PRIDE
June 1, 7:30p
Newark Avenue between 7th St and Waldo Ave, across from the Harsimus Cemetery | FREE
*Rain date 6/2

A site specific ensemble dance work that offers a slow motion movement prayer for those in the LGBTQ+ community who have loved and lost. 

Learn more about //bridge piece\\

groundcover
May 31 | 7p Doors, 7:30p Performance
$10-20 suggested or a nonperishable food donation for JC Food Not Bombs

groundcover is back for another night of poetry performance & live music at SMUSH. Reilly & Co., Brook Pridemore, and Heather Glynis will each perform their original work & then spend time with a poem or song written by someone else, showing us how it fits into their sonic lineage and (song)writing practice. Catch the show and grab a zine on May 31 at 7pm!

AAAfter Dark (AAA!)
May 23 | 6:30p Doors, 7p Performance
$10-20 suggested

Lex McClintic and SMUSH Gallery invite you to AAAfter Dark (AAA!), an evening showcase of Animations, Art, Anything! The night will feature both performances and presentations of work that involve short films, animations, comics, and other time-based media on a projector screen.

Spring Dance Series: Kenia Rosete Dance
May 16 | 7:30p Performance
May 17 | 7:30p Performance
Tickets here!

A tapestry of memories—some real, some imagined—unfolds before you, with time softening their edges and dimming their colors. This collection of vignettes explores the essence of "home," with the body serving as a vessel for language, code-switching, childhood, and migration that led to Kenia Rosete's vibrant Mexican-American identity.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: Kenia Rosete Dance
May 16 | 7:30p Performance
May 17 | 7:30p Performance
Tickets here!

A tapestry of memories—some real, some imagined—unfolds before you, with time softening their edges and dimming their colors. This collection of vignettes explores the essence of "home," with the body serving as a vessel for language, code-switching, childhood, and migration that led to Kenia Rosete's vibrant Mexican-American identity.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Arboreal Soul (For You)
May 9 | 8p
Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie St | Tickets

Installation and performance by Meagan Woods and Andrea McKenna that explores healing process in trees, and in people. 

Learn more about //bridge piece\\

Spring Dance Series: Kenia Rosete Dance Sitting With Dissonance Movement Workshop
May 7 | 7:30p
RSVP here!

Inspired by a need for movement to find stillness and a recent obsession on the different ways of sitting in a chair, Kenia Rosete invites you to play with a variety of methods to be still and to be in motion within your own routine. We will engage in some creative writing, movement scores (spoiler alert: may involve a chair) and group discussions to enrich our inquiries together.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Feminist Bird Club of Jersey City Presents METROSCAPES
April 25 | Doors 6:30p, Presentations 7p
Free!
Guests are encouraged to bring snacks to share!

The Feminist Bird Club of Jersey City and SMUSH Gallery are excited to invite you to 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬 - an evening of  presentation and performance based on Jersey City’s wild spaces featuring Gail Bradbury, Purbita Saha, Larissa Belcic, Micaela Camacho-Tenreiro, and Shirin MacCormack (MSCB neighborhood organization) in collaboration with Grigory Gurevich with art by Eileen Ferara, Carolyn Bednar, Kevin Pyle, and Amanda Kotch.

Join us as we consider how our environment sparks changes in the way we live:

• How does ever changing natural phenomena change us?

• Can one natural event alter the course of your life?

• What signals and indicators should we look out for in the face of future environmental changes?

• How can we respond to the cycles of nature in an urban world?

Spring Dance Series: Rosalia Saver presents “Echoes of Perception”
April 12 | 7p Performance
April 13 | 3p Performance
Tickets

Echoes of Perception is a series of tableaux depicting the power of perception through emotional behavior and movement. It navigates through a lens of consumption, cultural contexts, biases, and other environmental factors. This work explores how perception impacts how much one can interpret, comprehend, and empathize with the world around us.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: Rosalia Saver presents “Echoes of Perception”
April 12 | 7p Performance
April 13 | 3p Performance
Tickets

Echoes of Perception is a series of tableaux depicting the power of perception through emotional behavior and movement. It navigates through a lens of consumption, cultural contexts, biases, and other environmental factors. This work explores how perception impacts how much one can interpret, comprehend, and empathize with the world around us.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: Rosalia Saver Open/Participatory Rehearsal
April 9 | 7:30-8:45p
RSVP

This open rehearsal invites the public to engage with Rosalia's creative process by moving and exploring creative themes at play in this piece. After dancing/moving and watching excerpts of the work, participants can connect in a dialogue around their experiences and observations. Feedback and participatory movements of any form are welcomed!

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: jill sigman/thinkdance presents Spark Bird
April 4 | Installation 6:30-9:30p, Performance 7:30p
April 5 | Installation 2-5p, Performance 3p
Tickets

Spark Bird is a performance installation exploring our connections to the other-than-human through the lives of birds and the practice of birding. Music by Gustavo Aguilar.
*The installation is open for 3 hrs each day, with a performance from 7:30-8:30pm on 4/4 and 3-4pm on 4/5. Feel free to come and go any time during the 3 hours! You can plan your visit to catch the performance or to just enjoy the installation.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: jill sigman/thinkdance presents Spark Bird
April 4 | Installation 6:30-9:30p, Performance 7:30p
April 5 | Installation 2-5p, Performance 3p
Tickets

Spark Bird is a performance installation exploring our connections to the other-than-human through the lives of birds and the practice of birding. Music by Gustavo Aguilar.
*The installation is open for 3 hrs each day, with a performance from 7:30-8:30pm on 4/4 and 3-4pm on 4/5. Feel free to come and go any time during the 3 hours! You can plan your visit to catch the performance or to just enjoy the installation.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

GOMO’s 5th Annual Pre-Christmas Open Mic & Lounge
Dec 7 | Doors 6:45p, Show 7p
Tickets

GOMO is back for a 5th annual pre-Christmas extravaganza!! At 7pm we're rolling out a festive show with an open mic. Enjoy vocal stylings of GOMO the Ghost, performances by DoubleM2000 on guitar, and Laszlo Szep on piano, plus an appearance by special guest (and fan favorite) Bibi the Chihuahua!

Sign up early for the open mic by emailing hello@smushgallery.com, or sign up at the door!

GOMO’s 5th Annual Pre-Christmas Singalong & Lounge (kid-friendly!)
Dec 7 | Doors 3:45p, Show 4p
Tickets

GOMO is back for a 5th annual pre-Christmas extravaganza!! This kid-friendly show promises festive delights, featuring the vocal stylings of GOMO the Ghost, performances by DoubleM2000 on guitar, and Laszlo Szep on piano, plus an appearance by special guest (and fan favorite) Bibi the Chihuahua!

Fall Community Potluck
Oct. 29 | 6:30p
$10 suggested

Hey, can you make something for the potluck?! Join in on our Fall Community Potluck — bring your best hot dish, savory baked goods, and secret family recipes for an evening of camaraderie and good times. As always, dessert is on us. Costumes & spooky season dishes encouraged!

This season’s presenting Wilfredo Coriano (music), Murdock (music), and Dawn Giambalvo of Canco Park & the Native Plant Society!

Want to perform or present at a potluck? Email hello@smushgallery.com for more info!

Metroscapes, Presented by FBC.JC
Oct. 25 | Doors 6:30p, Presentations 7p
Free!
Guests are encouraged to bring snacks to share!

The Feminist Bird Club of Jersey City and SMUSH Gallery are excited to invite you to 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬 - an evening of presentation and performance based on Jersey City’s wild spaces featuring Talita do Nascimento Cabral, Shelly Ma & Anamika Pandey, Kevin C. Pyle and Jill Sigman, with art by Rowan Kuminski, Ally Shwed, and Nicolette Tsamos.
Join us as we consider:

• What novel ecologies form in the human-built environment?

• What should our priorities be for managing these evolving ecosystems?

• What are non-humans’ perceptions of human environments?

• How do we welcome non-humans into the human habitat?

Learn more about FBC.JC

Dance Night!
Sept 27 | 7:30p, No Early Entry
$10 at the door

Come enjoy local contemporary dance in an inviting atmosphere! Hang after for chit chat with the artists. Performances by Rebecca Gual, Cara Hagan, Katelyn Halpern, Amber Sloan, and Meagan Woods.

TEXT-FOR-POEM Closing Reception and Reading
Sept 13 | Doors 6p, Reading 6:30p
Free! Donations appreciated

Join us for the TEXT-FOR-POEM Closing Reception and Reading, part of JC Fridays! Celebrate the closing of this city-wide poetry project, hear readings from participating poets, and meet other poetry lovers.
Doors at 6pm, Reading begins promptly at 6:30pm.
Learn more about the project and see work from participating poets on IG @textforpoem

Summer *BRUNCH* Community Potluck
June 1 | 12p
$10 suggested

IT’S BRUNCH!! Hey, can you make something for the potluck?! Join in on our Summer Community Potluck — bring your best egg dish, savory baked goods, and secret family recipes for an afternoon of camaraderie and good times!

This season, we are joined by presenter Hudson Pride Center and performers Vanity LaVain, and Scud Missel. Coffee is on us!

Spring Dance Series: Dance-Theater Workshop with morgaine de leonardis & Regina Ippolito
May 25 | 2-5p
Free with RSVP

Join the artists for a dance-theater workshop with live opera! Thought of as a dance-theater laboratory, we will dive into performance and creation tools, immersive techniques, partnering with the set and props, character work, and moving with live opera. By the end of our three hour time together we will have a short piece to perform together at least once.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Community Potluck
April 11 | 6:30p
$10 suggested

Hey, can you make something for the potluck?! Join in on our Spring Community Potluck — bring your best hot dish, savory baked goods, and secret family recipes for an evening of camaraderie and good times!

Presentations this season by Raul Garcia, Alison H. LeBrun, and the Community Compost Co. As always, dessert is on us!

Spring Dance Series: Mamiko Usuda presents Echoes of the Subconscious
April 6 | Shows at 6p & 8p
Day Of Tickets Available at the Door | $15-35 sliding scale

Mamiko Usuda presents Echoes of the Subconscious, exploring how the inner self manifests in lucid dreams. Join us for this intimate performance of the artist’s new work.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: Friends Who Dance presents MOLD
March 30 | Shows at 7p (SOLD OUT) & 8:30p
Tickets for 8:30pm - Online Sales End 7p, Door Tickets Available as Seating Permits

Inspired by gummy worms, rotting fruit, and sculpture, MOLD explore ways we are poured out, shaped, and molded. Join Friends Who Dance for this intimate performance of their new work!

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Spring Dance Series: Open Rehearsal with Friends Who Dance
March 26 | 4-6p
Free with RSVP

Attend an open, feedback-focused rehearsal with Friends Who Dance! You’ll see an excerpt of MOLD and then share reflections, thoughts, and feelings.

This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Dreaming of Thunder Road
March 16 | Shows at 4p & 7p
Tickets

The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways, Like a vision, she dances across the porch as the radio plays Roy Orbison singing for the lonely.
Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen (1974) 

30 years later Bruce Springsteen’s rock n’ roll anthem “Thunder Road” awakens the dream of taking the road to places unknown. Does Mary accept the invitation to ride in the passenger seat out on Thunder Road or does she stay on the porch listening to the ecstatic heartbreak of Roy Orbison’s music? Vocalist, actress, and MC Rachel Murdy sets the stage, alongside her musical partners Matthew Milligan on guitar, Peter Szep on piano, and fellow performers Berit Johnson, Sarah Jordan Hupper, Joey Slater, and Kim Ima. “Dreaming of Thunder Road: songs of Bruce Springsteen and Roy Orbison” features both platinum popular and quiet deep cuts from Springsteen and Orbison’s work. It presents the songs as you’ve never seen or heard them before. Come to SMUSH gallery for an expressionistic cabaret of playful radio-dreams inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s Mary from “Thunder Road.”

GOMO’s Pre-Christmas Open Mic & Lounge
December 9 | Doors & Open Mic Sign Up 7:30p
Tickets

GOMO the Ghost returns for our 4th Annual Pre-Christmas Open Mic & Lounge! Enjoy a spirited floor show from GOMO and the extraordinary DoubleM2000 and Laszlo on seasonal themes. Open mic performances spice up the night! Music, poetry, story, dance, and more are welcome on the open mic - sign ups are at 7:30pm.
Dress in your holiday best!

Winter Community Potluck
December 7 | 6:30p
$10 suggested

Hey, can you make something for the potluck?! Join in on our cheer-filled Winter Community Potluck — bring your best hot dish, savory baked goods, and secret family recipes for an evening of camaraderie and good times!

This season we welcome dancers Jeff and J*La-Roc from Caribbean Soul Dancers, poet Pierce Logan, and community group Repair Cafe, delivering bite-sized presentations. Dessert is on us!