A crowd, at top, anxiously awaits a screening in the lobby of the Carlton Theater in Red Bank in 1956. The Carlton would eventually become the Count Basie Theatre in 1984. COURTESY OF DORNS CLASSIC IMAGES From Monmouth Battlefield to Sandy Hook to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, central New Jersey has accumulated many landmarks during the past 350 years.
Since the British decided to seize New Netherlands from the Dutch and rename it in 1664, the Garden State has evolved from a sprawling farming colony to the most densely populated state in the nation — from the crossroads of the American Revolution to a national standard-bearer for industry, innovation and the arts.
In recent decades, once-small towns like Asbury Park, New Brunswick and Holmdel have continued this legacy, forging national and international reputations for their scientists, writers, musicians, concert halls and theaters.
It’s no wonder, then, that the kickoff for New Jersey’s yearlong birthday celebration will be held at the famed Basie in historic Red Bank on Dec. 31, hours before Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes take the stage for their 15th annual New Year’s Eve concert.
Model T vehicles rumble along Broad Street in Red Bank in 1912. COURTESY OF DORNS CLASSIC IMAGES “We realized that it would be this perfect pairing,” said Adam Philipson, the theater’s CEO. “Then, when we were able to work this all out and we were selected … God, it is such an incredible honor.”
Throughout 2014, the New Jersey Historical Commission, the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and a number of other groups will collaborate on a yearlong program called New Jersey 350 (NJ350), which will commemorate the Garden State’s history of “innovation, diversity and liberty” in towns across the state.
The program will highlight events of all sizes that relate to the three themes and feature some of the unique foods, music, people, stories and traditions that have made New Jersey special for the past three-and-a-half centuries.
“The New Jersey Historical Commission is encouraging groups all over the state to develop programs and activities that explore these themes and highlight the rich history of the Garden State,” said Sara Cureton, director of the commission.
Those interested in attending an event or promoting one of their own may visit www.officialnj350.com.
One of the most interesting aspects of the program is the rollout of NJ350 “popup stores” in 14 selected communities throughout the state.
The stores, which are being sponsored by the DCA’s Main Street New Jersey program, the historical commission, the New Jersey State Museum and a host of private partners, including IKEA and SnapRetail, will be set up in vacant storefronts to showcase “the rich history, character and commerce in our traditional towns all over the state, and to spotlight local businesses and products,” according to DCA Director of Communications Tammori Petty. “We also seek to show that a vacant storefront can have retail success, hopefully inspiring small businesses to fill that space after each pop-up store moves to the next location around the state.”
The stores will sell products and merchandise celebrating “Jerseyana,” including the original Jerseyopoly board game; the “Goodnight New Jersey” children’s book; NJ350 and state-branded merchandise; educational items; and local products specific to the host town.
While stores will pop up throughout 2014 in cities like Atlantic City, Westfield, Montclair and Trenton, Red Bank and the Count Basie Theatre have been selected to cut the ribbon on the entire program.
“Red Bank provides the quintessential historic downtown backdrop to hosting the first pop-up store of this first-of-its-kind, yearlong program,” Petty said.
“From the beginning, the Count Basie Theatre took the lead in wanting to host the pop-up store in one of their vacant storefronts. They, along with Red Bank River- Center, have been incredible partners.”
Philipson said various Red Bank community members will gather to cut the ribbon on the inaugural pop-up at noon on Dec. 31. The store will be located at Studio 105, located next to the theater on Monmouth Street. Southside Johnny will take the stage at 9 p.m.
While New Year’s Eve is always a big night at the Basie, Philipson said he is thrilled to be part of the first birthday wish for the Garden State.
“We absolutely feel that this is a big, bold statement for how important our main streets are, and how important Red Bank is as a town, as a community,” he said.
“It was voted as one of the top three small towns to live in. It just has this ambiance and this energy, and we are so honored to be a big part of that.”