Celebrating Kwanzaa with the visual arts
The Community Awareness Series of the Jersey City Free Public Library has always been a part of Jersey City’s Kwanzaa celebration, and that tradition continues on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Miller Branch.
The celebration will feature visual arts educator Mansa K. Mussa, who will have a 3-D arts workshop with octahedrons, which are eight-sided soft-sculpture paper collages with graphic arts paper and geometric shapes.
The Miller Branch Library is located at 489 Bergen Ave., Jersey City.
GOMO the Ghost haunts Smush Gallery
Taking up singing upon their death in September 2019, GOMO the Ghost is known to haunt all venues and pops up every year in the pre-Christmas spirit. For the third year in a row, GOMO the Ghost is hosting GOMO’s 3rd Annual Pre-Christmas Open Mic & Lounge on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Smush Gallery.
The evening will include music, poetry, story, dance, and more that specialize in the weird and wonderful. Smush Gallery is located at 340 Summit Ave., Jersey City. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3u7Ck1b.
Bryan Benninghove and friends at Fox & Crow
The RJO All-Stars led by Bryan Benninghove return to the Fox & Crow on Thursday, Dec. 8, with smooth vocalist and WBGO air personality Lezlie Harrison at 8:30 p.m. The night will feature performances consisting of soul and jazz classics.
The Fox & Crow is located at 594 Palisade Ave., Jersey City, in the Heights. Admission is $20 and seating is limited. Tickets can be found online at https://bit.ly/3OYmlfH.
Wreath decorating at the Barrow Mansion
The Barrow Mansion is kicking off the holiday season with a wreath decorating workshop on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.
Instructions will be provided on how to create a custom wreath using various decorations. The workshop includes a live evergreen wreath as the base, a selection of traditional decorations and embellishments, floral wire, winter greenery, dried seasonal flowers, berries, and a selection of ribbons to create your own custom bow for your wreath.
Tickets are limited and can be found on Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/3in4xP3. The Barrow Mansion is located at 83 Wayne St., Jersey City.
Go the distance along the Hudson River
Freewalkers, a non-profit that organizes events for individuals interested in participating in short- and long-distance walking, is hosting a free Winter Hudson Loop Walk, a one-day 28-mile walk beginning and ending at Exchange Place in Jersey City, on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8:30 a.m.
The walk goes along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway on the New Jersey side to the George Washington Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the walk connects to the Hudson River Greenway trail, going south to Penn Station where the PATH train will return walkers to Exchange Place.
Those who prefer to stay in NJ can walk north as far as they chose before turning back at any of the light rail stops ahead. You can even Uber back to the starting point.
The event is free and open to everyone. Exchange Place is located at 15 Exchange Pl., Jersey City. You can reserve a spot at Eventbrite online at https://bit.ly/3F96YNR.
Ballroom students show their stuff at Hudson Gala showcase
Jersey City Ballroom students and their instructors will be performing Latin, Ballroom, and Swing performances for their Holiday Gala Theater Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The show will take place inside the “Crystal Ballroom” at the Ukrainian Community Center, with specialty lighting, backdrop, light food, and a cash bar. Audiences will also get a chance to move to the music when group classes are taught during the intermission of the show.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. The Ukrainian Community Center is located at 90 Fleet St., Jersey City. Tickets can be found online at https://bit.ly/3U9fscc and ticket sales end on Friday, Dec. 9, at 11:59 p.m.
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