(Press Release) PERTH AMBOY – The musical artistry of local and regional performers takes the stage on three Fridays in August as Perth Amboy continues its weekly Art & Flow open-air performances with musical themes. The Art & Flow series, which includes musical, performance and visual artists, has been extended and more cultural events that will take place in September.
The Friday night events began in mid-June, and included a series of weekly street performances – concerts and unique cultural events. The performances have engaged the audience and they have occurred throughout the summer.
Here is the schedule for upcoming Art & Flow events:
- August 9: Music performance by Leche Duce & kids, beginning at 6 p.m., at El Meson Restaurant, 409 Smith St.
- August 16: Mini-concert featuring a jazz keyboard presented by Rutgers University’s Concert Bureau at the 7-Eleven, 255 Smith St.; and
- August 23: Ryan Tomski Jazz Duo at Fink Park, 168 Smith St.
All performances run from 6 to 8 p.m., are free and open to the public.
The program is part of The Perth Amboy Art & Flow (PAAF) initiative. PAAF is guided by the city’s “Creative Plan” containing a proposal to increase the quality, quantity and equity of art in the community while boosting the local economy.
In speaking about PAAF Lisett Lebron, program manager Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise and Revitalization (PARTNER), said “The arts can greatly contribute to the economic development of any downtown district when used in conjunction with other economic development engines.”
A key element of the PAAF mission is to foster art and culture in the downtown area; provide visual and performing artists venues to display their artwork or perform in the business district; and attract more visitors to the City’s center and waterfront.
In February, the city’s Art Planning Initiative received a grant from Perth Amboy Business Improvement District (BID). These financial resources are helping to fund a portion of the PAAF’s art, culture and entertainment programs that have played out during the summer.
In addition, Ms. Lebron explained, “Culture is an anchor to drive redevelopment. Part of the Perth Amboy business district includes the Gateway Neighborhood, where PARTNER received $500,000 grant to spearhead the revitalization of the area in three goals: information exchange, building capacities of services and assets and identify land uses. We are proud to be part of the PAAF initiative and harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization. The city’s business district can be focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development and fostering civic pride.”
For more details, contact Randy Convery, Interim Executive Director, Perth Amboy Business Improvement District (BID) 732-826-0290, ext. 4050, or by email at Rconvery@perthamboynj.org,. Also, the street performance calendar is available from Solanyi Pena in the City’s Department of Human Services at 732-826-1690, ext. 4308.
