6 minute read
Bill CanacciAsbury Park Press
Happy Pride! There is a lot going on this weekend for the LGBTQ community and its allies in Asbury Park. The big day is Sunday, when the Pride Parade and Festival takes place rain or shine.
The parade steps off at noon at Asbury Park City Hall, heading south on Main Street. It turns left on Cookman Ave toward the ocean, then takes a left on Grand Avenue. It continues north on Grand to Sunset Avenue, where it turns right and ends at the Rally/Festival Grounds.
The pet-friendly festival runs until 7 p.m. There will be music, food, businesses selling Pride gear and more, as well as plenty of booths for community organizations to provide information on family issues, legal rights and services, housing options and more. The event also features New Jersey's largest outdoor display of the Names Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt, as well as rides for kids in the Family Zone.
Headliners this year are Thea Austin — best known for singing and co-writing the 1992 hit song "Rhythm Is A Dancer" with Snap! — and drag queen Ada Vox, who competed on Season 16 of "American Idol" and took second place in the first season of "Queen of the Universe."
More information is at jerseypride.org.
Here's what else is happening this weekend in Asbury Park and beyond:
Music, drinks and more at The Asbury
The Asbury hotel, 210 5th Ave., will be hosting its own lineup of events during and after Pride.
Salvation, The Asbury's rooftop bar, features great views for watching the parade, coupled with cocktails, renowned DJs and a sophisticated beach vibe. The venue will be hosting a Pride After Party from 2 p.m. to close Sunday, with live music from 7 p.m. There also will be live music at The Pool from 2 p.m. Sunday.
Soundbooth, the lobby bar and live music venue, will be featuring Slowdown Sundays from 7 p.m. with local multi-instrumentalist BJ Bied, who blends together his influences of jazz and hip-hop with soul and funk.
Go: The Asbury hotel, 210 5th Ave., Asbury Park; 732-774-7100, theasburyhotel.com.
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Dance party at Asbury Lanes
Legendary concert venue and vintage bowling alley Asbury Lanes will host the AQKimfina Dance Party at 7 p.m. Sunday with Aquaria & KimChi.
Aquaria is best known for winning Season 10 of "Rupaul's Drag Race" in 2018. In 2019, she released her own makeup palette in collaboration withNYX Cosmetics. KimChi competed on Season 8 of "Drag Race" and has her own cosmetics line, KimChi Chic Beauty.
Go: AQKimfina Dance Party, 7 p.m. Sunday, Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Ave., $20 to $35; 732-361-3359, asburylanes.com/.
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Carly Rae Jepsen plays Stone Pony Summer Stage
Carly Rae Jepsen, best known for the blockbuster hit "Call Me Maybe," released her sixth album, "The Loneliest Time," in October 2022.
Rolling Stone called the album her most "emotionally adventurous" music yet —"high-gloss post-bubblegumsynth-popthat packs a serious punch even at its fizziest."
Expect to hear songs from her latest record as Jepsen plays the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park on Saturday. DJ Carl Michaels helps get the Pride Party started.
Advance tickets start at $55 (plus fees). At the door, tickets are $65.
Go: Carly Rae Jepsen, Stone Pony Summer Stage, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, $55 (plus fees) in advance, $65 at the door; stoneponyonline.com.
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QSpot Pride BBQ in Asbury Park
Celebrate Pride with a barbecue? Yes!
The Asbury Park-based QSpot, which provides resources, referrals, education and outreach to New Jersey's LGBT and allied community, hosts an outdoor cookout in their backyard garden at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Special guest is comedian Julia Scotti, best known for her appearances on Season 11 of "America's Got Talent" in 2016.
Pat's Market from Lincroft will be preparing chicken, burgers and hot dogs. There also will be homemade salads, and cake for dessert. Tickets are $60, $40 for those under 25 and $100 for couples.
Go: QSpot Pride BBQ, 4 p.m. Saturday, 1601 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park, $40 to $60; 732-455-3373, qspot.org.
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NJ Rep celebrates Pride in Long Branch
New Jersey Repertory Company presents Pride 2023, a monthlong celebration featuring an art show, a photo exhibit and five one-act plays.
"Our Way," curated by Mare Akana, features artists from the LGBTQ+ community, sharing "their views on life, love and the world they live in."
"Out" is a collection of portraits from Andrea Phox Photography showcasing members of the queer community. Both "Out" and "Our Way" are free and run Saturday through June 25.
The first two plays begin June 8. "What Doesn't Kill You," written and performed by James Hindman and running through June 11, is about a heart attack, an obsession with Cher, and a trip to a concentration camp.
"The Silver Bell," written by Alan Flanagan and running through June 18, is a reality-bending story story of love and loss about Mico and James — and their effort "to find decent sausage rolls in a universe that never invented Greggs British bakery chain."
A free opening reception takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Patrons can purchase a festival pass (good for all five plays) for $125, $75 for students. Individual theater tickets are $30, $20 for students. More information is available by visiting njrep.org.
Go: Pride 2023, through June 25, NJ Rep, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, patrons can purchase a festival pass or buy individual tickets; 732-229-3166, njrep.org.
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Broadway stories and songs at Axelrod
Sirius XM host Seth Rudetsky is bringing his Broadway concert series to the Axelrod Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Saturday ― teaming up with Tony Award winner Beth Leavel.
There will be plenty of stories and songs. Leavel received Tony and Drama Desk awards for her performance as the title character in "The Drowsy Chaperone," and was nominated for her role as Florence Greenberg in "Baby, It’s You." Most recently, she was in "The Prom."
Rudetsky’s concerts are always one-of-a-kind because they are never fully planned in advance. Unrehearsed songs, audience questions and song suggestions often occur. While he is known as the afternoon host of the Sirius XM Broadway Channel, he and his husband James Wesley began a livestream "Stars in The House" program to raise money for The Actors Fund during the pandemic.
Rudetsky spent many years as a pianist and conductor on the Great Bright Way, and was a comedy writer on "The Rosie O’Donnell Show," where he was nominated with his co-writers for three Emmy Awards.
Tickets are $35 to $58.
Go: Seth Rudetsky and Beth Leavel, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, $35 to $58; 732-531-9106, ext. 14, axelrodartscenter.com.
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Two River presents 'Two Sisters and a Piano'
Two River Theater concludes their season with"Two Sisters and a Piano,"a passionate tale of revolution, art and dreams written and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winnerNilo Cruz. The show runs Saturday through June 25.
Although trapped under house arrest, novelist Maria Celia and her sister Sofia can still hear the rumors of shifting global politics growing in 1990s Havana. As they await changes for Cuba, as well as changes to their situation, it’s uncertain whether freedom will come through government regime change, Maria Celia’s far-off husband, or the charismatic military officer who has begun insinuating himself into the sisters’ lives.
Directed by Cruz, the show stars Helen Cespedes,Hiram Delgado, Eden EspinosaandJason Manuel Olazabal.
Tickets are $40 to $70.
Go: "Two Sisters and a Piano," Friday to June 25, Two River Theater, Red Bank, $40 to $70; 732-345-1400, tworivertheater.org.
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DJ Night and Cornhole for a Cause at Sun Harbor
Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill in Barnegat is starting the weekend early this Thursday with DJ Night.
With jams by Ciraulo Enterainment, dance the night away from 8 to 10 p.m. — fueled by at-request tunes and special margarita flights of regular, strawberry, spicy jalapeno and mango for $22.
On Sunday, bean bags will fly for a good cause at the first "Mikey's Mission Cornhole Tournament." For $50 a person or $100 per team, competitors can play for a cash prize, with all proceeds going toward helping local children with special needs through local charity Mikey's Mission.
First place wins $200, second is $150, third is $100. There will also be chances to win gift cards, other prizes, and a 50/50 raffle.
Check in starts at 11 a.m. Don't forget to bring chairs, as this is an outdoor event in a rock parking lot. For more information or to register, contact Don Piana at 732-921-7187 or email mikeysmission1@gmail.com.
Go: 451 East Bay Ave., Barnegat; 609-622-6190, sunharborseafoodandgrill.com.
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Bike Night at Simply Southern
Owner of Simply Southern and former NFL player Rasheed Simmons is hosting a bike night at his restaurant this Thursday, kicking things off at 6 p.m.
"The purpose [of our bike nights] is to have fellowship and good food," said Simmons, an avid motorcyclist and food lover. "All are welcome to come show anything on two wheels ... We've even had e-bikes come by, and sports bikes are welcome."
The restaurant hosts bike nights the first Thursday of every month throughout summer.
While there, try some family recipes concocted by Simmons and his mother Rita. Crave-worthy appetizers include sweet potato hush puppies, and cat fish bites. For the main course, try authentic southern dishes like ox tails slow-cooked with thyme, herbs and rich gravy, or classic bites like chicken and waffles with sweet sriracha sauce.
Go: 817 Belmar Plaza, Belmar; 732-243-9259, simplysoutherncomfortfoods.com.
Capital Singers of Trenton Women’s Ensemble in Beach Haven
The Capital Singers of Trenton Women's Ensemble takes the stage at 4 p.m. Sunday at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Beach Haven.
"In Meeting We Are Blessed" features songs "that focus on our connection with others," according to a news release.
Featured songs in the one-hour concert include "As the Rain Hides the Stars," "Go Down Moses," "I Wanna Be Ready" and "In Meeting We Are Blessed." The group is conducted by Ellen J. Dondero. Spenser R. Prichard is accompanist.
Admission is free but donations will be taken.
Go: "In Meeting We Are Blessed," Capital Singers of Trenton Women's Ensemble, Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 410 S. Atlantic Ave., Beach Haven, free; 609-492-7571, capitalsingers.org.
Allaire Arts Festival in Farmingdale
Allaire Arts Village hosts its first art festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
More than 50 New Jersey artists will be displaying and selling their photography, sculptures and paintings.
There will be live demonstrations, and the historic buildings also will be open, along with the general store and bakery.
Admission is $6, $3 for children 4 to 11.
Go: Allaire Arts Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Allaire Village, 4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale; 732-919-3500, allairevillage.org.
