I can’t believe I wrote a whole paragraph as my subtitle for all the different events I got to attend this weekend, it was insane! Ever since launching the ChicpeaJC calendar I have been attempting to stay on top of all the fun things going on around Jersey City (which is pretty much impossible). There were over 18 events this weekend! A special thanks to everyone contributing and adding their events!

It’s been a while since my last “weekend” roundup so it was time to take JC by storm. I am exhausted!

Friday night I took it easy, I was in bed by 10 am and woke up the next morning to train for the Newport 10k happening next Saturday! check out the calendar for more details! After my run it was time to get the party started.

JCF Family Fair

First stop was the JCF Family event, a fair showcasing the different schools, summer camps and daycare options in Jersey City. It wasn’t all “business” there were plenty of activities for the kids, and of course live music! Mini chicpea was dancing up a storm.

Record Riot

Local record shop Iris Records organizes this fun event 4 times a year where they sell over 30 tables worth of vinyl, cd’s and music memorabilia as well as have live DJ’s spinning all day. I came to two of them last year and loved it, even though I gave away my turntables years ago (biggest mistake of my life). I just love seeing people dig through crates and find gems. I think I need to invest in a new set of tables!! The next one is happening Sunday June 14th!

Green Villain Live Graffiti at Pep Boys

I think this was my favorite part of the weekend. It reminded me of a a street art festival I used to go to every year when I lived in Montreal called “Under Pressure”.  A bunch of local and international artists would paint while DJ’s spin music, people hang out, watch the artists and drink beer.

Green Villain is the curator behind a regional mural program that includes beautifying our city with the help of local and international artists. GVJC organized this event at the Pep boys building which is being demolished in a few weeks. Over the weekend dozens of artists from all over the area came together to make their mark on its walls, wrapping the entire building in vibrant colors and designs- like our own Jersey City 5 Pointz! At the back of the building facing the light rail is the most impressive mural I have ever seen, painted by a handful of our local street art peeps from the Alone in Deep Space Crew.

The best part of this whole thing was that Green Villain made a call out to all artists from all over t0 come out to this event to paint LEGALLY! Which is a luxury many street and graffiti artists are not often given. So many people came out to support and partake; it was really great to watch. I even got a chance to tag a wall!!

I didn’t do the best job but had a blast and loved seeing my name up there amongst all these great artists #iamnotworthy. A special thanks to Green Villain for all that he does for Jersey City. Hopefully we can do this every year!! LOOK AT THESE PICTURES!!!

A quick outfit change and we were off to the Golden Gloves Championship!

Golden Gloves Championship at Pershing Field

Who doesn’t love boxing?! It’s actually one of my favorite sports to watch. The Golden Gloves is a great organization that teaches young athletes skills they will use for the rest of their life. To be a boxer you need to be focused and dedicated and these local fighters showed it!

Thanks to my girl Marelyn from Allure Events Consultants, who also works for like 50 non-profit organizations. She hooked me up with ringside seats so I got to see all the action up front.

The highlight of my night was meeting Mr. Ringside himself and Mike Tysons bff, Mario Costa. Mario owns the Ringside, a Jersey City landmark and local hangout spot with so much history and stories, I can’t wait to hear them all!!  #someonepinchme

Had a such a great time! and loved running into new JC friends!

We “ducked” out at around 9pm to get to the Pat Byrne “Prove it all night” show at Monty Hall, live for WFMU.

Prove it all Night- Live from Monty Hall

I recently interviewed Pat Byrne, host of the “Prove it All Night” show at WFMU, to get his story for a future blog post. As part of the article I wanted to check out his DIY variety show, which happens at the last Saturday of every month. I had a blast!

In fact, it was so fun I forgot to take pictures! Pat is hilarious and all the guests he had on his show were awesome. I don’t remember when was the last time I laughed so hard and I really needed it! You can listen to his episodes WFMU.org/playlists/RR or follow Pat on Twitter @1800PATBYRNE.

Local band Overlake rocked the house at the end of the show and I loved them! They are awesome, and I need to interview them.

OK. Sleep time.

#Seeclean; City Wide Cleanup

My friend Dave and bossman of Whealth is a f-ing saint; He organized a city-wide effort to clean up various neighborhoods in Jersey City. He picked me up at 9am with coffee and a muffin and we were off to drop off supplies to a few people around the neighborhood. Then we drove to the Hilltop to start our cleaning efforts. This effort will happen every month! (Post coming soon with all the details). In the meantime if you are interested in finding out more, follow him @whealthJC on instagram.

PSA- Throw your sh-t in the garbage.

City Hall Presents Earth Day!

Tired yet? Not me! It was the perfect day for a block party by City Hall to celebrate “Earth Day”. What a fun event for the whole family; eats, activities for the kiddos, people planting beautiful flowers around City Hall, music, local vendors… what else can you ask for?

Darius from Oh Honey!!

Started the day with a fun activity by the Tiny Greenhouse booth, then it was time for lunch, we had Ice Cream from Milk Sugar love and a lobster roll from Hamilton Inn. So delicious.

I loved running into a few of my old and new JC Friends! Like Pat Byrne from the “Prove it all night” show beautifying our City Hall.

Future “Stylish Peep” Michael Place! I love his beard and his t-shirt is so on trend for the day!

The Hamilton Inn family.

Stylish family of the day! The E.Tittlemouse an Co. clan!

I caught up with Mayor Fulop, who was there hanging out with friends who came to visit him and I forgot to take his pic! this was the best pic I could get of him.

Earth Day Celebration at the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetary

The Harsimus Cemetery holds events every once in a while, which I’ve never been to. I was sort of weirded out at first by the concept of going to “party” at a cemetery but as soon as I arrived my thoughts completely changed… the ambiance was so nice and lively (no pun intended). I got a few comments from people not loving the idea that they have parties here, which I totally understand…but the volunteers work very hard, and they do these events to raise money to restore and preserve the cemetery. It’s all for a good cause! which I am all about!

We got there and the country group “The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!” started their set. To be completely honest, country has never really been my favorite genre, but these guys TOTALLY changed my mind on country music. I absolutely loved them!! Mini chicpea and I were rocking out to them. Definetly adding them to my list of people to interview.

Most importantly, the reason we really came, were the chickens and baby goats. THE BABY GOATS WERE SO CUTE I WANTED TO CRY. I think I was more excited about them than mini chicpea was!

Such a great weekend! Stick a fork in me. I am done.

Jersey City. I love you.  Keep em coming!