Atlantic City officials announced on Monday, May 20, that the 3rd annual Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo would be returning to Boardwalk Hall October 5 (7:30pm) & 6 (1pm), 2013.

Photo: Tom Briglia

Pre-sale tickets are available from May 20 to May 23 at 10pm (EST). By using the code RODEO here, you can save $5 off any ticket for either show.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 24, at noon (EST) and fans who get their tix between May 24 and May 31 will receive a free cowboy hat with each ticket bought. Family four-pack packages are also available through October 4.

Tickets are $20, $30, $50 and $80.

Click here for a photo gallery from the Monday announcement in Atlantic City.

“We are very excited to be bringing the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo back in 2013,” said Janet Markowitz, the rodeo’s event chair. “The event was a huge success the past two years and I believe that the spectator turnout for this year will be even greater since we have moved the show dates to October. Our hope is that the event will become more visible to both locals and visitors over the summer months and that it will entice them to return to Atlantic City in October for a fun family event.”

Click here for photos from the first Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo

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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.

One of the most famous sculptures on Sarasota, Florida's waterfront sculpture walk and park.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA), now under the umbrella of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the Atlantic City Alliance (ACA), released a statement on Friday afternoon that a Monday press conference will be held at Harrah’s Resort with regard to a new non-gaming attraction coming to town.

The Atlantic City waterfront is getting its own Sculpture Walk/Park,  thanks to a partnership between the ACA, CRDA and the Noyes Museum of Art of Richard Stockton College.

“The AC Waterfront Sculpture Walk, the newest addition to the burgeoning art program in Atlantic City,  will be located along the existing illuminated trail along the bay in the Marina District of Atlantic City, linking the Golden Nugget Atlantic City with Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa,” reads the statement.

“Located within the Tourism District, this new, eco-friendly, non-gaming attraction will encompass the procurement of 40 sculptures over the next four years, with the first installation scheduled for July, 2013.”

This summer! Fantastic news. And with 40 sculptures planned the project will definitely change the look and feel of Atlantic City’s Marina District.

One of the sculptures on the Sarasota, Fla., sculpture walk along its watefront.

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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THE WILDWOODS — This Mother’s Day it’s tea for two … or three or more at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, located on the Wildwood’s boardwalk, where moms are invited to celebrate their special day with an unforgettable tea party for the whole family at the beloved Tea Cups ride.

Moms visiting the classic shore side destination on Sunday, May 12, will also ride free from 11am-5pm on Mariner’s Landing and Surfside Pier at Morey’s. With more than 100 rides and attractions to choose from, the entire family can ride on one of the largest Ferris wheels on the east coast, loop upside down on the Great Nor’easter coaster, splash down one of the steepest log flumes, and much more.

From noon-2pm, families can grab a seat in an oversized English tea cup and enjoy complimentary afternoon tea with an assortment of cookies, biscotti’s, and biscuits at the Tea Cups attraction, featuring new awnings that provide guests additional shade.

Kids will have the opportunity to decorate personalized sugar cookies for mom at the cookie decorating station at the Parents Pavilion on Mariner’s Landing Pier. Also available at the Parents Pavilion is a special photo area complete with signs and props for mom and the entire family to take pictures.

ATLANTIC CITY — In celebration of the return of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Boardwalk Hall April 18-21, White House Sub Shop treated two of the show’s favorite performers, Dutchess and Patty the elephants, to a special delivery of a one-of-a-kind “Pachyderm Sub” consisting of the pair’s favorite fruits and vegetables.

Dutchess and Patty enjoying their Pachyderm Sub from White House Sub Shop. Photo by Christine Steiner

First-grade students from Atlantic City’s Our Lady Star of the Sea school joined Dutchess and Patty for brunch on Thursday morning, April 18, as they fueled up in preparation for their opening-night performance later that evening, 7pm.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey returns to Boardwalk Hall with its brand-new show Fully Charged, the Next Generation of Circus.

Fully Charged is a fresh, new, high-energy circus connecting audiences to electrifying performances from an international cast. 

The show appeals to the new age generation, as colorful LEDs and an incredible laser performance complement everyone’s favorite circus stunts, animals and acrobatics.

Fully Charged provides ticket holders with instant access to circus during the All Access Pre-show Power-Up Party and offers intimate floor seating to allow the audience to experience an up close and personal connection

Tickets range from $20-$80. A special $12 opening-night offer is also available. All seats are reserved and tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or going to ticketmaster.com. The can also be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. For group rates and information, call (609) 348-7023.

See video preview of the circus below:

The AC Ballet's 'Carmen' — photo by Craig Billow

ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Ballet has announced the dates for its two remaining Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) funded performances. As a recipient of the CRDA’s Entertainment Grant, the Atlantic City Ballet has done a total of five free performances in Atlantic City during the company’s 2012-2013 season.

On Saturday, April 27, at Resorts Casino, the Atlantic City Ballet will perform its newest ballet, Carmen, which recently had its world premiere at the Landis Theater in Vineland.

The following Saturday, May 4, at the Taj Mahal’s Mark G. Etess Arena, the Ballet is bringing back its homage to the Atlantic City of yesteryear with a performance of Caught Up In The Swing.

Both shows start 8pm and are free and open to the general public. They are part of AC Ballet’s “Everyday Dance Initiative” that allow ballet performances to be accessible to everyone. In existence for 30 years, the Atlantic City Ballet has become an artistic resource for the residents of southern New Jersey and the surrounding area.

The AC Ballet's 'Caught Up In The Swing' — photo by Craig Billow

The Atlantic City Ballet consists of 24 professional dancers from the United States and around the world, making it a uniquely culturally diverse company.

Miss Phyllis Papa, the founding director of the company, has been a principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Stars of the American Ballet. She is also the recipient of the 1998 Brazilian Gold Medal of Honor.

For tickets or information, call(609) 804-1995 or visit acballet.org.

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Egg Harbor Township resident Talia Hines, a 10-year-old member of the Central & Southern New Jersey Girl Scout Troop, got an early jump on her future plans of pursuing a career in photo journalism.

Talia was on the scene to capture the aftermath of a fire at the Heathercroft Condominiums in EHT that displaced four families and injured one firefighter in the early morning hours of April 3.

Once the blaze was extinguished and the site deemed under control, Talia used the new camera given to her by her father to capture the two shots below — a scene in which four condominium units were destroyed and 12 others damaged by smoke and water.

The third photo down is a shot Talia took of some of her fellow Girl Scouts, and the one at the bottom is of Talia, taken by her father TJ Hines, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore in Northfield.

How undignified! A chocolate lab in a poodle skirt.

The answer every year to the question, “Who Let the Dogs Out?” is the city of Ocean City for its Annual Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show and Parade to benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City’s no kill shelter. The weather was warm-ish, the skies sunny and the dogs and their owners had a blast. For the story and more pictures go here.

ATLANTIC CITY — The famed Steel Pier has a weekend full of fun and special events taking place for the Easter holiday, starting with a Kids Pancake Breakfast and unlimited rides on Saturday, March 30, for $10 per person (children aged 12 and under). Breakfast will be served 11am to 12:30pm followed by unlimited rides until 5pm.

On Sunday, the Steel Pier’s Easter Celebration continues with a best-dressed contest at 2pm (registration is from noon-1:30pm). Categories will includes all ages from birth-to-3 years, 4-7, 8-11 and 12-15 years. There will also be a Best Dressed Family category.

Each winner will be awarded great prizes, and the Easter Bunny will be handing out free goodie bags (while supplies last) to contestants.

Another fan favorite also returns, as Jim “The Singing Lifeguard” Craine (above) and the Atlantic City All-Star Band will be performing from 1-3pm.

The celebration is sponsored by Atlantic City Special Events and The Steel Pier. For more information, call (609) 345-4893.