(ASBURY PARK, NJ) — For decades, music fans have come from all over the globe to Asbury Park to bask in the town that helped launch the career of Bruce Springsteen and spawned lyrics for some of the most popular songs in rock and roll history. This September fans will have the opportunity to take part in a special Springsteen-related fanfest - sort of a Beatlefest for Springsteen fans. Named after a popular Facebook Group, the 2017 Brucebook Convention in Asbury Park will take place September 22-24. Early bird tickets are on sale now for $35.
The gathering will officially begin on Friday, September 22nd with a "check in" for everyone in the lobby of The Berkeley Hotel. Each person who has registered with the convention will receive a "Bruce Bag” containing their official convention wristband, nametag, and a whole bunch of Asbury Park goodies and souvenirs. From there the group will go to The Berkeley Hotel bar and then off to various optional bars, clubs, and restaurants — essentially using the opening night as a chance to get to know one another. The Berkeley Hotel is the home base for the convention, but activities will take place throughout Asbury Park.
Saturday will be a special day for the Jersey Shore music fan with a special concert featuring Bobby Bandiera (long-time member of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, tours with Bon Jovi, as well as an extensive history in the Jersey Shore music scene dating back to his days in Holme and decades as a solo artist) and his band at The Wonder Bar.
On Sunday, fans get the opportunity to tour the legendary music sites in the area with Stan Goldstein (co-author of Rock & Roll Tour of the Jersey Shore) and original E Street Band drummer, Vini Lopez. The convention has a limited number of spots available on a luxury tour bus, which will offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience tour of Springsteen sites with commentary and stories provided by a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend. Seats on the bus are limited and available to convention attendees on a first come, first served basis.
Sunday also offers a variety of option activities from playing pinball at the Silverball Pinball Museum on the Asbury Park Boardwalk to games on the beach to shopping on Cookman Avenue. Fans will get the opportunity to see and visit plenty of the places which inspired songs and photos over the years.
With more than 8,000 members of Brucebook on Facebook, the convention will likely fill the town with Springsteen fans. And while the Miss America Beauty Pageant was originally designed to entice people to return to the Atlantic City boardwalk following the close of the summer season, the Brucebook Convention is centered around the celebration of Springsteen’s birthday on September 23. There’s no better way to celebrate his birthday this year than in Asbury Park!
Early-bird registration is done with a special password at the convention's Eventbrite page. To request the password, send a private message to “John J. Kelly” on Facebook. There are two names that come up when searched on Facebook. John of Brucebook lives in Detroit and his profile says “freelance writer.”
Early-bird registration closes on May 15. Registration from then on is $45.
Photo by Danny Clinch
