The NNA's 3rd Annual Multi-cultural Festival will honor the lifetime achievements of local jazz musician and classical violin teacher Muhammad Bilal. Bilal began as the lone African-American student in a high school comprised primarily of Jewish students and he excelled, winning Class President against none other than movie producer Harvey Weinstein. Since those early days, Bilal settled into Jersey City where he runs his own Studio instructing youngsters in classical violin, many of whom are at-risk kids living in the most dangerous neighborhoods of Jersey City.

The NNA Scholarship Fund will be earmarked for 2 students, one a Newport resident and another one of Bilal's at-risk kids. If not for Bilal's efforts and funding from the NNA Scholarship, the student would be constantly exposed to the criminal elements of the meanest streets and could easily fall into a life of crime. The NNA asks that all who attend show their support for this very useful Scholarship Fund by bidding on the Silent Auction items and buying Raffle tickets. The Grand Prize is a rare silk-screen donated by local popular Brazilian artist Duda Penteado with other prizes that include a weekend stay at the beautiful and hopping Newport WESTIN; and dinner for 2 at the Hyatt Restaurant.

So take a stroll over to Newport Sunday and come enjoy the festivities.

Due to the inclement weather in the forecast for Saturday, the NNA's 3rd Annual Multi-Cultural Festival has been moved to THIS SUNDAY, October 4th, same time and place. Thus, it will commence at NOON and run until 6:30 pm on Town Square Place just outside the Newport/Pavonia PATH station. We look forward to seeing you all there!

The Newport Neighborhood Assn. Inc. ("NNA") is excited to be hosting our third annual multi-cultural Festival. The Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3rd in Town Square Place (the old Pavonia Avenue) across from the Pavonia Newport Path Station from 12:00 Noon to 6:30 pm.

The RAIN DATE is SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH same time and place!

The NNA invites you to come enjoy an extraordinary array of talent and performers at this year's Festival. First, we're thrilled to bring to the Newport stage a show-stopping performer, Broadway star and R&B recording artist N'Kenge, the protege of legendary Motown producer Berry Gordy; Newport resident and music producer David Musial's singer/songwriter Brady Cudmore brings his stylish pop sounds and will perform Musial's "Jersey City's A Melting Pot", the song the captures the spirit of the Festival.

Also appearing is Anejo, a popular local Latin band that will get everyone in the mood to dance and move their hips. ANEJO is fronted by Newport's own Willie Maldonado and there will be free salsa dance lessons before ANEJO's performance by the Salsa Fever on2 Dance Academy of J.C. Heights.

Re-appearing from last year's hit Festival are the electric Ayesha's Bollywood Funk NYC dance troupe. We're very excited to add a new dimension to the Festival in that Ayesha will lead a group Bollywood dance lesson before her troupe's performance in the mid-afternoon.

This year's Festival is a Charity Benefit to raise funds for the NNA Scholarship Fund, which will be earmarked for an eligible student. As such, this year's Opening Ceremony, which will honor the lifetime achievements of a special honoree, will also focus on this important NNA initiative by pointing attendees to the NNA Silent Auction table and Raffles. We hope you'll be generous in your support of this worthy effort by bidding on the vast array of items donated by Jersey City's finest merchants and artists and by purchasing Raffle tickets.

The NNA is also pleased to have so many cultures represented by the select restaurants that will be serving their wares at an inexpensive price at this year's Festival, as well as a number of local merchants who will have sponsored tables for your enjoyment.

There will also be fun for the kids. Come enjoy the Festival, bring the kids and help us raise funds for the NNA Scholarship Fund.

The RAIN DATE is SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH same time and place!