Sonic Garden Blooms at All Tomorrows Parties

September 13, 2011 By Marilyn Leave a Comment

We always look forward to Asbury Park’s exciting roster of weekend events, and are keenly anticipating Sonic Garden’s fringe festival of performances and talks at Café Volan, Thursday September 29 through Tuesday, October 4th.  Event programmer and impresario David Spelman has truly outdone himself in concocting a line up of film and music events which reflect the creative interests of Asbury. Spelman’s festival coincides with All Tomorrow’s Parties, and is envisioned as a thought-provoking counterpoint and complement to ATP.  Its scope will appeal to the spectrum of artists, musicians, writers, entrepreneurs, surfers, scenesters and scholars who make Asbury unique. If this festival is anything like David’s recent Ellnora Guitar Festival, which American Songwriter praised for its “extraordinary artistry, extraordinary diversity, and extraordinary generosity”, it is sure to please crowds and critics  and will achieve Spelman’s  goal of creative comingling of vibrant cultures here on the Jersey Shore.

Impresario David Spelman

I’m particularly looking forward to the screening of the documentary “Heartworn Highways,” followed  by a Q&A with the film’s producer, Graham Leader, on Thursday, September 29th at 8pm. Directed by James Szalapski and scheduled for a much deserved, major DVD re-release in 2012, the 1975 documentary explores the  contemplative side of country music as the director captures singers and songwriters outside the core of the Nashville establishment. The intimate performances and conversations with artists such as Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, Guy Clark, and Rodney Crowell during the early stages of their careers will captivate country fans and general music lovers alike. This should really be a stand out event!

Can’t wait for this!

I am honored to take part in this festival by introducing the highly celebrated cartoonist and country-crooner  Andy Friedman on Monday, October 3rd at 8pm. Andy has been described as an “erudite redneck” (Boston Globe) who has a “mastery of wordy self-loathing that many white dudes with guitars would kill for” (Nashville Scene). Although stories of his early mailroom days may have audiences roaring with laughter, his deep, scratchy vocals and crafty guitar melodies will have them swooning as well. I hope to give him the introduction he deserves because I know his appearance will be meg awesome.

Marilyn Laverty to introduce Andy at Café Volan

These events, plus appearances by director Aaron Schock, musician Vernon Reid, and filmmaker/photographer Ralph Gibson are all happening at Café Volan, 510 Bangs Ave., Doug Parent and Paul Cali’s hip addition to Asbury Park’s culinary and cultural community.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: All Tomorrow's Parties, Andy Friedman, Asbury Park, ATP, Cafe Volan, David Spelman, Graham Leader, Heartworn Highways, Marilyn Laverty, Sonic Garden

Shore Fire South finds world-class coffee in NoCo, world-class fun in Belmar

July 25, 2011 By Marilyn Leave a Comment

This summer’s all about trying new things! We’re adding lots of new elements to our Shore Fire client campaigns, including more social media, contests, and lots of other goodies. And on vacation, I stayed in Ocean Grove (home of Shore Fire’s NJ office) and planned daily adventures including ‘firsts’ for me such as surfing, paddle boarding , and parasailing.

Marilyn and Margaret Laverty enjoy a refreshing dip courtesy of Belmar Parasails

Then recently, Ocean Grove-based music producer and generally cool guy David Spelman introduced me to a hip new cafe in Asbury Park. Cafe Volan (510 Bangs Avenue) is already attracting a who’s who of local artists, musicians, surfers, and entrepreneurs. Owners Paul Cali and Doug Parent offer a selection of teas and espresso drinks featuring coffee by Philadelphia-based roaster La Colombe, which is also served at top New York restaurants including Daniel and Le Bernadin.

Parent describes the owners’ intention as creating “an environment where people can come to meet a friend or make a new one. There’s zero pressure for customers to leave at any time, in fact the greatest pleasure we have is to introduce people and foster creativity.” In fact, I was only in the shop a few minutes when another creative Asbury resident, hipster and writer Tim Donnelly burst in, bubbling with excitement over a new free surfing clinic for Asbury’s Boy’s and Girl’s Club that’s being sponsored by some of the city’s community oriented entrepreneurs. BTW, Cali and Parent keep their surfboards at Café Volan, and regularly take surf breaks when the conditions cooperate.

Marilyn Laverty with Cafe Volan owners Paul Cali (left) and Doug Parent in front of their La Marzoco espresso machine from Florence, Italy

We’re still fans of the many wonderful businesses on Ocean Avenue and Cookman Ave, but are enjoying getting to better know this neighborhood some are calling NoCo (short for North of Cookman). In addition to Cafe Volan, this block of Bangs is also home to Chakra Salon & Spa, Rebirth Art Supply, Wood Shop Skateboards, M Studio Design & Marketing, and Sweet Joey’s (featuring vintage clothing and custom jeans).

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: Asbury Park, Cafe Volan, first time, La Colombe, Ocean Grove, parasailing, summer, surfing