MUSIC & EVENTS
The jam sessions are informal gatherings in a "jazz club" environment where musicians can interact with each other playing jazz standards, focusing on improvisation, collaboration and networking. They offer opportunities for musicians to learn from each other and expand their skills and is a way to broaden jazz's appeal to a broader audience. 

The following equipment will be provided:
  • PA system with mics and stands
  • Music stands
  • Drum Kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keyboard and keyboard amp
Please note: As this is small room with an intimate "jazz club" vibe, volume should be kept to a minimum in order to maximize the experience for the audience.  This comes from previous experience with shows at the BAC.
 
Drummers should bring only brushes or rods (no sticks) in order to keep the volume level acceptable.
. Monthly Jazz Jam!

Hosted by Jeff Pecca

Every 3rd Thursday of the Month
7 - 9:30 PM (Doors open 6:30)
$5 Donation at the door for Musicians & Guests 

No Jazz Jam in October Instead Join us on Friday, October 16 for
The SeaNote Jazz Quintet is a local jazz group, playing American Songbook standards across a wide range of styles, something for everyone. On this occasion, "SeaNote JQ", led by Jeff Pecca of BAC's Jazz Jam Nights, is joined by two stellar vocalists; Deb Lyons and Natasha Wright.  This evening promises to be an experience not to be missed.
Next Jazz Night is November 19

The Jazz Jam sessions will take place at the BAC every third Thursday of the month   From 7 -  9:30 PM and will include a Featured Artist. Please email Jeff at [email protected] for more information and to be put on the Jazz Jam email list.”

[email protected].  Players should have some jazz background. This event is open to all players and guests. A $5 donation is requested at the door. 

Jeff Pecca was a student of the late jazz guitarist Harry Leahy in the 1970’s and has been playing and studying jazz ever since. Inspired by guitar legends Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Pass, George Benson, and Pat Metheny, Jeff has played in working jazz and rock bands in the New Jersey area for almost five decades. He currently leads the group SeaNote Jazz and plays in the local classic rock band Ronnie & the Engineers.
The Jazz Jam sessions will take place at the BAC every third Thursday of the month   From 7 -  9:30 PM and will include a Featured Artist. Please email Jeff at [email protected] for more information and to be put on the Jazz Jam email list.”

[email protected].  Players should have some jazz background. This event is open to all players and guests. A $5 donation is requested at the door. 

Jeff Pecca was a student of the late jazz guitarist Harry Leahy in the 1970’s and has been playing and studying jazz ever since. Inspired by guitar legends Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Pass, George Benson, and Pat Metheny, Jeff has played in working jazz and rock bands in the New Jersey area for almost five decades. He currently leads the group SeaNote Jazz and plays in the local classic rock band Ronnie & the Engineers.
SeaNote Jazz Quintet

Friday, October 16
 Show  7:00
Doors 6:30
Tickets $25.00
 
The SeaNote Jazz Quintet is a local jazz group, playing American Songbook standards across a wide range of styles, something for everyone. On this occasion, "SeaNote JQ", led by Jeff Pecca of BAC's Jazz Jam Nights, is joined by two stellar vocalists; Deb Lyons and Natasha Wright.  This evening promises to be an experience not to be missed.
.
Highway 61 Revisited

Saturday October 17
Doors 7:30pm
Show 8:00PM
Tickets $25 


Celebrating the 61st anniversary of Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited.
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Rising Stars Falling Leaves

Live Performance 
Date: Tuesday, October 20
Time : Doors 6:30pm; Show 7:00pm
Tickets: $25


 
 Join us for an evening of storytelling from 4 local & original song writers, who are spinning more than just spider webs this season 

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Nashville bluebird style songwriter showcase

Date: Wednesday, October 21
Doors: 7:00
Show: 7:30pm
Tickets: $30 Advance $35 at door 

Belmar Arts presents Nashville bluebird style songwriter showcase featuring  national touring artists Craig  Bickhardt, Dana Cooper and Marc Douglas Berardo. 

Craig Bickhardt is a folk/Americana performing songwriter with major writing credits, a poet’s voice, a virtuoso guitar style and a veteran’s experience. His songs have found their way onto platinum and Grammy-winning recordings by legends such as Johnny Cash, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Jonathan Edwards, David Wilcox, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea and Alison Krauss. His voice and songs can be heard in the Academy Award-winning film “Tender Mercies,” starring Robert Duvall, as well as the films “Switchback” and “At Close Range.”

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Dana Cooper—honored with Folk Alliance’s Spirit of Folk Award, the Heritage Musician Award, and Indie Acoustic Project’s Best Male Songwriter—brings legendary artistry and storytelling to the stage. He has performed on iconic stages like Austin City Limits and collaborated with music legends such as Lyle Lovett, Hayes Carll, and Kim Carnes. His 32-album catalog features his latest release, The Ghost of Tucumcari , voted the #1 Album of 2024 on the Americana Highways Readers Poll for its masterclass blend of Folk, Rock, Country, and Americana. Praised by critics as someone who "sings like an angel and plays like the devil," Cooper delivers an unmissable performance powered by a poet's eye and a bluesman's soul.

Marc Douglas Berardo is an award-winning Americana/Folk songwriter and skilled acoustic guitarist with more than 35 years of performing experience.   Known for his storytelling, humor, and engaging performances, his songs have earned recognition at festivals including Telluride, Kerrville New Folk, Rocky Mountain Folks, Suwannee, Wildflower, and Tucson Folk Festival . Berardos appearances on SiriusXM’s The Village was voted “best interview and live performance”. 
Neil Young by Decade

Date: Friday  October 23
Doors: 7:00
Show: 7:30pm
or
Saturday  October 24
Doors: 3:00
Show: 3:30pm

Tickets: $25

Neil Young tribute The ghosts of Neil Young by Decade the definitive Neil Young tribute band performs haunting acoustic versions of Neil Young's Best and spookiest songs.


CAST:
BOTVINNIK… Robert Siegel
HONEYMAN… John Correll
 
There will be ONE 10-minute intermission

Come out and join us for what promises to be a delightful and entertaining evening.
 
 
GhostLight Players
’ SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE stage reading of Lee Blessings’
A WALK IN THE WOODS.

Monday, October 26
 Show  7:00
Doors 6:30
Admission is FREE (suggested donation $5.00)
If you are unfamiliar with what a “stage reading” is, it is pretty what it sounds like… but more!  It is a form of theatre where actors act out a script aloud for an audience with little to no sets, props, costumers, or memorization (these items vary per performance based on what is needed).  It is an excellent way for theatres to try out/test new works, or reintroduced older lesser known/produced plays. 
It is also a great opportunity for the troupe to introduce themselves, and gather interest from others who may want to participate – GhostLight Players are very keen on working with new talent both ON and OFF the stage!
 PLOT:
 In the woods on the outskirts of Geneva, two superpower arms negotiators meet informally after long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. The Russian, Botvinnik, a seasoned veteran who has mastered the Soviet “hard line,” is urbane and humorous, but also cynical about what the current sessions can accomplish. His young American counterpart, Honeyman, a newcomer to the arms control talks, is stuffy and pedantic, but also fervently idealistic about what can – and must – be achieved through perseverance and honest bargaining. As the talks drag on and the seasons change, we become aware both of the deepening understanding between these two decent men and also of the profound frustration that they increasingly feel. When Botvinnik announces that he is leaving his post, Honeyman is genuinely regretful, not only because of the friendship that has grown between them but also because he knows that he must again confront the deep-seated mistrust and misconceptions a “new man” will bring with him. Stemming from an actual incident in Geneva in 1983 when a Soviet and an American diplomat took “a walk in the woods” together during arms control talks, Blessing’s provocative drama is a powerful and startling play about US and Soviet arms negotiators battling for supremacy. 
Jackson Pines are a folk band made up of best friends Joe Makoviecki and James Black. Hailing from the Pine Barrens of Jersey, Billboard magazine has said they "have a collection of music that presents a unique lyrical take on life, bringing a rustic flair to the world of indie-folk/acoustic music." Featured on PBS and NPR Music, Joe and James weave storysongs about growing up, people they've met, and love and loss on the road of life. They've toured England and Ireland, played Sea.Hear.Now, The Philadelphia Folk Festival and opened for many of their heroes, including Old Crow Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers, Margo Price, and many more. In addition to 3 albums of original music, the boys also specialize in authentic New Jersey folk songs, specifically that from the Pinelands and Shore. Their record Pine Barrens Vol. 2 was named 2024 Album of the Year by The Aquarian Magazine and led to a recent interview and performance view for The Smithsonian. Their latest album Wheel came out in February and features the songs "Just Like Casey Jones" and "Open Up The Door."
 
Dave Vargo and Friends

Friday, November 6
Doors 6:30
Show 7:00
Tickets $25
Dave Vargo is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music sits comfortably at the crossroads of Americana, folk, country, and rock. A Berklee graduate and longtime touring and session musician who has worked with artists including Whitney Houston, Phoebe Snow, Vonda Shepard, and Rupert Holmes, Vargo has developed a deeply personal voice as a songwriter and performer. His latest album, Ghost Towns, continues that journey through thoughtful storytelling, strong melodies, and beautifully lived-in guitar work.
 
Known for her distinctive voice, literally and artistically, Renee Maskin is a staple of the thriving music scene in Asbury Park, NJ. Her prolific output pulls from a deep well of influence, from folk, to vintage Americana, to modern indie-rock. Maskin has opened for a wide range of acts, including Jon Langford (Mekons), William Tyler, Del Amitri, Tyler Ramsey, and notably fronted her former group, Lowlight, on tour in support of The Pretenders. Maskin was named “Songwriter of the Year 2023” by New Jersey Stage Magazine. Her most recent LP, If The World Is Ending, drops October 15th.
 
Rick Norman, songwriter, singer musician and high energy performer Influenced by the rock explosion of the 1960s he has played most of the major and minor venues across the country and several in Europe. He records in Nashville with close friend, musician and well known producer musician Roger Moutenot. Rick's world view is simple "the best lived life is seeing it as a gift and that making the world a better place is something we all can do. Do something to share your positivity. Compliment others. Share a story, share your talent and time."
Sandi Joy
Friday  November 13
Doors 6:30pm
Show 7:00PM
Tickets $20 
BYOB

SANDI JOY
An independent artist, singer-songwriter, creative, and visual artist, Sandi brings to life her soul and imagination through song and art in a way that invites you personally to metaphorically walk alongside her in authenticity and experience.
 
Born and raised in New Jersey within generations of familial musical history, Sandi's heart for music is not just a passion, but her primary language and the very core of who she is.
 
You're cordially invited to join Sandi as she embarks on her journey of self-discovery, portrayed through the canvas of song, crafted through the spirit of her soul, and presented to you as a personal gift from her to you, wherever it may meet you.
 
“Be my shelter, be my storm. When I'm in the eye, water's calm but I can feel you pull me down. Hidden in the wreckage of your undertow. ” - Sandi Joy

SSP
Saturday November 14
Doors 6:30pm
Show 7:00PM
Tickets $20 
BYOB

SSP—Ian Smit, Jim Stagnitto, and Steve Peckman—creates music in the moment, drawing on decades of experience across jazz, experimental music, composition, and performance. 
The trio first came together as members of the acclaimed World Jazz septet Monkeyworks, performing at venues including NYC’s Knitting Factory, Asbury Park’s Showroom and The Saint, and even spending a month as musical artists-in-residence at the Guggenheim Museum.

Now, as SSP, they explore the space between composition and improvisation, acoustic and electronic, familiar and unexpected. Expect deep grooves & harmonies, atmospheric textures, twists and turns, and the kind of musical interplay that can only happen when little is completely predetermined.
 
Autumn Elizabeth & Chris Koch each bring their own distinctive voices and songwriting perspectives to the evening. Each will perform individually before joining SSP for collaborative interpretations of their songs. Their voices will become part of the adventurous blend of songwriting and spontaneous musical exploration—sometimes composed, sometimes improvised, and always open to where the music wants to go.

Joseph Anthony Comedy at the BAC
Saturday November 21
Doors 7:00pm
Show 8:00PM
Tickets $25 advance $30 at the door
BYOB

Please welcome our new Comedy Director, Joseph Anthony.

About Joseph Anthony
Joseph Anthony began using humor and sarcasm at an early age to navigate life’s challenges, drawing inspiration from classic variety shows and legendary comedians. A finalist on Last Comic Standing and a guest on The View, he has headlined top comedy venues and earned acclaim for his one-man show, Joseph Anthony Speaks the Truth. Known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and improvisation, Joseph’s comedy is rooted in real-life experiences and has earned him multiple comedy competition victories.
About Chris Covert 
Chris Covert: Chris has performed his musical comedy from coast to coast, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. His style is risque, but his lyrics are so smart and relatable (especially in NJ), that you'll leave singing them on the way home. Despite the edge, Chris has likeability. He's a proficient musician and comedian, who most recently killed it at the Comedy Roast of New Jersey, in the famed Count Basie theater, with Jeff Ross and Joey Diaz. He's currently on tour with Drooling Piano's. 

Strikes and Gutters
Sunday November 22
Doors 3:00 PM
Show 3:30 PM
Tickets $25 

Strikes and Gutters is the acoustic-rock trio of Dave Handler (Cajon), Evan Siegel (Guitar) and Brian Celardo (Guitar); three close friends who have been making music together for the last 10 years. Their relatively new acoustic trio is built on strong songwriting, easy chemistry, and a shared love of the classic ‘70s sound. Their repertoire reflects a diversity of genres—from folk and blues to modern indie and classic rock—reimagined through an acoustic lens. With acoustic guitars, cajon-driven rhythm, and close-knit harmonies, they deliver songs that feel lived-in and genuine. Influenced by the likes of Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, and Jack Johnson (to name a few); their music lands somewhere between reflective and quietly uplifting. Their EP is in the works with a release date sometime in early 2027.
https://youtu.be/nnkB6l_EESs?si=fAwcUw6otQBFPbin
Live Concert Featuring the MY Jacobs Ladder, LLC Songbirds
December 5, 2026

Celebrate the joy of music, friendship, and community at the Belmar Arts Center as the MY Jacobs Ladder, LLC Songbirds present their live winter concert, an uplifting event filled with familiar songs and special guest performances.

Choose from two performances on Saturday, December 5, 2026:
  • 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Each performance is limited to 50 attendees to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Location:
Belmar Arts Center
608 River Road
Belmar, NJ 07719
Tickets are available exclusively through the Belmar Arts Center. Reserve your seats early, as space is limited!
Come celebrate the season with music, friendship, and the incredible talents of our MY Jacobs Ladder Songbirds. We look forward to sharing this special event with you!
A Cat in a Box” is Tom Nemec’s autobiographical solo play about growing up in a dysfunctional alcoholic home, childhood trauma, and the unexpected turns his life took. Following runs in New York City and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, where it earned critical praise and five-star reviews, Tom brings his deeply personal story of family, loss, addiction, recovery, resilience, love, and laughter to Belmar.

Check out a short video clip of A Cat in A Box SOLO Play

https://youtu.be/d0xQzzRiSBI?is=MZkvHBOexpRJD0Yz

 
Plus poetry by Mike Farragher.  Mike Farragher is an author of six books, two off-Broadway plays, and is the producer of the TV series "McLean Avenue". He will be sharing some selections from his latest book. "Broetry in Motion".

There will be a brief discussion after the show.