Some of Gottfried's appearances have become the stuff of legend, A.K.A. his scene with Eddie Murphy as accountant Sydney Bernstein in, "Beverly Hills Cop II." "That scene was total improv," he said with a twinge of pride. "People look back at that scene, and they loved it then and they still talk about it now. My biggest surprise though had to be with John Ritter in, "Problem Child" and John's reaction after we were done. John came up to me after and said, "Thanks for taking the offer, go on to the next one;" I think he was apologizing and wasn't expecting much (laughs). That turned out to be a big hit and great for me to the point of being brought back for the other films. When I look back at my career I get depressed (laughs), guess I'm a glass half empty kind of guy."
Ah but his glass is never seemingly half empty, however perception is in the eye of the beholder and many eyes have focused on the huge animated hit, "Aladdin." The role of a wise cracking parrot seemed to fit Gottfried's persona and he owned it beautifully. When asked what it was like working alongside comedic mad man Robin Williams, his response was unexpected. "Ya' know, the funny thing with "Aladdin" was that I'm often asked, "Gilbert; what was that like working with Robin Williams? We hear it was sound booth insanity" and honestly, I never once worked with Robin in the booth, never saw him. Oh well, I guess it sounds better in the media to make it that way."
Gottfried enjoys voiceover work because it tends to be more relaxed, "Some people do it from inside their own apartment. Must be nice to climb out of bed and pour a cup of coffee and work in their pajamas. Can you picture it? Morgan Freeman in his underwear (laughs). I've never been that lucky."
Voicing a podcast was not on Gilbert's list of planned things to do but he did so at the urging of wife. "This was entirely my wife's idea," he explained as if he still could not believe that he has done one and that it's highly successful. "I still don't totally understand," he chuckled. "She said, "It's like a radio show done on the computer" and she thought if I took my knowledge of old movies, TV shows and the what not and talked about them that it'd be successful. I thought to myself; who's gonna remember that? So far its gone over very well and people listening may have discovered things that they would not have known. So far I've had Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner and a woman named Janet Ann Gallow: do you know who she was? As a child actress she starred in monster movies; in particular with Lon Chaney Jr and Bella Lugosi as Cloestine in, "The Ghost of Frankenstein." "She talked about how Lon and Bela would play hide and seek with her during down times in filming while in full make up, these are little known stories like that which come out. My co-host (Frank Santopadre) is a research guy. He studies everything about our guests from their childhood up until now; me? I walk in and I'm hoping for the best (laughs)."
A fascinating stage presence, Gottfried confesses that like his podcast interviewing style, he often just takes it as it comes to him. "My material? Oh God I don't know where I get it from. It is really a big mish-mosh of things. Funny thing, people often say, "Gilbert; no political stuff?" "I stay away from that for the most part but most of my material comes from whatever hits me while I'm on stage. When things come to me I go with it; I've never had a real good work ethic (laughs)."
Gottfried also tends to shy away from watching comics or going to comedy clubs unless he's performing. "Oh God, I used to have a lot of comics that I loved to watch when I was growing up. Now I just watch and nod my head and say oh that was clever, that was nice. Going to comedy clubs for me now is like going to work on my day off. I support comics and comedy but for me it'd be like going to a restaurant and saying something like; see? That's not how I'd have done that, I'd have done that differently. We all have our way of doing things."
After his three nights in NJ, Gottfried is spending the next three evenings (June 22, 23, 24) in Denver, CO then will be return to New Jersey for a show on July 13 at the Kathedral Event Center in Hammonton for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets for this event are $45 and can be purchased online at www.kathedral.com.
To discover more about Gilbert Gottfried, please go to www.gilbertgottfried.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 6 p.m. Vanish, Amnesty Please, Counterfeit Culture, It Gets Worse, Abilify, Muerte. All ages, $12
Sat. 5 p.m. The Dead Rabbitts, Set To Stun, Northern Ghost, Endless sacrifice, Ashes Of My Regrets, For Those Who Fall, Overtone. All ages, $12/$14
Bill's Olde Tavern02694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch With Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Shorty Rock
Sun. 5 p.m. Grace Dolores
Brothers Pizza871 Route 33 Hamilton Square
(609) 586-2707
Thurs. 6 p.m. Fast Ant
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Stafford Hunter. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Wed. 8 p.m. "The Health and Wellness Hour" w/ Maryann Castello & Danny Coleman feat. Kenny Segall
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. (6 p.m.) Gypsy Mother Duo (10 p.m.) Never Enough
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Byrd
Sun. 4 p.m. Andrew Moorer
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Acoustic Martin & Co.
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Keli Vale & Nick Bucci (9 p.m.) Dustin Beck
Sat. (11 a.m.)"Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Brian Bortnick
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton. (4 p.m.) Mike Ghantt
Wed. 8 p.m. Streets Of Rome
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Conor Choi / Charles Laurita & The Mischief
Sat. 8 p.m. Little Nikkis Radio
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Off The Record
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Sat. 7 p.m. Beatlefest 9
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8 p.m.) "A Tribute to Santana" w/ Milagro. Doors at 6 p.m., $25 (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) The Naturals (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. (3 p.m.) "A Tribute to The Who" w/ The Wholigans. Doors at 1 p.m., $20 (7:15 p.m.) "A Tribute to The Eagles" w/ The Best of The Eagles. Doors at 7 p.m., $35
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Piano, Bass & Jazz
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Carm
Sat. 6 p.m. Victor Tarrasov
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hazelrigg Brothers
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John Rossi
Sat. 1 p.m. John & Maggs
Sun. 2 p.m. Jerry Steele
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Mr. Lucky
Sat. 9 p.m. Sweetie Pie
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Colleen Ryan
Fri. 9 p.m. The Insidious Rays
Sat. (3 p.m.) Ellie Spy (9:30 p.m.) Brother Ray
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show (9:30 p.m.) Old lady
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim
Tues. 9 p.m. Jonah Lloyd & Friends
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Jimmy G
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laurita Idol" Senior Idol Semi-Finals
Fri. 7:30 p.m. "Laurita Night On Broadway"
Sat. 1 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sun. 1 p.m. Lefty, the Man of 1,000 Songs
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Girls Night Out" 6.28 Self Defense
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Fri. 9 p.m. Sweet Tooth, Jezebel, Silent Tides. $5
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" feat. DJ Favs. Ages 21+
Sat. 10 p.m. Steamboat Annie
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 8 p.m. Ted Vigil: "A John Denver Performance." Doors at 7 p.m., $30
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jimmy & The Parrots (Duo)
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Ball Room200 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 890-9834
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Mafalda's Hosts" feat. The Meg Hanson Group
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Megan Talay
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. Nick Clemons Band. $10
Salt Creek Grille1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Michael Bernabe
Sat. 8 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Nobi Poohsea
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Solo Contemporary Cello" feat. Dan Kassel. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. "Brazilian Piano/Jazz" feat. Luiz Simas. $20
Sun. 8 p.m. "Solo Classic Guitar" feat. Vladislav Blaha. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 10 p.m. Black Brant
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. (7:30 p.m. / Upstairs Room) Victor Provost. $25 (9 p.m.) ArHouse
Sat. 9 p.m. Vince Sasso Band
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic Blues Session w/ Steve Guyger
Sat. 7 p.m. Sister Blue
Sun. 2 p.m. Schwubby Buzzer
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan
Terhune Orchards330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sips and Sounds Summer Music Series" w/ Darla & Rich
The Birdhouse Center for the Arts7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Folk Jam. $10 (Minimum suggested donation)
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
The Dubliner34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Willie Lynch Band
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. The River Dogs
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Steve Bross
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. 5 p.m. Russell Eiffert.
Sat. (9 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Tues. 8 p.m. Burlesque
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Professor Louie & the Crowmatix. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. (7 p.m.) "One More Rockin' Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. "Billy Joel Tribute" w/ You May Be Right. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Jakubi. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 9 p.m. Ernie White Solo Acoustic
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
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2025 Cape May Music Festival Preview
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Now celebrating its 36th year, the annual Cape May Music Festival presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), with major support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, returns to this seaside resort with an engaging variety of musical concerts that launch on Memorial Day weekend. There are 14 classical, chamber, jazz, funk and brass band musical performances, some free to attend, from May 25-June 28, 2025.
