Weekend Picks: The Reel Asbury

Cool Asbury Park is a hot spot this weekend. Tomorrow through Sunday, the Garden State Film Festival brings indie films and filmmakers to classic New Jersey venues like the Paramount Theatre and the Stone Pony.

Organizers say celebrities expected to attend include Sopranos and E Street veteran Steve Van Zandt and Paul Sorvino, who appears in one of the films attractions, “Greetings from the Shore.” It was inspired by co-writer Gabrielle Berberich’s teenage summers in Lavallette.

After screenings, check out Asbury’s trendy downtown shops and restaurants, open late and all decked out for a First Saturday celebration. 

There’s also New Jersey culture, global style, in South Orange. Starting Sunday and through May 25, the Pierro Gallery puts on display more than 1,000 images by more than 180 artists from 18 countries that answer the question, “Is it possible to make a photograph of New Jersey regardless of where you are in the world?”

One thing we can tell you: two musical icons of the 1960s are right here in New Jersey (and in concert) this weekend. Dave Mason, who at the age of eighteen co-founded Traffic with Stevie Winwood, is at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, Saturday night at 8. And Saturday at 7, at the Marasco Center for the Performing Arts in Monroe, it’s the ageless voice of Richie Havens.  

And…how often do you get the chance to eat chocolate and serve a good cause? Not often enough.  But you can do it Sunday 1-4 p.m. at the Skylands in Randolph, where the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center is holding a Gourmet Chocolate Tasting Event & Chef Competition.  Call  908-453-4121 for more info or to buy the $35 tickets.

It’s also opening day for the minor league Lakewood BlueClaws, who play the Lake County Captains tonight at 6:35 in FirstEnergy Park. Meanwhile in Bridgewater the Somerset Patriots hold a Patriots Fan Fest at Commerce Bank Ballpark on Saturday, from noon to 3:00 p.m. There will be carnival games and autograph sessions (Patriot manager is former Yankee reliever Sparky Lyle) but no baseball, not yet. Opening night is April 25.

Plenty of film, music, sports and food in Enn- Jay this weekend... good reasons for you to come out of your dugout and take a swing.

Tags: Asbury Park | Garden State Film Festival | Lakewood BlueClaws

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