Free gumbo tasting and live entertainment will be featured at Friday night’s (May 17) Jersey Gumbo Kickoff Party for the June 15 “Jersey Gumbo Cookoff and Music Festival.” Chef Richard Spurlock’s Main Street American Café will host the party from 6pm, with a free concert by Mojo Mozart and the Mardi Gras Swingers planned from 6:30-8:30pm, presented by Tony Mart Presents.

There will also be free tastings of Carmen Marotta’s “Jersey Crab Gumbo” and Chef Richard Spurlock’s signature chicken and andouille gumbo.
Chef Spurlock will also feature an a la carte menu with two different kinds of Gumbo served with potato salad Cajun style, Jambalaya, Shrimp Po Boys and several other Louisiana specialties.

The band will be performing Louisiana, New Orleans and Mardi Gras favorites and everyone is welcome to dance and sing along.

Guests can bring their own beer and wine to accompany their orders of Chef Richard’s specialties.

Chef Richard Spurlock’s Main Street American Café is located at 6002 Main St., Mays Landing. RSVP Call 609-625-5500 for reserved seats.

The Jersey Gumbo Fest takes place June 15, 2013 at the Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company #1, 447 Bethel Rd., Somers Point and will feature the following musical lineup:

JERSEY GUMBO FEST ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

12:20 GUMBO LESSONS
1 – 1:45    “ROSIE O’REILLY” GAZARRA
2:15 – 3:00    MOJO MOZART & THE MARDI GRAS SWINGERS
3:20 – 4:20    VINI LOPEZ & LICENSE TO CHILL
3:00  GUMBO LESSONS
4:40 – 5:50    VINI LOPEZ & LICENSE TO CHILL
6:10 – 6:30    AWARDS CEREMONY
6:30 – 8:00    TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE
8:30 – 9:50    JUMPIN’ JOHNNY SANSONE & HIS NEW ORLEANS ALLSTARS

See more at Tonymart.com.

ATLANTIC CITY — The Chelsea, Atlantic City’s chic boutique hotel on the Boardwalk, will host the third annual Big Teplitzky Challenge on Saturday, May 18, at 1pm.

The Atlantic City Fire Department will face off with the Atlantic City Police Department in an effort to see who will be the first to clear their plates of the mega four-pound “Big Teplitzky” breakfast of pancakes, stuffed French toast, eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, pork roll, hash browns, grilled tomato, toast and a bagel — with orange juice and coffee to wash it all down, of course!

Will A.C. firefighter Jim McDevitt win a third straight Big Teplitzky Challenge?

All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit The Andrew Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund and Cop2Cop. Andrew’s Scholarship Fund is a tribute to Captain James Fisher’s son, who was a brilliant chemical engineering student at Northeastern University in Boston at the time of his tragic death. Cop2Cop is a New Jersey based phone counseling service for law enforcement. Law enforcement officers, some of who have faced their own struggles with depression or have seen colleagues suffer, volunteer their time to staff the service.

Individuals or businesses interested in becoming sponsors of The Big Teplitzky Challenge should contact the Atlantic City Firemen’s Federal Credit Union at (609) 272-1000.
Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 each through ACPD (Jane Tayoun: Janejap@aol.com/ 609-271-2500) or ACFD (Christine Parker: ccparker82@gmail.com/609-576-4084) or purchased at the door.

ATLANTIC CITY — Revel hosted the 24th annual Stainton Society Brunch on Sunday, May 5, as a gesture by the Shore Medical Center Foundation to thank all those who play a vital role in Shore Medical Center’s mission to provide the highest quality care to the community.

Anderson Cooper

For a photo gallery of the event, click here.

The Stainton Society is the largest fundraising organization of Shore Medical Center’s Foundation, and the cornerstone of the Medical Center’s annual giving program.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper was the featured speaker at the event. Cooper is the anchor of his own CNN-based news show Anderson Cooper 360°, has served as host of his own eponymous syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson Live, has been a correspondent for the popular CBS News program 60 Minutes.

Cooper spoke of his most memorable interviews, his diverse background covering presidents, dignitaries and show-business greats, of his time served as a war correspondent in some of the most troubled nations of the world, and recently of covering the aftermath of last month’s Boston Marathon bombing.

Shore Medical Center president and CEO Ron Johnson thanked everyone in attendance for their continued support of the medical center, praising the passion and dedication of those involved in providing exceptional wellness services and patient care.

Others in attendance including Shore Medical Centers vice president and chief information officer Frederick Banner, special guest speaker Bill Elliott of the HERO Campaign, and closing remarks by James Fraser, chairperson of the Shore Medical Center Foundation and owner of Mays Landing Golf and Country Club.

ATLANTIC CITY — In support of the Ladies Invitational Bluefish Tournament (LIBT)’s mission to fight breast cancer and raise money for the AtlantiCare RNS Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund, the LIBT is again presenting a special version of Diva Bingo on Friday, May 17, at Resort Superstar Theater.

Hosted by the cast of Resorts’ hilarious revue show Divas Do AC, the event starts 8pm following a 7-8pm registration. A $10 donation benefits AtlantiCare’s Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund, and bingo prizes will be awarded in slot cash, so be sure to sign up for a players card at the promotions booth if you don’t already have one. The theme this year is “Hot Hula Bingo,” so dust off your coconut bra and dress in your best Hawaiian garb for the chances to win additional prizes. Outrageous outfits are most encouraged.

The LIBT is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. The Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund helps provide mammograms and potentially life-saving screenings to uninsured women at no charge, thus removing financial barriers to receiving this important and potentially life-saving screening.

The 29th annual Ladies Invitational Bluefish Tournament is June 8 (full schedule below). The tournament’s awards banquet is Sunday and is open to all (you do not have to be a tournament participant) for $45. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and dinner, a Chinese auction with the hands-down best prizes in South Jersey, a 50/50 raffle that netted last year’s winner over $1,500, and the peace of mind knowing that you will be assisting the Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund and the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer & Heart Fund.

Your donations stay local and help local women receive mammograms that are so Call Kimberly Ann Kirk at (609) 412-0641 or visit fishlibt.com for more information, and thank you for your support! (more…)

Le Grand Fromage, 25 Gordon’s Alley, The Boneyard, 20 S. Virginia Ave., Atlantic City, host this special music event. All door proceeds ($10 cover) will go directly to the Ozan Music School in Galloway and toward free music schlorships for autistic children. Also every person who pays to get in will receive a limited edition Elephants for Autism CD featuring over 20 artists who were kind enough to donate music to this great cause.

Here is the line-up:

Friday May 17, Le Grand Fromage-Rotating Stages
6-630-Down Chill And The Rabbits
630-700- Up The Knomadz
700-730-Down Barry Aishton
730-800- Up Horseman 5
800-830-Down Fools’ Pudding
830-900 Up Urethra Franklin
845-915-Down Empty November
915-945 Up Malcolm Tent And 1adam12
10-1030-Up The Mahlors
930-10 Down-Down Selva
1045-1115 Up Position 9
1015-1045 Down-The Daycations
11-1130-Down Lovelight
1130-12-UP The Secondside
12-1230-Down Yellow Tie Guy
1230-1-Up Daniel Ouelette And The Shobijn

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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. — On Saturday, May 4, the state-of-the-art Retro Fitness health-and-wellness center in Egg Harbor Township (6825 Tilton Rd.) will play host to a four-hour “Zumbathon” to benefit the American Liver Foundation and the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.

LaVar "Big Sarge" Curry is back!

Registration is from 11:30-11:55am and $10 donations are requested per hour-long blocks scheduled for noon, 1:05pm, 2:10pm, 3:15pm and 4:15pm. 

One hundred percent of these donations will go to the American Liver Foundation. Bottled water for each participant is being donated by the N.J. Army National Guard, and all space is being donated by Retro Fitness of EHT.

The event instructor is Absecon resident LeVar “Big Sarge” Curry, a fitness trainer for the U.S. Army for over 16 years.

To register, to donate, or for more details, e-mail Erika Lynn at erikah2006@gmail.com, or call Retro Fitness at (609) 241-0017. No donation is too small, and all are most appreciated.

SOMERS POINT, N.J. — A gallery of international artwork will be made available in a silent auction in the banquet portion of Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro (908 Shore Road, Somers Point) on Saturday, May 4, from 7:30-10:30pm.

Admission is free, and the auction will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic and Cape May counties. There will be with music and drinks provided to all those in attendance, as well as a stellar collection of artwork to bid on. The silent auction starts promptly at 7:30pm. You do not need to be present to win, so come early or late.


Starting bids will be set low to encourage lots of participation. Browse and bid on beautiful artwork from all over the United States. Some of the artists will be in attendance at Sandi Pointe.

The event curators are Bill Dunleavy and Sarah Varacalli, both southern New Jersey natives. Varacalli’s artistic resume includes published work for American Photo, Artforum, Coca Cola, GQ, Esquire and international versions of Maxim, Allure and Vogue. Dunleavy is a photographer and founded Superchief, a magazine and art gallery based in New York City. E-mail  bill@superchief.tv or SarahVaracalli@gmail.com for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic and Cape May Counties has spent the past forty-four years providing children with one-to-one mentoring relationships. These children come from all walks of life, and the majority are considered to be at-risk. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters’ professionally supported mentoring relationships children gain self-confidence and a better outlook for their future. Visit bbbsatlanticcape.org for more information.

ATLANTIC CITY — On Saturday, May 11, more than 250 breast cancer survivors will gather to kick off the 11th annual Shirley Mae Run and Michael J. Walk benefiting the Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund and the Michael J. Neustadter Pancreatic Cancer Fund.

The event will begin with a breast cancer survivors’ wave and bell ringing from the balcony of Fin Restaurant at the Tropicana, overlooking thousands of spectators on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.  All year long these women are mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters; but on this day they are all breast cancer survivors coming together to celebrate!

To date, the Shirley Mae Breast Cancer and Assistance Fund — established in August 2000 by Atlantic City businessman Roy Goldberg, who created the fund after experiencing the determination and inspiration of his mother, Shirley Mae Goldberg, a breast cancer survivor — has raised and given away over $ 1.3 million for supplies and medicine for breast cancer patients —  many of them your friends and neighbors.

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BRIGANTINE, N.J. — Sunday, May 5, marks the fifth anniversary of the Brigantine Elks annual Sun, Sand & Style Fashion Show to benefit the Elks’ beach wheelchair program and other special-needs projects. The show is from 11am-2:30pm and tickets are $25 apiece or $225 for a table of 10.

Tickets can be purchased at Brigantine Elks Lodge #2428 (400 West Shore Drive), Lilli Rose Boutique (1219 W Brigantine Ave.), Primal Surf Shop (3106 Revere Blvd.), Root Beer Barrel Surf & Kayak (301 10th St South) and Bloomingsales Flowers (4214 Harbor Beach Blvd.), all located in Brigantine. Last year’s event was a sell out, so get your tickets today!

Beach wheelchairs (pictured right) are specially modified rolling chairs that allow those with limited mobility to access Brigantine’s pristine beaches. Those who need them can borrow them, free of charge, from the Brigantine Elks Lodge or the Brigantine Beach Patrol headquarters (16th Street and the beach).

This year’s Sun, Sand & Style Fashion Show will feature a fabulous gourmet brunch and Bellini bar, all the latest fashions from Lilli Rose Boutique, Primal Surf and the Root Beer Barrel, plus special entertainment from Brandon Tomasello (left) and Matt Coleman (right). Once again there will also be plenty of amazing raffles, door prizes and surprises.

Among Sunday’s fashion models will be Miss Columbus Day Courtney Charatsaris, Brigantine Mayor Phil Guenther, Either Way band members Johnny Zappas and Sarah Holt (who will also be performing), and Access AC Live! host Whitney Ullman.

Others include local dignitaries and business people John and Kathe Murray, Greg Depiano, Shannon Tosten Ott, Natalie Ott, Susanne Smith Holt, Joanne Smith Zappas and Angela Lang Brindisi.

To reserve a table, call Linda at (609) 412-7020 or Maureen (609) 517-7497.

ATLANTIC CITY — The 33rd annual Stockton College Foundation Benefit Gala was held Saturday night, April 27, at Revel’s Ovation Hall — an event that has helped raise more than $20 million for Stockton student scholarships since its inception. Saturday night’s event alone saw about 720 guests help raise more than $440,000.

This year's honorary chairman Dirk Schavemaker

For a photo slideshow of this year’s event, click here.

The evening began with a cocktail reception of passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet spreads and entertainment by the Stockton Faculty Band. Following dinner the event’s surprise special guest — who was kept under wraps from the early planning stages of this year’s gala — was singer/rock star Eddie Money, who had a string of Top 40 hits and platinum albums during the 1970s and ‘80s. Guests were also encouraged to bid on dozens of items that were part of a premium silent auction.

The event concluded with dancing and entertainment by popular high-energy dance band Don’t Call Me Francis.

John Schultz

The Stockton Gala’s honorary chairman this year was Dirk Schavemaker, Revel’s senior vice president of operations.

Gary Hill

The co-chairmen were local philanthropists John Schultz and Gary Hill, co-founders of the non-profit Schultz-Hill Foundation that supports arts, history and education in southern New Jersey.