Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Where did 2023 go? Yikes, it’s almost the New Year! Meanwhile, Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore are bustling with live music options galore this Thanksgiving weekend and we’ve curated a few choices here to help in the decision-making.
The Yard at Bally’s (and) Mountain Bar at Caesars: Two of the best-kept entertainment secrets in Atlantic City are actually in plain sight, and literally right next door to one another on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Not only that, both venues feature nationally known live dance/party bands on the weekends, and in many cases, even on Thursday night. Each room is spacious and offers drink specials with no cover charge.
At The Yard at Bally’s, Stereo Social Club (pictured above), a popular five-piece group takes the stage there Saturday, Nov. 25. Next door at the Mountain Bar, Kicking Sunrise, an American soul/pop cover band from Gloucester County, performs starting at 10 p.m. (remember, no cover) and then again the following day (Sunday, Nov. 26) starting at 4 p.m. at the Lobby Bar inside the Hard Rock Casino (another cool venue that always features the best dance groups, including the Billy Walton Band, Don’t Call Me Francis and this Thursday (Thanksgiving night), Funk Daddy (7-11 p.m.). Coast To Coast (Friday, Nov. 24, 5-8:30 p.m.) and Lost In Paris (Saturday, Nov. 25, 9 p.m.- 1 a.m.).
In closing, you can’t go wrong checking out live music any weekend, and in the case of Hard Rock’s Lobby Bar, even weekdays, at any of these three places. https://www.caesars.com/caesars-ac/things-to-do/wild-wild-west;
http://www.ballysac.com; https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/nightlife/the-lobby-bar.
Billy Walton Band – Paint It Black Friday at Josie Kelly’s: This now-annual event sees guitarist Walton and his tight ensemble performing their Rolling Stones “Paint It Black” tribute in JK’s Adare Ballroom this Friday, Nov. 24, starting at 9 p.m. Last year was the first time we saw and heard this show, and if you are a Stones fan or just dig classic rock music in general, it’s a no brainer to head over to Somers Point this Friday. Free show. www.josiekellys.com.
Vonda Shepard at Broadway Theatre: The two-time Emmy-winning songwriter and actress pays a visit to the area at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman on Thursday, Nov. 30. Shepard – perhaps best known for her recurring role in the 1990s hit TV show, “Ally McBeal” – has also forged a nice solo music career, and released a new album, “Red Light, Green Light” late last year, the first since her 2015 release, “Rookie.”
“I love playing live and going on tour, but it’s really important to infuse the show with fresh songs and energy, so I was getting to that antsy point,” Shepard told Variety magazine in a recent interview. “And though I always say writing is really the hardest thing to do, the pandemic lent itself to focusing heavily. There was a lot to write about, including my son, and politics, and wanting to escape and break out of this pandemic, and all the injustices that were going on in the world.”
Shepard produced more than 500 songs for the “Ally McBeal” show and earned a worldwide hit with its theme song, “Searchin’ My Soul.”
Tickets/info: www.thebroadway theatre.org.
The Blues Are Coming to Atlantic City: This is one we’re really excited about: There’s something in the works to bring live, original blues music to a venue here at the Shore in the very near future. Unfortunately, this is all I’m able to say about this at the moment. The minute we know something concrete, watch for it to break here.
Wishing everyone a safe, lovely, politics-free Thanksgiving with your friends/family/significant other(s).
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
