Some of them create art, some create policies that affect art, and some just abet artists. Who are the arts & entertainment newsmakers of 2001? Here’s a primer for some names you may see in art news this year. Not on here? Call and complain. Or rejoice.
Todd Abramson – More skilled at booking big-name rockers than the LAPD, this Maxwell’s owner and booker keeps luring choice acts to the venerable 11th Street club; most recently, Evan Dando and Alex Chilton.
Ron English – It was considered a coup when this internationally acclaimed pop artist (he prefers to call himself a “New Situationist”) brought his “Popaganda” to Jersey City. His lair lured many visitors during the artist studio tours.
Anthony Russo – Mayor of one of the artsiest cities in the country, presided over new parks and historical renovations on Hoboken’s Washington Street.
Anna Yglesias – This acrylic painter and Weehawken resident may be overexposed in our paper, but those luscious polychromatic chairs, mirrors and ornaments just photograph well – what can we say?
James Mastro – Besides playing with the Health and Happiness Show, he’s Mastro of his own domain down at the Guitar Bar in Hoboken.
Domenic Santana – Jersey City restaurateur hasn’t been making as many headlines with his Hard Grove Cafe lately as he has with his restored Stone Pony down the shore. A darling of the New York Times New Jersey section, Santana is luring top Jersey artists and hopes to be at the forefront of the Asbury Park revival.
Dave Roberts – Councilman and mayoral hopeful, who years ago used to wish Hoboken was more like New Hope, easily fills up his restaurant, East LA nightly – both with customers and with colorful works from local artists. Also pushed for historic district designation for Washington Street. Maybe now New Hope wants to be Hoboken.
Pro Arts – Nonprofit arts organization founded in Jersey City in 1995. Has worked with local government for programs like the WALDO Zoning Ordinance (for artists’ live/work space) and the Christopher Columbus Drive mural. Led by President Charles Kessler and curator Bob Costa.
Yesenia Correa and Maryanne Kelleher – Together serve at the helm of Jersey City’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
John Sayles– Everyone liked Texas-based film “Lone Star,” but still waiting for a Hoboken-based flick, maybe with a title like “Mile Square.”
Paul Iacono – Secaucus little guy fends off Leukemia and performs Sinatra tunes all over. Son of Secaucus town administrator/orchestrator Anthony Iacono.
Orlando Cuevas – JC sculptor left job at cultural affairs to focus on his art, and helped lure Ron English to Jersey City.
Statue of Liberty – We know she’s in Jersey City, not New Yawk. Reminds us how lucky we are to be here. May the torch be with you.
Peter LaVilla – Former Guttenberg mayor has penned plays, acted, and not long ago wrote his don’t-blame-my-administration letter-to-the-editor from his new North Bergen pied-a-terre.
Hoboken Dog Association – A force to be reckoned with. Sold T-shirts, cleaned parks, influenced policy and caused more letters to clog the Hoboken Reporter’s letters pages last summer than any of the recent Yuppie-old timer debates.
Danny Shot – Hoboken poet writer keeps out of the local limelight until his semi-annual literary magazine, Long Shot, comes out. Contributors once included Yoko Ono.
The Chart House restaurant – Rose from the ashes of a fire, hosts weddings and banquets on the Weehawken waterfront.
Mitchell Olson – Union City resident and former Survivor cast member moved out of Hoboken because he couldn’t afford the rent. Too bad he didn’t win the million bucks. Then he could have at least gotten a studio.
Geri Fallo – Hoboken cultural affairs director puts in overtime choreographing Hoboken’s festivals; somehow has managed to make the sun shine for the twice-yearly music and arts fests. But why is the salary line item up so much for her department? Rumor has it she’s getting an assistant.
Joe Borzotta – When he handed the reins of the Hoboken Cultural Alliance to someone else five years ago, the group quickly dove to its death. But this mixed-media artist had to move on, and for several years hosted “Writers’ Hangs” at his Liquid Lounge bar at Tenth and Park, which recently closed. We’ll be sorry to bid goodbye to the pop culture memorabilia and the artwork on the walls.
The homeless – Some of the most poignant poetry and the most pleasing art comes out of workshops at the local shelters.
Maurice Fitzgibbons – County freeholder, arts lover, former state cultural affairs bigwig and PR man hasn’t been pushing his county arts high school idea lately – maybe he’s spending his time plotting gubernatorial and Hoboken mayoral races. Also does publicity for the popular St. Ann’s Feast.
Ed Shirak – He published a book about Sinatra, he sells confections at Lepore’s in Hoboken, he tried to put a museum together for Ol’ Blue Eyes, and intermittently, he runs for office. Campaigns may slack off now that there’s no hope of endorsement from his hero.
George Palermo – Formerly seen as a soap actor, this thespian last year appeared in Olive Garden commercials saying, “She thinks ya handsome.” He and his wrinkly dog can sometimes be found at his Hoboken bar, Sullivan’s.
Elena Skye – Demolition String Band earning raves for their honky tonk sound. This Hoboken-based band shocked people during their tour of the Deep South by becoming one of the leaders in the genre.
The Attic Ensemble and the Hudson Theater Ensemble – Jersey City and Hoboken’s reperatory theater companies.
Lyric Orchestra – Led by Maestro Franco Bertacci, work out of DeBaun Auditorium.
Dean Marchetto – Perhaps bored from years of city contracts, architect branched out and designed the copper building on Hoboken’s Clinton Street that caught the eye of the New York Times. He also planned a residential building for Hoboken’s North Pier that looked like a boat. The latter plan is on hiatus after residents protested the idea of residential buildings on piers – we guess making them look kind of sort of boat-like just doesn’t cut it.
Hoboken Charter School – They march. They bake bread. These are children of the ’90s who came from children of the ’60s.
Scott E. Moore – Not to be confused with Elvis Presley’s guitarist of a similar name, this Hoboken musician was conducting the “Writers’ Hangs” at the Liquid Lounge. The Liquid has closed, but word has it the “Hangs” will continue at the bar that will open up at that location.
Union City’s Park Players – Despite the controversy a few years ago over their “black Jesus,” they’ve managed to perform their popular passion play each year.
Bar None Records – Lauded label in Hoboken.
McKevin Shaughnessy – Has always concentrated on making things with light – radiant sculptures that brighten the Hoboken Studio Tours. But he’s also proven his graphic arts wizardry with the Art Studio Tours poster and the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce’s map.
Mayor Bret Schundler – May take his influence from Jersey City to the state.
Bob Foster – Photographer who presides over the Hoboken Historical Museum, which for years has really been a society and not a museum – something that supposedly will change this year.
T. Weed – The Hudson Reporter’s unpopular letter-writer doesn’t really care if you don’t like him. He’ll write a mildly salacious poem about his neighbor’s cat today and rail against aid to Israel tomorrow. He self-published a book of his letters, in case you missed any of ’em. Offended? He’s still tamer than Eminem.
Chris Halleron – The Current’s popular columnist and bartender gets paid to waste his wages and somehow always finds a way to waste them on a pint of Guinness. Or two. Or three. Or four. Or five. Gee, maybe we shouldn’t have given him that bottle of wine for Christmas.
Tony Soares – The short-stature Hoboken councilman (don’t call him diminutive) and art director for an advertising firm towers over the rest of us when he’s in his condo at the aptly named Skyline building. Speaks his mind on many issues and may even ascend further in politics if he doesn’t accidentally say something too outrageous.
David “Tee” Theresa – He’s a Sinatra “conjurer” and not an “impersonator.” He sounds like him, but doesn’t look like him. He looks more like former Hoboken City Council President Jimmy Fitzsimmons, but there isn’t a call for that in Atlantic City.
Hoboken Ski Club and Hoboken Harriers – Local groups do more than just ski and run. Check ’em out. You may find new friends.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton – A bronze bust of the latter in Weehawken marks the 1804 waterfront duel from which the former emerged victorious.
Bill LaRosa – County head of cultural affairs. Distributes grants for Hudson’s artists.
Sanford Weiss – Hoboken developer said he was willing to exhibit art in the residential building he constructs between the Park and Willow Avenue bridges. Sounds like a good idea, but it didn’t sell the plan for 23 stories. The latest incarnation has the building at nine. Maybe he should try to shape it like Aaron Burr.
Louis LaRusso – Author of many off-Broadway plays, some of which have been set in Hoboken, and one of which was performed in his native Hoboken last year.
The senior citizens’ clubs in North Bergen – The city is rife with seniors, and rife with seniors’ clubs. May be hard to keep them straight, but they certainly give their members lots to do.
Joe Pantoliano – Spotted at Park Pastries a few weeks ago, this movie star and Hoboken resident will appear on the next season of the Sopranos.
Felipe Rose – A.K.A. “That Indian from the Village People;” has a recording studio in Jersey City. It’s not next to the Y.M.C.A.
Lt. Anthony “Hollywood” Falco – Used to be the point-man for film crews in Hoboken, and now does a lil’ L.A. producing of his own.
Leon Yost – Documentary photographer and former president of Van Vorst Park Association whose photos can be seen in the 2001 Jersey City, U.S.A. calendar, available for sale locally.
Dr. Ed Foster – Stevens English professor (yes, they have some) and the founder of Talisman, a Jersey City-based poetry and literary criticism publishing house.
Friends of the Lowe’s – Any theater that doesn’t have $9.50 movies deserves friends.
Sensations – Secaucus-based literary magazine has provided a venue for poets since the late 1980s, and its editor, David Messineo, has recently come off a nation-wide tour drumming up interest in the publication.
Harmon Cove Cultural Association – Responsible for bringing diverse classical concerts to the Cove in Secaucus. The group, established in 1997, seeks to generate a favorable environment for the arts.
Mark Leyner – Nutty Hoboken author has distinction of having gotten onto Letterman and on the cover of the Sunday Times Magazine. It’s about time authors were treated like rock stars.
Nina Jacobs – Jersey City museum executive director has been lying a little low lately due to some sort of political power struggle over her job. Some sources say they disagree with her “management style.” Regardless, museum will be getting a space all its own – will Nina get to enjoy it?
William Donnelly – This Temple University professor and author of books on communications, as Secaucus director of cultural affairs, has taken the lead in bringing arts to Secaucus, and hopes Secaucus can rival Hoboken as the cultural center of Hudson County.
Reg E. Gaines – Playwright, poet, Grammy and Tony nominee wrote lyrics for Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.
Steve Shelley – Sonic Youth drummer owns part of Maxwell’s.
Tim Daly – Acclaimed painter and four-time recipient of NJ State Council on the Arts grant.
Grace Church Van Vorst – Always a hotspot for the performing arts; currently looking for volunteers for its Cathedral Arts Festival for March.
R. Burczy – Paintings brighten the walls of East LA, and with his little stickers going up everywhere announcing an upcoming art show, you can’t miss his name. But why does his name always seem to be missing a vowel?
David Anthony – Hoboken school board president was leader in charter school movement (but would he have broken with his old-fashioned colleagues if his own kids’ futures weren’t at stake?) and soon will give up lease to Sinatra Caf