Newark Walks: The Alt Edition

Newark has it’s own walking trail app, did you know that? But if you flaneurs want to stray from the trail, this is the Alt edition. Flânerie is arguably the antithesis of today’s heavily mediated world of advertising algorithms and GPS routes. As a flaneur in Newark, I offer you some of the pleasures of my walking, but only as a starting point. Like Chet Baker said, let’s get lost.

At one corner of Independence Park, created by Olmstead himself in 1895, a family sets up my all time favorite ice cart. It is a lovely thing, a large, dramatic, ice- grinding wheel made of cast iron parts, painted jaunty colors. Get some shaved ice, flavored to your liking, from the grave, but friendly Peruvian lady all in pink. You will find the right corner, Van Buren and Walnut, by sound, as the wheel works the ice.

Just behind QXT’s there is a short residential block distinguished by resident’s fantastic approach to urban gardening, no object is too odd to have flowers thrive in it here!

Cut over to Halsey Street and maybe you will find, like I did, one of Newark Downtown District’s parklets. Have a coffee and take in the afternoon sun, then head over to Memories of Soul for tunes, and Dan’s Hats and Caps. The immersive combination of these two “old school” shops works every time. Then, properly styled in more ways than one, you can stroll to Market and Washington, and from there round from Washington to Central to Broad, and in order, take in arts experiences at: Gallery Aferro, Index Art Center, Newark Museum, Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, and Newark Print Shop and Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark.

Evonne M. Davis and Emma Wilcox are working artists and cofounders of a Newark alternative arts nonprofit. Begun in 2003, Gallery Aferro offers exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists, a wide range of public events, a year-round studio residency program, educational offerings, group tours, a publication line, a gift shop and public art initiatives.