S P R I N G
2 0 1 7
UT DEBU E ISS
Living &
Making a Living in
Newark
ISABEL LIVINGSTON resides in and owns a shop at Teachers Village
How Healthy are You? Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center Tells Us
Go Inside
the New Hahne & Co. Building
LETTER FROM THE
H
EDITOR
ello! And welcome to the very first issue of Destination Newark! I’m so excited about the launch of this new quarterly publication. When my publisher first told me about the idea for Destination Newark, I thought it had a lot of promise. But I also had no idea where to begin. A startup publication takes a lot of work and we wanted to do justice to our subject— the city of Newark, New Jersey. Newark is a vibrant, diverse, multifaceted and sometimes controversial city with a storied history, and it’s growing and changing right before our eyes. Destination Newark has come about at an exciting time for the city—Newark is in the midst of an economic, technological and demographic revolution and its leadership under Mayor Ras Baraka is strong and results-driven. Destination Newark’s mission is to position Newark as a fabulous place to live, work, play, go to school, do business, invest, raise families, visit—all the things great cities encourage us to do. And with so much happening in the city right now, the hard part is deciding what to showcase first. Our inaugural issue tells the story of a city with an unconquerable spirit and limitless hope. This is evidenced throughout the magazine, but especially in our feature on the re-opening of the Hahne & Co building and all the resources and opportunities it brings to Newarkers. You can see it in our economic development story on Living and Working in Teachers Villiage, and in our profile of uber-restaurateur Michael Vann whose mission is to help build up the city while simultaneously building up its residents. In this issue we also celebrate the community involvement of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; showcase the diversity of Newark's neighborhoods; and contemplate with Audible CEO Don Katz the potential that technological development and innovation could have on a city like Newark. Our hope is that after reading this issue—and every issue of Destination Newark—you will agree that Newark is, indeed, a great place to be. Sincerely,
PUBLISHER Sakina Spruell Cole EDITORIAL Sonja Mack Managing Editor Kimberly Prime Editor Arrie Ledley Associate Editor Roberto Bustamante Writer Loren Kleinman Writer Rose Driscoll Writer ART Mary A. Brown Creative Director Todd Chapman Designer EDITORIAL PARTNERS Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) City of Newark Newark Beth Israel Medical Center New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (GNCVB) ADVERTISING advertising@colemediainc.com
Published by Cole Media Inc. on behalf of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) 116 Mulberry Street Newark, NJ 07102 For more information contact Cole Media Inc at info@colemediainc.com All rights reserved. © Copyright 2017.
SONJA MACK DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
3
3 MASTHEAD/ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 4 CONTENTS
CONTENTS
18
5 GOVERNMENT ASK THE MAYOR 6 LIFESTYLE NEIGHBORHOODS How’s the Neighborhood? 9 HEALTH How Healthy Are You 10 INSPIRATION Combining Church and City 13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGY Audible CEO Attracts Tech Startups to Newark 18 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Experience the New Hahne & Co. Building 24 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Living and Working in Teachers Village
24
28 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Restaurant Whisperer Lures Eateries Downtown 31 EDUCATION STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Why Students Choose Newark 33 ENTERTAINMENT SOCIAL SCENE What’s Hot and Happening in Newark
28
COVER PHOTO: MARY A. BROWN
4 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
8
GOVERNMENT
ASK THE MAYOR Is Newark the new Brooklyn? Newark is not Brooklyn. The market forced Brooklyn to become one of the most expensive counties in the country. The development in Newark is being done very differently. It’s very deliberate. And we have local residents in mind. We are pushing an inclusionary zoning ordinance that requires developers to have affordable units in all of their residential construction. Take the Hahne & Co. project, for example. The [residential] development in that building has a 40% affordability clause in it. We’re not displacing people. So it’s really not accurate to say that we’re gentrifying these neighborhoods. We’re going to make a better Newark for the residents of this city.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka
What do you say to those who are skeptical?
How is development going to benefit low-income residents?
You can’t just be against development and not for the betterment of the conditions we’ve been living in. We’re being very creative about how we’re making these things happen and we need you to be involved. We need you to take part in making this happen, not be cynical about it on social media. Many of us have the privilege of going shopping and to restaurants in South Orange, Livingston or New York City—while the majority of Newark residents have to go to overpriced, poor quality establishments. We can no longer tolerate that. We have to create better places to shop and to live, better opportunities for work. And that’s what we’re doing.
We’re creating cooperatives in the city of Newark, getting direct sales from the federal government so people are able to buy homes at low rates. We’re continuing to make Newark property available to Newark residents at low prices and get residents the financing they need. And we’re working with corporations to hire more Newark residents, get them to invest in Newark businesses, and get their employees to live in Newark. Newark residents deserve great stores and restaurants. They deserve to have a nightlife. They deserve places to live that aren’t rat-infested, or where the ceiling isn't falling in, or that doesn't contain lead and asbestos. And we’re going to fight for them to get these things. dN
Send your letters or requests to distribute Destination Newark to info@colemediainc.com CONNECT WITH US Facebook.com/DestinationNewark
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
5
LIFESTYLE
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
How’s the
N
EWARK IS NEW JERSEY’S LARGEST AND second most diverse city. Its neighborhoods are populated with people from various backgrounds: African Americans, Latin Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Italians, Irish, Spaniards, Jamaicans, Haitians, Portuguese, Brazilians and many more. The city is divided into five wards, each with distinct neighborhoods. Residential neighborhoods exist primarily in the North, South and West Wards, while industry is concentrated largely in the East, Central and South Wards near the airport and seaport.
"Newark is very different from Brooklyn because it is quieter and more like a suburb," says Sherry Neverson (pictured left with her daughter) who moved out of Brooklyn 14 years ago to buy a home in the South Ward.
THE SOUTH SECTION Buy A House Here
Clinton Hill and Weequahic comprise the two primary neighborhoods in the South Ward. Clinton Hill is a bustling residential community with significant new residential and commercial construction underway. Weequahic is best known for its park of the same name, which lies at the southern end of the ward and features a large lake. The historical section of Weequahic boasts large colonial homes with exquisite architecture. The average listing price is only $204,000. With excellent access to Route 78, the ward also houses Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, the city’s second largest hospital, as well as Newark Liberty International Airport. MARY A. BROWN
6 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
THE WEST SECTION Find Culture Here The West Ward’s 55,000-person population resides in the historic neighborhoods of Fairmount, Lower and Upper Roseville, Westside Ivy Hill, and Valisburg. The ward features several parks and public recreation facilities that make each neighborhood a place where community thrives. The economic corridors of South Orange Avenue, Orange Street and more serve as major retail shopping strips. Here you will find diverse shopping options and many Caribbean and West Indian-themed restaurants, making these areas an exciting place for tourism and culture.
Roberto Lima, the editor of The Brazilian Voice moved to Newark's East Ward in 1986 and now owns several properties there. “I’m from Brazil but I call Newark my home,” says Lima.
MARY A. BROWN
THE EAST SECTION Invest in Property Here
THE CENTER OF TOWN Open Shop Here The Central Ward holds the most diverse development in Newark. Downtown is the largest downtown area in the state of New Jersey. It has the largest education center in the state with over 50,000 students and faculty at its six colleges and universities. The Central Ward is headquarters for numerous corporations, such as Prudential Financial, PSE&G, Panasonic Corporation of North America, and Audible.com. The daytime population of Newark is over 400,000, including a workforce of 47,000 people within one half mile of the intersection of Broad and Market Streets. This has contributed to the Central Ward having the greatest volume of commercial spaces and proposed residential developments.
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
The East Ward is a vibrant, densely populated, mixeduse neighborhood that used to serve as the center of Newark's manufacturing sector, and this industrial heritage is still apparent in some areas. Home to a variety of ethnic communities over the past century, the East Ward (also known as the Ironbound section) has long attracted new immigrants looking to settle in the city, and continues to do so today. Portuguese and Spanish immigrants began to arrive in the Ironbound in the 1920s, adding to the mix of primarily Polish, Italian, Irish, and German residents already there. The Portuguese population continued to grow through the 1960s and 1970s, soon followed by Portuguese-speaking Brazilians and, more recently, Central and South Americans. Seventy-two percent of the East Ward's residents are foreign born and its total population is around 55,000. Ninety-seven percent of its population is employed and the average household income is about $50,600 with the median home value estimated at around $263,600. The East Ward contributes 60% of Newark’s residential tax revenue and 80% of the city’s commercial tax revenue.
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
7
LIFESTYLE
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
THE NORTH WARD Raise a Family Here North Newark is composed of the following neighborhoods: Roseville, Forest Hill, Branch Brook Park, Mount Pleasant, Seventh Avenue, and Broadway. The ward primarily is a residential enclave with a mixture of housing typologies, from detached single family homes to stately Georgian mansions and modern high-rise apartment buildings with apartments that offer breathtaking views of New York City. Newark is home to 20 primary anchor institutions, none of which are located in the North Ward. However, North Newark houses several key small businesses and other anchor organizations. These organizations are: La Casa De Don Pedro, Mt. Prospect Partnership, and The North Ward Center. dN Of the 60,000+ Latino residents in Newark, many are part of several generations of Newarkers. Pictured here are three generations of the Rodriguez family, descendants of Miguel Rodriguez (center) who moved to the Barrio Norte in 1960.
How Healthy Are You?
LIFESTYLE
HEALTHY LIVING
Frequency of Performing Health-Related Activities
NEWARK BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER (NBIMC) CONDUCTED a Community Health Needs Assessment in November 2016 that studied several factors that contribute to the health of Newark and its surrounding community. On behalf of the hospital, market research firm Bruno and Ridgway interviewed 201 residents of NBIMC’s primary service area. Overall, area residents report their health status as good and exhibit many positive health-related behaviors, including healthy eating, frequent physical activity and adherence to screening test protocols for breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Here is a snapshot of what NBIMC found:
DAILY
Residents largely report positive eating behaviors: The majority drink water, consume fruits and vegetables, and eat breakfast and lunch on a daily basis.
MOST DAYS SOMETIMES RARELY
100
80 87%
57%
56%
56%
38%
Self-Rating of Overall Health When asked to describe their overall health, residents split into thirds, with approximately 35% describing their overall health as being excellent or very good, 34% describing it as good, and only 7% who feel their overall health is poor.
60
24%
TOTAL
Very Good 25%
40 10%
Good 34%
11%
18%
Excellent 10%
26% Fair 24%
Poor 7%
18%
23%
20 21%
6% Very Good 27% Excellent 9%
Very Good 25%
Good 29%
Fair 29%
Poor 6%
Excellent 6%
AFRICAN AMERICAN
Very Good 21% Good 44%
Fair 25%
CAUCASIAN
Good 43%
Excellent 9% Poor Fair 18% 9%
6%
14%
12%
10% 5%
0 DRINK WATER
EAT BREAKFAST
EAT LUNCH
EAT VEGGIES
EAT FRUIT
HISPANIC
SOURCE: NEWARK BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT, NOVEMBER 2016
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
9
LIFE STYLE
INSPIRATION
DID YOU KNOW?
Combining Church and City WHILE WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT THERE IS USUALLY A DIVISION of ‘church and state,’ in Newark, that’s not the case. The Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs has formed the Newark Inter-Faith Alliance, a unique cooperation of more than 500 varying faith-based groups ranging from churches to synagogues to masjids. Even more unique, the Newark Police Division created a Citizen Clergy Academy in 2016 to train members of clergy about police and fire operation. The Clergy Academy also joins officers during patrols on weekends in newly painted yellow and white police cruisers. “Newark recognizes the value of the clergy and their ability to exercise leadership to bridge gaps that exist between the community and police,” says a city spokesman. “This is part of an effort to enhance police and community engagement, and to address the day-to-day issues people are facing in our neighborhoods.”
President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II visited Newark and the Cathedral Basillica in 1995. "This magnificent building stands in the heart of Newark as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast love for his people and as a sign of faith in Christ, our "hope of glory" (Col 1:27). The cathedral made of stone is the symbol of the living church, "God's household" (1 Tim 3:15), which is open to everyone without exception, to men and women "of every race and tongue, of every people and nation" (Rev 5:9). You—the people of God in Newark and throughout New Jersey—are the "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5) which make up the body of Christ in the midst of your city and state. Wherever you are— in your families, neighborhoods, places of work or recreation—you are called to build up the church in faith, hope and love.'" —Pope John Paul II Address given at Evening Prayer
Papal Visit, October 1995
Exercise Your Religious Freedom ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH 224 West Kinney Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr. Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs Central Ward Coordinator BETHEL WORLDWIDE LOVE & RESOURCE OUTREACH 65 Pierce Street Newark, New Jersey 07103 Bishop Felicia Osborne CHABAD TORAH CENTER INC 50 Park Pl # Base Newark, NJ 07102 CHRIST TEMPLE MINISTRIES 260 S. 20th Street Newark, New Jersey 07103 Rev. Denise Tolbert CONGREGATION AHAVAS SHOLOM 145 Broadway Newark, NJ 07104 EMANUEL CHURCH USA 277-281 Oliver Street Newark, New Jersey 07105 Rev. Abel Tulio Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs East Ward Coordinator
FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER 998 S. Orange Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07106 Rev. Dr. Mamie Bridgeforth FIRST TIMOTHY BAPTIST CHURCH 215 Chancellor Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07112 Rev. Andre’ L. Coffee GOD ECUMENICAL BAPTIST CHURCH AT THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF GOD AND SAINTS OF CHRIST 51-53 Jones Street Newark, New Jersey 07103 Rev. Dr. Malachi D. Rountree I GOOD NEIGHBOR BAPTIST CHURCH 100 Chancellor Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07112 Rev. Dr. George A. Blackwell, III INT’L PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY 35 Bragaw Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07108 Rev. Moses B. Wehye – President of the African Clergy Alliance
10 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
JEHOVAH-JIREH PRAISE AND WORSHIP CHURCH CENTER 505 S. 15th Street Newark, New Jersey 07103 Bishop Rudy V. Carlton Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs West Ward Coordinator LA VID VERDADERA MINISTRY 27 Lincoln Park. Newark, New Jersey 07102 Apostle Pastor Roberto Comesanas LIGHTHOUSE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 542 N. 7th Street Newark, New Jersey 07107 Rev. Pablo Pizarro Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs North Ward Coordinator MACEDONIA PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 124 Clinton Place Newark, New Jersey 07112 Pastor Lewis Collier MOUNT SINAI CONGREGATION 250 Mt. Vernon Place, Suite A Newark, NJ 07106
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
SACRED HEART BASILICA
TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL
Here is a small sampling of places of worship from the Newark Office of Clergy Affairs that will suit a variety of spiritual palates.
MOUNT VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH 709 Clinton Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07108 Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham
PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 198 Chadwick Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07108 Rev. Vincent M. Rouse
MUHAMMAD MOSQUE #25 170 Littleton Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07103 Minister Abdul Haqq Muhammad
ROYAL PRIESTHOOD CHURCH OF GOD 135-137 16th Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07103 Rev. Bernadine Byrd
NEW LIFE BODY OF CHRIST 174 Mt. Pleasant Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07104 Bishop Ronald Jones NEW PSALMIST WORSHIP CENTER 278 Lyons Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07112 Rev. Bryant R. Ali Mayor’s Office of Clergy Affairs South Ward Coordinator NIA MASJID & COMMUNITY CENTER 229-231 Roseville Avenue Newark, New Jersey 07107 Imam Daud Haqq Council of Newark Imam – President
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
SHEKINAH GLORY 17 Alexander Street Newark, New Jersey 07106 Pastor Will Brown ST. JAMES A.M.E. CHURCH 588 Martin Luther King Blvd. Newark, New Jersey 07102 Rev. Ronald Slaughter ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 142 Jefferson Street Newark, New Jersey 07105 Father Celso Martins & Rev. Karl Esker
TEMPLE B'NAI ABRAHAM 621 Clinton Avenue Newark, NJ 07108 UNITED MUSLIM , INC. 922 Bergen Street Newark, New Jersey 07112 Imam Aqeel Mateen dN
“The church and government of Newark were at first inseparable. Anyone who was not a member of the church was deprived of the benefits of the Newark government. The church, in fact, was Newark's first public building, standing on Broad Street, opposite the present First Presbyterian Church. For the village's first 40 years, First Church (Old First Presbyterian) was the scene of worship, town meetings, and military proceedings.” —excerpt from A Walk Through Newark, THIRTEEN
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
11
Slug
Slug
Audible CEO Attracts Tech Startups to Newark
I
TECHNOLOGY
SPOTLIGHT
Donald Katz is founder and CEO of Audible, Inc., which was founded in 1995 and moved its headquarters to Newark in 2007. Audible.com serves millions of listeners and offers over 300,000 downloadable audiobooks, audio editions of periodicals, and other programs. Katz has been named one of NJ.com’s “25 Most Influential People in New Jersey” and recognized as one of America’s “Top 25 Disruptive Leaders” by Living Cities for his work in rebuilding Newark.
COURTESY OF AUDIBLE
n 2017, Audible will celebrate 10 years since we set up The launch of the Newark Venture Partners Labs accelerator our world headquarters here in Newark. We decided to was a milestone in our efforts to tether Newark to the elements embrace the comeback of a great American city as a definof the economy that are creating jobs and taxable revenue via an ing cultural principle for the company, because I’ve long embrace of early-stage tech. In addition to their interest in the believed companies can have strong returns from these stellar young growth hearts and souls and missions that companies, our investors are also focused on “the transcend financial gain. other bottom line” — generating taxable revenue We’ve achieved amazing growth since and jobs for the city at all levels of employment. we moved here; we’re now the fastest-growThe amazing fact is high school graduates in a ing private employer in the city, with close city dominated by innovative industries make WE’VE ACHIEVED to 1,000 employees in Newark — one of 16 more than college graduates in manufacturing AMAZING global centers where people work for Audicommunities. GROWTH SINCE ble. But this city’s emerging tech ecosystem Newark Venture Partners Labs’ nine compaWE MOVED HERE. needs more companies like Audible to crenies — out of more than 650 that applied, including —DON KATZ ate wealth, jobs and opportunities, and that’s from the Bay Area, Washington, D.C., and New York why I am currently most excited about — have been nurtured rent-free in a 25,000-squareNewark Venture Partners as 2016’s most profoot space in the building Audible shares with nounced disruptive innovation in Newark Rutgers Business School, where they have had lightning-fast Wi-Fi and ultra-high bandwidth and New Jersey. access to the internet. NVP is a venture capital fund and More than 200 Audible employees signed up by their subject accelerator investing in bringing the tech ecosystem to Newark, matter expertise to take the elevator down to coach these exciting earbut what needs to be understood — beyond the philanthropic, ly-stage companies in residence. As a close student of embryonic tech political and business development status-quo thinking — is that company creation for two decades (and a very active angel investor), NVP is also about equality, urban comeback and doubling down on I worry that the current realities of achieving growth for our cities education wins in places like Newark.
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
13
TECHNOLOGY
SPOTLIGHT
on a macro level — a thriving startup ecosystem that values the quality of coaching and the larger experience of turning ideas into great companies versus a focus on capital — are too often missed within a state that tends to focus on reclaiming or retaining what was. This is not the thinking that has seen Berlin and other cities embrace early-stage tech to create fast comebacks from economic distress. Anyone who attended or checked out New Jersey Tech Weekly’s deep coverage of the recent NVP Demo Day at the Prudential Center understands the impact the amazing NVP companies can have on Newark in 2017 and beyond. Some of the NVP founders have moved to Newark, and it’s so exciting to hear them express how special it is to be here in Newark and to note their awareness of how bringing in world-class startups will merge with the organic tech community on the ground in the city. This exciting new path to job and wealth creation at all economic levels connects with exciting changes already taking place in New-
TECHNOLOGY
ark, as thousands of places for young people to live and many more places to play are coming online downtown. NVP also connects with the unrealized organic advantage of tens of thousands of first-generation college students in the city whose profile indicates they will go forth after graduation in Newark to create hundreds of millions of dollars of wealth and opportunities. NVP, in concert with new places to live, work and play in Newark, can unleash tech as the sector that helps the city reclaim its status as a seedbed of innovation. If political leaders and, in particular, corporate leaders whose important companies may be past their hyper-growth phase can take this new thinking to heart, 2016’s forward leaps will appear as baby steps in light of the transformations to come. Written by Don Katz. Provided by Audible, Inc.
NEWS
$50 Million Tech Fund At a Glance Newark Venture Partners, a $50 million technology venture fund, offers startup capital, mentorship and a state-of-theart facility with ultra-high bandwidth. The 25,000-square-foot space is available to entrepreneurs in the tech field. Established in 2015, Newark Venture Partners is housed at 1 Washington Park, adjacent to Newark’s Broad Street train station and just 18 minutes by train from Manhattan. HERE’S WHAT YOU GET
HERE’S WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
SPACE Access to a brand new 25,000-square-foot co-working space located in the same building as Audible's global headquarters in Newark. The office is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including ultra-high bandwidth WiFi access with 10 gigabit-plus fiber-to-the-desktop which is 200x faster than a standard business class connection.
TEAM 2+ Founders + Small Team. Should have both business domain expertise and in-house tech development capability.
INNOVATION Access to engineering and MBA talent pool for in-class internship support. Access to Newark as a real-world lab for creating innovative technologies from transportation to education to smart city infrastructure. CAPITAL Receive a $100,000 investment for a 6% equity stake. Newark Venture Partners Labs provides post accelerator access to our investor network and guarantees a co-investment in your first venture financing.
14 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
TRACTION Some form of product and some market validation (in the form of users, pilots, clients ... the more the better). SECTORS Technology (e.g.: Marketplaces, B2B, B2C, etc.). Not taking: clean tech, pharma drug, med device, storefront. NVP FIT Startups that can take real advantage of NVP platform, for example, corporate partners (Audible.com, etc.), 10 GB Bandwidth, Newark and proximity to NYC.
For more information, visit www.newarkventurepartners.com
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
TECHNOLOGY
NEWS
Newark has the fastest Wi-Fi network in the country Looking for a place to check your email real quick? Just grab a seat downtown and log in to the Firebolt Newark Wi-Fi. This network covers a two-mile stretch encompassing Military Park, Broad and Market streets, and Washington Park. It is considered the world’s fastest, largescale, contiguous public outdoor Wi-Fi. Firebolt Newark was built by the Military Park Partnership and funded by Audible, Prudential Financial, Rutgers–Newark, and NJIT. The network, which has already been used by more than 50,000 people, is capable of delivering download speeds of hundreds of megabits-per-second. dN
maps and area information about activities around the city. Coming Soon: The new GNCVB retail store! Here you can stock up on unique, Newark branded merchandise, apparel and locally made p roducts from around the city. Expected opening date: late, 2017. For more information or to sign up for our newsletter, visit us at www.newarkhappening.com
The Greater Newark Convention and Visitor Bureau (GNCVB) is your official source for all things to see and do in Newark! Founded in 2008, the GNCVB is a 501(c) (6) non-profit corporation dedicated to marketing, promoting and educating the traveling public about all Newark has to offer. We actively promote our hotels, area attractions, local shopping and dining as well as our sports and entertainment venues. In addition, we have a dedicated group sales team to assist with meetings and convention options, referrals for social events, group travel services and support to our community festivals and event planners. The GNCVB is open to the public, five days a week to distribute guides, brochures,
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
Location 58 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102 Hours of Operation 9:00am – 5:00pm – Monday-Friday Website www.newarkhappening.com The GNCVB is strictly funded by the Tourism Improvement district supported by hospitality and tourism community. Our goal is to develop the Greater Newark region as a year-round destination by increasing visitor spending to create economic growth and employment in the city.
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
15
“One of the world’s greatest concert halls...”
– The New York Times
New Jersey Performing Arts Center is one of the most vibrant and diverse of the country’s leading performing arts centers and a showcase for the world’s best artists. More than 9 million visitors, including over 1.5 million children, have experienced the Arts Center since its opening in 1997. NJPAC has provided a welcome venue for renowned entertainers, cultural icons, two U.S. Presidents and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our magnificent Prudential Hall thrills audiences with the most cherished orchestral, dance, theater and instrumental works ever presented on stage.
VARIETY
JAZZ John McLaughlin & Jimmy Herring • Nov 10
Diana Krall • Jun 16
DANCE
COMEDY
Silk Road Ensemble with Yo Yo Ma • Apr 8
FAMILY
CLASSICAL
NJPAC is a few blocks from the Prudential Center in downtown Newark, a quick walk from Newark Penn Station, and easily reached from the Garden State Parkway and NJ Turnpike.
Oct 28
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater • May 12-14
Earthquake’s Father’s Day Comedy Show Jun 18
Make your reservation at NICO Kitchen + Bar before the show and discover for yourself why NICO’s enticing “Italian without borders” cuisine earned a three-star rating from The New York Times! NICO also offers Happy Hour every Monday through Friday (4 to 7pm), featuring 21 wines by the glass, sophisticated cocktails, artisanal beers and specially priced “bites.” For information and bookings, call 973.642.1226 or visit nicokitchenbar.com. NJPAC’s Arts Education programs engage the artist in every child through live SchoolTime performances, In-School Residencies, Summer Programs and Performing Arts Training. For more information, visit njpac.org/education. #NJPAC
For our full season, visit us at njpac.org
1.888.GO.NJPAC • NJPAC.ORG • GROUPS OF 9 OR MORE 973.297.5804 • ONE CENTER STREET, NEWARK, NJ
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Slug
E C N E I R E EXP W E N E TH
. O C D N A E N H HA
ey
dl e L e i r r A by
18 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
NEWARK’S FIRST DEPARTMENT STORE RE-OPENS WITH A FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT, A NATIONAL GROCERY CHAIN AND A PLACE TO LIVE AND EXPRESS YOURSELF
Slug
AGATA DOMANSKA
Confetti rains down on Mayor Ras Baraka (3rd from right), Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, Council President Mildred Crump, West Ward Councilman Joseph McCallum and other notable attendees at the new Hahne & Co. building ribbon cutting.
HIRTY YEARS, $174 MILLION DOLLARS, SYLVESTER ZAWADZKI
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
and 400,000 square feet of redesigned retail and residential space— that’s what it took to complete the new Hahne & Co. mixed-use redevelopment project. The iconic, upscale department store located at 609 Broad Street that became an abandoned eyesore in the community, has become one of the first, new large-scale investments in Newark, a contemporary dwelling for residents, and a symbol of economic growth for the city’s downtown area. The flagship store was erected in 1901 by prominent local businessman Julius Hahne and became the first commercial building in Newark designed specifically as a department store. When it opened its doors 116 years ago, it attracted affluent families from Newark and surrounding cities, and was a successful business well into the 1960s. The store closed permanently in 1986. The new Hahne & Co. building, though completely renovated, still features key elements of the original store, including its street-facing façade, the original signage in the windows, and an expansive skylight in the building’s entryway. Among the new features and amenities of the restored building are a Whole Foods supermarket, a Barnes and Noble college bookstore, and Express Newark, a 50,000-square-foot arts and cultural incubator operated by Rutgers University-Newark. Celebrity restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson—perhaps most notably the proprietor of Harlem, New York’s Red Rooster restaurant—plans to open a 2,250-square-foot restaurant on the Halsey Street side of the building. Additionally, the development includes a 160-unit residential component, 40% of which is dedicated for affordable housing spaces. The venture was completed through the joint efforts of Mayor Ras Baraka, former Mayor Cory Booker, local and state officials, and a consortium of funders. Renovation was financed through a collaboration of public, nonprofit and private groups, including the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Private equity was provided by L+M Development Partners, Prudential Financial Inc., and Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. Additional construction financing was provided by Citibank, local developers Hanini Group, Crawford Street Partners, and three nonprofit CDFIs. DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
19
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Slug TY CHEF ARK I R B E L E C IN NEW S D N A P X E
MATT DUTILE
With much left up to the imagination as far as the name and food concept of Marcus Samuelsson’s new establishment, one thing is certain—it will open this year, right here in Newark’s renovated Hahne & Co. building. Samuelsson is perhaps best known for Harlem, New York’s Red Rooster restaurant, which opened to wide acclaim in 2010, but he’s actually world-renown for several restaurants, both in the states and abroad. He has hosted and appeared on several food shows and networks, created a cooking video series, and written several books both autobiographical and culinary in nature. The award-winning Ethi-
opian-born and Swedish -raised chef will look to the farms and farmers markets o f N e w a r k ’s n e i g h b o r i n g communities to source local ingredients for his restaurant, as well as local vendor opportunities for the business overall. He will also be seeking food inspiration from Newark’s East Ward—a.k.a. the Ironbound section—which has a culinary and cultural tradition heavily influenced by its thriving Portuguese population. Samuelsson, who has been working on his Newark location for the past three years, may model it after his Harlem establishment, bringing not just good food, but a warm dining and social atmosphere to the community.
FOODS UNITY E L O H W E COMM N ONE H T S D E FE THA S Y A W E IN MOR The doors have opened! Whole Foods Market fresh food options are now available to Newark residents and commuters. This business has brought to the city: approximately 110 jobs, various vendor opportunities, community grants, and a micro lending program to fight poverty. Stationed in the new Hahne & Co building, the 29,000-squarefoot Whole Foods Market will bring the city a step closer to resolving the “food desert” crisis—the lack of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy foods in many urban areas—that plagues Newark. With only three Whole Foods Markets in Essex County, the Newark location is poised to attract many newcomers to the city. Through its foundation, Whole Foods is granting between $5,000 and $15,000 to community-led nonprofits, in each of Newark’s five wards, that support healthy food projects. The grocer is also offering microloans up to $250,000 to Newark-based entrepreneurs for training and support and to help transform their communities and fight poverty. And the store’s community-minded focus doesn’t stop there. The Newark Whole Foods location will offer lower prices to shoppers—mirroring the economically sensitive model it implemented in its New Orleans and Detroit locations—all while maintaining the brand’s standard of quality. 20 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
EET HOME SW O. C HAHNE & New, contemporary living spaces are taking over Newark’s downtown area. One of the newer constructions is a nine-story building located on New and Halsey Streets, which connects to the Hahne & Co. building through a shared lobby and atrium, where additional residential units are located on the third and fourth floors. Revamping the standard of living, this 100% smoke-free property includes a shopping experience and attractive amenities, including a fitness center, outdoor living areas, and a lounge. To ensure that the residences were accessible to all Newarkers, 64 of the 160 units—ranging from studio to three-bedroom apartments—were designated as affordable housing units for low income and working families. Residents were selected through an application and lottery process and move-in began in January 2017. PHOTOS: DUSTIN SUMMERS DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
21
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ARK W E N E C N EXPERIE MULTIMEDIA H THROUG You don’t often hear of multidiscipline arts incubators popping up in New Jersey, not to mention Newark. This is why Rutgers University–Newark took advantage of the opportunity and wasted no time making themselves at home as the first major tenant inside the new Hahne & Co. building. The $25 million Express Newark initiative occupies approximately 50,000 square feet and three floors of creative space that includes a portrait studio, a lecture hall, a communications media 22 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
The Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies in the Hahne & Co. building houses a Miles listening station and showcases a trumpet that belonged to Miles Davis.
center, a print shop, gallery space, and the relocated Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies. The university hopes that the space will inspire new local talent and give Newark residents and students an opportunity to use multimedia to express the rich history and diversity in the city. A collaboration between Rutgers–Newark students, Newark residents and community leaders, Express Newark is a bold approach to cultivating local artistic expression through engagement. It’s meant to serve as a literal and figurative hub for all the imagination and creative ideas in the minds of Rutgers–Newark students and beyond. dN
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
CO. HAHNE & AN FLOORPL
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
23
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Living&
Working in
Teachers
Village by Arrie Ledley and Sonja Mack
MARY A. BROWN
24 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
Nestled in the heart of Newark’s downtown arts and education district is a burgeoning commercial and residential community called Teachers Village. A mixed-use community comprised of seven buildings that take up five blocks along Halsey Street, Teachers Village is unique among Newark’s development boom. The $150 million dollar community, designed by world-renown architect Richard Meier, is distinguished by its education-focused theme. It’s surrounded by six universities and houses a daycare center and three charter schools. And Teachers Village isn’t just a charming name for the development—residential preference will be given to those in the education profession. To date, 70% of the community’s residents work in education. Of the seven buildings that make up Teachers Village (five have been completed at press time), residential space is being built into four of them. At press time, three of those four buildings have apartments available, totaling 123 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with one-bedrooms going for a little under $1,500 per month. And along with amenities such as central air conditioning and heat, on-site parking, and a 24-hour fitness center, the buildings are going to be equipped with “smart classrooms” that teachers who live in the community can use to host students after school or as a quiet place to study, perhaps in pursuit of their own advanced degrees. Teachers Village also boasts 65,000 square feet of retail space that’s already begun to fill up. A variety of goods and services will be available, including banks, clothing stores, convenience and grocery stores, medical facilities, beauty services, and restaurants and eateries. At press time, about 20 storefronts had already been established. Meet a couple of entrepreneurs who have already moved into the neighborhood.
MEET ISABEL LIVINGSTON, owner of Closet Savvy Consignment in Teachers Village Name: Isabel Livingston Business: Closet Savvy Consignment Location: 37 Maiden Lane, Newark NJ 07102 Website: www.closetsavvyconsignment.com Isabel Livingston is a Newark native who attended University High School and graduated from Jersey Preparatory before attending Essex County College. Upon graduation she landed a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield as a customer service representative and used her income to purchase her first home at the age of 22 in Orange, NJ. In 2012, Isabel began Closet Savvy Consignment as an online boutique. In 2016, she moved her
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
designer wears by top designers such as Burberry, Gucci and Balenciaga into the bricks and mortar of Teachers Village in Newark. “I love it (Teachers Village), I walk to work and I am close to Penn Station and public transportation. People (typically) spend so much time traveling and commuting and I don’t have to do it. I can support the local business community. There are fabulous retailers here. It is literally the best thing since the Internet!” Isabel grew up in Newark but moved with her daughter in the early 2000s to Maplewood, New Jersey. She moved back in late 2016, in part, because of the city's new real estate projects. After seeing all the improvements the city was making and exploring some of the new housing options, Isabel settled on Teachers Village. “It seemed like a no-brainer,” she remarked.
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
25
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MEET TONNIE ROZIER, Owner of Tonnie’s Minis cupcakes Name: Tonnie Rozier Business: Tonnie’s Minis Location: Coming soon to: Teachers Village, Newark NJ Website: www.tonniesminis.com “I wasn’t sold on Newark at first, because I never went past Penn Station. But when I started looking around at all these major businesses coming [into town]—I saw an opportunity. Newark’s rich history is why I stayed for over 10 years,” says Tonnie Rozier, owner of Tonnie’s Minis cupcakes that is coming to Teachers Village later this year. Tonnie was living in the Ironbound section of Newark when he opened his first cupcake shop in Harlem in 2006. He opened another location in the Inwood section of the Bronx in August 2013. But business was growing too big too fast and he found himself struggling to keep up. Part of the reason Tonnie was able to open his brick and mortar shops was the success of the private and corporate business he’d been cultivating for years. But a large corporate deal he entered into with Dallas BBQ restaurant—Tonnie was to produce 60,000 cupcakes a week for the restaurant chain’s 11 New York City locations—shifted his focus away from his own shops and led to their closing in late 2013. Tonnie re-opened his Bronx location a few months later but had to close again when the Department of Health indicted him for not having a particular sink. Later in 2014, making savvier business decisions and with the necessary equipment installed, he opened for business again and remains open. In 2015, Tonnie’s Minis was a featured business on CNBC network’s The Profit,” where show host, businessman and angel investor Marcus Lemonis revamps and
revitalizes a small business in exchange for a percentage of ownership in the business. Now, working toward a more stable entrepreneurial base, Tonnie is ready to expand in Teachers Village. Still living in Newark all this time, Tonnie was approached by a business developer with the idea to re-open in downtown Newark. “Michael Vann was the go-to guy in the ‘90s if you wanted to open a restaurant. He is the one who told me about Teachers Village and wanted to help me. He truly believed in my product and was a great sounding board and conduit.”
26 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
So in 2016, Tonnie moved his wife and two daughters into Teachers Village. He loves that his family is surrounded by educators in what he calls “a melting pot of teachers, each bringing different energy to the table. I know this works!” Newark’s Teachers Village gives him the sense of community he felt in Harlem, of people coming together to enjoy themselves, then going home in the same neighborhood. Tonnie plans to employ 11 Newark residents in his store, which open later this year. “I always employ people from the neighborhood where my business is located. I am going to scout the best talent that resides in Newark.” dN
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
Slug
MARY A. BROWN
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
27
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Restaurant
Whisperer Lures
Eateries Downtown by Sonja Mack
Restaurant developer MICHAEL VANN brings a progressive business model to the city
N
ewark is experiencing a rapid rebirth and it’s most evident in the city’s downtown area. In addition to the re-opening of the Hahne & Co retail/residential building on Broad Street earlier this year, the city is currently bursting with new businesses ventures and developments. Among those rebuilding Newark is successful restaurateur Michael Vann. Vann is the founder and CEO of UrbanAcres Inc., a development group that builds retail food services businesses in carefully researched urban areas in an effort to strengthen the local commerce and the community. You may not be familiar with Vann’s name but you are likely familiar with much of his work. Vann was the man behind New York City’s sexy, urban, restaurant scene in the 90s. He co-owned and operated the Shark Bar and the Soul Café, and was co-owner of Mekka restaurant. Justin’s restaurant may have carried Sean “Diddy” Combs’ brand, but Vann designed and implemented the strategy for the restaurant, found its location, and hired its key management team. He helped New York’s Amy Ruth’s soul food restaurant go mainstream when he brokered a license agreement between the restaurant and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, turning the restaurant into a nationally recognized brand. And later he helped Amy Ruth’s founder Carl Redding open his personally branded restaurant, Redding’s, in Atlantic City. But Vann had a vision bigger than his own success, which is why he created his development company. “Coming up with the idea for Urban Acres was a culmination of all my life experiences and my spiritual ambition to help empower and teach,” he explained. “I knew I had to shift to a holistic paradigm to have the greatest impact on people’s lives in our communities.” You see, UrbanAcres doesn’t just grow businesses, it grows business people. Instead of simply offering jobs, the company offers management and entrepreneurial training to its employees, increasing the personal economic potential of the city’s resident as well as the local economic potential of the city. “The
28 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
I believe
Newark
is poised to be one of the most important cities in the northeast. — Michael Vann
MARY A. BROWN
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
29
mission of UrbanAcres is to be an integral force in the redevelopment of urban communities throughout the country. Our mantra is ‘Building brands that build communities,’” Vann says. After using this business model in areas like Gary, Indiana and Harlem, New York, Vann was presented with the opportunity to build in Newark. “I was invited by Ron Beit [founder and CEO] of RBH Group to explore opportunities in Newark, and since 2013 I’ve been doing my due diligence and looking for optimum opportunities to launch our multi-brand platform.” That due diligence began to pay off in 2016 when he started developing a $200,000 dual-brand project in Newark’s Gateway Center in partnership with the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation. Two of those projects include Smitty & Mo’s Chicken Kitchen, an original specialty chicken restaurant, and the Newark location of gourmet bakery Tonnie’s Minis, originally founded in Harlem. Vann also finalized a partnership to bring entrepreneur Eric Daye’s Lois & Fats artisanal ice cream shop to downtown Newark. The establishments are scheduled to open later this year. Also in the works is a handcrafted sandwich shop being planned for the brand new Teachers Village, a $150 million community that will house residences, a daycare center, three charter schools and
65,000 square feet of retail space. Vann is currently seeking financing for the venture. In Vann’s 20+ years as a restaurant-whisperer—someone with an apparent deeper understanding of and aptitude for the restaurant business—he’s never lost sight of the end goal: to be an asset to the community. Regardless of the inevitable economic and demographic shifts that the years bring, he remains dedicated to his method and his purpose. And right now, his focus is on Newark. “I believe Newark is poised to be one of the most important cities in the northeast. It has an incredible historical legend, dynamic corporate stake holders, a mayor who is passionate in his vision for the city, and there’s an undeniable collaborative spirit that drives the city,” says Vann. “I hope to be able to share my years of experience and wisdom to assist in developing the food landscape of Newark and its next generation of hospitality entrepreneurs. Being successful in Newark will be a blueprint to assist in other emerging urban communities.” dN
NEW CONDOMINIUMS WITH PRIVATE PARKING COMING SPRING 2017
Located downtown in Newark’s Historic Art district, Lofts @ Lincoln Park will be 24 New “Emerging Market” Condominium Units. The unit mix will include 2 and 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condos ranging from 1050-12980 sqft. Each Unit includes 1 off street Parking Space. 1st Phase of 15 Year Tax Abatement begins with $80.00 monthly taxes. Mass Transit available in the immediate front of the buildings main entrance. Condominium owners will enjoy Energy Star Certified Heating and Cooling Systems, Hardwood Floors and high ceilings. The outdoor landscape will include 4500 sqft of gated entertainment/ recreation space. There are No Income Restrictions all are welcome to apply. Call 973-878-1512
Building Completion May 2017 PRE-SALES HAPPENING NOW!
Why Students Choose Newark
H
ome to six distinguished institutions of higher education and more than 50,000 students and faculty, Newark is considered the strongest knowledge center in the state of New Jersey. Many students attend one of these esteemed institutions— Berkeley College, Essex County College, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Pillar College, Rutgers University–Newark and Seton Hall University School of Law—to get ahead in their careers. This issue, we profile a Rutgers– Newark student to get nsight of Newark from his point of view.
EDUCATION
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Name: Andrew Boulos Age: 23 Major: Accounting Place of Origin: Egypt, Africa Why Did You Choose RutgersNewark? Rutgers is the top business school in New Jersey and it was my dream to be an accounting major and graduate from a top-rated program. Favorite Local Spot: I like to hang out around the school area. McGovern’s Tavern is one of my favorite spots.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW BOULOS
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
31
EDUCATION
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
School Selection Cheat Sheet
The city of Newark is home to six major institutions of higher education that offer a range of majors, professional certifications and degrees. Here is a brief synopsis of each school to help inform your selection process.
BERKELEY COLLEGE Total Enrollment: 8,000+ Annual Tuition (minus fees): Part-time, 1 to 11 credits: $825 per credit Full-time, 12 to 15 credits: $11,800 Full-time, 16+ credits: $11,800 + $825 per additional credit in excess of 15
Berkeley College is a private, four-year institution with campuses in NY and NJ. Its Newark campus offers degrees in healthcare and business and professional studies. Find more information at www.berkeleycollege.edu or by calling 973-642-3888.
PILLAR COLLEGE (Formerly Somerset Christian College) Total Enrollment: Approximately 300 Annual In-state Tuition (minus fees): $19,800 (domestic) $22,500 (international)
Pillar College is a private Evangelical Christian institution that offers degrees in psychology and counseling, business administration and management, Biblical studies, elementary education and intercultural communications. Find more information at www.pillar.edu or by calling 973 803-5000.
ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE Total enrollment: 18,000+ Annual Tuition (minus additional fees): In-county: $159.50 per credit Out of county: $279 per credit Essex County College is a two-year, public community college. Its main campus is in the University Heights neighborhood. Find more information at www.essex.edu or by calling 973-877-3000.
NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (Formerly Newark Technical School) Total Enrollment: 11,000+ Annual Tuition (minus additional fees): In-state: $8,215 (12 to 19 credits) Out of state: $15,517 (12 to 19 credits) NJIT awards more engineering degrees to African American and Hispanic students than any other school in New Jersey. Find more information at www.njit.edu or by calling 973-596-3000.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY–NEWARK Total Enrollment: 12,000+ Tuition (minus additional fees): In-state: $13,829–$$26,889 Out of state: $29,480–$42,540 Rutgers has campuses in New Brunswick, Camden and Newark and offers more than 50 graduate and professional degrees. Its Newark campus is home to seven specialized colleges. Find more information at www.newark.rutgers.edu or by calling 973-353-1766.
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Total enrollment: 1,000+ Annual Tuition (minus fees): JD (per semester): $19,193–$25,591 LLM (per credit): $1,490 MSJ (per credit): Tuition: $1,070 Seton Hall is New Jersey’s only private law school. It’s focused on health law, intellectual property law, public interest law, social justice, public policy. Find more information at www.law.shu.edu or by calling 973-642-8500.
32 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
ENTERTAINMENT
d n a T O H s ’ t a k r a Wh w e N n i g n i n e p p a H
D
uring the spring and summer months the city of Newark parks, arena and renowned establishments are bustling with residents and visitors who have ventured out to experience local and international talent and enjoy the streets now filled with music, culture and art. Check out all that Newark has to offer this and next season—most events are free and family friendly.
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
33
ENTERTAINMENT
EVENTS
Spring 2017
ANNUAL EVENTS ESSEX COUNTY BLOOMFEST FESTIVAL—BLOOMFEST A packed schedule of events includes Japanese c ultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food and more. April 24, 2017 from 11am-5pm at Branch Brook Park
PORTUGAL DAY Every year, nearly 300,000 people come to Newark’s Ironbound to celebrate Portugal Day. Dive in and explore Portuguese culture and cuisine close up. You’ll get to experience all that Portugal is, right here in Newark. Spring 2017 dates in the Ironbound Section Coming Soon
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers changed forever the perception of American dance. May 12—13, 2017 at 8:00m and May 14, 2017 at 3:00pm at NJPAC
MCDONALD’S GOSPELFEST The premiere talent competition that features e merging soloists, choirs, dancers, comedians, rappers and poets. Performers of all ages, cultures and faiths share the stage with the top gospel acts in the world. May 13, 2017 at 4:00pm at Prudential Center
PAUL KOLNIK
AAADT IN ALVIN AILEY'S REVELATIONS.
Summer 2017 ANNUAL EVENTS
LINCOLN PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATION OF SPIRIT AND DANCE IN THE PARK! The Lincoln Park Music Festival is a multi-genre event that traditionally features gospel, jazz, house, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues. The festival was born out of the desire to bring music rooted in the African American tradition to the Lincoln Park community. July 28—30, 2017 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm LINCOLN PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
34 SPRING 2017 | DESTINATION NEWARK
DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
ENTERTAINMENT
NIKE SLS SKATEBOARDING The tradition of skateboarding at Prudential Center continues for the 7th consecutive summer as Street League Skateboarding (SLS) returns to Newark, N.J. The competition features all 29 SLS pros vying for the final spots in the SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship. Summer 2017 dates at the Prudential Center Coming Soon
HORIZON FOUNDATION SOUNDS OF THE CITY Enjoy exciting, free concerts featuring an amazing lineup of artists at NJPAC’s Theater Square. Summer 2017 dates at NJPAC Theater Square coming soon.
JAZZ IN THE GARDEN AT THE NEWARK MUSEUM Jazz in the Garden delivers great music in an unbelievable setting. Summer 2017 dates at Newark Museum coming soon.
GUARD D’ AVANT PROGRESSIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL Guard d’ Avant summer concert series features an eclectic array of alternative and experimental artists setting the Newark renaissance to music. Summer 2017 dates in Military Park coming soon.
NEWARK BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Since 1974, the Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF) has become known among its peers as the longest-running black film festival in the United States. Throughout the years, it has continued to provide a progressive public forum for hundreds of e merging writers, directors, producers, performers and film buffs who enjoy African American and African D iaspora cinema. Summer 2017 dates coming soon.
SOCIAL SCENE
Restaurant Guide HAPPY HOUR Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 224 Market St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Redd’s Biergarten 218 Market St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Adega Grill 130 Ferry St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Hell’s Kitchen Lounge 150 Lafayette St, Newark, NJ, 07102 27 Mix 27 Halsey St, Newark NJ, 07102 Bello’s Pub & Grill 376 Market St, Newark, NJ, 07102 McGovern’s Tavern 50-60 New St, Newark, NJ, 07102 PortuCale Restaurant & Bar 129 Elm St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Novelty Burger and Bar 214 Market St, Newark, NJ, 07102
LUNCH OPTIONS The Halal Guys–Newark 72 Halsey St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Harvest Table 127 Halsey St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Blaze Pizza 691 Broad St, Newark, NJ, 07102 Vonda’s Kitchen 183 W Kinney St, Newark, NJ 07103 The Green Chicpea 59 Halsey St, Newark, NJ 07102 Burger Walla 47 Halsey St, Newark, NJ 07102 Nizi Sushi–Newark 28 Central Ave, Newark, NJ 07102 Sabor Unido 77 Jefferson St, Newark, NJ 07105 Burg 55 Park Pl, Newark, NJ 07102
BUSINESS DINNER OPTIONS Fernandes Steak House 158 Fleming Ave, Newark, NJ, 07105 Sushi House 21 243 Elm St, Newark, NJ 07105 Casa d’Paco 73 Warwick St, Newark, NJ 07105 Chateau of Spain 11 Franklin St, Newark, NJ 07102
Seabra's Marisqueira 87 Madison St, Newark, NJ 07105 Taste Venue 47 Edison Pl, Newark, NJ 07102 Tony Da Caneca 72 Elm Rd, Newark, NJ 07105 dN
Free yoga sessions are provided by the Newark Yoga Movement. All you have to do is bring a mat. Lunchtime Yoga Fridays from 12:15pm until 1:00pm 33 Washington Ave Yoga Tuesdays From 5:30pm until 6:45pm 49 Washington Street
E E R F GA YO
For a complete list of events and places to visit, go to www.NewarkHappening.com DESTINATIONNEWARK.NET
DESTINATION NEWARK | SPRING 2017
35
36
Spring 2017 | Destination Newark
DestinationNewark.net