What’s Happening in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Check out these events in February & March.
(Feb. 13-15) For Your Valentine’s Weekend, the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company will present the Off-Broadway Sensation, “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits: Volume 1”. This family favorite “spoof” rolls into town for three shows, Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. No Broadway Show is safe from his satirical production that pokes good natured fun at hit musicals and the legendary performers who starred in them. Shows to be spoofed include Les Miserables, Wicked, Mamma Mia, Rent, Spamalot, Annie and more. This production features fantastic professional talent and a memorable evening at the Theatre during Valentine’s time.
Congratulations to Michael Hartman founder and artistic director of the Greater Ocean City Theater Co. for being named one of the ten outstanding choreographers in the country. Michael has built his Theater Company into a Broadway quality organization.
(Feb. 21) Baseball Fans! Did you know that 1915 was the first year the Phillies won the National League Pennant? I didn’t until baseball historian and author Bob Warrington called and told me so.
Bob will be in Ocean City Feb. 21 to tell us about how the team handled spring training one hundred years ago. It was a lot different from today. The First World War was underway. The team traveled to St. Petersburg not by train, not by plane but by boat. Spring Training was dangerous. Some players had to be hidden from the lynch mob. Bob will tell you why. There was a major storm, players almost drowned. The food was terrible. Pat Moran, the new manager was a tyrant. Yet the Phillies persevered and won the National League Championship.
All this and much more lore is in store for you if you attend Bob’s presentation 1 p.m. at the Ocean City Library’s Chris Maloney Lecture Hall, 17th and Simpson, on February 21. Admission is free, and you can take a photo holding the bat of Fred Luderus, the Phillies first baseman. Other Phillies artifacts and photos of the 1915 team will be displayed.
(Through February) Atlantic County Photogrphers are displaying Shore Images in the Ocean City Arts Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue. Photographers Loralea Kirby and son Zachary Kirby are displaying their photos in an exhibit called :”Take a Closer Look” There will be a “Meet the Artists” reception Feb. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The photographers work will be for sale and would be ideal for a Valentines gift.
Known as “Thru Our Eyes Imagery” the Kirby’s have worked together for more than a decade. Zak began taking photos at age 8 helping his mother who spent 25 years behind the camera. The Kirby’s mission, through their photographs, is to bring the real beauty of the Jersey Shore to visitors and residents of the State. They have travelled from the quiet and tranquil Pine Barrens to the beaches of Cape May County to capture the special scenes found only in New Jersey. The Kirby’s talent was first spotted by Arts Center, Executive Director, Rosalyn Lifshin at the City’s Boardwalk Art Show. Their “Roads Less Travelled” was purchased for the Center’s permanent collection. For more information, visit www.oceancityartscenter.org or call 609-399-7628.
(March 28) The City’s second annual Mr. Mature America Pageant is set for March 28 at 7 p.m. in the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The contest celebrates the experience, relevance and talents of mature men 55 and older. The Pageant welcomes singers, instrumentalists, hobbyists, story tellers, humorist, you name it.
Special guests include Herb Birch, leader of the Bubba Mac Blues Band who will receive an award for his long time contributions to music in the area. Also the reigning Mrs. New Jersey Senior America, Diane Beebe, will perform a song from Les Miserables. Popular, retired Philadelphia TV Anchor, Dick Sheeran will once again assist Maribeth Neall, emcee the Pageant.
The Pageant is open to men 55 years or older. Entry is free, with prizes to the winners and TShirts and Dietz and Watson Hams to all contestants. To enter Pageant, call 609-399-6111 ext 9300 during working hours or email msoifer@hotmail.com.
Public Service Events
(Now through Feb. 28) The Ocean City Board of Realtors latest community Service project is the Food Is Love Food Drive to collect food including canned items, juice, microwaveable pasta meals and more. Collection will include monetary donations as well as Shop Rite Gift Cards to be donated to the City’s Ecumenical Food Cupboard for local needy families.
Here are some items the Cupboard needs: Hormel Microwaveable meals, Microwaveable spaghetti O’s, lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, ravioli, canned meats (corn beef hash, Spam, Dinty Moore Stew, etc.) Jelly, Peanut Butter, Tomato pasta sauce (26 oz), canned beans liquid laundry detergent (48oz) dish detergent, paper towels, Shop Rite gift cards. For more information, contact Vicki Heebner 609-399-0128.
(Feb. 19) Ocean City will host a Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, 6th and Boardwalk sponsored by the City and American Red Cross. To be eligible to donate you must be at least 17, in good health, at least 110 pounds and not have donated in the last 56 days. There is a special need for Type O Donors. Appointments are preferred but not required. Call 609-399-6111 ext 9365 or access www.redcrossblood.org. For more information and eligibility requirements call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit website.