Summer lovin’, you’ll have a blast…
Hoboken has released a schedule of free events for the summer, including Summer Concerts at Sinatra Park, Family Fun Nights at Shipyard Park, and Movies Under the Stars at Pier A Park.
All events are free to the public and paid for by sponsorships and grants, Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a press release.
“The opening night concert and the ‘Grease’ re-release are particularly noteworthy events,” said Cultural Affairs supervisor Geri Fallo. Paramount Pictures is re-releasing its musical “Grease” as a sing-along, and Hoboken has been chosen as one of the cities to premiere the new version of the popular movie on Wednesday, June 30 at 9 p.m.
“We invite everyone to dress up as their favorite characters from the movie and come by and strut their stuff,” added Fallo.
The opening night concert – a tribute to Pete Seeger – is on Thursday, June 3 at Sinatra Park. It will feature over 200 children from many of Hoboken’s schools, as well as other Mile-Square musicians.
During the months of June, July, and August, Summer Concerts will take place most Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Family Fun Nights are scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday night.
Movies Under the Stars are scheduled for 9 p.m. most Wednesdays in June and July, and around 8:15 p.m. in August, unless otherwise noted in the schedule.
For information about these events, please contact the Hoboken Cultural Affairs Office at (201) 420-2207, or online at www.hobokennj.org, where a full schedule is on display.
Public meetings on parks
The city planned to hold two on-site public meetings to discuss improvements to Church Square Park and the park adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club, 123 Jefferson St.
Both projects involve replacing existing parks equipment with minor modifications to their layout.
“Residents have asked to be involved in improvements to our parks and public spaces and this is their opportunity to learn more and to provide their feedback,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a press release.
The meetings, hosted by Environmental Services Director Jennifer Wenson Maier, were to be held on Saturday, May 22 at the Boys and Girls Club park at 10 a.m. and at Church Square Park, Fourth Street and Park Avenue, at 1 p.m.
Library hosts Town Hall meeting
The public is invited to a Town Hall meeting at the Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park Ave., on Monday, May 24 at 6 p.m., to discuss a strategic plan for the future of the library.
The Library’s Board of Trustees and staff will host the meeting and invite Hoboken residents to discuss the proposals, which include the need to expand and the lack of space, money-raising ideas, a new look and brand for the library, and meeting the needs of a diverse community, from very young children to senior citizens and ethnic minorities, among many other subjects.
Members of the public are invited to learn more about the planning process, discuss the draft of the plan, and give input regarding the future of the library.
Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling (201) 420-2347 or e-mailing hobkref@bccls.org.
Cheerleader tryouts
The 2010 National Champions, Cheer Dynamics All Stars of Hoboken, will hold cheerleader tryouts for all groups –Tinies, Minis, Youth, and Seniors – on May 24 and 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand St., on the second floor.
Anyone 5 to 18 years old can try out. For more information, call (201) 988-3478.
Women’s choir concert
The all-women chorus, Cantigas Women’s Choir of Hoboken, recently received a $1,000 donation from The Provident Bank Foundation. The grant will go toward the group’s eighth annual spring concert entitled “From Arabia to Argentina: Women’s Voices in Global Song” on Saturday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Trinity Church, Eighth and Hudson streets.
The concert will feature the North American premiere of Argentine composer Leonardo San Juan’s Magnificat. San Juan is traveling to the U.S. to work with the choir and will guest conduct his piece.
The Cantigas Women’s Choir is composed of 55 women of varying ages and backgrounds, and brings together women of the extended New Jersey and New York community through song.
For more information about the choir or their performances, visit www.cantigas.net.
Secret Garden Tour
Behind Hoboken’s brownstones and former factory facades is a world of lush gardens and unusual courtyard spaces. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike are invited to indulge their curiosity and pick up urban gardening tips on the Hoboken Historical Museum’s 13th Annual Secret Garden Tour, Sunday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date: June 13).
Eight to 10 residential gardens will open their gates to tour goers to support the museum’s fundraising efforts. The tour is sponsored by Hufnagel Landscaping, with support from other local gardening centers and assistance from the Hoboken Garden Club.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of tour. Hoboken Historical Museum members and Hoboken Garden Club members may purchase tickets for $20, and children under the age of 13 are admitted free. For advance tickets, stop by the museum at 1301 Hudson St., or call (201) 656-2240.
Tickets are also available at several retail locations around town: Hudson Place Realty, 132 Washington St.; Amanda’s Restaurant, 908 Washington St.; and Baskets of Distinction, 1102 Washington St.
Comfortable shoes and sun protection are advised. Volunteers are also needed; if interested, call the museum at (201) 656-2240, or e-mail volunteer@hobokenmuseum.org. Visit www.hobokensecretgardens.com for more information about the tour.
HCA 5K run with Cake Boss
The Hoboken Catholic Academy will host its annual HCA 5K Run/Walk event on June 5 and Hoboken’s “Cake Boss,” Buddy Valastro, is going to bake a cake for the event to present to some of the kids from the school.
The event follows the waterfront running route and funds the school’s technology efforts to put computers and smartboards in each classroom.
To make the day more lucrative for the school, only the runners and walkers who raise $100 in donations will get to see the cake and meet Valastro and his family.
Participants can register for the race at active.com and start collecting those donations at activegiving.com. Walk-in registration is available at East Coast Spine, Joint, and Sports Medicine, 739 Bloomfield Ave.