The Break and Low Dive bring new sounds to the Asbury Park Boardwalk this summer
What's so special about summer music in Asbury Park?
“In the summer, there's nothing like being on the boardwalk and looking at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and enjoying great original music,” said Peter Mantas, entertainment director of The Break and Low Dive.
The adjacent venues were formally called Langosta Lounge and the Asbury Park Yacht Club, respectively. In January, former owner Marilyn Schlossbach sold them to BarCo Brands, owners of the popular Deal Lake Bar + Co in Loch Arbour.
The vibe, and the music and free admission, is largely the same at the new venues — with one notable exception, Mantas said.
“We have a new level of food service,” Mantas said. “We're serving late — until midnight.”
The spots will continue to present original music from up-and-coming talent, as well as deejays and a few surprises.
“It's not the same old, same old like other places do,” Mantas said. “You might of not have heard of who's playing but I can guarantee you’ll say 'Wow, these guys are great.' I make sure to listen to everything I present. There has to be quality and there's got to be a variety.”
Case in point, Captain Cream and the Forest Fires are on stage Thursday nights this summer at Low Dive. They’re a jazz pop combo that plays everything from Wayne Shorter to Britney Spears. The band is drawing a cross- generational crowd, from mature jazzheads to jam kids.
For an extra diversion, cat videos will also be played be at Low Dive on Thursdays during the Captain Cream shows.
“They're going to be going crazy,” said Mantas of the videos. “People love it!”
Mantas, former manager for a pre-fame Bon Jovi, presented Pat DiNizio, Nicole Atkins, Bucky Pizzarelli, David Bryan of Bon Jovi, Sean Lennon, J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and more at the spots in the last decade or so. He likes what he sees from the locals coming up.
“We're on another revolution here. We're getting new fresh sounds,” Mantas said. “For a couple of years there we were caught in a circle. It looks like we got another renaissance of new acts who are stepping up to the plate, like Lightheaded, Daughter Vision, Rivva, Via Ripa. We're getting more dance music nowadays, instead of people standing around and staring at the sky.”
More: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Newark homecoming show was worth the wait
DJ Foggy Notion returns at 7 p.m. Sundays at Low Dive for the breakout Boardwalk Boogie dance night, as does Stringbean and The Boardwalk Social Club at 7 p.m. on Mondays at Low Dive.
There will be a Boardwalk Social Club preview at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, as part of the venue’s Earth Day Celebration.
More: Legendary original Misfits returning to the Prudential Center for rare concert
If the weather cooperates, it's going to be busy on the boardwalk this weekend.
“There are many different people who come out and you have to cater to the crowd,” Mantas said. “I want to be the place that's like Asbury Park.”
Go: Sandy Mack and the Jamily Band, 9 p.m. Friday, April 21; the Mercury Brothers and Friends, 9 p.m. Saturday, April 22; Boardwalk Brunch with Kule “D” Sack, 1 p.m. Sunday, April 23, The Break, 1000 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, free; thebreakap.com.
Go: Dark City Strings, 9 p.m. Friday, April 21; Earth Day Celebration with Stringbean and the Boardwalk Social Club, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22; Daughter Vision and Starcleaner Reunion, 9 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 100 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, free; lowdiveap.com.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Asbury Park: The Break and Low Dive bring new sounds to boardwalk
