(NEWARK, NJ) -- Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) hosted Jazz in the Street this last Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 30 Demarest Street in Newark’s Clinton Hill neighborhood as part of their artsXchange series with New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

“It was absolutely fabulous,” said Donyea Hoffman of the Girard Place Block Association.

The evening included live music and dancing with featured Jazz artist and Clinton Hill’s own Stephen Fuller and his band, as well as a beautiful locally catered dinner for about 150 of their neighbors.

Hoffman continued, “Last night was something that Clinton Hill didn’t expect to happen. Everybody’s talking about it. My phone has been ringing all morning.”

She noted that events like this always take place downtown in Newark, but that being able to have such quality entertainment right in the heart of the Clinton Hill neighborhood next to the state’s largest urban farm, the Hawthorne Avenue Farm, “was amazing.”

James Young, Senior Coordinator for the South Ward Environmental Alliance was also in attendance. “It was historic. It brought out the better side of our community and we look forward to more events like this in the South Ward.”

South Ward councilman Patrick Council looked to enjoy the jazz event and even took to the stage to voice his support for more events like Jazz in the Streets. Additionally, members of Newark’s 5th Precinct, including Captain Wyhidi Wilson, exemplified true community policing as they showed their support and mingled with residents in attendance.

Clinton Hill Community Action is proud to continue providing residents with high quality events all year long. For more information about upcoming events, please visit click here.

Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) is a nonprofit, community development organization that engages residents and partners to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward. They believe this work must be led by residents, alongside partners who understand the centrality of the role of residents in naming challenges, identifying solutions that are most responsive to their hopes and aspirations, and collaboratively acting for sustained progress. CHCA facilitates this collaborative action and advocacy with a focus on quality, affordable housing, food security, economic empowerment, and environmental justice. Since their founding in 2019, they have worked to build trust in the community and engage residents to address long standing issues.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted 11 million visitors (including almost two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.