Post by admin on Apr 7, 2009 19:25:12 GMT -5
I love it! This is what I like to hear, bring in more of the music and arts community to our town.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0408/front_page/005.html
Singer teams with café for music in Freehold
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Jo Wymer has a mission: to bring live music back to Downtown Freehold. The first stop on the singer-songwriter's journey was an appearance at the new Bayou Café, West Main Street.
Wymer, a Freehold Township resident and noted jazz and blues musician, and her Itty Bitty Band helped the café celebrate its grand opening on March 31.
On an unseasonably warm evening, the sounds of Wymer's richly honed voice could be heard as passers-by walked along the borough's main thoroughfare as dusk descended on the town.
Flanked by Helen Radtke (violin, guitar, backup vocals), John Wolf (bass) and Al Spero (percussion), Wymer entertained guests in the New Orleans-style eatery.
"It's about time we have some real entertainment in Freehold," Wymer told her audience. "There is no need to go to Red Bank or Asbury Park. We have it all right here."
Wymer was joined on various songs by Joe Harvard on lap steel guitar, Bill Roe on acoustic guitar, Tony Pilleggi on guitar, and Michel Patrick on guitar. The set list included "Blue Bayou" and "Jambalaya."
It is expected that an open microphone night will take place at the restaurant every Wednesday this month.
"I have been trying to bring music back to the borough for a while," Wymer said. "Families want to be able to take their children to a venue that offers music as well."
Scheduled to appear at the restaurant in the coming weeks are jazz vocalist Gina Fox, guitarist Pat Karwan, Chuck Lambert and Don Lee.
"Don [Lee] and I made it our mission to get music into Freehold. We want to promote Freehold as a new nightlife mecca for arts and music," Wymer said. "It can be done."
Wymer said her music is influenced by the different cultures of New Orleans.
The Bayou Café is owned by Bernadette and Robert Lumley. Tara Crocker is the manager and Robert Lumley is the chef. The music, setting and food recall a Cajun/Creole New Orleans café.
Wymer sang to guests who sat in the lounge area of the dining room in comfortable leather chairs, as well as to those who were enjoying a meal.
"This kind of restaurant requires music," Wymer said. "We are trying to encourage musicians to come to Freehold. Freehold, like Red Bank, deserves that."
She said that due to the economic downturn, many people are not traveling as often to places such as New York and Philadelphia, but that does not mean they don't want or deserve to enjoy professional entertainment in a place where they can experience live music with a drink or a meal.
"Many more people are staying close to home," Wymer added. "Bernadette and Tara want to provide the ambience and make this a true music haven, and this menu and this style and ambience cries for music."
When Richard Gatto took over as the CEO of the Freehold Center Partnership, which supports the business community in the borough, he said bringing music and the arts to Freehold was one of his priorities.
Gatto said he is seeking people to perform on Friday nights in the gazebo on East Main Street.
A July 4 folk and rock concert is being planned at Freehold Raceway, and a rock concert is being planned for September.
Gatto said Wymer is an ideal headline performer and "a wonderful addition to the downtown."
"It is all part of the continuing revitalization of the downtown," he said.
During her performance last week at the Bayou Café, Wymer played more than 20 songs.
"It's about time we have some real entertainment in Freehold," she told her audience.
Wymer will perform at the Bayou Café for an Easter Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0408/front_page/005.html
Singer teams with café for music in Freehold
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Jo Wymer has a mission: to bring live music back to Downtown Freehold. The first stop on the singer-songwriter's journey was an appearance at the new Bayou Café, West Main Street.
Wymer, a Freehold Township resident and noted jazz and blues musician, and her Itty Bitty Band helped the café celebrate its grand opening on March 31.
On an unseasonably warm evening, the sounds of Wymer's richly honed voice could be heard as passers-by walked along the borough's main thoroughfare as dusk descended on the town.
Flanked by Helen Radtke (violin, guitar, backup vocals), John Wolf (bass) and Al Spero (percussion), Wymer entertained guests in the New Orleans-style eatery.
"It's about time we have some real entertainment in Freehold," Wymer told her audience. "There is no need to go to Red Bank or Asbury Park. We have it all right here."
Wymer was joined on various songs by Joe Harvard on lap steel guitar, Bill Roe on acoustic guitar, Tony Pilleggi on guitar, and Michel Patrick on guitar. The set list included "Blue Bayou" and "Jambalaya."
It is expected that an open microphone night will take place at the restaurant every Wednesday this month.
"I have been trying to bring music back to the borough for a while," Wymer said. "Families want to be able to take their children to a venue that offers music as well."
Scheduled to appear at the restaurant in the coming weeks are jazz vocalist Gina Fox, guitarist Pat Karwan, Chuck Lambert and Don Lee.
"Don [Lee] and I made it our mission to get music into Freehold. We want to promote Freehold as a new nightlife mecca for arts and music," Wymer said. "It can be done."
Wymer said her music is influenced by the different cultures of New Orleans.
The Bayou Café is owned by Bernadette and Robert Lumley. Tara Crocker is the manager and Robert Lumley is the chef. The music, setting and food recall a Cajun/Creole New Orleans café.
Wymer sang to guests who sat in the lounge area of the dining room in comfortable leather chairs, as well as to those who were enjoying a meal.
"This kind of restaurant requires music," Wymer said. "We are trying to encourage musicians to come to Freehold. Freehold, like Red Bank, deserves that."
She said that due to the economic downturn, many people are not traveling as often to places such as New York and Philadelphia, but that does not mean they don't want or deserve to enjoy professional entertainment in a place where they can experience live music with a drink or a meal.
"Many more people are staying close to home," Wymer added. "Bernadette and Tara want to provide the ambience and make this a true music haven, and this menu and this style and ambience cries for music."
When Richard Gatto took over as the CEO of the Freehold Center Partnership, which supports the business community in the borough, he said bringing music and the arts to Freehold was one of his priorities.
Gatto said he is seeking people to perform on Friday nights in the gazebo on East Main Street.
A July 4 folk and rock concert is being planned at Freehold Raceway, and a rock concert is being planned for September.
Gatto said Wymer is an ideal headline performer and "a wonderful addition to the downtown."
"It is all part of the continuing revitalization of the downtown," he said.
During her performance last week at the Bayou Café, Wymer played more than 20 songs.
"It's about time we have some real entertainment in Freehold," she told her audience.
Wymer will perform at the Bayou Café for an Easter Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.
