During the past 10 years as one of Jersey City’s premier arts organizers, Christine Goodman has found ways to bring the general public and the city’s arts community together. She is one of the creators of the successful quarter-year cultural series JC Fridays, and is the co-founder of the downtown Jersey City arts collective Arthouse Productions.
In recent years, to enable Arthouse Productions to produce plays and other arts programming, Goodman has come up with quirky fundraising ideas such as the annual Snow Ball Gala, held in January. This time, it’s “JC’s Most Eligible.”
The fundraiser on Saturday, April 24, 8-11 p.m. will bring local creative, business and other personalities to be auctioned off for a dinner and date and provide some much needed finances for Art House Productions’ “super-secret upcoming multimedia play,” which debuts in May (more details to come.)
“Of course, if you bid on people you think are cute, that’s cool too.” – Christine Goodman
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There is no cost for entrance into the auction. All bids will start at $10, and winning bidders will enjoy a meal with their bachelor/bachelorette, courtesy of local restaurants who are donating gift certificates to the winning couples.
Goodman spoke recently about the auction, saying it will not be “some stuffy event.”
Fulop: Worth less than ham?
Fulop had previously volunteered to be put on the auction block last year for a breast cancer fundraiser.
He said recently that while the past experience was for a good cause, it was “humiliating” to be the object of bidding.
“I told Christine that I expect to be humiliated again,” Fulop said. “She asked for a favor, so I’m going to do it. I’m sure my selling price will be close to the cost of a ham sandwich.”
Fulop currently has a girlfriend, whom he has been seeing for about a year. But he said he will do anything for a worthwhile cause and to “raise money in tough economic times.”
Tienken has done graphics design work for Arthouse Productions in the past, and has admired Goodman and her artistic partner Jack Halperin for their work in the community .
“When Christine asked to do this, I said ‘absolutely,’ ” Tienken said.
Tienken said she thinks good things can come of it.
“This will allow someone to sit down and have dinner and talk to someone who they probably wanted to meet,” Tienken said. “It doesn’t matter if a personal relationship or even a business relationship comes out of this; it’s just about having fun.”
Bid fun
Goodman described the fundraiser auction as a “crazy one.”
“It will be ‘let’s have fun,’ loosey-goose,” Goodman said. “We are embracing the ridiculousness.”
But she said it is also an opportunity for the public to learn more about the individuals willing to be put up for auction, and the causes they represent.
“You don’t have to be single to bid, and you can also bid to have dinner with someone who you want to sit down and learn from and break bread with,” Goodman said. “Of course, you bid on people you think are cute, that’s cool too.”
The auction will be held at the home base for Art House Productions, Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place, sixth Floor, in downtown Jersey City. It is located close to the southeast corner of Hamilton Park near the intersection of Erie and Eighth streets.
Proxy bidding, or bidding done for someone who cannot be there is person, is accepted. Register your proxy bid in advance by emailing info@arthouseproductions.org.
Music will provided all night by DJ mEgan and Judy’s Goodies will provide baked goods.
To learn more about the auction, visit Arthouse Productions website: www.arthouseproductions.org or call (201) 915-9911.