The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is hosting a variety of programs and events to promote the arts this August. All exhibitions, shows and cultural events are free and open to both the public and the press.
NJ residents can travel around the county to join in on the experiences offered. The featured events include, but are not limited to:
Master Gardener Butterfly House Grand Opening: The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County will have community events at their “hoop house,” a hub where ‘Master Gardeners’ take care of and support butterflies as they grow to adulthood. Visitors can enter the “hoop house” to see and learn about the butterflies, spot their host plants and also catch butterflies to bring into the center. This is a recurring event, hosted every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 12 pm.
New Brunswick Heart Festival: The State Theatre New Jersey, working with the New Brunswick Cultural Center, NBPAC, and Above Art Studios, will present the New Brunswick Heart Festival. This lively festival will include outdoor activities, fun for people of any age. Visitors can watch dance performances, listen to live music, and children can join in on dance classes. There will also be an Arts Market, craft vendors, face paintings, henna art and caricatures. All are welcome on Saturday, August 10, from 2 pm to 6 pm at the State Theatre New Jersey, where you may also be lucky enough to win a giveaway.
Dunellen’s Music in the Park: The Dunellen Arts, Inclusion, and Culture Commission will have its 8th Annual Free Music in the Park concert series. There will be two musical performances at Washington Park in Dunellen: “This Old Engine” on Thursday, August 8, and “Retro Ravin’” on Thursday, August 22. The concerts begin at 7pm. Listeners can bring blankets, chairs, and snacks to enjoy as they bask in the music.
EARTH Center 2024 Garden Arts and Music Festival: The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County will have a Garden, Arts, and Music Festival on Saturday, August 24. From 11 am to 3 pm, visitors can come to Davidson Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick to experience events related to the arts. Check out the live art displays, listen to the local musical performances or enjoy a sweet treat at the ice cream truck. Children can participate in the interactive arts activities, too. The Arts Institute of Middlesex County will host its own mini event here, presenting a ‘Share Your Foodways’ kitchen demonstration.
Go online to middlesexcountyculture.com to learn more about the above events and to see the other arts-inspired activities provided.
About the Author
Maddy Grieco
Reporter
Maddy Grieco is a Reporter for ONNJ. She researches and writes the news stories that help bring the show together. In addition to writing, she also works to bolster the social media content for ONNJ, creating ideas to increase engagement on Instagram and TikTok.
She is a rising junior at Bucknell University, where she plans to graduate with a BA in English – Literary Studies. Following graduation, she seeks to enter the literary publishing world and further develop her analytical and editing skills.
