Big Fun for Older People

I really don’t understand it when Mick Jagger opens the song “Mother’s Little Helper” with the lyrics “What a drag it is getting old. . .” For the last couple of summers, my wife and I have really been enjoying ourselves big time.

More and more pubs and clubs are opening up around the Jersey Shore, and they’re specifically catering to the over-40 crowd, both in their menu and in atmosphere. Folks like me with a little disposable income are breaking out and enjoying themselves a lot more often, and more and more couples are going out and having a good time, too. 

One reason for summer excitement is the re-emergence of bands in the area. I’ve noticed that they’ve been making a comeback over the last several years, both cover bands and those playing original music. Bands catering to the younger college crowds are lining the area, but music groups with members well into their 40’s, 50’s, and even 60’s who play classics from the 1960's through the 1990's are breaking out and sounding awesome as well. 

Cover bands were big back when I was a teenager until my mid-20’s, then they just died off, and DJ’s and clubs with dance floors took over (that’s how I got the opportunity to spin records at the Bar Bombay back in the day). Now it looks like they’ve come full circle, with bands and DJ’s co-mingled in the clubs. The DJ’s set up the crowds with their mixes, and the bands get them partying on the dance floor.

In fact, a lot of places in the area are building out their bar space just to accommodate musical acts in their establishments and attract new customers. Places around the Jersey Shore that never had live music before are giving bands and acoustical acts a chance to display their talents. . .and that’s just great, if you ask me. You can go the entire summer and probably not see any one band twice. There’s definitely no shortage of musical talent here at the Jersey Shore. . .never has been a shortage, never will be. 

Also, if you’re into drawing attention to yourself and showcasing your own “personal talents”, there are a plethora of places at the Jersey Shore featuring karaoke nights, too.

For family fun, there are a few fairs and carnivals running throughout the area. The Jersey Shore is known for its local firemen’s fairs, and the Monmouth County Fair is one of the best fairs in the state. . .and they all feature live music (what else is new?). 

And through it all, social media is playing an important role in promoting these new and re-energized Jersey Shore entertainment venues. I can’t tell you how many event invitations I get just on Facebook. 

It’s amazing to see just how the Jersey Shore's musical experience has evolved into one that caters to all people, not just the young. From SOAP (the Sound Of Asbury Park) to now. . .Rock on, Jersey Shore. . .rock on!! 

(The entire Jersey Shore Retro Blogography can be found at http://longbranch.patch.com/blogs/kevin-cieris-blog. You can also follow Kevin Cieri's blog on his Facebook page, "Jersey Shore Retro" as well as on Twitter @jsretro).