News & Press Releases

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 7^th: 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 9^th: 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 15^th 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 13^th - Bob Dylan -Convention Hall
August 16^th & 17^th - Clearwater Festival, Sunset Park
August 16^th - Paramore - Paramount Theatre
August 17^th - Art on the Boardwalk - Asbury Park Historical Society
August 23^rd -Short Film Festival, Paramount Theatre
August 23^rd - John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band - Stone Pony
August 27^th - 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 2^nd 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

If you know anyone who would like to receive these weekly email updates, they may go to the city’s web site, www.cityofasburypark.com and subscribe.

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.”

It’s the first Saturday in August, so it must be First Saturday, Asbury Park’s monthly celebration of the downtown. This month’s Luau Party promises to be one of our best! Take out your floral shirt, grass skirt or just show up in your trunks. As usual the downtown will be alive with great music, unique shopping, and of course our great restaurants. Make sure you stop by the AP Chamber of Commerce table to enter the drawing for a special gift basket. Only in Asbury Park!

Madison Marquette also presents the 2008 Asbury Park Kite Festival this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 6 PM. If you haven’t witnessed this even, you need to come down to the beach. Kites of all shapes and sizes from all over the United States will be on display. Only in Asbury Park!

Plan B, one of our great downtown restaurants celebrates its first anniversary this week. Congratulations John and Jeff. Huge!

Four new businesses have recently opened on the Boardwalk in the container huts. Check out Sea Greens located at Third Avenue on the boardwalk right across the path from Posh Den. This new boardwalk destination offers health and organic beach snacks.

Also this weekend:

Thursday, July 31^st: Summer Boardwalk Concert Series; Songs from the Movies at 7 PM.

Friday, August 1^st: The Mayor’s “Chill-Out” Jazz Series at the AP Transportation Center featuring Madame Pat Tandy.

34^th Annual Newark Black Film Festival finale at the AP High School: The 2008 Paul Robeson Awards starting at 7 PM. Screening of Award Winning films and Q & A with filmmakers and actors.

Saturday, August 2^nd & 3^rd: Asbury Park Volleyball Tournament, 5^th Avenue Beach

Next weekend is one of the city’s great events, the Asbury Park 5K Classic. This is one of the great Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix races and attracts top class runners and those out for a fun morning sprint at the Shore. My brother David from Little Silver and sister, Pam from Phoenix and Patti will be there to represent the Gilmours. The Asbury Park Rotary will again be manning the Wonder Bar water station. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Go to www.asburypark.jsrc.org or call 732.571.2162. You can register the day of the event. Be there!

Last night I attended the opening of one our newest businesses in the city, The Passion Group. No, this is not another church, but one of the premiere event marketing companies in the world. This is one very cool organization headed up by owner Richard Tarzian. Having a former career in creating large corporate events and incentive programs, I recognize the value that this company brings to the city. Many of their clients will be visiting Asbury Park and in turn, recognizing what a great city this is. We welcome Richard and his team and look forward to tapping into their expertise to improve out present event offerings and creating some new ones. HUGE! Stay tuned!

On Tuesday, I attended the orientation for a new mentoring program that is taking place at the Asbury Park High School. Under the leadership of principal Tyler Blackmore and Sheldon Sanders, the high school is launching a new program to pair volunteers with freshmen. The idea is to have contact with the students on a regular basis and hopefully it will continue for four yeas until the student graduates. As the Director of Commerce, I get to work with almost all the businesses in town but unless we work with our youth and turn around our school system, the city will still struggle to recover. Tyler mentioned that 66 individuals signed up for the program. I am proud to be part of this very important effort and excited to get started. Stay tuned!

As I take my daily walks through the city, I realize we are on our way. There is so much more to get done, but so much opportunity. People who can make a difference are coming to the city. This is a wonderful and exciting time to be in Asbury Park. We are blessed.

Wishes for a wonderful, cool, and safe weekend.

Tom Gilmour
Director of Commerce and Good Times

If you know anyone who would like to receive these weekly email updates, they may go to the city’s web site, www.cityofasburypark.com and subscribe.

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.”