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.

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.

This March in the Valley!

ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery presents Mapping Time: A Collaborative Installation by  Lisa Pressman and Krista Svalbonas  March 21 - April 26 Opening Reception: Thursday, March 21 | 6-9pm  580 Forest Street, Orange   Mapping Time is a collaborative project by Lisa Pressman and Krista Svalbonas who will create a site-specific installation, transforming 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. The Buyers Market of American Craft ValleyArts Artists' Salon: Business Development for Artists | Co-op Studios Update Monday, March 11 | 6-8pm | Free Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley Street, Orange   In February, ValleyArts leadership visited the Buyers Market (the premier wholesale show for fine craft) to learn how to present our artists' work to gallery buyers through our own guild booth. We also attended workshops in the business side of art led by the Arts Business Institute. Come find out about the exciting opportunities this new partnership will bring to our artists!   Plus, we will update you about recent developments in funding that will soon enable ValleyArts and HANDS to accelerate the development of the Kelli Copeland Studio Lofts and the first fourstudio co-ops at Freeman St. and Tompkins.  ValleyArts Artists Salon meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at HCK. Free admission plus drink specials and half-price appetizers ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery Hours 580 Forest Street, Orange NJ 07050  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. Luna Stage  Carnaval | World premiere! Extended through March 17! 555 Valley Road, West Orange Three twenty-somethings visit Rio De Janeiro for some fun and to honor a fallen friend. But what starts out as a joyride takes an unexpected turn and the three find themselves in a situation that will change their friendships and their lives forever.        Moonlight Jazz Concert Diane Moser - Imaginative Pianist and Bandleader  "The Music of Jaki Byard"   Sunday, March 10, 2013 | 7:30pm | $18 advance, $20 door   A special additional New Moon Reading!  Tuesday, March 12, 2013 | 7:30pm | $5 suggested donation A Disappearance In Two Parts By Cory Hinkle | Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh A writer begins a novel about the disappeared people of Oklahoma... but as his novel develops, the line between history and story blurs and the writer finds his way back to his own buried, personal history.    Special Stand-Up Comedy Night in Celebration of Women's History Month  Thursday, March 14th | 8pm Featuring The Pink Collar Comedy Tour Kaytlin Bailey, Abbi Crutchfield, Carrie Gravenson, and Erin Judge: These New York City-based comics travel far and wide to bring their cutting-edge, hilarious stand-up all around the country.  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.   Featured event: One Night of Mega Blues Saturday March 23 | 8:00 PM Presented by South Orange International Blues Festival Featuring: Dave Stryker, Al Gold, Mike Griot, Michael Hill and Vivian Sessions For band and event listings, visit  www.hatcitykitchen.com Making Orange Pop: How do we embrace culture, nurture creativity and drive innovation? A Call to Collaboration | Hosted and planned by Creative Orange Friday, March 15, 8am-4pm | Saturday, March 16, 8am-1pm Admission is free. Meals are included. Church of the Epiphany, 105 Main Street, Orange NJ 07050 A diverse spectrum of business, arts, education, local government, science and philanthropy leaders will engage in discussions regarding community issues of greatest importance to Orange's stakeholders and residents. This Call to Collaboration is hosted and planned by Creative Orange, consisting of a team of community leaders who are committed to exploring how using creativity with cross-sector collaboration may uncover sustainable solutions to ensure a thriving Orange.   Just a few spaces left!  Resgister online at creativeorange.eventbrite.com.   For more information on Creative Orange and Creative New Jersey, please contact Elizabeth Murphy at emurphy@creativenj.org or visitwww.creativenj.org. Catfish Friday Women's Art Collective Meeting Saturday, March 9 6:30pm 540B Freeman St., Orange Join this supportive, creative gathering for women artists. Info: toni@artsetcnow.org Arts Unbound New classes starting soon! Visit their website for more information or call 973-675-2787 ORNG Ink | Ironworks Community Artspace After school/weekends drop-in art mentorship program for youth  406 Tompkins St. Orange Now on view: Clay From the River:  New paintings by AnjFerrara www.orngink.com 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.  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.  Join ValleyArts! Whether you are an artist, audience member, collector, community builder, or someone who wants a more creative lifestyle, ValleyArts' newly enhanced  membership program has a place for you with a variety of benefits!    Click here to join today! Visit our website! www.valleyartsnj.com Reach us by email at: info@valleyartsnj.com ValleyArts Connect  A blog-o-zine featuring interviews, stories & news on all things ValleyArts   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.    "Art is not a thing; it is a way." -Elbert Hubbard  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, and others.