This April in the Valley

valleyartsnj.com ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery 580 Forest Street, Orange NJ  Mapping Time: A Collaborative Installation by  Lisa Pressman and Krista Svalbonas  Now through April 28 "Perfect for the space... shapes and colors of the paintings flow directly into the structure of the gallery itself. "                  -- Dan Bischoff, Star Ledger   This site-specific installation transforms the walls of the Firehouse Gallery into a visual dialogue of architecture, language, and temporality. Featured are two-dimensional mixed media work and integrated wall drawings. Firehouse Gallery Hours:  Saturdays 10am-4pm, Sundays 12:30-4pm; or by appointment.  ValleyArts Drop-in Hours: Thursdays 2:30-4:30pm. Stop in at the Firehouse Gallery for a cup of coffee, cookies, and conversation with your colleagues and leaders of the Valley Arts District. Firehouse photo above by Eric Richards. ValleyArts Artists' Salon | Art book swap! Monday, April 8 | 6-8pm | Free | Everyone welcome! Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley Street, Orange    Dust off those old art books you never use and come trade with other artists! This is a great way to de-clutter, but also to find some inspiration, learn a new technique, or brush up on art history. Unclaimed books will be donated to neighborhood arts organizations. ValleyArts Artists Salon meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at HCK. Free admission plus drink specials and half-price appetizers.   Luna Stage  Moon for the Misbegotten Betrayal. Deception. Lies. A love story. By Eugene O'Neill Directed by Nancy Robillard April 6 - May 5 555 Valley Road, West Orange Josie Hogan is a strong woman, the rock that holds together her family farm. When the fate of the farm is at risk, Josie and her father scheme to trap their landlord into assuring their future on the property. This is a classic story by one of our greatest American playwrights.    Etty  Based on the diaries and letters of Etty Hillesum Adapted for the stage and performed by Susan Stein Directed by Austin Pendleton Two performances only! | Sunday, April 7 at 3pm & 7pm Tickets: $25  Each performance will be followed by a talkback with the creator of the work and a special guest. Etty is one woman's struggle to sustain humanity in the face of genocide. Etty Hillesum writes the life she is living - her loves, her work, her wry sense of humor, her deep sensuality and the moment in history. She offers a new form of resistance, as she faces the truth of her circumstances and refuses to lose what she loves in life.     Moonlight Jazz Series  Sunday, April 21 | 7:30pm The Don Braden Quartet in R&B Goes Jazz Featuring Jazz arrangements of songs by Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind and Fire; Roberta Flack and others, plus original compositions  Don Braden, saxophone, flute, alto flute  Cecil Brooks III on drums  Brandon McCune, piano  Joris Teepe, bass  www.lunastage.org   Hat City Kitchen Presents   459 Valley Street, Orange Live music is a standard at this Valley Arts District landmark featuring American cuisine with a New Orleans influence. Enjoy an eclectic mix of artists playing original music across genres - rock, blues, funk, R&B, soul, &jazz. For band and event listings, visit  www.hatcitykitchen.com Catfish Friday Women's Art Collective Meeting and Potluck Dinner Saturday, April 13 I 6:30pm | Please bring food to share 540B Freeman St., Orange Join this supportive, creative gathering for women artists for inspiration, collaboration and lively conversations about art and life. Info: toni@artsetcnow.org Thanks to all who participated in  Creative Orange: Call to Collaboration  This two-day, Open Space collaboration addressed the question, "Making Orange Pop: How can we engage all sectors of the community, embrace change and culture, nurture creativity, and drive innovation?" It's not too late to be part of Creative Orange! Groups are forming now to advance what we envisioned! A central source for information about these projects, events, programs and initiatives is being developed right now. Learn more at: facebook.com/creativenjorange  Please be sure to hit "LIKE" so updates will be included in your Facebook feed. For an executive summary of activities and transcripts of various sessions, visit: valleyartsnj.com/creative-orange/ Thanks!  Richard Bryant Executive Director, ValleyArts Co-Chair, Creative Orange  Visit our website!     www.valleyartsnj.com Reach us by email at:    info@valleyartsnj.com Arts Unbound Spring Showcase Saturday, April 13 12-4pm For more information call973-675-2787 Shared Artist Studio Co-ops Open Planning Meeting Thurs., May 17, 5pm ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery  The arrival of the Kresge Foundation's recent grant to HANDS and ValleyArts is propelling this initiative forward. Join us for this open meeting to help imagine and plan four shared artist studio co-ops dedicated to the disciplines of painting, printmaking, jewelry/metalcrafting, and digital media. These are expected to open this year, with newly constructed and equipped spaces for 40 artists. For more information visit:valleyartsnj.com/for-artists/livework-options/ Reservations not required, but if you can, please let us know by email if you plan to attend:  richard@fohservices.com   ORNG Ink | Ironworks Community Artspace 406 Tompkins St. Orange Imagery X|Press Now on view! A photography exhibition by Briana Heart, Naeema Campbell and Marco Dorce www.orngink.com Save the Date! Thursday, May 9, 6pm Exhibition opening and reception at the ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery Legendary Cuban artist:  Choco Retazos del Sol Traces of the Sun May 9 through June 23 Call for Artists  Original artwork in all media will be considered for solo and group shows in 2013 including the Orbiting Gallery Series and quarterly installations at Hat City Kitchen, Luna Stage and other spaces, TBA. Rolling deadline. No cost to apply. Click here to download an entry form.  Another Green Chevy  Heidi Sussman Now on view: Art at Hat City Kitchen Featuring original artwork in a variety of media by ValleyArts and other local artists.  Join ValleyArts! Whether you are an artist, audience member, collector, community builder, or someone who wants a more creative lifestyle, ValleyArts' newly enhanced  membership programhas a variety of benefits!   Click here to join today!   The Valley Arts District is filled with creative spaces for artists, teens, and adults. The 15-square block neighborhood hosts a growing number of exciting events in the performing and visual arts for people of all ages. And the VAD offers plenty of good restaurants, from some of the region's most famous Italian landmarks to the vibrant southern-themed Hat City Kitchen.  ValleyArts Connect  A blog-o-zine featuring interviews, stories & news on all things ValleyArts ValleyArts is a nonprofit arts service and activist organization funded in part by JPMorgan Chase, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and others.