Horror convention, bluegrass and more to do at the Jersey Shore this weekend

The scary season is getting started in Atlantic City this weekend.

The New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival returns to the Showboat Atlantic City Friday through Sunday.

Celebrity guests include genre icons such as “Sleepaway Camp” (1983) star Felissa Rose; Patricia Quinn and Nell Campbell of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975); and makeup artist extraordinaire and character actor Tom Savini.

There will also be film screenings, panel discussions, a cosplay contest and plenty of vendors on hand.

Go: New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival, Friday through Sunday, Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, general admission $35 per day or $80 for a three-day pass; newjerseyhorrorcon.com.

Dr. Cornel West to speak in Red Bank

Dr. Cornel West, the noted philosopher, author and activist, will speak Thursday night at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“A Community Conversation with Dr. Cornel West” is hosted by the Count Basie Center for Arts’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force in conjunction with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Monmouth University’s Social Justice Academy and Intercultural Center.

West’s appearance is part of a series of events hosted by the Basie designed to “engage the community in conversations that amplify our commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible region,” according to a news release.

Go: “A Community Conversation with Cornel West,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $29 to $65; thebasie.org/events/dr-cornel-west.

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DC’s Reflecting Fools bring laughs to Bell Works

It’s time for some satire in song as DC’s Reflecting Fools takes their show to Bell Works in Holmdel for performances at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, sponsored by the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park.

The troupe features several former members of the popular group the Capitol Steps, which split up in 2019 after 40 years of poking political fun.

Carrying on in the Capitol Steps’ tradition, DC’s Reflecting Fools promises plenty of ripped-from-the-headlines songs and skits, all in good fun.

Go: DC’s Reflecting Fools, 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, $46; axelrodartscenter.com.

Wind and Sea Festival

The Monmouth County Park System presents the Wind and Sea Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Bayshore Waterfront Park in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.

The day will include opportunities for kayaking, fishing, kite-flying, seining, shell-painting and more.

Admission and parking are free, with parking available at the Belford Ferry Terminal, 10 Harbor Way in the Belford section of Middletown. Most activities are free, but some may have a fee, according to a news release from the park system.

Go: Wind and Sea Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Bayshore Waterfront Park, 719 Port Monmouth Road in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; www.monmouthmountyparks.com.

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Bluegrass in Little Silver

The Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association launches its monthly indoor concert series at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Embury United Methodist Church in Little Silver.

The afternoon of bluegrass, country and old-time music will feature Church Street Revival, Cranberry Jam, Custom Blend and Grassland.

There will also be a Strictly Bluegrass jam and an instructional jamming workshop, with guests encouraged to bring a bluegrass-friendly instrument and pick along for a few songs.

Go: Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association concert and jam session, 1 p.m. Saturday, Embury United Methodist Church, 49 Church St., Little Silver, $8; njbluegrass.org.

Afternoon cabaret in Freehold

Rabbi-turned-cabaret singer Deborah Zecher is headlining the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County at 4 p.m. Sunday for an in-person and Zoom concert.

The concert is being presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of America’s first ordained female rabbi, Rabbi Sally Priesand.

Go: Deborah Zecher, 4 p.m. Sunday, Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mounts Corner Drive, corner of Route 537 and Wemrock Road, Mounts Corner Shopping Center, Freehold, $15 for museum members, $20 for non-members, masks and proof of vaccination required; 732-252-6990, www.jhmomc.org.

Tour bus fundraiser for Rainbow Full of Sound

Let’s help this band get on the bus.

Rainbow Full of Sound, the Grateful Dead tribute outfit led by Neptune native keyboard player Waynard Scheller, is currently raising funds for its own touring bus, and the band is playing to support the cause at 7 p.m. Friday at River Rock Restaurant and Marina Bar in Brick.

The two-set show will also feature a silent auction, and there will be a cash bar. Donations toward the band’s bus can also be made online via waynardmusic.com.

Go: Rainbow Full of Sound, 7 p.m. Friday, River Rock Restaurant and Marina Bar, 1600 Route 70, Brick, $50; Tickets available via eventbrite.com.

Petstock music festival at Popcorn Park

This one’s for the animals.

Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River is hosting the Petstock music festival on Saturday and Sunday, with the two days of music, food and entertainment supporting its mission.

Saturday artists include Alex Chernick, 44 Fridays, No Direction, Midnight Overdrive, Baron Praxis and Coastal Vibe. On Sunday, the festival hosts Sergent Peter Jester, Jersey Surecats, Mikell’s Plot, Soldiers of Rock, Junkyard Dawgs, Outfox, Midnight Electric Blue Band and NecroGarden.

Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days, with two-day tickets available.

Go: Petstock music festival, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, two-day tickets $20, $10 for kids ages 3 to 15, free for kids younger than 3; ahscares.org/petstock-music-festival-at-popcorn-park.

Jewish International Film Festival

The Axelrod Jewish International Film Festival, now in its 13th year, continues with live screenings of the film "The Man in the Basement” at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Count Basie Cinema in Red Bank. The 2021 drama, in French with English subtitles, will "make you think twice about renting space in your home to a 'nice old man,' " organizers say.

In addition to the live screenings, six films are available for screening any time before Sept. 22.

Go: Axelrod International Jewish Film Festival, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Axelrod PAC; 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, Count Basie Cinema and online. Individual film tickets, $15. A festival virtual pass, which gives access to all six virtual films, is $52. Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal; Count Basie Cinema, 36 White St., Red Bank; axelrodartscenter.com or contact info@axelrodartscenter.org.

Que by the Sea in Seaside Heights

Get ready, barbecue fans: The annual Que by the Sea returns this weekend, with three New Jersey pitmasters ready to cook all the brisket and ribs you can eat.

Offshore BBQ of Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach, The Bearded One BBQ of Monroe, and Boss Hog Barbecue of South Plainfield will cook for the festival, happening from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The festival also will include craft beer from Heavy Reel Brewing, live bands and deejay music, games and face painting.

Go: The festival takes place on Grant Avenue near the boardwalk. There is no charge to attend; food prices vary by vendor; exit82.com/que.

Love to bake? Enter Allaire's apple pie contest

Do friends and family say you make the best apple pie?

If so, enter the pie-baking contest taking place at The Historic Village at Allaire's fall apple festival on Saturday. Entries of homemade apple pies must be delivered by 1:30 p.m. Judging beings at 2 p.m.

The apple festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Allaire in Wall. Guests can observe blacksmith and weaving demonstrations, press apple cider, see historic demonstrations and play games. The village's buildings and general store will be open.

There is no charge to enter the baking contest. Festival admission is $8 in advance, $10 the day of the festival; $4 and $5 for children ages 3 to 12.

Go: The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Ave. in Wall; 732-919-3500, allairevillage.org.

Sarah Griesemer and Ilana Keller contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ horror convention, more things to do at the Jersey Shore