Does Central Jersey exist? Debate this over beer. Plus, holiday events and more to do this weekend
Here’s a holiday season argument-starter for you: Does Central Jersey exist? A trio of Garden State breweries want you to drink on it.
Departed Soles Brewing Company of Jersey City has partnered with Cypress Brewing Company of Edison to release the collaborative brew Central Jersey Does Exist, a dry-hopped New Jersey lager featuring ingredients from Rabbit Hill Malthouse in Shiloh.
The issue, however, is far from settled. Departed Soles has also partnered with Two Ton Brewing of Kenilworth to create Central Jersey Does NOT Exist, a Dark New Jersey lager.
Both beers, each 6% ABV, will be available starting 2 p.m. Friday at Departed Soles’ Jersey City Lagers and Ales Tasting Room, 150 Bay Street.
Customers are encouraged to visit departedsoles.com/menu, where they will be able to download a blank map of the state and draw their own demarcation lines separating North, South and (maybe) Central New Jersey. Maps can then be emailed to Departed Soles for the chance to be featured on an upcoming beer label.
Go: Central Jersey Does Exist and Central Jersey Does NOT Exist beer releases, 2 p.m. Friday at Departed Soles Brewing Company’s Jersey City Lagers and Ales Tasting Room, 150 Bay St.; departedsoles.com.
Join Langosta Lounge for Christmas Community Dinner
Langosta Lounge, a boardwalk restaurant in Asbury Park, will host its annual Christmas dinner on Sunday.
Now in its 16th year, the event "welcomes any community member needing a hot meal and warm company to gather around the table," reads a news release. Those who attend also can receive toys, gifts and winter clothing, and visit with Santa Claus.
"This year is really special for us,” restaurant owner Marilyn Schlossbach said in the release. "To have our community sharing a holiday meal around our tables again and to provide Christmas magic for the kids with Santa is everything to us. We are so fortunate for our team and volunteers to keep this tradition alive."
Donations of ham, candy, unwrapped games and lightly worn coats, hats, gloves and scarves are being accepted through Dec. 22.
Go: Christmas dinner at Langosta Lounge, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, 1000 Ocean Ave. in Asbury Park; 732-455-3275, langostalounge.com.
'A Christmas Carol' musical
Humbug! After COVID delayed Phoenix Productions' performances of the musical "A Christmas Carol," it's finally Scrooge's chance to shine.
The community theater will present the Alan Menken/Lynn Ahrens musical at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Friday, with an encore engagement next Tuesday.
Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, this adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic will have matinee and evening performances on both days.
Go: Phoenix Productions' "A Christmas Carol: The Musical," 4 and 7 p.m. Friday and noon and 4 p.m. next Tuesday at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $20 to $65; thebasie.org.
Ugly Sweater Party and Christmas karaoke in Asbury Park
Georgie’s Bar wants to see your best ugly sweaters this weekend.
Georgie’s, colloquially referred to as “the gay Cheers of Asbury Park,” hosts its Ugly Sweater Party starting at 10 p.m. Friday. DJ Tallspeedy keeps the music playing, drink specials will be available, the kitchen will be open, there’s no cover and the parking is free.
The festivities continue throughout the weekend with Christmas karaoke hosted by DJ Ted D’Bierre from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and the bar will be open for Christmas evening starting 7 p.m. Sunday.
Go: Georgie’s Bar, Fifth Avenue and Memorial Drive, Asbury Park; georgiesbarap.com.
Christmas Day safe space at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice
All are welcome to spend Christmas Day at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton.
The Central Jersey safe space for members of the LGBTQIA community and their allies will open its doors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rustin Center staff and volunteers will be on hand for folks of all ages looking for community and fellowship on Sunday.
According to a news release, attendees are encouraged to “please bring your voices to sing, feets to dance, instruments to play, cookies to eat, nogs to drink and hearts to warm.”
Go: Christmas safe space at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, 12 Stockton St., Princeton; rustincenter.org.
Holiday concert at QSpot in Asbury Park
QSpot LGBT Community Center presents a free holiday concert by the QSpot Concert Band 7 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Church in Asbury Park.
The QSpot Concert Band is a a volunteer community band under the musical direction of Eva Szakal, and Thursday evening’s free performance is sponsored by Davis Realtors.
Go: QSpot Concert Band holiday concert, 7 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Church, 503 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park; qspot.org/the-arts/qspot-marching-band.
Darlene Love brings holiday cheer to the Basie
It just wouldn’t be the holiday season without Darlene Love.
Love, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, defined the sound of the season with her iconic work on 1963’s “A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector.” Nearly 60 years later, she’s still hard at work — just last month she released the duet “Grown-Up Christmas List” with crooner Chris Ruggiero.
Thursday night, the pop legend brings her “Love for the Holidays” tour to the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
For more on Love, check out her conversation with the Asbury Park Press.
Go: Darlene Love’s “Love for the Holidays,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $39 to $129; thebasie.org.
Cosmic and Friends food drive
The Jersey Shore jam band community is giving back for the holidays.
Fan-favorite Grateful Dead tribute act the Cosmic Jerry Band headlines the Cosmic and Friends Food Drive and Holiday Bash 7 p.m. Thursday at Salty’s Beach Bar in Lake Como.
There’s no cover charge for the occasion, but guests are encouraged to bring donations of canned or packaged goods for Fulfill, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Go: Cosmic and Friends Food Drive and Holiday Bash featuring the Cosmic Jerry Band, 7 p.m. Thursday at Salty’s Beach Bar, 1705 Main St., Lake Como; saltysbeachbar.com.
Sarah Griesemer and Ilana Keller contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Central Jersey: does it exist? Debate this over craft beer this weekend
