Page 68 - 2024 Southern NJ Vacationer

GET READY TO BE ENTERTAINED
Two on the aisle
ECHOING SHAKESPEARE’S, famous sentiment, all the region is a stage here in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties where destination managers transform beaches, parks, theaters and historic entertainment venues into a diverse range of artistic stage experiences. From world premiere productions, music festivals on the beach, local concerts under the stars and headliners at Atlantic City casinos, the entertainment scene is bursting with talent and surprises. Buy a ticket, grab a lawn chair, wiggle into that poodle skirt or pull on those cowboy boots and get ready to be entertained.
Cape May County known for its charming coastal towns and historic and diverse architecture, has cultivated a rich cultural scene. The Cape May Music Festival stands out, bringing classical and contemporary musicians to enchanting venues like the Emlen Physick Estate. www.capemaymac.org
Ocean City’s Historic Music Pier on the Boardwalk is home to the Ocean City Pops Orchestra and it’s the place where visitors can rock along with such legendary musicians as the Beach Boys, in a concert series that runs throughout the summer. www.ocnj.us
Under the stars, imbibing the fresh salt air and comfy in your own lawn chair, music concerts at the Jersey Cape take place in picturesque settings, and best of all, are mostly free making it the perfect night out!
Genres including rock, pop, jazz, blues, and country are performed by local and regional artists in weekly concert series such as Concerts Under the Stars in Sea Isle City and North Wildwood, Centennial Park Concerts in Wildwood Crest, Rotary Park Concerts in Cape May, Ferry Park in Lower Township, the Water Tower in Stone Harbor and Surfside Park in Avalon. Check local chambers of commerce for details.
Imagine that you are standing on the beach with the waves crashing in the background and the voices of the biggest names in country music reverberating across the sand from five stages. If your travels bring you to Wildwood in June, your imagination just became reality. The Barefoot Country Music Festival is set on Wildwood’s massive beach, June 20-23. The 4-day event will host over 30 country artists including headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Kane Brown joining up-and-comers on multiple stages on the beach. Visit www.wildwoodsnj.com, www.BarefootCountryMusicFest.com
If headline entertainment is the ticket, look no farther than the casinos in Atlantic County’s premier City of Atlantic City where world-class entertainers, shows and renowned artists take the stages of Hard Rock, Ocean, Caesars and Borgata, among them. Just steps away from the casino stages, on the city’s iconic Boardwalk, visitors will find a variety of events, live music
performances and parades for every occasion.
www.atlanticcitynj.com
Picasso or Warhol? Is watching visual artists at work your choice for an afternoon of fun? Check off another itinerary item with a visit to the Noyes Arts Garage at Stockton University in the heart of the Atlantic City Arts District. Watch artists working in a variety of media – painting, photography, illustration, sculpture and more. Stroll through the galleries and stop for a bite to eat. With a mission to promote education, provide resources for emerging artists and enrich the community, the Arts Garage includes a satellite gallery of The Noyes Museum of Art and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. www.artsgarageac.com
Don’t miss the excitement when the curtain goes up on a thrilling new season of music, dance theater, and comedy at the Stockton Performing Arts Center on the campus of Stockton University. www.stocktonpac.org
In Cumberland County, the entertainment scene has evolved to reflect the community’s diverse interests. Parks and outdoor spaces host family-friendly concerts and retail events that help to foster local talent supporting emerging musicians, artists, and performers.
Community theaters such as the Levoy Theatre in Millville and the Landis Theater in Vineland provide a platform for both seasoned and up-and-coming actors. The Levoy Theatre traces its history to the silent film era and is a vibrant center of entertainment for Millville and surrounding areas, the Levoy has a full schedule of concerts, children’s plays, and special performances. www.levoy.net
The Levoy Theatre also offers quality off Broad Street productions and special performances such as Hands Up Silent Theatre which produces shows that members of the d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing and hearing community can enjoy at the same time through the use of American Sign language. www.handsup-theatre.org/about-hands-up
Want more local community theater? Take in a Cumberland Players production, they offer shows in their cozy Vineland theater. www.cumberlandplayers.com
In the heart of Vineland, the Landis Theater hosts live music and theater in a historic Deco styled venue. www.thelandistheater.com l
66 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER