North to Shore announces ’24 lineup: Matchbox Twenty, Kevin Hart, many others

The North to Shore Festival will take place in June in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City.

Billing itself as “The Festival Only Jersey Can Handle,” The North to Shore Festival will return for its second annual edition, this summer. Performers will include Gary Clark Jr., Band of Horses, Lake Street Dive, Bleachers, Steve Forbert and others in Asbury Park, June 10-16; Keyshia Cole, Prince Royce, The B-52’s, Barenaked Ladies, Frankie Valli and others in Atlantic City, June 17-23; and Matchbox Twenty, Kevin Hart, Gabriel Iglesias, Brothers Osborne, Samara Joy and others in Newark, June 24-30.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark is producing the festival, and at a March 7 press conference announcing the lineup at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJPAC president and CEO John Schreiber said that “more than 300 artists were presented in more than 100 venues, throughout Asbury, Atlantic City and Newark, during our first year, and an audience of more than 220,000 people came to hear and see an incredibly diverse lineup of artists. That level of engagement made North to Shore, in only its first year, the largest music festival ever held in the state of New Jersey.”

He added that “just for purposes of comparison, the festival I grew up on, which was the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, attracted 350 people in its first year, in 1970. It took Jazz Fest more than a decade to get close to numbers North to Shore had in year one.

“That said … our gumbo (is) not nearly as good as theirs. But we have a lot more to recommend us.”

Gov. Murphy helps to announce North to Shore 2024 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

Gov. Phil Murphy also addressed the crowd. “It is worth reminding ourselves of why we decided to embark on this journey,” he said. “It was a particular moment that (First Lady) Tammy (Murphy) and I were getting a readout on the South by Southwest Festival that takes place every year, and has for decades, in Texas. It’s a cool festival … there’s no issue with the festival, but I’ve got a lot of issues with the state of Texas. If you care about LGBQTIA+, if you care about our immigrant community, if you care about reproductive freedom, voting rights, gun safety, the environment … Texas is on the wrong side of history on every single one of them.”

He said he and Tammy approached his deputy chief of staff for economic growth Eric Brophy, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan, and Schreiber, and said, ‘Wait a minute, we’re arguably THE American state that’s most on the right side of history in all those values, and we’re also, arguably, THE American state, as it relates to talent, and diversity. Can’t we find a way to sew all that together and put a marker in the sand, and start our own festival?’ And that is how North to Shore was born.”

Other speakers at the Stone Pony included Newark mayor Ras Baraka, Asbury Park mayor John B. Moor and Atlantic City mayor Marty Small Jr., as well as Shané Harris, who is vice president and head of social responsibility for Prudential Financial, and president of The Prudential Foundation. Prudential Financial is this year’s festival’s title sponsor.

Here is the festival’s schedule, as it currently stands; some events are free, and some are ticketed. More offerings will be announced later. Tickets to many of the biggest shows will go on sale March 11 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

For ticket links, more information, and updates, visit northtoshore.com.

Gary Clark Jr. will perform at The Stone Pony Summer Stage, June 12.

ASBURY PARK

JUNE 11

4 p.m.: “Cultivating Advocacy: Leveraging the Arts for Food Justice” panel, online

8 p.m.: Alexander Simone & Whodat? Live Crew present “Soul in the Park 2” at The Watermark

JUNE 12

6:30 p.m.: Gary Clark, Jr. at Stone Pony Summer Stage

6:30 p.m.: “A Crane House Garden of Verses” readings at The Stephen Crane House

JUNE 13

5 p.m.: Blue Dot Inclusive Dance Party at 820 Ocean Ave.

5 p.m.: LGBTQ+ Singer/Songwriter Showcase at Georgies Bar

6 p.m.: Asbury Park African-American Music Project’s Turf Club Jam at Blackbird Community Commons, emceed by Gregg “Toogie” Bouie

6 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono at The Showroom

6:30 p.m.: Band of Horses Stone Pony Summer Stage

7 p.m.: “Sequined Dragnolias” (“Steel Magnolias” parody) at Talking Heads Barbershop

7:30 p.m.: Fauna & Flora starring Blaise and others at Baronet at The Asbury Hotel

8 p.m.: Mihali at Wonder Bar

SHERVIN LAINEZ

Lake Street Dive will perform at The Stone Pony Summer Stage, June 14.

JUNE 14

Noon: Showcase Stage at Grand Arcade featuring Des & the Swagmatics; Joseph Alton Miller, Mike Montrey and Dave Vargo; Johnny Nameless; Myster-E Edutainment; Space & the Goodstock Jamband; The Mercury Brothers

5 p.m.: Paint on Pine (art-making event), Pine Street and Third Avenue

6 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono at The Showroom

6:30 p.m.: Lake Street Dive at Stone Pony Summer Stage

6:30 p.m.: “Sonic Mass,” presented by Luminous Abstract at Trinity Church

6:30 p.m.: “Triumphant Life Church: Family Comedy & Concert Celebration” in collaboration with the Cazzeek Brothers at Springwood Park

8 p.m.: Delta Sleep at Asbury Lanes

8 p.m.: The Weeklings, The Beatles tribute at Wonder Bar

JUNE 15

10 a.m.: Artist in Residence Exhibition featuring Stephen Allan at Trinity Church

10:30 a.m.: “A Day of Queer Celebration!” at Asbury Book Cooperative

Noon: Asbury Underground Art and Music Crawl at various downtown Asbury Park venues

2 p.m.: Shadow of the City festival featuring Bleachers and others TBA at Stone Pony Summer Stage

2 p.m.: Ocean Avenue Stompers at R Bar

3 p.m.: Print-a-Palooza at Over the Moon Art Studios

6 p.m.: “She’s NorMale — A Transgender Odyssey” featuring Dr. Geena Buono at The Showroom

6 p.m.: “Dance Is Life: A Hustle Dance Party!” at Carousel Building

6 p.m.: KYDS SOULcase Community Event at KYDS Community Center

6:30 p.m.: Rainbow Silent Disco for All Genders and Ages, presented by The Light Brigade Collective at Trinity Church

7 p.m.: I Am the Avalanche at Asbury Lanes

8 p.m.: Dramarama at Wonder Bar

9:30 p.m.: ’90s Karaoke After Party with DJ Ted D’Bierre and DJ Tallspeedy at Georgies Bar

11:30 p.m.: Late Night Silent Disco with Space of Balance at Baronet at The Asbury hotel

Clarence Clemons will perform at The Wonder Bar, June 16.

JUNE 16

Noon: illSound Lovers Rock Day Party at The Watermark

Noon: St. Stephen AMEZ Church & United Fellowship Church/Manna Food Pantry’s A Family Festival: Honoring our Fathers, featuring Zal Walton at Springwood Park

1 p.m.: Drag Brunch at Georgies Bar

1:30 p.m.: Local Jazz Showcase, presented by The Light Brigade Collective at Trinity Church

2 p.m.: Sunday on St. John’s with Steve Forbert, The Wonderful Winos (featuring Vini Lopez) at St. John’s Island

2 p.m.: Ocean Avenue Stompers at R Bar

5 p.m.: “HEAVEN vs H.E.L.L.” (stage production) at NTL Event Hall, Neptune City

6 p.m.: Life Drawing with Jim Dessicino at Union Hall Arts

7 p.m.: Luminous Abstract’s “Memory Palace” (interactive installation) at Carousel Building

7:30 p.m.: Clarence Clemons Celebration with Jarod Clemons & the Late Nights at Wonder Bar

ADAM WALLACAVAGE

Kurt Vile will perform at The Anchor Rock Club, June 20.

ATLANTIC CITY

JUNE 18

4 p.m.: “Harmonizing Health: The Transformative Power of Arts in Maternal Well-Being” panel discussion, online

6:15 p.m.: “Silent Reflections”: Silent Films with Live Music Accompaniment at Little Water Distillery. “Different from the Others” (1919) and other films will be featured.

JUNE 19

6 p.m.: Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Double Feature Screening: “Beat Street” and “Wild Style” at Union Hall Arts.

7 p.m.: Mayor Marty Small’s White Party at Island Waterpark at Showboat

7 p.m.: Poetry Slam Noyes Art Garage

7 p.m.: Remember the ’80s Quizzo (trivia) at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

JUNE 20

6 p.m.: “5 Spirits, 5 Cocktails, 5 Mixologist, 5 Photographers, 5 Hours” at Little Water Distillery

6 p.m.: Skate AC Third Annual Art Show at Union Hall Arts

6 p.m.: Atlantic City Ballet at Noyes Art Garage

6 p.m.: Retro Future Night featuring Vinyl DJs, Vendors & Retro Vibes at Union Hall Arts

6 p.m.: “Knock Once for Yes: Paintings from the Otherworld” at The Seed

6:30 p.m.: Beer Dinner at Secret Garden

7 p.m.: Gina Roche’s “Music from the Prohibition Era with a Twist” at The Chelsea Pub and Inn

7 p.m.: ’80s Karaoke at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

8 p.m.: Kurt Vile, Emily Robb at Anchor Rock Club

Avery Sunshine will perform at Caesars, June 21.

JUNE 21

4 p.m.: “Meet the Muralists” at Cardinal Restaurant

5 p.m.: Sunset Jazz with The Bob Sterling Band at Ocean Bar

6 p.m.: Dancing Under the Rainbow at Claridge Ball Room

7 p.m.: Abuelita’s Secret Speakeasy featuring flamenco guitar player Joe Vlado at Cigar Lounge and Secret Garde

7 p.m.: The Barn Show (fundraiser for CROPS) at CROPS Store

8 p.m.: Avery Sunshine, Eric Roberson at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater

8 p.m.: Prince Royce, Wisin at Boardwalk Hall

8 p.m.: “Happy Together Tour” with The Turtles, Jay & the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues, The Cowsills at Ovation Hall at Ocean Resort Casino

8 p.m.: The Australian Pink Floyd Show at Tropicana Showroom

8 p.m.: “Last Hand: An AC Murder Mystery” at Claridge

8 p.m.: Beach Blonde: The White Chocolate Party at BAR|32

9 p.m.: DJ Skyline at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

The B-52’s will perform at Ocean Casino Resort, June 22.

JUNE 22

11 a.m.: #ACFamous Brunch featuring DJ Skyline at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

Noon: Linda Shields, The Jersey Shore Medium, at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Noon: E-Sports Showdown Tournament at ACX1 Studios at The Pier at Caesars

Noon: AC Street Artists Paint Out at Noyes Art Garage

Noon: Showcase Stage and Artist Village at Orange Loop Festival Grounds with Michelle Tomko, Open4Business, The Cason Express Show Band, Children’s Choir of Southern New Jersey, Lem Turner, Paige Washington, Village Bridge, Angela Burton & Passion

Noon: Skate AC’s Bash at Sovereign and Sunset avenues

Noon: Bespoke: A Cigar & Cocktail Experience at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

1 p.m.: Global Grooves: Music & Arts in the Park at O’Donnell Memorial Park

5 p.m.: Sinatra Supper featuring Robert Polillo at Secret Garden

5 p.m.: Kickstart! The Espresso Martini Experience Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

6 p.m.: High in the Mid ’80s (’80s music tribute) at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

6:30 p.m.: Beach Bonfire at Chicken Bone Beach (at Missouri Avenue)

7 p.m.: Sam Morril, Chris Distefano at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater

8 p.m.: Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim, K. Michele at Boardwalk Hall

8 p.m.: Frankie Valli at Hard rock Live at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

8 p.m.: The B-52’s, The Weeklings at Ovation Hall at Ocean Resort Casino

8 p.m.: Barenaked Ladies at Tropicana Showroom

8 p.m.: Sheng Wang at Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

8 p.m.: Yannis Pappas at Harrah’s

10 p.m.: “I Want to Dance” (’80s music) with DJ Skyline at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

JUNE 23

11 a.m.: Create 48: Atlantic City Mural Project

Noon: Showcase Stage and Artist Village at Orange Loop Festival Grounds with Michelle Tomko, Open4Business, The Cason Express Show Band, Children’s Choir of Southern New Jersey, Lem Turner, Paige Washington, Village Bridge, Angela Burton & Passion

10 a.m.: Beach Soccer Tournament, Atlantic City Beach at Stockton University

11 a.m.: #ACFamous Brunch featuring DJ Skyline at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Yard

2 p.m.: Soup Can Magazine’s Candemonium (spoken word/hip-hop showcase) at Sister Jean’s Kitchen

5 p.m.: Mary Cross’ Tribute to Phyllis Hyman & Timeless Jazz and Soul Classics at Celebrity Theatre at Claridge

Samara Joy will perform at NJPAC, June 23.

NEWARK

JUNE 23

7 p.m.: Samara Joy at Prudential Hall at NJPAC

JUNE 24

9 a.m.: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall

JUNE 24-30

Newark International Film Festival at various venues

JUNE 25

9 a.m.: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall

7 p.m.: “Prescribing Creativity: Promoting Health Equity through Arts-on-Prescription” panel discussion, online

JUNE 26

9 a.m.: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall

5 p.m: Well Together & BLAKTHEBRAND, “The Paradox of Being Art Show” at Equal Space

6 p.m.: “In Our Words … Stories from the Battlefield of Love — The Good, Bad, and Revolutionary” at 44 William Street

6:30 p.m.: The Lincoln Park Jazzy Soul Series at Terrace Ballroom at Symphony Hall

7 p.m.: “Jazz, Jamming, and Living Life” at Clement’s Place

Matchbox Twenty will perform at The Prudential Center, June 27.

JUNE 27

9 a.m.: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall

6 p.m.: Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue Dance Party at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC

6 p.m.: “Rah Digga’s Lyrics Matter: The Salon Series” at Clement’s Place

7 p.m.: Blues People at Clement’s Place

8 p.m.: Matchbox Twenty, Andy Grammer at Prudential Center

JUNE 28

7 p.m.: Lynette Sheard Experience at Clement’s Place

7 p.m.: The Amethyst & Amber Griot Gala: A Celebration of Newark Poetry at Kruger Scott Mansion

7:30 p.m.: New Jersey Symphony at Branch Brook Park

8 p.m.: Gabriel Iglesias at Prudential Center

8 p.m.: Brothers Osborne at Prudential Hall at NJPAC

8 p.m.: Zarna Garg at Victoria Theater at NJPAC

8 p.m.: Jeezy, Scarface at Symphony Hall

8 p.m.: Brick City Jam at All Points West Distillery

JUNE 29

10 a.m.: Art-making activities at Newark Museum of Art

11 a.m.: Lincoln Park Music Festival Power Up Yogi Fest at Lincoln Park

Noon: Showcase Stage, presented by Audible at Harriett Tubman Square. With Choy, Aja Moyé, J Read, Nicole Soul, Rasha Jay, Evelyn Tejeda, Charisa the Violin Diva & Strings Nation, Company of Collaborative Artists

Noon: Family Fun Day: An Interactive STEAM Fair at Newark Public Library

1 p.m.: CURRENTS: Collaborative Art & Ecology on the Passaic River at Riverfront Park Boat Dock

1 p.m.: “Newark Arts: Murals and Martinis” at Harriett Tubman Square

6 p.m.: “Newark Alliance: Night Market” at Halsey Street between New and Bleeker streets

6:30 p.m.: “Newark Levels: The Muses of Brick City” at Equal Space

7 and 9:30 p.m.: Sommore at Victoria Theater at NJPAC

7:30 p.m.: “Hey! I Heard You’re Black” (staged reading) at NJPAC Center for Arts Education

8 p.m.: Stephen Colbert, conversation with guest TBA at Prudential Hall at NJPAC

Kevin Hart will perform at The Prudential Center, June 30.

JUNE 30

10 a.m.: Art-making activities at Newark Museum of Art

Noon: Showcase Stage, presented by Audible at Harriett Tubman Square. With Choy, Aja Moyé, J Read, Nicole Soul, Rasha Jay, Evelyn Tejeda, Charisa the Violin Diva & Strings Nation, Company of Collaborative Artists

1 p.m.: Down in the Ro’ Open Mic Experience at Tinjune Restaurant

2 p.m.: “Broadway in the Bricks” at Military Park

2 p.m.: “Glory in the Garden” (gospel tribute) at Newark Lab School

3 p.m.: “Coming Home” (staged reading), presented by Aurway Repertory Theatre at West End Avenue Park

6 p.m.: The Vibes in the City Experience & Awards Ceremony at Newark Art Hub

6 p.m.: Roc & the Collective RnB Night at The Yard

8 p.m.: Kevin Hart at Prudential Center