SATURDAY, JULY 9 - Alive and Growing! A Fundraiser for UPTOWN Crew

As we sow, so will we reap.

We have so much to celebrate ... 
We are ALIVE and GROWING!

- Our Neighborhoods
- Our Gardens
- Our Lives

- and, UPTOWN CREW too!


Uptown Crew continues to develop programming that highlights the people, places and history of UPtown Jersey City.

Come join this very "growth oriented" evening of food and fun. You'll learn about what we do, our plans for the upcoming months and how you can help us keep the energy flowing throughout ALL of Jersey City. Bring your ideas and your appetite!

We are aiming to serve produce that is locally grown or sourced.
Can you help? If you garden, please bring something from your bounty to show and share!
If you don't, or if it's a little early to harvest, consider donating a beverage or dessert.

Representatives from the Journal Square CSA and Jersey City Food Coop will be available to talk about options for your access to healthful, fresh foods.

Music provided by the incomparable DJ Neva, and some creative surprises....

$10 admission.

Plus, we'll be raffling off beautiful, GREEN prizes!

http://www.UPTOWNCREW.org/
http://journalsquarecsa.weebly.com/
http://www.jcfoodcoop.coop/

THE CREW IS YOU!

Link to the Facebook Event Invitation.

MAP and DIRECTIONS

JC ORIGINALS - JAZZ! Friday, June 3

Wow! Here we go again, with another JC Originals showcase at Moore's Lounge!

JC Originals means this night brings you all Jersey City talent! In fact, the bandleaders from all three of these amazing ensembles live UPtown. (That's what we've been talking about!) And many of the band members call Jersey City home too.

It's almost summer, and JC Originals Jazz! is going to inject a little cool into that hot....

The talent:

• Village Drums of Freedom:Drum Jazz. In 2009, VDF celebrated its 40th anniversary as a Trinidadian and Caribbean music powerhouse.
• Bantu Dub Project. This South African-led ensemble swings totally sublime.
• GMJ Groove. Virtuosos abound in this rock-jazz fusion trio, with sax, violin, bass and drums.

And this time around, we've got an amazing production group on board to make things smooth and cool for you. Nick Ciavatta, CEO of Friggin Fabulous Productions; Trish Szymanski, Executive Director of Uptown Crew; and Neva Wartell, ethnomusicologist and the brains (and heart) behind the Music for the Masses movement, are bringing their formidable experience and skills to this project. (Check out our recent press coverage on NJ.COM.)

Thank you to the producers for putting this event together and for donating a portion of proceeds to Uptown Crew.

Doors open at 8pm.

$10 suggested donation.

And don't forget
Miss Ruth's Famous Friday Night Fish Fry...yummy!!!

All jazz, all night.

MAP and DIRECTIONS

This event is part of JC Fridays.

Happy Birthday, UC Open Mic!

We can hardly believe it ourselves...but we're coming up on ONE YEAR since the first Uptown Crew OPEN MIC!

It was May 1, 2010 that we started up at 264 Fairmount Space with a few poets and musicians lounging in our couches there.

In October, we hosted JC Opens Up the Mic Tour 2010 at Moore's Lounge (aka Bill+Ruth's), and joined the Moore's family. Miss Ruth has made us welcome ever since, and in January we followed our audience's wishes and doubled the fun. So, our Open Mic now runs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at Moore's.

The bottom line is, this coming Open Mic on April 28 is our
BIRTHDAY BASH!.

As usual, there will be some excellent Yummies for your Tummy, so don't eat beforehand! We promise, we will have delicious dinner and dessert.

And we'll have lots of surprises for you too, including a raffle and, hopefully, a special feature performer!

Don't miss this celebration of community and entertainment in the Upper and Outer Reaches of Jersey City.

THE CREW IS YOU, baby!

JC ORIGINALS Performance Showcase!Friday, March 4, 2011 at Moore's Lounge

A talent showcase to close out the winter and celebrate the arts in Jersey City!

We asked Nick Ciavatta, CEO of Friggin Fabulous Productions, to put together a line-up of local talent, and we're thrilled with the results.


Every entertainer in JC Originals hails from Jersey City in one way or another: Many are born and raised here, and everyone else is a transplant who has embraced this amazing City as their home.

And, whether a singer/songwriter, a poet or a spoken word artist, every performer in JC Originals writes their own material, so you are guaranteed a truly unique night!

The line-up:

- Terry Haman
- Gerald Lucas
- Susan "Rescue" Justiniano
- Trash Executioner
- Pat Lally
- Jozy Bentley
- Nick Ciavatta
- Upset
- David W. Jacobsen
- Just Putt
- Trish Szymanski

Our own DJ Neva will be spinning the steady-rocking international sounds she is famous for to take us through this incredible program!

Moore's Lounge (189 Monticello Avenue) is the perfect setting for this event. The home of Uptown Crew's twice-monthly open mic, Moore's is a neighborhood staple and a great Uptown venue. And Friday night is always Fish Fry Night at Moore's, so bring your appetite!

The doors will open at 7:00pm, with the last act scheduled to go on after midnight.

Suggested donation at the door: $7

Click here to answer the Facebook invitation.

MAP and DIRECTIONS

JC Originals is a JC Fridays event.

Coming Up...

So many things happening up here, where the air is rare!

- The UPTOWN CREW Open Mic is such an amazing time, and it's gotten so popular, we were inspired to double the fun. So now you can bring your BEST to our UPtown stage on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. With the incomparable DJ Neva (picture), we're holding it down at Moore's Lounge, 189 Monticello Avenue. $5 admission, Yummies for your Tummy, 7:30pm sign-up. Moore's warm, welcoming crowd and our amazing performers from Newark, South Jersey, NYC and all over Hudson County make this a sweet night. Easy to find, easy to get to.

- The UC Dramatic Reading Series continues on Sunday, March 20, with a celebration of Women's History Month - readings by all women actors of all women authors, bringing alive the early American literary voice through its 19th-century literature. Musical guest, Carolyn Light. $7, 5pm at the Journal Square Cafe (2nd floor, above McDonald's, across from Journal Square). Enjoy the JSQ Cafe's delicious kitchen...Middle Eastern food made fresh, fruit smoothies, and more!

- And watch for the next UC Jazz Series concert too!

STAY TUNED!
There are TWO ways to stay on top of our events:
- Scroll down to the bottom of this page and Follow us here, or
- LIKE us on Facebook.
Either way, you'll want to stay connected so you don't miss out!

THE CREW IS YOU.

What's Coming in December?

Whew. LOTS!

Here's the rundown:

- Friday, December 3, is JC Fridays, and Uptown Crew is kicking off a 3-day Holiday Art Market called TRADE SHOW. We've got unique works from amazing local artists including Sorana Tarmu, Joe Gilmore and Kayt Hester.

- NEED TO KNOW: On the evening of Friday, December 3, hosts Ms Trish and DJ Neva are hosting THE PARTY AFTER at Moore's Lounge (aka Bill and Ruth's) at 189 Monticello Avenue. If you've been to their events before, you know what's coming. Bring your energy and your dancing feet. And you'll have Moore's Famous Fish Fry to keep your tummy full while you drink at the bar. $5 admission from 7p till ?

- Thursday, December 9, our monthly Uptown Crew Open Mic. We're at Moore's Lounge, 189 Monticello Avenue. $5 admission. 7:30pm sign-up. This event is building serious steam. Don't miss it when it blows up!

- Saturday, December 18, Uptown Crew kicks off its UC Jazz series with a concert at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Duncan Avenue. Performance by Eldad Tarmu Jazz Ensemble, with a slight change in the lineup - wait till you see/hear!

- Holiday Break: Between Christmas and New Year's we'll hold our TEEN Open Mic. Location to be determined. Free admission to all, for ages 13-19. Older young adults and parents and guardians welcome for support and inspiration.

OK, breathe deep, people.

THE CREW IS YOU.

And don't forget to join our Facebook Group where you can post your own Uptown Stuff!
We also have a Nonprofit FB Page. Check out the photos from our November 11 Open Mic there.

The UPTOWN Open Mic is comingNovember 11!

Let's do this again.

Uptown Crew's Open Mic is getting a head of steam, and we're back to blow it up at
Moore's Tavern
189 Monticello Avenue
next Thursday, November 11.

** Poets **
** Actors **
** Singers **
** Performance Artists **
** Comedians **
** Spoken Word Artists **

You'll have 5 minutes, so bring your best!

$5 admission


DJ Gulleyjimson is on his all-vinyl decks, and this man will spin you SILLY!

We'll have some great vittles for you and, as always, Moore's beautiful bar.

Sign-Up starts at 7:30p.

THE CREW IS YOU.

THE RAVEN: The Works of Edgar Allen Poe + Darren Deicide.Saturday, October 30

Are you ready to be chilled to the bone and scared to your heart's content?!

Uptown Crew's Dramatic Reading Series continues with readings of works by Edgar Allen Poe. Live actors deliver the best of Poe's 19th-century gothic gems, including poetry, essay and full readings of works including The Telltale Heart, Annabel Lee and, of course, THE RAVEN.

Enjoy our silent screening of horror claymation film shorts.

We are transporting back in time, and we would love for you to dress as you would have, were we sharing a drink in
Mr. Poe's salon. Be creative!

There will be lovely refreshments available, and a special pouring of E.A. Poe's favorite poison!

And, to top it off, a fittingly dark acoustic set by the demon of Journal Square, Darren Deicide!

$5 admission. Ages 16+. Doors open 7:30pm

WE DARE YOU!

264 Fairmount Avenue
(between Bergen Ave. and Monticello Ave.)

Illustration by Arthur Rackham.

JC Opens Up the Mic Tour 2010 comes to Monticello Avenue

It was bound to happen. The city-wide open mic tour known as JC Opens Up the Mic started in the Powerhouse Arts District at the Warehouse Coffee Shop, moved up to the Heights at the Lincoln Inn, skirted through downtown at Port-O Lounge. For the next stop, Uptown Crew was hosting and we had to do something just a little bit special.

And so, the next JC Opens Up the Mic is throwing down at Moore's Tavern, aka Bill and Ruth's, at 189 Monticello Avenue, between Jewett and Gardners.

Ruthie Moore runs her tavern the old-fashioned way. Big fun, big drink, Friday night fish fries and a place for community.

We are so excited to bring JC Open Up the Mic to Ruthie's. Your hosts will be the incomparable Middlepoet from Just Add Sound and Stephanie Thornton Bryant of JC Writes. Musical guest is Carolyn Light. And Uptown's very own DJ Neva brings it strong to make the evening a trip around the world.

Reminder about the format: The first part of the evening each open mic group offers up performances by two representative poets/readers. The musical guest breaks it up, and then whoever signed up for the real open mic part of the evening will get their chance to bring their best for your entertainment - and I'm not saying it won't be YOU!

See you there.

THE CREW IS YOU.

264 Fairmount Space hostsExhibit of Paintings byUptown Artist Joe Gilmore forJersey City Artist Studio Tour...party to follow!

Since visiting West Africa in January 2010, African-American UPtown Artist Joe Gilmore has created a moving, evocative body of work depicting his ancestors in all of their dignified finery, a condition he believes they might never have been viewed in during their lifetimes.

"My Ancestors Were Beautiful" is a loving tribute to the artist's progenitors, and perhaps ours too.

Open for Jersey City Artist Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, 2010, from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Come see this beautiful collection in the vaulted front room of
264 Fairmount Space, a home for unexpected and inspirational experiences.

On Saturday evening, October 2, Uptown Crew will host a

Dancing On the Head of a Pin PARTY

to celebrate the arts and community in McGinley Square,

and in your neighborhood too.

World music specialist DJ Neva

Refreshments

Peace.

McGinley Square set to host 6 Visual Art Events + A Party Celebration on JC Fridays/September 10!

Uptown Crew was born in McGinley Square, and some mighty committed Crewzers live here.

Come and enjoy yourself on Friday, September 10. There will be something for everyone, six visual art exhibits for the family AND the funky, and a party after that will keep you going all night and make sure you come back for more.

Check out the Jersey Journal's coverage.

For more information about these events, click on Uptown Jams above.

See how we do? You can too. THE CREW IS YOU.

Card design by Stephen Cimini.

A Communipaw Story Marathon

Dramatic readings of short stories by Washington Irving, one of the first writers to capture a distinctly "American" literary voice.

Special Musical Guest
Nathan Carpenter

Friday, June 4
FREE ADMISSION
264 Fairmount Space
McGinley Square, Jersey City
7:30pm - 10:00pm


Sit back, have a bite and a sip, and enjoy a ride back in time.

Washington Irving was born in 1783 on Williams Street in lower Manhattan. The son of Scottish immigrant merchants, Irving was fascinated from a young age by stories of the Dutch settlement of the New York area before British rule. Many of his works reflect the influence of the New Netherland period (1609-1665) and the Dutch culture on the area. Irving set three of the stories you'll hear this evening in what is today called Jersey City; back then, it was known as Communipaw.

Enjoy excerpts from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Communipaw, A Conspiracy of Cocked Hats and A Tale of Communipaw / Guests From Gibbet Island, plus a couple of surprises.

The Actors:

Mary Lois Adshead is an actor.director/producer living in Hoboken NJ. Trained at Lee Strasberg Studios and in England, she founded the Little Theater of Geneva, Switzerland and the Jubilee Fish Theater, an Equity company in Mobile, Alabama. Adshead has acted in television and stage across the U.S. and internationally.

Trish Szymanski is an actor, writer, singer/songwriter, community advocate/activist and arts promoter. She trained with Christine Goodman and Judith Sloan (acting) and with June Foley and Barry Goldsmith (writing). She has a particular interest in the New Netherland period and its legacy in the American ethos. Trish is the founder of the Uptown Crew.

Sharon Zaslaw received her BFA in Musical Theatre Boston Conservatory of Music. She is a graduate of Weist Barron School of Television. Zaslaw has had roles in numerous New York City and regional theater productions, film and industrial productions.

Singer-songwriter Nathan Carpenter calls his music style punk roots. Who are we to argue? It's familiar and strange, sounds old and new, all at the same time. A newcomer to Jersey City, Nathan lives in Journal Square.

Refreshments available.
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264 Fairmount Space has street parking and is clean and green. Smoking outside, please.


View 264 Fairmount Space in a larger map

Communipaw Story Marathon is a JC Fridays event.

May 1 is the very first Uptown Jam - an Open Mic in McGinley Square!

Uptown Crew is happy to announce
the very first
UPTOWN JAM!!!

It's at 264 Fairmount Space in McGinley Square.

Here's the deal:
- Doors open at 7:30pm.
- Suggested donation is $3 at the door.
- Each performer gets 5 minutes. Sign up when you come in.
- Acoustic only. (No actual mic yet.) Spoken word, music, poetry, comedy, dramatic readings. Surprise us.
- Refreshments available.

We've got some Uptown Jam plans in the works, including a jazz concert and more open mics. If you've got some ideas about putting on an Uptown Jam, you know a venue that's available, or you've heard about some serious talent looking for an audience, let us know so we can keep up the flow.

The Crew is You.

btw, if you're on Facebook, you can get an invitation to the event called "Uptown Jam - Open Mic". Let's have some fun in McGinley Square!

[264 Fairmount Space is clean and green. Smoking outside only, please. One cat lives here.]