The birds are still shivering in their nests and the crocuses are still buried deep under layers of snow and ice. But for Jersey City, the first real sign of spring will come on March 6 with the arrival of this season’s offerings from JC Fridays.
Restaurants, galleries, stores, and event spaces throughout Jersey City will showcase a variety of art-related happenings, including visual exhibitions, live music, performance acts, educational demonstrations, and more. All events are free and open to the public.
With one of the preeminent art scenes in the tri-state area, Jersey City abounds with artists of all types, musicians, and individuals with unique talent, said Christine Goodman, founder of Art House Productions.
Held quarterly, JC Fridays draws thousands of residents from inside and outside Jersey City hoping to get a glimpse of what is current on the arts scene.
Sponsored in part by the Hudson Reporter, JC Fridays started in 2006 as a presentation by Art House Productions. The purpose of the event was to expose the public to local Jersey City talent that includes photographers, painters, dancers, filmmakers, and craft artists.
Opening each season, JC Fridays is a kind of taste of Jersey City arts, Christine said, allowing people to get a good sample of what is going on with the arts community here.
JC Fridays will kick off the season with 33 exciting visual and performing arts events in nearly every part of the city.
“This is growing” Goodman said. “We’re seeing participation in neighborhoods outside of downtown. JC Friday allows people to explore various neighborhoods, take in art and dinner and spent time in venues.”
Among the new entries this year, is JC Eco Laundry at 340 Second St. which is presenting “Super Fresh Clean,” with murals by Blair Urban, photography by nestofuentes, photography modeling by Flora Jasper, design and art direction by Jessica Natal.
Another new entry is The In House Artisans at 942 Summit Ave., which present “BYOG (Bring Your Own Game!),” which includes an intriguing combination of tea, body wash, and bakery items.
“They are participating for the first time this year,” Goodman said.
Ironically, Art House Productions itself will not be offering anything at its new digs. Goodman instead will be partaking of the ample arts offerings.
“I’m going to go around as much as I can,” she said, although one stop will be at the Lincoln Inn, which is presenting a jazz series.
In your neighborhood?
Among the venues for this season’s events are Pro Arts, Project Greenville, Jersey City Public Schools, Jersey Cultural Affairs, Indaba Photo and Indiegrove, Fourth Street Arts, Rising Tide Capital, The Shuster Group, JC Studios, SILVERMAN’S Majestic Theatre Condominium Association, MFD Gallery, Frogs are Green and 58 Gallery, GP’s Restaurant, Grassroots Community Space, Lucky 7’s, “The Jersey Statuary, Riviv JC, The Bethune Center, Fabulous Uptown Music, Churrasqueria Europa, Hewn Art Center, Speranza Theatre Company, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Saigon Café, LITM, Word Bookstore, Victory Hall drawing Rooms, City Life, Pig & Pepper, Modern Sage, the Raven Gallery, Village West Gallery, Iris Records, Gaia, Tea NJ, Gia Gelato, The Brunswick Window, the Park Tavern, and R. Jerome China.
For a full schedule of events go to http://jcfridays.com/category/events. For more information, contact info@arthouseproductions.org
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.