Did I pick the right weekend to take off Friday and Monday? Huge! Sunday and Monday were some of the best beach days ever. I think the other thousand ocean revelers agreed. The Kite Festival, AP Volley Ball Tournament and beach baptism separated us from all the other shore towns. Madison Marquette will be treating us to fireworks every Wednesday night during the month of August. I think we have been discovered. Oh well, it was only a matter of time. We truly, have the best beach on the Jersey Shore! Only in Asbury Park!This weekend brings us the Asbury Park 5-K. This is truly one of the great competitive and fun races on the shore. The AP5K is a unique 2 lap spectator-friendly tour of the revitalized city. The race starts on Fifth Avenue right in front of the Wonder Bar and the finish line is on the boardwalk right before the historic Convention Hall. Each participant is also given a free beach for a day on our great beaches. Kids races will follow the main event in Bradley Park across from the Convention Hall. Many of you probably don’t know that Asbury Park was the site of one of NJ’s original road races, the Asbury Park 10-K. This great road running event is sponsored by the Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Program and proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club.One great local comedian, Mike Marino will be doing his thing at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday night at 8 PM. Patti and I caught Mike two years ago when he was filming an HBO special at the Paramount. Patti gave me the DVD for Christmas and we just watched it again, a couple of weeks ago. Besides lots of laughs, there are some great shots of the beautiful Paramount Theatre. Be there!

HE’ E NALU Surf Art Show at the Shoppes at the Arcade. Opening night Friday starting at 7 PM. Exhibit continues Saturday & Sunday.

This weekend:

Thursday, August 7th: the Asbury Park Summer Concert Series continues with a children’s concert, “Tour of the United States.” The music starts at 7 PM and this concert series has now been moved into the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall.
Friday, 08-08-08: the Mayor’s “Chill-Out Jazz Series at the Asbury Park Transportation Center. Starting at 6 PM, this week’s featured artist is our own Dorian Perreott. Cool!
TNA Wrestling - 7 PM at Convention Hall
New Riders of the Purple Sage - Stone Pony
Saturday, August 9th: Asbury Park 5-K.
Mike Marino - Paramount Theatre

The ReVision Theatre will be premiering their production of the hit rock musical “Hair” on Friday, August 15th in the historic Carousel building. “Let the Sun Shine In.” Ironically, an article in this week’s Time magazine describes “a definitive version of the groundbreaking show has just started a monthlong run in New York City.” The ReVision Theatre has quickly established a reputation for very creative productions, so we are in for a very exciting adaptation for this great show. Madison Marquette and ReVision Theatre have been working to prepare the Carousel building to accommodate this outstanding musical. Kudos to the city’s construction department under the leadership of Russ Corby, who has been diligently providing direction and extra efforts to make sure the building, meets all the requirements for performance space. This is one show you will not want to miss. Stay tuned! Aquarius!

More August “Good Times”:

Every Wednesday, beach fireworks
Every Thursday - Summer Boardwalk Concert Series
Every Friday - Mayor’s “Chill-Out” Jazz Series - AP Transportation Center
August 13th - Bob Dylan -Convention Hall
August 16th & 17th - Clearwater Festival, Sunset Park
August 16th - Paramore - Paramount Theatre
August 17th - Art on the Boardwalk - Asbury Park Historical Society
August 23rd -Short Film Festival, Paramount Theatre
August 23rd - John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band - Stone Pony
August 27th - Billy Idol at the Stone Pony

Last week, I spoke about the new container hut businesses on the boardwalk. Make sure you check out Ralph’s Italian Ice on the boardwalk at 2nd Avenue. Patti and I sampled some great ices this past weekend. Try the “Orange Crème.” Ralph’s is another great addition to this year’s Asbury Park boardwalk. Only in Asbury Park!

NJ Monthly continues to recognize Asbury Park’s great assets. Their August Best Restaurants issue included Sister Sue’s as one of the best Caribbean restaurants. Bistro Ole was designated as the “Critic’s Choice” in the best Spanish/Portuguese/Tapas category. The APUEZ’s Main Street Farmers’ Market was also mentioned in the Farmers’ Market section. No surprises there! Only in Asbury Park!

It looks like another great weekend in the Park. Maybe, I will have to take another Monday off. Only in Asbury Park! Wishes for a wonderful and safe weekend.

Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times

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Tom Gilmour serves as the Director of Commerce for the City of Asbury Park and is responsible for economic development, the APUEZ (Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Program), special events, and the city’s employment initiative; “Asbury Works.”