Tickets for Jon Dorenbos Magic Show and Southside Johnny on Sale This Week
What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 1/31/17
Ocean City’s box office opens on Wednesday (Feb. 1), and one of the most anticipated shows is also one of the most unlikely: a 14-year NFL veteran performing magic.
Philadelphia Eagles long-snapper Jon Dorenbos will share his mind-blowing magic talents in a single show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, on the Ocean City Music Pier.
The world discovered Dorenbos during his run to the top of the NBC television competition “America’s Got Talent.” (See video of his performance in the finals.) He placed third overall in the contest after surviving many elimination rounds.
Dorenbos says magic saved his life, and he has a story to back it up. When he was 12 years old, his father murdered his mother. He openly shares this childhood tragedy with audiences in an inspirational show about rising through adversity, setting goals no matter how high, and planning the necessary steps to achieve those goals.
Dorenbos became a “master magician” the same year as the tragedy, and he’s been perfecting his craft ever since. He played football for the University of Texas El Paso and was an undrafted free agent for the Buffalo Bills in 2003. Fourteen seasons later, he is an essential part of the Eagles’ lineup as a long snapper. His value to the team was even more evident when he broke his wrist this season, and the team struggled to find a worthy replacement.
Dorenbos will be on hand earlier in the day as Ocean City’s hermit-crab mascot, Martin Z. Mollusk, seeks his shadow and predicts an early summer. The magician may pick up some tips from the mollusk, who miraculously (and with the help of his handlers’ flashlights) has never failed to deliver.
Tickets for the magic show are $30 to $40 and available at ocnj.us/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or in-person at the City Hall Welcome Center or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.
STUNT DOG EXPERIENCE and OCTC CHILDREN’S SERIES
Tickets also go on sale Feb. 1 for Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience and for the Ocean City Theatre Company Children’s Series.
The stunt dog show features dogs that have been rescued from shelters. They perform unique stunts and tricks accompanied by lighting effects, props and costumes, and lots of crowd participation. (See video of a performance.) Shows are at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 on the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.
The OCTC Children’s Series is a popular annual tradition and this year features five shows: “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure” (10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3); “The Trial of Goldilocks” (10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 11); “Curious George: The Golden Meatball” (10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 18); “The Musical Adventure of Flat Stanley” (10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25); “Stinky Kids: The Musical” (10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1). All shows are on the Ocean City Music Pier. Advance tickets for any individual show are $10. For information on a $45 package (“Five Great Family Musicals for One Low Price”), visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Tickets are available at ocnj.us/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or in-person at the City Hall Welcome Center or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and DAVE MASON
Concert promoter Bob Rose and BRE Entertainment on Tuesday announced two additions to the Summer Concert Series on the Ocean City Music Pier.
Dave Mason will perform on Monday, June 19, in the season opener for the series. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes play on Monday, July 10. Both shows start at 7 p.m.
Dave Mason is a veteran of the former band Traffic (with hits like “Feelin’ Alright”), who went on to have a successful solo career (remember “We Just Disagree”). Southside Johnny has been a favorite on the Jersey Shore music scene since the 1970s and has often been joined on stage by Bruce Springsteen.
The summer series also will include the Temptations (June 26), the Hooters (July 17 and 18), the return of the Beach Boys (August 21 and 22) and more shows yet to be announced.
Visit www.ticketmaster.com to check prices and purchase tickets online (Dave Mason tickets, Southside Johnny tickets, Temptations tickets, Hooters tickets, Beach Boys tickets). Tickets for these shows also will be available at Ocean City Music Pier box office in the spring.
ALSO COMING UP
(Feb. 2 to 27) BLACK HISTORY MONTH: The Ocean City Free Public Library will present a series of events in celebration of Black History Month. On Feb. 2, the National African American Read-In will include: a special story time featuring African American authors and artists (10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.); black historians presented by the Ocean City Historical Museum (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.); and selected readings and open mic (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). The celebration continues 6 p.m. Feb. 17 with a film screening of “The Jackie Robinson Story.” It concludes 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 with a performance by the Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre. All programs are free and open to the public at the library (17th Street and Simpson Avenue).
(Feb. 5) JAZZ SERIES: Trumpeters Bob Ferguson and Al Harrison will perform a free jazz concert at 2 p.m. in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library (17th Street and Simpson Avenue). The show is part of a Sunday afternoon series that includes “Two Bones Too” (trombonists) on Feb. 12 and “Two Saxes Too” on Feb. 19.
(Feb. 7) CHINESE NEW YEAR ROOSTER: The Atlantic Chinese Community Choir and Stockton University students will celebrate the Chinese New Year 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall. Call 609-399-2434 for more information.
(Feb. 11) HISTORICAL MUSEUM CHILDREN’S TEA: The Ocean City Historical Museum invites the community to its annual Children’s Tea from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. This year’s theme is “Tea with the Mad Hatter.” The event is perfect for children 5 to 10 years old. Participants will learn about a proper Victorian Tea, do arts and crafts and, most of all, enjoy an afternoon tea. Sponsors include the Exchange Club of Ocean City, the Colony Club of Ocean City, John Betz and his Team at Starbucks of Ocean City and the Cake Studio of Ocean City.
Space is limited. Tickets are on sale now. Members of the Ocean City Historical Museum are able to purchase tickets now at $8 per person. The public can purchase their tickets for $10 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To register, call 609-399-1801 or stop by the museum located in the Community Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue.
(Feb. 15) FLY FISHING LECTURE: The Ocean City Environmental Commission’s free lecture series continues 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, with a presentation from South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers. The program is free and will include information about the environmentally sound aspects of fly fishing in South Jersey waters. It will be held in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
WINTER FOOD DRIVE
The Ocean City Board of Realtors “Food Is Love” drive is underway and continues through Feb. 28. The winter food drive will collect non-perishable food items, laundry and dish detergent, and ShopRite gift cards to be donated to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard for local needy families. Donations can be dropped off at the Board of Realtors office at 405 22nd Street, or you can call the office at 609-399-0128 for pickup service.