It’s been a while since I attended any weekend festivities in Jersey City, and this weekend was jammed packed with events. I had a whole list of all the things I wanted to check out yet only made it to 10% of them. Can someone please clone me?! Another thing that did not help my productivity was checking out the new cocktail bar on Grove st. “Dullboy”.
It all started Friday at 5pm for the Art House productions “JC Fridays” which is a “City wide celebration of the arts” that happens every couple of months. Every time there is a JC Friday, I get riddled with major anxiety, because there are so many things happening and its impossible to see everything. That being said, this time I wanted to actually just go to where I felt like going and take it easy for once!
First Stop: Gaia Studio “Liquid Gold”
This was my first time visiting Gaia studios, which is a collective space for artists to create. They were exhibiting works by Meridith Goncalves and Doris Cacoilo surrounding the subject of breast milk. I was really interested by this exhibit because as a mom who used to have to pump at work 3 times a day, I can totally relate to these photographs. They are so powerful.
Second Stop: Tea NJ Presents Yes &.
Luca and Alex are the cutest couple ever, so I obviously had to check out their collaborative work of mixed media art which I absolutely loved!! Stylish peep DJ Pastiche was also in the house doing his thing.
Third Stop: Grassroots Community Space “Through the Lens” of TF Dutchman
Stained glass is a dying art and TF Dutchmans work is absolutely breathtaking. I got to Grassroots a little too early so the “dutch” wasn’t there yet… I did get to chat a little bit with the wonderful Sirena who along with hubby Chelo run the grassroots center. Sirena is so sweet, I just love her… anyway where was I? Oh art! yes.
Dutchman is next on my list of artists to interview, I just love his work and can’t wait to hear his story.
Dutchman is also in the process of painting a mural outside of the community center, but because of the snow storm we had he wasn’t able to finish it. Can’t wait to see the end result!
Fourth Stop: Dullboy
I realize that Dullboy, a new local hotspot was not exactly part of the JC Fridays trajectory, but I got thirsty and have been dying to try this place out so I went in to have some “me” time. I fell in love with this place, everything was just on point; the drinks, the decor, the food and the adorable bartenders! I loved this place so much that Kyra and I went back there Saturday night! (more on that later)
Fifth Stop: Porto Lounge presents Robert Piersanti
One of my favorite Jersey City artists Robert Piersanti is showing his work at Porto Lounge so I obviously had to check it out. His work is so incredible, colorful and sexy. I highly recommend going to see it in person.
Sixth Stop: LITM Presents “Fluidity”
I met up with my girl Kyra and we headed over to LITM to kill two birds with one stone; quality friend time and also art viewing.
7th Stop: The Park Tavern “A West Side Story”
At this point of the evening I was already ready to call it a night but I had to go support my friend/editor/birthing educator/therapist/jew sister Jayne in her exhibit at Park Tavern. First of all the fact that she has an exhibit surrounding her instagram posts is kind of amazing. Jayne is a street art enthusiast and takes pictures of street art wherever she goes. She’s also friends with all the dope local artists that I’ve interviewed in the past. I had to go and show my support.
It was also my first time at Park Tavern and this place was poppin! I need to go back, eat burgers, and explore this dope spot.
8th Stop: JC Studios
Kyra and I ubered back to the downtown area, and hoped off at JC Studios to take a peak!
9th Stop: Porta
Last stop of the evening was to eat pizza with my girlfriends at Pizza Porta! I was so hungry and at that point it was the perfect way to end the evening.
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