(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- A free show Wednesday, June 8, with Grateful Dead tribute band This Old Engine kicks off a series of performances at the Homestead – which opened in 2020, but has not featured original, live music on a regular basis until now.  Also coming up this summer are a Railroad Earth side project, Steve Kimock and Friends, and Spafford. These shows are presented by Flying V Productions, which has been promoting live music in New Jersey the last several years (most notably at The Stanhope House). 

“Some of my friends think that I am out of my mind to invest my time and money on live performances of original music – especially in these times,” says promoter Vincent Ventriglia of Flying V Productions. “But music is my passion, and as Homestead owner Billy Walsh says, ‘Let’s make this fun.’ ”

The Homestead is located in the heart of Morristown at 10 Dehart Street, and bills itself as a trendy, bi-level bar offering craft cocktails, beer and “elevated bar bites.” Located about 30 miles west of Manhattan, Morristown is easily accessible via Routes 80 and 287 and other local highways.  

“I’ve brought in a new stage, lights and sound, and we have a capacity of 700. There’s no other venue like this in northern New Jersey” says Ventriglia, who is also a musician and thus held in high regard by the bands he books. “I strongly believe that anyone who comes out will enjoy our shows and leave with a smile on their face.” 

Fittingly at the “soft opening” for the Flying V series of shows, western New Jersey native and Railroad Earth frontman Todd Sheaffer led the way as his all-star band rocked at the Homestead on April 24th.

The featured shows coming to the Homestead are: 

Wednesday, June 8, This Old Engine, free show. One of New Jersey’s leading Dead tributes. 

BENEFIT: Sunday, July 17, The Shawnee Mountain Boys, $20. A jam-packed evening of roots and Americana, featuring members of Railroad Earth, with special guest Blake Christiana of Yarn; and Bobby Syvarth’s album release party. Vincent Ventriglia’s Wig Party opens. Benefits The Shawnee Creek Watershed Conservancy.

Sunday, Aug. 14: Steve Kimock and Friends, $35. Guitarist regarded as one of the great improvisers of his generation.

Spafford, date TBA. Arizona band known for its astonishing improvisational ability and off-the-cuff extended jams.

Perpetual Groove, date TBA. From Savannah, Ga., known for its mix of Southern rock, funk, jazzy improvisation, indie rock and synth loops.

Doors open at 7:00pm and Sunday shows start at 7:30pm; other nights, showtime is 8:00pm. Other performances will be announced as bookings are confirmed.