Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the Jersey Shore for Memorial Day Weekend, ready to soak up the sun on our many beaches.
And it's a good bet a lot of them will be heading to Monmouth Park Racetrack for the Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27, to Monday, May 29.
Nearly 40 food trucks will participate, includingFive Sisters Food Co.,Ohana,L'Acquario Seafood Italiano,Tacoholics,Tony's Italian Sausage,Twisted Steaks,El Lechon de Negron, Sherri's Crab Bakes, and The Beaked Bear.
The event also will feature live music and family activities.
Admission is $6, free for children 12 and younger. Food prices will vary by vendor.
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Other festivals coming up at Monmouth Park Racetrack include the Wine & Pizza Festival, June 24 and 25; the Italian Festival & Wine Tasting, July 29 and 30; the Latin Festival: Tacos & Tequila, Aug. 6; BBQ & NJ Craft Beer Festival, Sept. 2 to 4; and Food Trucktemberfest, Sept. 9 and 10.
Go:175 Oceanport Ave. Oceanport; 732-222-5100,monmouthpark.com.
Here are more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore and beyond.
Z100 Jump Start to Summer at Jenk's
The annual Z100 Jump Start to Summer at Jenkinson's is starting a little later this year. That means you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to see the show from the beginning.
Flo Rida, Jelly Roll and more will play live at Jenk's starting at 10 a.m. Friday instead of the 6 a.m. time it usually starts. New York City's Z100 will be on the scene all day until a live 5 o'clock whistle.
Go: Z100 Jump Start to Summer at Jenkinson's, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, May 26, Jenk's Pavilion, Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, free;z100.iheart.com.
Free Memorial Day concert in Ocean Grove
In the spirit of Memorial Day, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association kicks off its summer season with "We Remember," a free concert by the Atlantic Wind Ensemble, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Great Auditorium.
The show will feature patriotic and military anthems, as well as popular marches and Americana tunes.
Founded by Harry D. Eichhorn in 1990 and currently under the direction of Eliot Prowse, the Atlantic Wind Ensemble is a35- to 45-piece collective of volunteer musicians carrying on the concert band traditionof the Jersey Shore.
The concert will open with the singing of the National Anthem and close with “Stars and Stripes Forever.” As in past years, American Legion Post 432 (Spring Lake) will post the Colors, as well as help honor the U.S. Armed Forces.
Go: "We Remember," Atlantic Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the Great Auditorium, Pilgrim and Ocean Pathways, Ocean Grove, free; oceangrove.org/summer-band-atlantic-wind-ensembleinfo.
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Music and more at the Basie in Red Bank
Whether you love jazz, blues, rock or comedy, it's going to be a big weekend at the Basie.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, José James plays The Vogel. The genre-defying artist is a jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. His new project, "On & On: José James Sings Badu," finds James throwing down the gauntlet on the past 100 years of jazz singing, while charting a path forward for the culture. Tickets range from $20 to $59.
At 8 p.m. Friday at The Vogel is Collective Soul. Touring in support of the 2022 album "Vibrating," the group is known for the hits "Shine," "The World I Know," "December" and "Where the River Flows." Tickets are $65.50 to $99.50.
Comedian Chris Colvert, a Jersey native, headlines Saturday at The Vogel. Colvert incorporates his musical talents into his comedy act with an ensemble of both original and parody songs. Joining Covert are comedians Jeff Norris and The Reverend Bob Levy. The laughs begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $50.
In the Basie's Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Crowded House takes the stage at 8 p.m. Friday. Best known for the hit "Don't Dream It's Over," the Australian band is led by songwriter superstar Neil Finn. In 2021, the group released its seventh album, "Dreamers Are Waiting." Tickets range from $35 to $129.
Boz Scaggs plays the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday. A Grammy winner for the song "Lowdown," his other big singles are "It's Over" and "Lido Shuffle." His latest album is 2018's "Out of the Blues." Tickets are $30 to $119.
Go: Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank; 732-842-9000, thebasie.org.
Play readings in Middletown
At 7 p.m. Thursday, the Middletown Arts Center presents the fourth edition of "The MAC ONE-ACTS" Play-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors.
The festival, which takes place at the center's theater, features the following works: "Crossing The Line" by Rachel Rubin Ladutke; 'Saint Rocco in Repose" by Lisa Ellex; "On A Wire" by Barry M. Putt Jr.; "Colony 53" by Evan Krachman; and "Mary, Mary" by Felicia Russell.
Some of these pieces contain adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised.
There is a $5 suggested donation for the festival to be paid at the door.
From June 2 to 11 at Middletown Arts Center, see the Dunbar Repertory Company production of August Wilson's "Jitney."
Go: "The MAC ONE-ACTS," 7 p.m. Thursday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., Middletown (next to the train station), $5 suggested donation; 732-706-4110, middletownarts.org.
Spring Festival begins at Crossroads
The Spring Festival has returned to Crossroads Theatre Company at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Running through June 11, these plays and musicals close out Crossroads' 44th season.
"Starchild - the Ballad of Debbie Walker," a new play by Divinity Roxx, kicks things off. Roxx, former Beyoncé musical director, is a Grammy-nominated musician, author and composer. This world premiere runs through June 3. Driven by her own music, Roxx takes the audience on an autobiographical journey and coming-of-age story, sharing her experiences growing up in Atlanta.
"Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill," starring Terry Burrell as Billie Holiday, runs May 31 to June 8. Written by Lanie Robertson and directed by Count Stovall, the musical production takes place in a bar in Philadelphia. Expect to laugh, cry and reminisce. Holiday's classic songs, including "God Bless the Child," "When a Woman Loves a Man" and "Ain't Nobody Business If I Do," are featured in the show.
The festival ends with "I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone," running June 10 and 11. The show pairs legends of jazz and soul music to celebrate an iconic artist. "I Got Life" is an event that explores the powerful music and empowering messages of Nina Simone, according to a news release. Vocalist Carol Riddick and bassist Gerald Veasley lead the ensemble.
Tickets are $20 to $55 per person. All Spring Festival events are ASL-interpreted.
Go: Spring Festival, Crossroads Theatre Company, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Ave., $20 to $55; crossroadstheatrecompany.org.
Chris Jordan and Gabriela L. Laracca contributed to this story.
