Mike Marino, New Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy is Back in NJ for One Night Only with The Paul Marino Band and Emily Grove. Saturday Night October 19^th. A Very Special Night! Forum Theatre, Metuchen, NJ  By Calvin Schwartz

A NOTE FROM MIKE:

Hey Folks,

I’ll be performing ONE NIGHT ONLY at the FORUM THEATRE ARTS CENTER (314 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840) featuring the PAUL MARINO BAND!

This is a special fundraiser for the JP Stevens Baseball Teams! So please come and join me and support these kids!

For tickets go to www.leaguelineup.com/jpshawks or purchase at Civile E Tomoato Restaurant (140 Durham Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840; 732-548-7740).

Hope to see you there!

Mike

PS: In the meantime check out my latest and greatest work on youtube:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWerwOYMJQg&feature=youtu.be

A NOTE FROM CALVIN:

When I heard that Mike Marino was coming back, I cleared my calendar quickly and began letting integral parts of my world know that they need to laugh for obvious reasons; like all the ‘closed’ signs on government buildings. So perfect timing that Mike is back in his home state and joining him is The Paul Marino Band with Emily Grove. Coincidentally, I saw Paul Marino Band twice this summer in Belmar and wrote that “it was a little piece of heaven” to be listening to them perform with a Jersey shore setting sun just over shoulder.  I  love their sound.

I’ve got a 15 month history of being a huge fan of Mike Marino and the thought just occurred to me that back last May, I wrote an interesting article about Mike and my being a comedic snob and how extraordinarily funny and refreshing his humor is. So a bright bulb just went on in my left cerebral corner; why don’t I share that article again, right here on this stage. Oh and I’ve been lucky this past summer to catch Mike a few times including his hosting the 2^nd Annual Asbury Park Comedy Festival.

Now my May article:

“Mike Marino is the consummate comedian; he just makes you laugh non-stop and with timely topics (I’ll explain shortly) I discovered ‘New Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy’ in 2012 at ‘Asbury Park Comedy Festival.’  And I said to myself “he’s one of the funniest comedians I’ve ever seen.” Point being, I’m simply a ‘comedic snob.’ Comedy is a gift and a special art form. Back in the sixties, I discovered Lenny Bruce, one of comedy’s greatest pioneers and innovators, albeit quite controversial because society was not ready for his bad words and bits. I’ve been a fan of Lenny’s ever since and ironically the Asbury Comedy Festival benefited the Lenny Bruce Foundation in 2012.

How perfect the synchronicity to catch Mike Marino that night for the first time. We had a chance to talk back stage afterwards; I marveled at his graciousness, affability and accessibility.  A few weeks later, Mike called and invited me to a gig at an experimental comedy club in Hoboken; once again he just made me laugh and laugh. He’s a cool, smooth and endearing guy with some of the best material I’ve ever heard.

Now here’s where it all gets interesting. Some of Mike’s routines I’ve actually used in a comedic way (giving him all the credit) and sometimes I go introspective and realize Mike Marino is also a genius and clairvoyant, almost with the gift of the ‘shining.’  So what do I mean by this. Mike’s comedy is so relevant and futuristic, it can be used by current politicians to propel them into major office; yes a provocative thought and so therefore I challenge my readers to catch Mike’s act, put on your thinking caps and imagination gowns and drift into the land of Honah Lee or some Jersey shore jetty or on Main Street in Metuchen.

I hope this was challenging enough for you to catch Mike on the 19th. That’s how funny this Jersey bad boy of comedy is. And take my cerebral challenge to see how certain politicians in a new evolving world should laugh and listen to Mike Marino at the same time. Wow, powerful stuff. Mike is a fascinating comedic innovator.”

Calvin Schwartz

The Jersey Acoustic Music Awards on April 29th honored original artists who tirelessly perform around the state at small venues like coffeehouses. To prepare, on the Friday before the awards, I went to Point Pleasant’s Green Planet Coffeehouse to see Alexandra Inglis, a sixteen year old nominee for ‘Top 18 and Under Performer’ and was, as they say, ‘blown away’ by her voice and lyrics. During the awards program intermission, I interviewed Alexandra, who later won the award. “My mom and dad have been my greatest inspiration and support.” And she’d probably go home and listen to John Mayer.

As the hall filled it became evident to this first time Acoustic awards attendee that most everyone knew one another in this special community of Jersey Acoustic Music. Standing room only was quick. Eloquent Anton Daub, prolific in the world of hosting open mike night at Espresso Joe’s in Keyport was the MC and stressed the night was more about getting recognition from fellow musicians which convinced this was more of a family affair evening of amazing musician.

A wondrous array of singers performed in the round throughout the program in between awards. Jo Wymer’s singing ‘dazzled.’ She liked my one word description of her then went on to win Top Female Performer. Being a vintage folkie myself from the sixties, I carefully watched the category for Top Folk Act which was won by the husband and wife team of Keith and Shelli Aarden Monacchio. Shelli remembered my coming to see her last August at the SandWitch on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Emily Grove won Top Female Vocalist and perhaps was taken back when I mentioned writing about her talent in my blog nearly two years ago, after seeing her sing at Asbury Park’s Clearwater Festival; comments still archived in my blog.

I’m beginning to think like an old ‘Beach Boys’ song, “I Get Around.’ A few weeks ago, I journeyed to the Strand Theatre for a Backstage event and saw Cat Cosentino sing. This night she won for Top Pop/Rock and deservedly so. Back to the intermission; I also got a chance to talk to Lo Kloza nominated for Top Female Vocalist and Top New Act. Exuberant and excited, she mentioned her much anticipated CD release party at ‘Downtown’ in Red Bank on June 20^th.  This is her first album and she dreams of going on tour. With Jon Caspi’s ‘the little ones’ I was noticeably moved by his song of children in the African war zones being kidnapped and made into soldiers. Right out of sixties protestation, I was really at home. As the night evolved, so I did as an absorber of such incredible talent. When intermission ended, it hit me; I wondered what folks do in Billings, Montana or near the Bridges of Madison County, Iowa, when they can sing but don’t have an Asbury Park, a musical mecca nearby. Kevin John Allen, nominated for Top Male Songwriter, performed the final song with an emotional moving twist. He brought a number of singers together in a choir like mode to sing, ‘Jesus Could You Call Me’ from his new CD ‘Life’s Lonely Rodeo.’  Sounds of silence filled the hall while they sang. For me it was a powerful ‘wow.’

Special thanks to Espresso Joe in Keyport’s Kishore who guided me through my first awards ceremony. I remain innervated and fully emoted over a magical evening of music and community which has fueled the blossoming of these words and the foundation of my future involvements with Acoustics. For more information on the criteria of the awards please go to: http://www.jamawards.org/home

For those interested, more of my writings and words can be found at my global cerebral blog at

http://vichywater.net/blog

Calvin Schwartz  May 4^th 2012

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