Bread & Roses festival, featuring 40 films by women, and more things to do at the Shore
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The first female-centric film festival to grace the Jersey Shore is coming to Asbury Park on Friday and Saturday.
The Bread & Roses Film Festival will showcase 40 films by women from 10 different countries, featuring narrative and documentary films, as well as animation, experimental shorts and music videos.
To kick things off, an opening reception is taking place at the Parlor Gallery from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. No tickets are required and "everyone is welcome to join," according to a news release.
Films will then be screened from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at the ShowRoom Cinema in Asbury Park. Tickets are $30 for an all-access badge, which includes branded merchandise. The official after party will take place at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel’s Bar & Lounge, featuring an exclusive, discounted cocktail for BRFF attendees.
“I founded Bread & Roses in the summer of 2022, when it became even more glaringly obvious simply how much female voices still need protection, support and celebration,” said Marci Mazzarotto, founder and executive director of Bread & Roses. “The film industry remains a space dominated by white, cisgendered men, and BRFF’s mission is to elevate women’s voices from beyond the baseline and into the spotlight.”
One of the films being shown is the documentary "Lee Fields: Faithful Man," about the soul singer and long-time resident of Plainfield. Fields will appear at the post-screening Q&A, Mazzarotto said.
Also showing at Bread & Roses is the documentary "Riding the Rhythms," a surf and skate lifestyle film celebrating women, and "Order My Steps," about an incarcerated woman reaching out to her daughter after 20 years of silence.
The festival, run by an all-female team and curated by a panel of female judges, is supported by Georgian Court University, as well as Precipice Collective, the festival’s nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
Go: Bread & Roses Film Festival, opening reception from 6 to 9 Friday, Parlor Gallery, 717 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; films run noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, $30; breadrosesfilm.org.
Here are some more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore:
Surf Open in Long Branch
Catch some waves at Clean Ocean Action’s annual Surf Open on Saturday in Long Branch.
From dawn until dark at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, surfers and spectators will gather seaside. Pink Pineapple Surf will host a free surf clinic for beginners ages 5 and up from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fun, environmentally-focused kids activities take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Surf Open supports Clean Ocean Action’s work "to defend and protect the ocean through research, education and citizen action." Note that the date is subject to change depending upon the waves. Check COA's social media accounts for updates.
Go: Surf Open, dawn to dusk Saturday, Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch; 732-872-0111, cleanoceanaction.org.
Circuits for Babies fundraiser in Manasquan
Seven Monmouth County gyms are coming together to host a charity workout on Sunday in Manasquan.
Circuits for Babies benefits Michael’s Feat, a nonprofit dedicated to providing comfort and easing the burden for parents of seriously ill newborns in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine at The Atlantic Club, 1904 Atlantic Ave., there will be music and more by AJH Entertainment, and chances to win raffle baskets donated by local businesses. Admission is $20. Participating gyms are Alpha Fit Club, AMP'd Fitness, The Atlantic Club, CKO of Freehold, Eze Fit Transformation Center, SETS Hybrid Training, and Shore Kickboxing
Here's how it works: Each gym will create its own eight-minute workout circuit. There are two-minute breaks in between each circuit. At the end, there will be a 15-minute group yoga, stretch and recovery.
Participants should show up wearing the colors of their gym. For registration and more information, visit https://ezefitnj.com/circuits.
In a news release, Jemand Ezeonwuka, founder of Eze Fit Transformation Center, said this cause is personal.
"In 2014, my wife Kiko and I discovered Michael’s Feat after our son, Kai, was born seven weeks premature. Their support significantly eased the challenges of Kai’s treatment and care,” Ezeonwuka said. “Creating 'Circuits for Babies' allows my family and our fitness community to pay it forward and truly impact the lives of newborns and their families in our area."
Go: Circuits for Babies, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, The Atlantic Club, 1904 Atlantic Ave.; https://ezefitnj.com/circuits.
Asbury Park Zombie Walk on Saturday
World War Z comes to the Jersey Shore Saturday as creepy creatures and grisly ghouls take part in the Asbury Park Zombie Walk.
The 15th annual event returns to the boardwalk beginning at 11 a.m. with the zombie gathering. The official info booth and merchandise stand will open on the 4th Avenue Green Space. While many participants attend already dressed to kill, professional makeup artists will be available to work their spooky magic (for a fee).
At 4 p.m., the walk will begin lurching up the boardwalk, heading from Convention Hall down the boards toward the Casino, where it will turn onto Cookman Avenue and head into downtown.
As the all-inclusive event is meant to be safe, lighthearted fun, attendees are asked to leave all prop weapons at home. The walk takes place rain or shine.
Go: Asbury Park Zombie Walk, 4 p.m., starts at Convention Hall; asburyparkzombiewalk.com.
'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' in Manasquan
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" Saturday through Oct. 22.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" showcases the film's Academy Award-nominated score, plus new songs written for the stage.
In this tale of love and heroism, audiences will be transported to 15th-century Paris and inside the walls of the world's most famous cathedral with Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Claude Frollo.
Go: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Saturday through Oct. 22, Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, tickets start at $26; 732-528-9211, algonquinarts.org.
Plein Air exhibit on LBI
The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences Plein Air exhibit runs through Oct. 29.
Plein Air translated means "open air." It is an approach to painting that focuses on the observation of light and atmospheric outdoor effects from physically painting outside in real time, without the use of photography. Plein Air Plus is inspired by a specific location on Long Beach Island, captured by studies painted outdoors, and then completed in the artists’ personal studio.
The 45 artists selected for the "Island Life" exhibit were asked to paint the seashore environment of LBI. They had the freedom to choose the time of day, weather and varied locations to paint over a two-month period. For a list of artists, visit lbifoundation.org/exhibitions.
Go: "Island Life" exhibit, through Oct. 29, LBIF, 120 Long Beach Blvd., Loveladies; 609-494-1241, lbifoundation.org.
Sweet Potato Reading Series in Middletown
Dunbar Repertory Company presents the Sweet Potato Pie Reading Series featuring author Rhonda Williams and her novel, "Repurchased." This book-reading and Q&A session directed by Mark Antonio Henderson takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Middletown Arts Center.
A book-signing period follows, and copies of "Repurchased" will be available for purchase.
Admission is $9 at the door.
Go: Sweet Potato Pie Reading Series, featuring Rhonda Williams and "Repurchased," 4 p.m. Sunday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St. (next to the Middletown train station), $9; 732-706-4100, middletownarts.org.
Annual run in LBI
The 51st annual LBI Commemorative 18 Mile Run takes place from 10 a.m. to around 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Interested runners must register by 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Runners can chose to run or walk 12K (about 7.5 miles) or the full 18 miles. Cost is $60 for the 12K run/walk, and $80 for 18 miles. The 18-mile run begins at 10 a.m. in Holgate, heading north on Long Beach Boulevard; 12K runners start at 10:05 a.m. Final registration and race-packet pickup is from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 to 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The annual event supports St. Francis Church in Long Beach Township, as well as the church community center, and the local programs and services the church provides. Runners receive a free T-shirt, a commemorative medal and a to-go refreshment bag.
Go: LBI Commemorative 18 Mile Run, begins at 10 a.m. Sunday in Holgate, $60 or $80; runsignup.com/Race/NJ/LongBeachTownship/18milerun,
Oktoberfest at Laurita Winery
It's Harvest Weekend at Laurita Winery in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a special Oktoberfest celebration with food trucks, live music, vineyard wagon tours and more.
Tickets for either day are $13 advance, $15 at the door, free for those under 21. Other fun things to do any weekend this fall at the winery include apple canons, pumpkin picking and sunflower picking.
Go: Harvest Weekend, Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, $13 advance, $15 at the door; 609-752-0200, lauritawinery.com
Jason Baerg solo exhibit at Mason Gross Galleries in New Brunswick
Rutgers University is presenting a solo exhibition in the second iteration of the Mason Gross Galleries' annual series featuring contemporary Indigenous artists.
"Jason Baerg: Selected Works from Tawâskweyâw" is part of the department's Co-Cureate Shows of artwork by current Mason Gross student artists. Both shows run through Oct. 17 at Mason Gross Galleries in the Civic Square Building, next to the State Theatre New Jersey in downtown New Brunswick.
Baerg uses laser cutting as a personal means of breathing new life into paintings, a process he first experimented with while on residency at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He created the "Nomadic Bounce Series" there, being the first at RMIT to cut paintings.
ELLE magazine recognized him this year as one of the "5 Indigenous Fashion Designers You Need to Know."
A Red River Métis originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Baerg is a registered member of the Métis Nations of Ontario, and serves his community as an Indigenous activist, curator, educator and artist. This is a homecoming for Baerg, who earned his master's degree in visual arts at Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2016.
Go: Jason Baerg solo exhibition, Mason Gross Galleries, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick; 848-932-5399, masongross.rutgers.edu/events, masongross.rutgers.edu/calendar-event/selected-works-from-tawaskweyaw/2023-09-30/.
'Into the Spider-Verse'
A live orchestra, band and turntables will play the score and soundtrack during a showing of the Oscar-winning "Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse" at 7 p.m. Friday at NJPAC in Newark.
Released in 2018, the movie's distinct art and animation styles were critically acclaimed. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, who also co-wrote the story with Phil Lord, the movie went on to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Set in New York City, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" introduces Miles Morales, who after being bitten by a radioactive spider gains superpowers and teams up with Spider-People from different dimensions to face off against Kingpin.
The show comes to the State Theatre in New Brunswick at 8 p.m. Oct. 13, and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia at 8 p.m. Oct. 24. Go: "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," 7 p.m. Friday, NJPAC, Prudential Hall, One Center St., Newark ; 888-466-5722, NJPAC.org.
Gabriela L. Laracca contributed to this story.
Have an event coming up at the Jersey Shore? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bread & Roses festival shows 40 movies by women in Asbury Park
