Upcoming Events
In the Valley Arts District
(March & April 2016)


By Patricia Rogers

Are you a member of the Valley Arts District community?  Do you have an interest in the future of the arts district?  Are you an Orange resident who wants to know what is going on here?

If so, please come out to A Community Affair presented by Valley Arts.  Community involvement makes a great difference.  Please join Valley Arts in making a positive change to our community.  We want to know your thoughts about the Valley Arts District.

Come and voice your creative ideas.  All are invited!

I would love to see the younger members of our community there to make their presence known.  We have ideas, and more importantly we are invested in the future of the Valley Arts District and the city of Orange.

When: Tuesday March 29th 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Firehouse Gallery, 580 Forest Street Orange, New Jersey 07050


Free Event - An Afternoon of Jazz is Sunday, April 3rd from 3-8pm.  This will be the third year in the wonderful Hat City Kitchen.

Special guests to include:
Nat Adderley Jr.
Vince Ector
Abelita Mateus
Isaiah Thompson

Reservations suggested: www.hatcitykitchen.com, or 862-252-9147

The West Orange African Heritage Organization, Inc. (WOAHO) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.


Vessel by Donna Greenberg

Each year, Arts Unbound is proud to host an exhibit and sale of professional art dedicated to supporting and expanding programs for people with disabilities, as well as the continuing artistic enrichment of seniors.  This year, we thank 28 wonderful artists, working in a variety of styles, for sharing their work with us to increase awareness for our cause.

New artists featured in the exhibit include Donna Greenberg of Jersey City, Adam Gustavson, a painter and illustrator from West Orange, Susan Napack of South Orange, Jane R. Dell, a painter in New York City, Louis Toledo, painter and printmaker of Millburn, and Sarah Canfield, a painter from West Orange.

Returning favorites showing their continued support for Arts Unbound include, from South Orange, Rick Hauser and Dorothy Ganek; from Maplewood, Susan Cohen-Harris and Kathy Cantwell; from West Orange, Lisa Pressman and Joan Goldsmith; from Florham Park, Susan Faiola; from Orange, Terry Boddie, Jeremy Moss, Robert Ramos, Ronald Freeman, Kathleen Heron and Mike Malbrough; and from Newark, Armisey Smith and Toni Thomas.  Montclair is represented by Steve Langehough, Gayle Mahoney and Yvette Lucas.  Mahoney and Lucas are both members of the Board of Directors of Studio Montclair, as is Sarah Canfield.  Paul King of Lambertville, Humberto Ramos of Greenville, S.C., Dannielle Mick of Parsippany, and Bob O’Brien of Nutley round out the group.

The exhibit opens March 31.  The opening reception for the public is Saturday, April 2nd from 5-8pm.  All are welcome to attend, enjoy refreshments, and meet the artists.

The Dora Stern Gallery at Arts Unbound is located at 544 Freeman Street in Orange.


Luna Stage's World Premiere of Old Love New Love by Laura Brienza

A mother and daughter navigate the choppy waters of infidelity under very different circumstances: Gloria's husband Colin has fallen for another Alzheimer's patient at the facility where he resides.  Michelle's husband Matt has strayed after losing a local election and wrestling with his unfulfilled ambitions.  A play about what we can't remember and what we can forgive, Old Love New Love explores what happens when old love faces new challenges.

Directed by Nancy Robillard

Talkback Schedule: April 10th and 21st


Please join ORNG Ink, ERA, UofO and masConsumption for a Fun Night Fundraiser for World Fellowship Center!

Help us celebrate and say thank you for 75 years of WFC, where social justice meets nature!  We'll have a fantastic fun night talent show so start planning your acts!  Bring sweet treats to share for our dessert potluck!

There is a $5 suggested donation at the door and there will be more chances to give throughout the night.

Fun Night Fundraiser
Saturday April 16, 7:30-9:30pm
HUUB at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County
35 Cleveland Street, Orange, NJ 07050


Susan Marx will exhibit 35 of her Abstract Impressionist paintings at FIAF (French Institute Alliance Francais) starting at the open house for their Spring session on Sunday, April 3 to April 27.  The majority of the paintings will be of France: Monet's Pond in Giverny and Lavender in Provence.  She will also exhibit other work.

FIAF is in the back of the parking lot by the pizzeria on 17 North Willow Street in Montclair, New Jersey.

About the Writer

Patricia Rogers, #ValleyGirlNJ lives in New Jersey's Valley Arts District. The native New Yorker works as a writer, blogger and community activist. Starting Masconsumption Media in 2012 she has been passionate about capturing the stories of the vibrant up and coming Valley Arts District neighborhood through her blog, zine, events and more. She blogs for Jersey Indie, Luna Stage, Hat City Kitchen and offers many creative media services.