Jazz Brunch at Made with Love

Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations holiday party

 Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations welcomes its newest member, the Village Neighborhood Association

Jersey City, NJ –The Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (DCNA) is pleased to announce its newest member association, the Village Neighborhood Association (VNA). At its meeting on October 12th, 2011, the DCNA voted unanimously to approve the VNA’s application to join the DCNA. This brings the DCNA’s total number of member associations to six. “After a long process that included a redrawing of our mutual borders to comply with the DCNA’s bylaws, I’m happy to welcome the VNA into the Coalition.

They are a vibrant organization who have done wonderful things for their neighborhood and Downtown as a whole in their short existence,” said Mike Francisco, President of the Harsimus Cove Association (HCA) and DCNA.

VNA President Rob Crow added, “I can still remember the first sit-down I had with [VNA vice president] Jim Ayers, [former HCA president] Eric Fleming and [former Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association president] Jen Greeley that cold Winter day back in 2007 when we first started discussing this. To see it finally happen makes me both proud and excited to roll up my sleeves!”

About the DCNA: The Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (DCNA) was formed by community leaders of the Downtown district of Jersey City to use the combined strength of our respective associations to present a united front on civic and community concerns that affect the quality of life in the Downtown neighborhoods; to continue the betterment of our individual neighborhoods; to encourage the formation of more neighborhood associations in the Downtown district; and to promote harmony and understanding among all residents. DCNA member associations include the Harsimus Cove Association, the Van Vorst Park Association, the Historic Paulus Hook Association, the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association, the Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association and our newest member, the Village Neighborhood Association.

For inquiries: Mike Francisco (DCNA President), newsHCA@gmail.com or Stacy Nusbaum Woods (DCNA Secretary), president@padnajc.org



Don't Miss-
The DCNA Annual Holiday Party!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
LITM
140 Newark Avenue, Downtown Jersey City

square Creative Grove square

on the square (plaza)
a square launch,
Square on the square

inaugurating the codesquare app and service, by Code square llc,
our partner in marketing,  helping to locate facebook pages with the QR code
Codesquare.me   for free basic membership,
check it out!
DJ Neva Music for the Masses in her square tent
dishes up groovy world beats, rhythmic instrumental tribal sounds
and all that funky stuff.

 

photo courtesy of father bentley reggae

See the plaza shine in its fabulousness and lights with holiday lighting,

amazing artworks, creative energy and a holiday spirit!!

Menorah lighting

 FIRST ANNUAL MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY

The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District presents our 1st Annual Menorah Lighting at Grove PATH Plaza on December 19, 2011!

Please join us in lighting the first candle of the Menorah in honor of Hannukah!

Free cookies for kiddos sponsored by HDSID!

www.jcdowntown.org

For more info, please contact the HDSID at 201-547-3544 or info@jcdowntown.com

Toy and Coat drive, Steve Fulop

 
Last year, our team organized a holiday toy drive, through which we were able to give toys to hundreds of children whose families were struggling during the tough economic times. The generosity of the community was so impressive that we are going to do it again this year, and add a coat drive as well.

TOY DRIVE - On Sunday December 4th and Sunday December 11th, we will be in our office (353 2nd Street, at the corner of Newark and 2nd) between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. collecting toys. I hope you will consider making a donation. Perhaps while you are doing your own holiday shopping, you'll be able to pick up something extra to give to a family that may not have the resources this holiday season.

COAT DRIVE – We are also supporting the Garden State Science and Technology Institute in Journal Square to collect gently used coats and other items of cold-weather clothing. GSSTI has solicited a cleaner that will freshen up donated coats. If you have a gently used coat that you can do without, please consider dropping it at our office (353 2nd Street, at the corner of Newark and 2nd) on Sunday December 4th or Sunday December 11th between the hours of 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

150 Bay, powerhouse arts district art holiday sale

Dec 10,   noon - 5 pm    150 bay street

various artists offer their work for a holiday sale:
gift wrap and jewelery
stained glass
paintings
stoneware pottery
t-shirts
photography

paint straight legal graffiti

"Paint Straight" Program Teaches Teens To Use Graffiti Skills Legally

(ericlaire)

Thirty years ago, the NYPD cared more about bullets than bombing, so graffiti artists were able to participate in a renaissance that delighted the public while infuriating the city and the MTA. The since-adopted broken window theory of policing has made tagging a serious offense, but one former graffiti artist wants kids who are caught to channel their efforts into a type of art that's legal. Rafael Perez, AKA TATU, the leader of the legendary XMEN crew, has started Paint Straight, a 10-week program for recently-arrested taggers in Brooklyn.
"When I look at [the arrested kids] I'm looking at myself 20 years ago," Perez tells the Daily News. "And one day you're going to need a job. I love graffiti, but now I love it legally." Sergeant Herb Mai of the NYPD's Vandals Squad tells the offenders, "We're not art critics. Some of it, if it's on the canvas, is gorgeous. You have talent. It's an amazing talent. Use it the right way."
David Villorante, another esteemed graffiti artist, teaches the kids in the program "ways to get corporate America" to sponsor their talent, designing "murals, t-shirts, maybe working as tattoo artists," or even designing the label on a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Since the program began in 2010, only one of the 33 teenagers who have participated in Paint Straight has been arrested for vandalism. One 18-year-old in the program says, "I'm kind of happy I got arrested. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here anymore." And if corporate America doesn't come calling, they could always start their own summer camp.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

reposted by Uta Brauser

JC Art school, your indie art entrepreneurs

JERSEY CITY ART SCHOOL (JCAS) starts our 3rd year in operation this month! I'm proud to announce that we are opening up a fourth location.

The 4th and 5th floor of 1 McWilliams Place on Hamilton Park.

This 13k square foot location will largely serve as studio spaces for artists, there will be classrooms and soundproofed music lesson spaces.

TONIGHT and TOMORROW !

We will be featuring the 4th floor at Not Yo Mamas Holiday Craft Fair https://www.facebook.com/events/120645391382494/ .

So please come and join us. Thank you so much for everyone that has helped the school for the last 2 years, I'm entirely grateful.


WINTER COURSES ARE HERE!

ADULTS

Beginner Drawing and Painting 1 – Instructor: Thomas John Carlson
            8-week class teaches students the foundations of painting and drawing.
            Fundamentals explored include rendering the value scale, using a viewfinder,
            sight-sizing, under-painting, glazing and much more.
            Tuesday, January 10th | 7-10pm | Fee: $300 + $25 (Materials)

Intermediate Drawing and Painting 2 – Instructor: Thomas John Carlson
            8-week class is a continuation of Beginner Drawing and Painting, comprised of lessons such
            as stretching canvases, light measuring and working out the early stages of full composition.
            Wednesday, January 11th | 7-10pm | Fee: $300 + $50 (Materials)

Advanced Drawing and Painting 3 – Instructor: Thomas John Carlson
8-week class is a continuation of Intermediate Drawing and Painting. Lessons include advanced color techniques and exercises, historical painting techniques and work with the model.
            Monday, January 9th | 7-10pm | Fee: $300 + $50 (Materials)

Painting - Watercolor – Instructor: Christi Harrington
4-week class about washes, glazes and applied techniques
            from still life images onto the canvas. All Levels.
Time: January TBA  | Fee: $150 + $50 (Materials)

Glass Blowing – Instructor: Kiva Ford
            One on one class learn the basics of manipulating molten glass and ornaments. All Levels.

Silver PMC Jewelry Making – Instructor: Joanne Simmons
PMC – Precious metal clay is an amazing way to express yourself with metals.  This class focuses on silver and is for all levels.

Workshop – Sewing – Instructor: Tina Maneca
2 day / 6 hour class learn basic hand sewing techniques, quilting techniques, and use your sewing machine.

Workshop – Digital Photography Course – Learning the SLR – Instructor: Mike DiFeo
Students get hands-on experience in using all the settings and functions of their cameras by creating digital images under the guidance of instructor.

KIDS and TEENS

Kids Academy – Techniques in Illustration– Instructors: Melissa Pulicare
Learn about art history through the old masters.  Students will learn the basic techniques of drawing and painting to create their own masterpieces. Learn about a new artist every week and work together in groups and independently.
            6 Sundays | January 8th – February 12th | 12-1:30pm  | Fee: $100 + $15 (Material) *Open to Ages 6-10

Kids Academy – Animation Lab – Instructor: Robert Bohn
                  In this class children will learn the fundamentals of the moving image from storyboarding to flipbooks
            and stop-motion. The class will culminate in each child creating their very own animated story.
            6 Saturdays | January 7th – February 11th | 12-1:30pm | Fee: $120 + $15 (Materials) *Open to Ages 6-10

Kids Academy –Music Instrument Making – Instructor: Ben Miller
         Students will build small musical instruments from simple straw oboes and rubber band guitars to
semi-complex electrified stringed instruments.
6 Saturdays | January 14th – February 18th | 2-4pm | Fee: $140 + $15 (Materials) *Open to Ages 6-10

Kids Academy –Cartooning– Instructor: Megan Gulick   
Join local artist Megan Gulick in this great cartooning course.  Students will learn the basics of drawing
original cartoon characters.
6 Sundays | January 15th – February 29th | 2-3:30pm | Fee: $100 + $15 (Materials) *Open to Ages 6-10

Teen Academy –Drawing and Painting – Instructor: Norman Kirby
Students will draw from life in charcoal and other media, building a basic skill in capturing realistic forms.
Subjects will include still lifes and portraiture. This class will focus on classical techniques and will assist
students with portfolio building. Museum Trip.
6 Thursdays | January 12th – February 16th | 6 - 8pm | Fee: $130+ $15 (Materials) *Open to Ages 11-16


WEEKLY CLASSES & EVENTS

Figure Drawing – Moderator : Norman Kirby
            Time: Wednesdays 7-10pm Fee: $10

Sunday Evening Film Class hosted by Yvonne Vairma
            Studying groundbreaking films of different cinematic themes, followed by a group discussion.
            Time: Sundays 5-8pm Fee: $5 suggested donation

ENROLL for all courses at-
www.jcartschool.com


Jersey City Art School
732-877-9116
www.jcartschool.com

Nimbus Nutcracker

Jersey City Nutcracker Dates Announced

Nimbus' Jersey City Nutcracker
Performances Dates:
Wednesday, December 14th, 7:30pm
Thursday, December 15th, 7:30pm
Friday, December 16th, 7pm (followed by Holiday Party with food, drink and activities for all ages!)
Saturday, December 17th, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 18th, 3pm
Sunday, December 18th, 7:30pm (note: proceeds from this performance will benefit for Grace Church Van Vorst)
Location:
Grace Church Van Vorst
39 Erie Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tickets:
Available online starting November 17th at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211565