CRAFTS & HOBBIES

Queen City readies its month long Plainfield Music Festival

Staff Report
@MyCentralJersey
Fundraisers to be held ahead of Plainfield music festival.

PLAINFIELD - After months of planning, the city is now gearing up to conduct its first month-long music festival highlighting the sounds and performers of the Queen City.

Community members, city officials and representatives from the the arts community discussed the idea in a preliminary meeting in February. The enthusiasm in that gathering led the city to decide to put on a music festival in October showcasing Plainfield's eclectic music scene.

After the initial meeting was over, about 15 people signed on to develop this concept. Over several months in the spring of 2017 this core group generated a mission statement that expanded on the concept of only having a sole goal of developing a facility.

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They formulated a mission statement with goals to:

  • Identify Plainfield artists and arts organizations
  • Promote collaboration amongst the artists and groups
  • Produce a monthly arts calendar of events
  • Promote an appreciation of cultural and artistic diversity
  • Celebrate the art with festivals
  • Raise funds for marketing and publicity and to move along the feasibility of a facility that would serve all art disciplines.

The taskforce represents a variety of talent and cultural diversity including jazz, classical, rock, rhythm and blues, painters, teachers, board members of schools and musical groups, architects, photographers, and promotional talent agents. Around June, the group decided to celebrate musical arts with a festival in October that would represent all facets of the Plainfield community.

They came up with the idea of having weekend performances, each with a special theme. These include classical, Hispanic heritage, jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and rock 'n' roll. 

As part of the kickoff weekend, which has a classical theme, The Plainfield Arts Council's first fundraiser to support its ongoing mission is being conducted at the French School of Music on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. 

Those interested can RSVP to waterj326@gmail.com. The event is asking for a donation of $35. 

Musician Viola Sykes is among the musicians to perform this month. Born in Plainfield, Sykes said, "When asked to be a part of this fundraiser I couldn’t say no." 

Performing at the French School fundraiser are vocalists Aisha Eustache and Rebecca Diaz, pianists Tara Buzash and Carolle-Ann Mochernuk, guitarist Joseph Blumetti and a visiting chamber group from Ambato, Ecuador.

Also on tap for this classical weekend is The Plainfield Symphony presenting "Brahms and Schumann — Best Friends" at a 7 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 716 Watchung Ave. That will be followed at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, with a variety of performers from the Plainfield Music Club presenting classical works at the First Unitarian Society, 724 Park Ave. These include pianists Victoria Griswald, Carolle-Ann Mochernuk, Ron Thayer, Edwin Lopez and Beverly Weber, clarinetist Robert Romano, bassoonist Wendy Romano, trumpet player Lorne Graham, soprano Sheila Jackson, and flutist Susan Graham.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Latino Heritage will be celebrated during a presentation at Plainfield High School, 950 Park Ave. Sponsored by the Latino Cultural Society and the Plainfield Board of Education, the event will include dancers and musicians from Ecuador, Peru, Puerto Rico, Cuba and other countries, as well as ethnic food served from Plainfield restaurants.

On the following weekend, "Jazz in the Sanctuary: Treasures Amongst Us," will be presented at 4 p.m.Saturday, Oct. 21, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 515 W. Fourth St., Performers include Anthony Nelson Jr., Patrick "Face" Rickman, Joseph Kearney, Brandon McCune and  Chris Beck. Then from 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m., Arts Loft at Plainfield at 152 E. Second St., will present "An Evening of R&B Soul Vibes." This event will feature Kurtis Jackson with a historical hip-hop lecture, Crown Sand Band and live DJ performances.

The month of music will end on Oct. 28 with Plainfield's Own Rockers, Wayne Olivieri, Dave Snakeman and the Runyan Blue Band, performing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society, 724 Park Ave.

There are also various sponsorship options available for the organization.

For more information, contact Arne Aakre at 908-872-5012.