Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Move over Atlantic City; Ventnor rocks:
Going through the notes for this week’s column, I noticed there were several sweet music events happening this week right down the way from us in that erstwhile quiet beach community called Ventnor. This is in addition to the weekly Saturday night concerts at Newport Beach, and Wednesday night’s weekly Summer Concerts at Ski Beach, who have Countdown to Ecstasy: Steely Dan Tribute Aug. 16.
We’re referring to the Funky Pickle Ventnor Classic and Music Fest taking place July 28 and 29. Their press material describes it as a “one of a kind pickleball block party, all-day entertainment with live music, a full bar, great food trucks, local artists and vendors and two nights of FREE beach concerts!”
Since we’re a music column, focusing here on the entertainment – Friday night features the seven-piece soul sounds of Joslyn and the Sweet Compression; Saturday finds multi-instrumentalist Darius Christian (known for his work with famed rapper McLemore, among others) performing plus the eight-piece funk band, Couch. Both days/nights feature a full bar, great food trucks, local artists and vendors and more. See www.funkypickle.com for info.
There’s also National Night Out in Ventnor on Tuesday, Aug. 1, a free event starting at 5 p.m. on Newport Avenue (behind Ventnor Library) with music by Plaid Salmon (6-7 p.m.) and very the popular (and exceptionally large) area ensemble The Exceptions (7-10 p.m.). See www.ventnorcity.org for info. Look for yours truly. We plan to attend both events, and please let the organizers know you read about it in Shore Local.
There’s A Rumble Down Below: You know the old expression “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” It’s very apropos here as The Rumble, featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr. – son of Grammy-nominated Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, who performed on the Boardwalk at Mardi Gras AC Concerts presented by Tony Marts this past Wednesday – plays the Rootstock Vineyard Concert Series in Rio Grande on Friday, July 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street,” states the group’s press material, “but the first thing you’ll hear as they make their way towards you is the backline known as ‘the rumble’ (hence the group’s name).
“They feature six Grammy-nominated musicians and have just released a new album ‘Live At The Maple Leaf.’ Come immerse yourself in the real, deal, New Orleans music and culture!” Info: www.hawkhavenvineyard.com.
Band of the Week: Meet Grayson, a four-piece band from South Jersey that pulls from jazz, blues and soul to create their own blend and modern sound. The Tuckerton-based group, who have known each other since middle school, count Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beatles and Joe Pass among their influences.
Their musical style, as heard on their debut disc “No One Really Knows,” fuses intense breakdowns and feel-good melodies with passionate lyricism about love, heartache and growing up as a young man in today’s world. Catch Grayson locally at Lizzie Rose Music Room on July 28. Info: https://www.lizzierosemusic.com/product-page/grayson-jul-28th.
News ‘N’ Notes: Don’t miss Honey Island Swamp Band, another fine New Orleans-based roots-rockin’ jam ensemble, performing Aug. 2 at the Mardi Gras AC Concerts on the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza, for free at 7 p.m. Dancing shoes are a must!…two days later, it’s “Stanley Plays Jimi” – guitarist extraordinaire Stanley Jordan performs the music of Jimi Hendrix – with the Brandon Ireland Band at AtlantiCare Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point, free at 7 p.m. See yah next week…
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.
