New Brunswick group begins planning Hub City music exhibit to pair with Heart Festival

Organizers of New Brunswick arts programs discussed reviving a long‑standing idea for a Hub City Music exhibit and agreed to hold a public brainstorming session on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. to develop the plan.

The meeting focused on whether the Hub City Music exhibit would run as a single‑day event during the New Brunswick Heart Festival or as a multiday exhibit. Mike Tublin, Department of Human and Community Services staff, and Tracy Aregio and Sarah Ferrera were listed as meeting participants for the Jan. 29 session; organizers said they will send an invitation with details.

The group emphasized documenting artifacts, memorabilia and oral histories from New Brunswick’s music scene. Participants cited local acts and venues — including the basement scene, Court Tavern and bands such as All Gods Children and Tiny Lights — as material for a possible timeline exhibit. A participant advised that anything produced be recorded and archived to avoid losing materials over time.

Organizers also discussed pairing the exhibit with the New Brunswick Heart Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9, with a likely timeframe of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Heart Festival team is considering expanding beyond Livingston Avenue toward George Street and adding a second smaller stage to allow simultaneous performances at opposite ends of the festival route.

Christy Lutz of Rutgers University’s Alexander Library was recommended by a participant as a key researcher to include; one attendee said Lutz has organized panels on local bands and holds relevant special collections. Organizers said they are considering a panel discussion or Q&A and a visual timeline of New Brunswick music for the exhibit.

The planning session on Jan. 29 was described as the next step for a long‑running idea; no formal funding, procurement or city approvals were announced at the meeting.