Shrek Rave, Irish music and more to do at the Jersey Shore this weekend
What are you doing in our swamp?
That’s right, it’s time for the Shrek Rave.
An adults-only dance party extravaganza inspired by the Oscar-winning 2001 animated family classic, the Shrek Rave has become a viral sensation, and was the subject of a July 2022 deep dive by the New York Times.
It’s a night out that has to be experienced to believed — and one that will certainly make you feel like an “All Star.” Intrigued? Confused? A little of both? Don’t worry about it!
As the Shrek Rave’s slogan advises: “It’s Dumb, Just Come Have Fun!” If you need further encouragement, Shrek Rave’s advertisements have some very simple words of encouragement: “Cool Is Dead! Who Cares!”
Well, “Hallelujah,” they make a good case. This weekend, “I’m a Believer.”
The Shrek Rave arrives at the Jersey Shore to take over the Yard at Bally’s Atlantic City from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday.
Go: Shrek Rave, 9 p.m. Friday, the Yard at Bally’s Atlantic City, 1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, $20 via Ticketweb or at the door; casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city.
Here’s what else is happening in New Jersey this weekend:
Bullies and Brews in Howell
Seven Sons Brewing in Howell is hosting Pitties and Pals Rescue’s Bullies and Brews meet-and-greet adoption event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Jersey Mike’s subs will be available for purchase, vendors will be on site, and there will be trivia with a $5 donation entrance fee. There is no cover charge, but donations are encouraged.
There will be no on-site adoptions, but this will be an opportunity to meet adoptable dogs.
Go: Bullies and Brews, noon Saturday, Seven Sons Brewing, 2224 Route 9, Howell; pittiesandpals.com.
Equality Soiree in Jersey City
Garden State Equality, the Asbury Park-based LGBTQ education and advocacy organization, hosts its Equality Soiree at 7 p.m. Friday at Six26 in Jersey City.
The event’s website invites guests to “join us for evening of glitz and glamor to celebrate how we're moving equality forward in New Jersey!” The suggested them for the evening’s attire is sparkle, so be prepared to shine.
Go: Equality Soiree, 7 p.m. Friday at Six26, 128 Christopher Columbus Drive, Jersey City, $125 to $500; gardenstateequality.org.
Cherish the Ladies at Monmouth University
Purveyors of Irish music across America for nearly 40 years, Cherish the Ladies will be back in New Jersey for a Saturday night engagement at the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.
The Emmy-winning ensemble, founded in New York City in 1985, boasts three All-Ireland champion musicians, with their performances also featuring champion Irish step-dancers.
Go: Cherish the Ladies, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave., Long Branch,$43 to $65; monmouth.edu.
James Dalton brings 'Asbury Park and Me' home
Jersey Shore troubadour James Dalton has been a consistent presence in our local music scene for a great long while now. In addition to being a top-shelf harmonica player, mandolin player and guitarist, Dalton is also a masterful storyteller.
Go: James Dalton’s “Asbury Park and Me,” 7 p.m. Friday, ShowRoom, 707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park. For advance tickets, $20, email jamesdaltonjr@gmail.com.
Dalton will be back in Asbury Park with his one-man show of stories and songs, “Asbury Park and Me.” He plays the ShowRoom on Cookman Avenue on Friday night.
'Raisin' at Axelrod
The Tony Award-winning "Raisin" continues performances at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. The musical tale explores the American Dream and the bonds of family, trust and love.
Based on the American classic "A Raisin in the Sun," the musical stars Fredi Walker-Browne, who played Joanne in the original Broadway production of "Rent."
"It's a classic," Walker-Browne said. "And I waited all my life to do the classic roles. A Black actress can only do better as she ages because a lot of the great roles are written for the matriarchs, and so I'm finally there."
Why is now the time for this show?
"This show is so many important things. On the surface, it's the family drama, but it is such an important statement about the state of this country and the American Dream. And so sadly, in a lot of ways, it's as timely as ever. The universal nature of it is undeniable."
She hopes audience members see themselves in the show.
"I hope they see their place in our society and what they can do to better it. I hope they see a member of their family who is reaching out to be understood. I hope they see the value of a person's dreams. And that even if those dreams seem unattainable, that they should be encouraged because when you encourage one person's dreams, you vicariously encourage your own," Walker-Browne said.
Two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad serves as a production consultant. The show is directed by Evelyn Collins, founder of the Denzel Washington School of the Arts.
"Raisin" plays at 7:30 Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, and continues performances on March 8, and March 10 to 12. Tickets run from $12.50 to $57.50.
Walker-Browne, a longtime Shore resident, also offers professional skills workshops for those looking to break into the business and recently released a protest album, "#1People1Planet." For more information, visit bigspoonproductions.com.
Go: "Raisin," Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal, through March 12, $12.50 to $57.50; 732-531-9106 or axelrodartscenter.com.
'Seussical' in Middletown
The MAC Players, Middletown Arts Center’s community theater group, kicks off its 2023 season with "Seussical," a "fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza."
The family show re-creates the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. When chaos erupts in the Jungle of Nool, it will take The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and a gaggle of characters to bring harmony back to their world.
Songs in the show include "It's Possible (In McElligot's Pool)," "Alone in the Universe" and "Solla Sollew."
The production runs Friday to Sunday, as well as March 10 to 12.
Go: "Seussical," Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., 7 p.m. Fridays, March 3 and 10, 7 p.m. Saturdays, March 4 and 11, 2 p.m. Sundays, March 5 and 12, $25, $17.50 for students and seniors; 732-706-4110 or middletownarts.org. Free parking is available onsite with additional free parking available in the station-metered lot on weekday evenings after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
Jurassic World Live Tour in Newark
Life finds a way this weekend in New Jersey, as the Jurassic World Live Tour brings the adventure of the “Jurassic Park” franchise to the Prudential Center in Newark for seven shows from Thursday through Sunday.
The show promises more than two dozen film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs in an original story set on Isla Nublar.
Go: Jurassic World Live Tour, Thursday through Sunday, Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, tickets start at $25; prucenter.com/events/jurassic-world.
Everyone's Irish at Laurita Winery's Shamrock Celebration
You don't have to be Irish to partake in Laurita Winery's month of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, which kicks off this weekend.
Enjoy a performance from The Devrin Academy of Irish Dance in Point Pleasant; live music from The Bog Boys, Jamie and the Quietman, and Ballyhaunis Duo; and a menu of dishes including Irish soda bread muffins, leek and potato soup, hot corned beef sandwiches, Guinness beef stew and more.
Go: Laurita Winery's Shamrock Celebration, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt section of Plumsted; lauritawinery.com. The celebration continues with events March 11, 12, 17 and 19.
Sarah Griesemer and Ilana Keller contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do include Shrek Rave in Atlantic City
