A statewide festival meant to celebrate the talent, diversity and creativity kicks off in Atlantic City on Sunday with a week of offerings .
North2Shore will come to three towns, starting with the oceanside resort.
It is presented as an "over-the-top showcase of Jersey-wide excellence."
Most of the offerings are free, with hosting venues including the Noyes Arts Garage, Stockton University and Chicken Bone Beach.
Sometimes BreakingAC contributor Michelle Tomko will also be part of the entertainment.
Her "Yo Eleven — One Woman, Many Voices" show will be presented 1 p.m. next Sunday, June 11, at Resorts Casino.
Through various costume and voice changes, Tomko's one-woman show tells the story of 11 Atlantic City residents.
Tickets are $25, and can be purchased by clicking the link.
(Click photos for more on each event.)
Kicking off the events is "A Conversation with Henrietta W. Shelton" at The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
It will celebrate the release of the new book, "Chicken Bone Beach."
Shelton, who co-wrote the book about the section of beach with a rich history in the city's Black culture, will talk about the about the book.
The conversation will be facilitated by Lilly Nickens, an Aricana Studies major at Stockton University.
It includes an exhibit of photographs depicting live on Chicken Bone Beach.
The reception will be followed by a recital by musician Tony Day and students from the Chicken Bone Beach Youth Jazz Institute.
"Community Canvas" will allow the public to put their own lasting mark on the city.
The Living Mural Project at Hayday Coffee on New York Avenue will be created throughout the week beginning .
Local artists Heather Deegan Hires and Christian Correa will lead the creation throughout the week, with those who attend able to get involved as well.
Performances, talks and live-art demonstrations will come to the Noyes Arts Garage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"Sisters – An Art Exhibit w/ Spoken Word, Music Performances, & Candid Conversations about Women" showcases more than a dozen spoke word and musical artists from Atlantic City and the surrounding area.
Nationally known Nigerian-born visual artist Lawani Sunday and Demola the Violinist will also be there.
Live-art demonstrations include learning painting techniques from an international artist, lecturer and professor.
It is presented by Atlantic City TOURS.
The Garden State Esports and EA Sports Madden Compete Forever Tournament will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Stockton University's Atlantic City Campus.
The tournament will feature former NFL players competing against Madden experts and amateurs.
Sponsors are The New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Stockton University, PCS, SHI, Lenovo Computers, Continent: 9, Spectrum Gaming Furniture, The Chelsea Economic Development Council, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
The Murphy Writing Center of Stockton University is having an open call for its live storytelling competition.
In the vein of poetry slams, the even funs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Noyes Arts Garage.
DJ KJ Butta fuses hip-hop, soul, R&B, old school, rock, funk, soulful house and classics in this event at Union Hall Arts.
It will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Next Sunday, June 11, play a round of mini-golf at the North Beach Mini Golf on Euclid Avenue between noon and 3 p.m., while listening to jazz from Eric Alexander and Friends.
The interactive event covers all ages with tenor saxophonist giving a musical backdrop.
Self-taught artist Melvin Lee's newest exhibit revisits significant moments in African American history and culture.
This is his first solo exhibit and will run most of the festival at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University,
From Earth to Cup will be held at The Seed: A Living Beer Project.
This event combines live music and pottery making with samples of local craft beers.
The Seed: A Living Beer Project is a local brewery whose core mission is to use beer to engage the community and build connections not just to each other, but to the land and sea.
The free event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.
The Montclair Film Festival will present a free showing of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Playground Pier on Chicken Bone Beach.
Soup Can’s Candemonium features a lineup of musicians, spoken word poets and a variety of art creators from South Jersey.
Featured acts include the spoken word and hip-hop artist crew Chris Rockwell Collective and Atlantic City’s own Shawn Rock, whose music was recently recognized by the Tri-State Back History Committee.
Also performing are poets Paradise Crysty, Kenny Kp Walker and Bernard Collins, who will also be exhibiting his cityscape art at the Noyes Garage from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. June 11 at C.R.O.P.S., a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating growth and community through farmers markets, public gardens and educational programming in Atlantic City.
The week ends next Sunday with Pridechella at the Anchor Rock Club on New York Avenue.
A mix of drag queens and male entertainers offer what is being call Atlantic City’s biggest Pride festival.
