Destination Newark Summer 2018

Newark’s Favorite Places to Eat

Summer Camps for Every Interest

Lisa

BEHIND THE SCENES About the Cover

The Destination Newark team chose Whole Foods located in downtown Newark for the backdrop of the cover of the Summer 2018 issue. They were gracious enough to provide us with a prep room and a well-stocked produce section, ripe with selections from AeroFarms.

Our cover subject, Lisa Newman, COO of AeroFarms, was a gracious and cooperative model. You can read all about her on page 15 in the Technology Spotlight: “AeroFarms COO Lisa Newman Feeds On Technology.”

Thanks to the Destination Newark glam squad!

Hair: Yancey Edwards of Shear Insanity

Yancey Edwards is an Emmy-nominated celebrity hairstylist who has styled on ABC’s The View talk show for the last four years. He is also the owner of Shear Insanity hair salon located at 576 Central Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey; (973)-672-1070.

Follow @YanceyEdwards on Instagram

Wardrobe: Isabel Livingston of Closet Savvy Consignment

Isabel Livingston graced the cover of Destination Newark’s debut issue in the Spring of 2017. She is the beauty behind the Closet Savvy Consignment boutique located at 37 Maiden Lane in Newark, NJ’s Teacher’s Village; (973) 234-8766.

Follow @closetsavvyconsignment on Instagram

Makeup: Alicia Mitchell

Alicia Mitchell is a Newark-based freelance makeup artist and plus-size model. Alicia did Isabel Livingston’s makeup for our debut issue cover shoot.

Follow @fatgirlglamour on Instagram

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Just hearing the word “summer” makes people feel good. It’s synonymous with good times, great memories and good food. And food is always a good summer topic—whether it’s ripe, in-season produce or meat and vegetables on the grill. That’s one of the reasons Destination Newark dedicates its summer issue to food.

Newark is home to hundreds of restaurants and eateries that reflect its cultural diversity. You can almost always find a “taste of home” within city borders, wherever home happens to be. In this issue, we explored how culture once defined the food in different parts of Newark and how the city’s food identity is beginning to change (Page 18).

Recent technologies are having as much of an influence on Newark’s food as the people who live in the city. That was the topic of our conversation with Lisa Newman, COO of AeroFarms, the Newark-based company that uses cutting edge technology to grow healthy, pesticide-free produce (Page 15).

Now that the kids are on summer vacation, they’ll need a way to stay occupied and entertained. Fortunately, the recreation centers throughout the city of Newark are bursting with activities and programs for them (Page 7). Parents and adults can create their own summer vacation—or at least a mini weekend staycation—by taking advantage of the city’s growing hospitality industry (Page 26). And that’s after a full day and night of local activity and entertainment (Page 34 and Page 12)!

So take full advantage of your city this summer. Get out of the house, eat well and have some fun. And use Destination Newark as your guidebook.

PUBLISHER

Sakina Spruell Cole scole@colemediainc.com

EDITORIAL

Sonja Mack

Managing Editor smack@colemediainc.com

Rose Driscoll Writer

LaToya Harris Writer

Aubri McKoy Writer

ART

Mary A. Brown

Creative Director mbrown@colemediainc.com

Shay Lenora

Designer

Nina Cochran

Designer

EDITORIAL PARTNERS

Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC)

City of Newark

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Audible

Edison Properties

Fabuwood Newark Downtown District

ADVERTISING advertising@colemediainc.com

Destination Newark misprinted the details of the 2018 Portugal Day festival in its Spring 2018 issue. The festival took place this year from June 8-10 at Peter Francisco Park. Visit portugaldaynewark.org for more info.

AeroFarms Dream Greens Spring Mix

COVER PHOTO: MARY A. BROWN

MARY

ASK THE MAYOR

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was re-elected Mayor for the second time on the evening of May 8, 2018, winning 77% of the vote in a landslide victory over his opponent, Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins.

At his victory celebration, held at the Robert Treat Hotel, Mayor Baraka thanked God, his supporters, his campaign staff and the city of Newark. He touted the progress Newark made during the first four years he was Mayor, including:

■ the successful establishment and completion of large residential and commercial development projects

■ the lowest crime rates in 50 years

■ the control of Newark schools being returned to the city

■ Amazon’s decision to make Newark one of its top 20 contenders in the competition to host its second headquarters.

During the 2018 Mayoral debate on April 19, Mayor Baraka explained that he needed another term as Mayor to continue all the good work he

started, and less than one month later, Newark decided he was right.

There was a poll early on. And the poll asked people if they thought Newark was moving in the right direction. And almost 70% of the people in the poll said yes, they thought Newark was moving in the right direction. Tonight is proof that that poll was correct.

An overwhelming majority of the people think that Newark is moving in the right direction. Despite what people try to make you believe. You can see what’s happening in Newark for yourself.

We never said it was perfect. We never said we didn’t make errors. We never said that things couldn’t get better. All we said is that we were moving in the right direction. And now because we’re moving in the right direction, we want to keep moving in the right direction. That’s all we said. And the majority of the people of this city agree with that.

Destination Newark congratulates Mayor Ras Baraka on his second term as Mayor of Newark.

MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA

Innovative valve replacement surgery. Because you can’t be replaced.

As New Jersey’s most extensive heart care network, RWJBarnabas Health performs more Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR) than any hospital or health care system in the state—and our outcomes far exceed national benchmarks in safety, life expectancy, and risks of complications, too. Available at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, patients usually go home only a few days after the procedure. For more information and to make an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiologists, visit rwjbh.org/tavr

Let’s be healthy together.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Summer Fun in the City

One of the reasons summer is such a great time of year is because there’s so much to do. With the season’s warm weather and maximum hours of daylight, there’s an almost endless array of ways to stay occupied and entertained.

Whether you’re a kid on summer vacation or a senior looking to add some variety to your day, Newark’s got something for you. Here’s a sampling of what’s going on this summer at Newark’s recreation centers

NORTH WARD

Rotunda Recreation Center 75 Clifton Avenue • 973.733.3677

Youth, age 7 and up, can learn how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee with DORCA boxing instruction, Monday through Friday from 11AM to 8PM.

SOUTH WARD

Marquis “Bo” Porter Sports Complex 378 Lyons Avenue • 973.733.8006

Brush up on all your line dances for those summer cookouts and parties. Learn for the first time or hone your skills every day throughout July and August from 6PM to 7:30PM. Open to kids age 7 and up

CENTRAL WARD

John F. Kennedy Recreation & Aquatic Center 211 West Kinney Street • 973.733.6550

Young people age 7 and up can learn self-defense and discipline and gain self-confidence with instruction in karate. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5PM to 7:30PM.

Boylan Recreation Center South Orange Avenue

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

EAST WARD

Sharpe James/Kenneth Gibson Recreation & Aquatic Center

226 Rome Street • 973.733.3707

Become a soldier on the battlefield of the mind with a few games of chess. The Chess Club is open on Wednesdays from 5PM to 6PM, and ready to turn your 7 to 14 year old into a master strategist.

WEST WARD

Boylan Recreation Center

916 South Orange Avenue • 973.733.8947

Give your young one a lesson in Caribbean culture with steel drum lessons. Classes are held Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 5PM to 7PM and open to kids 5 to 12 years old.

Summer Enrichment Camps for youth, age 7 and up, are held at every Newark recreation center, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM. And the John F. Kennedy recreation center hosts activities for seniors, age 55 and up. They include a senior aquatics class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10AM to 11AM, and a senior fitness program held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 2PM. For information about other senior-focused activities, call the Division of Senior Services at 973-733-5330 or 973-733-4392.

SUMMER FUN MOVIE NIGHTS @ MILITARY PARK, 51 PARK PLACE

JULY

July 10 - Black Panther

July 17 - The Post

July 24 - The Rape of Recy Taylor

July 31 - Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri

AUGUST

August 7 - Marley

August 14 - Mudbound

August 21 - The Great White Hoax

Visit www.newarknj.gov for times and more events.

5 Tips for Losing Weight This Summer

It happens every year without fail. The weather (finally) heats up and you pull out last year’s summer clothes— only to realize that they shrunk in storage somehow. Well, the weight loss surgery team at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center can help you solve that mystery, and you don’t have to become a patient.

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has a new Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program headed by Dr. Alan A. Saber, the program’s director, and nutritionist Catherine Wong, MS, RD, CDN. Now you have access to a range of minimally invasive weight loss surgery options and a multidisciplinary team of specialists to assist them.

Here are 5 weight loss tips the team gives their pre- and post-operative patients that will work for nearly everyone.

➊ Stay active. Exercise for 30 to 45 minutes every day at least five days a week

➋ Practice mindful eating. If you chew your food at least 20 to 30 times with each bite you will eat less.

➌ Write it down. Keep track of what you are eating by using a food diary. There are also several health apps that can help you keep track of your food intake, calories and activities.

➍ Be prepared. Preparing meals ahead of time has been shown to improve portion control and help reduce calorie intake.

➎ Be consistent. Maintaining a consistent diet and exercise plan is the most effective way to ensure a successful weight loss result.

To learn more about the Metabolic Surgery Program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center or schedule a consultation, call 973-926-7331 or 973-926-7402.

Eat Healthy This Summer

In recent years, organic food has become all the rage. And thanks, in part, to the increasing popularity of urban farmer’s markets, it’s more accessible than ever before.

Farmer’s markets are more than places to buy organic fruits and vegetables. You can purchase freshly made juices, baked goods, condiments like organic honey, and learn a lot about food that you never knew before. And, because you’re purchasing from local growers and vendors, you’re contributing to your city’s or town’s economy.

Check out a few of these Newark farmers markets this summer and into the fall:

Newark Downtown District

Common Greens Farmers Market

PSE&G Plaza, 80 Park Plaza

973-622-2002

Open: June 21 through October 26

Days/Hours: Thursday’s, 11AM–3PM

Accepts: WIC, Senior FMNP, and EBT

Website: downtownnewark.com

Beth Greenhouse Farmers Market at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

201 Lyons Avenue

973-926-7374

Open: April through end of June

Days/Hours: Thursdays, 11AM–4PM

Accepts: WIC and SFMNP

Website: state.nj.us

Down Bottom Farmers Market

Ironbound 371-395 Ferry Street

Greater Newark Conservancy Youth Farm Stand

32 Prince Street

973-642-4646

Open: April 22 through October 21

Days/Hours: Every Thursday, 11AM–4PM Website: citybloom.org

Greater Newark Conservancy Youth Farm Stand at City Hall

920 Broad Street, front steps of City Hall

973-642-4646

Open: May 18 through October 19

Days/Hours: Every other Friday, 9AM–3PM

Website: citybloom.org

SWAG Project Farm

343 Meeker Avenue

Open: October through mid-November

Days/Hours: Every Friday, 3PM–5PM

Website: plantseedsofhope.org

Contact: swagprojectnewark@gmail.com

SWAG Project Farm

St. Michaels Medical Center

111 Central Avenue

Open: October through mid-November

Days/Hours: Every Friday, 10:30AM-2PM

Website: swagproject.org/

Contact: swagprojectnewark@gmail.com

Ironbound Community

Farmers’ Market

325-329 Ferry Street

732-239-3735

Open: April 23 through November 19

Days/Hours: Saturdays, 8:30AM–3PM

Website: ironboundcc.org

The Commons Farmers Market at Washington Park

36 Washington Park

973-819-5025

Open: June 25 through October 29

Days/Hours: Wednesdays, 11AM–7PM

Website: soilmate.com/markets

973-344-5949

Open: June through October

Days/Hours: Tuesdays, 2PM–7PM

Accepts: SNAP, WIC, EBT/Families First, and Senior Vouchers

Website: ironboundcc.org

Maplewood Farmers’ Market

1848-1852 Springfield Avenue

Open: June 5 through November 19

Days/Hours: Mondays, 2PM–7PM

Accepts: WIC and Senior FMNP

Website: twp.maplewood.nj.us

University Hospital Auxiliary Farmers Markets

12th Avenue between Bergen and Norfolk Streets

973-972-4059

Website: state.nj.us

Branch Brook Park Farmers Market at Lake Street

Website: branchbrookpark.org

LIFESTYLE W

Newark After Dark

hile leaving an event at Newark Express one evening, some friends asked me where there was to go at night in Newark. Before responding, I thought of Newark’s jazz club heydays when places like Cadillac Club, Sparky J’s, Key Club, Owl Club, Bridge Club, Shanique’s, Le Joc’s, Executive Suite, Paradisio, Zanzibar, and Mr. Wes were nearly city landmarks.

I also remembered the stories about all the great bands having to play successfully in Newark before moving on to the larger clubs in New York City. I thought about the story of Duke Ellington telling his band members they had to play their best because they were playing in Newark. Celeste Bateman, former Newark Supervisor of Cultural Affairs and an arts management consultant, told me, “It was a great time to be young, alive and free. [The night spots] were respites, watering holes, if you may, where people gathered to relax or talk business or to put the outside world behind us, just for a little while.”

Today, most of Newark’s night scene has changed from jazz dance clubs and big downtown party halls to restaurants, poetry hubs, art galleries or summer outdoor activities. So here, for my venturesome Newarkers, are a few trendy places where anyone, local or visiting, can have a wonderful late evening and fun night experience.

LATE NIGHT PLACES TO EATS

■ Suite 304 Bar & Restaurant (Formerly Skippers) 304 Washington Avenue

■ Nico Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC 1 Center Street

■ Redd’s Biergarten 37 Edison Place

Barcade, located on Broad St.

Nico Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC

■ 11 Clinton (Formerly Duke’s Southern Table) 11 Clinton Street

■

■ Kilkenny Alehouse 27 Central Avenue

■ Hell’s Kitchen 150 Lafayette Street

■ Spanish Tavern 103 McWhorter Street

MUSIC, POETRY AND MORE

Monday Night Movies, music, and other happenings can be found in Military Park (militarypark.com). You’ll hear great jazz at Clements (15 Washington Street) on Friday nights in June, as well as in Branch Brook Park in the North ward in July. Express Newark (expressnewarkinfo@gmail.com), 54 Halsey Street in the Hahne building, offers a variety of art and cultural programming almost any weeknight. And some nights, there’s great line dancing at the historic Newark Symphony Hall (newarksymphonyhall.org).

For a night of spoken word—sometimes called poetry—here are some suggestions.

■ The Source of Knowledge Bookstore, 867 Broad Street 3rd Fridays

Hell’s Kitchen, Lafayette St.

Gwen Moten is a former White House-appointed American Cultural Specialist and served as a U.S. cultural attaché. She is presently the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism for the City of Newark.

■ The CryOut Cave, 43B Bloomfield Ave Fridays, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 3rd Saturdays, and 2nd Sundays

■ Gallery Aferro, 73 Market Street

Last Wednesdays of each month

■ La Rouge Lounge, 972 Broad Street Wednesdays

■ Vivo Tapas Lounge, 167 Ferry Street

Mondays

—Gwen Moten

Art Adorns PSE&G Switching Station

The Fairmount Heights switching station, a structure built post-Superstorm Sandy to provide backup electrical energy for Newarkers, recently received a facelift.

In a public-private partnership between the City of Newark, PSE&G, and the Urban League of Essex County, 14 artists were commissioned to beautify one of the exterior walls of the station, which is located at 88 Littleton Avenue. The artists, six of whom are from Newark, created sculptures, mosaics and other works of art to make the station as beautiful as it is functional.

Mayor Ras Baraka stands beneath some of the art that decorates the Fairmount Heights switching station during the project’s unveiling ceremony.

Hope to see you in Newark!

Fencing Led Student to NJIT

Julia Garcia moved across an ocean when she was 17 years old. A senior at NJIT, Julia hails from Madrid, Spain. She wasn’t afraid of the move because she knew that something wonderful was waiting for her on the other side: the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Out of several U.S. schools, Julia picked NJIT for two very specific reasons.

From Spain to Newark

“I REALLY LIKED FENCING. I figured, at some point, I was going to decide to pursue my athletic career and study, both at the same time. And the place where I had the most possibility was the U.S.,” she says.

At the time that Julia was applying to universities, NJIT had just introduced a fencing program to give its students the opportunity to compete in the combat sport. Based on old-fashioned sword play,

the competitions are fierce and many students train for years to rise through the fencing community, both in Europe and in the U.S.

“MY COACH WAS AMAZING AND I made so many friends,” Julia says. “I was never really scared or intimidated.”

Between her sport and a tough major in finance, Julia spent most of her time on NJIT’s campus in the new financial lab in particular. Outside of fencing, Julia was the president of the student group that manages NJIT’s Investment Fund. With her finance major and a minor in information systems, she was able to line up a job at Goldman Sachs’ Salt Lake City location. She moved there after graduating in May.

“I’m not going to be focusing on fencing anymore,” she says. “I have to grow up sometime, right? But I will miss the people. The people here are just really welcoming. And since I came here, I feel like it was my second home.”

What else will Julia miss about Newark? “The coffee shop Intrinsic,” she says. “It’s just the best coffee shop, ever.”

Name: Julia Garcia

Age: 21

Hometown: Madrid, Spain

School: NJIT

Major: Finance

Graduation Date: May 2018

Favorite Local Spot: Intrinsic coffee shop

Post-graduation Plans: To work for Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City, Utah

How to Major in Food

In honor of our summer food issue, Destination Newark investigated the local schools in the city to see if they had any degree programs or curricula related to food. And while Newark won’t be graduating any gourmet chefs anytime soon, it would appear that nearly every school’s offering—from technology to medicine to law—has some kind of gastronomic application.

BERKELEY COLLEGE

A bachelor’s in Nursing at Berkeley College requires degree candidates to take SCI3310: Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals. The class, “an introduction to the basic principles of nutrition and a foundation for wellness,” covers topics like nutritional trends and their influence on our health, and eating and gastrointestinal disorders.

NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Newark is already using technology to grow produce in facilities like AeroFarms, but at NJIT, students can take Biology 338-001: Ecology of the Dining Hall. In the class, they will discuss topics that include What We Eat and Why, Energetics of Food and Eating, and Genetically Modified Foods.

RUTGERS-NEWARK

Rutgers-Newark’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences has a Department of Nutritional Science where students can obtain a bachelor’s, a master’s and a Ph. D. in Nutritional Sciences. The extensive programs allow you to pick a concentration for your nutritional sciences degree: dietetics, nutrition, Community Nutrition, Food Service Administration, and Nutrition, Food & Business.

ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

If you’re interested in earning a health science degree, you can get a good start at Essex County College. The college offers an associate’s degree in health science that includes classes such as HSC 101: Introduction to Nutrition and HSC 102: Nutrition Through the Life Cycle.

SETON HALL LAW

At first blush you might think that food and the legal profession have nothing in common, but look again at Seton Hall Law. The school offers a Food and Drug Law course (HLTH8500: Food and Drug Law) that offers students “an overview of the laws and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration that restrict the sale of unsafe, deceptive or unproven foods and drugs.” Other course topics include the use of biotechnology in foods and justification for the deregulation of dietary supplements. dN

—Rose Driscoll

TECHNOLOGY

AeroFarms

COO Lisa Newman Feeds On Technology

Lisa Newman, COO of Newark-based AeroFarms, always starts her day by checking on her plants. “I’m a grower first and foremost,” she says, “a modern farmer.” But her work as a high-tech startup leader is her second order of business.

Every day, between 9AM and 10AM, Newman is in an operations meeting with every division at “the farm”—engineering, research and development, construction, and human resources. Then she spends the rest of her day working and meeting with her teams individually, not leaving the farm until 6:30PM or 7PM.

“My schedule never goes as I have it planned,” Newman says. “In a startup, you wear a lot of different hats.”

Before joining AeroFarms, Newman worked at Dupont Pioneer for 13 years, researching automated software systems and imaging technology. Her experience inspired her to bring that technology to agriculture.

The plants at the Newark AeroFarms facility—the crops grown on the farm, if you will—are grown aeroponically and surveyed by different imaging systems—from closed-circuit cameras to multi-spectral images.

In aeroponic farming, plants are grown on cloth with their roots floating underneath so growers need only apply a mist of water to them. This method uses less land and less water than both traditional field farming and even hydroponic farming, which also doesn’t require soil but uses a nutrient-rich water solution. Aeroponic farming is the perfect way to grow fresh food in urban areas.

“Our whole business model is creating urban farms in underserved communities

and providing good jobs,” Newman says. AeroFarms, a clean-technology company that builds and operates advanced vertical farms in urban environments, was founded in 2004 in upstate New York. The company moved into Newark in 2015 and opened its second facility there in 2017. AeroFarms currently operates three facilities in the state of New Jersey.

Over the next few years, Newman hopes to share this technology they are developing in Newark with urban

AeroFarms COO Lisa Newman displays her gorgeous greens at Whole Foods Market on Broad Street. The AeroFarms facility and growing methods are represented below.

MARY

A. BROWN

farms across America and around the world. She’s hoping to grow more kinds of produce and waste none of it—even the parts of the plants that are typically thrown away. Leading the way in zero-waste will keep AeroFarms at the forefront of sustainable farming.

“We are the leaders in the industry,” Newman remarks.

AeroFarms’ greens are available at Whole Foods Markets and

ShopRite stores in various New Jersey neighborhoods, including right here on Broad Street and Springfield Avenue, respectively.

Their baby greens make a tasty salad for lunch or a side dish for dinner. “The stems can be used for pestos and juices,” Newman adds. All from healthy greens grown in Newark using the future of farming.

—Rose Driscoll

NJIT Hosts Voice Technology Summit

Newark is gearing up for a major technology event. The city’s first Voice Technology Summit will take place at NJIT, July 24-26, 2018, and bring together experts, influencers and top brands in voice technology. Sponsored by Amazon Alexa, the summit will further solidify Newark’s status as a leading tech hub.

More than 1,500 developers, designers, technology brands, agencies, investors and startups are expected to attend the 3-day event. There will be networking opportunities for students and professionals, keynote addresses and discussion panels with the industry’s best and brightest, and voice technology workshops and classes conducted by Amazon. Confirmed speakers

include David Isbitski, Chief Evangelist, Amazon Alexa, who will be delivering the event’s keynote address.

“The people at the cutting edge of voice technology are coming together to discuss and plan how it will transform our world,” says Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who announced the Summit in April. “[Newark] is the best place to be in a tech economy.”

LinkNWK to Provide Mobile Kiosks

What does Newark have in common with New York City, Philadelphia and London? Wi-Fi kiosks

Newark will be the fourth city that the Link smart city program provides with its services, which include a variety of digital capabilities that will run over the Newark Fiber network. LinkNWK (pronounced Link Newark), as the program will be known, is a network of sidewalk kiosks that will provide free Wi-Fi, mobile device charging, free phone calls in the U.S., access to municipal services, access to maps and directions, and real-time local information. All services will be free to Newark residents and visitors.

The LinkNWK plan calls for 45 kiosks to be installed all over the

city, in every ward. They will be built around Newark Penn Station and the Prudential Center; along neighborhood corridors including Clinton Avenue, Ferry Street, South Orange Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue; and along Broad and Market Streets, and Martin Luther King and Irvine Turner Boulevards.

The program will be supported through digital advertising hosted through the kiosks, which is expected to cover the cost of building, installing, maintaining and upgrading the system. The digital advertising is also expected to generate revenue for the city of Newark and help fund future smart infrastructure programs. dN

—Rose Driscoll

FOOD AROUND THE WARDS

bySonjaMack andTheEditors

Nowhere is Newark’s cultural diversity more evident than in its food. The 300+ restaurants in the city— be they delis, take-out spots, or sit-down establishments—reflect the ethnic mix of its more than 280,000 residents.

When Newark was being established and throughout its growth, different sections of the city were characterized by the ethnic group that settled there. According to riseupnewark.com, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, the Jewish population began to grow in the Central Ward, while Portuguese and Spanish immigrants began to arrive in the Ironbound section. The West Ward was primarily occupied by Polish, Italian, Irish, and German immigrants, and later transitioned into an area comprised of Caribbean Americans. As such, the eateries in the Ironbound/East Ward were mainly Portuguese and Spanish, while Jewish delis proliferated throughout the Central and South Wards. Italian restaurants sprang up in the North Ward and Caribbean establishments became popular in the West Ward.

But in recent years, Newark has undergone massive economic, social and residential development, and the ethnic and cultural lines throughout the wards are becoming a bit more blurred. This, too, has been reflected in the city’s eating establishments.

While certain parts of Newark have become traditionally associated with certain foods, non-traditional eateries and establishments have moved into many neighborhoods, only enhances the city’s culinary diversity.

Here are our Traditional and Non-traditional picks:

TRADITIONAL PICK EAST WARD

Fornos of Spain

47 Ferry Street

(973) 589-4767 | fornosrestaurant.com

An award-winning restaurant specializing in Spanish cuisine and seafood, Fornos is always packed whether you are looking for lunch or dinner. If you’ve got a taste for some authentic paella or mariscada, you won’t be disappointed here.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Krug’s Tavern

118 Wilson Ave

(973) 465-9795 | facebook.com/Krugs-Tavern-107305454744/

Newarkers rave about the burgers at Krug’s Tavern—and they’re not the only ones. In 2015, Krug’s Tavern won “New Jersey’s Best Burger” contest over nine other contenders, and their reputation is holding strong. Krug’s has an extensive list of heavy appetizers and a selection of oversized hot and cold sandwiches that, of course, pair deliciously with your favorite brew.

TRADITIONAL PICK EDITORS’ CHOICE

People’s Choice Lounge

105 Hartford St

(973) 622-9441

WEST WARD

FOOD THEAROUNDWARDS PART

II

DESTINATION NEWARK STAFF TALK ABOUT SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE CULINARY EXPERIENCES

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant in the Hahne & Co building, Marcus B&P. Marcus B&P was named for the Swedish concept of “back pocket”—a place to hang out with family and friends. And that’s exactly why I went. I thought the restaurant’s Sunday jazz brunch would be the perfect setting for catching up with good friends and eating good food.

This intimate little lounge serves up delicious West Indian food and good times. Stop in for lunch and come back for the popular Happy Hour. Stay for dinner or even later for the music and vibes. This family-owned establishment stays involved in the community, supporting local events and even hosting post-event brunches.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Blueberry Café Juice Bar and Vegan Grille

547 Central Avenue

973-732-1711 | iloveblueberrycafe.com

With a mission to promote healthy eating in urban communities, Blueberry Café serves fresh smoothies, soups, salads, herbal teas and more. Try the fried zucchini patties or the mushroom pie when you need a snack. Blueberry Café also provides vegan meal planning as a service.

I was not disappointed. A small to mid-sized space with rustic trappings, a visit to B&P is a sensory feast. The tall bar covered/topped with white tile is one of the first things that catches your attention. You’ll also notice the eclectic art that covers the walls in the dining room. One of my favorite features was the collection of LP covers that adorned the walls in one of the bathrooms.

On Sundays, hungry patrons are welcomed by a couple of jazz musicians set up in an intimate space at the front of the restaurant. They set the mood and create a sophisticated atmosphere with music that is both a focal point as well as ambience.

The food—Southern soul food with a sophisticated twist—is as artfully arranged as it is delicious. I had the shrimp and grits, and the cornbread is worth fighting over. On our table was also several plates of chicken and waffles and a personal pizza.

A gathering of friends is always a good time. But it becomes a great time with warm, attentive service; comfortable surroundings; delicious food; and an atmosphere accentuated by the stylings of live jazz musicians. A return visit is definitely in order. —Sonja Mack

Chicken and Waffles

The Nine Seven-3 Pie

TRADITIONAL PICK

Hobby’s Delicatessen and Restaurant

32 Branford Place

(973) 623-0410 | hobbysdeli.com

The Brummer family has run this Old-World Jewish deli since the 1960s. Offering top quality Eastern European delicacies, Hobby’s still pickles its own corned beef and all of its soups are homemade. The deli caters food for occasions large and small, including sandwich and dessert platters, hot buffets and appetizers, and breakfast buffets.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

FAVORITE TRADITIONAL PICK

The Halal Guys Gyro and Chicken

72 Halsey Street

(973) 877-3759 | halseystnewarknj.thehalalguys.com

Starting out with a food truck in New York City, The Halal Guys grew their business into a franchise that has expanded throughout the U.S. and internationally. In Newark, they serve Middle Eastern/Mediterranean style cuisine. Their specialty is the combo platter, a combination of chicken and gyro.

Luigi’s Italian Restaurant

561 Bloomfield Avenue

(973) 481-9696 | luigisitaliantradition.com

This family-owned Italian restaurant is open seven days a week and hosts intimate gatherings as well as large parties of up to 45 people. With fresh pasta and homemade sauces, Luigi’s serves everything from small plates to family-sized meals. The restaurant’s authentic Italian experience goes beyond food with its décor and ambience, and its catering menu is just as robust as its in-restaurant menu.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

El Criollo

99 Broadway

(973) 485-5333 | facebook.com/EL.CRIOLLO.RESTAURANT/

With the large influx of Latinos in the north ward since the early 1900s, its hard to believe that a Spanish cuisine restaurant would classify as non-traditional. But El Criollo, which opened in 1986 is a full-service Latin American Restaurant. Popular on the menu is the veal meatballs and the mariscos (shellfish/seafood). Customers can sit down and eat, get take-out, and have food catered. Just as much a gathering place as a restaurant, El Criollo has a popular happy hour and is a lounge and a sports bar.

TRADITIONAL PICK

SOUTH WARD

PUBLISHER’CHOICE

PUBLISHER’S TRADITIONAL PICK

For just down home good food, good company and general comfort, I pick Vonda’s Kitchen. We featured Vonda’s last summer so I wanted to be original but the truth is I have probably patronized Vonda’s more than any other sit down restaurant in the City.

The fish and grits is always a win. And when I have a big appetite the mac ‘n’ cheese and collard greens are tasty sides too. The chef is always pleasant. And on good days I may even get to have a sighting of the owner, Vonda McPherson. Go see and taste for yourself! Vonda’s Kitchen, 183 W. Kinney St., www.vondaskitchennj.com.

Bragman’s Delicatessen and Restaurant

393 Hawthorne Avenue

(973) 375-9868 | bragmansdeli.com

Family-owned since the 1950s, Bragman’s deli is known for its oversized hot and cold sandwiches made with extra meat served between two slices of Jewish rye bread. It has also been praised for its brisket and roast beef in gravy. The deli’s catering menu includes regular sandwich platters as well as smaller tea sandwich platters, and its combination sandwiches are served with homemade Russian dressing and coleslaw.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Kings Family Restaurant and Catering

557 Clinton Avenue

973-396-2963 | kingsfamilyrestaurant.net

327 Lyons Avenue

973-926-2177 | kingsrestaurant1.com

Kings opened in the early 1990s as a neighborhood restaurant and now boasts two locations in the South ward and has a robust catering division. A Halal restaurant specializing in Southern food like fish and grits, meatloaf and baked mac and cheese, Kings prides itself on providing big portions at an affordable price. Come for breakfast, which is served all day, as well as lunch and dinner.

PUBLISHER’S NON-TRADITIONAL PICK

My Non-traditional pick would be Carmen’s restaurants. Most of you reading probably don’t know where this is unless you work in City Hall. And since I frequent Newark City Hall a lot, I’m a big fan. I’ve been ordering takeout lunch from Carmen’s for more than a decade.

This quant office-building café is downtown’s best kept secret. Or I should say, one of City Hall’s best kept secrets since no one advertises that it is down there on the basement level. But City Hall is open to the public, so if you are ever up for a BLT or some grilled chicken with rice and beans that actually has some flavor, try Carmen’s restaurant at City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark NJ (Basement level).. Sakina Cole

DEVELOPMENT

If you have a hankering for a seafood salad …

FOOD THEAROUNDWARDS PARTIII byTheEditors

58 Kossuth Street

(973) 344-4500

Stop by Allegro Seafood Grill for their Salada de Polvo (Octopus salad) or some Salada de Buzios do Mediterraneo (Conch salad in Vinaigrette Dressing). Expand your appreciation of octopus outside of calamari. And when’s the last time you had some conch without having to board a plane?

For many, the word salad conjures images of bowls of crisp green freshness tossed with any combination of more flavorful freshness. And while green salads will always be a mainstay in the salad category, gone are the days when a salad was considered diet food.

If you break it down, a salad is any delicious combination of meats, fruits, vegetables, and pastas that make for good eating! Here’s where you can find some of the best specialty entree salads in the city.

If you’ve got a taste for a hearty pasta salad …

6 Wilson Avenue

(973) 344-2626

Andros Diner will hook you right up with their Mediterranean Spinach Pasta Salad. It’s made with penne, baby spinach, tomatoes, onions, olives, cucumbers, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. Balsamic vinaigrette dressing served on the side.

Allegro Seafood Grill

Andros Diner

Sweet & Green Café

61 Halsey Street

(973) 732-5869

Try one of the fruit bowls at Sweet & Green Café. In addition to granola, sliced coconut and banana, the Lychee Valentine Kale Bowl contains lychee, edible rose petals, strawberry and honey. The Island Beach Coconut Bowl has vanilla protein, mango, pineapple and honey. And the Coco Acai Bowl contains chocolate protein, mango, pineapple and Nutella.

If you like some protein (aka meat) in your salad …

NICO’S ANCIENT GRAIN SALAD

When creating a summer salad for modern tastes and appeal, Andrew Watterson, executive chef at NICO Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC, looks to “ancient” grains for inspiration.

Watterson, who has a background in French cooking, uses red quinoa as the centerpiece of his Ancient Grain Salad. He tosses the quinoa with shaved Brussels sprouts, baby kale, feta cheese, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes, and bathes everything lightly in an herb vinaigrette.

How to prepare quinoa for the

Ancient Grain Salad:

1 carrot, peeled

1/2 onion, peeled

1 celery stalk

1 bay leaf

1 cup red quinoa

1 1/2 cups vegetable stock, seasoned lightly with salt and pepper

Rinse quinoa well with cold water in a mesh colander. Add all ingredients to a sauce pot and simmer until quinoa is tender. Cool on a sheet tray, remove vegetables.

Chef Watterson’s Herb Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup champagne vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chervil, tarragon, chives)

1 minced shallot

Tops Diner

500 Passaic Avenue, Harrison, NJ 973.481.0490

How about the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad with black beans, corn, tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers and quinoa in a house vinaigrette dressing at Tops Diner? There’s also the Steak House Salad with romaine hearts, tomato, crumbled bleu cheese and tobacco onions, served with Ranch dressing.

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Add all ingredients except oil to a blender and pulse fine. With blender running on low, slowly drizzle in oil until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

If you want to keep things light with a fruit salad …

The growing number of Newark hotels is vital to the development of the city

StayingOvernight inNewark

Hotel Indigo

Newark has welcomed visitors since the opening of its first hotel in 1670. Some time later, in 1916, the Robert Treat Hotel ( 50 Park Place; www.rthotel.com ) was built and became a popular attraction for guests of all backgrounds. Since then, the historic hotel, along with others, has brought businesses, tourists, and more theater-goers to Newark. The city is currently home to approximately 20 hotels.

The growing number of large businesses in Newark, such as Audible, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Fabuwood Cabinetry Corp, Prudential, and others—not to mention the growing number of small businesses and startups—is making hotels a necessity when it comes to needing conference

centers, or overnight stays for employees or business guests.

After the opening of the Prudential Center in 2007, the need for hotels to accommodate concert-goers, sports spectators, employees, guests, and tourists grew exponentially. Then, in 2012, the Courtyard by Marriott-Newark ( 858 Broad Street; www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ewrdt-courtyard-newark-downtown) opened up right next door.

The expansion of hotels beyond Newark Liberty International Airport has allowed business and leisure travelers to experience Newark’s rich culture in its entirety. According to Karin Aaron, CEO and president of the Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau, Newark’s hospitality industry has seen a 4% increase in occupancy and a 3% increase in spending in the last 12 months.

by LaToya Harris and Aubri McKoy

The Robert Treat Hotel (50 Park Place; www.rthotel.com), which is located across from Military Park, continues to attract visitors and Newarkers alike. It contains 170 rooms on 15 floors, and its beautiful ballroom and banquet halls make it the choice for several different types of events, including weddings, social gatherings and concerts. Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and John F. Kennedy are a few of the famous guests who have stayed there.

Today, the Robert Treat Hotel is a landmark. Real estate developers Berger Organization purchased the hotel in 1986 and showed its commitment to Newark. The Berger Organization has led several Newark real estate projects in the years since.

Able to accommodate guests in 101 rooms, TRYP by Wyndham Newark Downtown (24 E. Park Street; www.trypnewark. com) was built intentionally in the heart of downtown Newark in the midst of the city’s arts and culture scene. Located only about a block away from the Robert Treat Hotel, TRYP by Wyndham opened April 23 of this year.

Some of the great accommodations the hotel offers include a shuttle service to Newark Liberty International Airport, making it easy to travel in and out of the city. Family rooms that feature bunk beds are another tempting feature for tourists, residents, and business people who want to travel with their children.

With attractive amenities like fitness centers, conference spaces, technology labs,

and free Wi-Fi, Newark’s hotels supply the needs of nearly all travelers. Some hotels, such as Hotel Indigo (810 Broad Street; www.ihg.com/hotelindigo), offer additional services including printing, scanning, and faxing. Many also include restaurants and/ or banquet areas that serve great food and host recreational activities.

“Our hospitality industry tells the story of an interesting destination,” explains Aaron. “If there was no culture, if there were no attractions, nobody would come here. So when you add hotels, that’s even more of a reason to visit the city.”

PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT

Robert Treat Hotel

TRYP by Wyndham

Courtyard by Marriott

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Sky is the Limit for the Hanini Group

Hotel Indigo Developer is Hands-on

by Rose Driscoll

SAMER HANINI IS NOT your average hotel developer. He answers his cell phone, and you may just pass him while casually walking down Broad Street near his latest hotel development, Hotel Indigo.

Samer Hanini and his brothers, Amer and Thafer, formed their real estate company, Hanini Group, in 2004 and bought their first building on Newark’s Washington Street that year. Since then, they’ve restored

dad owned a deli. We come from a neighborhood family,” he explained.

Hanini’s parents also owned a small building in Jersey City and, as young men, the brothers did repairs for the tenants and took out the trash. So when they started buying buildings, they “knew a little about real estate,” Samer said, “but mostly the handyman stuff.” So why didn’t they become contractors instead of real estate developers? “We enjoyed more of the deal making side, trying to make something out of nothing. We liked the whole concept of creating value.”

masterpieces—Hotel Indigo. A tall, slender, historical building on Broad Street, Hotel Indigo was originally built to be a residential building. But the city saw the need for a hotel close to Prudential Arena and Hanini Group was ready to take it on.

“Doing a historical restoration is a lot more challenging,” Hanini said. “But all the buildings we do have sat vacant for 30 or 40 years.”

The Haninis’ meticulous, hands-on approach has been key to the successful completion of similar projects in Passaic, NJ, and Brooklyn, NY. “Now we’re in the pro -

and rehabbed more than $300 million worth of real estate, and built high caliber, loft-style, residential, retail, and corporate spaces, many in Newark’s downtown area.

Samer says his company’s success is due to its dedication to the community and “sweat equity”—personally putting in the work to move his projects forward. Whether it’s redrawing financial models 30 times in one night or creating architectural plans— and then executing them—Hanini never shies away from hard work.

The Hanini brothers grew up in Jersey City. Samer graduated from NJIT here in Newark and his brother, Thafer, graduated from Rutgers. “My mom is a teacher and my

The brothers bought their first building at an auction in Newark. “I don’t want to say it was dumb luck, but we weren’t that savvy back then,” Hanini revealed. They poured hours of their own labor into the building— and it paid off nicely. The high-quality work on that first building set the standard for what they could show to future investors. They used their investment capital to start buying and developing properties on Market Street.

“This whole process has been a learning experience,” Hanini said. “Every year we learn something new.”

The future looks promising for Hanini if his present work and success is any indication. Consider one of their most recent

cess of putting more work into Newark,” he continued. “We’re currently focused on two projects: converting St. Michael’s Hospital into a mixed use building and converting the Maple Avenue School into apartments.”

Hanini recognizes that Newark is a great place to build. Many of their projects stem from public/private partnerships. But Hanini and his brothers know that the key to Newark’s longevity and prosperity is its residents.

“Newark has a tremendous amount of infrastructure—the airport, the building stock. But the people are an amazing asset, too,” Hanini said. “It’s the local residents that see Newark through the rough patches.” dN

Lobby of Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo at 810 Broad Street

The Rooftop Restaurant

Guest Room at Hotel Indigo

PHOTOS COURTESY HOTEL INDIGO

Concerts and Cuisine

NJPAC’s summer outdoor concert series hosts

EPMD, Maceo Parker, Rah Digga and food

Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City is already Newark’s go-to summer celebration—an eight-week, Thursday night series of free, open-air concerts in Chambers Plaza, the lovely multilevel park that spreads out in front of NJPAC on Center Street. It’s been the city’s hot spot for dancing, socializing and basking in the late-afternoon sunshine for years.

But the long-running event tiptoed into becoming a food festival as well as a musical soirée last year, and will up the ante this summer. Now, Sounds of the City is an event where you can catch dinner with friends or colleagues in addition

to taking in the music of Jon B., Newarker Frankie Negrón, the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, and more.

At every Thursday night jam of the series—which kicks off at 5PM on July 12 with DJ Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue Dance Party, an annual, highly anticipated celebration of classic soul and R&B music—food trucks will fill the courtyard in front of NJPAC’s NICO Kitchen + Bar restaurant. And NICO itself will once again host a “beer tent” and barbecue, selling not only beer but all kinds of summer beverages and classic cookout treats. Everything from hot dogs to grilled chicken sandwiches and slushies (alcoholic or not, your choice) will be available during the concerts. Food trucks on hand during most weeks of the concert

Felix Hernandez

series will include the beloved Jersey-born Empanada Guy truck, Newark’s familiar Steak-N-Take (which offers soul food classics like fried whiting sandwiches and sweet potato pie in addition to steak), and an old-school ice cream truck. On select dates, a carnival truck will sell funnel cakes and cotton candy.

NICO’s outdoor food offerings are simple and classic so as not to compete with the visiting food trucks. Sabrett hot dogs, quarter-pound hamburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches comprise the bulk of the food.

Feel like sitting at a table and having something a little more sophisticated? Inside NICO, the standard evening menu of globe-spanning entrées and appetizers is always available.

Here’s the Sounds of the City lineup for 2018. After the kick-off event with Felix Hernandez:

July 19: Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, aka EPMD, perform. They are one of the most durable acts in Hip-Hop since the release of their 1988 debut album, Strictly Business, Hip-Hop legends from the Universal Hip-Hop Museum will open for them, as will students from NJPAC’s Hip-Hop programs.

July 26: Of-the-moment New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas have a unique sound that blends soul and spoken word with touches of other genres, like rock, gospel, funk and folk.

August 2: Brooklyn-based Afropunk band Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra will perform. The band incorporates elements of jazz, funk, dub, improvised music, and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa.

August 9: Funk and soul saxophonist Maceo Parker, who helped to create the sound of the genre while working alongside icons like James Brown, George Clinton and Prince, plays with his band.

August 16: Newark-born sonero Frankie Negrón weaves elements of pop, rock, gospel, R&B, HipHop and reggaetón into his distinctive salsa sound.

August 23: Another local talent, Newark rapper and actress Rah Digga will come back to her home town to perform.

August 30: Contemporary R&B singer-songwriter Jon B concludes the series with his smooth blend of classic soul and R&B, seasoned with touches of Hip-Hop, rock, reggae and jazz.

Maceo Parker

Tank and the Bangas

Rah Digga

What’s Happening in Newark

SUMMER 2018

LINCOLN PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 2018

Lincoln Park

The annual Lincoln Park Music Festival is free to the public and features performances from jazz, gospel, house and Hip-Hop artists. There will be games, storytelling, skateboarding, and golf and basketball clinics for kids, and massages, yoga and free health screenings for adults. There will also be a green/sustainable market, art and crafts, and food vendors. Visit lincolnparkmusicfestival.com for more info.

is followed by a different performance every Thursday evening of the summer. This year, jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker, New Orleans music group Tank and the Bangas, and Hip-Hop legends EPMD will be performing. Visit njpac.org for more info.

NEWARK MUSEUM’S JAZZ IN THE GARDEN

July and August 2018

Newark Museum

Live jazz concerts are held in the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden every summer at the Newark Museum. The performances are free for museum members and Newark residents, and $5 for non-residents. Grammy-nominated, jazz singer/songwriter Carla Cook and jazz percussionist Bobby Sanabria will be among this summer’s performances. Bring or purchase lunch at the museum. Doors open at 11:30AM. Visit newarkmuseum.org for more info.

NEWARK BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

June 27 through August 8 (except July 4)

Newark Museum

2018 marks the 44th year of this festival which was started in 1974.

NIKE STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING

August 2018

Prudential Center Street League Skateboarding was founded in 2010 by professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek to promote the growth and popularity of skateboarding and support the skateboarding community. The SLS Super Crown World Championship is the official street skateboarding world championship series as sanctioned by the International Skateboarding Federation. Visit streetleague.com for more info.

HORIZON FOUNDATION SOUNDS OF THE CITY

Every Thursday from July 12 to August 30, 2018

NJPAC

This annual summer concert series is one of the most highly anticipated events of the season. It begins every summer with Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue Dance Party and

A public forum for hundreds of writers, directors, producers, performers and film lovers, the Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF) is a celebration of African American and African Diaspora cinema. The films selected for viewing are separated into youth and adult categories and reflect the full diversity of the black experience in America. The Paul Robeson Awards, a biennial film competition, takes place every year, and the festival is free to the public. Visit newarkmuseum.org for more info.

GUARD D’AVANT PROGRESSIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 2018

Military Park

An eclectic array of alternative singers, songwriters and bands converge on Military Park each summer for five consecutive weeks of music. The event begins with an opening party/art exhibit and clothing and merchandise market. Past performers include Grammy winner Anna Wise and artist who have performed at Coachella, Bonnaroo and more. Visit guarddavant.com for more info.

LINCOLN PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL

NEWARK GAY PRIDE FEST

July 12-15, 2018 Military Park

This annual Newark event celebrates the LGBTQ community with food, games, vendors, and live music. There will also be social, educational, political and cultural programming for youth, adults, families and LGBTQ allies. The annual parade begins at 1:00PM on July 15 from Lincoln Park. Visit newarkpride.org for more info.

FALL 2018

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Season begins October 1

Prudential Center

Newark’s own NHL team returns with general manager Ray Shero and a few new players to help the team become four-time Stanley Cup champions. Visit nhl.com/ devils for more info.

NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

2018-2019 season begins in October

NJPAC

Each year, throughout the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performs classical, pop and family-themed concerts. They also have outdoor and summer programming and perform at special events. Xian Zhang, an internationally renowned conductor, is the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s 14th music director. Visit njsymphony.org for more info.

BRAZILIAN DAY NEWARK 2018

August 28 – September 30, 2018

Intersection of Chambers, Ferry and Niagara Streets

Brazilian Day is a series of events and activities that celebrate Brazilian Independence Day and Brazilian culture. There’s a Brazilian Carnival event that takes place at the Newark Public Library, a cultural workshop for children, a roundtable discussion and festival day, complete with a parade and music and dance by renowned Brazilian artists. Don’t miss the highly anticipated Queen of Samba competition. Visit newarkhappening.com for more info.

NEWARK ARTS FESTIVAL

(Formerly Open Doors Studio Tours)

October 4-7, 2018

Starting at the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau @ 58 Park Place

This annual festival is a celebration of Newark’s art scene and features diverse art exhibitions, forums, studio tours, performances, mural excursions, screenings, children’s events and more. It takes place in various parts of the city and seeks to highlight as many artist-centered programs as possible through a variety of outlets. Artists from all over Newark are invited to participate. Visit newarkarts.org for more info.

TD JAMES MOODY DEMOCRACY OF JAZZ FESTIVAL

November 8-10, 16 & 18, 2018

NJPAC

This music festival invites renowned jazz singers and musicians to perform at Newark’s celebrated New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This year’s lineup includes the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition; a performance from the All State Jazz Band, which brings together some of New Jersey’s best young jazz musicians; and Congas y Canto, which will feature superstar drummer Sheila E, legendary salsa vocalist Tito Nieves, and more. Visit njpac.org for more info.

PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE

September 16, 2018

Broadway (Avenida Puerto Rico)

The Puerto Rican Day Parade is held annually on the third Sunday of September. The day includes a Boricua Festival consisting of arts, entertainment, music and dance. This year’s celebration, the 57th Puerto Rican Day Parade of Newark, is dedicated to the Island of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Educators in the City of Newark and Mental Health Awareness. Visit prdpnj.org for more info. dN

TD JAMES MOODY DEMOCRACY OF JAZZ FESTIVAL

NJPAC—"one of the world's greatest concert halls"* NICO Kitchen+Bar—Newark's sleekest dining destination...

Now celebrating two decades of outstanding entertainment, NJPAC is New Jersey’s premier cultural venue, offering more than 500 performances and special events each season—from world-class orchestras, thrilling jazz and dramatic dance, to sensational concerts, hilarious comedy, live experiences for the entire family and so much more! You’re sure to take away lasting memories of your visit.

To see what’s on stage and buy tickets: njpac.org • 1.888.GO.NJPAC

Whether before or after the show, or even when the stage is dark, NICO Kitchen+Bar serves up an eclectic menu featuring crisp salads, delicious sandwiches, inventive entrees and a great selection of appetizers suitable for sharing, as well as handcrafted cocktails from the bar. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

For reservations: opentable.com 973.642.1226