(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- New Brunswick Cultural Center/Arts New Brunswick presents the ninth annual Hub City Sounds series, taking place this summer to fall now through October 31. This FREE, and virtual family-friendly series is a performing, visual, and culinary arts festival with events for all ages and tastes.
Hub City Sounds events include the Inaugural New Brunswick HEART Festival on August 15, the 5th Annual Carifest on August 22, 8th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival on September 13, ROCK New Brunswick LiveStream on September 19, the 7th Annual Corazon Latino Festival on October 25, and the County’s Fall/Halloween Festival on October 31. Admission is FREE of charge for all Hub City Sounds events.
“There are a lot of people who crave entertainment during this time, so we are very happy to announce the return of Hub City Sounds,” said Tracey O’Reggio Clark, Interim Executive Director of the New Brunswick Cultural Center. “This year we created the events as a virtual series, increasing the accessibility for our guests, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the festivities from the comfort of your own home.”
The Hub City Sounds series includes a variety of activities and events for all ages including music and dance performances, artist interviews, food tutorials, spoken word performances, indoor gardening tutorials and tips, Zumba from home, craft making, behind-the-scenes videos of the New Brunswick theater scene, and more!
“We are so proud to work with so many organizations this year to help make the most of these virtual experiences,” said Sarah Ferreira, Hub City Sounds Artistic Coordinator. “We want to provide something for everyone in your family to bring everyone together and truly maximize your experience from home.”
The festival includes collaborations with the city of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Development Corporation, New Brunswick City Center, New Brunswick Free Public Library, New Brunswick Community Arts Council, Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, MCFOODS, Elijah’s Promise, coLAB Arts, YSS, Esparanza Neighborhood Coalition, Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tomorrow, Rutgers Collaborative, New Brunswick Jazz Project, TEMPO Networks, United Caribbean American Network, Above Arts Studios, RWJBarnabas, AMARDV, Hub City Jazz Festival, Indo-American Festival, Inc., New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), State Theatre New Jersey, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, American Repertory Ballet, Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and Zimmerli Art Museum.
HUB CITY SOUNDS 2020 SCHEDULE:
Inaugural New Brunswick HEART Festival
Friday, August 14, 7pm
Art Battle at Above Arts Studios + Instagram Live on @AboveArtStudios
13 canvases, 7 artists, 3 rounds, 1 winner. Join us as Above Arts Studios hosts the inaugural Art Battle as a preview for the Inaugrual HEART Festival, featuring some of the most talented visual artists that call New Brunswick and Middlesex home.
Saturday, August 15, 3pm-7pm
Learn about the vibrant arts and history that New Brunswick and the County of Middlesex has to offer! This first-time event includes a variety of live music, dance, and spoken word performances; interviews with local artists; a behind the scenes look at the local theater scene; a historical close-up of Middlesex County; craft making activities, and so much more!
5th Annual CariFest
Saturday, August 22, 3pm-6pm
Revel in the island vibes with Caribbean food tutorials, music and dance performances (reggae, soca, and calypso), and spoken word; learn about the English, Spanish, French, and Dutch speaking Caribbean; and enjoy a special tribute to the Sheras that have paved the way for generations to come.
8th Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival
Saturday, September 13, 1pm-4:30pm on YouTube, Facebook & Instagram Live
Featuring an unparalleled collaboration between three communities in three different counties consisting of Flemington, New Brunswick, and Somerville.
ROCK New Brunswick LiveStream
Saturday, September 19, 12pm-4pm
This is the ultimate dance party for all ages where “Old School Meets New School!” Featuring hip hop, house, funk, rock, and punk performances hailing from the 80s, 90s into today’s era.
Hub City Sounds: 7th Annual Corazon Latino Festival
Sunday, October 25, 3pm-6pm
This virtual adventure showcases rich Latino and Caribbean culture filled with traditional cultural dances, cultural food tutorials, music, DIY craft making, and more.
Halloween at East Jersey Old Town Village
Sunday, October 31, 12pm to 8pm + virtual programming
Join us on-site and online for some safe and spooky family fun! Carve and paint pumpkins, see an outdoor movie, enjoy historical tours with live demonstrators, enter our costume contest, and partake in socially distant trick or treating! Additional festive recipes, plus crafts, historically spooky stories, photo albums, and everything else you need to enjoy Halloween at home will also be available online. East Jersey Old Town Village is located at 1050 River Road in Piscataway.
For more information on the Hub City Sounds events visit www.NewBrunswickArts.org.
New Brunswick Cultural Center’s mission is to stimulate the cultural development and economic growth of arts and entertainment in New Brunswick through the enhancement, preservation, maintenance and effective administration of existing and future venues that service the primary constituent base of the New Brunswick Cultural Center. And, by nurturing emerging and viable arts, educational and entertainment organizations that reach the diverse communities of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Cultural Center and its Arts Partners thrive to establish New Brunswick as the premier arts and entertainment destination in the region.
