Hudson County Community College Launches the Inaugural Season of Its New Cultural Affairs Program

September 3, 2015

September 3, 2015, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Glen Gabert announced that the College will hold a series of special events for the community as part of the inaugural season of the newly established HCCC Cultural Affairs Program. The events will take place from September 8, 2015 through January 14, 2016. All are open to the community at no charge, and will be held on the College’s Journal Square (Jersey City) and North Hudson (Union City) campuses.

The HCCC Fall 2015 Cultural Affairs Calendar includes: exhibits at the Benjamin J. Dineen, III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery; the HCCC Lecture Series with nationally renowned speakers; a book club, exhibit, literary salon, and other happenings at the College’s Library; and a vibrant Performing Arts schedule highlighting local and national artists as well as HCCC students.

Dr. Gabert said that earlier this year, the College convened a Cultural Affairs Task Force composed of members of the community (educators, arts professionals, and business leaders), as well as HCCC Trustees, Foundation Board Directors, educators and scholars. The programming for the Cultural Affairs Series was developed based upon the Task Force’s recommendations, and is intended to support the College’s mission.

On Sunday afternoon, September 13, the College will hold the Grand Opening ceremonies for the Benjamin J. Dineen, III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery, which is situated on the top floor of the College’s Library Building at 71 Sip Avenue in Jersey City. The Gallery is named in honor of Mr. Dineen and Mr. Hull, life partners who enriched the lives of the people of Hudson County by dedicating their time, expertise and resources to several individuals and organizations. Over the years, they were also very generous contributors to the College’s Foundation and the Foundation Art Collection.

Beginning, September 15, the Gallery will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (The Gallery will be closed from Dec. 22, 2015 to Jan. 3, 2016.)

The Fall 2015 offerings at the Benjamin J. Dineen, III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery include the following exhibits:

  • Through the Collector’s Eye: The Dineen-Hull Collection, Sept. 15-26, showcasing selections from the 400-work collection donated by Mr. Dineen and Mr. Hull. Although the focus is on contemporary New Jersey artists, those of national and international renown are included.
  • Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963, Oct.14 - Nov. 22. Presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office, the exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The historical context, accomplishments, and limitations of these two pivotal events in American history are explored through photographs, documents, and other images.
  • Pope Pius XII: Consensus or Controversy?, Dec. 8, 2015 - Jan. 14, 2016. The exhibit invites the community to explore facets of the papacy of Pius XII through images, artifacts and news accounts.

The Hudson County Community College Library Series will take place at the HCCC Library, 71 Sip Avenue in Jersey City:

  • The HCCC Library Book Club: Fall Season. Each session is limited to 10 registered participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who wish to participate are asked to stop by the Library to register and secure a copy of the book.
    • Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok. Sept. 24, 12:30 p.m.
    • The Storyteller (El Hablador) by Mario Vargas Llosa, translated by Helen Lane; copies in English and Spanish. Oct. 28, 2:00 p.m.
    • Brooklyn Heights by Miral Al-Tahawy, translated by Samah Selim. Nov. 19, 4:00 p.m.
    • Clash of Civilizations over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous, translated by Ann Goldstein. Dec. 14, 11:00 a.m.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Literary Salon. Oct. 15, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Authors Nancy Méndez-Booth, Dr. Grisel Yolanda Acosta, and Vincent Toro share stories of developing Latino identity in America.
  • Exhibit: Estamos Aquí (We Are Here). Nov. 10, 2015 - Jan. 7, 2016. Forty serigraph prints express the Latino/Chicano artists’ personal experiences.

The Hudson County Community College Lecture Series will resume this fall with public offerings that feature luminaries from the journalism and entertainment sectors. The 6:00 p.m. lectures are open to the community, free of cost. However, tickets – which may be obtained by phoning (201) 360-4020 – are required for admission and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Maria Hinojosa, the Emmy-winning journalist, will speak on Oct. 21 at the HCCC North Hudson Campus. Ms. Hinojosa is a trailblazer in news and investigative journalism who has reported on critical issues and the changing cultural and political landscape in America for more than 25 years. She is now the anchor and executive producer of NPR’s Peabody-winning program, Latino USA.
  • Sean Astin, actor, producer and author, will appear on Oct. 29, at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center. Mr. Astin is best known for his film roles as Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, and the title character in Rudy. In his 2004, best-selling memoir, There and Back Again: An Actor’s Tale (co-authored with Joe Layden), he recounted his film career with emphasis on his Lord of the Rings experiences.
  • Wil Haygood, the Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist and author of The Butler: A Witness to History, will speak on Nov. 19 at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center. Mr. Haygood was also associate producer of the film version of The Butler. In his distinguished career as a journalist for The Boston Globe and The Washington Post, he covered some of the nation’s most historic events. Mr. Haygood’s newest book is Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America.

The Hudson County Community College Performing Arts Series will spotlight the talent of a variety of musicians, dancers, singers and performers. The series includes:

  • Dakaboom – Musical Comedy Duo, Sept. 8, 4:00 p.m. at the HCCC Library. Ben McClain and Paul Peglar entertain with postmodern vaudeville.
  • Tropicante – Latin Dance Music, Sept. 15, 11:00 a.m. at the HCCC North Hudson Campus. Musicians and singers perform cumbia, merengue, samba and salsa.
  • Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, Sept. 29, 11:00 a.m. at the HCCC North Hudson Campus. A performance by the premier U.S. flamenco and Spanish dance company, now celebrating its 32nd season.
  • Ajna Dance Troupe – Interactive Dance Workshop, Sept. 29, 4:00 p.m. at 25 Journal Square in Jersey City; and Nov. 17, 12:00 p.m. at the HCCC North Hudson Campus. Authentic, classical and contemporary Indian dance. A henna artist will be present.
  • Damien Escobar – Hip-Hop Violinist, Oct. 28, 5:00 p.m. at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center. The America’s Got Talent alum blends classical, jazz, pop and hip-hop in his playing.
  • Rachel Brown – Acoustic Performer, Nov. 9, 4:00 p.m. at the HCCC Library. The Harvard grad’s performances combine guitar, ukulele with her distinctly sultry voice.
  • VOX – St. Peter’s Prep’s A Cappella Ensemble, Dec. 8, 5:00 p.m. at the HCCC Library. The award-winning group has performed with Foreigner, Styx, and Eagles’ guitarist Don Felder, and appeared on national TV and radio.
  • Hudson County Community College Theatre Festival, Dec. 18, 6:00 p.m. at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center. Students of the College’s Theatre Arts program perform!

The College is also offering reduced-price tickets to several enjoyable day trips and cultural events including Yankees’ and Red Bulls’ games, Broadway shows, ballet performances, the Diana Ross concert at NJPAC, “Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” and more. Tickets for these events are available for HCCC students and for members of the community. For complete information, log onto https://www.hccc.edu/community/arts/index.html and click onto the link “HCCC Sponsored Day Trips and Cultural Events,” or call (201) 360-4195.

The complete HCCC Cultural Affairs Calendar may be viewed online at https://www.hccc.edu/community/arts/index.html.