Views from the Shore
There’s something special about a spring Saturday in Somers Point, especially when Bayfest is in full swing. Bay Ave is packed with community groups, vendors and foodtrucks and everywhere you turn there’s music, laughter, and that unmistakable feeling that summer is right around the corner. This year, Bayfest takes place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and as always, it promises a full day of food, vendors, and community along the bay.
But when Bayfest winds down, the day doesn’t have to end.
Just a few blocks away, the Devinestok Music Festival picks up right where Bayfest leaves off. Running from 3 to 11 p.m. at 20 West New Jersey Avenue, it’s become a natural extension of the day—an easy, welcoming place to keep the energy going.
I recently had the chance to talk with John Devine, the founder of Devinestok, and hear how it all started. Like many good things, it began simply, back in 2020, during COVID, in his backyard in Philadelphia. What started as a small gathering of 40 or 50 people has steadily grown into a full-scale music event featuring a diverse lineup of performers and a loyal following.
Today, Devinestok brings together seven artists, each performing on the hour, every hour. The range is part of what makes it so enjoyable. You’ll hear everything from classic rock and indie to jazz, hip-hop, and even Broadway-style performances. One standout group, Lackadaisical Lemon, features incredibly talented young musicians, just teenagers who, as John put it, “are virtuoso’s at their instruments.”
Among the other bands is one that hits close to home for us at Shore. Yonder World includes Dr. John Wilson, a Penn Medicine Radiation Oncologist who cares for patients at Shore Cancer Center, on guitar. He’s joined by John Devine on drums, psychiatric resident Dr. Jesse Benzell on guitar, and chemist James Quanzie on bass. Together, they bring a relaxed, familiar sound, mixing classics like The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with songs like “Get What You Give,” “Where Is My Mind,” and “Come and Get Your Love.” It’s the kind of set where you hear the first few notes and think, “Oh yeah, I know this one.”
What stands out about Devinestok is how approachable it is. There’s no admission fee, you just show up, enjoy the music, and stay for as long (or as little) as you’d like. Donations are completely optional, but if you choose to give, proceeds go through Brightway Healthcare to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides education, advocacy, and free support services for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges. You can learn more at www.nami.org.
It’s all held indoors at the firehouse, giving it that intimate, community feel that fits Somers Point perfectly. So, as you plan your Bayfest Saturday, don’t think of it as a one-stop event. Think of it as a full day in Somers Point, one that starts along the bay and ends at Devinestok, with great music, good people, and a cause that matters.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
