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Simon and Garfunkel Tribute, Doo Wop at Music Pier in Summer

The Doo Wop Project will perform with the Ocean City Pops on Sept. 11. (Photo Courtesy of Ocean City)

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The Ocean City Pops announced two special concerts for the 2020 summer season: a tribute that re-creates the legendary 1981 Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert in Central Park and a celebration of doo-wop music. Tickets for both concerts go on sale at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 12. The “Live in Central Park [Revisited]: Simon and Garfunkel” concert featuring the Pops orchestra is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the Ocean City Music Pier. This reproduction of the iconic 1981 concert features award-winning recording artists Lee Lessack and Johnny Rodgers. Lessack and Rodgers will perform all the masterpieces heard on the night that a half-million people gathered in Central Park to witness musical history. The duo will revisit the exact set list, a repertoire of masterpieces that includes “Mrs. Robinson,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Sound of Silence” and many more. The Doo Wop Project with the Pops is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Music Pier. The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of doo-wop music from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. In their show, DWP will take the audience on a journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through their influence on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Seasons, all the way to doo-wopified versions of musicians like Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. The group features stars from Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” and “Motown: the Musical.” Reserve tickets at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or by visiting the welcome centers on the Route 52 causeway or in City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue). REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CLASSIC CAR AND STREET ROD SHOW Street rods and other classic cars will be on display during Ocean City’s annual Street Rod Show on Saturday, Sept. 12. Street rods are classic cars (1990 or older) modified with modern parts. Registration to participate is open with forms available at www.ocnj.us/carshow. The cars will be displayed at the Civic Center Municipal Parking Lot (entrance at Fifth Street and Boardwalk) from 8 a.m. to noon and will then proceed to the Boardwalk to be displayed until 4 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 12) in front of the Music Pier (at Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace). As part of the weekend festivities, discounted tickets are available to participants for the Doo Wop Project concert at the Music Pier that night. Johnny Rodgers and Lee Lessack will reproduce the iconic 1981 concert of Simon and Garfunkel, with the help of the Ocean City Pops. (Photo courtesy Ocean City) FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR AIR FORCE BAND CONCERT ON SATURDAY The brass ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band will perform 2 p.m. March 15 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The show will feature orchestral transcriptions, patriotic favorites, jazz standards, new compositions and distinctive arrangements. The concert is free, but anybody who wishes to attend must reserve a ticket in advance. Call 609-399-6111 or stop by the City Hall Welcome Center (861 Asbury Avenue) or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway. VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE FOR 2020 OC CON A limited number of vendor tables are still available for the OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show scheduled for April 4 and 5 at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, email [email protected]. ALSO COMING UP: MARCH 27 – Spring Book Sale: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold a two-day book sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 27 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28 in the atrium outside the library. Fiction, non-fiction, specially-priced books, audio, DVDs and more will be available. APRIL 3 to 5 – Girls Weekend: A Friday evening fashion show kicks off a weekend of shopping and dining specials, accommodation packages, wellness classes and more – all showcasing Ocean City’s downtown Asbury Avenue shopping district. Follow updates on the Girls Weekend Facebook event page or on the event blog at www.oceancityvacation.com. An updated 2020 class schedule is attached. Girls Weekend brings together friends for a weekend of shopping. APRIL 4 – Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro, 637 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. APRIL 5
– Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Arlene’s On Asbury, 624 Asbury Ave. APRIL 4 – The Great Egg Hunt: 2:30 p.m. on the beach from 11th Street to 14th Street. Separate areas for age groups and special needs children (14th Street). Arrive on time. Rain date is April 5. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. APRIL 4 – OC CON Super Hero Run: 1 Mile & Kids Super Hero Obstacle Dash. Pre-register and learn more at www.ocnj.us/race-events. APRIL 4-5 – OC CON Comic Book & Memorabilia Show: A weekend of vendors, cosplay, artist sessions and more at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit ocnjcon.com for complete information. APRIL 11 – Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Yianni’s Café, 841 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. APRIL 11 – Frozen Yogurt with Bunny: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Spoon & Sip, 838 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. APRIL 11 – The Great Egg Hunt: 2:30 p.m. on the beach from 11th Street to 14th Street. Separate areas for age groups and special needs children (14th Street). Arrive on time. Rain date is April 12. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. APRIL 12 – Easter Sunrise Service: A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. 6:30 a.m. Music Pier. APRIL 12 – Dueling Pianos Show: The Philly Keys will be performing their hit dueling pianos show starting at noon in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. The Philly Keys will take a break for the annual Easter Fashion Promenade, then resume playing. APRIL 12 – Easter Fashion Stroll: Come to the front of the Music Pier dressed in your Easter’s best to participate in the Fashion Stroll and meet the Easter Bunny. Judging begins at 1:00 p.m. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family. APRIL 18 – Doo Dah Parade: Welcome spring with this comedy parade complete with more than 300 basset hounds. Parade starts at noon on Asbury Avenue at Sixth Street. It continues through the downtown and turns up to the boardwalk at 12th Street. APRIL 18 – Mr. Mature America Pageant: Ocean City presents the Mr. Mature America Pageant for men 55 years and older. Contestants compete in talent, poise and interview categories. Barry Williams – who starred as America’s most reliable big brother in the sitcom “The Brady Bunch” – will host the event and be available for special meet-and-greets. The pageant starts at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Reserve tickets at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. A brigade of basset hounds leads the parade on the wet Boardwalk in the 2019 Doo Dah Parade.