By Gregory Burrus | Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020
Last year, we were very happy that Andrew Byrd from The Sentonian of Seton Hall University came out and reported on our 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music Jamboree. He interviewed a number of folks and described the jamboree this way: “South Orange Village hosts 24-hour music jamboree. The 24 Hours of Live Music jamboree was held throughout the South Orange Village. For 24 hours, each location included live music spanning all genres of music. Performers were encouraged to perform other art forms, such as spoken word and dance routines.” And yes, from 12 Noon on Saturday to 12 Noon on Sunday, we had live music all Around South Orange, NJ.
All were told that they should connect with family and friends and enjoy the live music performances for a few minutes or a few hours. They were reminded that it’s really “24 Hours of Music” and as such, when headed out for lunch, the evening, or coming home from the club in the wee hours of the morning, they could enjoy live music somewhere in South Orange, NJ.
The 24 Hours of Music Fest has two concentrated locations for the live music. We then solicit local businesses to lend their storefronts for a live music performance. We can do as many or as few as the number of musicians available.
24 Hours Of Music Lineup
These Around South Orange locations provide a number of unique venues for the musicians to perform outdoors to the business locations customers and event attendees:
1. Jazz on Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo,
2. Sounds in Spiotta Park or
3. Some outdoor business location Around South Orange.
The scheduled artist and locations for 2019 were as follows:
The Around South Orange venue is really a multitude of locations outdoors in front of local business that are located all across the business districts of South Orange, NJ. Stores, restaurants, etc. are encourage to sign up and let us place bands in front of their locations. Suitable public spaces also become candidates during this event.
Last year, more restaurants and stores joined us in supporting our 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music Jamboree, and we truly had live music performances all Around South Orange.
Live Music Around South Orange
Elitist Coffee Shop. This wonderful newly opened South Orange gathering spot serves coffee, danish and more. With a warm inviting interior on this warm weather day, their outdoor patrons were treated to a few unique performances by:
Flamenco Dancer Jennifer Jasenky
Whether in Seville Spain or in South Orange, NJ, Jennifer Jasenky is one very energetic person. She is a freelance writer, Math Tutor, and apprentice/professional flamenco dancer (www.instagram.com/dance_with_jj). She is an amateur polymath, an outgoing homebody, and a perpetual idealist whose love of learning knows no bounds. We were very happy to have Jennifer grace us with her beautiful dancing. Check her out at https://watchmomtry.com/author/jennifer/.
Danielle Perrotta Duo - Ukulele Players
SIP in SOMA is a podcast in Maplewood and South Orange, NJ featuring interviews with local residents and is hosted by Danielle Perrotta. Besides being a Mom and community advocate, Danielle also plays the Ukulele and runs Ukulele jams. Hence, I was happy to have her come on out on a warm Sunday morning and play some tunes with her Ukulele partner to the delight of the early morning coffee patrons at Elitist Coffee shop. Check her out at https://sipinsoma.com/.
Inkosi Cafe Trumpet Man Bruno Lee
Live Jazz and R&B performance by Trumpet Man Bruno Lee and Guitarist Craig Mictchell.
Inkosi Cafe is a local dining spot off the beaten path on Irvington Ave in South Orange. Servicing the local Seton Hall College and Seton Village residents, Bruno and Craig served up some beautiful Hit Tunes during the early afternoon.
Cafe Word Bookstore Performers
This inspirational Christian Bookstore at the edge of the South Orange downtown shopping district welcomed residents and visitors coming into town with live music for a few hours during Saturday afternoon. Live Gospel and R&B performances by Cafe Word Bookstore participants, with a sound system provided by New Jersey DJ services and backed up Trumpet Man Bruno Lee and Guitarist Craig Mitchell.
The next day, all were invited to an early Sunday morning inspirational service provided by Reverend Sheila Campbell.
Forget The Whale at the Village Diner
Folks at this centrally located Village Diner in the heart of South Orange had a performance by a wildly successful local band, Forget The Whale, led by members Alishia Taiping (lead vocals, bass), Dan Pieraccini (bass, keys, vocals), and Peter Durning (guitar, harmonica). From blues to rock, alternative, R&B, country, funk and nu-metal, they all become ingredients, or, as it has been said, Forget the Whale is a “veritable witches’ brew” of musical genres. Fans new and old reported that they loved Forget the Whale’s performance.
Restaurant and Store Live Music Venues
Here are regular South Orange Saturday night live music locations with events:
The Fox and Falcon - hosting its very popular Karaoke Night.
Papillon 25 - entertaining its customers with returning favorite MPACK music band.
South Orange Performing Arts Center - had the wildly popular Ragtime, The Musical on its main stage.
Café Word Bookstore - early Sunday morning Inspiration session.
Shoutouts
Deadful Greats
“Deadful Greats in Spiotta Park in the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree.” That was the headline. 24 Hours was rescheduled. However, these cats wanted to play and perform — and they did, playing the best of the 70’s Grateful Dead and helping to keep the band’s legacy and music alive, well and vibrant. We thank them because their performance was great, and if they could have moved to September they would have. So, thanks for volunteering and putting on a really nice late night concert!
The Fox and Falcon
Thank you again and again to our official restroom hospitality location, The Fox and Falcon. You made folks feel very welcome.
Thank you Town Hall Deli and Grid Iron Waffle for agreeing to join us, but we ran out of musicians due to scheduling conflicts.
Other South Orange Visitor Musical Attractions
Folks were invited to visit our musical attractions as they wandered amongst the live music venues.
South Orange NJ Gateway Residence Murals
The Gateway Residence in South Orange completed a mural project for the wall along the NJ Transit rail line that faces a luxury development. Some of our local musicians were honored by being included in some of these commissioned murals. Attendees were encouraged when walking around South Orange to stop by and see this mural along with the others on this wall throughout the day.
The Musical Walkway
Pedestrian corridor between South Orange Avenue and Sloan Street Parking Lot.
The South Orange Village Center Alliance, the Village of South Orange, the South Orange Arts Advisory Council announced The Music Walk Mural Project and put out a call for proposals for the new music walk artwork. The first phase of the project was done the day of our event. It was finished and is beautiful.
In the News
Seton Hall University - The Sentonian
South Orange Village hosts 24-hour music jamboree.
Andrew Byrd can be reached at andrew.byrd@student.shu.edu.
“The 24 Hours of Live Music jamboree was held throughout the South Orange Village. For 24 hours, each location included live music spanning all genres of music. Performers were encouraged to perform other art forms, such as spoken word and dance routines. Gregory Burrus, a member of the South Orange Village Center Alliance and music coordinator for the jamboree, said that this event is about community.”
Read more here: http://www.thesetonian.com/2019/09/12/south-orange-village-hosts-24-hour-music-jamboree/
SOMA TV - Dustin’s Kaleidoscope
During the 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music, Dustin Dumas of Dustin's Kaleidoscope TV Show spoke with Chelsea Burrus, who is a fitness and yoga brand manager of the Tvrnvp Company. You can listen to this interview here at Dustin's Kaleidoscope.
Nov 13, 2019 - What's Happening in the 3rd Annual "24 Hours Of Music Jamboree" ... Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange Village. https://www.jerseyindie.com/blog/tag/Essex+County
S.O. Patch - Come Listen or Perform in the Annual 24 Hours of Music
“We have booked 24 Hours of Music all Around South Orange starting Noon Sept. 7. all day, all night and Sunday Sept. 8 too!!!. Like the last two years, it's going to be a great day of live music performances…”
Sponsor - CC Minton
Many of the events on the avenue were supported in part by Lifestyle Advocate CC Minton who is also President of Stevenson Moses Boxing For Life. CC coaching programs and her team empower individuals to focus on your desires, wants, and needs. The Lifestyle Empowerment Group is a team of passionate professionals who will engage and support you on your transformational journey from a diamond in the rough to a sparkling gem! http://ccminton.com.
Support South Orange Rescue Squad
This year, the nonstop music jamboree was to bring 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. All are invited to contribute to the South Orange Rescue Squad by making a donation at https://www.southorangerescuesquad.org.
And now, thank you. Thank you to all of you who performed in the 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music. Over 120 musicians performed in 31 events across 16 musical genres, performed to a couple hundred visitors that came to town, and had some fun with us. It was a blast and hope we can do it again next year. See you all around South Orange, NJ.
Thanks to South Orange Village Center Alliance and township of South Orange Village, the musicians and the supporters.
A big thank you to event day volunteers Jon McGriff, Teresa Ware, Donna Seidman, Chelsa Burrus and others who came out and helped make it happen.
About Gregory Burrus
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner, live music ambassador and community partner who curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local SOMA (South Orange, Maplewood) community, Northern NJ and New York Area. Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards and committees and is currently serving as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and is Vice President of Communications for Stevenson and Moses Boxing for Life nonprofit.
Year-round, Gregory Burrus also curates and produces: the Jazz973 live music jazz series at Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies, the Jazzy Nights Live Music performances at the Speakeasy Style Essex Room of The Fox and Falcon Restaurant in South Orange, NJ and produces Live Music entertainment for South Orange’s Inkosi Cafe. During the Summer months, Gregory manages and promotes the South Orange Downtown After Sundown summer long live music concerts, the annual South Orange 24 Hours of Music Festival, and the June thru October South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam.
Tags: Gregory Burrus Around Town, 24 Hours of Music, Persaud Entertainment LLC, South Orange Village Center , Alliance, Live Music Ambassador, South Orange Rescue Squad, CC Minton.Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo, jazz, blues , 3rd Annual 24 Hours of Music