Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora – The Media Pub News (TM)

Gov. cheers: ‘Go on Art All Night!’

Embracing resilience and triumphing over tragedy, the Trenton community supported the return of Art All Night festival in the City this past weekend.

As Tenton Art All Night 2019 returns from last year’s tragedy, supporters are excited about the artwork seen here.
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

With beefed up law enforcement following last year’s tragic incident, the 24-hour Artworks event was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Saturday and to end at its usual time Sunday at 3 p.m., but there was a significant break from 1 to 7 a.m., for this year only.

This year, there were two public entrances to the event that the staff closed during the break as they asked patrons to leave at 1 a.m., and invited them to return at 7 a.m.

Artworks Director Lauren Otis explained that, “We want everyone to be comfortable…coming back, so we decided to close the event in the wee hours, but next year we’ll be back 24-hours.”

Otis appreciated turnout to see the art by 6 p.m. Saturday. He also said that more than 900 artists who

promised to continue to support the fest submitted artworks, but there were about 500 less than last year.

This year’s incident-free Art All Night event depicts the City’s beauty, with everything coming “together in a perfect triumphant storm,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who spoke to a positive crowd at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Gov. Murphy said, “Art measures the soul of this particular community.” He believes that whatever takes place in Trenton affects the entire State of New Jersey.

Thanking all the supporters including City workers, law enforcement, artists, and the community at large, the Gov. officially kicked off the event by cheering it on.

“Go on Art All Night!” he said.

Hometown musicians join in ‘Lifting Trenton Together’ at Levitt AMP Music Series

Capital City Music Ambassador, and renowned Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Sarah Dash, stands with Trenton Mayor, Reed Gusciora, at the “Lifting Trenton Together” Concert during the Levitt AMP Music Series in Mill Hill Park, last Thursday.

TRENTON, N.J. – Trenton native, Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, and the City’s inaugural Music Ambassador, Sarah Dash, along with an entourage of local musicians performed free music at the “Lifting Trenton Together” Concert during a Levitt AMP Music Series in Mill Hill Park, last Thursday.

The event was planned in response to the Arts Fest violence that occurred in the City nearly two months ago.

“Trenton has its challenges but as a city – one city—we are so much more than the violence that erupted at Art All Night on June 17th, so I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase some of the best that Trenton has in terms of pure talent,” says Dash.

The “Lifting Trenton Together” concert last week featured several hometown musicians headlining Dash and the Trenton Children’s Chorus.

Other local musicians included: Donald “Pup” Bolding, who is a composer or lyricist and expressive singer and guitarist. Singer-songwriter, Sarah Copley was also in the lineup. Also, there was singer, saxophonist, percussionist and flautist, Roy Richardson. And, Felton D. Rowe, Jr., who is a self-taught musician, was also among the entertainers for the evening.

The evening’s artists hoped to shine light on the positive talents in Trenton, and to bring media attention to the accomplishments of the local musicians.

“The chaotic tragedy that left one dead and 23 others injured caught the attention of media outlets from across the country, and I would encourage those same outlets to cover this positive, ‘Lifting Trenton Together’ concert as we raise our voices in songs of hope, healing and unity,” says Dash.