South Orange, NJ Getting Creative with Places to Sit, Gaze and Ponder Life

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

As the summer progresses, so do vacations and, as we are still not completely out of the COVID pandemic, while new variants of the virus are being reported, some folks are reluctant to leave town and instead are taking many stay at home vacations.  Sometimes you just want to take a long walk but you need a destination which means you may need to discover your own hometown. Around South Orange, NJ there are many spots where everyone can enjoy lovely picnics, beautiful landscapes and enjoy off the beaten path places and social locations, where you can sit, stare and ponder uninterrupted, any subject you like.  

Who knows, you might encounter someone you never knew and make an unforgettable memory. There are parks, places, nooks and triangles of spaces to meet everyone's need to ponder life in a friendly public space that meets their needs. An added benefit is that all of these places are within walking distance of our South Orange, NJ public transportation center, the South Orange, NJ Transit train station. So let’s get started checking out some obvious, but not so obvious, spots and parks around South Orange, NJ to sit, gaze and ponder life. 

Sitting Around the Town 

South Orange Rapid Lounging 

One of the things this town does very well, thanks to the Government of South Orange along with the South Orange Village Center Alliance, is converting uncommon spaces into places to just sit in. One day you walk past it, the next day the same space is converted into a relation zone with beautiful yellow and blue Adirondack chairs. 

According to the local newsite TAPINTOSOMA,  The first "Rapid Lounging" location opened in South Orange last Thursday in the grassy area next to 76 South Orange Avenue, on the Valley Street side of the street. Since then, many more have popped up all Around South Orange, NJ.

South Orange Parklet

A "parklet" is located on South Orange Avenue near Sloan Street in front of landmark Bunnies Restaurant, Tito Burritos and Wings, and Lucky 7 Barbershop, where people can stop to chat and enjoy the downtown area. The parklet was designed by Chambers and Clarke, and incorporates native plants and recycled materials.

Next time you pass through town, look out for these inviting spaces, beautiful and relaxing yellow and blue Adirondack chairs, or instant parklets. It's great because instead of just rushing or walking through town, you get to sit, relax and enjoy a different space and view in the middle of town. 

Flagpole Monument — Center of South Orange, NJ

If you are from New York City, like me, and can zone out anywhere, well then this is your spot. Like zoning out on a subway ride, this spot is dead center of town. Historically, the first school in South Orange was located in South Orange where the town flagpole and World War 1 Monument now stands. The school had an inaugural class of 30 students which eventually moved and became Columbia High School. 

This site was dedicated in 1924 and contains a monument that’s cast in bronze and mounted in granite, located at the intersection of South Orange and Irvington Avenues. It is dedicated to those lost during World War I, of which six were from the Village. The flagpole was erected and dedicated by the citizens of South Orange in 1926. It has a nice sitting area, and if you like a great vista, then gaze up the hill into South Mountain while listening to the bustling traffic of South Orange Avenue because this is the place to sit, watch and zone out. 

Meadowland Park 

Meadowland Park contains 4 softball/little league diamonds, 8 lighted tennis courts, soccer and field sports, and an impromptu jogging path. Located at 5 Mead St in South Orange, NJ, Meadowland Park is the perfect destination for recreation, relaxation and exploration! 

The Meadowland Park Conservancy is making great progress, holding events and providing residents a great time. Winter or summer, Meadowland Park provides folks a perfect excuse to come down to South Orange's largest and most-visited park! From a relaxation perspective, there is a beautiful pond, a very nice gatehouse, walkway bridges and a beautiful vista from the top of Flood’s Hill. You can gaze forever, just think and ponder life for miles. There is so much going on in this park, so check out https://www.meadowlandpark.org.

Founders Park 

On a very busy thoroughfare at 265 Valley St is Founders Park. Founders Park is a 2-acre park located in the Academy Heights neighborhood of the Village of South Orange, NJ. The park features a central monument with manicured gardens, a children's playground, and large grassy expanses.

Unique it is. Until 1971, this space was the town cemetery, which had laid in quiet abandonment since 1926, at which time a law was passed forbidding the interment of any more deceased. Many of South Orange's (and Maplewood's) founding families were buried in this park. Look for their names on the central obelisk.

The Founders Park Conservancy is working to improve the park for today and create a vision of a park to be enjoyed for generations. Founders Park has been a hidden gem of the Village's many public spaces. To enjoy this park, just walk into the park off the main street — it gets quiet and reflective. 

Galleon Lawn - Seton Hall University (SHU)

As you can see from the video, Galleon Lawn is a wide open space on the Seton Hall University campus. It can be very busy, but other times it’s just a quiet space and great for studying and relaxing. It’s on campus as part of Seton Hall's 16-acres of open space and serves as an area for event and impromptu sports. Another thing to do is take a Seton Hall walking tour that has plenty of nice locations to divert the mind.  https://www.shu.edu/visit/upload/Campus_Map.pdf

Spiotta Park 

Located at the corner of South Orange Avenue and 20-32 Village Plaza, Spiotta Park is in the heart of downtown South Orange. The town website states: “Spiotta Park provides a sitting area in the middle of busy South Orange Village.” In the middle of the day, it is quiet and a great place to sit and enjoy the moment or, like I do, sit and watch the waterfall.

Former South Orange Village Center Executive Director Bob Zuckerman, now South Orange Trustee, stated during the 2018 renovation and revitalization ceremony, "Spiotta will be a great space for our residents and visitors alike to congregate all summer long, including on weekend evenings during our Downtown After Sundown (now Summer Saturdays live music) concerts."

South Orange Gazebo 

Near the South Orange Performing Arts Center, across from the South Orange Fire Department, and almost under the South Orange Train overpass, this nugget gets classified as a park. For locals and regulars it's a place to sit for a few and watch the circular traffic. The water fountain gives the kids a distraction as they watch the water, the fire trucks come and go, and/or watch the various trains arrive and leave.  Relax, have a conversation with a friend, and definitely catch a live music concert. The best GPS address to use is 17 Sloan Street, South Orange, NJ 07079.

Grove Park

At the eastern end of South Orange is Grove Park, a small park located on Grove Road in the Historic Montrose section of South Orange, NJ.

I found this description from NJ Playgrounds, and it kind of sums it up nicely:

“It is a small park for the pre-school age kids, with a nice walking path loop. It is a nice short walk to downtown South Orange, home of some great restaurants and shops. Nice tunnels for kids to crawl around. Some shade and benches are scattered through the park.”

The town site lists it as: Playground, Walking Track and Passive Recreation. There are benches all around and loads of grass in and out of the sun to passively sit and stare at the vista and the beautiful homes all around the outside.

Carter Park

Yup, this unknown gem Carter Park is located in the Tuxedo Park section of South Orange at College Place off Irvington Ave on the north eastern side of town. It recently received a grant for major improvements (read more here: South Orange’s Carter Park, Maplewood’s Civic House Bridge Get $150K County Grants). While it’s surrounded by homes and businesses, this little pocket park is great when you need a quick break. If you’re working from home but can’t go far, well, grab the kids and let them play while you stare off into the trees.  

Farrell Field 

Farrell Field is a park located at the South Western end of South Orange, NJ at 298 Walton Ave. It contains 2 tennis courts, a playground, half court basketball, baseball diamond, and it’s not on the normal travel paths —it’s a good hike to get to from downtown South Orange. This neighborhood park is overseen by the Farrell Field Park Conservancy.  They state:

“We have many missions, but our overriding goal is to work cooperatively with the Township of South Orange Village to help restore, renew, and assist in the maintenance and development of Farrell Field Park for the enjoyment of township residents and its many visitors. The goal is to protect open space, raise public awareness and support the rehabilitation of the park as well as improvements to the park.” 

Waterlands Park

Waterlands Park is an out-of-the-way park located at 3rd St in South Orange, NJ. Adjacent to a beautiful apartment complex, it is a recreational outlet with a baseball and softball field, sports area, playground and more of a walking track, not jogging track. Here, for a brief time as you take a short walk, you can closely connect with nature, birds and other natural scenery along the East Branch of the Rahway River. The short walking track has some nice trees which makes this place busy when sports activity is in progress, but at other times it becomes a very quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of your day to day. 

So whether you live, work or visit South Orange, NJ you are advised to take a moment and enjoy a number of places and spots where you can creatively take a break, rethink your life, or think about nothing but the view. 

Being the hometown music guy, I have previously written about Making Live Music Around South Orange, NJ While Adjusting for the COVID-19 Pandemic. In that post, I listed about 14 places to listen to live music.  

About the Author — Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ with Forget The Whale  

Gregory Burrus is writing about his first love: the creative people, towns and events all around South Orange, NJ. Gregory continually observes, participates in, reports and writes on local community news, live music and the arts and entertainment scene of the Jersey/NYC landscape and beyond, right here as JI blogger Gregory Burrus. Contact Gregory Burrus to promote your business or nonprofit across various social media and blogging platforms. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

RECAP: Juneteenth Celebrations Plus More Produced and Curated by Gregory Burrus Productions

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

In producing and promoting live music for Saturday, June 19th this year, there were street closings, art gallery receptions and, of course, the newly mandated holiday for Juneteenth. For many parts of this weekend, it turned into a Holiday Celebration. 

Juneteenth is Now a Federal Holiday

This past week, establishing a new federal holiday — effective immediately — caused some scrambling at courts, government agencies and businesses. As it was literally signed into law days before June 19th, 2021 to be a Federal Holiday, many did not know what it meant or that it was a holiday (see “Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, as Biden signs bill”). 

US President Joe Biden laughs with Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Congress as he signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, June 17, 2021 [Carlos Barria/Reuters]

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the holiday commemorating the end of slavery by marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. Now, it's a federal holiday (read more here: “So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth”, New York Times). The move comes after growing support nationwide for observing the day of celebration and reflection. 

Local Celebrations of Live Music and More

For many of us, we celebrated by reflecting on the greatness of the day and celebrating, but not forgetting some of the recent injustices that still occur today. And for most people, they reflected back on years of struggle, from Angela Davis, Huey Newton and the Black Panthers. The creativity of all types of celebrations helps bring awareness to all that has and is happening. Here’s a look around my town.

Recap: Photography and Art

East Orange: Black Panther | Juneteenth Photoshoot

The Black Panther | Juneteenth Photoshoot held in East Orange, New Jersey!! Happy Juneteenth!! Photographer: @theseredmoments; Production: @talent.sunsetmodels

West Orange Arts Council — BLM Exhibit 

BLM Exhibit curated by Maria Estrella and Carol Jenkins.

Maria Estrela and Carol Jenkins, both female artists of color from Essex County, have a personal connection to a new exhibit in West Orange. For Estrela, she said:

"I purposely utilize my skills to help Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) artists, who are underrepresented in the arts scene […] I feel it's important to raise awareness of the issues faced in their own communities including racism, discrimination, inequality and injustice."

Read more of what they said and all about the exhibit, here:  “For These Artists, BLM Exhibit In West Orange Has Special Meaning”

RECAP: Live Music Bands Around the Towns 

Live Music Summary 

Here’s a quick recap of the June 19th live music weekend festivities.

Victor Jones Trio

We started off in Spiotta Park with world renown drummer Victor Jones with the Victor Jones Trio featuring Robera Piket & Shin Sakeino. The event was produced in association with the South Orange Village Center Alliance. The trio was just amazing to listen to and — an added bonus — it became a mini drummer reunion as drummers rule when Tim Horner, Tommy Campbell, Dorian McGee and many other Victor Jones friends from long ago came out to catch up and enjoy the music.  

Destiny Autumn — Music History

Another highlight was Destiny Autumn Tucker who came out and sang beautifully a song with Victor Jones. Then, Destiny Autumn educated us for the Juneteenth Celebration. She walked us through the history of Black Music and demonstrated various methods of communicating and clapping with us. We all enjoyed it tremendously.

Drum Circle

Drum Circle by Alison V. Brown and Friends for Juneteenth Celebration in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ .

Aliison Brown orchestrated one awesome and very well attended Drum Circle with Yahya Kamate and Richard Reiter. As one drum master stated, “This was great, we didn't have to pull people out to play, folks just kept coming and participating."  Yes! The roar of the drums was intoxicating. We have to do it again.  

Cafe Word Bookstore 

Cafe Word Bookstore reported a wonderful celebration with Nia and Steve and Dance Master Susan Pope.

Harmonic Convergence Band

Shout out the Harmonic Convergence band. We tried to go on with another Summer Saturday live music event featuring Harmonic Convergence at the Grid Iron Waffle Stage, but the rain won out. This event will be rescheduled.

Lynette Sheard Entertainment

Lynette Sheard Trio with Brandon McCune and Marshall McDonald. BLM Art Exhibition in Juneteenth Celebration at the West Orange Arts Council located in West Orange, NJ.

Food, Brews & Jazz with Jacque Harmon Johnson Quartet 

Food Brews and Jazz with Chef Jesse Jones and Jacque Harmon Quartet, with Rich Acciavatti, Gary Mancinelli, Richard Pierson, Ben Frank and vocalist Jacque Harmon Johnson in a Juneteenth Celebration at the Montclair Brewery in Montclair, NJ.

Food for the Soul, Tasteful Brews & Swinging Jazz at the Montclair Brewery with Chef Jesse Live - POW!!  What better way to celebrate Junteenth than enjoying Chef Jesse's modern approach to southern cuisine and his delicious delectable cooking. While sampling these soulful delights, folks explored some fabulous Brews of the Black Owned Montclair Brewery and of course listened to the original American music art form - jazz from the great American SongBook performed by the Jacque Harmon Johnson Quartet. Food, Brews and Jazz. A great way to spend an evening.

ZooS Band

ZooS Band with BJ Hermann, Pegaso Cris, Peter McClard at the Eastman Street Summertime Street Closing in Cranford, NJ. Produced by the Downtown Cranford Organization.

South Orange Juneteenth Celebration

We outlasted the rain with poetry, spoken word and, of course, live music — all Emceed by South Orange Trustee Bobby Brown. It was very nice to see our younger folks keeping the cause and flame alive for true freedom.

Tonia Ray All Stars

Tonia Ray All Stars with Nicole Inocent, Norman Stevenson, Kenny Robinson performed at the Juneteenth Celebration on Flood’s Hill in the Township of South Orange Village, NJ.  Listen to a taste: 

MPACK Band 

MPACK Band with Clarence Conover, Patricia Walton, Glenn Merrit, Brett Calder, Kev Nazt Moore and Larry Greenberg performed at the South Orange Juneteenth Celebration at Flood’s Hill in the Township of South Orange Village, NJ.

It was  great to see, hear and enjoy the night's live music performances under the musical direction of Clarence Conover.  It was just fabulous as folks were dancing, jumping, singing and the camaraderie amongst everyone was just fantastic.  

The Fireworks in Flood’s Hill

The fireworks were a very, very cool unexpected touch, and they played out over the music, which was truly spectacular. It actually moved some folks in very touching ways. 

About the Artists

You can learn more about the artists who performed here: Celebrate Juneteenth with Us and Live Music Events In and Around South Orange, NJ .

Since my mission is supporting and exposing the talents of these artists, we hope you take the time to check them out and support them when you can. 

The events were produced in conjunction with:

• South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange NJ.

• Gregory Burrus Productions

• Township of South Orange Village, South Orange NJ.

• West Orange Arts Council, West Orange NJ

• Montclair Brewery, Montclair NJ

• Downtown Cranford, Cranford NJ

Gregory Burrus Productions

Gregory Burrus Productions was extremely happy to capture the day and also provide live music at various towns and venues around North Jersey. 

Gregory Burrus is a Photojournalist, Live Music Ambassador, Arts and Entertainment Writer, Blogger, Business Reviewer, and Community Events Reporter. He is a supporter of local businesses and community events, with a passion for live music. Gregory reviews and writes about local live music programs while booking, promoting and curating many regional live music events around the greater New York/New Jersey area. Having fun, living life, while helping others. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Celebrate Juneteenth with Us and Live Music Events In and Around South Orange, NJ

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, June 19, 2021

Come celebrate with Gregory Burrus Productions, South Orange Village Center Alliance, the Town of South Orange and West Orange Arts Council as they pay homage and tribute to Freedom Day on June 19th, 2021. 

There will be a number of live music events starting at Noon in and around South Orange, West Orange and more, all the way to 10 PM. Take a look, plan your visits, and have fun with these free events. 

Noon - 2 PM Victor Jones Orchestration in Spiotta Park

Photo credit: Albert Clarke, https://www.instagram.com/alclarke_photography/

Victor Jones Orchestration -  Jazz is America's One True Original art form.

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz can express many different emotions, from pain to sheer joy. In jazz, you may hear the sounds of freedom — for the music has also been a powerful voice for people suffering unfair treatment because of the color of their skin or more. Jazz has spread from the United States to many parts of the world, and today jazz musicians — and jazz festivals — can be found in dozens of nations. Jazz is one of the United States's greatest exports to the world.

Victor Jones is world renown drummer and has performed and toured with such luminaries as Stan Getz, James Moody, Michel Petrucciani, Joe, Olivia, Stanley Clarke, Phyllis Hyman, Dizzy Gillespie and Chaka Khan as well as others. As George Benson said, ”Whether playing funk, rock or jazz, Victor Jones is one cat that gets it right.” 

We invite you to come listen to the Victor Jones Orchestration as we kick off Juneteenth with this world renown visionary performing the music that has survived through the ages. 

2-2:45 PM Destiny Autumn Music In Spiotta Park

Destiny Autumn "...and it's all thanks to Black Musicians"  

Did you know almost all music we listen to today originated from black artists and musicians of yesterday?  Local musician, Destiny Autumn, will break down the history of black music stemming from Hymns of the South to the Pop hits from the North and everything in between dating from the past until present day! You don't want to miss this fun and educational presentation this Juneteenth! Singing, dancing and having fun are a must. All ages, kids to adults, are welcome to participate. 

Destiny Autumn is an up-and-coming professional musician, songwriter and performer based in the New York metropolitan area, who writes and sings from the heart to the hearts and souls of the people. She began her musical journey studying classical piano and voice, and then expanded her palette to various other genres. She studied Jazz and obtained her degree from Indiana University: Jacob School of Music. Destiny has had the opportunity to perform on stage with world renowned artists such as Darmon Meader, Roseanne Vitro, Nadine Herman, Tierney Sutton, Bobby McFerrin, John Raymond, Jeremy Fox and many more.

2:45-4:45 Invigorating Drum Circle In Spiotta Park

We are having a Drum Circle and You are invited

Group rhythm-making evolved from the earliest times of man or woman. When we couldn't communicate verbally, we grunted or banged something as a form of shared expression. That is a Drum Circle! It's when we join together in UNITY to express ourselves through another voice. 

Come on out and express yourself through rhythm with our local resident drummer Allison Brown. Special Guest Richard Reiter, Saxophonist/Jazz Master/Spiritual Drumming Circle Leader, will be joining us with a few friends. Bring your Drum and Chair, or we have some for you. All ages, kids to adults, are welcome to participate.

Lynette Sheard Trio Live at BLM Exhibit at the West Orange Arts Council 

Maria Estrela and Carol Jenkins, both female artists of color from Essex County, have a personal connection to a new exhibit in West Orange.

Participating Artists: Sarah Bass Aspe, Josephine Barreiro, Yuri Bisono, Carol Black-Lemon, Wendy Born, Syreeta Brooks, Marina Carreira, Patricia Croft, Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Maria Estrela, Mary Fordham, Karen Goldberg, Dino Gravato, Patricia Hutchinson, Queen Mother Imakhu, Carol T. Jenkins, Lizette Louis, Cathleen McCoy Bristol, Barbara Motley, Frank Niccoletti, Amelia Panico, Davynte “Red” Pannell, Sundra Parker, John Piccoli, Dayana Poulard, Ron Powell, Martryce Roach, Gale Sasson, Ameerah Shabazz, Ella Silivanch, Timothy Simmons, Elaine Tassy, Sheila R. Thompson, Denise Toney and Kelly D. Villalba.

Learn more at  https://tinyurl.com/yumbkryp

You can read more right here: For These Artists, BLM Exhibit In West Orange Has Special Meaning

The gallery show will be open for in-person visits at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ through July 31. A reception will be held on Saturday, June 19 from 4 to 7 p.m.

4:30 - 5:30 PM Juneteenth BLM Live Music Experience 

Performing at this BLM Reception on June 19th will be a trio of heavy hitter jazz musicians performing outside the West Orange Arts Gallery at 551 Valley Road in West Orange, NJ starting at 4:30-5:30 PM. Adjacent to the Lunar Theater, they will deliver a medley of jazzy tunes guaranteed to make you smile and help you celebrate America's original Art form.

Lynette Sheard - Vocalist

Lynette is a multi-talented and versatile vocalist with a five octave range and perfect pitch. She acts, produces, directs and is a vocal coach. Her performances have been acknowledged in numerous publications including, The NY Times, Broadway World, The Record, Hot House, The Patch and The Chronicle. The Star-Ledger proclaimed that, “Her voice reaches deep into one’s soul and finds a soft spot.” Lynette is also a director of the Mental Health Association of New Jersey. https://www.lynetteentertainment.com/

Brandon McCune - Pianist 

This Chicago native makes his home in Newark, NJ. His musical studies began at age three, when his parents enrolled him in the Suzuki Method of Classical Piano. Brandon McCune is an experienced Professional Musician (pianist, organist, drummer, trumpeter, bassist, vocalist, and choir director) serving as a principal music instructor, composer, counselor, arranger, and performer with a special concentration in the jazz, classical, and gospel genres. Brandon was selected through a national audition as a 1998-1999 U.S. Jazz Ambassador to Africa, where he traveled abroad representing the United States performing public and private concerts, master classes and workshops.  https://www.facebook.com/brandon.mccune

Marshall McDonald - Saxophonist

Marshall McDonald played Lead Alto for 18 years with The Count Basie Orchestra, played Baritone sax on Paquito D'Rivera’s Latin Grammy-winning album Tropicana Nights, played baritone sax with Abdullah Ibrahim and also played clarinet with The Duke Ellington Orchestra. This Pittsburgh native’s career also includes a 10-year stint with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Other career highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall with Nancy Wilson, The Tokyo Blue Note, The Nice Jazz Festival, Illinois Jacquet, Charli Persip, Frank Foster, Tony Bennett, Bobby Caldwell, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Tony Bennett, Milt Jackson, Nina Simone, Rosemary Clooney and Aretha Franklin, amongst others. https://marshallmcdonald.com 

Tonia Ray All Stars and MPack Band on Flood's Hill, South Orange, NJ

Tonia Ray and Clarence Conover have been making music in the New Jersey scene for a long time and these two bands, Tonia Ray All Stars and MPACK, will delight the crowd with a series of jumping and popping R&B tunes. 

6:30 - 7:30 PM Tonia Ray All Stars

Tonia Ray brings down the house with her events, whether on the big stage, the club or a nursing home. Known to sing a variety of genres, she brings listeners to their feet, dancing and making sure everyone is having fun. She sings classics from Whitney Houston, The Marvelettes, Diana Ross to Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, and much, much more. She’s guaranteed to give an audience a performance they will not stop talking about. 

8:00 - 9:00 PM MPack Band

MPack is a band, a brand, and a musical production enterprise, consisting of multiple elements in an ever-evolving flow. It is the musical brainchild of bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist Clarence ‘Groove Master’ Conover. He’s the founder and CEO of M-Pack Music productions, whose motto is “Life Changing Sounds.” MPack brings an explosive energy to the stage, guaranteed to rock the house all night long!

They will take us back, and bring us back to today. Good times, dancing and shaking in your seat guaranteed.

You are invited to celebrate Freedom Day on Flood's Hill and enjoy these FREE live music performances. Bring your own picnic, or purchase BBQ and beer from the Gaslight Beer Garden.

About Gregory Burrus Productions

Gregory Burrus Productions produces/promotes local live music events and is also a social media manager, event developer and community partner that documents local community events in the Greater New Jersey and New York Area. Gregory Burrus reports and blogs about the local arts and entertainment scene, showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and happenings as they occur all around the towns. 

What’s Happening in the 3rd Annual "24 Hours Of Music Jamboree" This Weekend July 20 and 21 (South Orange, NJ)

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, July 16, 2019

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree in its 3rd year is a volunteer nonstop music event, much-loved by the local music community, those who come from afar to perform and our many visitors.   Normally held in May, this year it will be conducted on July 20 and the 21st. From the first event at noon July 20th to the last event starting at noon July 21st, the live music runs for 24 consecutive hours nonstop, covers multiple musical genres and highlights a good cause. In addition to regular scheduled events, there is live music all over South Orange, NJ.

Sounds in Spiotta Park

In South Orange, Spiotta Park, New Jersey DJ Services will be warming us up at 11:15 am and then all day between the performances so you can expect New Jersey DJ Services  to be rocking the park all day long. Very happy that Soul Xpressiion School of Dance will be joining us for the first time and they will be live in Spiotta Park leading a Zumba session designed to make you work out and feel good.

As the afternoon progresses come enjoy Dan Ogden music, the very popular Howling Poets, connect with some Latin Music from Carlos Frias and another new group called Psychedelic Fusion from the band YIRD. In the early afternoon Black Wax will have you toe tapping, head bopping to some great R&B music and in the evening you can dance the night away to popular cover songs by the exciting NXStage band. To close the night in the park, you can rock it out hard with the fabulous tribute band Deadful Greats. So come enjoy everything in Spiotta Park from POP, World music, Rock, Latin, R&B and more.

We give a big thanks to Persaud Entertainment LLC and CEO Valerie Persaud in helping make the events happen in the park this year. Their band always attracts the largest Downtown After Sundown audience when Ricky Persaud Jr hits our stage which btw will be August 17th, 2019.

South Orange Gazebo

Meanwhile at the Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo venue which has produced some wonderful live music performances from some truly great and well known musicians the mission continues with almost 24 Hours of Jazz and R&B from local musicians around the area. This year thanks to Wayne Winborne who is Executive Director of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies(IJS) the IJS is  extending their community engagement mission of building and sharing jazz with us right here in South Orange NJ.

They are supporting all the Jazz events throughout the 24 Hours Of Music jamboree. DC Jazz Fusion bandleader and bassist Darryl Clark will bring on stage some really cool friends. Joining Darryl Clark will be the former songwriter for Luther Vandross’s, world renowned pianist Nat Adderley Jr along with another heavy hitter jazz professional from the Count Basie band, saxophonist Marshall MacDonald.

The South Orange Gazebo will continue swinging hard all day into the evening with Richard Reiter’s Drum Circle and Jazz Band and a make you always want to dance MPAC R&B Music band. You also get to spend some time with our gifted versatile vocalist, actor, producer and director Lynette Sheard.

There’s also some really new very cool up and coming jazz musicians, like Seniar Raines, Mike Petillo, the Ben Frank Trio, Tim Rodner and yes drummer Bruce Tyler.  

Retrospective Downtown After Sundown - 24 Hours of Music -Etc 2018 from Gregory Burrus on Vimeo.

The evening highlight of the jazz day will be a Jazz Jam to end all Jams when we hit it off with Percussionist Norman Mann’s Birthday Celebration Jazz Jam. The musicians will be swinging, the vocalist will be singing and the gazebo will be jumping. All musicians and vocalist are welcome to come join in and jam with us at this truly unique one of a kind Norman Mann birthday celebration. It’s going to be hot!!!!! Overnight, keeping the music live all night will be newcomer Ilan Esienzweig, pianist Brianne Ford Live with local vocalist Kari Capone joining us in the 5 AM hour. Then our newcomer from Flip Da Skrip Tasha R Williams goes solo at 6 AM followed by 24 Hour of Music veterans Patricia Walton from MPAC and then it’s the Steve Jones Music hour. This will be followed by Jazz at from the Hassenfeld group.

Back in the Park

And also over in Spiotta Park there will be a real world 4 hour Blues Extravaganza in Spiotta Park kicked off by singer Liza Katzoff, followed by soulful Tara Layne and then Blues Jam Master Andy Lackow closes us out.

Around South Orange

In addition to the music at Spiotta Park and the South Orange Gazebo music will be all around South Orange, NJ on July 20th and 21st.  A number of local stores and restaurants are supporting the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree. Out on the avenue music lovers can enjoy the music on the way into and out of town when they encounter “The Little Shop of Hip Hop, BGR Burger, Café Word Bookstore, Elitist Coffee Shop, Jackie and Sons and more.

Events on the avenue are being supported by Lifestyle Advocate CC Minton.

Other around town regular live music locations are The Fox and Falcon hosting its popular Karaoke Night. Papillion 25 entertaining its customers with returning favorite MPACK music band while the South Orange Performing Arts Center has the wildly popular Ragtime, The Musical on its main stage. On Sunday morning attendees can attend an early morning Café Word Inspirational music session.

Support South Orange Rescue Squad

This year the nonstop music jamboree is hoping to bring town wide awareness to the current needs of the South Orange Rescue Squad. As most folks do not know that the South Orange Rescue Squad is a completely volunteer organization. These folks are a full time support organization,  providing selfless service and are always there when we need them, so let’s be there for them when they need us. The public is invited to contribute to the South Orange Rescue Squad by making a donation at https://www.southorangerescuesquad.org or in person during the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree.

2018 Thank You All and here’s to 2019 and having another blast of a good time.

Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village, the musicians, supporters and volunteers that help make it happen.

Gregory Burrus Around Town
24 Hours of Music
South Orange Village Center Alliance
Live Music Ambassador

Keywords: Gregory Burrus Around Town, 24 Hours of Music , South Orange Village Center , Alliance, Live Music Ambassador, South Orange Rescue Squad., CC Minton., Lynette Sheard., Darryl Clark, Nat Adderley Jr , Marshall MacDonald.,  Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo , Wayne Winborne Executive Director, Lifestyle empowerment, jazz, blues