(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Bob Makin has covered the New Jersey music scene for 30 years with his column, Makin Waves, which runs Thursdays in New Jersey Stage magazine and here at NewJerseyStage.com. Thirty years is worth a party and Bob's got a great one planned for Saturday, March 31st at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park - complete with entertainment from 2:00pm to 2:00am.
Doors open at 2:00pm with The WaterMakers featuring Tom Kanach kicking off the live sets at 3:00pm. They will be followed by Karen Mansfield (3:45pm); Mike Daly & the Planets (4:30pm); Mike Brody vs the People (5:15pm); LEEDS (6:15pm); Nalani & Sarina (7:00pm); Sutton Thomas Band (7:45pm); Williams Honor (8:30pm); Colossal Street Jam (9:00pm); The Vansaders (10:00pm); Deal Casino (11:00pm); and a Midnight All-Star Upstage Jam with Paul Whistler, Vini Lopez, Joe Petillo, Billy Ryan, John Mulrenan and more.
“I’m very excited to present three generations of Asbury and Jersey talent on one stage,” Makin said. “Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials all will come together for a great time that also will salute the history of the beloved Asbury Park boardwalk with a free Wheel of Chance for absolutely awesome sponsor prizes.”
These prizes include gorgeous canvas-framed covers of The Aquarian and East Coast Rocker featuring Jersey greats Brue Springsteen, Bon Jovi, The Misfits and more; Bruce Springsteen’s new Capitol Theatre CD and a framed poster from that historic 1978 run from Makin Waves and Asbury Park Music Foundation; more framed posters of historic early Springsteen Asbury shows from the Foundation; a signed book and T-shirt from famed photographer Danny Clinch and his Transparent Gallery; a signed book and a print Debra L. Rothenberg Photography; gifts from the Wonder Bar, Stone Pony, Brew TEA Spot, and WRAT 95.9 the Rat; , and gift certificates from Fat Rat Press, Silverball Museum Arcade, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, and Cookman Creamery.
Produced by Makin, the Makin Waves music column has covered the New Jersey music scene like a blanket since its formation in East Coast Rocker in 1988. Now published in New Jersey Stage, NJArts.net and back in The Aquarian Weekly for the first time since 1995, Makin Waves has featured all of the anniversary party’s participating artists. The party will be emceed and feature classic Asbury and Jersey tunes spun by “Radio Jersey” Founder DJ Lee Mrowicki, who helped give Makin his start covering the historic Stone Pony in the early ’80s and now presents his weekly “Makin Waves Report” on “Radio Jersey” at event co-sponsor AsburyMusic.com.
"Before New Jersey Stage, there was a monthly print publication called Upstage Magazine," said Gary Wien, publisher of New Jersey Stage. "I wanted the magazine to have instant credibility, so I went after Bob Makin to have his column with us. He was with us from the very first issue and helped put us on the map. When his column was removed from the newspaper in 2017, we were glad to offer him an online home to keep it going. And he recently passed his one year anniversary with NJ Stage!"
Event highlights also include drink specials, a free commemorative sheet cake created by event co-sponsor Confections of a Rock$tar and a free commemorative sticker from Fat Rat Press. The event’s first 100 patrons also will receive a free commemorative T-shirt also from Fat Rat.
Tickets to the Makin Waves anniversary party are $15 in advance at the Stone Pony box office and via Ticketmaster (plus tax and surcharge) at https://goo.gl/hzsoaS, and $20 at the door. From each paid admission, $2 each will go to Asbury Park Music Foundation and Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, both of which provide local at-risk youth with music mentorship.
The anniversary party continues a tradition of fundraising for Makin Waves, which has helped raise $132,000 for charity throughout its 30 years, including Light of Day Foundation, United Way, Coalition for the Homeless, Elijah’s Promise, Embrace Kids Foundation and more.
“Makin Waves has been such a great resource to identify and promote up-and-coming musicians,” said James Lenskold, chairman of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. “We are thrilled that funds raised for this 30th anniversary party will benefit the Asbury Park Music Foundation’s youth music education programs, helping to support the next generation of musicians with a life-changing experience.”
In addition to DJ Lee, event emcees will include Bert Baron, WCTC’s program director and host of its popular “Jersey Central” program, and Tom Hanley, host of 95.9 the Rat’s “Jersey Rock.”
Baron said, “I’ve been an avid Makin Waves reader for decades, and I can’t wait to celebrate 30 years of Bob’s outstanding work, covering the Jersey music scene!”
For more information about Makin Waves, visit www.facebook.com/makinwavescolumn. For more about the anniversary party, visit www.facebook.com/events/148518945869492/ and www.WonderBarAsburyPark.com.
