This week, the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center (HRPAC) officially announced Sept. 19 as the new date for one of the Summer Concerts on the Hudson acts which was postponed in July due to inclement weather.
But the announcement came with a special surprise as well – the rescheduled appearance of The Sensational Soul Cruisers will be combined with a couple of local acts to create an afternoon of music in the park.
The mini music festival, as it’s being dubbed, was made possible by a joint effort between HRPAC and the Weehawken Town Council.
All events in the HRPAC Summer Concerts on the Hudson series, which is sponsored in part by the Hudson Reporter, are done in conjunction with the town.
But with the recent cancellation of the annual Weehawken Festival (which usually occurs the last weekend of September or first weekend in October) due to financial reasons, this one was created to be extra special.
While some may choose to come and go, the sounds and scenery will probably be incentive enough for many to stay throughout the afternoon.
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HRPAC Executive Director Bruce Sherman was equally excited for the opportunity.
“For awhile [I’ve] wanted to have an all day concert,” said Sherman. “And we wanted to do something that was festive to bring people out to a nice event on a nice September weekend day.”
The day’s musical festivities on Sept. 19 will take place at Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken waterfront. In case of inclement weather, the concert will take place at Weehawken High School.
An afternoon of entertainment
Those who come out to the music festival next Sunday will be treated to an afternoon of great music, good times, and family friendly vibes.
While some may choose to come and go, the sounds and scenery will probably be incentive enough for many to stay throughout the afternoon.
And, as usual, attendees are welcome to bring their blankets, chairs, and picnic supplies.
But as opposed to the regular concerts, which are held in the early evening on Wednesdays, the Sunday event will be more of a leisurely opportunity to come out earlier and enjoy the park.
The entertainment will be kicked off by local favorite, Finish This, a band which features Weehawken residents Joey Cimino and Joe Brown playing hits from the 50’s and 60’s.
Up and comer, and also a Weehawken resident, Jack Skuller will take the stage next with his infectious tunes and a smile sure to make all the young girls go crazy.
And the headliners for the afternoon, the Sensational Soul Cruisers, are well known throughout the region for getting the audience up out of their seats with their mix of R&B, soul, funk, and rock ‘n roll.
The entire event should be wrapped up by 7 p.m. to give attendees plenty of time to get home and get ready for the week ahead.
Lack of funding effects on the future
Turner estimated the township will save over $100,000 this year by not having Weehawken Festival.
The cost of the festival, which is usually offset by grants, would have rested completely on the township this year now that the grants which usually support it are gone – another result of the economic slump.
Furthermore, Turner said garnering sponsorships has been tough during a time when everyone is tapped out financially.
But Turner said the music festival, on the other hand, won’t cost the town any money because most of the funding was already in place and the extra bit of funding necessary for the additional musical entertainment is being paid for by the Weehawken and You Civic Association.
As for next year, Turner said the event will be revamped to see how it can be done differently.
Widespread financial woes have also had an effect on the plans of HRPAC, which has had to postpone their ultimate vision due to lack of funding.
“The vision has always been to build a performing arts center on the waterfront,” said Sherman. “The fundraising environment has been exceptionally difficult; it’s no secret that we’re in a recession and that things are difficult for for profits and non-profits.”
Sherman said that while supporters of HRPAC would still eventually like to realize the vision of an arts center, right now it’s a little further away than they hoped.
However, Sherman said he remains optimistic.
“To give opportunities to more musicians is the most satisfying thing of all,” he said. “Whenever I can give a stage to musicians or dancers, that’s a very rewarding thing to me.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.
***SIDEBAR***
On Sept. 19, a full day of musical festivities will take place at Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken waterfront. In case of inclement weather, the concert will take place at Weehawken High School. For more information, call the HRPAC concert info line at (201) 716-4540, or visit www.hrpac.org.
2 p.m.: Finish This – a ten piece band that plays Rock ‘n Roll and Blues from the 50’s and 60’s features Weehawken residents Joey Cimino and Joe Brown.
3:30 p.m.: Jack Skuller – a Weehawken teen sensation, Jack will take the stage playing Rock and Rockabilly.
5 p.m.: The Sensational Soul Cruisers – a twelve piece band playing Motown, Memphis Soul, Philly Funk, and New Jersey Rock ‘n Roll will headline the final concert of the Summer Concerts on the Hudson music series/