SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: “COMEDY at THE HEADLINER” Neptune NJ November 12th    by Calvin Schwartz 

I continue to marvel at the exigencies of the universe with respect to synchronicity and commonality with fellow earth travelers. Three years ago, I bumped into Matt Swartz, energetic matrix behind Comedy Coach Productions, at a shore networking event. The meeting was perfunctory, pleasant, brief and seemingly permanently concluded with an exchange of business cards. Then, a few weeks ago, those aforementioned forces extant at Facebook, brought Matt and I together again; this time, with purpose and vision. Part of the forces were Matt’s comedic affiliations and pursuits. I love, love comedy. I need to laugh more than extemporaneously. Through the process of information gathering (not lurking) I discovered (I do write  for NJ Discover) that Matt is also a long time educator in Newark’s Public Schools. I am a product of Newark schools. The synchronicity deepens.

Lately, I’ve written about education and the future of planet earth so I am drawn to an educator’s aura. Matt and I met last week at the juncture of two Monmouth County roads for coffee and absolutely no donuts. I was keenly interested in his role as teacher, educator and track and field coach in Newark. And I was just as captivated with Matt’s comedic journey which began with his amazing comedian father Danny, who worked the Catskills and traveled around the country.

Finally, Matt told me about the special comedy show series he’s producing, “Comedy at The Headliner” which opens November 12^th. I was “sold” immediately. It features well known comedians Peaches Rodriguez, Mike Spade(also magician) and is hosted by the hilarious Dave Lester. It’s a fun night in Neptune on Route 35 at The Headliner along the banks of the Shark River, my favorite river on earth. I love to laugh and we’ll do plenty of that on November 12^th. So get off the sedentary sofa and come on down to the Jersey Shore.                        Calvin

Schwartz

FOR TICKETS CALL: Matt @ 732-397-4848 or Syasia at (848) 667-6338

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE:   https://www.facebook.com/events/1761886257406942/

The Legendary HEADLINER, the Shore’s Number 1 Night Club, along with Comedy Coach Productions presents the Shore’s newest, and hottest monthly Comedy Show starting Nov. 12th! Other dates to follow are December 10th, January 14th, and February 11th.

Doors open at 7 pm, Show starts at 8pm, and then when the show is over, dance and enjoy the rest of your evening with one of the shore’s best DJs. Nationally known comics from all over will be hitting the stage to bring the LOL. Comics from HBO, BET, TV, Movies, will be appearing each month.

Ticket price (only $20) to include admission to the show and all night to the Headliner. Plus, your first drink (wine, beer, or soda) is covered in your admission price. There will be food and drink specials all night!

More details to follow, but if you have any questions contact Matt Swartz at 732-397-4848.

PEACHES RODRIGUEZ:

Peaches is a Latina Diva of Comedy, who is a nationally touring comic, and a regular in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. She has appeared on CBS Paula Abdul Show, opened for Arsenio Hall at Caesars in Atlantic City, has performed at the world famous Apollo Theater and spoke at Yale University’s “Women in Comedy” panel last February.  Peaches is a veteran comic who is respected by her peers and all audiences she has performed for. She is a firecracker guaranteed to make the crowd explode with laughter.

MIKE SPADE:

A lifelong “Jersey Boy”, born and raised in Essex County, Mike has been entertaining audiences throughout the country for years, performing in comedy clubs, colleges, private parties, corporate events, and more.  He has been an opening act for Regis Philbin, Jeff Dunham, Chris Rock, Bon Jovi, and many others, including the entire cast of Celebrity Apprentice at their Season 12 finale. He consistently astounds audiences with his unrelenting energy and riotous Comedy-Magic. Mike’s show is filled with tons of amazing and hysterical routines.  With the perfect blend of Magic and Comedy, whether experiencing the sleight of hand artistry or the stand-up wizardry of Mike Spade, the audience will not believe their eyes! Cards, coins, and other objects vanish, re-appear, change colors, morph and materialize right before your very eyes!

MATT SWARTZ:

A lifelong public educator, and Head Varsity Track and Field Coach, Matthew formed Comedy Coach Productions in 2010, to bring Professional Comedy to the shore! His first show starred the legendary comedian HAMBURGER in Asbury Park. Matt has produced shows in Asbury Park, Ocean Township, Neptune, Brick, West Long Branch, and then expanded into Sayreville, Perth Amboy, and Newark. He has used his business to raise tens of thousands of dollars for College Teams, High School Teams, Breast Cancer Awareness, Autism, Little League Baseball, and most recently provide the entertainment for the Neptune Township Mayors Charity Ball that raised $20,000 for the Neptune Public Library.

Currently, Comedy Coach Productions has agreed to do four shows at the Shores Premiere Club, The Headliner, located on 1401 Route 35 in Neptune. The Jersey Shore’s hottest nightclub, The Headliner, is “High-Energy,” all the time. It is considered a favorite by locals and visitors alike due to its stellar entertainment lineup, close proximity to the Shore, and great hospitality. The Headliner is designed purely with the total entertainment experience in mind. You can have a drink, party with friends, get down on the dance floor, or grab a bite. Comedy Coach Production has joined forces with the Headliner to provide the Shore’s Best Monthly Comedy Show, featuring only A List Comedians.

FOR TICKETS CALL: Matt @ 732-397-4848 or Syasia at (848) 667-6338

SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: Lisa Sherman, ‘Broadway and Beyond’ with Kristin Cochran and Academy Award Winner Frank Previte. McCloone’s Supper Club  Nov 25^th 2016     by Calvin Schwartz  10-26-16

In the world of central Jersey music, there are a proliferate number of shows/concerts/tributes. Every so often, an upcoming show strikes that chord of promulgation and dissemination. Actually, any show with the extraordinary songstress/diva Lisa Sherman needs mention. Franke Previte, Academy Award winner adds to the special ambiance; as does singer Kristin Cochran. McCloone’s by the Atlantic in Asbury Park equals more ambiance. Then the magic of the holiday season and the day after Thanksgiving. The show is called ‘Broadway and Beyond’ and brought you by Boyd and Previte. Maybe get your tickets early.  Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving.   Calvin Schwartz

Our annual Labor Day Weekend festival moves from its long-time home at Allaire State Park to the beautiful and spacious Horse Park of NJ in Allentown, September 3-4 from noon to 5 p.m. The rain date is Monday, Sept. 5. The event will feature two separate band stands showcasing non-stop musical entertainment.

Advance discounted tickets are now on sale for $20 + fee by clicking here. This price will only stay in effect through August 14. Then, the advance price will be $25 + fee through August 28 and then $30 + fee the week of the event and on-site. GSWGA WandM Experience FB

Our event will feature two bandstands allowing for non-stop musical entertainment that will be headlined on Saturday on the Main Stage by the famed Roomful of Blues Band, the American blues and swing revival band with a recording career spanning over 40 years. Long Gone Daddies will perform on the Local Stage and Burning Bridget Cleary will open on the Main Stage. Sunday’s musical entertainment will be headlined by The Slambovian Circus of Dreams on the Main Stage as well as Rogues on the Run performing on the Local Stage and Hot Jazz Jumpers opening on the Main Stage.

In addition, we are also pleased to announce a special VIP opportunity for the Wine & Music Experience.

GSWGA Membership Card VIP Treatment at Wine & Music Experience

Those customers purchasing one of our new GSWGA membership cards will receive special VIP treatment at the Wine & Music Experience. GSWGA card holders will receive the following:

– VIP parking

– VIP express entry through the gate

– Guaranteed seats inside a GSWGA-membership card-only tent located close to the main stage

– Special Wine Seminars inside the GSWGA membership tent

– Tastings of reserved wines not available at winery tents and meet the winemaker opportunities

– Light fare

– Wine deliveries brought right to your vehicle

In addition to the festival package, take advantage of special offers available only to GSWGA card members in July and other months by purchasing a Membership Card. This card gets you special winery offers and multiple day access to all of our fall festivals. The price for the card $100. Buy two and get 25% off the second card. All cards are numbered and members will need to show their card for admission to festival events and special winery offers.

Visit

www.newjerseywines.com

JERSEY SHORE SUMMER MUSIC: ICONS OF ROCK CONCERT THURSDAY JULY 14TH at  BAR A  

I’m always on a personal quest via a yellow brick road of relevance to find summer venues/activities that embrace the images of Jersey pop culture living. Therefore, to make summer really effective, memorable, iconic, versatile, one should seek events at or close to the Jersey shore, replete with indigenous(homegrown) purist Jersey rock music with a plethora of beverages to ease you down the road. Usually accompanying the aforementioned, are a gathering of friends and faces tanned by Jersey sun; The Icons of Rock Concert fulfills all those criteria. See you next Thursday.   

Calvin Schwartz

A Night on the Red Carpet: Premiere of “Who’s Jenna…?” in Asbury Park NJ     bY  Calvin Schwartz  May 24^th 2016

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This article is comprised of three distinct sections. Firstly, my experience on the Red Carpet last Friday May 20^th evening in Asbury Park at the House of Independents; noting one of my pastimes is absorption of extant energy fields at special events. I take a couple of deep inhalations, pinch myself, and whisper, “look at where I am, Mah.” I was thrilled to have been invited as a journalist. Secondly, although I am just short of a light year AWAY from Siskel and Ebert, I will construct my review of the film. “Who’s Jenna….?” in my own inimitable style. Thirdly, I will reprise my article which appeared on NJ Discover last summer after I spent a morning on the Somerville, New Jersey set of the film.

PLEASE CHECK END OF ARTICLE FOR LINK TO TARA-JEAN VITALE’S VIDEO REPORT ON RED CARPET!!! 

SECTION ONE

It’s a funny thing how fast you can become an energy barometer at certain events. As soon as Tara-Jean Vitale, co-reporter and TV host with me at NJ Discover LIVE, arrived on Asbury Park’s Cookman Avenue House of Independents, a lengthy Red Carpet and backdrop secured along the façade, we both knew it was an electric night at the Jersey shore. We observed the early guests, splendidly dressed, were intermingling, smiling, hugging and posing. Yes, there was a certain air. The more guests arrived, more scenes of joy and hugs.  There were no ‘airs’ in the air around the theater. People were really glad to be there.  Bert Baron, (recent NJ Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Inductee) program director and morning drive show host from WCTC (1450 AM) was formally interviewing, freeing me to photo, absorb and mingle. Tara-Jean and I chatted with the film publicist and Lady in Red, Laura Madsen. She did good creating a sold-out event. By 7 PM, there was a flow through and around the Red Carpet of hundreds of people.

The cast arrived, euphoric and accessible. What I noticed when I spent time on the set and when some cast and young director Tom Baldinger appeared on NJ Discover LIVE TV SHOW and right in front of me on the streets of Asbury Park was that the cast and crew really liked each other; it was a real warmth, affection and respect.  I love hugs. I loved watching the cast at their premiere. I sensed the chemistry I was watching would translate to the film soon to be seen.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew a guest’s skirt over her head in a scene remindful of the iconic Marilyn Monroe picture. I actually caught it on camera (with proper permission). I sensed a true Hollywood evening. Cars on Cookman slowed down to check all the excitement. Slowly, the hundreds of guests, hugely anticipatory, made their way into the theater.

I’m jumping now to after the film. Cast and crew sat on stage graciously sharing and answering questions and always broadly smiling. The audience loved this. Then the iconic band, Slim Chance (Mario Casella) and The Gamblers, who did some of the original music in the film, performed at the after party. I’ve loved this band for years. They are simply electric just like the entire night had been. I moved to the front row while I had the chance. People started dancing. The cast were still hugging and posing. Then Slim Chance and The Gamblers performed “The Power.” One of my favorites. I pinched myself again.

SECTION TWO: A Review of “Who’s Jenna….?’

I’ve got a long history of movie watching and appreciation. It’s quirky and obsessive. Ten years ago, I was watching ‘Casablanca’ for the 44^th time and at the last scene, when Bogart shoots Major Strasser, Claude Rains picks up a bottle of Vichy Water, 1942’s version of our bottled water. Rains throws the bottle into the garbage. I let out a scream. There was a novel in my head in that one second. Five years later, ‘Vichy Water,’ my first novel, was published. I tell this story here to dramatize my affection with movies and how powerful an influence in my life. Over the years, I’ve developed my personal movie rating system. It’s simple enough and it works. I judge a movie by whether I would see it again; simple. I’ve seen ‘The Godfather’ again and again(embarrassed how many times) ‘Casablanca’ those 44 times. Sometimes I’ll see a movie again just for a particular scene.

Yes, I’d see ‘Who’s Jenna……?’ again. This was a delightfully funny film with adult film references, a little blackmail, frenetic dialogue (and well delivered) and romance. Without giving too much away, Bill Sorvino’s character, Jonathan has a girlfriend (Jenna)His best friend, Andy, is obsessively, therefore, comically convinced she looks like an adult film star and that leads to comedic romps. The plot thickens with a ‘familial’ twist.

I appreciate sharp dialogue in preciously funny situations. Tom Baldinger, writer, director, delivers that.  Some of the scenes were priceless like the  credit card commercial. That’s why I’ll see it again. The acting ensemble is quite accomplished which translates (for me) to a healthy infusion of their improvisational/ad libing skills in the filming. You can sense they’re having fun together filming and embellishing. Tom, I get the feeling openly welcomed their ‘addition’ skills.

I’m a facial expression guy. I pay attention to faces in situations. Their acting gives me my facial expression fix. It’s there. Props to this special cast including Tracey Birdsall, Bill Sorvino, Joseph D’Onofrio, Garry Pastore (who just makes me laugh throughout film), Edwin Guerrero, Lenny Venito, Vic Dibitetto, Michael Tota, Jill Christy Reiss and cameos including The Sopranos Vincent Pastore.   I’m a Jersey guy since birth. I love the fact it’s a Jersey film; familiar sights and sounds.

PLEASE CHECK END OF ARTICLE FOR LINK TO TARA-JEAN VITALE’S VIDEO REPORT ON RED CARPET!!!

SECTION THREE: SPOTLIGHT: ON THE NEW JERSEY SET OF FILMING “WHO’S JENNA…..?”   And A CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR TOM BALDINGER   bY Calvin Schwartz    September 9th 2015

Hooray for social media, networking and circles of commonality. For the last several years, Laura Madsen, publicist and innovative writer/blogger at http://www.theladyinredblog.com/ and I have travelled in similar circles of commonality (as I call it). Our energies and passions emanate from Jersey life and the arts. If you’ve read my musings over the past few years, I’ve postulated that Jersey has become the pop culture capital of America and Laura is always at the epicenter. For verification of the postulate, just look at ‘The Soprano’s’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’, “Jersey Boy’s’, ‘Jersey Shore’, ‘Jersey Housewives’, ‘Garden State’, and ‘Jersey Girl’.  Laura and I never had the opportunity for the sharing of notes and synchronicities; we never met formally.

A few weeks ago, Laura contacted me via Facebook and asked if I’d like to cover the filming of a feature film, “Who’s Jenna…..?” which is a comedy  written by award winning producer, director Tom Baldinger from 624 Productions, LLC, a New Jersey based company. Laura hinted that the film title had something to do with an adult film star but that’s all she said. My response to her was immediate and decisive; “I’d love to hang around the set and do some absorbing and interviewing for NJ Discover.”

The next decision for me was where to surface for the best absorption opportunity. The filming was taking place at the Lakewood Country Club for an on-location golf scene or the following day at Verve Restaurant in Somerville.  I surmised that it’s best not to hang around a hot golf course as Jersey was in heat wave, so I opted for the cool basement confines of Verve for the shooting of a dinner scene. And I’d get a chance to hang a bit with actor Garry Pastore; I’ve been a fan for years.

Time constraints of being on set and getting a few minutes to chat (at the break) with director Tom Baldinger made me formulate a direction I wanted to take with this coverage. I’m quick to admit that my experience of being on sets is somewhat limited although I was on set back in the 90’s with Meryl Streep, William Hurt and Renee Zellweger and wound up in the Christmas scene in ‘One True Thing.’ My focus for “Who’s Jenna….?”  was the art of detail and precision in the film making process.

Laura’s phone messaging last Wednesday morning got me to Verve’s rear parking lot (on foot), through a rear kitchen door, down a steep stairway, through a narrow hallway to a basement dining room, filled with tables and patrons (all actors).  I never asked if this was an active part of the restaurant or just the basement set for a very funny scene. Seated at a large table, with cameras aimed, were actors Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Vic Dibitetto (also a very funny comedian whom I saw recently at Count Basie Theater at a Frank Sinatra Birthday Party), and Bill Sorvino, playing the lead role of Jonathan Burke. Next, Laura introduced me to the film director, Tom Baldinger; first and lasting impressions were that of an affable, intense, creative, focused force in the universe. It’s funny how fast you can “size” people. Waiters started bringing steaming plates of pasta, meat balls, chicken and foot long sausage in front of the seated actors; it was 10 AM.  Someone yelled, “Get the Dunkin Donuts coffee cup off the table.” Actor Michael Tota introduced himself. He and I have been part of central Jersey concentric circles; we never met live, but knew of each other.

Readers can go to the film website for more plot/story information. http://www.624-productions.com/#!whos-jenna/c6h0n

The basement area was relatively small; an additional eight tables or so had ‘diners’ (actors) to make for a perfectly realistic restaurant set; the table next had a woman and her young daughter. The small room size and 90-degree outdoor heat made the set challenging.  I watched the crew fill the four actors’ wine glasses half-way with grape juice.  The wine glasses would be an interesting focus for me; the exact level of the juice in the glass was maintained for the next 94 minutes (multiple takes) that I watched from the rear side behind the cameras where Laura and I were positioned. As they were ready to shoot the scene, I heard “Quiet on the set.”  I smiled. This was real.

I won’t give much away but the scene was hysterically funny as the four actors ate (pretended to eat as the sausage maintained its great length throughout), drank, conversed and laughed. I love watching eyes of the actors moving from person to person; just that small detail embraced me. Watching my friend Garry Pastore talk/act/move his eyes/laugh and then greet Michael Tota’s character when he walked over was perfectly real. There was a poignant albeit funny story going on.  Director Tom Baldinger meticulously instructed Michael Tota how to grab himself while talking and then look at Vic Dibetto’s character. It had to be the same grab in every take. The repartee with Lenny, Bill and Garry was priceless. I’d love to use their words the next time I go to my primary care physician and see how it’s received. I savored every minute of absorption.

Something else I noticed; about the crew; a special esprit de corps. They were a well-oiled machine, anticipating, performing, and functioning like the offensive backfield of a local college football team. They loved what they were doing and with whom; their director. I like to observe those elements. The body heat generated in the basement’s close quarters moved me to Main Street in Somerville for an hour until I caught up with director Tom Baldinger just before lunch.

I mentioned to Tom that I have a relatively undiscerning eye when it comes to matters of film making but I’m a HUGE movie fan going to back to 1939 vintage. Tom was engaging and thrilled to be chatting. Once I flipped on my reporter’s recorder, he started. “For me it’s very important that what’s said-dialogue is not just dialogue-there’s a purpose to why people say certain things. That’s why when I write my scripts, I try to be very careful with the words that are said. I try to make sure that the voices are separate from each other-that the characters are separate.  There is a voice in each one of them. When you are on set, everything has to have a place because I’ve seen tons of movies-big budget films; sometimes the detail is not there. For me there are a lot of people watching movies who will not like a movie because there is something wrong-a missing detail-or if dialogue doesn’t match up correctly-or characters not really synching together. That’s very important to me.”

I mentioned, “Translates down to your crew. I was watching them measure grape juice in a glass to make sure it was exact level.”  “It’s all about continuity. How many times have you seen a movie where the glass is half-full and in the next shot- it’s the same conversation- the glass is either empty or not there. I was watching a movie last night-‘Mission Impossible 3’ and saw where all the extras were and I have to give a lot of credit to J.J. Abrams. A lot of time you’ll see movies with extras. They are in the shot then they are not there. My crew; I have to be honest with you. The meticulous and tight atmosphere really comes from them because I think they see me as a visionary. I’ve built this and I’m not trying to sound egotistical but I’ve built this company and in some ways they look at me as their leader and so they are on the ride. They want-they feel this is going to be successful. They want to be on the same boat. I’ve always set goals and reached my goals. I think that’s why everybody on this crew wants to do everything perfectly because they want to take this next step into this industry.”

Taking it further I added, “I’ve watched a melding of you all there.” Tom said, “Yes.” “I was so impressed with the detail. When Michael comes over to Garry at the table, you tell him exactly what to grab and do.”  Tom added, “Yes, when we shoot the reverse, we need to see him grab himself and that action-when we’re in post, you see Vic’s reaction. It makes my editor’s job so much easier. And when you are sitting around the post, you are not saying we forgot that or look at that.”

The night before I heard interesting news about Apple and the film business; “Your work as an Indie film maker has an interesting future. Apple announced yesterday it may give money to Indies.” “I hope so. I heard a little about that. I work on Wall Street and I’ve been out of work mode for the last week or two. My father who actually works for Bloomberg said you have to check this out. When I get a moment, I’ll read about it; very interesting.”

I thought Apple wants to do what Netflix is doing. Tom was quick to comment. “That is where the market seems to be going; where the industry is going and I’m going to quote a famous actor hearing him talk about Indie films. Alec Baldwin was on Howard Stern show a few weeks ago. He was talking about how film has changed over past 20 or 30 years; that now big budget movies are all technical, special effects, CGI. Not that the big budget films don’t get into the story or content but they are more Marvel and super heroes. I love those movies and I’m there with the popcorn, but the Indie industry-that’s where you get down into characters, stories and dialogues and really get into it. What the Indie film industry has done-it has born the writer-director and sometimes that’s good-sometimes bad because studios say we only have $250,000 to spend. We can’t spend another $100,000 for a director, so let’s make the writer the director. That’s a bad choice but when you have a good script and a good writer who can be a director, studios need to take that into consideration. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime-all that stuff; it’s really starting to blow up. Quite frankly, ‘House of Cards;’ I said to my wife last year that they don’t have to win an Emmy; just be being nominated, Netflix was doing cartwheels down the hallway because they knew all of a sudden they got something and now everybody else is trying to do it.”

I asked Tom about quality. “Quality is better. I mean we’re shooting with a red camera where some of those shows you see with bigger name people are shooting with the same equipment. We’re trying to bring high quality products with lower budgets and eventually, hopefully somebody like Apple will say I like your product and I want to put more money into it and give us an opportunity to do even more.”

Tom smiled, took a deep inhalation and was ready to go on talking. It was I who suggested that he eat lunch but that down the road a spell, he should come on NJ Discover Live Radio/TV show with the cast and Laura Madsen and continue our chat. After a firm hand-shake cementing the deal and a photo-op of course, I was on the road again, heading to Yurcak Field on Rutgers campus with NJ Discover broadcasting the television coverage of the Skye Blue FC Professional Women’s Soccer match against Kansas City. A bunch of questions suddenly popped into consciousness on Route 287 to ask Tom and the cast. It would wait until October 5th for NJ Discover’s Live Show with them. We move fast here in Central Jersey.

Who’s Jenna…? Red Carpet – AsburyPark 5.20.16

IMDB “Who’s Jenna…..”  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4317858/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

Jersey Shore Retro Blog Kevin Cieri:  https://jerseyshoreretro.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/nj-discover/

624 Productions:  http://www.624-productions.com/

Laura Madsen Blog:   http://www.theladyinredblog.com/

Calvin Schwartz  www.vichywater.net

A VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX: SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HONORABLE SONIA SOTOMAYOR VISITS RUTGERS EAGLETON INSTITUTE   bY  Calvin Schwartz    April 13, 2016

Over the years I’ve discovered the mind expansive joys of Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics. After one lecture, I told Watergate-famed John Dean, Nixon’s counsel, that he contributed to the break-up of my first marriage because I spent three weeks as a newlywed watching his testimony and nothing else. He laughed and asked if I re-married. I remember lectures with Doris Kearns Goodwin, Governors Whitman and Codey, Michael Beschloss, David Gergen.  Senator Cory Booker was at Eagleton a few weeks ago. Actually Senator Booker called on me for the last question; it was my omnipresent Rutgers hat and “over-abundance of hair” which garnered his attention. When it was announced that Justice Sotomayor was coming on April 11th and registration was at 9 AM on line, I set the alarm for 8 AM. I filled out the form at 9 AM sharp. Seconds later, it was closed out and so was I. The demand to see the Supreme Court Justice was beyond.

Eagleton reacted and moved the venue to the Rutgers Athletic Center(RAC) to accommodate.  I remembered I’m a journalist here at NJ Discover and got press credentials for the event. Arrival was two hours early to set up in the press box yet even that early, you could feel a special air of excitement and still hear echoes in the empty RAC. I walked around absorbing. The doors opened for the spectators; such a diverse and smiling demographic. I knew it wasn’t basketball season or Kansas. This was a special day.

Dr. Barchi, Rutgers President spoke briefly and acknowledged some past Jersey officials. Ruth Mandel, head of Eagleton and Justice Sotomayor walked across the gym floor to the stage and two comfortable chairs. A very skilled eloquent Ruth Mandel began to ask questions.

Justice Sotomayor remarked, “Who I am is an amalgam of experiences.” Mandel asked, “What did you hold onto from early days?”  “I have a Puerto Rican heart….my culture is who I am….my values that I was taught…. love of family, community, country….”  Once I heard her words, I knew she was a very special exceedingly humanistic Justice; a rare precious and beautiful person. This audience was in the presence of greatness. Isn’t it funny how fast you can tell qualities. She was born in the Bronx, went to Princeton and Yale Law.

“Has the court affected people close to you?” She missed that first Christmas; couldn’t leave the court. “Sure it changes you.”  She went on to say, “I studied and studied…. never cut corners with education…. I worry students who are involved in everything…. involved with too much…. should concentrate on passions…. Don’t do any work that you’re not passionate about.” Yes, she was on a college campus with many students listening.

I loved this next segment. Justice Sotomayor mentioned that she doesn’t like sitting for long periods of time and walks slowly but she’d walk into the stands all the way up to the rafters answering questions. “I was called “hot pepper” by my mother. I can’t sit still.”  How wondrously real. She shook hands with some of the appreciative audience. I was in the second level press box; she was three feet away. Yes, thrilling.

“Every night before I go to sleep, I ask what did I learn new today. How did I extend an act of kindness? If I can’t answer, I don’t go to bed…. I go on the internet.” I turned to Dan, Editor of the Rutgers Targum, sitting next and whispered, “A very special person. Wow.”

Fittingly she spoke about more diversity on the Supreme Court can help to better understand the cases but wouldn’t necessarily change outcomes. “In every case we’re announcing a winner. One side comes away vindicated…. One loses…. It makes this job hard.”  I liked the air in the gym; no questioning on prevailing winds of politics and the court. There is a time and place. I just wanted to hear her humanity and personal expressions.  Back on the gym floor, after students asked questions and a photo-op, Ruth Mandel and Justice Sotomayor were quickly gone. I think she had to catch a train.

……..

Last night I had the privilege of honoring some of New Jersey’s BEST at Asbury Park’s magnificent Convention Hall Theater. My co-host Calvin Schwartz and I enjoyed greeting the honorees on the red carpet. The New Jersey Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates Garden State Citizens for their outstanding accomplishments. I am always impressed with the diversity of over achievers that are chosen for each year’s ceremony. Year’s passed the Inductees have included Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Dizzy Gillespie, Martha Stewart, Joyce Carol Oates, Tony Bennet, Whitney Houston, John Travolta, Dionne Warwick, Michael Douglas and Bruce Willis. And this year’s honored were equally impressive:

Class of 2015

James Fenimore Cooper – America’s National Novelist – “Last of the Mohicans”

William Fox of 20th Century Fox – His first film studio was in Fort Lee New Jersey

Lewis Katz – Founder and Director of Katz Foundation

Kool & The Gang –  “Jungle Boogie”, “Funky Stuff”, “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”

Jack H. Jacobs – Medal of Honor, McDermott Chair of Humanities, On-Air Analyst for NBC

Derek Jeter – Five Time World Series Champion, Yankees All-Time Career Leader

Frank R. Lautenberg – Represented NJ in the United States Senate for five terms.

Bernard Marcus – Co-Founder of Home Depot

Christie Rampone – FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion & 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist

Jon Stewart – Television Host of The Daily Show – winning 18 EmmyAwards

Dick Vitale – American Basketball Sportscaster & Analyst, ABC, ESPN, NCAA, Olympic Games

Carla Harris – Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Gospel Singer

The evening began with the theater booming from the tremendous sound of the Glen Burtnik Band. Soon after we were treated to a wonderful rendition of Theme from New York, New York sung by Joe Piscopo, the Hall Of Fame’s Host. Among laughter and cheers Joe Piscopo sung about New Jersey’s greatest and most memorable places to love and avoid. Throughout the evening one by one the Honorees and their families accepted the prestigious awards. All who attended the ceremony that evening could sense the great privilege that each inductee felt who stood on the stage that night.

(Special thanks to photographer: Richard Elliott Hoynes)

After a great evening in Asbury, rubbing elbows with my long-lost cousin Dick Vitale, and serenading “Ladies Night” to Kool & the Gang, I am settling down with my better half to rent the “Last of the Mohicans” in honor of New Jersey’s Hall of Fame. Looking forward to next year’s Ceremony and finding out who will be chosen from the many supremely talented Jersey Citizens. Congrats to all New Jerseys Hall of Fame Inductees and Good Luck to all the Hopefuls!

TaraJean McDonald Vitale

Journalist & Radio Host & On-Air Personality, NJDiscover

yourstrulyTJ@wordpress.com

A SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION:  “BIG RoaD Presents Terry Camp’s Friends in the House Birthday Bash” Stone Pony  February 19^th     bY Calvin Schwartz

Whenever I write about an event, I find that need to personalize it. This lends credibility and enthusiasm hopefully having the effect to motivate people to evacuate their sedentary sofas and come on down. On the personalization front, I’ve been following the team of Terry Camp and Jesse Warren at Big RoaD productions. They put on these magical, memorable events that embrace the musical culture of Central Jersey with a certain unmistakable flair.  You need to be there if you love purist music.

I’m reminded all of a sudden of the team of George M Cohan and Sam Harris that put on historic shows. Yes, that was way before my time (1904-1920) I write with free association; whatever comes to mind. So Camp and Warren remind me of Cohan and Harris. It works. They’re both great teams.

The event is “BIG RoaD Presents Terry Camp’s Friends in the House Birthday Bash” It’s on February 19^th at the Stone Pony. Check it all out. See you around. A lot of great music.

Calvin Schwartz   2-9-16

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

February 19th at The Stone Pony, BIG RoaD presents

“TERRY CAMP’s FRIENDS IN THE HOUSE BIRTHDAY BASH!”

featuring

JOHN EDDIE and His Dirty Ol’ Band

AND!

The BIG RoaD All-Star (Big) Band, featuring appearances by

JOHN EDDIE
JoBONANNO
EDDIE TESTA
KILLER JOE
and more to be announced!

with special guests
MICHAEL PATRICK and THE SUBURBAN HILLBILLIES

February 19th

Tickets on sale TODAY! – Pony Box Office and Ticketmaster.com

$22 advance/$27 at door
Plus applicable surcharges
All Ages!

“‘Another unforgettable night of jamming and friendship ahead!”

AND MORE NEWS:

— SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT —

BIG RoaD TRIBUTE TO A 1982 NIGHT IN STONE PONY HISTORY – on FEBRUARY 19th!

February 8, 1974 marks the 42nd Birthday for The Stone Pony – and the legendary venue’s annual Anniversary month.

BIG RoaD proudly presents my Birthday show at The Pony on February 19th, with John Eddie and His Dirty Ol’ Band, The BIG RoaD All-Star Band and special guests JoBonanno, Eddie Testa, Killer Joe plus more to be announced. The night will feature a TBD opener early and then a set by The BIG RoaD All-Star Band with many special guests starting at 8:20 pm. John Eddie will hit the stage at 9:50 pm (for real – This is a unique night, with a solid schedule we will follow.) for a full, long set. Then, The BIG RoaD All-Star Band will rock from midnight on – and guests will include John Eddie for many songs, as well as several other special guests.

As if that wasn’t cool enough, as a nod to The Pony’s Anniversary month, which BIG RoaD and I are honored to be part of, the FIRST HALF of The BIG RoaD All-Star Band’s midnight set will feature:

The Cats on a Smooth Surface 4th Anniversary encore set of August 15, 1982. That night is an anniversary for me – the first night I ever walked into The Stone Pony. It’s simply the penultimate Summer (hot as Hell!)/Late (ending after 3:00 am in 1982)/Shore/Pony set – and will feature many guest artists (disclaimer: no, not Bruce). Here it is:

Ready, Teddy

From Small Things Mamma (Big Things One Day Come)

Around and Around

Jersey Girl

You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)

Havin’ a Party

Detroit Medley/Shake

Sweet Soul Music

All ages/21 to drink.

Tickets on sale now at The Stone Pony Box Office and at:

http://m.ticketmaster.com/event/0000502F923717FB

BIG RoaD is excited to announce that Jillian Rhys McCoy will be joining The BIG RoaD All-Star Band for Terry Camp’s Friends in The House Birthday Bash Friday February 19th at The Stone Pony!

BIG RoaD is excited to announce Eryn Shewell will be joining The BIG RoaD All-Star Band for Terry Camp’s Friends in the House Birthday Bash at The Stone Pony Friday February 19th!

NEED TO LAUGH: A COMEDY SPOTLIGHT COMING ATTRACTION: CATCH A RISING STAR PRINCETON; HEIRESSES OF COMEDY, JILL KIMMEL BRYAN, MINDY RICKLES and SHEBA MASON, FEBRUARY 5^TH and 6^TH   and MORE  bY Calvin Schwartz   January 28, 2016  

Comedy and I go back a long way to the days of Milton Berle, Jack Carter and The Honeymooners. Of course, the aforementioned becomes a parsimonious helping of “dating myself’ but who cares?  I was a little kid learning to laugh at silly people on a black and white television with rascally rabbit ears. Late one summer, I went to college, grew up and liked comedy even more. I exited the sixties with a couple of Rutgers college degrees and a growing fascination with comedian Lenny Bruce. I bought all his vinyl albums, saw a Broadway play about his life and came to terms, with some personal pain, with his death and my missing the essence of his career because I wasn’t aware of the world around me. I also missed Dr. King and the March on Washington in 1963. Along came a vow to absorb, grow, learn, partake of the world and keep my rear off the sedentary sofa. It’s my way of life these days of climate change.

All these formative years, I marveled at the minds and talents of comedians; rare, precious and beautiful people. Yes, beginning with Lenny Bruce, wondrously funny and hip with social causes, I immersed myself with as much comedy as I could ingest.  There are many people who talk about Lenny as a champion of free speech. Funny, I’m going to a lecture at Rutgers tonight about free speech. Then Richard Pryor arrived and how I just simply laughed hysterically at his bits,  facial expressions and what he had to say in a serious way. What a gift he was. And I missed him too; never saw him live.

Do you see where I’m going? I don’t want to miss comedians any more that arrived or are on the way up. No more. I want to be there, laughing, learning and wishing I could be on stage.  A few years ago, I became friends with Mike Marino, New Jersey Bad Boy of Comedy. Now I see him perform often and laugh for a couple of hour’s straight non-stop; incisive contemporary brilliant humor. A week after Christmas, Mike called and invited me to come to ‘Catch a Rising Star’ Comedy Club in Princeton to see headliner Kevin Downey Jr and comedienne Pam DeButts. It was a magical night; a lot of laughing and a discovery; How close geographically and structurally (the stage is so close to all the seats) ‘Catch a Rising Star’ in Princeton is to my world which simply is New Jersey.

‘Catch a Rising Star’ was the place that launched the careers of Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, Chris Rock and many others and it has been providing Comedy of Legendary Proportions since 1972. Now I’m a huge fan, groupie, supporter and attendee. There’s plenty of great shows coming; the one that caught my eye right away is February 5^th and 6^th; Heiresses of Comedy, Jimmy Kimmel’s sister, Don Rickles’ daughter and Jackie Mason’s daughter.  Check it all out. See you all around.    Calvin Schwartz

Catch a Rising Star website: http://www.catcharisingstar.com/index.php

Reservations can be made:

Catch A Rising Star box office at 609 987 -8018 or by visiting catcharisingstar.com

​For Press Passes and further information, please call us at 201-433-6705 or mike@catcharisingstar.com

Catch a Rising Star @ Hyatt Princeton is located at 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540. Free parking is available.

Tickets Hyatt Regency:  Generally, Tickets are $19.50 Fridays and 22.00 Saturdays.  There is a Two Drink Minimum for All Shows. All ages are welcome (16 and under with Adult).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:  THE HILARIOUS “HEIRESSES OF COMEDY”, BUDDY FITZPATRICK AND MARLA SCHULTZ FOR A VERY SPECIAL VALENTINE’S WEEKEND

“Heiresses of Comedy” Jill Kimmel Bryan, Mindy Rickes and Sheba Mason

February 5 – 6

Jill Kimmel Bryan was the only female in The Comedy Squadron, a group of five very funny comedians who were selected by Armed Forces Entertainment to perform for the U.S. military. In the spring of 2013, the group traveled to Germany, Belgium and England to provide some much-needed comedic relief and help boost morale at 8 different military bases. It was the experience of a lifetime that Jill cherishes as one of her greatest comedic accomplishments to date. The summer of 2014 brought Jill and her own group, The Comedy Battalion, to Italy and Turkey for yet another military tour, which was just as rewarding as the first. October 2015 was time for a third tour which included England, Belgium, Germany, Kosovo and the Netherlands with another group, World Class Comedy. She will be embarking on her fourth tour in April 2016.

Stand-up comedian and actress, Mindy Rickles was recently featured in Jeff Garlin’s theatrical release, Dealin’ With Idiots, and has been performing stand-up at clubs around Los Angeles, including as an emcee at the Laugh Factory. She was featured on episodes of In the Heat of the Night with Carroll O’Conner and grew up as the daughter of one of the all-time greats of comedy, Don Rickles. Her act reflects her unique and unusual life growing up, her husband and family which includes two boys and her own particular obsessions. Mindy’s notably adept at working the room and applying her improvisational experience into her comedy.

Born into a theatrical family – with parents, Jackie Mason (comedian) and Ginger Reiter (playwright) – Sheba Mason has been performing since the age of two as a stage prop in her mother’s play where she sat in her high chair and drank from her bottle. Eventually the bottle turned into a microphone, and Sheba  has not left the stage since.  She has appeared in comedy clubs and for events throughout the country. Currently Sheba performs nightly in comedy clubs in Manhattan spouting her unique witticisms, on everything from politics to Grandmas to being single in New York. She stars as her mother in 702 Punchlines & Pregnant: The Jackie Mason Musical a full cast, musical-comedy depicting the tumultuous love affair of her off-beat parents.

SPECIAL EVENT
Valentine’s weekend Buddy Fitzpatrick and Marla Schultz

February 12 – 13

Philadelphia may have been where  was born, but it was in a Philadelphia Comedy Club where he came to life. And as any true Philiadelphian, he now lives in New Jersey.

​Buddy’s stand-up made him a regular on Comedy Central with appearances on ABC and A&E.

Buddy can be seen in the Damon Wayans’ film, Harlem Aria, and in The Business of Strangers, starring Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing.

​His television credits include HBO’s “Sopranos.” Buddy has written, produced and performed his biographical play “Sides” at various NYC theatres.

Originally from Long Island Marla Schultz is a headlining stand-up-comic, actress and public speaker. She toured the country opening for comedian Chelsea Hander, Jim Breuer and other top comics, entertained the troops overseas and guest starred on several television shows. Schultz is also an inventor of The Racktrap (www.theracktrap.com) a one-size-fits all bra pocket. Marla began her standup career in New York City where Alan King hand-picked her for the inaugural Toyota Comedy Festival. She was recently inducted into The New York Friars Club, and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs nominated her for a MAC Award for ‘Outstanding Female Comedian.’ LA beckoned and Marla spent the past decade in Los Angeles performing regularly at The Hollywood Improv, Comedy Union, Comedy Store and The Ice House. Marla is a regular on the festival circuit- you can catch her this summer the Nantucket Comedy Festival, a semi- finalist in Ladies of Laughter, featured in the LA Comedy Festival and New York’s She Devil Festival. Since moving back east, When not performing in theaters, casinos, festivals or private appearances, you can catch Marla at New York’s top comedy clubs. Television credits include a second appearance on Comics Unleased, Who Wants to Date a Comedian, Girls Behaving Badly, E! Entertainment Television’s The Entertainer with Wayne Newton. Offering commentary on E! Entertainment Television, Jim Breuer’s Sirius Radio Raw Dog Comedy, TV Guide’s Hollywood 411, Fox News Channel’s Redeye, MSNBC’S Your Money and WPIX Morning News as a lifestyle expert.

Reservations can be made:

Catch A Rising Star box office at 609 987 -8018 or by visiting catcharisingstar.com

​For Press Passes and further information, please call us at 201-433-6705 or mike@catcharisingstar.com

Catch a Rising Star @ Hyatt Princeton is located at 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540. Free parking is available.

Tickets Hyatt Regency:  Generally, Tickets are $19.50 Fridays and 22.00 Saturdays.  There is a Two Drink Minimum for All Shows. All ages are welcome (16 and under with Adult).

A VERY SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: BIG RoaD’s “CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY,” CELEBRATING SPRINGSTEEN ALBUM ANNIVERSARIES AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, Thursday November 19th at Bar Anticipation FOR TWO, SPECIAL CHARITABLE CAUSES (THE LIGHT OF DAY FOUNDATION AND HOLIDAY EXPRESS) bY Calvin Schwartz

I love our life here in central Jersey. I love the holidays. I love family and friends. I love music.  I love causes. A few weeks back, I spoke to Jesse Warren and Terry Camp from Camp Warren’s BIG RoaD Productions and they filled me in on their upcoming huge musical night on November 19^th.  Of course I immediately said, “What’s there not to love. It’s perfect for the holidays as that special “vehicle” to kick things off.”  Following in the footsteps of BIG RoaD’s amazing ‘Thunder Road Thursday’ back in August, once again this promises to be that kind of night to be talked about for a long time.  So in the immortal similar words of William Shakespeare (whom I did NOT read in college) “get thee to this holiday show.”    Calvin Schwartz, November 12, 2015

CAMP WARREN’S BIG RoaD

PRESENTS

“CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY,”

CELEBRATING SPRINGSTEEN ALBUM ANNIVERSARIES AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON – FOR TWO, SPECIAL CHARITABLE CAUSES

(THE LIGHT OF DAY FOUNDATION AND HOLIDAY EXPRESS)

Lake Como, NJ – On November 19, 2015, BIG RoaD – a new entertainment production company formed by Terry Camp and Jesse Warren – will present “Christmas Comes Early.” This big band concert event will feature the “Born to Run 40 All Star House Band” formed by Camp and Warren for their 40th Anniversary “Born to Run” show at Bar Anticipation on August 13, 2015. November 19th will be a celebration in three, again at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, NJ – celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s legendary album, “Born to Run;” the 35th Anniversary of Springsteen’s “The River;” and the early holiday season.

The night will benefit two charitable causes: The Light of Day Foundation and the Jersey Shore’s own, Holiday Express. [Previously, the event had designated #TeamFran as a beneficiary. Recently, for reasons unrelated to the event, #TeamFran has withdrawn from beneficiary status but continues to support the show.] The earlier August 13th show raised over $11,000 for CFC Loud N Clear – a post-rehab drug addiction care and support organization based in Farmingdale, NJ.

The Born to Run 40 All Star House Band

November 19 will again feature the eleven-member, “Born to Run 40 All Star House Band” created in August, backing featured performers. Springsteen’s “Born to Run” album will be covered and celebrated, as well as songs from “The River” and – in the spirit of the season – Christmas songs. Co-producer, Jesse Warren, states, “Stores start holiday displays in late October these days. So, it’s never too early to swing to holiday classics – especially with our All Star big band.” The night will also feature artist collaborations and jams for which the Shore is famous.

The full line-up of popular Shore artists will include:

UPDATE: GARY U.S. BONDS has been added as a featured performer!

JoBonanno (from JoBonanno and the Godsons of Soul)

Eddie Testa (from The Eddie Testa Band)

J.T. Bowen (Clarence Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers)

Jillian Rhys McCoy (Kings of Suburbia)

Bob Polding (from The Bob Polding Band, as regularly featured on “The

FAN,” WFAN-AM radio)

Anthony D’Amato (Remember Jones)

Sean Loughlin (from The E Street Shuffle)

Joe Cartwright (from Bent Mushroom)

Tommy Byrne

Additional guest performers are likely.

The “Born to Run 40 All Star House Band” features:

Mark Leimbach (Gary U.S. Bonds)

Kevin Gilmore (Eddie Testa Band)

Joey Stann (Springsteen, Jukes)

Tony Perruso (Jukes)

Tommy Labella (Jukes, Kings of Suburbia, Holme)

Tommy Meares (Jukes)

Joe Belia (Jukes, Kings of Suburbia, Marshall Crenshaw)

Joe Arminio

Ed Horne (Godsons of Soul)

David Turner

Mitchell Jay (Eddie Testa Band)

Lori Gilmore (Goddaughters of Soul)

Doreen Arminio

LIGHT OF DAY

Light of Day is a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) organization which funds research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease and related illnesses. The primary fundraising efforts are an annual series of concerts held in Asbury Park, NJ. Since its inception in 2000, Light of Day has raised over $2.5 million in the fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. What began as a single concert in New Jersey has grown into approximately seventy shows in thirteen countries on three continents including the United States, Canada and Australia!

The concerts and the organization began as a birthday party in November 1998 to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran, Bob Benjamin. Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Over $2,000 was raised that night. Spurred by the generosity and support, Benjamin reached out to friends, including concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi and musician Joe D’Urso, and formed the Light of Day charity, taking its name from a Bruce Springsteen song.

The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park, NJ’s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Benjamin) headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by local hero Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a raucous hour-long set.

Over the years, Light of Day has grown from a one-day event into a festival spanning 10 days in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area. More significantly, Light of Day has expanded into an internationally recognized tour, through a true grassroots effort of musicians, music fans and benefactors. Light of Day shows take place around the world on three continents, including six shows in Canada, an 18-day late November into December trek through Europe, with stops in England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and a brand new Light of Day event in Australia! Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson’s organization.

Performers at Light of Day have included Bruce Springsteen (numerous appearances), Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Jesse Malin, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Garland Jeffreys, Jakob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Pete Yorn, Gary US Bonds, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, John Eddie and many more local, unsigned artists.

HOLIDAY EXPRESS

The Holiday Express mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness, during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Founded in 1993 by Tim McLoone, Holiday Express works year-round to deliver music, food, gifts, and human kindness to adults and children in need, including the mentally and physically disabled, the isolated, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the poor and the homeless, and children with serious illnesses. With a constituency of more than 16,000 throughout the metropolitan tri-state area, the group’s priority is to serve those who are desperately in need and often forgotten.

The Holiday Express “from-the-heart” troupe of musicians with several dozen support volunteers, bring music, friendship, hope and joy. Programs include a meal, gift bags, raffle prizes, face painting, crafts and the company of colorful characters including Frosty, the Grinch, Santa and lots of elves.

BAR ANTICIPATION

Bar Anticipation hosts as part of its own “Throwback Thursdays” series and offers a variety of drink specials all night long. The producers state, “As always, we’re thrilled to again be working with Tom Jannarone and his Bar Anticipation team. That place is cream of the crop for a diverse and quality entertainment experience – and a natural venue to carry on the legacy of Jersey Shore rock and roll.”

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, November 19 at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como, NJ

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and live music begins at 7:00 p.m. The show is expected to end by 11:00 p.m. Admission is age 21 and over.

Tickets for this benefit event are $15 in advance plus on-line service fees and $25.00 day of show at the door.

Tickets are On Sale at the Facebook Event page (link below). The on-line sale ends November 16, after which remaining tickets may be purchased at the door the day of the show.

Event details, ticket link and frequent updates are at the Facebook Event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/922777671101938/

Tickets:    http://big-road.ticketleap.com/christmas-comes-early-presented-by-big-road/

BIG RoaD is a new entertainment production company formed by Terry Camp, an attorney with Budd Larner, P.C., Short Hills, NJ and longtime member of the Shore music community, and newcomer Jesse Warren of Howell, NJ. Camp and Warren have collaborated on past, charitable events including the August 13th Born to Run 40th Anniversary show that sold out at Bar Anticipation.            https://www.facebook.com/CampWarrensBIGRoaD

BAR ANTICIPATION

www.bar-a.com

703 16th Avenue

Lake Como, NJ 07719

(732) 681-7422

For Press/Media inquiries and access:

E-mail Jesse Warren at sting5890@aol.com

Phone – (908) 309-0426