ArtsBergen to Present Arts at SACKtoberfest

This fall, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s ArtsBergen presents a range of public arts programming at Hackensack’s SACKtoberfest. Organized by The Sack Business Alliance and the City of Hackensack, the fun-filled festival returns to the city on October 15 from 1 to 8 p.m. at Atlantic Street Park.

Arts Programs

ArtsBergen, an initiative of the Northern NJ Community Foundation, will present three public arts programs around the theme of storytelling.

Community Tiled Mural runs from 3:30-5:30 p.m.   The nonprofit co-Lab Arts undertakes a mission to engage artists, social advocates, and communities to create transformative new work. In collaboration with muralist Amrisa Niranjan, they plan to design an arts mural to cut into tiles. Furthermore, festival participants will actively participate in the development of the mural by sharing their own ‘Main Street moments’ on the tiles. In addition, a photo of the finished arts mural and the stories will be incorporated into the ‘Stories on Main Story Map’ on The SACK Business Alliance’s website.

Marco Daniele works behind the counter at Coffee Break. Photo Credit: Dana Glazer

Marco Daniele works behind the counter at Coffee Break, one of the businesses featured in the docuseries to be shown in the arts program at SACKtoberfest. Photo Credit: Dana Glazer

The ‘Stories on Main Street’ Docuseries presents two showings at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The screenings take place at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC).  The HACPAC is located at 102 State Street.

The docuseries highlights the inspirational stories of immigrant business owners Domenico and Marco Daniele from Coffee Break and Nelfita Rodas from Colombia Bakery Factory.  The series also presents Yusef and Tugce Ural from El Turco Grill and Aida Yungasaca from Colombia Fashion LLC telling their stories. Furthermore, award-winning filmmaker Dana Glazer filmed and produced the four, five-minute documentaries spotlighting immigrants, who own and run a business on Main Street in Hackensack.

Actors to Perform

The last arts program, The Hacktivator’, runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Two sets of actors perform a participant-prompted comedy improv and ‘mad lib stories’ for participants activating the Hacktivator booth. Confirmed actors scheduled to appear are Howdy Stranger and Claire Porter. ArtsBergen invites SACKtoberfest attendees to activate the ‘Hacktivator’ and watch the actors create a personal comedy performance just for them.

Improv comedy group Howdy Stranger is scheduled to appear int he arts program at SACKtoberfest. Photo Credit: Ryan Huban

Improv comedy group Howdy Stranger will perform in the arts program at SACKtoberfest.   Photo Credit: Ryan Huban

Howdy Stranger won the New York City Tournament of Improvisers.  This improv group acts in professional improvisation comedy shows and classes in New Jersey.  Furthermore, award-winning choreographer, performer, and writer Claire Porter of Portables joins the festivities.  This dynamic artist presents comedic text-movement dances and skilled teaching.

Funding

The docuseries is an arts project supported by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act.  In addition, any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Furthermore, the arts programs are made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of Historic & Cultural Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Funding is also provided by the Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation.

ArtsBergen Initiative

ArtsBergen, a regional arts alliance, works with various stakeholders. These stakeholders encompass artists, arts organizations, businesses and municipal leaders.  Additionally, by working together, they use the arts to shape the social, physical, cultural, and economic identity of communities. Creative placemaking, a community-led, arts-driven approach, increases vibrancy and spurs economic development.  This approach builds capacity because residents take ownership of their communities.

Furthermore, ArtsBergen offers a range of services in creative placemaking. This initiative partners with multiple municipalities facilitating creative teams and developing public art and creative placemaking plans.  The alliance also directs and manages public arts projects to preserve and express community culture. For further information, contact artsbergen@nnjcf.org or call 201-568-5608.

 

 

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.