Editing Union City, New Jersey (section)

==Media and culture==
Union City is located within the [[Media in New York City|New York media market]], with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery. Until its closing in 1991, the ''[[Hudson Dispatch]]'', a morning daily newspaper that once had a circulation of 39,132, was based in Union City for 117 years.<ref>Good, Philip. [https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/27/nyregion/recalling-the-glory-days-of-the-hudson-dispatch.html "Recalling the Glory Days of The Hudson Dispatch"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 27, 1991. Accessed August 11, 2013.</ref> It later relaunched as a free bilingual weekly.<ref>''Hudson Dispatch Weekly'', May 13, 2010</ref> Local, [[Hudson County|county]], and regional news is covered by the daily ''[[Jersey Journal]]''. ''The Union City Reporter'' was part of the ''[[Hudson Reporter]]'' group of local weeklies<ref>{{cite web|author=Riker, Melissa|url=https://thesunpapers.com/2018/06/08/newspaper-media-group-acquires-the-hudson-reporter-newspaper-chain-7/|title=Newspaper Media Group acquires the Hudson Reporter newspaper chain|publisher=The Sun Newspapers|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=June 8, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2023|archive-date=February 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218210040/https://thesunpapers.com/2018/06/08/newspaper-media-group-acquires-the-hudson-reporter-newspaper-chain-7/}}</ref> until that chain closed in January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Zeitlinger|first=Ron|date=January 20, 2023|title=Hudson Reporter newspaper chain closes down|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2023/01/hudson-reporter-newspaper-chain-closes-down.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121003543/https://www.nj.com/hudson/2023/01/hudson-reporter-newspaper-chain-closes-down.html|archive-date=January 21, 2023|access-date=January 20, 2023|language=en-US|via=[[NJ.com]]|newspaper=[[The Jersey Journal]]}}</ref> Other publications that cover local news include the ''[[River View Observer]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://riverviewobserver.net|newspaper=[[River View Observer]]|title=River View Observer: A lifestyle and entertainment publication serving A lifestyle and entertainment publication serving the Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, West New York, North Bergen, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Secaucus and Guttenberg Waterfront Communities|language=en-US|access-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> and ''[[El Especialito]]'', which is as of 2016, is headquartered in Union City.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lopez, Erica Y.|title=N.J. businessman, publisher of largest Spanish language weekly newspaper, master of reinvention|newspaper=[[New York Daily News|Daily News]]|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/n-publisher-spanish-weekly-paper-master-reinvention-article-1.2850581|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 30, 2016|accessdate=February 18, 2023|archive-date=February 18, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218210922/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/n-publisher-spanish-weekly-paper-master-reinvention-article-1.2850581|quote=Distributed free in four New York boroughs, six New Jersey counties and in Miami, the Union City, N.J.-based paper boasts a circulation of 320,000 and readership of 1.3 million, according to a Certified Audit of Circulations.}}</ref>

[[File:10.28.23-2312SummitAveByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|The building at 2312 Summit Avenue has served as a venue for performers including [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Tito Nieves]], and [[Bacilos]], and was a key filming location for the 1989 film ''[[Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989 film)|Bloodhounds of Broadway]]'', starring [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], who lived in an apartment in the building during filming.<ref name=NJ.com8.31.23/><ref name=JerseyDigs/>]]
Among the films set or shot in the city are ''[[Union City (film)|Union City]]'' (1980) (which was released in conjunction with the [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] song "[[Union City Blue]]"), ''[[Out of the Darkness (1985 film)|Out of the Darkness]]'' (1985),<ref name=UCFilms>{{cite web|author=Karabin, Gerard|publisher=Union City, NJ History|url=http://unioncitynjhistory.blogspot.com/2012/06/union-city-film-history.html|title=Union City Film History|via=[[Blogger (service)|Blogger]]|language=en-US|url-status=dead|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=February 18, 2023|archive-date=March 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308071503/http://unioncitynjhistory.blogspot.com/2012/06/union-city-film-history.html}}</ref> and ''[[Far from Heaven]]'' (2002).<ref name=UCFilms/> The low-budget film directed by former [[Guttenberg, New Jersey|Guttenberg]] mayor Peter Lavilla, ''Oak Hill'', features local institutions including Union City's Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation homeless shelter and a [[synagogue]] in [[North Bergen, New Jersey|North Bergen]].<ref>Tirella, Tricia. "Movie filmed at U.C. shelter", ''The Union City Reporter'', November 25, 2008. pp. 1 and 6.</ref>

The mixed-use, two-story building at 2312 Summit Avenue, at the corner of 24th street, which features two ballrooms, has hosted performers including [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Tito Nieves]], La Sonora, [[Bacilos]], Guayacan, and Nelson N.<ref name=NJ.com8.31.23>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/realestate-news/2023/08/nj-building-where-madonna-stayed-and-filmed-bloodhounds-of-broadway-is-for-sale.html|publisher=[[NJ.com]]|title=N.J. building where Madonna stayed and filmed 'Bloodhounds of Broadway' is for sale|author=Preis, Allison|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=August 31, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231027224531/https://www.nj.com/realestate-news/2023/08/nj-building-where-madonna-stayed-and-filmed-bloodhounds-of-broadway-is-for-sale.html}}</ref> The 1989 film ''[[Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989 film)|Bloodhounds of Broadway]]'', which starred [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Matt Dillon]], and [[Jennifer Grey]],<ref name=APNewsArchive/><ref name=UCFilms/><ref>{{cite web|author=Harmetz, Aljean|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/01/movies/a-director-s-race-with-aids-ends-before-his-movie-opens.html|title=A Director's Race With AIDS Ends Before His Movie Opens|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=November 1, 1989|access-date=October 27, 2023|archive-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130144840/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/01/movies/a-director-s-race-with-aids-ends-before-his-movie-opens.html|quote=But ''The Bloodhounds of Broadway'' is not entirely the movie that Mr. Brookner created on the streets of Union City, Newark and Jersey City beginning in December 1987.}}</ref> was also partially filmed at the building. Specifically, one of the two ballrooms in the building was used as a major setting for much of the film, which is set on New Year's Eve in 1928. During shooting at that location, the property was rented for six months, and Madonna lived in an apartment in the building. It was put up for sale in October 2023 for $2.5 million.<ref name=NJ.com8.31.23/><ref name=JerseyDigs>{{cite web|url=https://jerseydigs.com/madonna-bloodhounds-of-broadway-union-city/|title=Union City Building Where Madonna Filmed 'Bloodhounds of Broadway' Hits the Market|author=Fry, Chris|publisher=Jersey Digs|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231027223927/https://jerseydigs.com/madonna-bloodhounds-of-broadway-union-city/}}</ref> Not far away, Madonna also recorded her [[Madonna (album)|self-titled debut album]] at the former Quantum Sound Studios near Washington Park at 512 Paterson Plank Road, across the street from the Union City side of that road.<ref name=JerseyDigs/>

In the late 2000s, Union City, [[West New York, New Jersey|West New York]], [[Weehawken, New Jersey|Weehawken]] and [[North Bergen, New Jersey|North Bergen]] came to be dubbed collectively as "NoHu", a North Hudson haven for local performing and fine artists, many of whom are immigrants from [[Latin America]] and other countries, in part due to lower housing costs compared to those in nearby art havens such as [[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]], [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] and [[Manhattan]].<ref name=NoHu>Paul, Amry; and Matzner, Caren. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2008/05/06/scores-of-artists-find-a-place-in-n-hudson-wny-union-city-weehawken-and-north-bergen-becoming-nohu-2/ "Scores of artists find a place in N. Hudson WNY, Union City, Weehawken, and North Bergen becoming 'NoHu'"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', May 6, 2008. Accessed November 14, 2019. "Local artists are currently thriving in Union City and the neighboring immigrant towns on this side of the river - buoyed both by a need to preserve their native culture, and a realization that housing prices are slightly lower here than in nearby arts havens like Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan."</ref> The Union City area is a major training ground for actors in the county.<ref name=HudsonTheatre>Cullen, Deanna. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2011/02/27/new-performers-on-the-block-2/ "New performers on the block; Hudson Theatre Works holds inaugural show Monday"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', February 27, 2011. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref> In September 2008, Union City held its first annual month-long Art Month, which originated with the September 2006 "Celebrate Art" show at St. John's Episcopal Church. Art Month includes events such as the Union City Arts and Crafts Festival, held the second week of every September. Group shows are also arranged by organizations such as La Ola,<ref name=NoHu/><ref>[http://www.laola.org La Ola] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012064131/http://www.laola.org/ |date=2008-10-12 }}. Accessed November 20, 2010.</ref> a group formed to help unite local artists, and Federación Mercantil, which provides support to artists in the form of bank loan assistance and help avoiding foreclosure, and puts on an annual show of work by Spanish-American painters.<ref name=NoHu/> Another is the Union City Artists Collective, founded in 2007 by a group of artists and public officials that includes painter/sculptor Amado Mora,<ref name=HudsonDispatchWeekly>Mestanza, Jean-Pierre. [http://www.nj.com/secaucusjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1290065184128530.xml&coll=3 "Union City artist spreads word about city"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604073414/http://www.nj.com/secaucusjournal/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-2%2F1290065184128530.xml&coll=3 |date=2016-06-04 }}, ''Secaucus Weekly'', November 18, 2010. Accessed May 6, 2016.</ref> who was named Union City's first Art Curator,<ref name=OfficialSong>[https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2014/06/15/union-city-now-rocks-to-its-own-song/ "Union City now rocks to its own song"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', June 15, 2014. p. 3. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref> responsible for the Union City Art Gallery at City Hall.<ref name=HudsonDispatchWeekly/> Locations in which artists reside or have put on tours or shows include the Yardley Building, a former [[Yardley of London]] soap factory on Palisade Avenue that overlooks Hoboken, and the old R.H. Simon Silk Mill on 39th Street, which has been dubbed the "[[Union Hill, New Jersey|Union Hill]] Arts Building". The [[Park Performing Arts Center]] is also a popular arts venue in the city, as it houses Hudson Theatre Works, a theatre company founded in 2011.<ref name=HudsonTheatre/> It was also the first venue for the Park Players, an acting troupe founded in the early 1980s by local teacher Joseph Conklin,<ref>LaMarca, Stephen. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2011/07/21/providing-hudson-county-with-theater-2/ "Providing Hudson County with theater; Park Players to take on Agatha Christie in NB restaurant"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', July 24, 2011. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref> and formerly hosted the ''NoHu Visions'' show, and the annual two-day Multi-Arts Festival<ref name=NoHu/><ref name=SilverAnn>{{cite web|author=Rosero, Jessica|url=https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2005/05/31/silver-anniversary-of-the-multi-arts-union-city-celebrates-25th-annual-multi-arts-festival-at-the-parkpac-5/|title=Silver Anniversary of the Multi-Arts Union City celebrates 25th annual Multi-Arts Festival at the ParkPAC|newspaper=[[The Hudson Reporter]]|page=9|date=May 21, 2005|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624170439/https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2005/05/31/silver-anniversary-of-the-multi-arts-union-city-celebrates-25th-annual-multi-arts-festival-at-the-parkpac-5/}}</ref> until 2010, when the latter moved to Union City High School, which houses the Union City Performing Arts Center.<ref name=HudReporter10.25.09>Rappaport, Melissa. [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/4121011/article-Live---UC-inaugurates-performing-arts-center--?instance=search_results "Live! UC inaugurates performing arts center"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829035758/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/4121011/article-Live---UC-inaugurates-performing-arts-center--?instance=search_results |date=2017-08-29 }}, ''The Hudson Reporter'', October 25, 2009. Accessed July 6, 2017.</ref><ref name=UCPACSite>[http://www.unioncitypac.com/ Home page], Union City Performing Arts Center. Accessed June 18, 2014.</ref>

[[File:6.4.10MulitArtsFestivalByLuigiNovi.jpg|thumb|left|Artwork at the Union City Multi-Arts Festival]]
In 2009 poet/musician Graciela Barreto was named Union City's first [[poet laureate]].<ref name=HudReporter10.25.09/> By April 2010 she was succeeded by Ben Figueroa.<ref>Kaulessar, Ricardo. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2010/04/08/town-that-gives-poetic-license/ "Town that gives poetic license: Jersey City inspires writers, and a reading series"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', April 8, 2010. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref> During the late 2000s the city also named a City Historian and organized a Historical Committee.<ref name=OfficialSong/>

The 2010 independent [[gothic horror]] art film, ''Vampire in Union City'', was filmed entirely in Union City, and was directed by entertainer and Union City Commissioner Lucio Fernandez. Produced by MeLu Films, it premiered on September 3, 2010 at the Summit Theater, marking the city's first movie premiere,<ref>"UC to host first ever film premiere in the city" ''The Union City Reporter'' August 22, 2010. p. 5</ref><ref>[http://www.luciofernandez.com/melufilms.html "World Premiere of 'Vampire in Union City'"], MeLu Films. Accessed August 19, 2010</ref> and the 2010 Celebrate Art Month, which included art exhibits, jazz, dance and opera performances, a film festival, and the public release of Francisco Rivadeneira's book, ''Los Amos del Planeta, Tomo II''.<ref name=2010CelebrateArt9.5>"Celebrate Art" ''The Union City Reporter''. September 5, 2010. p. 2</ref><ref>Diaz, Lana Rose. [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/9480537/article-Celebrate-art---UC-honors-and-supports-local-artists-with-month-of-events "Celebrate art! UC honors and supports local artists with month of events"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816224928/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/9480537/article-Celebrate-art---UC-honors-and-supports-local-artists-with-month-of-events |date=2016-08-16 }}, ''The Hudson Reporter'', September 12, 2010. Accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>

On April 20, 2018, Union City's Performing Arts Center hosted the official premiere of ''Union City, U.S.A.'', a documentary on the city's history and culture. It was written, directed, and produced by Fernandez, who began research for the film in 2008 with city historian Gerard Karabin, conducting interviews with numerous past and current residents of the city. The film was edited by director of photography Mauro De Trizio, and narrated by Tom Colavito.<ref>Mosca, David. [https://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/2018/04/union_city_on_the_big_screen.html "Union City on the big screen"], ''[[The Jersey Journal]]'', April 20, 2018, updated December 1, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref><ref>Vereau, Gery. [https://voicesofny.org/2018/04/a-documentary-about-njs-most-populated-latino-city/ "A Documentary about NJ’s Most Populated Latino City"], [[Voices of NY]] / [[CUNY Graduate School of Journalism]], April 1, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref>

The Multi-Arts Festival is an exhibition of artwork, musical performances and workshops held every May since 1981. Students and alumni of the various schools of Union City display their artwork, put on musical performances, and put on free demonstrations of [[sculpture]], [[portrait]]ure and [[caricature]] for attendees. It was created by Agnes Dauerman, a Union Hill High School art teacher, who coordinated the program for 25 years before she retired in 2005.<ref name=SilverAnn/> The Union City Museum of Art, the Union City Police Museum, the Union City Art Gallery and Concert Hall and the Union City Museum of History are housed in the [[William V. Musto]] Cultural Center, formerly the 15th Street library.<ref name=HudsonIndependent/><ref name=THR2011/> The Musto Center hosts a number of events, including various concerts and theatrical performances.<ref>[http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/21667347/article-BRIEFS?instance=secondary_stories_left_column "Briefs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828190624/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/21667347/article-BRIEFS?instance=secondary_stories_left_column |date=2017-08-28 }}. ''The Hudson Reporter''. February 10, 2013.</ref> Specific events it has hosted include the Union City Artist Awards,<ref>[http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/18730467/article-BRIEFS "Briefs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828191309/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/18730467/article-BRIEFS |date=2017-08-28 }}. ''The Hudson Reporter''. May 27, 2012.</ref> the NoHu International Film Festival,<ref>Zietlinger, Ron. [http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/10/nohu_international_short_film.html "Union City International Film Festival"], ''[[The Jersey Journal]]'', October 4, 2012. Accessed July 6, 2017.</ref> and Artists Assemble!, a [[comics convention]] first held in February 2013.<ref>DeChiaro, Dean. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2013/02/10/superheroes-and-fanboys-unite-2/ "Superheroes and fanboys unite!; Local comic buff hosts city's mini-Comic Con"], ''The Hudson Reporter'', February 10, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref>

The first annual Union City International Film Festival began in December 2010, with the short film ''X'', which was written and directed by [[Josh Brolin]], as the opening film.<ref>[https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2010/12/02/uc-international-film-festival-to-be-held-this-weekend/ "UC International Film Festival to be held this weekend"], ''[[The Hudson Reporter]]'', December 2, 2010. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mestanza, Jean-Pierre|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/1291361109322270.xml&coll=3|title=Film festival opening; Film Festival in Union City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604073516/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/jjournal/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fentertainment-1%2F1291361109322270.xml&coll=3|archive-date=June 4, 2016|newspaper=[[The Jersey Journal]]|date=December 3, 2010|access-date=May 6, 2016|quote=The UCIFF will take place on today and tomorrow, with the opening short film being 'X' by Academy-Award nominated actor and first-time director Josh Brolin.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://neciotv.com/neciotvwp/?p=13809|title=Union City International Film Festival To Open With Josh Brolin's Acclaimed Short Film 'X'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714162056/http://neciotv.com/neciotvwp/?p=13809 |archive-date=July 14, 2011|publisher=NecioTV|date=November 18, 2010}}</ref> Later that month Union City unveiled the Union City Plaza of the Arts on [[Bergenline Avenue]] between 30th and 31st Streets, as a venue for artists to congregate and showcase their work. The location, which sees copious traffic to and from [[Midtown Manhattan]], was chosen in order to showcase the city in a positive light to commuters, and so that the plaza could represent fine arts alongside the adjacent [[Pietro Di Donato]] Plaza and [[Celia Cruz]] Plaza, which represent literature and music, respectively.<ref>Cullen, Deanna. [https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2010/12/05/local-artists-communal-grounds/ "Local artists' communal grounds; UC Plaza of the Arts to be unveiled Dec. 8"], ''[[The Hudson Reporter]]'', December 5, 2010. Accessed November 14, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Around Hudson County|newspaper=Hudson Dispatch Weekly|date=December 16, 2010|page=1}}</ref>

On June 11, 2014, the city's Board of Commissioners passed a resolution adopting "Union City" as the city's official song. The song was composed by Union City native Phil Gallo and Weehawken native Mike Boldt, and performed by the group Dez Manku, which features Boldt and Gallo. An accompanying music video was produced and edited by Mauro DeTrizio for Action Productions, and released on [[YouTube]] and [[iTunes]]. The guitar-driven rock song's lyrics make references to local streets such as [[Bergenline Avenue]] and [[Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel|Monastery Place]], and landmarks such as the Roosevelt Theater, the Hudson Burlesque, and the former high schools, Emerson and Union Hill.<ref name=OfficialSong/>