The lineups are set for the 2023 Summer Concert Series and the 2023 Ocean City Pops season on the Ocean City Music Pier, and tickets are on sale now for all shows.
The Summer Concert Series is celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, and the shows feature rock and contemporary music acts. Most shows are on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and a limited number of tickets are available for purchase (by cash or check only) at the City Hall Welcome Center (861 Asbury Avenue) Monday through Friday and the Music Pier Box Office on Saturdays and Sundays (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace).
The following shows in the 2023 Summer Concert Series have been announced. Check back at www.ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries for any updates or additions.
Get The Led Out
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, June 19 – 7 p.m.
Keb’ Mo’
Ocean City Music Pier
Tuesday, June 20 – 7 p.m.
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, June 26 – 7 p.m.
The Rascals
Ocean City Music Pier
Tuesday, June 27 – 7 p.m.
Kenny G
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, July 10 – 7 p.m.
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, July 17 – 7 p.m.
The Genesis Show
Re-creates Genesis’s 1980 Duke Tour Live
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, July 24 – 7 p.m.
Aimee Mann plus Jonathan Coulton
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, July 31 – 7 p.m.
Don McLean plus Special Guest Al Stewart with his band The Empty Pockets
50th Anniversary “American Pie” Tour
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, August 7 – 7 p.m.
The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, August 21 – 7 p.m.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Bad All Over The World – 50 Years of Rock
Ocean City Music Pier
Monday, August 28 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 29 – 7 p.m.
The Wailers
Ocean City Music Pier
Thursday, August 31 – 7 p.m.
The Ocean City Pops has a great lineup of featured artists and themed concerts that includes something for every musical taste. Artistic Director and Maestro Vince Lee leads the Pops and has been a great addition to the beloved local orchestra.
Tickets for all shows are available online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or in-person at the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (on the 9th Street causeway), City Hall Welcome Center (861 Asbury Avenue), 46th Street Information Center (46th Street and West Avenue) or Music Pier Welcome Center (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace).
The current 2023 schedule of shows includes the following. Check back for updates and additions. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. on the Ocean City Music Pier, except where noted.
Opening Night: Kristin Chenoweth
Sunday, June 25
Broadway and television superstar Kristin Chenoweth, famous for her starring roles in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Wicked,” makes her Ocean City debut. Known for having one of the most versatile and agile voices in the industry, Ms. Chenoweth is guaranteed to bring the house down.
A Star-Spangled Spectacular
Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4
This third annual outdoor concert is free and open to the public, so bring the whole family to Carey Stadium (just off the Boardwalk between Fifth and Sixth streets). Come celebrate America’s birthday with the Pops. Join Maestro Vince Lee for an evening of patriotic music and other popular hits.
Disney Princesses Live
Sunday, July 9
The concert will feature four singing stars joining the Pops to perform favorite songs from Disney classics at the Ocean City Music Pier. Be our guest as a quartet of Broadway, television, and animated film icons celebrate the music from every Disney princess.
The Ocean City Pops orchestra and larger-than-life animation will immerse the audience in Disney magic while these acclaimed stars sing favorite songs and share their exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.
Relive your VHS glory days, dress up in your favorite royal attire, and share the joy with your loved ones. Songs will include “How Far I’ll Go,” “A Whole New World,” “Colors of the Wind,” “Part of Your World,” “Almost There,” “Let It Go” and more.
OC Pops Greatest Hits: Maestro Lee’s Orchestral Favorites
Wednesday, July 12
Few orchestras in the world have the flexibility and versatility of the Ocean City Pops, and this evening is going to show it off. In this one-of-a-kind concert, Maestro Vince Lee will take you on a whirlwind tour of almost every genre imaginable: symphonic folk tales, brassy fanfares, Hollywood hits, Tin Pan Alley tunes and even funk and soul.
A Sinatra Extravaganza featuring Brandon Tomasello
Sunday, July 16
After his spectacular debut with the Ocean City Pops in 2022, Sinatra stylist Brandon Tomasello returns as a headliner to the Ocean City Music Pier. Since his beginnings singing Sinatra songs over a recording as a teenager, Mr. Tomasello has curated a massive library of original Sinatra orchestral sheet music, arranged by greats such as Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Johnny Mandel. Don’t miss this chance to hear these classic Sinatra songs performed exactly as they were written for Sinatra himself.
Broadway’s Kimber Sprawl Gets Wicked
Sunday, July 23
Broadway superstar Kimber Sprawl returns to the Ocean City Music Pier. After her successful run in the Bob Dylan-inspired show “Girl From the North Country,” she recently joined the Broadway cast of “Wicked” as Nessarose, so you can expect her voice to “defy gravity” as she takes you on a journey of her musical adventures.
The Jersey Tenors
Thursday, July 27
Concert will feature music from Frank Sinatra to Frankie Valli to Figaro. The four talented singers, complete with Broadway and operatic credits, are Jersey-born and -bred and Jersey-proud. The latest opera and rock mash-up sensation, the Jersey Tenors seamlessly perform some of opera’s greatest works alongside the best of Josh Groban, ABBA, Queen, Journey, Elton John, Kool and the Gang, and of course, the best that Jersey has to offer: from Sinatra and Valli to Bon Jovi and Springsteen and Jersey girl Whitney Houston. This concert is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Ocean City Pops.
Friend Like Me! Aladdin’s Michael James Scott
Sunday, July 30
Michael James Scott has played the Genie in Disney’s “Aladdin” and will perform with the Pops. He’s also known for originating the role of the Minstrel on Broadway in “Something Rotten” and originating Dr. Gotswana (a.k.a. The Maggots Guy) in “The Book of Mormon.” Other Broadway performances include “Hair,” “Tarzan,” “Mamma Mia,” “Elf” and “All Shook Up.”
“Wizard of Oz”
8 performances from August 1 to 11
The Ocean City Pops and the Ocean City Theatre Company will present a delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved “Wizard of Oz,” featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale continues to thrill audiences worldwide. (Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. shows on August 1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 11, 2 p.m. matinees on August 3 and 10, $30 or $25 for 65-and-overs and 12-and-unders)
Judy Collins
Sunday, August 6
Inspired by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, singer-songwriter Judy Collins hit stardom in 1967 after her cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides, Now’ gained international recognition. The single peak at No. 8 on the Billboard charts, and Collins won her first Grammy for Best Folk Performance as a result. She then released singles such as ‘Someday Soon’ and ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ During her career, Collins has released over 25 studio albums and numerous live and compilation albums.
Tchaikovsky and Beethoven 5: Symphonic Fireworks
Sunday, August 13
The concert will see Maestro Vince Lee showing off the virtuosic classical side of the Pops with an evening of symphonic favorites. Musicians from the orchestra will also take the spotlight as featured soloists, and the evening will close with selections from one of the most famous tunes in classical music history: Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.
80 Years of Rodgers & Hammerstein
Sunday, August 20
This special show will feature the return Ocean City Pops Conductor Emeritus Bill Scheible. He will present a tribute to the most successful collaborators ever on Broadway. The legends Rodgers and Hammerstein started with “Oklahoma” and continued with “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “Cinderella,” “The Sound of Music” and more. Don’t miss this special concert featuring wonderful vocalists and solo instrumentals.
Opera Superstars of Tomorrow
Wednesday, August 23
After 2021’s blockbuster concert featuring four of the top opera students in the country, Maestro Vince Lee is thrilled to make this concert an annual Ocean City tradition. Come hear which future superstars will make their debuts on the Music Pier stage.
Jackie Evancho
Sunday, August 27
Jackie first dazzled American television audiences in 2010 at the age of 10 with her stunning debut on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Since then, she has released a string of platinum and gold albums with sales of over 2.5 million in the U.S. All six of Jackie’s albums have hit No. 1 on the Billboard Classical chart. She has performed with the Ocean City Pops twice before and has become a local favorite.
The Great American Songbook
Wednesday, August 30
Emily Margevich will perform favorites from Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and many more. Referred to as the “star of the 2022 Ocean City Pops season” by Maestro Vince Lee (due to her three separate appearances, including one on short notice), Margevich returns as a headliner. She stunned audiences in 2022 with her remarkable versatility, singing opera, Broadway, and popular tunes with equal vigor and expertise, while also having everyone in stitches with her humor and panache.
John Williams Strikes Back!
Sunday, September 3
Over a span of eight decades, the movie music of John Williams has touched the lives of every living generation. Having worked with Williams, Maestro Vince Lee has become one of the premier interpreters of his music and is thrilled to continue this annual celebration of his music. Expect to hear big hits (“Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones”), family favorites (“Harry Potter,” “ET”), along with the Ocean City debut of the stunning music from the movie “War Horse.”
Maestro Lee at the Keys: Dueling Pianos!
Wednesday, September 6
This will be a concert over 20 years in the making. Maestro Vince Lee will step off of the podium and behind the piano for this unique concert event.
Joined by his long-time colleague and regular Ocean City Pops orchestral pianist Eric Svejcar, 176 piano keys will be smoldering as Vince and Eric scorch through some of the greatest hits of rock, pop, Broadway, classical and more. Originally having played side-by-side for two years as classmates at the famed music school of Indiana University, Vince and Eric finally get the chance to perform, simultaneously, on two pianos.
Dance Elegance with the Atlantic City Ballet
Sunday, September 16
This will be the season finale for 2023. After their breathtaking feature with the Ocean City Pops in 2022, the stars of the Atlantic City Ballet return to heat up the Music Pier Stage! Forging a new, continuing artistic partnership between the ballet and the OC Pops, Maestro Vince Lee is delighted to highlight the talents of neighboring arts organizations. The Pops will also shine tonight as they play dance-themed orchestral features. A great way to finish an exciting season.
PHILADELPHIA COMEDIAN TO PERFORM AT MUSIC PIER ON JULY 15
Philadelphia comedian Joe Conklin will joins force with the City Rhythm Orchestra for a night of comedy and music at the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, July 15.
Conklin is known as a man of a thousand voices, and some of his spot-on impressions include Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, Merrill Reese, Angelo Cataldi, and other Philly figures. His songs include “Howie (Roseman) Went Down to Georgia” (to the tune of the Charlie Daniels classic) and other parodies.
Visit joeconklin.com for more information and to purchase tickets online.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE OCNJ TRIATHLON/DUATHLON ON MAY 21
Registration is still open for the OCNJ Triathlon on Sunday, May 21. The low-key race includes a quarter-mile pool swim (timed separately), followed by a two-mile run, 16-mile bike and a final two-mile run. The Duathlon follows the same course without the swim. A kids’ course includes an eighth-mile swim, one-mile run, eight-mile bike and one-mile run. The pool swim must be completed between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The run-bike-run starts at 9 a.m. Online registration is open through 4 p.m. May 17. For more information and to sign up, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.
ALSO COMING UP IN MAY
MAY 26 – Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge: Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. Noon on the beach next to the Music Pier.
MAY 27 – Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes: The main obstacle course challenge is a soft-sand adventure race followed by a kid’s fun run. Staging at Ninth Street Beach. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.
MAY 29 – Memorial Day Service: 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park between
Fifth Street and Sixth Street on Wesley Avenue. In addition, a National Moment of Remembrance will ask Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The moment of remembrance will take place on the Boardwalk.
