"When I was younger, I started playing hockey. My dad saw me get hooked and I went down hard. Afterward my dad removed me from hockey and said, You're done until you learn how to skate!" I remember I cried and cried because I really wanted to play (laughs) but it made me determined to be better." Those are the words of Feld Entertainment/Disney On Ice star Adam Blake as he prepares to come to Trenton for "Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic" at our very own Sun National Bank Center January 29 - February 2.
Blake actually began skating at the age of three, in his words, "it was only natural given the circumstances." "My dad was always helping out at a local ice rink as he was good friends with its manager," he said. "I was always with my dad so I spent a lot of time on the ice. When I stopped playing hockey, I began figure skating, I was impressed by people like Scott Hamilton and the such and their speed and agility."
Growing up in Knoxville, TN., Blake joined Feld entertainment, when in 2007 at the age of 18 he attended and passed a locally held audition for Disney's on ice production of "High School Musical." The popular musical on ice gave him his start and he's, "Been with them ever since."
Also a coach and a choreographer, Blake finds both experiences equally rewarding and quite useful as a performer. "Oh wow, the thing is, on the road we wear many hats. I don't do much choreography but having that knowledge is always useful in my performing, we help our fellow cast members as we spend so much time together; we coach each other. (Laughs) Being a performer is pretty awesome!"
Portraying the roles of Prince Eric, Mr. Incredible and Sargent from "Toy Story," Blake favors the latter as he enjoys the nuances and actions associated with the role. "I love doing the Sargent role, it's one of my favorites. Sargent has so many great and very sharp movements; there's dancing involved and I always enjoyed and wanted to be a dancer when I was younger. So, Yeah, I really enjoy that one."
Life on the road is usually not as glamorous as most think. I asked Blake about touring and balance of family and personal life; his answer was not out of line with most who are part of a large road production show. "The thing is, touring with a large group, you become a small community; I mean, you really do become like a family. We know that we are all in it together...."
As his voice trailed off, I asked him if he had a favorite memory or a standout moment; essentially, what gives him his biggest reward from performing; he explained, "The kids reactions. That is the best feeling ever; it is the absolute best feeling ever! Hearing the kids scream my characters name and seeing their reactions is very rewarding. There was this one time, oh wow, this was a great question, a favorite memory? There was this moment, we were in Green Bay Wisconsin, where myself and another character did back flips, we did the "Discount Double Check" just like the end zone touchdown celebration, a spontaneous move on our part and the audience went crazy; that was so much fun!"
"Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic" kicks off its first of nine shows with a 7 p.m. opening night performance on Wednesday. There are several matinee performances as well throughout the five day run which Blake says has a little something for everyone. "There will be an all star parade of Disney characters; It truly is amazing. There's characters from the older films like 'Snow White" and "Pinocchio" all the way up to the new films of today."
Ticket prices run from $15 to $40 for VIP packages and $65 to sit rink side. Please check the Sun National Bank Center web page listed below for more details.
This weekend it looks like Pete's Steak House and the Sticky Wicket are the hot spots. Ernie White and Tom Reock bring there great duo into Pete's on Friday and a seemingly rare appearance by Jeff Palmer & Friends takes the stage on Saturday. Great classic rock covers and originals are sure to be found when these two groups perform.
The Sticky Wicket features Out Of The Red on Friday and Deep Release on Saturday. Here too, both bands playing classic rock covers and even some music of the newer variety. All four bands over the two evenings will rock you, roll you and definitely get your toes tapping and feet moving.
Also on Saturday, F2, better known as Frank Squared and the Anchovy Brothers will take the stage at 8 p.m. at Amalfi's Restaurant and Bar in Lawrence. There's nothing "fishy" about this band though as they perform many forgotten and classic rock tunes.
Tuesday evening, I will be hosting yet another 'Rock On Radio" Happy Hour from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Tir Na Nog located on Hamilton Avenue in Trenton. My featured performer will be Jersey shore area artist John Alberici. John has recently adopted our Trenton music scene as a second home and would love to make new friends and fans. Following John will be an open mic. hosted by another great guitarist; John Patrick Bastiani. Come on out and visit us for drink specials, T-shirt and CD prizes and a great night of music!
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Caroline Reese and The Drifting Fifth
Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant and Bar
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8 p.m. Frank Squared and the Anchovy Brothers
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Pizza Party Night feat.Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. The New Dimensions
Sat. 7:30 p.m. The Mark Giovi Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Thurs. 9 p.m. The Gyrl Band
Sat. 9 p.m. ZQ Acoustic
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Jullian Pressley Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Cedar Gardens Pub
661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton
(609) 587-0930
Fri. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk
Sat. 9 p.m. Trenton Makes
All shows 21+
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Fri. 5 p.m. Barrier, Adaliah, Proletariat, Provenance, A Raven Among Doves, Illusionist, Vale Of years. All ages, $10/$12
Sat. 6 p.m. Death Before Dishonor, Betrayal, Seeker, Sicker Than Most, Not Til Death, Word On the Streetz. All ages, $10/$12
Sun. 10 p.m. Lurch Lightning, Ray Strife, JE Double F. Ages 21+, $5
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O'Neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Carm
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. (8 p.m.) "Winter Fest Kick Off" w/ Swift Technique. Doors at 7 p.m., $10 (10 p.m.) "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. Highway 41 (Allman Brothers Band Tribute). Doors at 6 p.m., $15 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. Best Of the Eagles (Eagles Tribute). Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sun. 6 p.m. An Evening w/ "Countdown To Ecstasy" (Steely Dan Tribute). Doors at 6 p.m., $25
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Wed. 8 p.m. "Wino Wednesday" Local Unplugged feat. Leoce
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 10 p.m. Mike Lenyo & the Trentones
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Na Bodach
Fri. 9 p.m. Jerry Feiss & Friends
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mother Nature's Child (9:30 p.m.) Lifeguard Nights w/ The Laundrymen
Sun. (3 p.m.) Brian Dolzani (9:30 p.m.) Ammunition
Mon. Open Mic.
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. Trivia Night
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 7 p.m. Fortunes Ridge
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Jeff Palmer & Friends
The Revere Ristorante
802 River Rd. West Trenton
(609) 882-6365
Sat. 8 p.m. Matt & Rachel
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (5 p.m.) Joe Vadala (8 p.m.) The Temporaries (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo. $10 (cover charge includes buffet, bands and DJs)
Sat. 9 p.m. Euro Night w/ DJs Wessy Wes, Steve Hype and DJ Marcin
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Star Subs Café
621 Rte. 130 Buckley Plaza Hamilton
(609) 333-1230
Wed. 7 p.m. Acoustic Open Mic. Night hosted by Bri LoBue
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. (8 p.m.) Sarcasm Comedy Night (9 p.m.) Far Cry
Sat. 9 p.m. Witches Bru
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Bad Hand
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Frank Cook Quintet feat. Vince Lardear. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Deep Release
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sun. 8 a.m. Spirit Brands "Northeast Championships" (Cheerleading). Doors at 7:30 a.m.
Wed. 7 p.m. Disney On Ice: 100 Years Of Magic. Doors 6 p.m., $15, $40 (VIP), $65 (rink side)
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. The Shanty's
Sat. 9 p.m. Oliver Mcelhone
Tues. (7 p.m.) Rock On Radio Happy Hour hosted by Danny Coleman feat. John Alberici. (9 p.m.) Open Mic hosted by John Patrick Bastiani
Wed. 9 p.m. Ned Malone
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 7 p.m. Social Thursdays w/ DJ Tangency
Fri. 7 p.m. Social First Fridays
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-JayKountree
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Sistermonk. $5 (coverage)
Sat. (1 p.m.) The Giant Flying Turtles. (free) (10 p.m.) The Paper Jets / The Levee Drivers. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. (4 p.m.) Mixxtape (7 p.m.) Open Jam Night hosted by The Lawsuits
Wed. 9 p.m. DW6
All shows 21+
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Fri. (6 p.m.) Arturo Romay. (9 p.m.) DJ Big Red
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Carole Lynne Jazz Duo
Wed. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
