Another great weekend! The awful weather predictions last week for Sunday never arrived and it turned out to be a beautiful Father’s Day after all. Appropriately, it was also the start of summer! I took it pretty easy and did some overdue gardening. Patti and I ended our day with dinner at the Biergarten listening to PJ Rasmussen, an amazing young jazz musician. Only in Asbury Park!
CAKE BOSS FILMING IN ASBURY PARK TODAY! The Cake Boss is filming a special segment in Asbury Park to “Kickoff the Summer of 2015” today Thursday on the 3rd Avenue boardwalk at noon. We want to have a good crowd so please stop by for some cake and be on TV. Only in Asbury Park!
This Friday night’s bonfire on the beach will on the 6th Avenue beach just north of Convention Hall right at The Anchor’s Bend. Starts at 7:00pm weather permitting.
The Monmouth County Association of Realtors 5K & Walk scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled.
Art News: “Highway of Sight II” is a showcase of Steve Forbert’s art inspired by his time as a touring musician. There will be a public opening reception this Friday, June 26th at art629 gallery located at yes, 629 Cookman Avenue. We all know Steve from his international prominence with the folk-rock hit, “Romeo’s Tune.” This is Steve’s second show in the city and he will be in attendance for the opening. The Exhibit will be on display until July 26, 2015.
This is the last weekend for Heaven Gallery’s exhibit featuring two outstanding photographers. Maribel Guerrero and Tim Horn have created an amazing display of their work. If you have seen it, you know what I am talking about. Try to figure out which photograph I purchased. Heaven Gallery is located at Heaven Art and Antiques located at 721 Cookman Avenue. Only in Asbury Park!
AT THE MOVIES: Featured films this week at the ShowRoom Cinema: Wolfpack (R), A Little Chaos (R), Showboat (NR) and Love & Mercy (PG-13). Prepaid movie gift cards make wonderful every day or special occasion gifts – like it’s summer!. For more details go to www.theshowroomap.com .
A special series has been created by Sammy Boyd Productions that take place on the historic Paramount Theatre stage: Where the audience and the Music share the stage. This Saturday, Graham Parker will take the stage at 7:00pm and the audience will join him. The whole concert takes place on the stage. It’s a very cool idea!
As usual, there’s a ton of music going on in the city this weekend: On Saturday, Jesse Malin is at the Pony, Billy Hector with the Midnite Horns is at the Wonder Bar, Uke Drum will be performing at the Beach Bar, Quincy Mumford and the Reason Why takes the stage at The Saint, Lucinda & Mike are at McLoone’s Asbury Grille, Captain Fun & the Jolly Daggerz + Off white are at the AP Yacht Club, Thee Idea Men & Color Atlantic perform at Langosta Lounge and The Adolescents, The Weirdos, and Night Birds will rock Asbury Lanes. For the never complete listing of all the music in AP this weekend, go to the city’s web site. www.cityofasburypark.com . Asbury Park Where Music Lives!
Footnote: Barbara King returns to the Hotel Tides on Sunday at 7:00pm and Deal Casino will perform every Sunday at the AP Yacht club at 7:30pm.
Garden State Equality brought the 6th Annual Equality Walk to Asbury Park last weekend. It was a great event, and even the Lt. Governor participated. Asbury Park was honored to host the event and hopes it returns next year.
Asbury Park’s newest dining spot is just about ready. Bonney Read, a very cool seafood restaurant is located in the former BACA spot at Bangs and Cookman Avenues. I was on site on Tuesday and the owners said they hope to be open in four weeks. Only in Asbury Park!
Please join us on June 30, 2015 for the Second Annual 5 Alarm 5K to raise support and awareness of the Burn Unit at the Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Registration begins at 4:30 PM. Runners and walkers will enjoy a double looped USATF-certified course that is both fast and flat. Clocks will be posted at miles one and two along with two water stations, and a boardwalk finish. Support the cause!
I took a visit last Sunday to Asbury Fresh the artisan market in Kennedy Park at Cookman & Grand Avenues, right next to Cross & Orange. It was very cool and there must have been 25 vendors there. The market is open every Sunday from 11am to 4:00pm and new this year, Thursdays from 5:30pm to 9:00pm through Labor Day. Check it out tonight!
The Asbury Park Toy Drive & Stone Pony Summer Stage team up on Friday, July 3rd, 2015 at the Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes Show. Bring a new unwrapped toy to any of the following locations and/or the day of this event and receive a voucher to a future admission of $20 and under at The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, Club Paradise or The Silverball Museum or a 10% Discount from one of the following locations: Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, Jimmy’s Restaurant, Frank’s Restaurant, Hotel Tides Restaurant, DJ’s Delights, Confections of a Rock Star, Anchors Bend, Georgies Bar & Grill, Asbury Park Roastery, Kim Maries and Johnny Macs (free pizza). The Asbury Park Toy Drive is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Free Movies in the Park starts next week on Monday with Despicable Me 2 in Spingwood Park at 7:30pm (weather permitting).
Last night after the City Council meeting, I made my way over to Pascal & Sabine to catch Joe Petillo & Andy McDonough. It was a great way and place to unwind.
So summer is finally here and next weekend is the 4th of July. We are off to a very good start for Summer 2015. I remember not too long ago, that a successful summer day in Asbury Park had to be warm and sunny. Today, even if it isn’t the best beach day significant visitors come to Asbury Park. They have discovered what we experience every day. All is good!
Thank you for supporting Asbury Park businesses.
Wishes for a warm, sunny, wonderful summer weekend,
Tom Gilmour
Director of Economic Development, and Good Times
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Tom Gilmour serves as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Asbury Park and is responsible for special events and film permitting.