6 to 8 p.m.
Art House Productions, (at Cosi Café, 545 Washington Blvd.), art, party, 6 to 8 p.m.
Fish With Braids Gallery, 521 Jersey Ave., art, 6 to 9 p.m.
Nuradeen Gallery, 483 Jersey Ave., art, film, 6 to 10 p.m.
Ian F. Hinonangan, across from 140 Bay St., performance, 7 p.m.
Imagine Atrium, 528 Jersey Ave., performance, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
World of Style Vintage & Balance Salon, 18 Erie St., art, performance, 7 to 9 p.m.
Mary Benson Gallery & Rock Soup Studios, 369 Third St., art, 7 to 9 p.m.
Bagua Juice, 364 Grove St., art, 7 to 9 p.m.
32 Jones Gallery, 32 Jones St., art, 7 to 9 p.m.
es ORO Polymedia Projects, 107 Brunswick St., art, music, 7 to 10 p.m.
Evonne Davis & Gallery Aferro, 411 Monmouth St., art, film, 7 to 10 p.m.
919 Gallery, 150 Bay Street, art, 7 to 11 p.m.
Liberty House Restaurant, 76 Audrey Zapp Dr., music, 7 to 11 p.m.
Lincoln Inn, 13 Lincoln St., music, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Nimbus Dance Works, 39 Erie St., performance, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
JC Tattoo Company, 254 Newark Ave., music, 8 to 11 p.m.
58 Gallery, 58 Coles St., art, 10 to 11 p.m.
Melissa Surach & Toy Eaters, 143 Columbus Dr., music, comedy, 10 p.m. to midnight
The Brunswick Window, 158 Brunswick St., art, film 24 hours
For more information, visit: www.jcfridays.com.
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