The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) today announced the 2025 summer entertainment lineup, featuring free live concerts at Kennedy Plaza, Chicken Bone Beach, and Gardner’s Basin from June through September.
The diverse and comprehensive series includes three distinct concert programs designed to attract residents and visitors to Atlantic City’s unique entertainment venues.
The Mardi Gras AC series, produced by Tony Mart Presents, will present 11 free concerts, every Wednesday at 7:00 PM from June 25 to September 3 at Kennedy Plaza, located on the Boardwalk across from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The series features headliners and award winning artists spanning multiple genres, including blues, rock, funk, Americana, jazz, and rhythm and blues (R&B).
Performers include:
- June 25: Jammin’ Jersey Nola Funk Fest featuring Ocean Avenue Stompers, Soul Project NOLA, and Jimmy Law and Jerry Kaplan from Dogs in a Pile
- July 2: Sam Morrow and Will Power, a ’70s Funk and Soul Tribute Band
- July 9: Third World Band and SensaMotion delivering reggae vibes
- July 16: Shemekia Copeland, a five-time Grammy-nominated Chicago blues queen, and Jimmy Carpenter, a Grammy-winning saxophonist
- July 23: Gary U.S. Bonds, The Roadhouse Rockers, and The Billy Walton Band
- July 30: Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, a funk and rock band from New Orleans
- August 6: Galactic, an American funk band from New Orleans
- August 13: Dave Damiani’s No Vacancy Orchestra and Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago
- August 20: Devon Allman’s Blues Summit featuring Wet Willie’s Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, and Sierra Green
- August 27: Dead-Zep, premier Led Zeppelin and Grateful Dead mashup experience
- September 3: Classic Pop Star Finale featuring The Cowsills and The Weeklings starring Glen Burtnik from Styx, Electric Light Orchestra, and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
All Mardi Gras concerts will be held at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk, with the Claridge Hotel serving as the alternate indoor venue in case of inclement weather.
The popular Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Concert Series returns to Kennedy Plaza every Thursday at 7:00 PM from July 3 through September 4. This free concert series celebrates Atlantic City’s rich jazz heritage with world-class performances designed to appeal to cultural entertainment enthusiasts.
Performers include:
- July 3: Chief Adjuad (formerly Christian Scott) and Tony Day featuring Across the Globe Music Group
- July 10: Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci and Dahi Divine
- July 17: Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) and Gina Roche Quintet
- July 24: Keyon Harrold and Eddie Morgan & Rek’D 4 Jazz
- July 31: Vijay Iyer Trio, Adam O’Farrill, and Soundever
- August 7: Isaiah Collier and Keith Hollis Quartet
- August 14: Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio featuring Roger Humphries and Pat Bianchi with IDEA Youth Music Collective
- August 21: Gabrielle Cavassa and Kevin Valentine
- August 28: The Papo Vazquez Band with Dwain Davis and Friends
September 4: Helen Sung’s “Big Band and Beyond” with Bert Harris Afro-Jazz Collective
The entertainment programming extends to Historic Gardner’s Basin with two concerts, produced by The National R&B Music Society, featuring iconic soul and R&B artists in an intimate waterfront setting. Both days will be hosted by Maurice “The Voice” Watts.
• Saturday, June 21: The series kicks off with a 6.5-hour celebration from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM featuring an all-star lineup including Joe Bataan, Meli’Sa Morgan, Full Force, The System, Lillo Thomas, Jeff Redd, First Choice, Allure, Helen Bruner & Terry Jones & Kyle McCarty. Opening acts include The Ty Turner Band, The Cason Express Show Band with SiSi Dash, Judah Dorrington & Paradise.
• Saturday, July 26: The second concert presents a full afternoon and evening of entertainment from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM featuring Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, GQ, Wilbert Hart of the original Delfonics, Blue Magic, Black Ivory, The Ritchie Family, Dennis Taylor, and Charlene Holloway. Local opening acts include Chris-N-Teeb, Village Bridge, Special Occasion, Shawn Rock, and DJ Howie D.
Attendees for the Historic Gardner’s Basin Concerts are encouraged to bring coolers, lawn chairs, and umbrellas for these outdoor afternoon performances. All concerts are free and open to the public. For complete schedules and additional summer entertainment information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com or contact the Atlantic City Visitor Information Center at (609) 449-7100.
Photo credit: New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Facebook
