Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Martucci Field

by Crystal Davis

Friday marked the re-grand opening of Pavonia Marion Park Martucci Field on West Side. Children and family frolicked to the re-grand opening and ribbon cutting. This event featured Mayor Steven Fulop, Mayors of the Day, Jersey City Public School No. 6 students Nicholas and Jazlyn, and members of the City Council and the Recreation Department.

“[A] ceremony for Martucci Field at Westside and Pavonia Avenues follow[ed] nearly $35,000 of improvements made by the City over the past several weeks.  Upgrades include[d] new basketball posts, rims, nets, backboards, and basketball court (surface); new sod for the soccer field with a state-of-the-art sprinkler system; new bleachers and benches; new shrubbery and landscaping; as well as repairs to the fencing, the installation of banners and new flag poles, and tree trimming.  As most of the work was done in house by Department of Public Works staff, the city was able to expedite the project while keeping the costs down.  The Recreation Department services several hundred children at the park for both basketball and soccer programs and is working to bring its flag football program to the newly renovated facility.”

After the ribbon cutting all City Council members announced it was time to “Play ball!” and preparation for the evening’s basketball tournament began. Children now have a fully restored basketball court and soccer field and can play until dusk.

Three cheers for the completion and re-grand opening of Martucci Field at Westside and Pavonia Avenues!

PASS THE ROC’s Multicultural Community Festival

By Yuvraj Ramsaywack

There were quite a few events going on throughout the city over the weekend, but the most vibrant of them all happened right in Audubon Park. PASS THE ROC’s first ever Multicultural Community Festival transformed Audubon Avenue and the park into a festive gathering space, filled with dance performances, live music, double dutch, food, and games for people of all ages.

When I first entered the park, I was immediately drawn to the soothing voice of Tonia Ray and the T-Ray Band. The band, which has members from all across Northern New Jersey, made its Jersey City debut at the event and, luckily for me, they will be back for more performances.

I later walked along the temporary pedestrian plaza on Audubon Avenue, which featured vendors such as Stella’s Empanadas and Sweets 4 Miles (and their dangerously delicious cupcakes).

I later watched a few youth dance performances, followed by a belly dancing show led by Tarik Sultan. Tarik offers free belly dancing classes at Greenville’s Bethune Life Center on Mondays and all ages are welcome! The belly dancing later gave way to a performance by D’yon Musiq, who invited the audience on to the stage to sing and dance with him. Jazz, funk, R&B, Club, Middle Eastern, and Pop dance performances cascaded the stage.

The impressive range of musical variance captured the essence of the city’s cultural diversity. That’s exactly what people like Jarrod Greene, the man behind the festival, are trying to accomplish. It’s no secret that Audubon Park suffers from a tainted reputation among city residents, but they are wrong.

People like Jarrod Greene are inspiring us to re-imagine our local parks as hospitable environments that could unify our city. Jersey City is an incredibly diverse city, and Jarrod hopes to grow the festival to other, much larger spaces in different neighborhoods. By hosting the festival in a variety of neighborhoods, more people will be inspired to go to a future festival in a different neighborhood from their own. Couldn’t make it to the festival? Check out the photos and stay tuned for future PASS THE ROC events! Cheers.

 

Soulful Cypher 

Written by ChicpeaJC

Ever since the beginning of the summer I’ve been meaning to check out Soulful Cypher on the Hudson. The idea of dancing during the day to house music around the best views in the city sounded like the perfect Sunday activity. I don’t know what happened but every time it went on I was either not around or in major mommy week prep mode (It’s on a Sunday afternoon after all). Wise Rodriguez the founder of Soulful Cypher reached out to me a few weeks ago to personally invite me to this Sunday’s event and I knew I couldn’t miss it.

Sunday rolls around and we did some activities with mini-chicpea, we were riding our bikes around the waterfront and saw them setting up. Mini-chicpea kept saying “I want to dance”, it was a sign that we HAD to go. I took her home for a quick power nap and as soon as she woke up we walked to the waterfront to meet with my bff Kyra to dance it up.

As soon as we got there I felt the eclectic energy… the music, the beautiful people, the views…. it was all so amazing. I ran into Wyse and asked him if there would be any more events like these. He said this was his final one of the year, but was thinking of extending it. I told him “you must”. I was sad, because this whole summer, this amazing event was happening right under my nose and I didn’t get to experience it before today. I was hooked.

To those who follow this blog, or my social media, you all know I love to dance. Dancing is my therapy, it keeps me sane, it keeps me grounded. The only time I ever really feel confident is when I am on that dance floor… the thing is I don’t really like going to “clubs”, I don’t enjoy a pretentious crowd, drinking too much, staying out late and then feeling exhausted in the morning (toddlers do not come with snooze buttons).

That is why a day party like this was just perfect. It’s all about the community, the positive vibes, and feeling your body move to the rhythm.

I spent about 2 hours at Soulful Cypher dancing and spending time with my little one and best friend, I felt so good after. It was exactly what I needed. I really hope Wyse plans one more before the end of the warm season!!

My favorite party of the year.