Pushin’ Up The Daisies Festival’s Mix of Musical Stylings Raises Money for Historic Cemetery
By Jim Testa • May 14th, 2012 •
The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery came alive for Pushin’ Up The Daisies, an all-day benefit on Saturday, May 12 that transformed the solemn memorial park into a joyous festival with music, food, and dancing, as a multi-generational crowd of hundreds enjoyed a picture perfect Spring day. Eileen Markenstein, who has led the volunteer crusade to restore and preserve the grounds, said it best: “This is the way this place should feel,” she proclaimed to the multi-generational crowd. “Cemeteries are for living!”
Organizer Dancing Tony Susco announced that the benefit had raised $3,500, which will go to much-needed repairs as well as routine maintenance of the centuries old cemetery, which receives no private or government funding and is entirely dependent on contributions.
The day started under bright sun and good spirits in the early afternoon, featuring ten local bands who volunteered their time to perform for the crowd. As children scampered around the grounds and older patrons explored the historic monuments – some of which date back to soldiers of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars — the crowd enjoyed a mixed bag of folk, country, soul, Latin, and rock n’ roll.
New York City’s Scott Wolfson & the Other Heroes kicked off the day with folk-influenced pop. Jersey City’s Ace Case, usually the king of sarcastic country swing with his own group, displayed a more earnest side with his new project the Gully Hubbards, with James Dower and Amy Elise. Another Jersey City-based group, Leaf Pile, delivered a set of pretty indie-pop, highlighted by violin and lovely male/female vocals. Brooklyn’s Bob Parins and his trio entertained the crowd with sophisticated set of tunes that combined the best of 60’s pop and Great American Songbook classics.
The Awkward Girls revved up the energy level with their old-school punk rock attack, recalling the era of Black Flag and the Descendents with a no-nonsense delivery heavy on attitude and tattoos. Jersey City mainstay MrBlackman Junestar mixed hip hop and soul in a project called Winner Takes All Collective, while local folksinger Deivis “Deivito” Garcia and friends brought a funky Latin flavor with their group, the United States of Bugaloo. The Nico Blues and Cicada Radio followed with strong sets of original indie rock.
After the sun had set, Jersey City punk rockers Wyldlife finished the night with a fiery set of rock tunes that culminated with a tribute to the recently deceased Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, as the entire crowd rocked out and sang along to “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party).”
During the day, the crowd enjoyed barbecue from Lucky 7’s Tavern and baked goods from Made With Love; between live sets, DJ’s William McCamie and ScottFREE entertained the crowd with mixes of classic new wave and punk. Brennan’s Flower Shop donated dozens of potted mums, which were sold as Mother’s Day gifts to also benefit the cemetery.
Anyone interested in volunteering or contributing to the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery can contact Eileen Markenstein at
www.jerseycitycemetery.org.