Durand-Hedden offers taste of history

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In an annual tradition spanning more than 35 years, visitors have gathered around Durand-Hedden’s 18th-century hearth and experienced how Maplewood residents of long ago cooked, ate and kept warm during the long winter months. On Sunday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., Durand-Hedden is pleased to welcome a new cook to […]

SOCO honors Smilow and Abramson, remembers MLK

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Residents of South Orange and Maplewood gathered at South Orange Middle School on Jan. 7 for the South Orange Civic Organization’s annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. and to give the Beloved Community Awards to two deserving residents. Featuring music, poetry and several speakers, the school’s theater was full despite […]

Local venues nominated for arts awards

BURLINGTON, NJ — The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts recently opened the polls for the 2018 JerseyArts.com People’s Choice Awards. Celebrating the extraordinary work of New Jersey’s vital, vibrant and diverse cultural community for 10 years, the contest invites arts lovers to lend their support for their favorite […]

Muhammad inspires at local NAACP chapter event

EAST ORANGE, NJ — In a presentation drawing on the rich history of social justice movements in the United States, Harvard University professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad spoke at an event hosted by the Oranges and Maplewood unit of the NAACP at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange on Jan. 7. A well-known speaker and […]

WOAC features two new exhibits

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Arts Council will host two new exhibitions — “Invasion,” featuring new collages by Lisa Suss, and “Mind’s Eye,” featuring paintings by Carol Black-Lemon — as part of its Welcome to the West Orange Arts Center 2018 programming. The opening reception will be Saturday, Jan. 13, from 1 to […]

Maplewood celebrates Black History Month

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In honor of Black History Month, the township of Maplewood has launched a coordinated initiative to highlight and promote related events and activities taking place throughout the community. Working in conjunction with local organizations such as Maplewood Memorial Library, the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, SOMA Film Festival, 1978 Maplewood Arts […]

Celebrating MLK Day with the CCR

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race presents its 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance & Fair on Monday, Jan. 15. This event is free and open to the public. At 2 p.m., the observance will be held in the Columbia High School Auditorium, 17 Parker Ave. in Maplewood. Hundreds […]

Poetry Out Loud finals to be held at WOHS on Jan. 10

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The spoken word will be highlighted at the 12th annual Poetry Out Loud finals on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Ave., beginning at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The Poetry Out Loud website describes the vision of the competition as “a contest that encourages the nation’s […]

Town celebrates Kwanzaa with WOAHO

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A mix of African music and American hits, and the aroma of traditional food filled the Washington Elementary School Gymnasium as vendors displayed colorful paintings, jewelry and apparel for the community, united to celebrate Kwanzaa. The West Orange African Heritage Organization hosted the 19th annual Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 29, the […]