What: A month of concerts, some of which are free
When: May 25 – June 28, scroll down for full schedule
Where: Venues across town, SXSW style
Now celebrating its 36th year, the annual Cape May Music Festival presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), with major support by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, returns to this seaside resort with an engaging variety of musical concerts that launch on Memorial Day weekend. There are 14 classical, chamber, jazz, funk and brass band musical performances, some free to attend, from May 25-June 28.
Evening concerts are scheduled this year on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The award-winning Atlantic Brass Band opens the festival in a free outdoor concert May 25 at Rotary Park.
Classical music lovers will welcome the New York Chamber Ensemble, the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players, and the Bay Atlantic Symphony in performance. Bach’s Lunches at the Inn of Cape May and Mid-day Music and More at The Washington Inn feature classical mini-concerts with delicious meals.
New this year is the hot new group from Philadelphia, SNACKTIME, bringing their seven-piece funk and soul to Cape May. “Combining their influences, which range from jazz to rap to rock to punk and R&B, SNACKTIME is one of the most original ensembles out there right now,” said Paste Magazine. A Jazz Brunch with Paula Johns at the Shore Club and the heartfelt George Mesterhazy Tribute Concert in the intimate setting of the Episcopal Church of the Advent round out the series for jazz lovers.
For more information about concerts, performers or venues, and to purchase tickets, visit capemaymac.org or call 609-884-5404.
Here’s the 36th Annual Cape May Music Festival lineup:
Sunday, May 25 – Atlantic Brass Band, FREE
Rotary Park at 7 p.m., come see this 35-piece band, returning to Cape May with a new program.
June 1 – New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 7 p.m., come see a woodwind quintet.
Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18 – Bach’s Lunches
Inn of Cape May at 12:30 p.m., come for lunch and a Classical music mini-concert.
Thursday, June 5 – New York Chamber Ensemble,
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 7 p.m., come see “Classical Meets Pop, with Beethoven and BAILEN”, the New York Chamber Ensemble presents a beautiful Beethoven String Quartet and the soulful music of BAILEN with strings and flute.
Friday, June 6 – Midday Music & More
Washington Inn at 12:30 p.m., come for lunch and music, featuring Eliot Bailen, Susan Rotholz and Jed Gaylin.
Saturday, June 7 – Jazz Brunch with Paula Johns
Shore Club at 11 a.m., savor a delicious jazz brunch with an accomplished cabaret singer and jazz vocalist who hails from Philadelphia, featuring songs from The Great American Songbook.
Sunday, June 8 – George Mesterhazy Tribute Concert: “We Love Being Here With You”
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 7 p.m. Once again the late George Mesterhazy’s close-knit musical colleagues will perform a beautiful tribute concert at the Cape May Music Festival to honor the memory of their beloved friend George. This concert will feature special arrangements of songs that celebrate the joys of being together.
Thursday, June 12 – Bay Atlantic Symphony presents “Serenades and Song”
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 7 p.m., an intimate string orchestra brings sweeping melodies and snappy rhythms by composers from America, Sweden, England, Georgia/Russia and Germany.
Saturday, June 14 – SNACKTIME
Cape May Convention Hall at 7 p.m., come see Philadelphia’s already beloved seven-piece band with soul, funk, punk, hip hop and rock influences. SNACKTIME recently released their debut studio EP, This is Dance Music.
Sunday, June 15 – New York Chamber Ensemble
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 4 p.m., featuring Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, cello, and Susan Rotholz, flute, and guests.
Thursday, June 26 – New York Chamber Ensemble presents “The Virtuosic Piano in Chamber Music”
The Episcopal Church of the Advent, at 7 p.m.
June 28 – Bay Atlantic Symphony presents “Alpine Jazz Adventure”
Episcopal Church of the Advent at 7 p.m., celebrity cellist Amit Peled joins the Bay Atlantic Symphony and will play a work he has long championed, the eclectic concerto by Austrian pianist/composer/philosopher Friederich Gulda.
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