Hub City Sounds Festival Kicks Off Saturday

The fourth annual Hub City Sounds kicks off Saturday and continues through Sept. 26.

The free, family-friendly performing and visual arts program in downtown New Brunswick is sponsored by the New Brunswick Cultural Center, Arts New Brunswick, and Johnson & Johnson.

Festival attendees may bring bring blankets or chairs for the park events, and refreshments will be available for purchase.

The program includes collaborations with the City of New Brunswick, State Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, American Repertory Ballet, New Brunswick City Market, coLAB Arts, New Brunswick Civic League, and Lazos Unida.

Admission is free for all events. Free parking is available for the Boyd Park events, a block away at the Rutgers Public Safety Building on Commercial Avenue.

Here’s the schedule:

Saturday, August 8, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.


Festival Kick Off 
At Boyd Park, Route 18 North


Featuring New Brunswick’s District Jazz Band (high school and middle school musicians), a violinist, spoken word poetry, and African drumming and dance.

Saturday, August 15, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kids Rock At State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave.


Featuring Big Jeff & the StarFish band; a Rock band for kids ages 1 to 6.

Sunday, August 16, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Motion: Next Generation of Dance At George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave.


Featuring local dance student performances including B.A.M School of Performing Arts and NJ Ballet Arts Center, curated by coLAB Arts.

Saturday, August 22, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Guelaguetza At Boyd Park, Route 18 North
Featuring the beautiful music, cultural dances, and traditions from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Saturday, August 29, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Motion: Best of CNJ Dance At George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave.


Featuring some of the region’s best professional dance artists, curated by coLAB Arts.

Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

theVOM Grand Story Slam At Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Ave.


Featuring the winning story tellers from coLAB Arts’ theVOM series of Story Slams in downtown New Brunswick.

Saturday, September 12, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

I Love New Brunswick Boyd Park, Route 18 North


Punk music and entertainment, featuring Don Giovanni Records and local Rutgers and High School Student Rock Bands from New Brunswick, curated by coLAB Arts.

Saturday, September 19, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

3rd Annual Central Jersey Jazz Festival On Livingston Avenue

Saturday, September 19, 10am to 2 p.m.

Be Unstoppable: Celebrating Healthy Kids in the Arts At George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Ave.


An interactive day of theatre, dance, nutritious and delicious food, and engaging activities for the whole family. Performances by George Street Playhouse and American Repertory Ballet. This event is sponsored by Hub City Sounds and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

Sunday, September 20, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m

Corazon Latino Festival: Kick off to Latino Heritage Month
 At Alice Jennings Archibald Park, Van Dyke Avenue


Enjoy the rich Latino and Caribbean culture of New Brunswick, traditional dances, music, and much more.

Saturday, September 26, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Crossroads Theatre Company Crossroads Theatre, 7 Livingston Ave.


Featuring a performance by the Tony-Award winning Crossroads Theatre Company, highlighting pieces of their Gospel Choir concert from their upcoming show Holiday Jubilee.

For more information on the Hub City Sounds events call 732-729-0320, ext. 201 or visit www.NewBrunswickArts.org.

Patch file photo: performers at the 2012 festival