(KEYPORT, NJ) -- There have been a number of legendary music festivals throughout history for music fans; Woodstock, Monterrey, and Live Aid set the standard while the torch continued with festivals like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Bamboozle, which showcase acts many are seeing for the first time. But I've never actually heard of a festival like the New Zoo Music Review, which will take place on September 15 from 2pm-7pm at the Keyport Marine Basin. For this festival, EVERYONE can be part of the musical lineup.
The New Zoo Music Review is a fundraiser for Tent City, a homeless shelter in Lakewood, NJ. Presented by Mandayne Productions, the festival allows artists to have their CD put into rotation to be played over the festival's speakers for a $20 donation to the cause. Meanwhile, festival attendees are encouraged to "bring acoustic guitars, bongos, and more. Feel free to jam along with the music. Don't just come to the festival, roam around, and be part of it!"
In addition to the music, there will be vendors, food, bike show, and a clothing/food drive. Admission to enter the vendor area is free and full admission is free for street musicians.
Vendors include Old Bridge Metal Militia, Jam Room Music Complex, 95.9 WRAT, Kathy's Psychedelic's, Teddy Bear Ink Tattoo, Zen Zone to The End Zone, Key Entertainment, Photo Dynamics, Musician's Rock Network, D &Z Body Jewelry, Without A Paddle Grill, Gaia Tarot Readings, Sambo’s Concoctions, Hey Nobody Recording Corp., Romantic Kitty, The Secret Willow, LLC., The Amazing Amusing Allison, Keyport Hobbies, Musician’s Workshop, and Revolver Screen Printing.
At the end of the night there will be an acoustic performance by Swamp Eddy.
Tent City began in 2005 when a few people who were homeless were trying to find a shelter. The result was a makeshift village in the woods near Lakewood. Nearly 70 people seeking shelter call Tent City home right now. With eviction notices from the township on its doorstep. Tent city is in need of community support, events like The New Zoo Music Review allow music fans an opportunity to help.
For more information on Tent City visit http://www.tentcitynj.org/
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.
