The sounds of summer

By AMY ROSEN
Staff Writer

 Clockwise from left: Brian Kirk and the Jirks perform at Pier Village's Festival Plaza in Long Branch last summer; Random Test offers live reggae in Roosevelt Park, Edison; and a crowd enjoys a show at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy.  FILE PHOTOS Clockwise from left: Brian Kirk and the Jirks perform at Pier Village’s Festival Plaza in Long Branch last summer; Random Test offers live reggae in Roosevelt Park, Edison; and a crowd enjoys a show at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy. FILE PHOTOS Free outdoor concerts are attracting a growing number of music lovers to local Main Streets every year, and towns are responding by expanding their summer lineups.

While central New Jersey towns such as Freehold and Long Branch present outdoor concerts on a weekly basis each summer, Woodbridge goes even further, offering live music of different genres from Monday through Thursday.

“We have 37 free shows this summer,” Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said. The town began its tradition of free outdoor concerts in 1999, he said.

“A few years ago, we added Wednesdays at Parker Press Park to go with our Farmers Market, and this year we added Tuesdays and Thursdays,” McCormac said. “The community loves the free shows.”

 Red Bank celebrated the beginning of June with RiverFest, featuring live music by local bands.  FRANK GALIPO Red Bank celebrated the beginning of June with RiverFest, featuring live music by local bands. FRANK GALIPO The Woodbridge Wednesdays series features a wide range of genres, including jazz, blues, country, Latin, folk, funk, Americana, pop, rock and world music.

“Word has been getting out that what we’re doing here is ‘world class,’ and our audience has grown each year,” said Bill Brandenburg, co-organizer of the Woodbridge Wednesdays series. He noted that business owners appreciate the influx of people who come to Woodbridge from all over to see the concerts.

The Mayor’s Summer Concert Series on Mondays is dedicated to the oldies, with bands like The Bronx Wanderers and the Duprees. Rockin’ Tuesdays features tribute bands who will present the music of the Eagles, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Simon and Garfunkel, and others. Concerts in both series are held at Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Place. Woodbridge Wednesdays and Local Band Thursdays are held at Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave., near the Woodbridge train station.

 Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band will kick off Middlesex County’s Music-in-the-Parks series on July 2 at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park.  FILE PHOTO Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band will kick off Middlesex County’s Music-in-the-Parks series on July 2 at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park. FILE PHOTO McCormac, who noted that funding for the concerts comes mainly from local corporations, said he hopes to attend all 37 concerts.

“I don’t miss a show,” he said, adding that his favorites include the BStreetBand and Hotel California, tributes to Springsteen and the Eagles, respectively.

In Long Branch, Thursdays by the Sea is a free, outdoor concert series presented June 12-Aug. 21 in Pier Village.

“These outdoor concerts are open to the public, and Pier Village welcomes all to bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax on Festival Plaza and enjoy the music or, in some cases, get up and dance,” said Megan Oliveira, director of marketing and events for Pier Village.

Tim McLoone and the Shirleys will kick off the series June 12, followed a week later by the Burger & Burtnik Beatles Tribute.

“All genres are represented throughout the summer, although we find that the bands that hold true to that traditional Jersey Shore sound of rock with a hint of blues are the main attraction for our summer visitors and locals alike,” Oliveira said. “That Jersey Shore rock-andblues sound is the soundtrack to our memories.”

Long Branch also presents Blues by the Beach at West End Park, Ocean Avenue, at 7 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 24.

Freehold hosts concerts on Thursdays in front of the Hall of Records, Main Street. The popularity of the series has grown over the years, according to Rich Gatto, CEO of Downtown Freehold, which organizes the events.

“It’s grown from 200 to 300 people a night to well over 1,000 people most evenings,” he said. “It is funded through the sponsorship of local businesses.”

Gatto said local cover bands such as the Amish Outlaws and tribute bands such as The Jersey Four, EagleMania, and Jimmy and the Parrots — covering the music of the Four Seasons, the Eagles and Jimmy Buffett, respectively — are the most popular.

“I am very excited for two new bands debuting downtown this year,” he said. “They are The British Invasion Tribute and Time Machine.”

The British Invasion Tribute celebrates British rock, while Time Machine will feature disco, oldies, country, rock, Latin and current dance tunes.

Middlesex County presents its Music-in-the-Parks series 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park on the South Amboy/Sayreville beachfront. Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band will kick off the series July 2, and Danny V’s 52nd Street Band will start off the August concerts with a tribute to Billy Joel on Aug. 6.

The Manalapan Arts Council presents summer concerts and the Manalapan Day festival at no charge every year. Joe Piscopo will headline this year’s Manalapan Day on June 14.

Marlboro will present two summer concerts this year, with Time Machine performing on July 13 and The Nerds on Aug. 10. Both are at 7 p.m. at the Marlboro Community Center amphitheater.

Keyport will present its Twilight Concert Series at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through August, and Jazz and Blues on Front Street at 7 p.m. Thursdays.

In Metuchen, free concerts and art displays can be found throughout the downtown area every Friday evening in June for the annual Junebug ArtFest.

South Brunswick will present Sweeter Than Honey at Beech Woods Park at 7 p.m. July 11.

Red Bank, which recently presented live music as part of the weekend-long River- Fest, will have street musicians playing on Saturday evenings in June and August.

Free beach concerts are held at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 18-Aug. 6, at Sandy Hook Beach E. Upcoming bands include After the Reign with country music on June 18, followed by classic rock with The Carl Gentry Band on June 25, The British Invasion Tribute on July 2, and party music with Brian Kirk and the Jirks on July 9.

Donna Ranieri of Englishtown said she frequents many free concerts each summer, including those in Freehold.

“I love the Shore and the bands,” Ranieri said while taking in a performance by JoBonanno and the Godsons at Red Bank’s recent RiverFest.

“You can bring your kids and enjoy the sunset on a day like today. It’s wonderful,” she said. “I especially like the Eddie Testa Band and JoBonanno.

“I really appreciate the sponsors. You want to frequent their places because they help promote events like this.”

Free summer music

Freehold Rocks! Concert Series at 7:30 p.m.
Mission Dance, June 12
Jersey Four, June 19
Amish Outlaws, June 26
The Nerds, July 3
Johnny Drama, July 10
Time Machine, July 17
Phil Engel Band, July 24
EagleMania, July 31
Brian Kirk & the Jirks, Aug. 7
After the Reign, Aug. 14
Hall of Records, E. Main Street, Freehold
www.downtownfreehold.com

Thursdays by the Sea at 7 p.m.
Tim McLoone & The Shirleys, June 12
Burger & Burtnik Beatles Tribute, June 19
British Invasion, June 26
Motor City Revue, July 10
The Nerds, July 17
Sirius Orchestra, July 24
JoBonanno, July 31
After the Reign, Aug. 7
The Doughboys, Aug. 14
Bob Burger, Aug. 21
Brian Kirk & The Jirks, Aug. 28 (fireworks)
Festival Plaza in Pier Village, Long Branch
732-923-2044

Junebug ArtFest
The Rollbacks, Framework,
John Melendez, Shikantaza, Broken By
Chance, June 13
Baldwin Book of Reality, Brick Ferne
Infusion, Michael Glazier, June 20
The Chancers, The Hazy Souls, Jim
Toscano, Past Tense, Fallaheen,
Bare Root Band, June 27
Downtown Metuchen

Twilight Singer/Songwriter’s Series at 7 p.m.
Bryan Hansen, Caroline Reese & Mark
Watter, Pretty Thieves, June 13
The Wag, Don Lee, Planet Peacock, June 14
Mikey Arto, Mike Clifford, M.O.R., June 20
Geirge Wirth & Peter Myers, Tommy
Strazza & Deirdre Forrest, Steve
Honoshowsky & Pat Veil, David Fagan, Vic
Fraternake, Fairmont & The
Maravines, June 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Frank Lombardi, Tara Dente,
Gerald Edward, June 27
Chelsea Carlson, Paul Lombardo,
Nalani & Sarina, June 28
Outside Espresso Joe’s, Keyport

StreetLife
Live entertainment on the sidewalks
of Red Bank, 6-9 p.m.
Saturday evenings through Aug. 30

Woodbridge Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Catherine Russell, June 18
Karikatura, The Sea The Sea, June 25
Jann Klose, Sloan Wainwright, July 2
La Santa Cecelia, July 9
Kenny White, Hannah & Maggie, July 18
Socks in the Frying Pan, July 23
Stephane Wremble, Frank Lombardi, July 30
Lera Lynn & Bobtown, Aug. 6
The Kennedys, The Levins, Aug. 13
Ryan Tennis & The Clubhouse Band,
El Caribefunk, Aug. 20
The VooDUDES, Tumbling Bones, Aug. 27
Parker Press Park
400 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge

Sandy Hook Beach Concerts at 6 p.m.
After the Reign, June 18
The Carl Gentry Band, June 25
The British Invasion Tribute, July 2
Brian Kirk & The Jirks, July 9
Tim McLoone & the Shirleys, July 16
Rip Tide/The Haven, July 23
cover band Harpers Fellow starts at 5:30 p.m.
Motor City Revue, July 30
Pat Guadagno & Candle Brothers, Aug. 6
JoBonnano & The Godsons of Soul, Aug. 13
Sandy Hook Beach E

Local Band Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Smoke & Mirrors, June 19
Saloonatics, June 26
Seven Stone, July 10
Love Revolution, July 17
Smokehouse, July 24
Kevin & Carl, July 31
Undercover, Aug. 7

Pretty Baby, Aug. 14
9 South, Aug. 21
Marty & the Martians, Aug. 28
Parker Press Park
400 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge

Blues by the Beach at 7 p.m.
Sandy Mack, June 22
Soul Project, June 29
Chuck Lambert, July 6
Gas House Gorillas, July 13
Saron Crenshow, July 20
Matt O’Ree, July 27
Jimmy Pritchard, Aug. 3
Rob Paparozzi, Aug. 10
DelRasso Band, Aug. 17
The VooDUDES, Aug. 24
West End Park, corner of Brighton and
Ocean avenues, Long Branch

Jazz & Blues on Front Street, at 7 p.m.
Special Request, June 26
Bob Burger Fleetwood Mac Tribute, July 10
Jonny B & The Blues, July 17
Jerry Topinka & Friends, July 24
Rave On, Aug. 7
Bob DelRosso Band, Aug. 14
JoBonanno & The Godsons of Soul, Aug. 21
The Kootz, Aug. 28
Keyport Mini Park

Mayor’s Summer Concert Series at 7:30 p.m.
Broadway at Your Door Step, June 30
Bronx Wanderers, July 7
Duprees, July 14
Jersey Sound, July 21
Cameos, July 28
NY Rat Pack, Aug. 4
Emil Stucchio & the Classics, Aug. 11
The Fabulous Greaseband, Aug. 18
The Infernos, Aug. 25
Woodbridge High School
25 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge

Downtown Tuesday Nights at 7 p.m.
Rave On, July 8
Special Request, July 15
Madison Avenue, July 22
Broadway Bandshell near McDonald’s
behind Brookdale, Long Branch

Rockin’ Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
CSN Band, July 8
Hotel California, July 15
Bell Bottom Blues, July 22
The BStreetBand, July 29
Introduction-The Chicago Experience, Aug. 5
The Guthrie Brothers, Aug. 12
Beatles Faux Sale, Aug. 19
Tusk, Aug. 26
Woodbridge High School
25 Samuel Lupo Place

Middlesex County Music-in-the-Parks
Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band, July 2
at 6:30 p.m.
Walt Wagner & The Serenaders, July 9
The Perry Brothers Irish Band, July 16
The Robert Murdock Band, July 23
Bernie Goydish’s Jersey Polka Stars, July 30
Danny V’s 52nd Street Band, Aug. 6
Rave On Band, Aug. 13
Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Aug. 20
The Tim Gillis Band, Aug. 27
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary
Boulevard, South/Sayreville Beachfront

The George Krauss Memorial Band, July 6
at 6 p.m.
The Jose Rodriguez Latin Band, July 13
The Broadway Pops Big Band, July 20
Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band, July 27
Mark Heter and His Band, Aug. 3
Bernie Goydish’s Jersey Polka Stars, Aug. 10
Warren Park Mini Theatre
Florida Grove Road, Woodbridge

The Garden State Symphonic Band, July 9
at 2 p.m.
The Broadway Pops Big Band, July 16
Mark Heter and His Band, July 23
Bernie Goydish’s Jersey Polka Stars, July 30
Francine Kane and Her Gentleman
Friends, Aug. 6
Sandy Sasso’s Swingin’ Big Band, Aug. 13
Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Aug. 20
Thompson Park Gazebo
Forsgate Drive, Jamesburg/Monroe