(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick Cultural Center, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), and Above Art Studios present the New Brunswick HEART Festival on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 4:00pm-7:00pm; hosted by New Jersey Radio Hall of Famer Bert Baron and Founder of TSO Productions, Sharon Gordon. This free family-friendly festival celebrates all the vibrant arts and history that New Brunswick and Middlesex County have to offer with live performances, interviews, crafts, and more. The festival will take place in New Brunswick in-person at Monument Square at 2 Livingston Ave and will be live streamed on YouTube.
“We are thrilled to bring together so many amazing arts and community partners for the second annual New Brunswick HEART festival,” said festival organizers, Tracey O’Reggio Clark from New Brunswick Cultural Center, and the Arts Institute of Middlesex Country; Kelly Blithe from State Theatre New Jersey; Dontae Muse from Above Art Studios; and Sarah Ferreira from New Brunswick Cultural Center and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County. “We are also happy to provide attendees with the choice to enjoy this year’s festival live and in-person or watch the live-stream on YouTube.”
This year's lineup includes the New Brunswick Brass Band; New Brunswick Latin band, Sonido Latino; jazz violinist Bri Blvck; a salsa dance class party with Elvis Ruiz; inspirational opera singer Sonya Headlam; tap dancer Omar Edwards; the Hearts of Oak Youth Pipes and Drums band; guitarist Dennis McDonough; an English-Spanish musical performance for the kids by The Bilingual Birdies Trio; and New Brunswick Vinyl Society and Silent Knight.
Other events and activities from 4:00pm-7:00pm include a theater tour of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC); a sneak peak of State Theatre New Jersey’s extensive renovations and preparations for their grand 100th anniversary fall reopening with hard hat theater tours of State Theatre; steamroller art with the American Hungarian Foundation; an activity tent with Garden of Healing; ticket giveaway contests by George Street Playhouse and American Repertory Ballet; button-making with the New Brunswick Free Public Library; yoga with Sisterwork; Japanese black ink drawing with the Highland Park Arts Commission; and more.
Following the mainstage festival events, attendees are invited to watch a Live Art Battle at Above Art Studios (55B Morris St) from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Featuring seven contestants, three timed rounds, and one prize, the Art Battle will take place at the Studio and will be live-streamed on Above Art Studio’s Instagram account @AboveArtStudios.
The night continues after the Art Battle at 9pm with Ignite the Night! At three different restaurants across New Brunswick, DJs take over with their live sets featuring a HEART theme. The DJs include Run The Fade at Roosterspin (120 Albany St); New Brunswick Vinyl Society at Ani Ramen (37 Easton Ave); and Flygerian at Delta’s (19 Dennis St).
The New Brunswick HEART Festival is presented by New Brunswick Cultural Center; State Theatre New Jersey; Above Art Studios; New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Parnters include Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University; Sisterwork; Hub City Jazz Festival; George Street Playhouse; Crossroads Theatre Company; American Repertory Ballet; Live Well-Vivir Bien New Brunswick; The Arts Institute of Middlesex County; the city of New Brunswick; New Brunswick Development Corporation; New Brunswick City Center; New Brunswick Community Arts Council; Elijah’s Promise; New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce; Mason Gross Community Arts; New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra; Y.S.S. (Youth Services System); Youth Advocacy Program (YAP); coLAB Arts; Civic League of Greater New Brunswick; AMARD - Artist Mentoring Against Racism, Drugs, and Violence program; NBAB NAACP; Metuchen-Edison NAACP; Perth Amboy Area NAACP; Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce; New Brunswick Jazz Project; Garden of Healing; New Brunswick Public Schools; the New Brunswick Free Public Library; Hidden Gems Emporium; Metuchen Arts Council; American Hungarian Foundation; MCFOODS and the Stress Factory.
NEW BRUNSWICK HEART FESTIVAL LIVE SCHEDULE
4:00pm-5:00pm Performances on the main outdoor stage Tap Dancer Omar Edwards | New Brunswick Brass Band | Sonido Latino
5:00pm-6:00pm Performances on the main outdoor stage/Monument Square/roaming performances New Brunswick Vinyl Society and Silent Knight | Hearts of Oak Youth Pipes & Drums | Jazz Violinist Bri Blvck
6:00pm-7:00pm Performance and Dance Class on the main outdoor stage and on the street The Bilingual Birdies Trio | Salsa Dance Class Party with Elvis Ruiz
7:00pm-9:00pm Live Art Battle at Above Art Studios Live Art Battle at Above Art Studios (55B Morris St) – Seven contestants, three timed rounds, and one prize winner.
9:00pm Ignite the Night! Live DJs at Restaurants Across New Brunswick Run The Fade at Roosterspin (120 Albany St) | New Brunswick Vinyl Society at Ani Ramen (37 Easton Ave) | Flygerian at Delta’s (19 Dennis St)
