NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The Fourth Annual Hub City Sounds concert series is set to kick off on Saturday, August 8 and to continue through September 26 at various locations throughout New Brunswick.
Performances will take place every Saturday and on some Sundays during the next eight weeks, beginning with the kickoff event in Boyd Park.
The series offers an eclectic bunch of artistic performances from all areas of the world, including traditional African drumming and dance, performances native to Oaxaca, Mexico, spoken word poetry, local band performances, music for children, and theatrical performances.
The events will be held at locations including Boyd Park, Alice Jennings Archibald Park, the Crossroads Theatre, George Street Playhouse, and State Theatre.
Hub City Sounds is presented by New Brunswick Cultural Center, Arts New Brunswick, and Johnson & Johnson.
Other partners include the City of New Brunswick, State Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, American Repertory Ballet, New Brunswick City Market, coLAB Arts, New Brunswick Civic League, and Lazos Unida for each of the scheduled events.
Admission is free for all of the festival events and refreshments will be sold at the events.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for park events, and free parking is available at the Rutgers Public Safety Building, 55 Commercial Avenue, which sits just one block from the park.
The dates, times, locations, and descriptions of each event are as follows:
Festival Kick Off
Saturday, August 8, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Located at Boyd Park off of Rt. 18 North
Performing are New Brunswick’s District Jazz Band composed of high school and middle school musicians, plus a violinist, spoken word poetry, and traditional African drumming and dance.
Kids Rock
Saturday, August 15, 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Located at State Theatre, 15 Livingston Avenue
Performing is Big Jeff & the Star Fish band, a rock band that appeals to kids ages 1-6.
Motion: Next Generation of Dance
Sunday, August 16, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Located at George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue
Performing are local dance students including B. A. M. School of Performing Arts and NJ Ballet Arts Center. The event will be curated by coLAB Arts.
Guelaguetza
Saturday, August 22, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Located at Boyd Park off of Rt. 18 North
The performances include traditional music, cultural dance, and other traditions native to Oaxaca, Mexico.
Motion: Best of CNJ Dance
Saturday, August 29, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Located at George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue
Performing are some of the best regional professional dance artists. The event will be curated by coLAB Arts.
theVOM Grand Story Slam
Thursday, September 10, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
At Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Avenue
Performing are the winning story tellers from coLAB Arts’ theVOM series of Story Slams in downtown New Brunswick.
I Love New Brunswick
Saturday, September 12, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Located at Boyd Park, off of Rt. 18 North
The performances will include punk music and entertainment. The event features Don Giovanni Records and local bands from Rutgers and High Schools within New Brunswick. The event will be curated by coLAB Arts.
Be Unstoppable: Celebrating Healthy Kids in the Arts
Saturday, September 19, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Located at George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue
The event will include interactive theatre, dance, nutritious and delicious food, and family-friendly engaging activities. Performances will be carried out by George Street Playhouse and American Repertory Ballet. The event is sponsored by Hub City Sounds and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.
3rd Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival
Saturday, September 19, 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Located on Livingston Avenue near George Street
Corazon Latino Festival: Kick off to Latino Heritage Month
Sunday, September 20, 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Located at Alice Jennings Archibald Park, Van Dyke Avenue
The event features the rich Latino and Caribbean cultures of New Brunswick, including traditional dance, music, and more.
Crossroads Theatre Company
Saturday, September 26, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Avenue
The event features a performance by the Tony Award-winning Crossroads Theatre Company, paying special attention to pieces from their Gospel Choir concert from their upcoming performance Holiday Jubilee.
