Brunch reception, opening of “Derrick Belcham: The You Voice”
Mana Contemporary presents “The You Voice,” a nine-channel video installation by filmmaker Derrick Belcham on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a brunch reception. The show runs until Jan. 28.
The work explores the inner voice that drives and stalls creativity and personal agency. It was filmed in black and white, with nine performers speaking directly to the camera.
Each actress is filmed against a black background with a single light source that switches on and off in reaction to the volume of the speakers’ voices. Each performs three pages of material in a single long take in their native languages to get authentic emotion,
The work was created during the pandemic and deals with the isolation, grief, hope, and revelation that was experienced by society.
Mana Contemporary is located at 888 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
Christmas songs by the Sensational Country Blues Wonder himself
Gary Van Miert of the Sensational Country Blues Wonder! will be doing a shirt set of Christmas Songs at Cafe Peanut on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. Peanut Cafe is located at 596 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
Miert will also be performing a new song at the 13th Annual Grace Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie St. Jersey City.
Ballroom students to show their stuff
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.
Free 4-hour parking for non-commercial vehicles in Bayonne
The Bayonne Parking Utility lots will offer free four-hour parking for non-commercial vehicles from now through Monday, Jan. 2.
Regular parking charges in the lots will resume for non-commercial vehicles on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The four-hour program does not apply to commercial vehicles or to on-street parking meters. All commercial and non-commercial drivers must continue feeding the meters on the streets. The paid permit program for commercial vehicles that park overnight in the lots will remain in effect.
On certain dates in the holiday season that will be announced, parking charges will not be enforced for the entire day. Otherwise, the free parking will be limited to four hours. In some previous years, there was free parking around the clock for a month. However, the program was abused by some commuters who left their vehicles in free spaces all day, in order to avoid paying for spaces at Light Rail stations. That is why the holiday season parking program was modified to allow four hours of free parking at a time for a given non-commercial vehicle.
Creativity and culture come together at city hall event in Jersey City
Jersey City’s 2020-2022 Poet Laureate, Susan Justiniano, better known as RescuePoetix, will host Poems of Gratitude on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall in Jersey City.
The event will feature Renes “Pudge” Cruz of Jersey City and Lisa “Rubi G” Ventura of Washington Heights NY/Central NJ, workshop prompts, participant engagement, poetry, and spoken word performances.
This event is free and open to the public. The first 25 who register will receive a swag bag from the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs. The public must register in advance to participate at https://bit.ly/3iHtJQh.
City Hall is located at 280 Grove St., 2nd Fl, Jersey City.
Meeting of the Jersey City Rent Leveling Board
The Jersey City Rent Leveling Board will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room at 4 Jackson Square, The Holloway Building, Jersey City.
Family Literacy Workshop at Jersey City Public Library
Happy Reading Solutions, in partnership with Jersey City Public Libraries, is inviting families to participate in a free Family Literacy Workshop: Making Read- Alouds Meaningful on Friday, Dec. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m.
The workshop will focus on strategies for how to read with your child and creating reading routines. The workshop takes place at the Five Corners Branch on 678 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
Book pop up in Union City
Book Haven Books, an online bookstore that holds pop-up and in person events throughout New Jersey, is having their final Union City Pop Up for 2022 on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 to 6 p.m.
There will be a selection of books for readers of all ages, and accessories like totes, candles, and bookmarks and more. There will also be complimentary refreshments and the event will be hosting the works of local Latina artist Alejandra Vasquez.
The book pop up will take place at 540 39th St., Union City.
Bayonne High School winter concert
The Bayonne High School Music Department will have their 2022 Winter Concert, Home for the Holidays, on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
The performance will feature the Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, and the Bee’s Knees.
Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults, and can be purchased at the door. The show takes place in the Bayonne High School Auditorium located at 669 Ave. A, Bayonne.
Nature and history programs at LSP
History programs continue at Liberty State Park with the Trail of the Blue Comet on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Visitors can learn about the trail of the famous Blue Comet train all the way to its final destination of Atlantic City. The program includes a 60-minute Power Point presentation, a discussion about the lasting impact of the Blue Comet, and a clip from the documentary, “Deluxe: The Tale of the Blue Comet,” followed by a walk to the train shed. The group will meet at the Information Desk inside the CRRNJ Terminal at 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City. The program is recommended for ages 10 and up.
This will be followed by the Winter Waterfowl Walk on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. During the guided walk to Caven Point, visitors will learn about these winter visitors and resident species that can be seen throughout the year at Liberty State Park. The group will meet in Lot #1 at 300 Morris Pesin Dr., Jersey City, and walk the mile and a half round trip. Visitors should bring their own binoculars. The program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
Pre-registration is required for all programs as space is limited. For more information or to register for a program, contact the Nature Center at 201-915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you may register a maximum of six participants per reservation. Pets are not permitted on programs unless they are service animals.
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