Mention “Jersey Shore music,” and one place comes to mind — Asbury Park. It always has been and still is where music lives.
Those who want to immerse themselves in photos, vintage videos and memorabilia of Jersey’s favorite musicians — from Bruce Springsteen to Boccigalupi & the Bad Boys — hanging out and performing at Asbury clubs “back in the day” can visit Where Music Lives, the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation’s new venue for exhibits and more, located at 708 Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park.
Inspired by the huge success of a Smithsonian Institute traveling musical heritage exhibit that kicked off in Asbury Park in 2011, the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation (APMHF) was created after more than 14,000 visitors flocked to see the exhibit during its one-month stint in Asbury.
“We were blown away that so many people were interested in Asbury Park music, so we started the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation,” APMHF Chairman Tom Gilmour said.
The foundation’s mission to preserve, exhibit and promote the City of Asbury Park’s rich musical heritage — past, present and future — is moving forward with the new venue. The original plan was to open an exhibit space in 2014, but when superstorm Sandy damaged so many Shore towns and Asbury Park’s boardwalk, which is currently under repair, the need to create a destination in the city became more urgent, Gilmour said.
Boosted by a $100,000 grant from the Monmouth County Arts Council, the foundation’s exhibit space became a reality.
In order to keep the venue available for everyone to enjoy, admission to Where Music Lives is free. There may be a nominal charge for special events.
A Stone Pony Retrospect is currently running at Where Music Lives, featuring memorabilia and original tables from the historic club. A salute to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes also lines the walls.
In addition, a display of images of a young Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt, Vini Lopez and others is on loan from Rich Yorkowitz, the owner of the former Upstage Club, located two doors from Where Music Lives. Rock photographer John Cavanaugh, owner of Rocktography, is a partner in the venture. Thousands of images of musicians taken throughout his 23-year career will line the walls of the venue, changing on a monthly basis to coincide with Asbury Park’s First Saturday celebration.
“We want people to come here often,” Cavanaugh said. “We don’t want them to think that this is always the same, so it’s always going to be changing.”
To help subsidize the exhibit space, Where Music Lives has items for sale, including official Southside Johnny merchandise only available at concerts, as well as an expanding APMHF merchandise line, which currently includes the book “Asbury Park, Where Music Lives,” edited by Helen-Chantal Pike. The venue will also sell T-shirts and magnets.
Donations or loans of items for display are welcome. Thanks to one generous donor, the late Clarence Clemons’ jacket now graces the venue’s walls.
The multiple-use venue features a stage for lectures, educational initiatives, upclose and personal performances, and meetand greets with big-name artists and rising local musicians who come to town.
A “Storyteller Music Series” for artists to perform and tell stories of how Asbury Park influenced their lives or careers will begin with Laura Crisci on March 23 at 8 p.m., followed by Pat Guadagno on March 24 at 7 p.m., Jon Caspi on March 30 at 8 p.m., Christine Martucci on April 6 at 8 p.m., and Marc Ribler on April 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $25 for up-front VIP seats. Call 732-775-8900 for advance tickets, or visit the venue on Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.