Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
For many of us it felt as though summer was going to be cancelled. Restaurants did not know when they were going to be allowed open. Most events were cancelled or postponed until further notice. It really started to seem like this was going to be a dud of a summer. But, with the numerous events that are starting to pop up, albeit with certain measures in place, this summer can still be one to remember. One of the most anticipated summer events, which had to push back its original starting date by a month, is set to begin weekly from August 1. The Summer Beach Jam in Ventnor City will be taking place every Saturday on Newport Avenue beach (S Newport Ave, Ventnor City).
Starting at 4:30pm, there will be a mini farmer’s market where you can enjoy browsing a variety of craft items and delicious food before the live music begins at 5pm. Each week, a different line-up will be taking the beach-front stage to deliver an evening of unforgettable music and entertainment – free!
Starting at 5pm August 1 will be The Originaires, a three-piece band made up of vocalist CiBon, violinist, Valerie Vuolo, and guitarist, Ken Shiles. They are best described as offering “heartfelt original songs performed with engaging chemistry and seamless musical precision”. This band is definitely the perfect way to kick off the summer season! Headlining for the evening is Gina Roche who over the past 30 years has made quite the name for herself in the tri-state area for her timbre, range, depth of meaning, and respect for accompanying instrumentalists. She sings various material including Jazz, Blues, Brazilian, and R&B to soulfully take you into the evening and enjoy the chill vibes.
On August 8, at 5pm, Jeffrey Folmer will take the stage as the warm-up act. Jefferey’s repertoire is diverse, performing a mix of original songs, classic covers from the likes of Fleetwood Mac Eric Clapton and The Beatles, and contemporary hits by Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Mumford and Sons.
Headlining at 7:15pm is Poor Mouth Henry, a Southern New Jersey cover band providing a mixture of timeless and enduring covers of Classic Rock, Country Rock, Country, and Blues. They describe themselves as “energetic, passionate, and fun-filled” making them a great headline act to get the crowds pumped up for summer.
August 15 has Ricky Stevens to warm up the crowds with some classic rock, Blues, old school country and occasionally pop. Think Johnny Cash, Chris Cornell, and Ray Charles. This will kick in the nostalgia for anyone into their classic rock. Then at 7:15pm The Burnsiders will be taking to the stage. This is the night to come for reggae lovers as they perform a mix of roots, rocksteady, lovers rock, dancehall, and ska. This will be one to throw on your dancing shoes for because they are sure to get the party started.
Crazy Uncle will have the stage at 5pm August 22 playing a mix of classic rock, pop, and original music. To give you an idea of their sound, they draw inspiration from the likes of Cream, The Rolling Stones, Sinatra, and The Beach Boys. I know, eclectic right? The headliner for this day is yet to be announced, but check out the Summer Beach Jam Facebook page to be kept up to date about who will take this spot.
Noted for their renditions of Irish folk and rebel tunes and for their original music, The Flynns will be the warm-up act at 5pm on August 29. These guys cite The Pogues, The Dubliners, and The Dropkick Murphys as inspiration, and you know how much the Irish like to party. Following them at 7:15 will be Cocktail Party.
The show on September 4 will start a little earlier with an act yet to be announced taking the stage at 4pm. Then at 6pm The Notion, a local rock cover band, will be playing tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today. This date will also run a little later with the headline act, Dead Reckoning, performing at 8pm. These guys are the only Dylan & The Dead tribute band. There was a live album by Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead called Dylan & the Dead which is a collaborative live album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, released on February 6, 1989. Dead Reckoning is the only tribute act for it in the world, and of course, they also perform hits by The Grateful Dead.
Finally, as summer draws to a close, the last of the Summer Beach Jam series is taking place on September 5 and will be going out with a bang as an all-day event. Starting at 12pm is Jersey Cow Girls, the perfect day time listening as they bring their country/pop sounds. Then at 2pm, Zoetrope are set to perform. Kilted Rogues are up next at 4pm with their performance of up-tempo Scottish, Irish and popular tunes with Bagpipes & Drums. The penultimate band of the night and the Summer Beach jam is the aptly named, One For The Road, at 6pm who will be jamming to country/rock music and bringing an up-beat, fun atmosphere as the night almost draws to a close. The final band at 8pm is Friends Band who be playing music from the classics of the 50’s right up through today’s hits, they add their “own special touch to bring new life to the music loved by generations.” The perfect way to end a great summer of free music.
The farmer’s market will supply you with all the delicious food and drink you need to enjoy the music, all you need is your beach chairs and towels to enjoy this great free concert series. All the information about each week can be found by going to their Facebook page – “Ventnor City Summer Beach Jam”. With great, free, events like these, everyone still has the opportunity to make this summer unforgettable!
Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent.www.dinamediagroup.com
