ASBURY PARK, NJ – The bustling seaside city of Asbury Park is set to celebrate its rich musical heritage with the introduction of the Showcase Stage at the Grand Arcade, located within the historic Convention Hall. This new festival venue, part of the Prudential presents North to Shore Festival, will feature a vibrant lineup of local artists and performers on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 11 PM.
Festival attendees will be treated to an array of free performances by Asbury Park’s beloved home-grown stars, including singer-songwriters, punk bands, hip hop artists, indie rockers, and spoken word poets. The stage will also host local DJ Adam Jay, who will perform sets throughout the event.
John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC, emphasized the importance of the Showcase Stage, stating, “This is our way of highlighting the talent of Asbury Park’s incredible artists and introducing visitors to the authentic sound and spirit of Asbury Park.” The initiative aims to extend festival-goers’ visits and enrich their experience with genuine local culture.
The performers, deemed Official Selections by a committee of city arts professionals and community leaders, have been granted funding to enable their participation, highlighting the festival’s commitment to supporting local talent. This season, the festival distributed $355,600 to artists and organizations across its three host cities: Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Newark.
Jennifer Stine, President of Fortune Creative Collective and Vice President of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, is producing the Showcase Stage presentation. She expressed excitement about the opportunity to showcase such diverse talents in a historic venue, stating, “To have the Grand Arcade activated with such talented local artists is very exciting. We cannot wait for everyone coming into town that Friday and see, in this historic setting, everything that Asbury Park has to offer.”
The lineup includes a variety of musical acts, such as the vintage-flavored punk/blues band Johnny Nameless, hip hop spoken word poet Myster-E Edutainment, and the indie rock sensation The Mercury Brothers, among others.
In addition to enjoying the music, festival-goers can explore community health programs at RWJBarnabas Health’s information table and experience New Jersey’s immersive WOW Experience mobile activation on the Ocean Avenue side of the Grand Arcade.
This festival promises to be a cornerstone event for Asbury Park, showcasing its unique cultural offerings and supporting its vibrant arts scene.