BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Explore New Jersey - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://explorenewjersey.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Explore New Jersey
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T233000
DTSTAMP:20260507T115241
CREATED:20260429T121807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260503T162814Z
UID:88286-1779433200-1779492600@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:Jumpstart to Summer with Nelly\, along with Corbyn Besson\, Maleigh Zan & DJ sets from Disco Fries and Invida
DESCRIPTION:Jumpstart to Summer 2026 at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk: The Jersey Shore’s Defining Kickoff to the Season Returns Bigger\, Louder\, and Unmatched \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Jersey Shore does not ease into summer—it ignites\, and nowhere is that ignition more electric than along the sands of Point Pleasant Beach when Z100 brings its flagship seasonal launch back to life. Jumpstart to Summer 2026 is not simply a concert\, not merely a radio broadcast\, and not just a crowd event—it is a full-scale cultural activation that transforms Jersey Shore into the epicenter of music\, media\, and momentum heading into Memorial Day weekend. \n\n\n\nSet for Friday\, May 22\, 2026\, this year’s edition arrives with the kind of anticipation that only a legacy event can command. Built on years of sold-out crowds\, viral moments\, and high-impact performances\, Jumpstart to Summer has evolved into one of the most recognizable live music experiences in the region—an annual convergence where radio meets stage\, and where the Shore becomes the soundtrack of the season. \n\n\n\nFrom the earliest hours of the morning\, the atmosphere begins to build. At precisely 6:00 a.m.\, Elvis Duran and the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show go live directly from the beachfront\, broadcasting across the tri-state area and beyond. It is a defining moment that signals the official arrival of summer energy—live microphones\, celebrity guests\, crowd interaction\, and the unmistakable pulse of a shoreline waking up to something major. By 7:00 a.m.\, doors open\, and the boardwalk begins to fill with fans\, many of whom have already secured their place hours—or even the night before—in anticipation of what follows. \n\n\n\nBy mid-morning\, the transformation is complete. At 10:00 a.m.\, the event shifts into full concert mode\, with the iconic boardwalk setting morphing into an open-air stage that rivals any major festival environment. The 2026 lineup is anchored by a true headliner with cross-generational impact: Nelly\, whose catalog continues to define early-2000s hip-hop and remains a staple of live performance culture. His presence alone elevates the event into must-attend territory\, delivering a set that blends nostalgia\, chart dominance\, and high-energy execution. \n\n\n\nSupporting the headline performance is a carefully curated lineup that reflects both emerging talent and evolving pop sensibilities. Corbyn Besson brings a dedicated fanbase and a polished pop presence that resonates with younger audiences\, while Maleigh Zan represents the next wave of breakout performers\, offering a fresh and dynamic addition to the stage. The momentum never dips\, thanks to continuous DJ-driven energy from Disco Fries and Invida\, whose sets ensure that the boardwalk remains in motion from the first beat to the final drop. \n\n\n\nWhat distinguishes Jumpstart to Summer from other live events across New Jersey is not just the lineup—it is the scale of accessibility and immersion. This is a fully free\, all-ages event\, a rarity in today’s live music economy\, and one that reinforces its identity as a true community-driven celebration. There are no tickets\, no paywalls\, and no barriers to entry beyond arrival time and enthusiasm. It is an open invitation to experience the Shore at its most energized and inclusive. \n\n\n\nBeyond the stage\, the event extends into a full boardwalk takeover. Brand activations line the promenade\, with interactive installations\, pop-up experiences\, and high-visibility sponsor integrations—most notably from presenting partner M&M’S—creating a festival ecosystem that blends entertainment\, engagement\, and visual spectacle. From giveaways to experiential booths\, every corner of the boardwalk contributes to a larger narrative: summer has arrived\, and it has arrived with force. \n\n\n\nOperationally\, the event runs with the precision expected of a production of this magnitude. Strict guidelines are in place to maintain flow and safety\, including restrictions on chairs and oversized bags\, ensuring that the standing-room format remains efficient and accessible. Veteran attendees understand the rhythm—arrive early\, travel light\, and be prepared to stay immersed. The density of the crowd\, particularly as headline performances approach\, reflects the event’s reputation as one of the most sought-after live experiences on the Shore. \n\n\n\nFor Explore New Jersey readers and the broader regional audience\, Jumpstart to Summer is more than a single-day event—it is a signal. It marks the pivot from spring into peak season\, from anticipation into action. It reinforces Point Pleasant Beach as a cornerstone destination for live entertainment and positions Jenkinson’s Boardwalk as not just a leisure location\, but a stage capable of hosting nationally recognized programming at scale. \n\n\n\nIt also aligns seamlessly with the broader trajectory of New Jersey’s music and events landscape\, where accessibility\, high-impact programming\, and destination-driven experiences continue to define growth. Events like this amplify the state’s visibility\, drawing attention not only from local crowds but from across the tri-state region\, reinforcing the Shore’s role as a cultural and entertainment hub. \n\n\n\nAs May 22 approaches\, the message is clear: this is not an event to discover late. It is one to plan for\, to arrive early for\, and to experience fully. Whether drawn by the headline performance\, the live broadcast energy\, or simply the pull of the Shore itself\, Jumpstart to Summer 2026 stands as one of the most definitive and high-profile seasonal launches anywhere in New Jersey. \n\n\n\nFor ongoing coverage of major live events\, performances\, and seasonal experiences shaping the state’s entertainment landscape\, explore the latest in New Jersey music culture through Explore New Jersey’s dedicated music coverage hub.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/jumpstart-to-summer-2026/
LOCATION:Jenkinson’s Boardwalk\, 300 Ocean Avenue \, NJ\, Point Pleasant Beach\, New Jersey\, 08742\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concerts,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://explorenewjersey.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/JSTS26_VenueSIgnage_1080x1080.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260522T233000
DTSTAMP:20260507T115241
CREATED:20260422T000255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T000301Z
UID:87378-1779480000-1779492600@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
DESCRIPTION:Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Ignites Asbury Park: The Stone Pony Summer Stage Season Opens with a Defining Night of Improvisational Power \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs the Jersey Shore prepares to reassert itself as one of the most vital live music corridors in the country\, the arrival of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at the Stone Pony Summer Stage on Friday\, May 22\, 2026\, stands as more than just a concert—it is a seasonal reset\, a cultural marker\, and a signal that Asbury Park’s outdoor concert circuit is officially alive again. Positioned as the marquee opening night of the Summer Stage calendar\, this performance carries both symbolic and sonic weight\, setting the tone for what promises to be a defining summer across New Jersey’s thriving music landscape. \n\n\n\nSet against the backdrop of Ocean Avenue\, where the Atlantic breeze meets one of the most storied venues in American rock history\, the Stone Pony Summer Stage has evolved into a premier outdoor destination that blends legacy with scale. It is here that Joe Russo’s Almost Dead will deliver a two-set performance designed not merely to entertain\, but to expand\, reinterpret\, and push the boundaries of a catalog that has already shaped generations. Gates open at 5:30 PM\, with the performance stretching into the night\, expected to conclude by 10:30 PM—a full-bodied live experience that aligns perfectly with the venue’s open-air energy and the communal spirit of summer on the Shore. \n\n\n\nJoe Russo’s Almost Dead has built its reputation on something far more ambitious than tribute. While rooted in the music of the Grateful Dead\, the band operates as a fully realized improvisational force\, reengineering familiar material into something urgent\, intricate\, and entirely their own. Anchored by drummer Joe Russo’s explosive rhythmic command\, the ensemble—featuring Marco Benevento on keys\, Dave Dreiwitz on bass\, Tom Hamilton on guitar and vocals\, and Scott Metzger on guitar—functions as a dynamic unit that thrives on risk\, interplay\, and real-time reinvention. Every performance becomes a unique document\, shaped by spontaneity and driven by a deep understanding of both structure and freedom. \n\n\n\nThis is precisely why their appearance in Asbury Park resonates so strongly within the broader context of New Jersey’s music ecosystem. Across the state\, from historic theaters to emerging festival spaces\, there has been a renewed emphasis on live performance as both a cultural anchor and an economic engine. Through the lens of the Explore New Jersey music platform\, this moment fits squarely into a larger narrative: New Jersey is not just hosting shows—it is curating experiences\, building scenes\, and sustaining a live music identity that continues to evolve year after year. \n\n\n\nThe Stone Pony Summer Stage itself plays a critical role in that evolution. As an extension of the iconic indoor venue\, the outdoor stage expands capacity while preserving the authenticity that has defined the Pony for decades. It is a space where legacy acts\, contemporary innovators\, and genre-defying performers converge\, creating a calendar that reflects both history and forward momentum. Opening that calendar with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is a deliberate and strategic choice—one that speaks to the band’s ability to draw a dedicated audience while delivering a performance that feels expansive and unpredictable. \n\n\n\nFor fans\, this show represents more than a ticketed event. It is a gathering point for a community that values musicianship\, improvisation\, and the shared experience of live sound unfolding in real time. JRAD’s audience is known for its engagement\, its attentiveness\, and its willingness to follow the music wherever it leads. That energy\, when placed inside an outdoor setting like the Summer Stage\, creates an atmosphere that is immersive and electric\, where the boundaries between performer and audience begin to blur. \n\n\n\nTickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster\, with general admission pricing beginning in the accessible range\, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the experience. As with any live event of this scale\, details such as support acts remain subject to change\, and venue policies—including the Summer Stage’s e-cigarette-only smoking rule—are in place to ensure a streamlined and enjoyable environment for all attendees. \n\n\n\nBeyond the logistics\, what ultimately defines this night is its timing and its intent. Positioned at the front end of the summer season\, this performance acts as a launch point—not just for the venue\, but for the rhythm of live music across the Shore. It is the moment when anticipation turns into action\, when calendars fill\, and when New Jersey once again asserts itself as a destination for serious live music culture. \n\n\n\nThose looking to explore more of what the state has to offer this season can dive deeper into the full landscape of performances\, venues\, and emerging events through the Explore New Jersey music section\, where the ongoing story of the state’s live music scene continues to unfold in real time. \n\n\n\nJoe Russo’s Almost Dead arriving at the Stone Pony Summer Stage is not just a date on the calendar. It is a statement performance\, a season opener with purpose\, and a reminder that when the lights go up in Asbury Park\, the entire region is listening.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/joe-russos-almost-dead-2/
LOCATION:The Stone Pony Summer Stage\, 909 Ocean Ave N\, Asbury Park\, New Jersey\, 07712\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concerts,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://explorenewjersey.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/JRAD_1200x628.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR