Category: Events

COUPLE FORCED TO CANCEL WEDDING DUE TO COVID-19 EXCHANGE VOWS AT NEW HOME AT CENTURION UNION

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Emotional Ceremony Live Streamed Across the Globe to Family and Friends

UNION, NJ, JUNE 22 — They always knew they would live at CENTURION UNION,
they never thought they would get married there too.

After eight years of dating, Gene Martinez proposed to Judy Los Banos and the couple spent the next two years planning their dream wedding.  With the June 13, 2020 date quickly approaching, they had everything in place, from a 256-person guest list to a booked reception hall, bridesmaids’ dresses to a honeymoon in Aruba.  They also had a new apartment lined up after leasing a home at CENTURION UNION, a new luxury rental building in Union, NJ which they watched being built for two years, knowing all along it would be their first home together.

Judy and Gene Entrance 1

Photo Credit: Cat Lee

Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and the couple nervously watched as restrictions were put into place and extended over time. Waiting as long as they could, Judy and Gene finally made the very difficult decision to postpone their wedding.

“We put so much time and effort into the planning over the past two years, and we were so excited to be just a couple of months away,” said Gene. “Then came the pandemic and everything changed. We had no choice but to cancel. The bridal shower, the bachelor party, the ceremony, reception and honeymoon; everything was off.”

Distraught over the turn of events, made even sadder by the fact that Judy and Gene were waiting to be married before living together, the couple decided to move forward with their June 13 th date, albeit in a much more intimate fashion.

“We just couldn’t wait to be married,” said Judy, who had been living alone in their new apartment since May. “We obtained a marriage license and arranged to have our pastor come to our home to marry us. We then asked management if it were possible to have the ceremony in one of the building’s amenity spaces so we could invite a few family members and friends to celebrate with us.”

After hearing about their ordeal, American Landmark Development, the developer of CENTURION UNION, offered up the 5 th -floor Resident Lounge for the ceremony, complete with decorations and a bottle of celebratory champagne in the refrigerator. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, ten guests, including Gene’s parents and cousin who served as Best Man and Judy’s brother, sister-in-law, and Matron of Honor, watched as the couple tearfully exchanged wedding vows. The ceremony was also streamed via Facebook Live to their 256 guests, including Judy’s mother in the Philippines who was unable to secure a flight back to the United States and got up at 2:30 am with other family members to watch, as well as other family and friends in Asia, Europe, Canada, California, Arizona, Texas, Delaware, New York and New Jersey.

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Photo Credit: Cat Lee

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds went back to their new apartment where Emily’s Portuguese Bakery, a neighborhood staple, provided complimentary pastries
for the couple and their guests to enjoy.

“It may not have been our dream wedding, and I never thought walking down the aisle would mean walking from my apartment to the elevator, but it was perfect and we’re so grateful that our family and friends around the world were still able to share it with us,” said Judy.

The bride and groom were then greeted with their first wedding present, a reservation at WAVE Resort, a new oceanfront resort in Long Branch, NJ, courtesy of CENTURION UNION’S developer, American Landmark Development.

“This is just such a wonderful place to start our lives together,” said Judy. “We feel
very blessed.”

Jersey’s Best Highlights Hoboken Hot Spots, Just a Stone’s Throw Away from Jersey City

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Jersey’s Best recently published an article titled, “24 Hours in Hoboken: A hive of activity awaits you any time of year within the Mile Square City,” covering everything available to you in Hoboken, which is an ideal guide for Jersey City residents looking to expand their activities list!

To start, Jersey’s Best highlights the fascination Hoboken has with Frank Sinatra, as you can walk in his legendary footsteps through the Hoboken Historical Museum’s Frank Sinatra Walking Tour map. While you can pick up the tour at any point, they recommend starting at the iconic 415 Monroe St. It is also recommended that visitors double check online to see if any COVID-19 restrictions will halt their tour. The last stop on the tour is the Frank Sinatra Memorial Park, which was dedicated in his memory and overlooks the Hudson River with stunning views of Manhattan.

Moving onto the waterfront of Hoboken, these are some of the most anticipated spots to stop at according to Jersey’s Best:

Pier 13 

A short hop from the 14th Street Ferry is Pier 13, Hoboken’s seasonal open-air waterfront beer garden, which features food trucks, water sports and entertainment options ranging from live music to movie nights. Everything is outdoors, so keep weather in mind when planning a day here.

Pier 13 Hoboken on Twitter: "Can we talk about how insane this ...

Maxwell Place Park 

This compact green space on the Hudson River has a waterfront walkway, beach area and a small toddler playground. Unfortunately there is no swimming allowed, but fret not, if you want to hop in you just have to head next door to…

Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse 

Run by volunteers in cooperation with the City of Hoboken and offering free kayaking to the public, the boathouse is open weekends from late spring to early fall, weather permitting. Currently the season is paused due to COVID-19, but you can keep updated by following their social media @hobocobo on Instagram.

Hudson River Waterfront Walkway 

The New York City views from a bench, a bike or walking is perfect for any season. Viewfinders are spread across the walkway for visitors to get the best perspectives.

Pier C Park

This bean-shaped park on a pier jutting off the Waterfront Walkway has two playgrounds, grassy picnic and play areas, and a beach pit with bleachers what entice visitors to climb for an ultimate viewing experience.

Pier A Park

Bring a blanket, a picnic, a frisbee or ball and head to the great lawn at Pier A Park to enjoy a perfect sunny day with some friends. During summer, Pier A is the site of Movies Under the Stars, concerts as well as weekly evening fitness and yoga classes.

The Hoboken Historical Museum

The Hoboken Historical Museum is a must not only for history buffs, don’t walk past 1301 Hudson St. without taking a detour inside. 

As for the vast artistic community in Hoboken, Jersey’s Best recommends the following pit stops while hopping around Hoboken: 

Monroe Center for the Arts 

A hub for local artists and entrepreneurs, you can find talent from A to Z in all forms, including artisans of jewelry, cuisine, photography, architectural and interior design, dance, wellness and more at 720 Monroe St. 

Barsky Gallery 

You’ll want to plan ahead to visit the Barsky Gallery and check its site for public event dates and open hours to view the extensive works by contemporary artists.

Barsky Gallery (Hoboken) - 2020 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go ...

To finish off the list of hot spots in Hoboken, Jersey’s Best had to include the main  thoroughfare of Washington Street, where sidewalks leave room for folks to stroll, restaurants to offer outdoor seating and shops for everyone. Washington Street was even dubbed one of America’s Top 10 Great Streets by the American Planning Association.

Hoboken’s restaurant scene includes places that have been around forever along with those adventurous and new; from American to Italian and around the globe, every ethnic cuisine is represented. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served — find just the meal you need to keep you fueled for a day of shopping. Unique and trendy boutiques outnumber chain stores in Hoboken, and you’ll find chic, one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories at every turn. 

If that wasn’t enough, Hoboken also has plenty of bars with live music, DJs and dancing will keep you busy as long as you want. 

For more information visit Jersey’s Best.

Like Your Favorite Artists in Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s ArtsBergen Virtual ‘The Daily Arts Dose’

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Graphics from The Daily Arts Dose Campaign.  Image Credits: Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

Break up the monotony and the isolation by participating in the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s (NNJCF) ArtsBergen virtual art social media campaign, ‘The Daily Arts Dose’.  From today, Monday, May 4 through Wednesday, May 20, the public can experience a different work of art, once a day for two week, and like their favorite artists in the campaign on the NNJCF’s ArtsBergen social media accounts.

The campaign features 14 Bergen County artists of all disciplines, who submitted their art and were selected to share a sample of their work to the community on social media.  The artists were asked to submit work reflecting the campaign’s tag line, ‘The Daily Arts Dose: Guaranteed to nourish your soul and boost immunity to boredom, isolation, and seeing those same four walls’, or that inspired, brought humor, or contemplation in the midst of the pandemic.

Each artist’s work will be posted daily starting May 4 on these social media accounts: Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNJCF, Instagram at www.instagram.com/nnjcf_artsbergen/, and Twitter @nnjcf.  Everyone is encouraged to like, share and comment on the posts they enjoy.  The artist’s post receiving the highest number of likes will be awarded a cash prize.

“The arts can uplift and inspire hope and joy.  During this time of social distancing, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation engages local artists to help alleviate some of the disconnection and isolation community members are experiencing by injecting a healthy dose of creativity into their lives,” said Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

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Credit: Pixabay

About Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization based in Hackensack, New Jersey, focuses primarily on civic engagement, education, the environment, public health, philanthropy and the arts.  NNJCF works with local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups in Northern New Jersey to improve community life.  The Foundation’s partners identify and resolve regional problems and opportunities by talking and learning from each other, by sharing ideas, best practices, services, and resources.  For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to nnjcf@nnjcf.org, or call 201-568-5608.

About ArtsBergen

ArtsBergen, an initiative of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, is an emerging arts alliance in Bergen County, New Jersey that supports and encourages creative placemaking, the practice of integrating arts and culture into a neighborhood, town, or region to build community and livability and boost local economy.  The initiative’s mission is to energize and unify artists and arts organizations and connect the Bergen County community to the arts.  For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to artsbergen@nnjcf.org, or call 201-568-5608.

KRE Group launches new virtual activities initiative to entertain/educate residents and support local businesses

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KRE Live Features a Curated Offering of At-Home Activities Free to the Public

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KRE Group, a leading real estate development and management company, announced today the launch of KRE Live, a virtual space that provides a robust calendar of online social, fitness, entertainment and educational options to aid the public in practicing social distancing throughout the current COVID-19 crisis.

The www.krelive.com website will be updated regularly to provide a full schedule of classes, demonstrations, talks and other livestreams offered in real time and at no cost.  KRE has engaged the local business community to bring their services and expertise to residents who can no longer visit in person.

Powered by Zoom, the livestreams are carefully curated to provide a variety of activities and discussions for all household makeups. Family-friendly options include a comedy show, Spanish Class for Kids with Fasttrack Languages and The Unicorn NYC Presents Babies N’ Beats. Other adult-oriented classes consist of a WFH PT Stretch Class with Lisbeth Hoyt, Brizz’s Bootcamp hosted by Hudson River Fitness, a cooking class led by Hoboken favorite Hudson Table, How to Golf from Home with PGA Professional Jeff Wibben, Spicy Margarita Making Cocktail Class and many more.

On Friday, March 27, KRE Live will host a discussion with Jersey City Medical Center President and CEO Michael Prilutsky and Chief Medical Officer Michael Loftus to update the community on COVID-19.

“These are unchartered waters for all of us,” said Jonathan Kushner, president of KRE Group.  “Once we put all of the necessary measures in place to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible, we began thinking of ways that would improve their quality of life during this restrictive period.  KRE Live will allow them to enjoy many of the activities they’ve been missing, while also increasing exposure and building new audiences for so many local businesses and individuals who are dealing with temporary shutdowns.”

While initially conceived to exclusively service KRE Group’s entire multi-family portfolio,  KRE Live is open to the public at large.

“We’re all in this together,” said Mr. Kushner.  “When we can’t control a situation, we have a company approach of doing our best to control our reaction to that situation.”

To view and register for activities on KRE Live, visit www.krelive.com.

Local businesses interested in being considered for KRE Live can email krelive@thekregroup.com

About Kushner Real Estate Group

Headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, KRE Group is one of the largest privately held diversified real estate companies in New Jersey. It owns and manages more than 6,000,000 square feet of office, warehouse and retail space. It also has a multi-family portfolio which exceeds 9,000 existing apartments, with an additional 7,000 in various stages of approval and construction. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.thekregroup.com.

 

New Writing Workshops to Launch in Jersey City Heights!

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WRITE IN THE HEIGHTS is launching on March 11th! The new home for the area’s writers and lovers of literature will feature:

  • Writing workshops in prose and poetry for beginner and continuing writers
  • One day workshops to practice elements of craft
  • Monthly writing gatherings, to write, snack, drink and share
  • Readings and open mics
  • Full editing services will also be available

WRITE IN THE HEIGHTS will host its first Write Night on Wednesday, March 11th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Drinks, snacks and writing prompts will be served.

The first prose workshop will begin on March 17th and will run for seven weeks, covering character, plot and dialogue development for fiction and non-fiction stories. An open-genre workshop will run for six weeks on Mondays in April, providing writers a space to practice, play and share.

All workshops and events will be held at the new party rental space, As U Wish, at 74 Bowers Street, Jersey City, NJ 07307.

WRITE IN THE HEIGHTS is founded by ELIZABETH ARGELIA LEONARD, writer, educator and editor. Elizabeth has been leading creative writing workshops for adults and children in New York City for more than a decade. She holds a Masters in novel writing from City University London and a BA in Comparative Literature and Creative Writing from NYU. She has been trained in the Amherst Writers and Artists Method, teaching arts for social justice, and restorative justice practices. This summer, she will be trained in yoga and mindfulness instruction and hopes to continue to incorporate healing practices in her facilitation. She is thrilled to bring this experience and her joy for writing to Jersey City.

POP-UP GALLERY AT THE ENCLAVE RENTAL BUILDING IN JERSEY CITY TO CELEBRATE NEWEST MURAL FROM ACCLAIMED ARTIST RON ENGLISH

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Space is Limited and Tickets are Required for the Free Public Event From 6 to 9 p.m. on August 8th at 260-Home Building at 675 Monmouth Street

Ron English, the wildly popular artist whose unique style mixing superheroes and comic strips with art history has made him one of the country’s most recognizable artists, is putting the finishing touches on his newest public work in Jersey City – a 60’ mural located at the intersection of Erie and 16th Streets.

GrinPopWhiteTrademark.jpgThe artwork is the latest installment in Jersey City’s renowned Mural Arts Program and its completion will be celebrated with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop during a free public POP-Up gallery on Thursday, August 8th within The Enclave rental building at 675 Monmouth Street.  Space is limited for the evening event and tickets are required to attend. Free tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/popaganda-jersey-city-pop-up-tickets-66604113697. 

The special cocktail event will be highlighted by banner art from Mr. English, who describes his signature mash-up of high and low cultural touchstones as “POPaganda.”  Found throughout the world as street art, in museums, in movies and books and television, his unforgettable works captivate audiences with an arsenal of original characters, including MC Supersized, the obese fast-food mascot featured in the hit movie “Supersize Me,” and Abraham Obama.  The gallery will also feature “POPaganda” merchandise for sale.

Sponsored by the development team behind The Enclave, BNE Real Estate Group, Hoboken Brownstone Company and McKinney Properties, the event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the building’s indoor/outdoor rooftop amenity deck.

 “Ron English is one of the best street artists in the world who lived in Jersey City for some time,” Mayor Fulop said. “It is great to have him back in our city as part of the Mural Arts Program, which has become one of the best in the country.”

 Initiated in 2013, and funded by a Clean Communities Grant, the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP) is a Mayor’s Office Initiative that links established and emerging local, national and international mural artists with property owners citywide.  The acclaimed public art program currently showcases nearly 140 murals citywide created by artists from 16 countries, 7 U.S. States and dozens of Jersey City’s local artists.  The Mural Arts Program has grown in prominence and notoriety, attracting named artists – such as Kobra, Shepard Fairey, MadC, and Pixel Pancho – and establishing Jersey City as a top U.S. urban area for renowned public graffiti and street art.

The Mural Arts Program has commissioned works that support local art and beautify neighborhoods by programming public spaces with outdoor paintings that deter graffiti and incorporate the cultural and historical aspects of different neighborhoods. The Ron English mural, and others like it in Jersey City, offer accessible, authentic artwork that can help enhance and re-energize neighborhoods through creativity and aesthetic beauty.

About The Enclave

Located in one of Jersey City’s hottest new neighborhoods, The Enclave features 260 luxury apartments and more than 40,000 square feet of resort-style amenities.  An abundance of outdoor space is highlighted by an expansive rooftop terrace featuring a swimming pool, private BBQ areas, outdoor bar and a fire pit – all set against the dazzling Manhattan skyline backdrop.  The pet-friendly building also features a dog run and spa, multiple entertainment lounges, an arcade/game room, co-working spaces and conference room, children’s imagination room with connected outdoor play area, and a Zen garden.  Fitness enthusiasts will enjoy a state-of-the art fitness center with virtual fitness programs, spin room, indoor/outdoor yoga areas, private massage room and resident locker rooms. Covered parking, bike storage and resident storage are available on-site.

The Enclave Exterior

Residents also enjoy 24-hour concierge, Amazon package lockers, and pet concierge services through Bark Building. The building is surrounded by outdoor landscaped open space and pedestrian plazas, while two new public parks created by the development partners are nearing completion and will feature a children’s playground and dog park.

The Enclave’s collection of stylish apartments ranges from studios to two-bedroom residences, with select homes offering private balconies.  Design-driven living spaces include nine-foot ceiling heights, crisp, white quartz countertops, modern stainless-steel appliances, in-home washer/dryers, and custom modular closets.  Net monthly rents start from the $2,400s, with a limited-time offer of one month free on a 13-month lease.  Immediate occupancy is available.

For additional information and to schedule a private preview of The Enclave, please visit www.TheEnclaveJC.com, or call 833-292-5351.  The Marketing Directors is the building’s marketing and exclusive leasing agent. The Enclave’s leasing office and model homes are open daily and is located at 675 Monmouth Street, Jersey City, NJ 07310.

 

 

 

The Latest Noise Presents an ALEOproduction: The Last Waltz 5.0

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In November 1976, a bunch of the finest musicians of the time came together to celebrate THE BAND’s final performance, The Last Waltz at the esteemed Winterland Ballroom.

THIS November 2018, a bunch of Hudson County’s finest musicians will come together to recreate this historic event at White Eagle Hall.
For the 5th time.

Friday, November 16th at White Eagle Hall

8 PM

TICKETS

John Hammond: Acoustic Blues

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General Admission: $25 @ door / $20 advanced purchase (automatically applied at checkout) VIP Tickets: $45 (only 12 VIP seats available for this show)

Grammy winner and Jersey City resident John Hammond was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. “John’s sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it,” says his longtime friend and collaborator Tom Waits. “He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.”

FRIDAY, November 16th at 7 PM 

CAF LIVE, 39 Erie Street in downtown JC

TICKETS

JC’s Big Read

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2018-11-06_12-46-54The Jersey City Arts Council’s Literary Arts Committee is actively raising funds to provide free copies of Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel to 100% of Jersey City’s high school and college students so they can participate in the 2019 NEA Big Read. Fundraising ends November 27, 2018.

Jersey City has selected to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel this coming March for the NEA Big Read. Mandel is the author of four novels, an Arthur C. Clarke award winner and a National Book Award Finalist. Her post-apocalyptic novel Station Eleven is a New York Times and international bestseller. The NEA Big Read will be celebrated as a month-long, citywide event, with more than three dozen programs, including literary readings, special workshops, slams, short films, art shows, and youth activities—all culminating in a visit from the writer Emily St. John Mandel on April 3.

The Arts Council’s campaign asks residents to donate just $5 to help ensure that every Jersey City high school and college student can participate in the NEA Big Read. The Literary Arts Committee has partnered with publisher Penguin Random House to print and deliver up to 25,000 copies of the book at cost, a savings of more than $250,000 from the cover price. Each $5 donation from the public will put a free copy of Station Eleven into the hands of a Jersey City student. The most generous donor will be thanked, with a logo if appropriate, on the back cover of all 25,000 books.

“The NEA Big Read is going to be filled with fun and thought-provoking events, all sparked by this wonderful novel,” said Robinson Holloway, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Arts Council. “We want everyone in Jersey City to participate, and we know that for many students the purchase of an un-assigned book can be a luxury. Penguin Random House has been an extraordinary partner, and we can’t wait for 25,000 conversations to start.”

Fundraising ends November 27, 2018, to allow time to print and distribute the books for the start of the NEA Big Read festivities in March 2019.

HOW TO DONATE:
Donations of $5 (or more) can be made with a credit card at jerseycityartscouncil.org/big-read/ or a check made out to Jersey City Arts Council can be mailed to JCAC, 331 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302.

The Jersey City Arts Council is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
www.jerseycityartscouncil.org/big-read
www.arts.gov/national-initiatives/nea-big-read
www.emilymandel.com

Nimbus Gala 2018: Take Root

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Saturday, November 17th 

DETAILS

Raising Funds for Construction and Equipping the Nimbus Arts Center at the Lively.

In December 2019, Nimbus Dance Works will open the Nimbus Arts Center at the Lively, located at 321 Warren Street in Jersey City’s Powerhouse Arts District. One of the most significant investments in the arts in Jersey City history, the comprehensive arts center will include a 150-seat black box theater, studio and rehearsal space for Nimbus Dance Works’ Company and School, and partnership with Saint Peter’s University and Pro Arts Jersey City.

Take Root is an immersive evening of dance celebrating the company with excerpts performed from Nimbus classics and new works. Enjoy drinks, light fare, live & silent auction, live music and dancing – Take Root will bring together friends, arts lovers, and leaders from community, business, and politics in support of this important cause.