Two area semi-professional basketball teams will lace-up their high-tops on May 11 for a fundraiser to benefit Jersey City’s Hudson Repertory Dance Theater.
The Isaac Hayes Crusaders and the Jersey City Ballers will play Friday at Golden Door Charter School at 180 Ninth St. in Jersey City at 7:30 p.m.
The Jersey City Ballers is coached by Gerald Govan, an ex-ABA standout, and the captain for the team is Andy Kemp, who starred at New Jersey City University. Other players include St Peter’s College graduates Rodney Rogers, Tom Best, Rich Brown, Jermaine Johnson and Keith Sellers.
The Isaac Hayes Crusaders feature former Hudson County standouts Flash Gordon, and St Peter’s College graduate Mike “Sunny” Chaplin.
Before the game there will be a free basketball clinic for children beginning at 5:30 p.m. New Jersey City University basketball coach Charlie Brown will conduct the clinic with the help of players from both teams. Carl A. Walton, a Hudson Repertory Dance Theater board member and one of the event organizers, is looking forward to the event and hopes to have a big turnout from residents throughout the county.
“The game helps the dance school, and it gives them more awareness in the community,” Walton said. In addition to basketball, the evening will feature a music and dance concert during halftime. The concert will feature rhythm and blues group Soul Generation, as well as up-and-coming hip-hop artists Eclipse and Kwaz Modo. Dancers from the Hudson Repertory will also be performing.
Hudson Repertory is a dance theater that has served local youngsters in modern and traditional dance and arts disciplines since 1983. Classes range in ballet, tap, modern, African and hip-hop dancing. The theater has a dance ensemble made up of pre-professional children that has excited and thrilled audiences throughout the tri-state area, Walton said.
The theater’s executive director N. Beatrice Worthy acknowledges the struggle many arts organizations go through, and hopes the upcoming event sends a message to the community.
“Although our enrollment has decreased a bit over the years, and it’s a challenge to obtain the funding we need to keep operating, we intend to keep going as long as we are able to,” Worthy said. “We have so much to offer the community, and we want everyone to be aware of us.”
Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. All proceeds from the event will be used for the Repertory’s Saturday and summer camp operations. All kids under 10 years old will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult.
For tickets or information call 432-1054 or (973) 482-5583.