By SARAH KNEIFF
The Fourth of July is almost here and you can toast America’s birthday by attending an array of holiday concerts, music events or plays.
With a week full of “Killer Queens,” “Little Mermaids” and epic DJs, there is an adventure for everyone.
Dates include July 1-8. Events take place in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Atlantic City and other places on or near the Jersey Shore.
July 1:
Killer Queen: Queen Tribute
- What: Killer Queen, the longest established worldwide Queen tribute, is a concert filled with your favorite Freddie Mercury songs.
- Where: Ocean City Music Pier
- When: 7 p.m.
- Website: killerqueenonline.com
Puppy Pals
- What: Puppy Pals Live – The Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show is a hilarious presentation for the whole family and the dog lover in all of us. The spectacle stars mostly rescued dogs. From shelters to showbiz, these pooches perform stunts and breathtaking feats.
- Where: Surflight Theatre
- When: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Website: surflight.org
July 2:
Alanis Morissette
- What: Alanis Morissette’s Triple Moon Tour
- Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- When: 7:30 p.m.
- Website: alanis.com
• Note: She also plays July 3
South Pacific
- What: During World War II, Nellie, a nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a local French estate owner, Emile. Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent girl with whom he’s fallen in love. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe’s life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness. South Pacific won the Pulitzer Prize and 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
- Where: Surflight Theatre
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: surflight.org
• Note: Show also runs on July 3 and July 5
July 3:
Justin Hayward
- What: Justin Hayward’s Blue World Tour
- Where: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre
- When: 7:30 p.m.
- Website: justinhayward.com
Kesha
- What: Kesha will perform all her top hits, plus new music from her latest album.
- Where: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
- When: 7 p.m.
- Website: jambase.com
The Little Mermaid
- What: Surflight presents your favorite children’s stories with their own twist. Geared for kids ages 3 to 10.
- Where: Surflight Theatre
- When: 6 p.m.
- Website: surflight.org
• Note: Also runs July 5 and 7
July 4:
John Cafferty & Beaver Brown Band
- What: John Cafferty & Beaver Brown Band celebrate Somers Point legacy of Eddie & The Cruisers.
- When: 7 p.m.
- Where: On the beach at New Jersey and Bay avenues in Somers Point
- Website: Somerspointbeachconcerts.com
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
- What: Willie Nelson will take the stage with Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and more
- Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- When: 1:30 p.m.
- Website: freedommortgagepavilion.com
Zack Martino
- What: Celebrate the holiday with DJ Zack Martino
- Where: Headliner Oasis
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: headlineroasis.com
July 5:
Mardi Gras In July!
- What: New Orleans party music. Waylon Thibodeaux and Ben Levin at the piano with Danny Eyer, world-class Cajun fiddler and Bourbon Street entertainer.
- When: 7 p.m.
- Where: On the beach at New Jersey and Bay avenues in Somers Point
- Website: Somerspointbeachconcerts.com
Blackmore’s Night
- What: Legendary guitarist formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore and award-winning vocalist Candice Night created a new genre of music for all ages inspired by melodies of the Renaissance period, and Blackmore-ized into contemporary music. They call it Renaissance/Folk/Rock.
- Where: The Vogel
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: thebasie.org
- Note: Show runs July 6, too
Damn The Torpedoes – A Tribute To Tom Petty
- What: Damn the Torpedoes is the definitive spot-on Tom Petty tribute. Every show is a celebration of everything Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. DTT brings a two-set show of Petty hits and fan favorites.
- Where: The Wonder Bar
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: wonderbarasburypark.com
Railroad Ear
- What: Leftover Salmon and Yonder Mountain String Band on The Stone Pony Summer Stage.
- Where: The Stone Pony
- When: 6 p.m.
- Website: stoneponyonline.com
July 6:
- What: Elvis Tribute: Jesse Garron’s tribute to Elvis Presley returns to Sea Isle City.
- Where: Excursion Park. Spectators should bring folding chairs or blankets for seating at the park.
- When: 7:30 p.m.
- Website: www.VisitSICNJ.com or call the Sea Isle City Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.
Joel Corry
- What: The platinum-selling artist is known for his single “Sorry” peaking at No. 6 in the UK Top 10. He has since followed the streak with further platinum hit singles “Lonely” and “Head & Heart” featuring MNEK that has hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.
- Where: HQ2 Nightclub + Beachclub
- When: 11 a.m.
- Website: hq2ac.com
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
- What: Singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo will sing hits like “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Love is a Battlefield,” “Promises In The Dark,” “We Live For Love,” “Heartbreaker” and “Hell Is For Children.”
- Where: Ovation Hall
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: theoceanac.com
Rita Hayworth – The Heat is On
- What: This critically acclaimed concert is about the life of Rita Hayworth, the star who built Columbia Pictures. It’s a humorous, heartfelt and heartbreaking look at The Golden Age of Hollywood, Me Too Movement and The Price of Fame.
- Where: Cape May Stage
- When: 8 p.m.
- Website: capemaystage.org
July 8:
The Wailers
- What: The Wailers are a reggae band formed by bassist Familyman Barrett and the remaining members of Bob Marley & the Wailers.
- Where: Ocean City Music Pier
- When: 7 p.m.
- Website: Click Here For Tickets
