With temperatures approaching freezing and holiday spirit in the air, you may not be thinking about Hoboken’s unique summer outdoor movie series on Pier A Park – “Movies Under the Stars.” But one event in mid-December has everything to do with the city’s popular summer program.
On Dec. 18 at 5 p.m., Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington St., will host the annual Hoboken Holiday Banding Concert, and proceeds will support the “Movies Under the Stars” 2012 Summer Outdoor Film Series.
Admission to the concert is $6, and the doors open at 5 p.m.
Geri Fallo is the city’s director of cultural affairs, and she helps operate “Movies Under the Stars,” as well as the Maxwell’s concert.
Before her time working for the city, Fallo worked with a non-profit organization called Projected Images that showed independent movies at various locations around the county. When Fallo began her job at City Hall, one of the first items on her agenda was to offer movies to outdoor crowds. “Movies Under the Stars” is a program is paid for by a grant from the county and through sponsorships.
Admission to the concert is $6, and the doors open at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18.
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Over 20 bands were listed on a press release for the event, with the promise of “more to be announced.”
The bands in the concert are mostly local musicians who perform holiday classics for the event.
Many of the performers may sound familiar to city residents who frequently attend concerts in Hoboken.
“Some of them actually write songs just for this event, as long as it’s holiday music,” Fallo said. “They each get to do two songs. They can either do a classic that they kind of make their own, or some of them write holiday music for the event.”
The event will include performances by: Members of the Gefkens & Skanatra; Jack Skuller; Hello Radio; Dave Calamoneri; Karen Kuhl; Jaime and Dominick Della Fave of The Fave; Abbe Rivers; Ann Walsh and Vinny Denunzio; Gene D. Plumber; John Bauers; Benson Ridge Project; Bianca Bob; Jon and Deena of The Cucumbers; Sputnik; Jennifer Lampert; Las Vandelays; Dan McLoughlin and Garden Street Music; Jim Testa; Lloyd United; Annalee Van Kleeck; The Harari Family Band; Tom Vincent and the Hoboken Holiday Banding House Band featuring John Keim, and more.
Chris Butler wrote the hit Christmas song “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses. Fallo said that when Butler can’t make it, she sings the song, “just to make sure it’s performed.”
The concert also includes a house band, which Fallo said started because musicians would consistently ask each other to perform songs together.
“The musicians would spontaneously perform with each other on stage,” Fallo said. “They don’t even know each other but they could get on stage and play together and it would sound awesome. Tom [Vincent] has emceed this event for many years and one day he said ‘Why don’t we just have a house band and even get a rehearsal for people?’”
Fallo said she has the event “down to a science” after producing the concert for so many years.
Holiday craft fair also scheduled
Separately, the city is hosting a Hoboken Holiday Crafts Fair on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall.
The event includes unique handcrafted gift items by local artists, photographers, and crafters, according to a city release. Also sold at the event will be pottery, art, photography, stained glass, mirrors and frames, hand knit scarves, hats, mittens, jewelry, baby clothes, blankets, holiday ornaments, soaps, body lotions, candles, and more. The event will also include live music, activities for children, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com