Second Season Starts in Asbury Park… The Summer Will Not End This Year!

As the official school season starts the Jersey Shore is Open and going to remain open all year long.  We will not close this year!  Yes some of the boardwalks will taper down in October and November, but the music, Arts and Theater programs all along the northern part of the Jersey Shore , specifically Monmouth County starting on the Garden State Parkway at exit 120 to the end of Northern Ocean County Exit 78,  continue to thrive and give visitors something to do year round.  So this blog is from Tom Gilmour, Director of economic development and good times for the City Of Asbury Park.  There is so much going on it is difficult to choose what you are going to do.

What’s is there to do this weekend in Asbury Park Tom?

Well Bob, it starts today.  Verizon/FiOS1, the local and community news station available to FiOS TV customers in northern and central New Jersey, will air its ‘FiOS1 News Now’ news program live today, Aug. 22 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the boardwalk next to Convention Hall. The live broadcast will culminate a day’s worth of activities that are part of FiOS1′s’Make Safety #1′ campaign, a unique initiative in which the station has partnered with local community organizations to provide information and raise awareness about safety, such as weather and emergency preparedness, and family and cyber safety. The campaign’s activities kick off at 1 p.m. and include appearances by FiOS1 anchors, safety presentations and giveaways from campaign partners the American Red Cross – North Jersey Region and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., visitors will be able to tape a message for FiOS1′s award-winning show, Push Pause, and will be able to get photographs taken with members of the FiOS1 news team from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, FiOS1 will be distributing free emergency kits and water.

The Asbury Park Concert Band follows the FiOS broadcast right outside McLoone’s Asbury Grille with a “More Broadway” show at 7 pm.  Upstairs in McLoone’s Supper Club, Tim will be hosting his radio show with featured guest Garret Bess, an award-winning film producer who has just launched a new series “Belly Up!” on The Cooking Channel.  VIBE In the Streets is using their final rain date starting at 5 pm in the downtown.  Thomas Wesley Stern will provide some great music.   Deep Blues Blue Night at Kula Café kicks off at 6 pm and features Al Holmes and The Tribe.   The Jake Clemons show at the Wonder Bar is SOLD OUT!  So that’s a small taste of Thursday.

Start your Friday at Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar at 5:30 pm.  Rubin Martinez has an art opening at  Hotel Tides  The Robert Page Trio is at Moonstruck.  The AP Comedy Fest hosts a kick-off party at the Wonder Bar.  The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley and Darlene Love are at the Paramount Theatre for a Big Brother Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties benefit starting at 7 pm.  The Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation presenst ”Local Live” featuring Lo Kloza, Mike Montrey Band and Dave Tucker and The Talkers hosted by John Pfeiffer at Langosta Lounge at 10 pm.  Appropriately, The Last Waltz will be screened at The ShowRoom Cinema at 10 pm.
Saturday always starts off with the Main Street Farmers Market.  Tons of wonderful Jersey Fresh produce.  The NJ “Stronger Than the Storm” Kites & Castles event featuring free kite making and a sandcastle building workshop comes to the 3rd Avenue beach from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.  There is a Youth GLBTI Picnic in Sunset Park and a NJ Pop Warner Cheerleading event in Atlantic Park. The donated 7th Avenue beach playground will be dedicated in memory of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook school  tragedy at 6 pm.  POW WOW! a group exhibition will host an art opening at Parlor Gallery.  The Asbury Park Comedy Fest presented by Nick Clemons will take place in the Paramount Theatre at 7 pm.  Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute) will be on the Stone Pony stage at 7 pm.  Frank Bang & Secret Stash & Chris McKeon will be at the Berkeley Bar at 10 pm.  Appropriately, The Last Waltz will be screened at The ShowRoom Cinema at 10 pm.

Get up early on Sunday and catch the Tri Rocks Triathlon at the AP beachfront.  Marc Miller will be performing at Langosta Lounge at 1 pm.  “Meet Your Neighbors” free BBQ will be hosted by the AP Homeowners Association at Asbury Lanes from 2 t 6 pm.  Or check out the Jersey Leather Family Beer Bust at Georgie’s.  Sandy Mack & Friends take the stage at the Wonder Bar at 4.  Bob Egan will be at Moonstruck starting at 7 pm.

The ShowRoom Cinema is presenting a “BRUCE NOIR – Darkness, Films and Springsteen” program this weekend.  Visit  www.TheShowRoomAP.com for the details.  The ShowRoom Cinema is located at  707 Cookman Avenue.

The city is searching for part-time School Crossing Guards.  If you are interested, reach out to Officer Butler at 732.775.3274

You can now rent a paddleboard and test it out on Deal Lake.  Michael Briody has set up shop in the park at 7th & Main by the city’s boat ramp.  For more detail go to www.SUPAsbury.com .  Check it out and report back to me.

Going to end this on a sad note.  As you may have read in the papers, the Garden State Film Festival is leaving Asbury Park and moving to Atlantic City.  Since the festival was unable to secure venue space at the Paramount Theater and Grand Arcade, they have moved out.  Major Bummer!  I remember the day Diane Raver, the GSFF Executive Director came into my office eleven years ago and said she wanted to start a film festival in Asbury Park.  It was exactly what the city needed to attract visitors.  We all watched and supported Raver in her efforts and the festival grew into a very respected and successful festival.  It will be a major blow to our economy since the event was scheduled during the slow late winter/early spring season.  All our businesses looked forward to Garden State Film Festival weekend as an opportunity to make some extra money and promote the city.  This major festival played a significant role in bringing back the city.  Thank you Diane Raver and all your volunteers.  We are grateful for all you did for Asbury Park and wish the best of success in Atlantic City.  Tears!

This going to be a great beach weekend and as we all know there is no better place to spend your beach weekend than Asbury Park.

Provided by Asbury Park Director of Good Times, Tom Gilmour.