Chabad's Jewish Music & Art Festival announces 2011 lineup

The is getting ready for the second annual Jewish Music and Art Festival, and announces four bands planned to perform at the event scheduled for Sunday, July 10.

The full day of displays of art, live music and participation of multiple community organizations builds upon other successful outdoor concerts at Chabad at previous years, and also last summer's Music and Art Festival at Chabad, said Rabbi Yitzchok Moully, program director at Chabad. The outdoor festival again will be held at Chabad's campus at 3048 Valley Road, by the intersection with King George Road.

“This event will have lots of energy and will really bring the community together in an exciting way," said festival organizer, Rabbi Yitzchok Moully. This is the first such event in the region, and the Somerset Hills area is in for a treat!"

The organizers are expecting to attract a crowd of perhaps 1,000 people, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, to enjoy the cultural event, Moully said. “This will be a family program for the entire community,” he added. “We hope it will be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

Food also will be served, including hot dogs, burgers, falafel, corn beer and more, he said.

Once again, four great bands will be performing on the center's outdoor stage, according to the announcement from Chabad. The bands expected to appear during the day are:

TEVA:  A unique concept developed by its founding members, TEVA is an
eclectic blend of funk, fusion, rock, jazz, R&B, Latin, Middle Eastern, worldbeat and rap, with clever and soulful lyrics, colorful and imaginative instrumentalism and Teva's signature live jam-band feel.

Reality Addiction: A New Jersey-based Alt Rock band which has performed
with artists such as Natasha Bedingfield, Evan and Jaron, Max Bemis of Say Anything, Plain White T’s, and Ben Kenney of Incubus.

Soulfarm returns to the festival for a second year, with a potent sound
that screams originality, according to the announcement from Chabad. The band was described as weaving a wide range of influences, like a fine musical tapestry from authentic Jam, blues and rock, with threads of Middle Eastern melodies.

Moshe Hecht Band draws inspiration from folk, rock, reggae and Chassidic melodies. The lyrics are poetic, honest, and confident, complimented by a voice that is aged with a depth, wisdom and passion, according to information from Chabad.

The festival is fast becoming a premiere Jewish summer destination for families and communities in New Jersey, Moully said.

Tickets are $8 for children and $14 for adults, purchased either online, at the Chabad Jewish Center, or a branch.

For more information about the festival and to buy tickets go online, email info@JMAfest.com, or call 908-604-8844, ext. 229. 

Organizations and groups of 10 or more are encouraged to contact the office for special group and early registration discounts.