North to Shore festival kicks off in Asbury Park with Alexander Simone

Who's that man in the spotlight at the North to Shore festival?

It's Alexander Simone, who fronts his Whodat? Live Crew at the fest official selection opener “Soul in the Park 2” show at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Watermark on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Simone and Whodat? will be hitting several other shows over the course of the Asbury Park portion of the North to Shore, which runs through Sunday, June 16.

The fest comes to Atlantic City June 17 to 23, and Newark from June 24 to 30.

“They reached out to me and said they were so fascinated by our event last year because of everyone who participated in the show,” said Simone, referring to the Whodat? North to Shore show at the Stone Pony with Eric B and Rakim. Simone brought rising city talents Ryver Bey and Chill Smith, and everyone in the audience, including Gov. Phil Murphy, were duly impressed.

More: Alexander Simone, grandson of Nina Simone, delivers message of unity on new 'Even Now'

Asha DaHomey, Big Boss Noff, Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise, and MC Trife also play Watermark at the free event on June 11, and there will be painting, dance and spoken word, too.

“We're going to have a little meet and greet and after that Whodat? is going to do what they do,” Simone said.

Simone is the right for the job at North to Shore, said Jenny Stine, whose Fortune Creative Collective was brought in to produce and market the Asbury Park and Atlantic City runs of the fest.

“As Alexander returns for the North to Shore festival this year with another show at Watermark, we could not think of anything more quintessential to the Asbury sound and vibe than this event,” Stine said via email. “Alexander and all of the artists he is bringing to the stage that night represent everything the city is, from its musical history and roots to its global sounds.”

Simone and Whodat? are playing the afterparty for the June 21 T-Pain Stone Pony Summer Stage show at the Break on the boardwalk, and the ambitious and genre sweeping Unity Festival later this summer in Asbury Park.

The grandson of music icon Nina Simone performed with Pearl Jam on “My City of Ruins” at the 2022 Sea Hear Now on the beach in Asbury Park. He returned to Sea Hear Now with Whodat? in 2023. When he's not making music or moves, Simone is an instructor at the Lakehouse Music Academy in Asbury Park.

“I  push my kids off with core values, making sure they know how to connect with the audience,” Simone said. “Let your audiences get to know you and let it not just be a performance but let it be an experience. Let somebody experience you as an artist, as a person and as an individual.”

He's become the Smokey Robinson of the Asbury Park music scene, delivering behind-the-scenes in addition to performing.

“I'm getting the next generation ready,” Simone said. “I want to have my hand in that. We can't be relevant forever, you know what I'm saying? So I'm making sure the generation who's coming after me is well-equipped and well prepared to take the row. I'm rolling into that mentor role and I love it.”

North to Shore, Asbury Park

Upcoming North to Shore shows at the Stone Pony Summer Stage include Gary Clark Jr. on Wednesday, June 12; Band of Horses on Thursday, June 13; Lake Street Drive on Friday, June 14; and Bleachers annual Shadow of the City festival on Saturday, June 15.

The Asbury Underground art and music crawl returns downtown on June 15, too. A Clarence Clemons Celebration with Jarod Clemons (Clarence's son) takes place Sunday, June 16, at the Wonder Bar.

“It is an especially proud moment for us as the iconic Stone Pony is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024,” said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor at the March 7 North to Shore press conference at the Pony. “North to Shore is tapping the expected and unexpected venues in town, and will be presenting a wide variety of acts and activations. We are honored to kick off this year’s festival, and look forward to seeing everyone in Asbury Park in June.”

North to Shore, Atlantic City

One of the highlights of the North to Shore Festival in Atlantic City is original Four Seasons member Frankie Valli and his “Last Encore” tour, playing the Hard Rock in Atlantic City on Saturday, June 22.

Other big shows include Prince Royce and Winsin play the Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall on Friday, June 21; the Love Hard Tour with Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim, K. Michele is Saturday, June 22 at Boardwalk Hall; and the B-52s and the Weeklings play the Ocean Casino on Saturday, June 22.

North to Shore, Newark

As part of the festival, comedian Kevin Hart brings his Brand New Material tour to Newark on Sunday, June 30.

Other big festival shows at Prudential Center include Matchbox 20 with Andy Grammer on Thursday, June 27, and Gabriel Iglesias on Friday, June 28.

“Our inaugural North to Shore Festival was the beginning of a proud, new annual tradition that brings some of the biggest stars to New Jersey to bolster our tourism industry and boost demand for our local businesses,” said Gov. Phil Murphy at the Stone Pony in March.

Last year's festival drew 250,000 fans and generated $7.6 million in ticket sales for events in more than 100 venues in the three cities, according to organizers. Most events were free. The 2024 edition is supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

For more information on the festival, including a schedule, visit northtoshore.com.

North to Shore Festival, Asbury Park lineup

Tuesday, June 11

4 p.m.: “Cultivating Advocacy: Leveraging the Arts for Food Justice” panel, online

8:30 p.m.: Alexander Simone & Whodat? Live Crew present “Soul in the Park 2” at Watermark, 800 Ocean Ave.

Wednesday, June 12

6:30 p.m.: Gary Clark, Jr. at Stone Pony Summer Stage, 913 Ocean Ave.

6:30 p.m.: “A Crane House Garden of Verses” readings at the Stephen Crane House, 508 4th Ave.

Thursday, June 13

5 p.m.: Blue Dot Inclusive Dance Party, Asbury Park boardwalk

5 p.m.: LGBTQ+ Singer/Songwriter Showcase at Georgies Bar, 810 Fifth Ave.

6 p.m.: Asbury Park African-American Music Project’s Turf Club Jam at Blackbird Community Commons, emceed by Gregg “Toogie” Bouie, 131 Atkins Ave.

6:30 p.m.: Band of Horses, with Sunshine Spazz, Stone Pony Summer Stage

7 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono live show at ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave.

7:30 p.m.: Fauna & Flora starring Blaise and others at Baronet at The Asbury hotel, 210 Fifth Ave.

8 p.m.: Mihali at Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Ave.

Friday, June 14

Noon: Showcase Stage at Grand Arcade featuring Des & the Swagmatics; Joseph Alton Miller, Mike Montrey and Dave Vargo; Johnny Nameless; Myster-E Edutainment; Space & the Goodstock Jamband; The Mercury Brothers, Grand Arcade, Asbury Park boardwalk

5 p.m.: Paint on Pine (art-making event), Pine Street and Third Avenue

6:30 p.m.: Lake Street Dive at Stone Pony Summer Stage

6:30 p.m.: “Sonic Mass,” presented by Luminous Abstract at Trinity Church, 503 Asbury Ave.

6:30 p.m.: Triumphant Life Church: Family Comedy & Concert Celebration, in collaboration with the Cazzeek Brothers, Springwood Park

7 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono live show at ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave.

8 p.m.: Delta Sleep at Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Ave.

8 p.m.: The Weeklings, The Beatles tribute, Wonder Bar

Saturday, June 15

10 a.m.: Artist in Residence Exhibition featuring Stephen Allan, Trinity Church

10:30 a.m.: A Day of Queer Celebration!, Asbury Book Cooperative, 644A Cookman Ave.

Noon: Asbury Underground Art and Music Crawl, various downtown Asbury Park venues

2 p.m.: Shadow of the City festival, featuring Bleachers and others, Stone Pony Summer Stage

2 p.m.: Ocean Avenue Stompers, R Bar, 1114 Main St.

3 p.m.: Print-a-Palooza, Over the Moon Art Studios, 808 Springwood Ave.

6 p.m.: Dance Is Life: A Hustle Dance Party!, Carousel Building, Asbury Park boardwalk

6 p.m.: KYDS SOULcase Community Event, KYDS, 631 Lake Ave.

6:30 p.m.: Rainbow Silent Disco for All Genders and Ages, presented by The Light Brigade Collective, Trinity Church

7 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono live show at ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave.

7 p.m.: I Am the Avalanche, Asbury Lanes

8 p.m.: Dramarama, Wonder Bar

9:30 p.m.: ’90s Karaoke After Party with DJ Ted D’Bierre and DJ Tallspeedy, Georgies Bar

11:30 p.m.: Late Night Silent Disco with Space of Balance, Baronet at The Asbury hotel

Sunday, June 16

Noon: illSound Lovers Rock Day Party, Watermark

Noon: St. Stephen AMEZ Church & United Fellowship Church/Manna Food Pantry’s A Family Festival: Honoring our Fathers, featuring Zal Walton, Springwood Park

1 p.m.: Drag Brunch, Georgies Bar

1:30 p.m.: Local Jazz Showcase, presented by The Light Brigade Collective, Trinity Church

2 p.m.: Sunday on St. John’s with Steve Forbert, The Wonderful Winos (featuring Vini Lopez), St. John’s Island off Grand Avenue on Sunset Lake.

2 p.m.: Ocean Avenue Stompers, R Bar

5 p.m.: “HEAVEN vs H.E.L.L.” (stage production), NTL Event Hall, 101 W. Sylvania Ave., Neptune City

7 p.m.: Luminous Abstract’s “Memory Palace” (interactive installation), Carousel Building

7:30 p.m.: Clarence Clemons Celebration with Jarod Clemons and the Late Nights, Wonder Bar

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: North to Shore fest comes to Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Newark