From dancing, to street chalk art, Hudson County has events where artists’ abilities can bloom! Learn about the latest in this news roundup.
Dancing In The Park To Be Held In Union City This Week!
The Washington Park Association of Hudson County (WPA) in collaboration with SMUSH Gallery is bringing Dancing in the Park to Hudson County!
Dancing In The Park will take place on Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. in Washington Park located in Union City. The event offers the public a free outdoor professional modern dance concert. The program is part of WPA’s Art in The Park series.
“It’s such a pleasure to bring together so many talented artists to share their vision with our community. Not only are all of these dancemakers wonderful creators, they are teachers, organizers and neighbors right here in town. Hudson County is truly fertile ground for dance, and this concert is a shining example,” said concert curator and SMUSH Gallery’s Founding Artistic Director Katelyn Halpern.
This year’s event will feature performances created by:
- Sarah Liebau
- morgaine de leonardis
- Kat Reese
- Rosalia Saver
- Amber Sloan
- Diana Uribe
- Mamiko Usuda
- Meagan Woods
The rain date for Dancing In The Park will be Thursday, July 16.
This Jersey City Event Is Looking For Vendors!
On Saturday, July 25, Magnum Opus Studios in partnership with SALT Foundations are hosting the Chalk The Block event in Jersey City. The street art summer kickoff event will take place at 86 Forrest Street and will have:
- Live chalk art
- Music & DJs
- Local vendors and makers
- Family-friendly activities
They are looking for vendors, artists, nonprofits or small businesses to showcase, sell and connect with the community. This is your opportunity to connect with hundreds of community members during one of Jersey City’s most vibrant summer events.
Click here to apply as a vendor before spaces fill up.
The free event is more than a festival, it’s a celebration of creativity, local culture and the people who make Jersey City special. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This Nonprofit’s Annual Backpack Drive Is Returning And Your Donations Are Needed!
We’re still in the thick of summer, but Hudson County CASA is helping students gear up for the new school year!
CASA has helped Hudson County students for the past 16 years by providing backpacks filled with new school supplies to every foster child they serve, and other children living in the same home.
This tradition helps children begin their school year feeling confident, prepared and ready to take on the classroom. CASA needs your support to help them keep this tradition going strong!
You can make a difference by donating a new backpack or school supplies through CASA’s Amazon Gift List. Click here to make a donation!
The gift list is available now through Aug. 10.
Union City Athletes Chosen For U.S. National Team
Wilmer Muñoz & Danniel “Nano” Ortiz have been selected for the U.S. National Team.
They’ll be participating in 2026 the International Soccer Cup, which will be happening in Lima, Peru.
“We are beyond proud of you and rooting for the both of you from here Good Luck on this new adventure boys!” said the Union City Soccer Club in an Instagram post.
Gotham FC Moving Out Of Hudson County
Gotham FC, New Jersey and New York’s professional women’s soccer team, announced that in 2028, they will be moving to play home games at Etihad Park in Queens, New York.
“I think this move is indicative of so much of the progress the NWSL has made, not only from the perspective of playing in the right places in a particular market, but also best-in-class infrastructure,” NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) commissioner Jessica Berman told ESPN.
“We know that in order to grow our fan base, we want to be able to provide them with the amenities and the fan experience that Americans have come to expect when they are supporting their local teams.”
Etihad Park is scheduled to open in the spring of 2027, and it’ll be a stadium with 25,000 seats. Gotham FC will be sharing the homefield with MLS New York City FC.
Gotham has been playing at Sports Illustrated—formerly called Red Bull Arena—in Harrison since 2021.
Cuban Cafe In North Bergen Suffers Fire
On Friday, July 10, a fire broke out around 10 p.m. at the Cortaditos located at 7700 Bergenline Avenue in North Bergen.
The owner, Adam San Miguel, posted a video on TikTok saying that the store “is almost completely destroyed” after a fire broke out less than 30 minutes after the last employee clocked out. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Cortaditos has been a staple cafe in the community with locations in Union City, Harrison and American Dream. The shop serves Cuban coffee and food items like Papa Rellena—a Cuban staple, a potato ball stuffed with ground beef—sandwiches and more.
In the TikTok video, San Miguel says thankfully no one was injured as the shop was closed at the time of the fire and residents living in the building were able to escape unharmed.
He thanks the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue and North Bergen Police for their quick response to the fire. He also took a moment to thank the community for their outpouring love and support.
“To the community that is sad with us, that is hurting with us, listen ‘al mal tiempo, buena cara’ (in bad times, good face) we’re gonna come back stronger. This place is going to be more beautiful and we’re going to continue to create memories and continue to create a space for our community to share and have great coffee and have great community here,” he said in the video.
Former Hudson County Parks Director Faces 20 Years Behind Bars
Russell Fallacara, the former Hudson County Parks Director, has pleaded guilty for his alleged involvement in bribery and kickback scheme that involved county contracts.
Fallacara, 59, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. According to federal prosecutors, the conspiracy ran between 2019 and 2024. The conspiracy involved more than $1.5 million in bribes and kickbacks paid by business owner William A. Murray to secure various Hudson County Parks Department contracts for his company, which included landscaping, paving and general contracting projects.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the bribes and kickbacks often came in the form of cash payments to Hudson County officials where Fallacara reportedly earned more than $400,000. Former Parks Department Director Thomas DeLeo also pleaded guilty earlier this year to “two-count information” charging him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Other times the bribe included free home repairs and renovations for DeLeo and Fallacara.
“Let me be clear, corruption is not tolerated on my watch, and I applaud federal law enforcement’s efforts to hold these former officials accountable,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy stated.
“We work for the people, and I will continue to serve Hudson County with honesty and integrity.”
Fallacara is facing up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
