Here are a few suggestions for places to visit and things to do before and after … or maybe even during the three days the Dave Matthews Band Caravan’s in town.
You'll find out the significance of this statue at Historic Gardner's Basin and learn a lot more about Atlantic City's past and present at the enclave off New Hampshire Avenue, which features walks along the water, restaurants and bars, the local aquarium and crafts vendors.
ATLANTIC CITY — We understand that a three-day hullabaloo like the Dave Matthews Band Caravan may bring folks to town who have never been here before, and may not have a clue as to what to do before and after the bands perform — or perhaps may want to take a break from the Bader Field confines to see or do something else.
Well, we’ve got you covered, and have compiled a list of 10 things you might want to check out while you’re in town. For even more options, check our 2011 Summer Guide.
1. Classic Rock Art Show
Trump Plaza will again host the largest rock art exhibit on the planet Thursday through Sunday, June 23-26. The exhibit will be on the gaming level of the casino and is free and open to the public each day from 3pm-midnight Thurs.-Sat, and noon-6pm Sun. All works are available for purchase. It includes a rare collection of original art, lithographs, photographs, handwritten song lyrics, concert posters, gold records, album art, animation drawings and more from the greatest rock artists of all time. Famed rock photographer James Fortune will also be making an appearance at the exhibit.
Additionally, the “Art of Rock” art show will be taking place on the concert grounds of Bader Field all three days of the DMB Caravan (June 24-26), featuring hand-signed lithographic prints by Jerry Garcia, and prints of artwork by John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Ron Wood and others. See imagemakersart.com.
2. DMB Tribute Bands
Get your grey matter going in the right direction by checking out the Grey Street Band on Thursday, June 23, at 8:30pm at the Trump Plaza Beach Bar. The Grey Street Band is the Philadelphia area’s premiere Dave Matthews tribute band, priding itself on precise recreation of DMB songs. Check out the band’s Web site at thegreystreetband.com. On Saturday, June 25, at Borgata’s Gypsy Bar, the DMB tribute band Big Eyed Fish (myspace.com/bigeyedfishpa) performs at 3pm, and the Long Island-based DMB tribute band Ants Marching will play Saturday night at House of Blues at Showboat’s Back Stage lounge from 10pm-2am.
3. After Parties
American rock/ska band O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) will headline what’s being dubbed the “official after party” for the initial night of the DMB Caravan. O.A.R. will headline at the House of Blues’ Music Hall Friday, June 24, at 11pm (tickets $35 and $45), and will also be performing the following night, Saturday at 7pm, as part of the DMB Caravan.
The annual Drawin’ the Wildcard Tattoo Expo is also in town this weekend (June 24-26 at Bally’s sixth floor), and The Boneyard (20 S. Virginia Ave. in A.C.) will be hosting after-parties Friday and Saturday nights with live bands and DJs performing until 4am. On Friday it’s the band Live Not On Evil and DJ Ruxbin, and Saturday it’s Thee Nosebleeds with DJ Ruxbin and special celebrity tattoo guest artist Amy Nicoletto of Hot Rod Tattoos in A.C. Admission is $5 with your ticket stub from the Tattoo Fest, $10 without. Doors open 10pm.
4. Mardi Gras on the Boards
If you’re hanging around town for a while after the Caravan ends, and still haven’t had your fill of great jam-band-style music, the free “Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk” series begins Monday, June 27, with pioneering band leader Commander Cody (pictured, above) kicking it off at Kennedy Plaza (on the A.C. Boardwalk at Mississippi Avenue). The first of 13 Tony Mart’s Presents events, the free shows go from 6:30-10pm Mondays throughout the summer. In the early 1970s, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen were one of the original American roots-music groups — fusing basic strains of rock, R&B, jazz, bop, swing and rockabilly. They are probably best remembered for their biggest hit, “Hot Rod Lincoln,” in 1972. Opening the show will be the ’20s-era string band The Jersey Rhythm Devils (with AC Weekly’s own Jeff Schwachter).
5. Beer Pong Championships
The World Pong Tour (WPT) is again hosting its second annual championship event at Resorts Casino Hotel June 26-28 in the Ballroom. There will also be a Diva Bikini Contest in the Ballroom at 7:15pm Sunday, June 26, with the winner being crowned Miss World Pong Tour and receiving a $1,000 cash prize. The WPT features four tournaments — the main event, the men’s singles, the women’s singles and the mixed doubles championship. All of the championships feature cash prizes The sport is played on a nine-foot table with 10 cups filled with water (not beer, this isn’t college) on each side. The $25,000 main event is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, June 27-28, and consists of two sessions of two-person teams, the first starting at noon and the second 5:30pm Monday. The championship is 10pm Tuesday in Resorts Ballroom. See worldpongtour.com.
6. Prohibition Era Trolley Tour
If you’re in town a little early (or are staying a while) and want to know a little more about what life was like back in the Boardwalk Empire days of Prohibition, take a Roaring ’20s Trolley Tour and relive the golden era of speakeasies, flappers, grand hotels and a free-wheelin’ lifestyle. The fully narrated tour is about four hours, including lunch at the historic Irish Pub in Atlantic City. It departs from Gardner’s Basin at approximately 10:15am and 2:30pm every Thursday. Call 800-487-6559 to reserve a spot. The cost is $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 5-10 years.
7. DMB Caravan Booze Cruise
A party boat will be leaving from 455 N. Maryland Ave. in Atlantic City and cruising back to the bay adjacent to Bader Field. The band Soundscape will be jamming to and from the Caravan site. Tickets are $30 per person and available at the boat, but space is limited to 125 people. Boarding will be 7:30pm Friday and the boat leaves 8pm. Call 462-4739 for more information.
8. Stay at a Campground
Jam-band fans tend to prefer the peace and serenity of the outdoors, and although camping is not permitted at Bader Field, there are several campgrounds and RV sites located within a short drive of Atlantic City and Bader Field. Click here for a few options or check the phone book or other Web sites.
9. Take in Some of the Sights
Historic Gardner’s Basin, accessed by traveling as far north as you can on Atlantic or Pacific avenues, turning left at New Hampshire Avenue and driving all the way back to the basin entrance, is a fun visit. It includes the Atlantic City Aquarium, several small craft shops and vendors, some excellent dining spots like the Back Bay Ale House, Scales restaurant and the newly reopened local fave Gilchrist’s Diner, plus a lot of little nooks and crannies that make for a nice walk by the water. If you visit the Boardwalk, be sure to check out the Atlantic City Historical Museum at the Garden Pier (off New Jersey Avenue), which is free and open daily 10am-4pm; the multitude of interesting stores (and a sensational “Water Show” every hour) at The Pier Shops at Caesars, or old-world-Havana themed The Quarter at Tropicana. Also, visit the Absecon Lighthouse at 31 S. Rhode Island Ave. in A.C., climb the tower and see Absecon Island like you’ve never seen it before.
10. Experience Authentic Atlantic City Eats
Atlantic City has a storied history that includes many businesses nearly as old as the city itself, which was incorporated in 1854. James Confections and Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy can trace their roots back to the 1880s, and are a must-visit for first-timers to the A.C. Boardwalk (seashoretaffy.com). White House Subs, at 2301 Arctic Ave., has been an A.C. institution for 65 years, and almost directly across the street is Formica Brothers Bakery, famous since 1928 for its A.C. rolls, tomato pie and other fresh-baked treats (formicabrosbakery.com). For an affordable meal and some of the best pizza you’ll find anywhere, head south on Atlantic Avenue (where Iowa Avenue comes in) to Tony’s Baltimore Grill — an A.C. landmark for over 60 years — or the Ducktown Tavern at 2400 Atlantic Avenue.
For free concerts in the area, click here.
For upcoming casino concerts, click here.
For more arts, cultural and other events and festivals in the area, click here.
For our extensive Food & Drink guide, click here.
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1. DIANE CAUCCI said... on Jun 22, 2011 at 10:10PM
“AS THE FORMER OWNER OF TOM'S GARDEN WORLD IN HAMILTON TWP, MY HUSBAND AND I TRAVELED TO WOODSTOCK, WATKINS GLEN AND THE AC RACETRACK FESTIVALS SELLING JERSEY FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE BACK OF OUT TRUCK. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A VENDOR APPLICATION TO TO REPEAT THIS VENDOR OPPORTUNITY,. IN WOODSTOCK FASHION. IS THERE STILL TIME A ROOM FOR ME TO BRING A BOXED TRUCK TO SELL JERSEY PRODUCE TO CONCERT GOERS?? SOME OF THE OLDER GROUP MAY REMEMBER US FROM WOODSTOCK AS THE TRUCK THE POLICE ESCORTED OUT TO REFILL SINCE SUPPLIES WERE SO LIMITED AND POLICE NEEDED US TO BRING IN MORE FOOD. SO WE TRAVELED RATHER THAN ATTEND THE MUSIC EVENTS TO HELP FEED THE CROWDS. CAN YOU TELL ME IF I CAN GET A SPOT AT THIS WEEKENDS EVENT?? 609-625-2080”