Hey Charles Dickens (the writer), Willie Nile Band is Performing Live in Rahway, New Jersey Saturday Night January 26^th   By Calvin Schwartz

Suddenly last spring, I heard Willie Nile sing for the first time. In the scheme of eventualities of rock and roll music, “last spring” is not particularly one of those full lengths, long career, long time ago happenstances. Put another way, it wasn’t a long time ago. But you see; my journey into rock and roll music or any music for that matter began only a year ago. It’s like an old black and white movie with James Cagney climbing a tower, “Look Mah, I’m on top of the world.” And suddenly I am because it’s never too late for life events. So I’ve become a huge fan of Willie Nile and his band. And I can’t get enough. I’ve come to appreciate the joy of pure lyrics and rock music coming together (just like I’m also a huge fan of the Nick Clemons Band). Willie Nile electrifies and overwhelms. I find myself using the “damn” word every time I hear/see him live. “Damn, he’s so good. Damn, why’d I wait so long?”

It’s funny how you’re drawn into the aura, or a rabbit hole of discovery, or a ballistic epiphany. I discovered the joys of Willie Nile; an auditory gift to all of us and especially us North East folks living close to live gigs and Willie’s home geography. What I mean by the aforementioned two sentences is that I can’t believe I’ve become such a fan, so fast. But I have. I think sometimes I’m too old to be a rock and roll fan then I think about Ebeneezer Scrooge who thought he was too old to change. So I’m not too old, Charles Dickens. Some of my expressions and words may seem a trifle absurd. They are; maybe to make a point but it’s absurd if you care about music (any kind) and you don’t get a chance for Willie Nile live (or some digital music source of pure mountain running spring water and no plastic unrecyclable bottles)

The purpose of my words now is let you all know about a Willie Nile concert this Saturday in Rahway, New Jersey. Before the concert info, a little digression into a recent Willie Nile series of live sightings; actually exactly a week ago when I was with Willie at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park just as he was finishing a live interview on WCTC 1450 radio with Bert Baron as a prequel to Light of Day musical events over the weekend. Willie told me (we’ve done several photo ops together) that “I’m toasted. I just got back from Europe doing live gigs for Light of Day and last night I performed at Asbury Lanes to kick off Light of Day here.”

The setting was a relatively quiet empty surreal Stone Pony. Many musicians and Light of Day founder Bob Benjamin had gathered for the WCTC live radio broadcast for interviews. All of a sudden, I looked; Willie had sat down on top of a bar with a thousand guitars on the wall behind him. I took the picture and thought how wondrously synchronistic (one of my favorite words these days of discovery) because two of my all-time favorite songs (beating out ‘Puff- The Magic Dragon) is Willie’s “House of a Thousand Guitars” and “One Guitar.” A few minutes later I told him that I’ve been listening and watching his ‘One Guitar” video on YouTube (from last year with Springsteen backing up) at least ten times a week. I said, “I really am over ten times a week.” He smiled, “I believe you.”

Later that night Willie Nile and band were back at the Stone Pony for an unplanned short gig to fill in time for a missing musician. I found my nirvana a few feet away when they did ‘One Guitar.” On Saturday night, the Willie Nile Band was back at the Paramount Theatre performing in the main Light of Day concert.  They were introduced as the best rock and roll band in America. I told my friend, “wait until ‘One Guitar’” The entire theatre was on their feet. Willie Nile electrified. “It’s what it’s all about,” I thought, thinking I might’ve been the oldest audience member gyrating above his seat.

Perhaps the best part of my well lit weekend was after the magical concert walking back to my car with acclaimed DJ, Dave ‘The Rave’ Kapulsky (Relics and Rarities Show). We walked by (at 2 AM) the Berkeley Hotel where many musicians and Light of Day fans were staying. Magnetism drew us into the lobby and by 2:30 AM Joe Grushecky started an improv jam session; then at 3 AM Willie Nile electrified  a hundred people in the lobby with another ‘One Guitar.’ It was a quintessential real live pre-dawn jam session with a performer who constantly soulfully gives back. Yes you should’ve been there.

I guess the best way to close this article is to say if you’re in the mood to be musically, spiritually electrified on Saturday, then come on down (get off the sedentary sofa) to Rahway and see/hear Willie Nile with band mates Johnny Pisano (bass), Matt Hogan (guitar) & Alex Alexander (drums) Hey, maybe Mr. Dickens might be around in some form. It is New Jersey you know.

SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT INFO:

Legendary Willie Nile is flying high in 2013, coming of a critically acclaimed tour of Italy and turning up stunning shows 4 days in a row for Light Of Day NYC & Asbury Park, NJ. Last week was just a warm up because Willie is bringing his rocking band – Johnny Pisano, Alex Alexander & Matt Hogan to do a full show at Union County Performing Arts Center this Saturday night! Get Ready to Rock Jersey!! Union County Performing Arts Center – Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, NJ. Get Your General Admission tickets before there gone at http://ucpac.org/html/event_popup.cfm?id=300

Willie Nile Home Page:  http://willienile.com/home/index/

Calvin Schwartz

COMING ATTRACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The 10th Year Anniversary Monmouth-Ocean County Food Bank Benefit Concert sponsored by the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Classical Guitarist David Cohen Saturday January 26th 2013   By Calvin Schwartz

Classical Guitarist David Cohen is into his 10th year of benefit concerts for the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties; a cause which NJ Discover was become involved in as we’ve spent several days documenting and filming the amazing work they do (after Sandy) and all year long; every day.  The Monmouth & Ocean Counties Food Bank distributes around 7 million pounds of food annually through a network of 265 meal programs . Since  Sandy, the Monmouth -Ocean County Food Bank has provided hot meals to displaced families and delivered critically needed items to some of the regions hardest hit areas. But it’s what they do all year long that is unsung and quite amazing.  So this concert on Saturday is a must for the cause and the music of David Cohen and guests in a atmosphere setting a few blocks from our Atlantic Ocean in Ocean Grove.

In addition to David Cohen on classical & flamenco guitar, Chinese pipa and bagpipes will include area favorite’s Jo Wymer vocalist and guitarist, M’Zume Carnival percussion ensemble and the Pipes & Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelagh’s.  This becomes one of those magical Jersey evenings along the Jersey shore.

MOC Food Bank Concert

Saturday January 26, 2013

Jersey Shore Arts Center|

92 Lawrence Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756

7:30 PM (doors open at 6:45PM)

Tickets: $12 advance $15 door

available: Chamber of Commerce Office 45 Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove or

online www.foodbankconcert.org   Online ticket purchases automatically entered into Ocean Grove Get A Way weekend drawing.

At the concert there will be Raffles & Silent Auctions. Items available for preview @www.foodbankconcert.org

Performers:

David Cohen classical guitar, flamenco guitar, Chinese pipa, bagpipes

Jo Wymer   guitar, vocals

M’zume Carnival   percussion

Special Guests: The Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs

The Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties

Mission-To alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Contact: Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce 732-7741391 www.oceangrovenj.com

David Cohen 732-213-8111 http://www.guitarpoint.net

Calvin Schwartz

COMING ATTRACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Coming Together “A Hometown Heroes Benefit for Seaside” Strand Theater, Lakewood. Saturday January 26th 2013

I’m always selective on this segment for NJ Discover before I recommend. I look at venues/performers and in this case one of my favorite historic theaters replete with ambiance and ghosts of The Great Gatsby; the Strand was built in 1922. What a wonderful venue to listen to rock, dream, drift back to the future for a few moments. Yes I love the Strand. I also love when the message gets out to the world embraced by NJ Discover to get off your sedentary sofas and take full advantage of all that New Jersey has to offer. And the offerings these days come with reasons to believe;  doing something for our home state and benefiting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. There used to be a New Jersey tourism commercial, “New Jersey and You, Perfect Together.” Same deal here at the Strand. I love LOVE this line up of hometown Jersey rock bands and opportunities to meet and greet actors and band members before hand. It’s all a perfect night. And there is NO football this weekend. Perfect. Music. Food. Drink. People. Strand Theater. and Rock and Roll. and a great cause: To benefit Seaside with some of Jersey’s Greatest Hometown Heroes. See you at the Strand.

Calvin Schwartz

Event: Coming Together! Benefit Fundraiser for Families Struck by Hurricane Sandy

January 26, 2013

Strand Theater – Lakewood NJ

Meet & Greet –

Tentatively: 5:00 to 6:30PM

Includes food and beverages and DJ

Cake from Cake Boss

On Hand for Meet and Greet:

Joe Sernio ( All My Children )

Warren Bub ( No One Lives Forever)

Garry Pastore (Law and Order, Hudson Film Studio)

Artie Pasquale ( Sopranos )

Rick Zahn ( Its Always sunny in Philadelphia)

Others to be announced…

Main Show: 7:00PM – 11:30PM

Shorty Long Band

International recording artist New Jersey’s Chris Leone

Eddie Testa Band

Nick Clemons Band  

Gary Rupenian (The Bangs

Surrender Darcy Band

a little surprise by Vin-Taze

Edison’s Children

Gary Rupenian (The Bangs

Surrender Darcy Band

Also, there will be blind auctions and a 50/50 drawing

100% ALL FUNDS RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILIES!!!

website: www.heroescomingtogether.org

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT http://strand.org/

Cost for Tix:

$40.00 for show w/meet and greet – limited tickets!

$25.00 for Main Event

Goal: To help as many families as possible!

Families being helped will also be present

Calvin Schwartz

Celebrating Clarence: The Big Man’s Birthday Benefit

The “Official Clemons Family Event” – to celebrate New Jersey’s newly declared “Clarence Clemons Day”.

On Jan 12th we will be celebrating the birthday of the Big Man – Clarence Clemons at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. This is a benefit to raise money for area school district music departments that have lost instruments and various supplies in the storm. We urge all of you to attend it will be a great event and for a great cause that will see immediate results for our local communities!

The Bands lined up to play are……

The Nick Clemons Band

Jobonanno & The Godsons

Steve Smith and the Nakeds

with special guest JT Bowen and MANY MORE!

 AND THIS IS JUST IN: (1-9-13   7 pm) A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR CLARENCE

We will be singing Happy Birthday and will have a cake from non other than Carlos Bakery in Hoboken. They are creating a saxophone masterpiece.  Carlo’s Bakery IS the setting of the hit TLC show “Cake Boss”

The State of New Jersey has made an official declaration….January 11th is now “Clarence Clemons Day” and although there will be many events in the following weeks; this is the official “Clemons Family Event”.  We hope that you will put this special birthday benefit show on your calendar as friends, fans and loved ones of the Big Man to celebrate his birthday.

Proceeds to benefit Jersey Shore school music departments affected by Hurricane Sandy!  There will be a Silent Auction to further raise money for the school music departments.  All support is appreciated for this event by musician to support the arts and up and coming musicians in our schools.

Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/180868898725836

Doors 6pm.  Tickets $15 advance $20 at the door.

Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster and the Stone Pony Box Office.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000498B85C46699

INGREDIENTS OF A MAJOR MUSICAL EVENT:

Historic ingredients (alignment of celestial forces of relevancy) of a special day/musical concert: There have been Hurricane Sandy events throughout our state. We’ve all come to understand what ‘Jersey Strong’ means. We live it every day; always have; just so much more pronounced these days. You take this awareness and add the late great Clarence Clemon’s Birthday on January 11^th and the historic resolution by the New Jersey Senate to annually honor one of the Jersey Shore’s (and worlds) most iconic musicians with a day named after him. Every Jan. 11 will now be Clarence Clemons Day. Last week the NJ Senate passed a resolution sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-11) that memorializes the legendary saxophonist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

More ingredients. The Clemons Family and Nick Clemons (Clarence Clemons III) chose to celebrate Clarence’s birthday with “Celebrating Clarence: The Big Man’s Birthday Benefit” at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park  January 12^th.

Even More ingredients. Nick Clemons has a sensitive and caring soul tuned to the pulse of what’s relevant, happening and charitable (pay it forward) in our Jersey world. Last summer, he produced the Asbury Comedy and Music Festival to benefit the Lenny Bruce Foundation and Lenny’s House.  With this benefit on January 12^th, Nick and the Clemons Family decided to raise money for area school district music departments that have lost instruments and various supplies in Hurricane Sandy; how relevant and meaningful to give to the dramatically impacted world of music education in the name of iconic musician Clarence Clemons.

I just talked to Emma Fretz, instrument, choral and general music instructor at both Point Pleasant Beach High and Bay Head Schools which suffered heavy damage to their music resources. Things you never realize: In Bay Head School, they had seven feet of water in the music room. And “because the room is two feet below sea level, content insurance does not cover this and the insurance is null and void,” Emma explained. So their music program resources were completely destroyed. “You don’t realize how expensive even the little things are, like sheet music or hand bells,” Emma continued.  Along comes Clarence’s birthday, Nick Clemons and his energy and we’ve got a special night of music and birthday celebrations ; as I say, “Get off the sedentary sofa and come for music, celebration, a poignant cause and history.”

I think the perfect celestial alignment of stars, moon and Big Man.

Calvin Schwartz

December 26th 2012

Garden State

Song is written and produced by Marc Ribler.

Video produced by NJDiscover

“We are selling the song for $1.29 and 100% of the profits will be going to worthy Shore Relief charities including www.SandyNjReliefFund.org. New Jersey and the surrounding area’s took the greatest beating that we have ever seen in our lifetime. So many folks are displaced. They need food, shelter, clothing and most of all your love and support.The boardwalks, bridges, homes and many many towns are ripped to shreds and they desperately need repair. This will take some time and we all must do our part.I will also be donating 50% of the profits from my first 2 Cd’s, This Life andLife is But A Dream.” – Marc Ribler

Please go to www.marcribler.com to PURCHASE “Garden State”
100% of the proceeds go to  www.sandynjrelieffund.org

http://marcribler.com/garden_state.php

NJDiscover’s FoodBank video shown at the Restore the Shore Concert Series on Thursday at the Strand Theater in Lakewood.
Proceeds from the concert went to the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
For every $1 the FoodBank provides 3 meals.

In the United States:

• In New Jersey:In 2008, one in seven households (14.6%) in the US were food insecure – over 49 million people. This means they did not have access to enough food to meet their basic needs.¹
• This includes almost 17 million children.
• In 2005, nearly one in five US children lived in homes earning at or below the Federal poverty level (17.2%).²

• The US has the highest wage inequality, wealth disparity, poverty rate and child poverty rate of any industrialized nation.³

• The very high cost of living makes it difficult for low-income people to make ends meet. While the Federal poverty level for a family of four has become $20,650 in 2007, a recent study showed that such a family needs over $40,000 to meet its most basic needs in New Jersey.⁴
• Low wages and high cost of living forces one in every five households in New Jersey to struggle to live on an income below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, that is, inadequate to meet basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, health care, child care and transportation to work.⁵
• 85% of these households have at least one person working (non-elderly, non-disabled households).⁴
• 11.8% of children under 18 (over 1 million children) live below the Federal poverty line.²
• One out of every three people receiving emergency food are children.⁶

In Monmouth & Ocean Counties:

If you let too much time go by and you happen to be living in an evolving blur of change, then it becomes difficult to remember first and even succeeding times. But it’s not too late for me to remember first hearing Arlan Feiles sing in Asbury Park; it was seven months ago; the mild winter was submitting to spring. I went to Asbury Park’s iconic ‘Saint’ and heard him for the first time. Afterwards, I needed more Arlan sounds; the experience was like an ice cream bar; it was so good, I finished several ice cream bars in rapid succession and buried consumed wooden stick evidence until I passed a proper receptacle, preferably in Asbury Park where I heard Arlan sing again; this time with several singers in a concert called ‘Art of the Protest Song,’ at Gallery 629 on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park.

Protest songs were a perfect magnet for me since coming out of the sixties and still wondrously tethered to those changed times. And what could be more perfect than to find Arlan Feiles, a troubadour, lyricist, rarified individualist, passionate singer and commentator of our modern times. How I love magic carpets back to the future. How I love listening to Arlan’s musical emoting and watching his facial visages express depth and conviction. How I love words like essential and quintessential. So on that night in an art gallery briefly converted to a small concert venue, I became a fan of Arlan Feiles.

No long winding roads here; just a sleepy small Monmouth county highway that connected our domiciles. As an emerging journalist, I asked if we could talk about the world of his music and words. We began on his living room sofa and then walked down a main street passed a coffee shop and into an old fashioned park with swings and splintery wooden benches. Oh, it was mid-June, sunny and warm.

Arlan is a LA Laker fan; he proudly stated on the park bench. “A long distance rooting for a team. You must be from LA?” I was right. And during his musical journey from Pacific to Atlantic (coasts that is) he’s shared the stage with a plethora of musical icons; Richie Havens, Dave Matthews, Bob Pollard, Joan Baez, Warren Zevon, Hot Tuna and more. I simply said, “Wow.”

He spent a long time in Florida and found huge success with the rock band, ‘Natural Causes.’ I got up from the park bench and walked over to the swings. “Do I dare try the swing out?” He laughed. Then another “wow” from me: In Florida, Arlan became friends with iconic legendary producer Tom Dowd who passed in 2002  and was inducted into the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dowd mentored Arlan and ‘Natural Causes’ and they recorded two albums garnering much acclaim. Arlan reminded me of the amazing accomplishments of his mentor Dowd who recorded albums by Clapton, Chicago, The Rascals, Meat Loaf, Sonny and Cher and Diana Ross, The Eagles and more. I said, “Wow,” yet again.

“Let’s head back to the house,” Arlan said. Fittingly, while we walked in a hot sun, Arlan told me about next hitting the road for six months, discovering intimate America in clubs and coffee houses. Comparisons to Woody Guthrie (whom I call the first real American troubadour musician) crossed my mind. Arlan slept in his van sometimes and once played 88 shows in 90 days. I kept thinking a purist, iconic, sensitive, depth charged singer and lyricist is walking ½ step behind me (I have long legs). To arrive where he is now (this very day), so much has gone into Arlan’s cerebral process which makes for extraordinary music and thought. At a long red light on a busy two lane highway, I told Arlan, he’s like a Hemingway of lyricists. Hemingway wrote after living things first; experiencing life and feeling humanity. So has Arlan who even paid for his cross country adventure by selling CDs out of the back of his van. And Hemingway drove an ambulance in Italy during World War I. “Same thing,” I wondered.

As we approached the house, I saw a basketball backboard in the backyard. “Do you shoot hoops,” I said.  “What’s your game,” he asked. So for 77 minutes Arlan and I shot hoops then played ‘around the world’ so I didn’t have to stress my 25 year older knees playing one on one. How many journalists shoot hoops until dripping wet in a hot sun during the interview process? Back inside, we ventured into the special world of Arlan’s recording studio; a quiet, eclectic and spiritually warm place of limitless creativity. I felt it.

Bringing me up to date, Arlan mentioned returning from his sojourn and finding Williamsburg, Brooklyn and forming the band, ‘Gift Horse,’ which had a hit “I’ve Got to Tell Ya;’ it was on the soundtrack of Ed Burns’ ‘Sidewalks of New York.”  I said, “Wow,” yet again. (The groupie in me causes excessive ‘wows.’) After moving to New Jersey, Arlan recorded two solo albums garnering many honors including ‘Top Americana Artist’ at the Asbury Music Awards in 2007.

Back upstairs we talked about his just released album (the reason why I’ve travelled down a straight highway to talk and shoot hoops with Arlan), “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers,” recorded with his group, ‘The Broken Hearted.’  As of this writing (August 29^th), I’ve listened to the CD a dozen times; his melodious voice easing me into recognition of similarity with historical musical artists which Arlan conjures up. His perfectionism will take Arlan on that ultimate journey of universal acclaim. I’m a writer and thrive on his passionate words.  I’ve seen him perform often now and watch intently as his face changes with emotion; a consummate troubadour and sociologist.

I mention sociologist; one of Arlan’s most passionate songs on the new CD is called ‘Viola.’ I’m a product of the sixties; the deaths of the three civil rights workers (Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner) in Mississippi in 1964 changed my life forever. Arlan’s deep roots/feelings into social conscience and commentary led to his awareness of the life and death of Viola Liuzzo; keen particulates of energy swirled into one of his most moving songs.

As the sweat from our basketball confrontation vaporized in his kitchen, Arlan told me about the life of Viola Liuzzo, a housewife in Michigan who was horrified by the violence in Selma, Alabama and decided to go there herself because the struggle for civil rights was everybody’s. Four Klansmen killed her while she was driving local marchers in March 1965. I never knew about her. So now I do thanks to Arlan’s magic. And there’s reverberation as I write this piece; Arlan’s words; Viola’s family; daughters grown up.  I have to share a few lines from this haunting amazing song.

“Hold tight we’re gonna fight, yes I told ya’

Stand tall stand upright you’re a soldier

We’re gonna take this head on shoulder to shoulder

I hope you’re with me Viola”

Words link me to Hemingway’s spirit. I need to live and experience before I can write. I told that to Arlan. Our day together was, as the credit card commercial goes, priceless. Another favorite song from “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers” is ‘Katie Truly.’

“I’ve been working hard for minimum wages

And I’ve been writing down pages and pages of empty

Since you left me

My car broke down on Pulaski Skyway

This old town she just ain’t going my way this season.”

I’m a spiritual universal kind of guy; always looking for essence and commonality. When I heard this verse for the first time, I yelled, “Oh Wow!”  You see, back in 1965, the year Viola Liuzzo died, my car broke down on the Pulaski Skyway.  We shook hands and said goodbye. Interview over. A sleepy highway back home.

It was a great day with Arlan Feiles for me the interviewer for NJ Discover. When you least expect it, you bond and find commonality in this crazy mixed up world. A few weeks later, Arlan and I were at St. Rose High School in Belmar for the Jersey Shore Basketball League; a college league with mostly offence (spectators we were). Maybe in a few days we’ll do round two of ‘around the world’ hoops; this time at my home court. But in the great cosmic design of things, I found this amazing lyricist, singer and keyboardist. My job is to promulgate, share and move readers to expand horizons. Arlan Feiles is a horizon; easily attainable by checking out websites and procuring his music. Yes, “Weeds Kill the Wild Flowers” is a powerful resounding, “Wow!”

A great video on Arlan Feiles and The Broken Hearted and album release:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TGtZRPBrks&feature=share

To find more information about Arlan and the CD:

http://www.arlanfeiles.com

August 9- 26, Thurs.-Sun at 8pm. 5th Avenue Pavilion on the Boardwalk, Asbury Park.

Brightness: An Interactive Party-Play coming to the Asbury Park Boardwalk. “Brightness” is an original, interactive and engaging experience that descends from the Italian craft of Commedia dell’arte. It will make you laugh, make you think, and stretch your imagination, all in unexpected ways. It’s a house party with rules, but the rules aren’t anything like what you might expect. You’ll be a guest at the party and experience what it’s like to join a crazy world of eccentric but understandable characters. And every performance will feature some of Asbury Park’s great local musicians and performers. Brightness is written and directed by Alice Quinnett.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

NJ Discover at Prom for ROBIN (Recreation Old Bridge In Need). American Hotel, Freehold. May 18, 2012

NJ Discover at Prom for ROBIN (Recreation Old Bridge In Need). American Hotel, Freehold. May 18, 2012By

Calvin Schwartz

A few weeks ago Barbara Anderson contacted me and asked about the feasibility of NJ Discover TV covering a very special event; a Prom for special needs young adults;  part of Old Bridge Township’s amazing program, ROBIN. Barbara has been involved in the program since 1986 which shares and provides much joy, care and love. The prom, greatly anticipated, has been going on for eight years; this was the first time in Freehold. A few seconds elapsed before I knew NJ Discover would be there.

The ROBIN program has grown into a comprehensive system, offering both therapeutic and diverse recreational activities. The goal of year round programming is to provide a basic introduction to recreation opportunities and lifetime skill development. The adult program has been expanded to provide opportunities to participate in some of the township’s most popular recreation programs such as fitness and yoga, cooking, crafts, computer classes, and the ever popular Friday Night Fun Program.

We watched exuberant prom attendees alight the bus and head into the hotel. Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry personally greeted everyone with a prom favor. The mayor was thrilled and emotional; occasionally speechless over the great success of the program; the support and love the township residents provide.  Dr. James Anderson, township council and Barbara Anderson, who runs the non-profit ‘Special Projects for Special Children,’ welcomed us.  When the DJ started playing music, “Rockin Robin,” for a first dance, the dance floor filled with pure joy as did we at NJ Discover.

Contact Information:

Pete Pero, Camp ROBIN Coordinator

732-765-0968

http://www.oldbridge.com/content/137/187/2905.aspx