If the annual Artist Studio Tour can be criticized for anything, it might be this: Too many fun things to do, and too little time in which to do them.
The official Studio Tour is, of course, a self-guided walking tour of artists’ workspaces. But unofficially, the mega art fest is a jam-packed weekend of non-stop parties and other tour-related events. With all that’s happening tour weekend, it’s easy for some highlights to go unnoticed.
One tour weekend party revelers should try to make time for is the 4th Street Art and Music Festival, taking place Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. till 10:30 p.m. Billed as a day of “art, music, and community,” the festival will be held downtown on 4th Street, between Newark Avenue and Merseles Street.
“I know what’s funny.” – Joe D’Allegro
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Organized by Joe D’Allegro – well-known in the community for the bi-monthly Shut Up & Laugh comedy shows he produces at the Lamp Post – the Banana Bird tent will be for lovers of comedy what the Village and Garden stages will be for music fans.
A laugh a minute
More than two dozen comics are scheduled to perform.
“Most of the acts are just straight up comics, although the line-up includes one musical comedy act and at least two sketch comedy troupes,” D’Allegro said. “Were going to have shows every hour, from 1 to 7 p.m. So, there will be comedy going on, almost continuously, from 1 until 8.”
There will be about 5 to seven performers onstage each hour, D’Allegro said, with each act given about eight to 12 minutes to do their routine. The temporary Banana Bird Comedy will have about 16 seats available, with enough room for about 10 to 15 other people to stand.
Audiences who are familiar with D’Allegro’s offering at the Lamp Post Bar & Grill – at 382 2nd Street in downtown Jersey City – will be familiar with many of the acts at Banana Bird, although there will be a few new faces as well.
The Lamp Post Show, Shut Up & Laugh, launched in June 2010 after D’Allegro, a transplant from New York, “decided to do something for Jersey City,” he said. “Downtown Jersey City is a fairly tight knit community and I thought producing a comedy show would be a nice way to give back. I’ve never had the gumption to do standup myself. But I know what’s funny.”
For those who haven’t been treated to the Shut Up & Laugh shows, D’Allegro said don’t expect any meat headed, potty mouth humor or slapstick.
And he emphasizes that while the humor may be somewhat adult-themed, the comics have been reminded that the 4th Street Art and Music Festival is a family-oriented affair.
“One year, there was a band that unfurled this huge, inflatable penis onstage,” D’Allegro recalled. “I can assure you, there won’t be anything like that.”
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.