JC Fridays began back in 2005 when a coalition of artists showcased their works in a handful of local businesses. Today, the budding festival encompasses 30 venues, features hundreds of local artists, and reaches thousands of people around the city.
This season’s event on Friday, March 6 features live music at the brand new music venue I.M. Automata Chino, belly dancing performances, and the fiber-based artwork of Brooklyn-based artist Corey Breneisen.
Many local businesses are also taking part in the festival offering specials from $3 draft beers, all-day happy hours, sales on framed artwork, and more.
Pick up a JC Fridays Guide at any participating venue or visit www.jcfriday.com for a complete list of all the barrier-free and family-friendly events in your area.
Music and entertainment
The events begin at 9 a.m. and run well past midnight at many of the local bars around the city. This “Friday” features plenty of live music as well, including the jazz of “Joisey Bounce” by George Glassen and Richard Connolly at the Liberty House Restaurant at Liberty State Park, an open mic at The Daylight Gallery, 530 Jersey Ave., with jazz musician Brendan Kibbee and David W. Jacobsen, and romantic oldies by the Alan Quinn Duet at the Pointe at Port Liberte.
In addition, there are many special events this year including a fragrance journey at Walker’s Apothecary where guests can pick and choose a variety of hair products, face creams, body lotions, and more at the new Custom Blend Bar. This season’s event even features a belly dancing performance taking place at Club H, where guests can learn how to stay in shape while having fun learning new dance moves.
Community support
Christine Goodman, director/founder of Art House Productions, has been instrumental in shaping the quarterly event since 2005, and was even praised for her work receiving proclamations from Mayor Jerramiah Healy.
With Goodman’s work and the continued support and cooperation of many Jersey City businesses, JC Friday continues to be one of the area’s largest art events.
The free festival would not be possible without the support of the Jersey City community and from state and local grants. Many local businesses support the event such as: Bar Majestic, Bigdrum Art, The Iron Monkey, LITM, Chillfest, New Magazine and World of Style Vintage.
Other contributors include BaGua Juice and Sam Pesin in honor of The Friends of Liberty State Park’s 20th birthday.
Major sponsors of the event include the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, the Jersey City Reporter, the Jersey City Magazine, Mayor Jerramiah Healy and the City Council, the Division of Cultural Affairs, the Urban Enterprise Zone Program, the Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, the Historic Downtown SID, and the Jersey City Museum.
(area codes are 201)
Grove Street
John Meagher Rotunda Gallery – 9 a.m.-8 p.m. art, City Hall, 280 Grove St., 547-4333
Another Man’s Treasure – 12-8 p.m. art, 353 Grove St., 860-9990
Jersey City Museum – 6-8 p.m. art, 222 Montgomery St., 413-0303 x144
Club H – Belly dancing 6 p.m., Zumba 7 p.m., Hip Hop 8 p.m., 60 Columbus Dr., 332-2866
Hard Grove Café – 7-11 p.m. art, 319 Grove St., 451-1853
Hamilton Park
Stockinette Knitting Café – 6-9 p.m. art, 581 Jersey Ave, 792-5684
58 Gallery – 7-11 p.m. art, 58 Coles St., 349-1693
Lex Leonard – 7 p.m. music, 54 Coles St., 312-2522
Art House Productions – art, music, 1 McWilliams Pl., 915-9911
Liberty State Park
Liberty House Restaurant – 7-11 p.m. music, 76 Audrey Zapp Dr. 395-0300
Newark Avenue
The Daylight Gallery – 9 a.m.-10 p.m. art, music, performance, 530 Jersey Ave. 850-3260
Sawadee Thai Cuisine – 11 a.m.-10 p.m. art, 137 Newark Ave. 433-0888
LITM – 5 p.m.-2 a.m. art, music, 140 Newark Ave., 536-5557
Birnur Bellydance – 6-7 p.m. performance, 140 Newark Ave., 536-5557
Balance Salon and World of Style – 7-9 p.m. art, performance, 18 Erie St., 324-2992
Melissa Surach – 10-11:30 p.m. performance, 222-1331
Brunswick Window – 24 hrs. art, 159 Brunswick St., 978-8939
McGinley Square
Imago Beauty Group – 2-7 p.m. art, 673 Bergen Ave. 322-6100
Newport
Art House Productions – 6-8 p.m. art, 545 Washington Blvd. 963-0533
Paulus Hook
Chillfest – 7-10 p.m. film, 66 York St., 984-2158
Iron Monkey – 9 p.m. art, music, 99 Greene St., 435-5756
Port Liberte
The Pointe at Port Liberte – 7:30-11 p.m. music, 2 Chapel Ave. 985-9854
Powerhouse Arts District
Bigdrum Art and Framing – 12-8 p.m. art, 127 First St., 418-8771
Habib Ayat Art Studio – 5-8 p.m., art, music, 364 Marin Blvd. 697-3231
Waldo Lofts Gallery – 7-9 p.m. art, 159 Second St. (973) 481-2229
Van Voorst Park
Marti Lawrence – 4-7 p.m. art, 303 Varick St. 433-1490
Jersey Wine and Spirits – 5-8 p.m. art, 498 Jersey Ave., 433-4360
Grigory Gurevich – 6 p.m.-12 a.m. art, film, 282 Barrow St., 451-4862
Walker’s Apothecary – 7-11 p.m. art, music, 68 Mercer St. 333-0500
Nuradeen Gallery – 6-10 p.m. art, 483 Jersey Ave. 978-8074.
Sean Allocca may be reached at seana@hudsonreporter.com.