Famous Asbury Park Bandshell to Reopen May 12

ASBURY PARK—The Axelrod Performing Arts Center will be kicking off its “Up On The Roof” concert series in Asbury Park on May 12.

The concert, featuring the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO), which only plays the works and arrangements of famous Asbury Park bandleader Arthur Pryor, will start at 6:30 at the newly restored Arthur Pryor Bandshell, located on the boardwalk, according to a press release.

The Arthur Pryor Bandshell, currently located on Fifth Avenue, was originally built in 1962 as a replacement for the original uncovered bandshell on Eighth Avenue.

After being closed for a couple of decades, The bandshell has been newly restored after being closed for a couple of decades and will officially open with this inaugural concert of Arthur Pryor’s music just in time to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary.

PRO’s conductor, Asbury Park native Rick Benjamin, established PRO after discovering thousands of Pryor’s scores in an abandoned Asbury Park warehouse in 1985.

“What a joy it is to return with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra to Asbury Park and the Arthur Pryor Bandshell—the place where, at age 15, I played my first professional concert—to pay tribute to a historic musician who has greatly influenced my career,” Benjamin said in a press release.

“Arthur Pryor’s music was world-renowned and even today transports us to magical, simpler times. And that’s the experience we look forward to bringing to our live audiences in the great city of Asbury Park.”

The May 12 concert kicks off the Vogel Summer Concert Series, presented by the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Wednesday nights throughout the summer in Asbury Park.

Upcoming concerts this summer include The Wicked Divas on May 26, starring two of Broadway’s favorite witches from the blockbuster musical, Alli Mauzey and Dee Roscioli, who will sing favorite songs from “Wicked” and other Broadway musicals. On June 9, “American Idol” alum and twice-Tony-nominated Broadway star Constantine Maroulis will perform original songs and favorite covers with his band.

On June 23, Tony-nominated Broadway star Jarrod Spector and his wife Kelli Barrett will take the stage. The popular Beatles tribute band, The Weeklings, will perform on July 14, and Tony-nominated Broadway star, from the original company of “Rent” and “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida,” Adam Pascal will perform on July 28.

“American Idol” and Broadway stars Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo will take the stage on August 11. The Motown tribute band, The Motor City Revue, will create their authentic musical magic on August 25. Each show is presented at 5:30 PM and 8 PM.