It’s Saturday afternoon and I am still recovering from last night’s JCITFF opening party at Mana Contemporary. What a fabulous event! Beautiful people, arts, movies, culture all under one roof. I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a Friday night.

I invited friend and photog Nabil to join me at this years opening party so he could snap all the pictures while I do my thing and interview people for the JCITFF Recap video (coming soon). We actually arrived a little late, and as soon as I walked in I was given a microphone and started interviewing guests that were arriving. I needed booze stat. The lovely crew shooting video for the JCITFF were also broadcasting students and they snuck in a glass of white wine for me.  Two sips in I felt like I was one of the moms from the Real Housewives of New Jersey. #turnup

Alright enough of that. Let’s get to the nitty gritty shall we? The red carpet awards goes to…

Best Dressed Male 

Mr. John Lynch wearing head to toe SARAR, a turkish suit brand, tailored by Decarlos Bespoke. John Lynch actually won most popular of the night at the JCITFF Blockbuster event! He looked so dapper last night I had to give him the coveted best dressed male award.

Best Dressed Female

Veronica Park of the Jersey City youth foundation looked stunning in a leather skirt, fringe top from Forever 21 and simple black pumps. I chose her because I wanted to basically steal the whole outfit. It’s a very “chicpea” look!

Weird Red Carpet moment

My friend Dana Patton, lead star of “Pearl: The Asssasin“, tweeted yesterday that she was going to do something weird on the red carpet. When she approached me,  I said “let’s make out”…. but then we opted to just show off our guns. #goodtimes

Male Crush of the night

I love Michael Billy… yes I know he just got married, and I am not exactly his type… but I still think he is a total cutie. Michael Billy is on the board of the JCITFF, is an actor, producer, host…. he is the whole package and last night he looked AMAZING. We also shared a sweet moment, so that is why he is my male crush of the night.

Female Crush of the night

I have a thing for blonds with big boobs, I mean big hearts… JC Playboy Bunny, Rachael Robbins was my crush of the night. I am also going to take this opportunity and announce that she is also my newest contributor! Stay tuned for her column “Adventures of a JC Playboy Bunny” it’s going to heat things up on chicpeajc!

Favorite group of the night

Every time Joe Scott, CEO of the Jersey City Medical Center is in the group, you know it’s going to be a good time. I had a blast interviewing this crew of JC’s finest peeps; Maureen and Craig co-founders of the JCITFF, Carlos Lejnieks CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hudson County, and Stacey Lea Flanagan the Director of Health and Human services for Jersey City. This crew is the definition of work hard, play harder. I love them.  I hope the insanity makes it on video!!

More Red Carpet Moments! 

While I was chugging white wine, and trying to post a selfie on Instagram, out of nowhere shows up Mayor Steven Fulop. He came to say hello and I basically cornered him and said “hey, you’re on camera” poor guy! He is such a good sport and answered all my questions… and we even took a selfie!

Filmmakers/Actors

Local filmmaker John and wifey Gaye Dustan where there representing John’s movie “Beech Lake” which explores the ecosystem of a small Pennsylvanian lakefront.

Sharon Katz and the Peace Train arrived on the red carpet. Her film “When Voices Meet”has won awards in 18 different festivals for best documentary, best director and original soundtrack! They were so sweet and I was beyond excited to see them perform.

Can I have another male crush of the night? I forget his name because I was so distracted by his long locks and big smile… all I know is that he works for assemblyman Raj Mukherji and was there on his behalf dropping off a proclamation.

OK. I think I had enough wine…

This JCITFF was very exciting because not only was I covering the festivities but I was also a participant!! ChicpeaTV Episode 2: Baking with Grandma Downtown made it to the Web Series category! It was fun interviewing Chris, the director of the series on the red carpet! Can someone take my glass of wine please?

GISELLE. She looked absolutely flawless.

One of the sweetest politicians you will ever meet. Councilman Rolando Lavarro was there supporting the arts. Love the guy.

At this point, I think I was pretty far gone… then I spotted the Big Hair Girls. I love these ladies so much, they are really great friends of mine and we also had a sweet moment on the red carpet. They rock.

More red carpet fun!

Now time for the main event. We all gathered inside a lovely space inside Mana Contemporary… First up were speeches from Maureen Goletz, Michael Billy and Mayor Steven Fulop… and of course a photo op!!

A trailer for the film “When Voices Meet: One Divided Country; One United Choir; One Courageous Journey” was screened and then followed by a performance by  Sharon Katz and the Peace Train alongside the Golden Door Charter School Children’s Choir. They brought the house down and brought everyone to their feed for a standing ovation.

The screening that brought me to tears was the documentary about the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hudson county directed by Julie Foster. The film included Big Brother Jeff, Little Brother Frankie, the amazing staff and an inspired interview with the COO, Michele Williers and CEO Carlos Lejnieks.

For the finale. Sharon Katz and her crew went back on stage and got everyone to dance. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night. The JCITFF team; Maureen and Craig Goletz, Michael Billy, Jarl Haugedal, and all their volunteers completely outdid themselves. The evening and weekend was a huge success!! I was so honored to be apart of it.