Photographer Ricardo Barros To Speak on “Figuring Space”

“UNTITLED”: This photograph is from Ricardo Barros’s exhibit “Figuring Space.” He will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton on Monday April 3. The event is free and open to the public.

By Doug Wallack

In his most recent work, noted photographer Ricardo Barros tackles the inexpressible — the abstraction that is space itself. Barros will be giving a lecture on his portfolio “Figuring Space” on Monday, April 3 for the Princeton Photography Club at the D&R Greenway. more

The Library Book

The Library Book (Aperture, 2017)

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

If you love to get lost in a library, you’ll surely get lost in this book.

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This Week in Bergen: March 20-26

Photo Credit: @eatdrinkerie in Rutherford, NJ

Monday, March 20

 3:30 p.m.: Open Bounce at Bounce U in Paramus, NJ. www.bounceu.com/paramus-nj/

Tuesday, March 21

7 p.m.: NHL Hockey: NJ Devils vs. NY Rangers at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. www.prucenter.com
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The NYC Armory Show

Photo by Teddy Wolff

By Erica Cardenas

Every year there are hundred’s of different art fairs taking place around the world.

The NYC Armory Show is a space where gallery’s get the chance to showcase 20th and 21st contemporary art, sell to current art collectors and invite the art public into their space to share what they are about. With all the competition within the changing art market, art fairs are constantly thinking ahead. They create an environment that has the potential to thrill today’s audience. more

Spring Fashions at Dor L’Dor

Photo Credit: @dorldorsummit

Shop this season’s trends from every fashion girls’ go-to boutique.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert 

At Dor L’Dor, fashion girls in the greater Metropolitan area stay on trend and on budget. The hip boutique carries the hottest European labels at affordable prices in their seven brick-and-mortar locations in New York City and Northern New Jersey. As a result, their racks are filled with bold and unexpected items that feature the season’s latest styles. Recently, Vogue compiled an online article with the biggest runway trends for spring 2017, and Dor L’Dor has tons of them readily available in shop or online. Here, we selected some statement pieces from Dor L’Dor that reflect the latest and greatest in spring fashion. more

16th Annual Architectural Digest Design Show

Hästens Beds will be at the 16th annual Architectural Digest Design Show.

From March 16-19, over 40,000 design diehards are heading to Piers 92 & 94 in NYC

By Sarah Emily Gilbert 

Spring is in the air and so is design inspiration. From March 16-19, the 16th annual Architectural Digest Design Show will takeover Piers 92 & 94 in New York City. The four-day fair, which is produced by The Mart, a Vornado Property, and hosted by Architectural Digest, will include design displays from over 400 luxury brands, along with talks, seminars, demonstrations, and signings. From state-of-the-art kitchen appliances to artisan-made objets d’art, the show has something for all tastes and interests. The event is divided into various themes including Furniture, Made, and Refresh. Furnish is comprised of textiles, art, rugs, furnishings, and wall coverings; Made features original art, furniture, sculpture, and lighting that are available for purchase; and Refresh showcases new innovations in appliances and building products. more

Urban Insider: Greenhouse

Photo Credit: @shopterrain

Incorporate these trendy plants into your home decor for spring. 

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The Benefits of Lavender from Our Local Expert

Fresh lavender is just around the corner.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert 

You don’t have to travel far to inhale the intoxicating scent of Provence, France. Hidden Spring Lavender Farm and Gift Shop is Skillman’s South of France. For over six years, Steve and Marie Voorhees have grown and harvested two-acres of lavender to sell in their barn turned retail store. more

5 Game Changing Health Trends in The Workplace

The scoop on standing desks, active sitting, and more.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert more

Booked: The Grand Summit Hotel

Summit, New Jersey is a modern locale steeped in history. Known as one of the most prestigious towns in the country, Summit was first settled around 1710 as a region of small farms. With the 1837 addition of the Morris and Essex railroad line, the town became increasingly commercialized and by the late 1800s, it was considered the premiere weekend resort area for wealthy city-dwellers. more

The 2017 Armory Show

Photography by Erica Mae Cardenas

The Armory Show took place on March 2-5, 2017 on Piers 92 & 94 in Manhattan, New York welcoming over 65,000 visitors annually. The International Art Fair showcases galleries with a wide variety of 20th and 21st century artwork catering towards art collector’s and art enthusiasts.  more

Urban Insider: Earn Your Stripes

Photo Credit: @jcrew

Graphic stripes are given a fresh look for spring.

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57th New York Antiquarian Book Fair

Photo Credit: @nyantiquarianbookfair

From March 9 – 12, 2017 the Park Avenue Armory will be a mecca of rare and historical books

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Bibliophiles rejoice – as of March 9, 2017 the Park Avenue Armory in NYC will be converted into the distinguished New York Antiquarian Book Fair. This year’s event, presented by The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), will feature over 200 international exhibitors of rare books, maps, illuminated manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, and more. With items ranging from Albert Einstein’s toys to the First Edition copy of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the fair will interest everyone from a seasoned collector to a literary novice. Preview tickets are $50 and include a return visit. Daily tickets range from $10-$25, both of which can be purchased here. The Preview Night is Thursday, March 9, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Open Hours are Friday, March 10, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 11, noon – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 12, noon – 5 p.m. Discovery Day will be held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, where guests can bring up to five items of their own for free appraisals and expert advice. Below, are highlights from this year’s fair. more

The Art of Weddings

Painting by Andy Greenlee of Celebration Paintings

These artists swap a camera for brushes as live event painters.

 By Sarah Emily Gilbert

At a time when seemingly anything can be digitized or reproduced, live event painters offer a one-of-a-kind memento for your wedding day. In addition to providing a hand-painted picture of the occasion, these artists provide live entertainment. During the event, they work on location, adding details to the painting as the night goes on. Live painters can also do something the camera cannot: capture an evening the way the bride and groom desire. Just like any artist, each event painter has a unique aesthetic and process. Below, we compiled a list of individuals willing to bring their craft to weddings in our area and beyond. more

Urban Insider: Italian Inspired Classics

Step into Spring with These Fresh Picks from Franco Sarto

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The Vampire Facelift Comes to Jersey

Would you inject your face with blood?

By Sarah Emily Gilbert 

As its name suggests, the Vampire Facelift involves blood extraction, but don’t worry, it also includes blood infusions. Let us explain. more

On the Market: Harmony Hollow in Morris County

Peek inside this historic 1920s French country residence in Mendham, NJ

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Urban Insider: Good Libations

Photo Credit: @mouthfoods

Gifts with Spirit from Mouth.com

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Hooked on Nature: Hook & Sewn Art

 

Leaves are Green, Nuts are Brown, Liz Alpert Fay, $2, 150; Wool, pearl cotton thread, hand stitched

The Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s latest exhibit features fiber art

To pull on a loose string at Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s latest exhibition is to unravel a long history of hooked and sewn art textiles. The exhibit, on display now until May 7, features hand hooked and sewn art from four east coast textile artists: Liz Alpert Fay, Marilyn Bottjer, Tracy Jamar, and Alice Rudell. Although each artist uses their own techniques and media, they all share a deep appreciation for their craft. more

#Finditanywhere

@howard.christa

These photos of hearts in nature prove that love is everywhere

Even if you don’t have a valentine today, these Instagram photos are a reminder that Mother Nature loves you. For more stunning photos of hearts found in nature, follow the #heartsinnature.

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Making It Look Easy

Director Damien Chazelle and Emma Stone on the set of La La Land.

Damien Chazelle Talks About Golden Globe Winner “La La Land” 

Interview by Kam Williams 

Filmmaker Damien Chazelle met recently with film reviewer Kam Williams to talk about his latest movie, La La Land, which swept the Golden Globes, winning a record seven awards, and has received 14 Oscar nominations. A native of Princeton, New Jersey, Chazelle wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning Whiplash which landed five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Chazelle. The movie won a trio of Oscars in the Film Editing, Sound Mixing and Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons) categories. more

Congratulations to Our February Photo Contest Winners!

Urban Agenda reveals the second, third, and fourth runners up for our latest photo contest

Photographers around the tri-state area captured the Garden State for our February photo contest themed, “My New Jersey.” From stunning sunsets to unique yoga shots, the photo submissions offered diverse and impressive interpretations of our state. The judges were overwhelmed by the wealth of talented photographers who took the time to share their work with our magazine. To all those who submitted photos, thank you for supporting Urban Agenda, and more importantly, thank you for sharing your love of NJ! more

Time Honored and Revered: Private School Traditions

By Anne Levin

A cluster of young women in semi-formal dresses is standing in the back of a candlelit auditorium at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Teetering a bit on their high heels, they whisper quietly while awaiting their turn to take part in an annual tradition known as the Junior Ring Ceremony.

Dating back to the 1970s, this rite of passage involves a procession down an aisle lined with smiling alumnae of the Princeton girls’ school, some of whom are their mothers and older sisters. Once they reach the front of the auditorium known as Cor Unum (Latin for “one heart”), they are handed a lit candle and a school ring by a member of the senior class. more

The Spoken Word With Audible Founder & CEO Donald Katz

By Taylor Smith

Thanks to Audible’s Donald Katz, the general population now has more time than ever to consume and enjoy books by creating a digital library on their mobile devices. A membership allows users access to more than 325,000 downloadable audiobooks, audio editions of periodicals and other programs. New members are also given complimentary subscriptions to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, making the inevitable commute or time spent at the gym, not only easier, but that much more enlightening. Below, Mr. Katz discusses his pre-Audible career as a journalist, love for Newark, and the company’s growing a-list collection of inspiring celebrity performances. more

Amped for Camp

Photo courtesy of Cape Cod Sea Camps

Find rollercoasters, horses, and s’more fun at summer camp this year.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

In Allan Sherman’s famous song, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter from Camp Granada),” he parodies a boys’ classic reaction to summer camp: initial anxiousness and homesickness followed by excitement and enthusiasm.  To Sherman’s credit, summer camp can lead to some poison ivy, but it’s more likely to bring self-discovery, lifelong friendships, and even a first kiss. While away from their “Muddah and Fadduh” at summer camp, kids often undergo a transformative experience. They develop new personalities, challenge themselves mentally and physically, and beat the summer doldrums with a band of likeminded individuals. Luckily, Camp Granada doesn’t exist, but roller coaster camp, ice hockey camp, and film camp certainly do. Here, Urban Agenda Magazine outlines a myriad of places that promise an unforgettable summer—without the alligators, bears, or malaria. more

Harlem Postcard

By Donald H. Sanborn III

“Welcome to the world famous Apollo Theater. This is the real deal!” exclaims Steve Harvey, host of Showtime at the Apollo. “If you say you can sing, we’ll let you know. If you think you’re funny, we’ll let you know. If you’re not…?” “We’ll let you know!” chants the audience. “This is the only show in the world where the audience truly decides who has talent, and who doesn’t,” Harvey declares. “There are no judges, celebrity judges. It’s people. People decide. This is where stars are born. This is where legends are made!” more

Louise Ingalls Sturges: Chameleon

Like A Trampled Daisy, Mixed-Media, 2016

By Wendy Plump 

Art courtesy of Louise Ingalls Sturges

So, you can add agility to Louise Ingalls Sturges’s list of avowed qualities. On her website, a photograph features the artist precarious on an apartment roof in the city, flanked by window frames painted all the colors of the rainbow. Sturges painted those window frames, climbed up and slathered them with lush color because she wanted to, and because, after all, who wants to live in a monochromatic building? more

After Obama: Reading Black History Month

By Stuart Mitchner 

In the “Amazing Grace” chapter of The Black Presidency (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $27), Michael Eric Dyson calls the last week of June 2015 Barack Obama’s greatest as president. Setting the scene at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church where Obama delivered a eulogy for the nine people slain by Dylann Roof, Dyson describes how the president “wrapped his vulnerability around the church” after the last words of the speech and “on the high wire of live television, before an audience of millions around the world,” began to sing “Amazing Grace.” more