This May in the Valley

valleyartsnj.com   ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery 580 Forest Street, Orange NJ  Direct From Cuba! Exclusive New York Area Exhibition   CHOCO Retazos del Sol (Traces of the Sun) May 9 - June 23, 2013 Artist Reception: Thursday, May 9, 6-9pm  Artist Talk: Saturday, May 11, 3pm Choco, who lives and works in Havana, is one of Cuba's most important artists and is internationally recognized for his collagraphs, ceramics, and oils. Curated by Astrid Martinez-Jones of Latin Art Space, the exhibition will showcase a fabulous mixed-media installation, Yemayá, Goddess of the Sea, first shown at the 2012 Havana Biennial, as well as other three-dimensional works and his coveted collagraphs.    Retazos del Sol is a series of works representative of contemporary Cuban life and culture. Many of Choco's works reflect the magical world of Afro-Cuban religions, as well as the ethnic mix of people, and the racial and economic challenges of daily Cuban life. Choco's art is boldly colorful and his technique gives the images a three-dimensional and stunning textured feel, as if they were in motion.   Refreshments compliments Christine Hyder Events   ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery Hours  Saturdays 10am to 4pm, Sundays 12:30 to 4pm; or by appointment   The exhibition can also be viewed during ValleyArts Drop-in Hours:   Thursdays 2:30 to 4:30pm  ValleyArts Artists' Salon: Writing an effective artist statement Monday, May 13 | 6-8pm | Free | Everyone welcome! Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley Street, Orange    Do you have a hard time writing about your artwork? We will offer tips on how to write an artist statement that engages your audience and helps them connect with your artwork. Bring your artist statements for critique by your peers... and bring your artist friends! 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 Final performances! Thursday, May 2, 7:30pm Friday, May 3, 8pm Saturday, May 4, 8pm Sunday, May 5, 3pm 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.      Comedy Night | Thursday, May 16, 8pm  Hosted by Monroe Martin III Featuring: Kate Wolff, Josh Wesson, and Menuhin Hart   Moonlight Jazz Series | Sunday, May 19, 7:30pm Greg Bufford    20th Anniversary Gala: A tribute to Jane Mandel Thursday, June 6, 6:30 - 10:30 pm The Club at Orange Lawn, 305 N Ridgewood Rd, South Orange, NJ  Click here to purchase tickets   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.   Mother's Day Brunch Sunday | May 12, 11am - 3pm Music by the Blue Brush Trio (Jazz) from noon to 3pm  Featuring a Southern Style Brunch Buffet with great homemade breakfast favorites including Fried Chicken and Waffles. It's the perfect destination to show Mom just how great she is in a fun, funky place!  Call 862-252-9147 of email info@hatcitykitchen.com to make your reservation today, as seating is limited.    For band and event listings, visit  www.hatcitykitchen.com Yema Gallery 540B Freeman Street, Orange, NJ Call & Re-Call: An exhibition of artist-made books Curated by Terry Boddie  May 4 - June 15, 2013  Opening Reception: Saturday, May 4 from 7-10pm | Free! Yema Gallery is please to present our second book arts exhibition. This exhibition features the unique perspectives of visual artists that are enticed by the possibilities of creating within the framework of a book and working with the theme of call and response. Exhibiting artists include Shirley Parker Benjamin, Eleta Caldwell, Lebra Turman-Chase, Lauren Dubeau, Mansa Mussa, JC Lenochan, Ibou Ndoye, Shonda Nicholas, Nell Painter, Lynn Presley, Toni Thomas, Gwen Verner-Jarju and Sheltry Ward. The reception will include performances by poet Esther Morales and artist and poet Shonda Nicholas. Catfish Friday Women's Art Collective Meeting and Potluck Dinner Saturday, May 18 I 7pm | 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 Visit our website!     www.valleyartsnj.com Reach us by email at:    info@valleyartsnj.com Save the Date! Watch your inbox for full details of this day-long cavalcade of music, art, dance, craft, food, and family-friendly fun!    To volunteer, click here!   To apply for an art exhibition & sales booth,click here!  Arts Unbound 544 Freeman Street, Orange, NJ Live Auction and Wine & Cheese Party to benefit Arts Unbound  Sat, May 18, 6 - 9pm  Sneak Previews:  Thurs May 16, 6 - 8pm Fri May 17, 6 - 8pm Items offered include signed artwork by Norman Rockwell, LeRoy Neiman, Marc Chagall, Nina Palumbo, Mary Drylewicz, Ronaldo Byrd and more. Plus, silent auction: Valuable Art Related Items Arts Unbound 544 Freeman Street, Orange, NJ | 973-675-2787/2788www.artsunbound.org   ORNG Ink | Ironworks Community Artspace 406 Tompkins St. Orange Treadbone now on view! Fashion and art by Robyn Modest and Laura Campbell www.orngink.com 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 Through May 19: 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.