Strumberry Pie is among the musical acts returning to the sidewalks and storefronts of downtown Red Bank, for the latest edition of Street Life on Saturday.
Sure, other towns have staked a claim to being that quasi-mystical place Where Music Lives — but when Red Bank StreetLife continues its Saturday evening schedule on June 14, it will transform the Borough of Basie into that place where Music greets visitors who arrive by rail; where Music provides an eclectic soundtrack to shopping and dining; and where Music gets mobile, on the streets of the downtown and West Side business districts.
Having kicked off its 14th season of busking-after-dusk on June 7, StreetLife runs its weather-permitting slate — a shuffle mix that ranges from Americana to ethnic, and from Sweet Adeline harmonies to a friendly bit of harmonic dissonance — every Saturday between 6 and 9 pm, through August 30. Presented by Red Bank Rivercenter, it all happens in a series of outdoor encounters that span Broad Street to Bridge Avenue. You might even (literally) stumble across the next big thing — and you can take it around the bend to learn more about this Saturnight’s lineup.
The roster for June 14 is a characteristically diverse one, highlighted by the all-age acoustic appeal of Strumberry Pie (appearing outside Readie’s Cafe) and the suburban streetwisdom of Kul d’Sack (featuring PieHole‘s own Jim Willis). Those who know Middletown’s Nancy Scharff primarily from large-scale settings like her annual God and Country Patriotic Concerts (continuing June 27 at King of Kings Church in M’town) and her big Christmas shows at the Count Basie will be pleased to see her shine in an intimate set outside the Galleria — and there’s more about town from jazz flautist Andrea Brachfeld and her trio, as well as teenaged bassist sensation (and young veteran of Red Bank’s Rockit! For Kids program) Greg Roberts.
Plans are also afoot to once again feature a variety of visual art displays and performances by area artists, with RiverCenter joining the Monmouth County Arts Council, the Art Alliance of Monmouth County and local Red Bank galleries. Stay tuned for more on that front, and check the website or Facebook for updates on the 2014 season of StreetLife.
