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TODAY

Arts and music fest JC Fridays is back today with a killer lineup of mostly-free events. Here are a few highlights:

Some events do you the service of both introducing you to local artists and taking care of your holiday shopping lists. Not Yo Mama’s (Happy!) Holiday Craft Fair brings together vendors of everything from leather to baked goods under one roof (Art House Productions; 6 pm). And Grigory Gurevich and Alexander Gurevich present Miniature Gifts, a party and exhibition of acrylic and watercolor miniatures for sale (282 Barrow Street, 6 pm).

At Bistro La Source, check out the opening a double photo exhibit: Paris Skyline by Michael Steele and Saving Decay by Brooke Hansson and Dennis Whittinghill (6 pm). And at Cosi Café and Restaurant, an exhibition of Nancy Mace‘s collage art opens.

Join BrightMoment and No Gas Pipeline for a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary Gasland at City Hall (8 pm, $5 suggested donation).

Dance the night away between live music with Kapa Prieto at WoolpunkStudio (6 pm) and the JC Fridays Band Bonanza at 58 Gallery (5:30 pm). The latter’s lineup include The One & Nines, the MiCKS and the Orion Experience.

For more of our picks, check out our preview of JC Fridays.

TOMORROW:

Several JC Fridays events continue today, including Not Yo Mama’s (Happy!) Holiday Craft Fair (11 am). Check out JC Fridays for more.

Chris & Albie Manzo and Chris Laurita of Real Housewives of New Jersey will be on hand for a Levendi bottle signing and wine tasting event at Super Buy Rite (1 pm).

Animal lovers have two events today: the opening of Hound About Town in Hamilton Park, which celebrates with a Bark & Wine Social (12 pm); and National Mutt Day adoption event at Liberty Humane Society (11 am).

The Lamp Post welcomes Cicada Radio, Holy City Zoo, They Had Faces Then and Meet/Pause (9 pm, free).

SUNDAY:

For more holiday shopping, Jersey City Medical Center is hosting a craft fair with proceeds to benefit the hospital’s auxiliary (11 am, $2).

And it’s the final Sunday of the Autumn Harvest of Kittens at Grace Church Van Vorst (12:30 pm). The first three adopters get a free lint roller.

Jersey City’s The One and Nines is set to release a 45 rpm single this Saturday, October 22nd, at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. The eight-piece band has posted songs from the single online on the band’s Sound Cloud page.

Alongside The One and Nines Saturday night will be Old Wives and Bryan Beninghove’s Hangmen, also local to Jersey City. The show starts at 10pm and costs $8.

Photo: Zac Clark

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This Friday began early for me as I got out to check out Creative Grove, and see how the shops would set up with Groove on Grove’s special appearance for JC Fridays. I spent some time wandering around checking out the local art scene and the available wares. With items ranging from screen printed T-shirts to homemade organic cookies and lemonade, there was something for everyone.

Around 6 pm the music started up, with four acts slated to go on.

Heather Duby kicked it off, with her voice and keys — coupled with Tom Barrett on drums and Thomas Unish on guitar — pulling the scattered crowd into the tent. I snagged my ceremonial “start of the show” beer from the Bar Majestic booth and dug in for the set. Heather Duby has this amazing sound that sort of pulls at your heart; it’s hard to put the band’s sound into words. Most of the people were swarming from the PATH and staying for a couple of songs — I’d have to imagine it was a comforting sound to start the weekend to.

Next up was the Rebecca Vallejo Project, bringing the Latin-style funk with a jazzy scat feel. I felt like I was at a jazz club in the seedy side of 1930s Chicago. Her version of “Girl from Ipanema” is amazing; she takes this and other classics makes them her own, and she does it well. After the set I saddled up to the Sawadee Booth and dug into some veggie dumplings.

Last year’s fall installment of JC Fridays was my first taste of Tris McCall; he performed as part of Overlord. Ever since then I suppose he’s been right at the peripheral of my conscious, but I just never was about to find the time to get out to see him live. After seeing him here, I have to say I really regret not finding the time — I think my life would have been slightly more bright for it. I’ve heard locals tell me things like “This guy is the David Byrne of Jersey City!” and often other bands raving about the fountain of talent and musical production that he exudes. Frankly, I take a lot of that with a grain of salt — I’m a bit of a skeptic when it comes to music. But after seeing him again — backed by the Housing Bubble — it’s so apparent that I think I must have been having some kind of auditory illusion to not realize it nine months ago. I highly suggest you find a way to get your hands on Let the Night Fall, his latest LP. Track seven — “First World, Third Rate” — is an instant hit.

Wrapping up show was the One & Nines, with eight band members crowding onto what I had previously thought was a pretty large stage. As usual, the band had a large crowd — ranging from toddlers to seniors — out for the show. Basically, if you can hear, this band is for you. While the big soulful sound is hard to pull off with proficiency, the One & Nines do it in style, with every song feeling more epic than the last. The extended brass section the band had on Friday only served to reinforce how contagious the atmosphere gets when they get on stage — just see the video! After the set was done, the crowd dispersed quickly, but that’s JC Fridays for you — there’s something going on everywhere in town.

Riders left Exchange Place at 11 am and began arriving back there around 12:30 pm. Upon return, they were greeted by a festival with live music from The One and Nines and the Subway Surfers, a BMX demo from Grove Street Bicycles, a bike rodeo from the Jersey City Police Department, giveaways (including a cool cruiser from Hamilton Square) and a number of local bike-friendly organizations (including this one).

Photos: Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg

- What does Gov. Christie have in store for Jersey City’s schools? The Reporter takes a look.

- Speaking of schools, Mercer Street’s elementary school #9 — also known as the Kennedy School — will close and become part of Ferris High School, which sits on the same property. The move has some parents upset.

- A resolution to televise City Council meetings on the city’s cable TV station JC1TV saw heated debate at last night’s City Council caucus, with the administration ultimately winning several concessions — including not televising the proceedings live — from Ward E councilman Steven Fulop, who introduced the bill. Look for more on this from us later today.

- In the aftermath of Sunday’s deadly explosion at a gas-fired power plant in Connecticut, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg says he wants to halt Spectra Energy’s plans to build a natural gas pipeline through Bayonne and Jersey City.

- With another snowstorm potentially bringing a foot of snow to Jersey City beginning tonight, the city has issued a winter weather emergency warning.

- Jeff Marino of The One & Nines talks to Dislocations about the group’s approach to soul music. Meanwhile, dubbing the group “Jersey City’s best soul band,” Dislocations says: “The One & Nines have liberated soul and rhythm & blues from the museums and reissues and oldies stations. They have made it new, again — without sacrificing authenticity.”

- History buffs are in luck as the latest issue of the JCPD’s newsletter features Part Four of a Seven-Part Series on the “History of Jersey City and its Police.” This one covers the time period between 1879 and the late 1880s.

- Is Jersey City’s construction industry going down? Nicole Adams addresses that question in a guest post at Jersey City Construction.

- A 42-year-old Jersey City man has pleaded guilty to distributing OxyContin pills in a school zone on three occasions last year. The Journal points out the man was a former youth baseball coach, but he was suspended from coaching in May as part of another incident.

Today’s Best Bets:

- Bring the kids to the library after school today (at 3:45 pm) for a discussion and book signing by children’s book author Shawn Dray (The Sky is the Limit). Later in the evening, there will be an opening reception for the Black History Month group exhibition in City Hall (at 5 pm), and The Crosstown Country Allstars and Deivito will play a free show at Lucky 7′s (at 9 pm).

In statewide news:

- Over the strong objections of labor unions, state lawmakers have introduced reforms they said could drastically remake public worker pensions and benefits in New Jersey and stabilize a pension fund in crisis.

- State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, chairman of the Senate’s Economic Growth Committee, says the panel can be expected to vote March 8 on legislation he is co-sponsoring that would abolish the state Council on Affordable Housing and give cities and towns more control over providing middle- and lower-income housing. Meanwhile, the New Jersey NAACP is calling on Lesniak and Sen. Christopher Bateman to recuse themselves from voting on the bill, charging that the legislators’ law firms represent dozens of municipalities that could benefit.

- U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez urged the Federal Reserve last July to approve an acquisition to save a struggling bank in his state that was run by big political contributors. The fed never acted on his request, but at least one former regulator says Menendez’s behavior was “grotesquely inappropriate.”

- The state legislature has revived a controversial bill vetoed by former Gov. Corzine to delay an anti-sprawl, water quality management rule that gives state environmental officials more control over extending sewer and septic service.

- In the wake of the same-sex marriage defeat in Trenton, Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest gay rights group, is suspending donations to political parties and urging its members to do the same. The group will instead donate to individual candidates it supports.

- The Senate Judiciary Committee approved two of Gov. Christie’s nominees yesterday: Paula Dow as attorney general and Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Reith as head of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

- A state Senate committee has approved a measure that calls for legalized sports betting at New Jersey casinos and horse racing tracks.

Today I come to you to help expose a fraud and a charlatan. Deivis Garcia (alias “Deivito”) is a known member of the Porchistas. What you didn’t now is that he’s been known to cavort with several other bands — most times without the other bands knowing what’s going on. I warn you right here and right now frontmen (and frontwomen!) of other bands, watch your mic! Deivito will usurp the mic and take over your band! It’s not really his fault, though, he’s just a fan of these bands. It’s not like at the Stone Pony where Bruce Springsteen will hop on stage without so much as a “How Do You Do?” and just start singing “Thunder Road.” Deivis knows the words to your bands songs at least.

Seriously though folks, Deivis is a good friend of mine and I missed his set so I felt it necessary to at least give the guy a paragraph in this article. Plus, most of what I said is true! I mean, if a journalist doesn’t have his integrity in the pursuit of the truth, well then my friends, what does he have? Anyhow it’s Saturday night and I’m late for a show. I hit a cab over by the PATH, and landed at the Iron Monkey.

Kagero was into the second or third song of their set when I descended. Kaz (vocals,guitar) Rob (bass) JW (violin) and newcomer Kate (accordion) make up this self described Japanese Gypsy Rock quartet. Total crowd-pleasers, this band is a nonstop circus ride. Deivis was already at the front of the crowd dancing and stomping. It seems everywhere these guys go there’s a crowd of veteran and first-time listeners that become adoring fans. Of course, Deivis got his cameo, but then he pulled me into the action too. Look at the first video below … I’ll call it Exhibit A. There is no telling when he was likely to strike again!

Next up, the One & Nines — Jersey City’s local big band sound experience. They mix solid rhythm with top notch vocals to create something totally anachronistic. It’s like 1938 when you hear Vera’s voice. Jeff’s guitar and Will’s keys set the tone for dancehall movin’ and shakin’. Barami provides the accents on brass. Al and Craig bring up the rear on the bass and the beats. At this point everyone’s got enough liquid funk to really be digging the scene. At the end of their set, the crowd wasn’t about to let them just walk off. Everyone started screaming for more and what could they do but appease the masses. That’s when Deivito jumped back in again! It was a pretty wild finale as you can see in the second video — aka Exhibit B. Deivis “Deivito” Garcia is guilty of show stealing and rocking out. I submit to you, the jury, that I too am an accessory to his crimes!

I’m quite sold on the fact that the only reason weather exists is to screw up festival events and picnics. It’s definitely peak monsoon season here in Jersey City, and last Friday was no exception.

So as I crossed Grove Street in the rain to start my evening of rocking through JC Fridays, I made sure to submerse my right Chuck Taylor All-Stars (not known for their ability to shrug off water) completely to the ankle. I’m not one to worry about having a wet foot if I’m on my way home from work or in transit, but when you come out for an event that promises to last 6 or 7 hours it’s not exactly ideal. But, hey, I’m a professional — so I tried to make the best of it.

I reached the stage at Grove Street PATH plaza as optimal sock wetness kicked in. Normally, I wouldn’t be at Groove on Grove on a Friday, but the masterminds behind the free weekly music series moved this week’s show from Wednesday to Friday to coincide with the quarterly arts extravaganza known as JC Fridays.

The Black Hollies were sound testing as I settled in under a tent erected just for the show. These Jersey City cats have a throwback sound and style that’s comparable to the late ’60s mod wave, back when record players reigned supreme and computers took up the size of buildings. There’s something about well executed rock ‘n’ roll with an anachronistic feel that really grips at my heart. They finished their set with a seriously kick-ass closer, (see the video) after which I took a minute to congratulate the band and received their new 7 inch — I’ll be sure to let you know what I think soon.

The rain lightened to a sprinkle as the One & Nines began playing. I’ve seen them now something like 6 or 7 times, and I get a little excited each time. Vera’s peerless voice coupled with the rest of the band’s one-of-a-kind style proves that Jersey City’s local music scene is much more than a one trick pony. Will Hansen’s keyboard tactics (yes, the man is a keyboard tactician) betrayed this showman’s calm demeanor. Jeff Marino rocks the guitar and acts as a foil to Vera’s lyrical musings. Alex Tyshkov brings a taste of funk with his bass to this Motown-inspired band. Barami Waspe tones in with some solid sax action, while Ken Walz reigns down a little fire and brimstone on the drums in conjunction with both the band and the storm. Giving the crowd a quick glance, it seems that the music beat out the rain as the area underneath the tent soon reached capacity.

Looking back, I don’t think I would have had the weather turn out any other way. There was a sense of community underneath that tent — not to mention the fact that a huge white tent acts as a softbox for picture-taking.

The Milwaukees crashed the party after the One & Nines were through. They had a classic adventuring party rock setup. Jeff Nordstedt the rogue on guitar, Donovan Cain, the wizard, on bass, Patrick Fusco, warpath barbarian of the drums, and leading the way on vocals and guitar, a veritable multiclassing paladin, Dylan St. Clark. Geek references aside, these fellas bring the rock. They bring it solidly and simply. Most importantly its good, clean and fun (not just two of those three, like burritos or church). You can tell by the brimming smiles and the energy they project on stage that the Milwaukees are having a really good time making music together. Note to self: I have to get an album.

After their set I headed over to Grand Banks over on Montgomery Street to see what all the For the Love of Music hubbub was about. First impression: Good-sized place with a huge stage … huge for Jersey City, anyway. Drinks are just above reasonable at $4 for a bottle of Bud. There’s a full bar just left of the stage, a sizable dance floor right in front of the stage as well as plenty of standing room all over the place. Bathrooms fit like four or five people, so there weren’t lines. The $10 cover was a bit pricey, but  I support charging a cover to pay the bands, and there were three very good bands playing that night.

The Fringe Dwellers were just breaking down as I walked in, and Any Day Parade was just setting up. The Jersey City quintet played a no holds barred set, winning the crowd over easily with their on-stage antics and country-rock style.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick around Grand Banks to see the Black Hollies play again — I had to see what else was going on around town. Any Day Parade was still rocking out as I stepped down the block to IM Automata Chino to see how they were celebrating JC Fridays.

At IMAC, the Jeff Humphrey Trio was finishing up as I entered, so I took a few shots of the band. But that was around the time the wet socks — and the constant drinking — started to catch up with me. I’d have to miss The Flaming Fire at 58, and the rest of the IMAC bands, and whoever was left playing at Grand Banks. It was time to turn it in.

All in all, though, not a bad day. I got out for some great bands, took some pics and even some video, and a good amount of booze was imbibed. I could consider this JC Fridays a complete success … minus the soggy feet.

VIDEOS:

The Black Hollies:

The One & Nines:

The Milwaukees: