New Brunswick has had its share of legendary clubs over the years, but the scene has diminished in recent decades. The Roxy closed in the ‘90s and the Melody Bar followed suit in 2001. Even The Court Tavern has struggled to remain open, closing several times in recent years. Basement shows still remain, but are targeted for college students not thirty-something or older adults.
Robert D’Elia, the owner of The Ale ‘N ‘Wich Pub, has been a fixture in New Brunswick for years. As a fan of live music, he has often had to head out of town to see shows that were too small for the State Theatre. But he’s trying to change that.
D’Elia is booking shows for the first time and placing them at the George Street Playhouse, a 375-seat theater that offers a new venue size for the town. His first show takes place on Friday, September 11 with a performance by Mark Diomede’s Alligator Project (featuring members of Juggling Suns, Dead On Live, and Rainbow Full of Sound). The band will explore the true essence of the Grateful Dead’s earlier years after an opening set by The Suns of Scarab (Psychedelic R&B funk with a three-piece horn section).
“I always have to go into New York City or Asbury Park to see a good small show,” explained D’Elia. “Why do I have to go so far when New Brunswick has the George Street Playhouse, a great theatre with not a bad seat in the house that is surrounded by some great restaurants? There are a lot of people who come into New Brunswick, have dinner then leave because there is no other entertainment in town on a weekend night. It’s even worse during the week. These are people who do not want to see the traveling version of Annie, ballet or a classical symphony. With this inaugural show I am testing the waters to see if I can breathe some life into downtown on a Friday night.”
He’s lined up three restaurants (Clydz, Destination Dogs, and Harvest Moon) to offer pre-show discounts with show tickets and has Warren Distributing Co. and Sobieski Vodka sponsoring The Lobby Cafe, which opens 90 minutes before the show.
Future shows include Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens recreating his popular Confessions of a Rock Star show on January 8th and Burlesque-a-pades, a New York City burlesque and vaudeville troupe, on January 9. Shows on January 15-16 will be announced in the near future.
“I am very quickly learning the ins and outs of being a promoter, kind the same way I learned how to run The Wich - through trial and error,” said D’Elia. “I am hoping to have a summer concert series with indie artists, and maybe some big names; music documentary screenings with live music afterwards; magicians, comedians — I’m like an uncontrollable vine, reaching out in all directions, writing down names and ideas, then doing my research.”
