Before you peruse the Farmer’s Market this Sunday at Riverview Fisk Park in the Heights, why not get your free fitness on? Jenna Firshein is leading a Zumba® demo while the weather’s still perfect for outdoor workouts.
The class starts at 11:30 am and lasts approximately 45 minutes. FB info here. All ages and all fitness levels welcome. Let your friends know.
Visit Jenna’s website to inquire about hiring her for a Zumba® fitness party, private training, or a corporate event.
If you miss your fix and can’t make it to one of Jenna’s other classes, there is a new studio in the Heights with Zumba® classes twice a week, which I’ll be writing about in a few days. Stay tuned.
The Hudson Shakespeare Company performs the tragedy Titus Andronicus live at The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery (435 Newark Ave.) at 7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 18th, 19th, 20th). Watch a classic put to the stage in this theatrical benefit for the cemetery, which is a 100% volunteer-operated space, having no house-of-worship affiliation and no city or state funding.
This performance is sure to knock you out of the park! So bring your friends, your family, your sweaters and blankets (nights are chilly), and arrive early as seating is limited. You may think a cemetery is a creepy place to gather, especially at night, but Harsimus is really a neat spot. Read about my experience here.
If you are in for more of a scare, immediately following the performances there will be a “Ghosts & Legends” Tour, which involves underground vaults.
Food and wine available on site.
Donation of $10 per person for the show, extra for the ghost tour. Please donate more if you are able to afford it so we can keep the historic site up and running.
In the cemetery’s words: “Every month we need to raise between $2000 to $3000 just to operate and purchase equipment & supplies. If 300 people would donate only $10 each, we would be all set for the month!” Please help our amazing restoration work by contributing today at http://www.jerseycitycemetery.org
Riverview Community Garden is hosting a guided meditation this Sunday, October 20th at 12:30pm entitled “Seeding The Heart.” Laurie G, a yoga instructor, will guide the gathered group in a series of reflection meant to transform and heal by “delving into a deep state of presence and peace within the heart.” The theme for this session will be forgiveness. No experience necessary.
Precise location: Ogden Ave. between Griffith and Bowers St. Cost: Suggested donation of $10, 50% of which will be dedicated to the garden Bring: A towel or cushion to sit on After: Linger and mingle with the group over treats
Farms in the Heights and Riverview Jazz have organized an Oktoberfest fundraiser for both of their organizations this Saturday, October 12th at 3pm at the The Distillery Gallery & Artspace (7 Hutton St.)
Donate $20 (per person) at the door and enjoy beers (Erdinger Oktoberfest, Dominion Octoberfest All Day IPA, Warlock Imperial Pumpkin Stout, Southern Tier Pumking, a Heights brew with locally grown hops, and more), brats (kielbasa as well as pierogies from Stanley’s, JC veggie burgers, and Indian food), and bands (Gerald Lucas of GMJ Groove, DJ Pastiche and the Lintet, a swinging jazz quartet).
Two weeks ago, I heard about Jersey City’s FREE Fitness Boot Camp classes for its residents—just in the nick of time to attend the first class. I quickly laced up my sneakers and walked over to Pershing Field’s Community Center (201 Central Ave.) at 7pm.
There was a great turnout of people, and of all ages and demographics at that. I kept wondering, Why did I only hear about this an hour before?
[Note to JC: It is up to you to keep me informed if you want me to keep informing you of all the great things this city has to offer. NB: Take the publicity while the publicity’s still free.]
One of the “mayor’s men,” a tall man in a full suit with a skinny black tie, introduced the class. He had done the 6am class at Mary Mcleod Bethune Center (140 Martin Luther King Drive) and explained the program.
The instructor, Mario Perez, a trainer at Creative Fitness Concepts in downtown Jersey City, has a positive demeanor that is motivating. You won’t feel gym-timidated or singled out, which is great for shy group-workout gals like me.
Everyone was able to keep up pretty well that first class. I hadn’t done strength work in years, so I was surprised that I kept up, too. The main crux of our workout was maybe only 20-25 minutes of hard work. The rest of the hour was warm up, cool-down, explaining of exercises and breaks.
I felt great when I left. Fast forward to the next day: pain in my arms. Two days after the workout, my thighs were burning. So what seemed not too hard was definitely working. Yay!
Classes are one hour and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at both venues (mornings at Bethune; evenings at Pershing).
The Tuesday class at Pershing was just added (meets except for every 3rd Tuesday of the month), and I attended last night. Not feeling the pain yet, but I hope I do soon!
Last night I also found out about other free programs:
-Beginner weight and conditioning class -Advanced weight and conditioning class -Adult yoga -Water aerobics for adults and seniors (pool fee is $3) -Cricket -Scuba lessons (pool fee is $3) -Indoor tennis -Soccer
