There are a bunch of cool spots to check out on the way from downtown Grove St. to White Eagle Hall.  The Latest Noise caught up with members of Big Wake, Sylvana Joyce & The Moment, Christina Alessi & The Toll Collectors, Smoke and Mirror Routine, Jaime Rose and James Calleo to hear about their favorite spots along the way.

Downtown Jersey City Map

Parking Around White Eagle Hall

Sylvana Joyce

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

I love Barcade - the 80's nostalgia of some great arcade games and an amazing beer selection put it high on my list as a go-to when I'm in town.

I once played a shoulder-to-shoulder-packed house at Porta last year for our Halloween afterparty - another place that's supportive of the scene and knows what's up. Their food is excellent!

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene?

I love its unpretentiousness. I feel like here, you have room to grow and explore your voice. People in the scene are really welcoming and helpful, and specifically for songwriters, there are a bunch of wonderful open mics (Finnegan's on Sundays, Maxwell's on Tuesday's) and Workshops (Spaghetti Sessions monthly in JC, Fox and Crow Parlour Sessions) that give you countless opportunities to really hone your craft in the presence of talented and passionate peers. I also see more and more collaborations between mediums, and I love collective that bring visual and performance art together, like The Box at Jersey City Theatre Center.

Gerry Rosenthal

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

Absolutely love the Taqueria. Best tacos I have ever had. Porta is awesome, great pizza and beer selection. I also really dig the Pet Shop, they have music some nights as well..

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene?

I love how encouraging and non-competitive people are. It's never about cutting someone down or showing them up, it's about putting the best work forward, making the best art you can, being inspired by the work of others, and pushing yourself in new directions. 

Jaime Rose

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

I love visiting my friend Karl at Barcade, while I set the high score in Bubble Bobble. Pet Shop is a cool spot on the way, and we will be playing there 12/12. I like a fancy drink at LITM from time to time.  I”m obsessed with Piersanti paintings in Two Boots and other visuals along the way.  I love walking down Newark Ave and hearing different music escape from various spots along the way. My sensory system is immediately triggered. There’s always something going on and I always feel inspired to do more every time I’m down there.  

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene?

I love that there is ALWAYS something going on in visual arts, music, theatre and dance at any given night, if not simultaneously. I love that all of the events are unique. I love that there is a genuine love and demand for the music and art. I think musically, there is a welcoming spirit that encourages a diversity of performers to engage in different events held in a wide spectrum of venues, from open mics, to the Harsimus Cemetery to White Eagle Hall. I like that we are all welcome. 

Christina Alessi

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

My favorite spots in downtown JC are LITM and the beautiful Harsimus Cemetery.

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene? 

Not sure if The Hutton applies since it’s in he heights but that venue is fantastic. The outdoor area is awesome. 

James Calleo

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

How about when you wake up with a Heavy Head ;), hit up Sam AM for a badass cure.

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene? 

Jersey City has swag. I haven't dove in to the Jersey City scene, but I frequently ride my bike around to explore the restaurants and drinks. I teach yoga at Departed Soles Brewery. I think that says something about the scene generally. 

Mike Kuzan

TLN:  What are you favorite places to check out on the walk to White Eagle?

So many cool spots along the way.  Departed Soles has got great beer, a cool tasting room to hang out in and is starting to host live music events.  I have a gig there on Thursday 12/21 7-9pm with Viktor and Julia Kirk.  TeaNJ is a great place to hang and do some work in the afternoon, I love their vegetarian and vegan options, they also host a poetry slam and support local artists by hanging their work on the walls. 

TLN:  What do you dig about the Jersey City music/art scene? 

I think it's more diverse than Hoboken but they feed off of each other.  What I like most is more and more places are open and desiring live original music and it seems the audience is ripe for more music in 2018!