Fireworks, festivals, concerts and more things to do at the Jersey Shore this weekend
Oscar winners, Tony nominees and award-winning musicians are all making their way down the Garden State this weekend.
Whether you are looking to celebrate Pride Month, see a concert or get a jump start on July 4th fireworks, the Jersey Shore has something for you.
Summer is officially here!
That means it's time to get out — and have fun!
Here are a few things going on worth checking out:
Dean Lewis at Asbury Lanes
Australian pop-star Dean Lewis will be playing Asbury Lanes Thursday as part of his 2022 “Sad Boi Winter Summer Tour.”
Lewis is known for his global multi-platinum albums “Waves,” “Be Alright” and “7 Minutes,” as well as his 2019 album “A Place We Knew.” He has received countless awards, has 7 billion streams on Spotify and sold over 3.6 million albums and EPs worldwide.
His music has also been on TV Shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Riverdale” and “Ordinary Joe,” and he has appeared on “Ellen,” “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and “Jimmy Kimmel.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50 to $30, and available here. To learn more about Lewis, visit deanlewismusic.com.
Asbury Lanes is at 209 4th Ave., Asbury Park. For more information, visit asburylanes.com or call 732-361-6659.
Paula Cole weaves 'American Quilt' in Red Bank
Don’t want to wait to see Paula Cole? You don’t have to — the acclaimed singer/songwriter will be in Red Bank to headline the Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., on Friday.
Cole, named Best New Artist by the Grammys in 1998, found fame in the Lilith Fair era thanks to iconic songs such as the Grammy-nominated “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait,” which also served as the theme song to “Dawson’s Creek.”
Cole is on the road in support of the 2021 album “American Quilt,” a collection featuring her renditions of classics such as “Wayfaring Stranger,” “Shenandoah” and “What a Wonderful World.”
For tickets, $20 to $69, and more information, visit thebasie.org/events/paula-cole.
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'Happy Together' at the Basie
How many hits can you jam pack into one show?
How about 59? That's the number of Billboard Top 40 hits the bands playing the "Happy Together" show at 7 p.m. Friday at the Basie.
The Turtles, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, the Association, the Classics IV, the Vogues, and the Cowsills have racked them up, from “Happy Together” by the Turtles to “Hair” by the Cowsills.
The show is a benefit for the Light of Day Foundation, which raises funds in the fight against Parkinson's and related diseases. It was twice postponed due to COVID.
Tickets start at $39.50. Visit thebasie.org for more information.
NJ Gay Men's Chorus in Toms River
In celebration of Pride Month and their 30th season, the New Jersey Gay Men's Chorus will perform "An Afternoon Song," a live concert at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch.
The chorus will perform a selection of well-known tunes, classic favorites and new songs.
NJGMC is an inclusive volunteer chorus drawing from communities in New Jersey and surrounding areas. To learn more, visit njgmc.org.
The event is free but registration is required here. The Toms River Branch is at 101 Washington St. For more information, call 732-349-6200 or visit theoceancountylibrary.org.
'The Phantom of the Open'
A charming and quirky chapter of golf history gets the big screen treatment with the new film “The Phantom of the Open.”
Oscar winner Mark Rylance stars as Maurice Flitcroft, an average Joe let go from his job in a shipyard who decided, at the age of 46, to become a golfer. He then qualifies for the 1976 British Open Golf Championship.
The film was adapted by “Paddington 2” screenwriter Simon Farnaby from his book “The Phantom of the Open: Maurice Flintcroft, the World’s Worst Golfer,” which he wrote with Scott Murray. It is directed by Craig Roberts.
The film opens Friday at Seacourt 10 in Toms River, the Basie Center Cinemas in Red Bank, the Reading Manville 12 in Manville, the East Hanover 12 in East Hanover, the AMC Garden State 16 in Paramus and the Loews New Brunswick 18
For tickets, a full list of theaters and more information, visit tickets.thephantomoftheopen.com.
Blueberry festival at Argos Farm, Lacey
Argos Farm may be most well known for its fall activities and pumpkin picking, but the Lacey farm hosts a Blueberry Festival, too.
This year's fest kicks off Friday. There will be live music, blueberry picking, blueberry treats, a hay slide, an obstacle course, cow train rides, a jumbo air pillow for jumping and more.
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Festivalgoers also can shop the farmers market, cafe, bakery and coffee shop.
Admission is $13.95 for attendees 2 and older; there is no charge for children younger than 2. Entry into the blueberry field is included, but there are additional charges for picking berries, pony rides and concessions.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, through July 10.
Argos Farm is at 1250 Lacey Road in the Forked River section of Lacey. To purchase tickets, visit argosfarm.com.
Fireworks and Festivals
Fourth of July is still more than a week away, but you can enjoy fireworks this weekend with the family.
On Saturday at Harry Wright Lake in the Whiting section, Manchester Day 2022 kicks off at 2 p.m. There will be food and craft vendors, free rides and swimming in the lake, and fireworks at night. For more information, visit manchestertwp.com.
On Sunday at John F. Johnson Junior Memorial Park in Jackson, the Food Trucks & Fireworks Festival will kick off at 4 p.m. There will be a basketball and corn hole tournament; food vendors like Wholly Bowls, Relish The Dog and Kona Ice; live music; and fireworks at dusk — all for free. There also will be a community tent giving out free reusable shopping bags, straws, lunch boxes and "clean community" information. For more information, click here.
Harry Wright Lake is at 1501 Lake Road. John F. Johnson Junior Memorial Park is at 192 Kierych Memorial Drive.
'A Monkey and Me' at Axlerod
Starting Friday, Broadway composer and songwriter Jonathan Brielle will present his semi-autobiographical musical comedy “A Monkey and Me: Stories I Never Told My Mother” at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.
Brielle tells the story of his unusual childhood and life, starting when his was the only Jewish family in Brielle — a time when the local golf club still restricted Jewish members from joining.
The family later moved to Deal, where his mother spent most of her time performing in the community theater, and Brielle spent most of his time writing songs and stories that led to his career on Broadway, where he's known for writing the music and lyrics for “Foxfire.”
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This story was inspired by Brielle’s wife, who suggested he finally tell his mother all the crazy tales from his life. So for her 90th birthday, he presented his mom with “A Monkey and Me,” containing comedic tales of his years at Asbury Park High School, wrestling with gangsters, corporate America, two ex-wives, and a monkey from his Las Vegas show “Enter the Night.”
Five-time Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh portrays Brielle’s mother and Tony nominee Veanne Cox takes on the part of the monkey. The cast also includes Bruce Sabath, Jennifer Sanchez, Nancy Ticotin and Kate Marilley. Nathan Dame will conduct the eight-piece, hard-swinging band with a horn section.
Showtimes are at Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $50 to $65.
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is at 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park. Tickets are available at 732-531-9106, ext. 14, or axelrodartscenter.com/a-monkey-and-me.
Cats Luck celebrates first anniversary
Plant-based breakfast and lunch spot extraordinaire Cats Luck Vegan, 140 Steiner Ave. in Neptune City, celebrates its first year in business from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The birthday party features music from Jonathan Francis, Roller Dogs, Luk Henderiks, Beauty and DJ Jay Insult, as well as vendors on site and treats for sale. There is a suggested $5 donation to Asbury Park Transformative Justice for the festivities.
As part of the birthday weekend, Cats Luck will partner with Steady Hand Café and Collective for a clothing swap from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
For more information on both happenings, check out @catsluckvegan on Instagram, visit catsluckvegan.com or call 732-361-7294.
Next week: Stray Kids kick off American tour
Stray Kids, the K-Pop stars behind the chart-topping “Oddinary,” kick off their 2nd World Tour “Maniac” run of American dates produced by Live Nation on Tuesday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 29, at the Prudential Center in Newark.
The Newark dates mark Stray Kids’ only shows in the Northeast. The Prudential Center is at 25 Lafayette St. in Newark. For tickets and more information, visit prucenter.com/events.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
Alex Biese has been writing about art, entertainment, culture and news on a local and national level for more than 15 years.
Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do this weekend include fireworks, concerts
