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
ATLANTIC CITY — Are you an average Joe? Do you enjoy hot cars, cool boats and fast motorcycles? Do you like hunting, fishing, camping, the outdoors, BBQ, MMA, rock ‘n’ roll, video games and sports? If the answer to these questions is yes, you might just be an average Joe! And if you’re an average Joe, it’s mandatory that you git yer fun-lovin’ keister to the Average Joe Expo!
Organized by those crazy cats at Good Time Tricycle — the same ones who bring Atlantic City the Celebration of the Suds and A.C. Seafood Festival each year — the Average Joe Expo will be held May 18 and 19 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
The Average Joe Expo is like no other show on earth. This inaugural event vows to “bring real guys together and create an opportunity to discover what makes us tick, getting to the heart of male commerce, interests and desires — both the obtainable and the aspirational, the Average Joe Expo has it all!”
The event will populate over 200,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Convention Center. It will introduce products, places and things to the masses, holding nothing back and showcasing unique product demos, seminars and other related experiences. The Average Joe Expo promises to be a great weekend out to explore some awesome experiences you may not have otherwise! Tickets are $20 in advance through Ticketmaster or $25 at the door. Hours are Saturday, May 18: 11am-8pm; Sunday, May 19: 11am – 6pm.
The Average Joe Expo will also play host to a variety of celebrities and personalities — people who guys just want to meet and hang out with. With a huge emphasis on the male lifestyle, the expo will cover motocross, gaming, action sports, all things outdoors and everything in between . This expo will offer men a true weekend of discovery! Visit averagejoeexpo.com/atlantic-city.aspx or click the video below to learn more.
Danielle Gomes, daughter of the late Resorts CEO Dennis Gomes — who passed away suddenly at the age of 68 in February 2012 — would have made her father proud last Friday (May 10).
Danielle was the center of attention at Cuba Libre inside the Quarter at Tropicana in Atlantic City — a venue Dennis Gomes had much to do with during his time at Tropicana, just one of many jobs he held around the country during his prolific career in the gaming industry — as she signed her new book Hit Me!, based on interviews she conducted with her father in relation to his life and specifically how he fought the mob in Las Vegas as Gaming Control Board division chief, a story partially told in the Nick Pileggi book and Martin Scorsese film Casino.
Hundreds, including family, friends and long-time associates of the Gomes family, came out for the book signing, which was also a fundraiser for a local charity. Danielle said hopes to do a second one in Las Vegas.
Danielle was gracious enough to give Atlantic City Weekly an on-camera interview just moments before the event began. In the video below, she is interviewed by Atlantic City Weekly’s Jeff Schwachter about her new book, co-written with Jay Bonansinga.
The ultimate car guy’s fantasy comes to life on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on May 15 and 16 as Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant at Bally’s hosts the ‘Chance of a Lifetime Exotic Car Festival.’
The public is invited to check out a showcase of elite ‘exotic’ cars, and Premier Luxury Rentals will be offering a once-in-a-lifetime deal to sit behind the wheel of some of the most expensive cars around.
For $500, you can forget about the cars’ large price tags and feed your thirst for speed by driving a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Audi R8 Spider, Maserati GranTurismo, or a Ferrari California Convertible.
On Wednesday, May 15, the cars will cruise down the Atlantic City Boardwalk — from Showboat to Bally’s — starting at noon. The cars will then be parked on the boards for car lovers on a budget who would like to pose with and take pictures of the racing machines.
The festival will also feature live music and vendors. Harry’s will be featuring revved up specials as well.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ATLANTIC CITY — The Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association (MBCA) will host its 12th Annual Spring Scholarship Foundation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 15, at 11:30am in the Swan Ballroom (north tower) of the Tropicana.
This year's MBCA scholarship luncheon keynote speaker is Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno
The MBCA Education Foundation will present scholarships for students planning to continue their studies at an accredited higher education institution. This year’s keynote speaker and Outstanding Educator Award recipient is New Jersey Secretary of State and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
The MBCA will present several scholarships to area residents in their pursuit of education. This year the MBCA is pleased to announce the new “Seashore Gardens Health” scholarship to a student going into the health field.
Additionally, the South Jersey Women’s Leadership Initiative will present a scholarship to a deserving Atlantic County woman; the Pierre and Sondra Hollingsworth Scholarships” to deserving Atlantic City students; the Atlantic City Weekly Scholarship to those in the culinary and hospitality programs, and others.
The MBCA will also recognize an area educator for outstanding contributions to education. The Epicurean Society’s Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award, in the amount of $1,500, will be presented to an individual who makes a difference in the development of his/her students, with a unique teaching program, or demonstrating resourcefulness and utilizing innovative teaching techniques.
Tickets are $40 per person. Tables of 10 can be reserved for $400. Call (609) 348-1903 or visit acmetbiz.com for more information.
Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis, the Team Chippendales from the CBS show “Amazing Race,” kick off the series May 1. The duo will perform its new single and will pose for pictures with fans.
The rest of the Revel Out at the Shore series in May includes:
May 8: Michael MCassey
May 15: Liz Dufour
May 22: Matthew Kenworthy
May 29: Bob Egan
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.
ATLANTIC CITY — Are you an average Joe? Do you enjoy hot cars, cool boats and fast motorcycles? Do you like hunting, fishing, camping, the outdoors, BBQ, MMA, rock ‘n’ roll, video games and sports? If the answer to these questions is yes, you might just be an average Joe! And if you’re an average Joe, it’s mandatory that you git yer fun-lovin’ keister to the Average Joe Expo!
The Average Joe Expo is like no other show on earth. This inaugural event vows to “bring real guys together and create an opportunity to discover what makes us tick, getting to the heart of male commerce, interests and desires — both the obtainable and the aspirational, the Average Joe Expo has it all!”
