Piff and Puddles in Red Bank, Chowderfest and more things to do at the Jersey Shore
Who’s ready to party with Piff and Puddles?
Costumed comedic magician Piff the Magic Dragon and golden-voided clown Puddles Pity Party have joined forces for the Misery Loves Company tour, playing the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Sunday.
Piff, joined by chihuahua sidekick Mr. Piffles, is a longtime Las Vegas headliner at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. He released the hour-long special, “Reptile Dysfunction,” to his YouTube channel in July.
Puddles, a fellow Vegas headliner thanks to his Caesars Palace residency, would be a once-in-a-generation crooner thanks to his voice alone — but when you factor in the fact that he’s a 7-foot-tall singing clown, his act becomes must-see.
Piff and Puddles will have their own sets on tour, but some overlap between the artists is promised. The two-hour show, with one intermission, isn’t a kids’ show but is appropriate for all ages.
Go: Piff the Magic Dragon and Puddles Pity Party’s Misery Loves Company Tour, 7 p.m. Sunday, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $29 to $59; 732-842-9000, thebasie.org/events/piff-the-magic-dragon-puddles-pity-party.
'Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon' screening
Ana Lily Amirpour, one of the most captivating and compelling directorial voices of her generation, is back with a new must-see feature.
Amirpour previously worked wonders with the romantic, vampiric Iranian Western "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" (2014) and the relentless post-apocalyptic vision "The Bad Batch" (2016).
After heading to television to helm episodes of "Legion," "Castle Rock," "The Twilight Zone" and the upcoming Netflix anthology "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities," Amirpour is back on the big screen this weekend with her latest wonder, "Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon."
Starring Jun Jong-Seo as a supernaturally gifted mental institute escapee, the film also features Kate Hudson, Craig Robinson and Ed Skrein. The Saban Films release arrives in select cinemas and digital and on-demand outlets on Friday.
Go: "Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon" opens Friday at Picture Show, 319 Highway 130, East Windsor. For tickets, showtimes and more information, visit pictureshowent.com/movie/East-Windsor/Mona-Lisa-and-the-Blood-Moon.
Sandy Mack celebrates Pigpen in Asbury Park
Jersey Shore jam band scene star harmonica player Sandy Mack is honoring a fallen icon this weekend in Asbury Park.
Mack will present a special edition of his Wonder Jam on Friday night at the Wonder Bar in celebration of Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, the founding singer and harmonica player of the Grateful Dead who died in 1973 at the age of 27.
The two-set show featuring Pigpen-era music will also include Kenny Brooks of RatDog, Michael Jaskewicz, Johnny Markowski, Kevin Cooper, Paul Avrutin and surprise guest players.
Go: Sandy Mack's Wonder Jam reunion tribute to Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, 7 p.m. Friday, Wonder Bar, Fifth and Ocean Avenues, Asbury Park, $10 in advance and $12 at the door; wonderbarasburypark.com.
Chowderfest returns to Long Beach Island
Everyone knows fall's arrival means the beginning of soup season, but on Long Beach Island, it's all about the chowder.
The annual Chowderfest festival, which caps the island's monthlong LBI Chowder Trail event, takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Taylor Avenue waterfront in Beach Haven. Admission is free.
More:Fall food and drink festivals at the Jersey Shore
Chowder sampling, offered in previous years, won't be available at the festival. Chowder fans who want a say in naming the island's best chowders have until Friday to visit participating restaurants, purchase a cup and vote via their mobile device.
The winners will be announced during the festival, which will include chowder and other food for purchase, beer on tap, live music, more than 50 vendors, and family activities.
For more information, visit chowderfest.com.
Jessie Baylin at Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park
A Jersey girl is coming home this weekend.
Singer/songwriter Jessie Baylin, who grew up in Gillette in Morris County, returns to her home turf to play Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery on Saturday night.
Baylin in on the road in support of “Jersey Girl,” her fifth studio LP, which was released earlier this month via Missing Piece Records/Blonde Rat.
Go: Jessie Baylin with the Watson Twins, doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery, 210 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park, $27.64; transparentclinchgallery.ticketbud.com/jessiebaylin.
Sounds for Sculpture in Spring Lake
Sixteen life-sized sculptures by legendary New Jersey artist Seward Johhnson are now on display in downtown Spring Lake. Thanks to a collaboration between the Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc. and the Spring Lake Business Improvement district, the free outdoor exhibit will be on display through January 2023.
In celebration of the exhibit, the Spring Lake Community House will host "Sounds for Sculpture - The Awakening" at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The concert will feature original works by jazz vibraphonist Christian Tamburr, inspired by Johnson's work.
Go: "Sounds for Sculputre - The Awakening," 7:30 p.m. Friday at Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Ave., Spring Lake, $15; tickets available via eventbrite.com.
Sarah Griesemer contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Eat up Chowderfest in LBI and laugh at The Basie this weekend
