It’s mid-January in Jersey City, so that means it’s time for all art aficionados to dust off their purple top hats, dry clean that vintage party dress from the Salvation Army, and polish those patent leather shoes – because this weekend is the annual Snow Ball.
The annual fundraising gala for Jersey City’s Art House Productions, Snow Ball raises money for the organization’s upcoming season of theater, visual art, comedy, festivals, dance, music performances, poetry readings, and media projects. Tickets for the ball, which this year will honor Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development Director Bill LaRosa and his staff, are $80 and can be purchased at the door.
Last year the organization met its goal of raising $12,000 through Snow Ball proceeds, according to Art House founder and Executive Director Christine Goodman.
The cultural programming at Art House continues to evolve.
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An arts staple in Jersey City
Now in its 11th year of existence, Art House Productions sponsors and co-hosts a variety of cultural programs, in addition to acting classes and workshops for teens and adults.
What grew out of a one-time open mic event in response to 9/11 in 2001, and eventually led to a regular open mic series, now includes theatrical performances, dance shows, visual art exhibits, and JC Fridays, held at the beginning of each calendar season. Since 2003, Comcast subscribers in Jersey City have also had access to Art House TV, a weekly show that features live performances by emerging and established poets, comedians, musicians, and performance artists. The nonprofit organization also offers acting workshops and is often a co-sponsor of many cultural events in Jersey City.
Last September, Art House co-sponsored Beth Achenbach’s Ladies that Rock, a live concert of female musical performers. In November the organization co-sponsored Your Move, a four-day showcase of emerging choreographers and dance companies produced by Avianna Perez, Morgan Hille Refakis, and Meagan Woods. Art House was also among the venues selected to screen movies for the inaugural Golden Door International Film Festival, held in Jersey City last October.
Still evolving
Before the founding of Art House Productions, the only regular artist showcase that residents had to look forward to was the annual Artist Studio Tour. Held each fall at various venues throughout Jersey City, the Studio Tour gives members of the public an opportunity to visit local artists in their studios and/or homes to see their work up close. The Artist Studio Tour is cosponsored by Pro-Arts Jersey City and the Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs, as well as the Hudson Reporter and other local businesses.
But aside from the Studio Tour, there were few opportunities for the community to connect with the artists living here, prior to the founding of Art House Productions. The thriving cultural hub that has since grown up in Grove Plaza – home of Creative Grove and Groove on Grove – was nonexistent.
“There was a culture of isolation,” said Goodman. “There were visual artists who were in their studios…But in terms of performance, or regular events, there wasn’t anything like that at the time.”
After launching the open mic series in 2002, Art House began hosting special events and doing performances around town, such as Words Against War, which was performed on the steps of City Hall. A one-woman play written by Goodman was the first theatrical piece the organization produced.
Its programming continues to evolve. During the 2011-2012 school year, Art House will introduce Stages, a 12-week theater program for students in grades four through 12. And next month, the organization’s ongoing acting workshops for adults will continue with a one-month intensive on “developing your voice on stage.” These are among the programs that are supported each year by the proceeds from Snow Ball.
Snow Ball gets underway this Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. at 1 McWilliams Place, near Erie and Eighth streets, on the sixth floor. For more information, visit www.arthouseproductions.org.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.