Science meets music as Hoboken celebrates Earth Day this year on Saturday, April 20, with an all-day festival that combines environmental awareness and activism with a folk and bluegrass festival.
It all takes place at the Monroe Center Plaza, 770 Jackson St., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Hoboken Business Alliance and Main Street Pops.
The Earth Day Celebration and Folk & Bluegrass Festival promises a free, family-friendly event where, according to organizers, “attendees of all ages will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature-themed public art projects, join interactive educational exhibits, and indulge in delicious food offerings from local vendors.”
“The past two Earth Day celebrations have brought together the community to learn about and inspire each other to make more eco-conscious decisions,” states Roxanne Earley, executive director of the Hoboken Business Alliance. “This year we are working with vendors to reduce the impact of our event with more recycling and fewer single-use plastics. ... We hope everyone walks away from the celebration inspired to take action towards a greener, more sustainable future.”
Attendees will be able to participate in painting a public mural that will be on display at Hoboken City Hall after Earth Day. Also available will be dance lessons, face painting, a display of reptiles and birds by the NJ Snake Man, meditation and exercise classes, and education displays for youngsters.
Music for the day has been placed in the capable hands of Leo Main of ALEOProduction, the group that puts on the annual recreation of the Band’s “The Last Waltz” concert at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City as well as tribute concerts on at Hoboken’s Sinatra Park during the summer.
“As every year, I’m doing a set of folk music showcasing local musicians in the area, all working together as a community,” said Main, calling the ideals of folk music family; togetherness; the passing down of ideas, guitars and music; and appreciation of the world and universe. “This Earth Day Festival is an opportunity to take a moment to celebrate the symbiosis of the geology and biology of our planet. I feel everyone involved shares that ideal, in one way or another.”
ALEOProduction has assembled two ensembles of its talented regulars to do separate sets of country and folk music, along with a bill of talented locals representing different aspects of folk, bluegrass, and folk music.
The music kicks off at 11 a.m. with children from the Hoboken School of Rock, followed by Rafsdeli, a trio of multi-instrumentalists with roots in Hoboken, Jersey City and New York City. Jared Nutter on fiddle, Jo Apose on banjo/bass, and Ella Delia on guitar and vocals share a passion for melodic and harmonic exploration, playing a full-bodied acoustic repertoire full of candid and compelling music, Main said.
Widely Grown, based in Jersey City and fronted by James Calleo, plays an energetic blend of rock, country, bluegrass and soul. They’ve have been touring widely and also hold down a residency the first Thursday of the month at Jersey City’s Fox & Crow.
Joe Cirotti and his string band, from the shadows of northwest Jersey’s Appalachian ridge, fuse their multi-instrumentalist upbringings with a passion for the roots of American folk, jazz, country, and bluegrass.
“Their bond is rooted in proximity, strengthened by a blue-collar passion for picking, and buoyed by their shared propensity for roots music and whiskey,” noted Main.
The ALEOcountry band will feature Sean Villere and Sean Kiely on guitars, Martin Schmid on piano, Main on bass, and Dave DeRiso on drums.
The ALEOfolk set will present a hootenanny of sorts with a slew of talented locals, including Dave Lambert, Dana Lockett-Harrison, Carlos Haase, Adriel Guidry, Brendan Hartnett, Frank Ippolito, Max Feinstein, and Trash Paisley.
Here’s the lineup:
11 a.m.: School of Rock Hoboken
11:45 a.m.: Rafsdeli
12:30 p.m.: ALEOcountry
1:30 p.m.: The Joe Cirotti Trio
2:30 p.m.: ALEOfolk set
3:15 p.m.: Widely Grown
CLUB CALENDAR
Saturday, April 20, is also Cannabis Appreciation Day and Jersey City will celebrate with the Very Potent Festival, outdoors at 227 Coles St from noon to midnight. The 21+ event (with valid ID) promises food, drinks, art and games, along with performances from some of the area’s top hip-hop artists, including Nabil, Old Pawn, Bizz Nice, Rob Cast, Garden State Warriors, and others, along with DJ sets between acts.
Advance tickets are $35 from verypotentjc.com. If available, general admission will be $35 at the door.
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Gregory McLoughlin, Jersey City’s singing bassist who livestreams for fans every Monday night, will bring his Lemonade Band to Finnegan’s Pub, 734 Willow Ave., Hoboken, at 8 p.m Thursday, April 25. Trevor Peacock opens; admission is free.
Jim Testa is on Facebook at facebook.com/Constant-Listener-Jim-Testa-On-Hudson-Music-108591071738628. He can also be reached at jim@jerseybeat.com.
