the reason I was in Asbury Park last night: to see Marc Ribler and Friends in concert at McCloone’s
Generally speaking, it’s not within the providential guidelines of NJ Discover to bring news flashes to this website. Personally speaking, this reporter immerses himself in New Jersey culture, music, art and charitable causes which help to define and distinguish us here. I do love our music heritage. I’m all over the place so to speak. Like the old television show from the fifties, ‘Have Gun, Will Travel;’ give me our homegrown amazing music and I travel, drift, dream, absorb and listen attentively.
Community drummers last week on boardwalk
Community drummers last night. Totally Jersey unique
On Tuesday nights sometimes, I drift into Asbury Park, especially in the summer, when ocean breezes memorialize my nostrils and therefore conjure up sounds of the Everly Brothers, Elvis or The Temptations. I love the venue at McCloone’s in Asbury where Marc Ribler and Friends entertain with special themed concerts every Tuesday. Not just concerts which last for hours but as I like to call it, “A little piece of heaven.”
and the hula hoopers next to the community drummers. pure jersey spontaneity and exuberance
a view from the boardwalk. a sun setting on the asbury beach
Before hanging out at Marc Ribler’s concerts (last night’s band, Tommy Labella, Lee Finkelstein, John Conte, Arne Wendt) where they were still rocking way past 12:30 AM, I like to hit the Asbury Park boardwalk and absorb uniqueness, diversity, sights and sounds and eventually the setting sun. Priceless and purist real Jersey shore; like nowhere else in the world. Last night the “Community Drummers” (a rag tag group of residents) who have been playing on the boardwalk for 13 years were performing in front of a hundred spectators. I took pictures and smiled all the while. Adjacent to the drummers, a group hula hooped.
the energy and passion which is the ‘community drummers’
an iconic view near the asbury park boardwalk
Priceless spectating; my observation: this group of Asbury residents promotes togetherness, peace, harmony between races and creeds and the uniqueness that makes us Jerseyans. Fifteen minutes after I left, the Asbury Park authorities forced them to stop playing and told the group that every player must have a permit and that they can only play being 50 yards from each other which would then stretch them out for a mile.
diversity of the community drummers. a special happening
a special group of people in a special place. asbury park. don’ t take our drummers away.
Being a 1960’s person and knowing about the art of the protest, the beauty of Asbury Park’s culture and diversity and spontaneity, I can’t help but think someone out there in television land is about to address taking away freedoms and culture from Asbury Park. The city has been trying so desperately to reinvent and reestablish. And I do care. I’m there all the time. I feel like calling Patrick Henry.
more drummers. i remember the movie ‘bang the drum slowly’
the setting asbury sun. not an omen for the drummer’s freedom?
1 comment
#1AsburySteveJuly 11, 2012, 5:14 pm
My 3 Minute “Public Speaking” Theme for the July 11th Asbury Park City Council Meeting tonight:
Asbury Park City Council Meeting => 7-11-12
I first wanted to quickly ask what is being done with the approximately $3.5 Million of COAH money that the City has from RCA’s, because it may be taken on 7-17-12 from the City by Gov. Christie, if not properly planned for use? I also want to know why some local people from the area had been laid off in recent years, when their salaries are paid for through CDBG Monies, or other State or Federal Funds?
The biggest reason, and impending mini crisis, that I am here for tonight, is to stand in Solidarity with the “Community Drummers” of Asbury Park, who have been harmlessly playing drums on the Boardwalk for 13 years now, and legally have the right to continue doing so. Not only do they not hurt anyone, but they provide an opportunity for adults & children, of all Races, Creeds and Professions, many of whom can’t even afford to watch, or to participate in, any other form of Entertainment in Asbury Park, to do so with them, free of any costs.
But after 13 years of playing their drums here, as of last night, they’ve been informed by an AP Police Lieutenant, that they can no longer do so, under any circumstances. And although a security guard from Madison Marquette had said that his co. might be able to let them use the Band Area on the Green Space between the two Pavilions at the end of 4th Ave., which would be a solution to this problem, do you think that Madison Marquette would allow them to, with no charge?
And I’d like to point out that the main complaint seems to be that “The Boardwalk is being blocked by too may passers by”, however, how do you explain why that’s OK on Fireworks Wednesday Nights, for the “Zombie walk”, during Gay Pride Weekend and for Bamboozle, but it’s “Off Limits” for a small Drum Troop, who hurts nobody, but now isn’t allowed to play anymore there?
The City has been more and more turning into a more fascist like entity, than an open & Progressive one, that will more condone an atmosphere like the Village in NYC, or the whole closed off street kin Boulder, CO, which is host to dozens of Street Entertainers, who need no permits, during the Summer months. And how about Haight Ashbury in San Francisco, where Bob Dylan hung out as a Street Musician, before he was famous, and played for tips, including when he first heard the Beatles on the Radio in late 1963? Or how about the Street Musicians and Magicians in New Orleans, on almost any corner?
Sister Isis happens to be one of the Drummers whom you banned last night from ever playing again on the Boardwalk, and she is an Icon in the Community, not only in Asbury Park, but in Neptune, Long Branch and Lakewood, as well. She keeps over 50 children in these Communities from Dropping out of School, getting into Gangs, or ending up dead. Yet she’s not good enough to play on the Boardwalk, only people who pass the test of the “5%” of the population who control the City are?
The Leader of this fabulous Community Drummers’ Group got a Permit, and was told in City Hall that him and up to 39 other Drummer could play on the Boardwalk with the permit. Then the Police come up, and shut down the Performance, due to one business complaint? Doesn’t the noise from the Stone Pony bother them, which is 10 times as loud? And they’re neither blocking an entrance to a business where they were performing, nor playing excessively loudly, either.
I spoke with a Civil Rights and Constitutional Attorney from Newark today, and he said that the City is 100% in the wrong. He stated that your Ordinance should protect, not prohibit Musicians, and also that there never, ever was any such ridiculous ordinance in 40 years that made a band or Group of Musicians play 50 feet apart, and that was forced to get a Permit for every Member of that Group, in his Lifetime. He went on to say that they should practice “Civil Disobedience” and keep playing, and if they are arrested, he will represent them for free, and sue the city.
It’s your choice, either act like decent human beings, and let them continue playing with minor adjustments agreed to by both parties, or act like arrogant jackals, and have your day in court, and lose. You’ll all be gone,m most likely, in November, anyway! —- Steve Wider
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