Plus DrewToonz on Jamie Foxx, Album of the Week and the CRDA appoints Tourism District advisors
Every Monday evening this summer, with a few other dates sprinkled in, Tony Mart’s Presents, in cooperation with the CRDA and other local sponsors — including Atlantic City Weekly — presents the free Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk series. The series kicked off June 27 with an appearance by the legendary rocker Commander Cody and his terrific band (pictured). Atlantic City’s own Jersey Rhythm Devils, playing music from the 1920s, opened the show around 6:30pm. The Atlantic City Boardwalk stage at Kennedy Plaza — directly across from Boardwalk Hall — drew hundreds of fans who sat through both sets on a gorgeous night on the Atlantic City boards. Hundreds more Boardwalk strollers stopped to listen and partake in the festivities, which included an adult beverage cart via the Boneyard, Mardi Gras beads, and a live raffle drawing for dinner at Old Waterway Inn. Most of the series dates, which started a lot earlier in the summer this year due to its popularity last year, are on Mondays, with the exception of A “Battle of the Guitar Heroes” featuring Billy Walton vs. Vasti Jackson (Sun. July 3); Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, plus the Soul Rebels Brass Band (Tues., Aug. 16) and the Atlantic City Airshow concert featuring Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, plus Lil’ Martha (Wed. Aug. 17). For a full schedule, click here. The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring harmonica wizard and blues singer Kim Wilson, plus Jill West & Blues Attack Band, plays July 11. — Jeff Schwachter )
CRDA Tourism District Advisors
At its Tuesday, June 21, board meeting, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) adopted a resolution appointing members to the Atlantic City Tourism District (ACT) Advisory Commission. The move was part of the Tourism District bill that Gov. Chris Christie signed into law in February, which required the CRDA to establish the ACT Commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the board. The CRDA board previously approved its vice chairperson, Ali Reynolds, to serve as the ACT Commission’s chairperson, and the board’s June 21 action also approved the following nine members — all to serve without financial compensation: Keith Mills, representing the city of Atlantic City; Joseph Maher, representing Atlantic County; Tony Rodio, representing the casino industry as designated by the New Jersey Casino Association; Joseph Kelly, representing the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce; and Atlantic City residents William Cheatham, Ketura Jackson, David Greenblatt, Cortez Martin and Sarah Beth Johnson. “Members of the Atlantic City Tourism District Commission will play a crucial role in Atlantic City’s future,” says CRDA board chairman James Kehoe in a release. “It is important that individuals who are prepared to participate in moving Atlantic City forward have a seat at the table.” Adds CRDA interim executive director Susan Ney Thompson, “By adopting this resolution, residents and key leaders within Atlantic City will work side-by-side to help create a unified vision of Atlantic City. Atlantic City’s residents were strongly represented with a pool of over 50 applicants.” The purpose of the ACT Commission is to review the CRDA’s annual budget and plans concerning the Atlantic City Tourism District, and to make recommendations regarding the development and implementation of the Tourism District Master Plan, to be adopted by the CRDA on or before Feb. 1, 2012. — Ray Schweibert
‘Rome’
Danger Mouse / Daniele Luppi w/ guests
Turns out that along with his legendary mash-up of the Beatles’ White Album with Jay-Z’s Black Album (called The Grey Album), producing for various artists such as the Black Keys, Gorillaz, Beck and Bright Eyes and his integral work with Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells, Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) had been secretly working on a project with Italian film composer and recording artist Daniele Luppi. The project, inspired by 1960s-era Italian film scores, has been released as Rome and features guest vocal spots throughout by Norah Jones and Jack White. Perfect listening for chilling out this summer (or pretending you’re the star of a classic Spaghetti Western), Rome combines the immaculate sounds of Ennio Morricone with the lush, sexy vibe of today’s world music.
DrewToonz
Song, dance and showman Jamie Foxx: From ‘In Living Color’ to pop singing sensation
With a long table lined with countless drinks, epic introduction music and the scent of sugary sweetness creeping throughout the casino floor, Fat Tuesday truly lived up to its name at the Big Easy on the Boardwalk.
'It’s one of several themed events we have planned throughout the hotel and throughout the year, and it’s going to be a lot of fun. Seven Stone just did such a phenomenal job when they were here last [on Jan. 21 for the LIVE Bar re-branding party] that we had to bring them back.”'
This year’s Atlantic City “Thunder Over the Boardwalk” Air Show will tie into the series with seven outstanding bands performing Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 15-17, including about six hours of music beyond when the air show ends (around 3:30pm) Wednesday.
Over the past decade or so, the songwriter, singer, harmonica player and self-professed music-gear fanatic has received a slew of accolades, chart hits, awards and nominations — breathing a new life into his “still evolving” music career.
Before his Academy Award-winning performance in Ray, Jamie Foxx was a well-liked comedian, both as a stand up and from his TV roles (In Living Color, The Jamie Foxx Show). His film career was part of the package (Any Given Sunday), but was mostly in supporting roles.
Atlantic City residents filled the Westside Complex auditorium to offer input to Susan Ney Thompson, interim director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), as they prepare to take over many functions of Atlantic City's municipal government.
The bills create a CRDA run tourism district encompassing the city's casinos.
"The ideal situation for any city is to create a place were people want to live, work, learn, and enjoy their surroundings. That in return will make the Atlantic City arts and education District a must see destination for visitors and tourists."
A large portion of the plan was devoted to creating non-gaming related facilities. Practical amenities such as a grocery store, as well as more cultural offerings such as an arts district, would serve to bring a more family oriented feel to Atlantic City.
The CRDA last month authorized $70,000 for an initial study to create a “neighborhood strategy area” — designed to outline a plan to transform Atlantic City neighborhoods into an arts district and others into medical and education districts. The CRDA could begin land acquisition in the area as early as February....
Tuesday, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) begins a process of finding out what artists think of the district and what they’d like to see included in plans through an official survey the state funding authority hopes will reach 3,000 area and regional artists.
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1. BoardwalkEmpire_Freak said... on Jun 30, 2011 at 01:58PM
“The opener band, the jersey rhythm devils, were outstanding. I was in town and was blown away walking by the bandstand there. I'd see them again ...and I bet they were hot in those 20s-era clothes! Any pics from their set? My husband would love to hear them, he wasn't there...any audio? More shows?”