Metuchen Junebug Artfest Kicks Off Second Night Of Festivities This Weekend

The second night of festivities 9th annual Metuchen Junebug ArtFest on Saturday evening, June 11th from 6:00 - 10:00 pm with a fantastic line-up of open air art exhibits, interactive events and live performances throughout the streets downtown Metuchen.

Now in its 9th year, the Junebug has moved to Saturday evenings. Event dates for 2016 are June 4, 11, 18 and 25. On Saturday June 18th, Main Street will be closed during Junebug to create additional room for live performances and visitors to peruse the exhibits.

Community members of all ages are invited to feast their eyes on creativity of all types at various locations: works of art in oil, acrylics, watercolors, photography, sculpture, glass, precious stones, textiles; rock and jazz music; dance performances and open mic sessions.

Saturday, June 11th - Interactive Events:

• 6-8 pm @ Senior Center Parking Lot - Montclair Art Museum (MAM) Art Truck - Come visit the roaming MAM art studio in a retrofitted ice-cream truck. Dan Fenelon takes you on an art adventure in his unmistakable graphic style, featuring an intro to mural and media arts.

• 6-8 pm @ Borough Hall - Metuchen Branch YMCA - Creative Adventures for the Whole Family - Bring your young artist to the Metuchen Y tables for some fun crafts with children's enrichment coordinator Ashley Krause.
• 6-8 pm @ 19 New Street - Lollipop Land's Kids' Choice Awards - Come to Lollipop Land to receive a list of questions about the window art displays prompting a search for details in the artwork to discover your favorite. With a completed questionnaire, be entered into a drawing for a candy basket.
• 7-8 pm @ Borough Hall - Zumba - Master Zumba teacher Andrea Orlando, a Junebug staple since 2009, leads participants through the exhilarating workout that combines music and movement and has inspired millions around the globe to get up, step up and get fit.
• 6-10 pm @ 401 Main Street, outside the Buddha's Loft storefront - Henna Tattoo Art
• 6-10 pm @ Borough Hall - Chalk Walk

Saturday, June 11th - Live Performances:

• 6-6:45 pm @ Main Stage - Metuchen Dance Center
• 6-6:45 pm @ Hailey's Harp & Pub - Broken By Chance (Acoustic Pop/Indie Rock)
• 6-10 pm @ The Old Franklin Schoolhouse
• Lowlight at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse.
  • Lowlight (Indie/Rock/Country)
  • Community Center (Rock)
  • Aaron Pollak w/Junior Pauls
• 6-9 pm @ The Senior Center - The Write Stuff - Writers Workshop Presentations
• 7-8 pm @ Main Stage - Metuchen High School Bands (Stage Band/Jazz/Percussion)
• 7-10 pm @ What's the Scoop - Metuchen Open Mic Night - Everyone's chance to be a star! The gear is supplied (two mics, a PA system, a music stand)-the only thing missing is you. Bring your talent and your friends, or come and cheer on others!
• 8:30-9:30 pm @ Main Stage - Little Boxes (Folk/Rock/Country)

Additional event details can be found on the Junebug web site (http://www.junebugartfest.com/) in the "Schedule" tab.

Junebug Art Gallery @ Metuchen Public Library A first for Junebug, the Metuchen Public Library hosts an exhibit of the works from one dozen local artists and crafters. Located in the Community Room on the second floor, exhibit features a beautiful collection of paintings, photographs and pottery.

• Find a Junebug photo op at the main entrance to the library (Middlesex Avenue), where visitors can take a selfie looking like a colorful winged creature.
• The Metuchen Public Library is located at 480 Middlesex Avenue, just past Borough Hall.

Junebug Window Galleries Hosted by downtown Metuchen businesses, the Junebug Window Galleries displays showcase the work of established artists throughout the month of June. Specific locations are noted in the program and on the digital ballot. Everyone is invited to get involved and vote for the artwork they like the most. *The "People's Choice Award" ballot can be accessed from any digital device, computer, tablet or mobile via the QR Code printed here. Voting closes at midnight, Friday, June 17. * "Best in Show" will be awarded by two museum curators at 8 pm on the Main Stage, Main and New Streets, Saturday, June 18.

"Come join us and check out all the new activities planned for our 9th festival, as we transform our community into a month-long celebration of the arts," stated Junebug Planning Committee chair, Jennifer Daro. "We hope that our move to Saturdays and the closing of Main Street on June 18th will bring even more visitors to downtown Metuchen for this one-of-a-kind event."

The "Brainy Borough" - Metuchen NJ - has been a mecca for artists of every discipline for more than a century. Sponsored by the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Metuchen Cultural Arts Commission, the Junebug ArtFest reflects the Borough's commitment to nurturing all forms of creativity. The Junebug is just one of the ways Metuchen is working to maintain its status as the "Gateway to the Arts" in Middlesex County.

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