What’s Happening in Ocean City

The Quiet Festival, this community’s annual crusade for silent stuff, is set for Nov.11 through 14. The event, inaugurated 15 years ago, showcases quiet pastimes ranging from paper airplane flying and paper clip art to acoustic folk concerts and poetry readings. Admission to all programs is free.
Official ceremonies will be held on Fri., Nov.12 at noon in front of City Hall, 9th and Asbury Ave. It includes the traditional Yawn Along to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer, the inspirational Maple Pod drop, a tinkling concert by the world’s only Wind Chimes Band who will play jingle Bells and Brother Can You Spare a Chime, kites with Air Circus, a quiet song by Soprano Nancy Fox, leaf squeezing, feather dropping and bubbles galore.
The Ocean City High School Sign Club will sign to the song We Are the World. There will be a two minute moment of silence while clouds are observed and greetings by NAP, the National Assn. of Tired People. PLUS Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City’s relatively famous hermit Crab, will make a special appearance and a section will be read from his reissued biography, the Martin Z. Mollusk Story or Rhyme and Punishment. Martin will be available to the media to answer questions about his masterpiece.
On Fri., Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., there will be an acoustic Folk Music concert by Ted Prior’s Early Morning Reign Band at the Primary School. This concert is not open to the public but will be repeated on Sat., Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at Wesley Manor, 17th and Bay Ave. The public is invited to this concert but is asked to call 609-525-9300 to make reservations.
The official ceremonies are preceded by a Paper Airplane Making and Flying Event. It will be conducted by licensed pilot, Ken Thorpe and his crew. The session will be held 4 p.m., today, Thurs., Nov. 11th at the Tabernacle Youth Center for after school children and anyone else who is interested.
An Open Mic Poetry session featuring a display of Visual or Concrete Poetry will be held on Fri., Nov.12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. The sessions will be led by poets Bud Cole and Mark Soifer. Poets are asked to bring an anti-noise or pro quiet poem to read if they have one.
A section of Martin Z. Mollusk’s biography will also be read at this session. Park in the Community Center lot, 17th and Haven Ave., walk up ramp into building, 116 is first room on the right.
On Sat., Nov. 13 there will be a Children’s Program, in the downtown at Kidz Creations, 811 Asbury Ave. from 10 a.m. till noon. This will include a Paper Clip Art Contest (make something artistic from paper clips) the appearance of mime, Charles Senack and other interesting, quiet pastimes. Martin Z. Mollusk will also be at this session to show off his biography and give away shell replicas of himself.
Also on Sat., Nov. 13, there will be the Folk Concert at Wesley Manor, previously described. Call 609-525-9300 to make reservations.
On Sun., Nov. 14, you’re on our own. Fly a kite, take a walk on the boardwalk, inspect the horizon and clouds, later on enjoy the moon and stars, give your doggie a tummy rub, recite the Quiet Festival Poem: I do not hear your song/ I do not hear your words/ I never watch the moon/ Or listen to the Birds/ I’m lost in all the noise/ That saturates my space/ I’m weary of the clatter/ Find me a quiet place…
The Quiet Festival is sponsored by NAP, the National Association of Tired People. Call 609-525-9300 for information.
Our Veterans Day will be held 11 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park, 5th and Wesley Ave. The ceremony will include comments from an active duty service member of World War II, Gam Broadly and remarks by Major Roxellen Rocky Auletto.
The colors will be presented by the Dramis Detachment Marine Corps League. Students from the Primary School will offer a tribute to Veterans and the Ocean City High School Band will play a selection of patriotic tunes. High School Senior, Lexis Petrilla, will sing the Star Spangled Banner. Bad weather location will be in the Tabernacle Auditorium, across the street from Memorial Park.
Reminder: The American Legion Auxiliary is holding a COOKIE DRIVE through Nov. 17. Bring homemade or store bought cookies to City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cookies may also be dropped off at the Masonic Temple, 10th and Wesley Ave., on Wednesdays between noon and 1:30 p.m. during the American Legion Lunch.
The Ocean City High School Drama Club presents Robin Hood, a colorful, fast paced play at the Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th and Atlantic Ave., Nov. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Nov.13 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Box Office during show nights or by phone 609-399-1290 ext. 1442, $12 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens. The play is directed by Leah Getz.
The Four Paws Reception to benefit the Ocean City Humane Society is set for 7 to 11 p.m. at the Flanders Hotel, 11th and Boardwalk, on Fri., Nov. 19. The event includes buffet, beverages and dessert. Tickets are $40. Call 609-399-2018 or access www.hsocnj.org.
Musical Mondays an upcoming cabaret series by the Ocean City Repertory Theater, kicks off on Nov.22 with local favorite, Andrew Hink on piano with guest vocalists. The series will combine music from blues, jazz, pop, Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood, notes theater director, Flossi Miccolo.
All performances will be held at the Repertory’s black box theater, 813 Asbury Ave.
Musical Mondays will be held every Monday evening from Nov. 22 through Dec. 20. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Reservations may be made by calling 609-457-6686. A dessert reception follows each performance.
The Ocean City Theatre Company is sponsoring a Miss Winter Wonderland competition for girls ages13-16 from Cape May and Atlantic Counties. The theme will be Giving Back for the Holiday Season. Contestants will collect monies to support the City’s Food Cupboard, the annual toy drive of the Just for Kids Foundation and the Theatre.
The crowning of Miss Winter Wonderland will be held on Dec. 17, the opening Night of A Christmas Wonderland, Ocean City’s Holiday Spectacular.
To learn more email octheatreco@ yahoo.com or download entry form at www.oceancitytheatreco.com.
First Night Admission Buttons are now available at Downtown Gillian’s, 838B Asbury Ave. Our gala New Year’s Eve Celebration presents 60 entertainment programs from 4 p.m. till midnight capped by fireworks. Call 601-391-0060 or purchase on line at www.firstnightocnj.com.