The Jersey City Independent "

Forty-eight hours before Halloween, U2, Nirvana, and the Cure will overrun the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, among other bands, thanks to local music promoter (Dancing) Tony Susco, who has invited local bands to dress up and perform as national music acts. (UPDATE: Due to the crummy weather forecast for Saturday, the event will be held indoors at 58 Gallery.)

This annual concert, the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s, raises funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic cemetery. If you never have had a chance to hear the Go-Go’s live, now is your chance. Like the song goes, do the pony, puts us in a trance.

Last year, nearly 600 people attended Ghost of Uncle Joe’s concert and fundraiser at the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, raising $4,000 dollars for its continued restoration.

Why should you come?

“You’re never going to beat a Halloween party in a cemetery,” says Dancing Tony.

This year, the party is bigger than ever, with eight bands playing at the cemetery followed by an additional five bands performing at the Lamp Post in a post-cemetery bash.

Chris Ward organized the Halloween-themed show for Uncle Joe’s, the former Jersey City club, until it closed in 2005. At the behest of Neil McAneny and Joseph Condiracci, Susco moved the party first to 58 Gallery and then to the cemetery last year.

The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery on Newark Avenue has established itself an attractive venue for art, music and culture in Jersey City. In the past two years, more than 20 cultural events, including art exhibitions, live music, walking tours, historical lectures, children’s activities — even Revolutionary War re-enactments — have been held there.

Eileen Markenstein, president of the cemetery’s board of trustees, is thrilled to have the cemetery host the Ghost of Uncle Joe’s again.

“It is the party of the year,” Markenstein says. “The setting is amazing, the music will be outstanding and we’re hoping for a great harvest moon. And it’s for an outstanding cause.”  

Donations will help finance the continued restoration of the cemetery. In addition to general repairs and maintenance, the board is working to reopen the catacombs and crypts beneath the cemetery as well as to reset every stone pathway on the grounds.

Markenstein says the cemetery has won several grants totaling almost $50,000, but can’t access the funds until the board matches every penny.  

“Hopefully, this event will bring us a few thousand dollars closer to receiving our grant dollars, or at minimum, help pay the fuel bills to heat the historic Gatekeeper house this winter,” she says, adding that she is grateful for the support. “We thank Tony Susco,” she says, “from the bottom of our hearts.”

DETAILS:
$10 donation
5-10 pm

Vice Presidents of the USA – [Zac Quayle, Gerry Agnew, and Robert Gore]
Nirvana [Friends of Chewie]
The Go-Go’s [Enemies of the Oyster]
The Faces [The Milwaukees]
U2 [The Black Hollies]
The Cure [Robert and the Blacksmyths]
The Ramones [Glenn D & the Lodi 3]
with Jam Master Jay [DJ Scott FREE]

10:30 pm Zombie Parade to the Lamp Post (rain or shine)

After Life Party with:

Smashing Pumpkins – Meet/Pause
Weezer – They Had Faces Then
Foo Fighters – Holy City Zoo
The Talking Heads – Aminal
The Exploding Hearts [ JC Tattoo Employee Friends with Benefits Plan]

Photos: Pat Byrne; Tony Susco; Jim Testa

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