By DON STINE
The British are coming, the British are coming!. Well, at least their music is – to benefit Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove.
On Sat., July 30, Glen Burtnik and friends will be performing the best of the music from the 1960s British Invasion era at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Music from legendary bands such as The Kinks, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Petula Clark, Joe Cocker, Led Zeppelin, Mary Hopkin and others will be performed.
Burtnik said the music in the British Invasion show is the music he knows and remembers best.
“It’s music I grew up with and I love not only the Beatles but a lot of the music that came over from England. It’s the soundtrack of my life- so it’s play and not work to do the concert,” he said.
The British Invasion Concert will benefit Mary’s Place by the Sea located in Ocean Grove. Their mission is to serve women with cancer and support their healing: mind, body and soul.
“We feel honored to have supporters come out and experience the impact music has on all of us. Music has always been a huge part of our guests and their path to healing,” Mary’s Place co-founder Michele Gannon said.
Tickets are available at the Stone Pony Box Office, Paramount Theater Box Office, and through TicketMaster.com.
Burtnik said Mary’s Place was a good choice for the concert beneficiary.
“I not only like what they are doing by helping people with cancer but it’s also a proud community thing they have there. There is no shortage of worthwhile charities but how can you go wrong- this is a good choice,” he said.
Show promoter Sammy Boyd said he became aware of Mary’s Place when a family friend was diagnosed with cancer.
“My wife asked me to help them and I looked into it and thought it was a good idea. People can expect a good time at the concert and we are offering a great show to support Mary’s Place. I hope people will turn out to support them,” he said.
Boyd said there will be about 25 musicians on the stage during the concert.
“They are all volunteering the time to help,” he said.
Burtnik continues his tradition of putting together the most talented artists from both the local and national music scenes to create not just a performance but a musical experience. The show will feature a special appearance by The Weeklings performing the music of The Beatles and their own Beatle-inspired songs. Other special guests include Mark Hudson, Christine Martucci, Williams Honor, Jillian Rhys, Sal Boyd, Freedom Bremner, Neil Thomas, Fawn, Reagan Richards, Tommy Shafer, The Barefoot Strings, and The Maximum Horns, with more to be announced.
Mary’s Place by the Sea, a non-profit organization, launched in 2009 with a concert at the Paramount Theatre. Bobby Bandiera, Jon Bon Jovi, Deborah Harry, Tim McLoone, Gary US Bonds and others recently held their annual Hope 8 Concert for Mary’s Place. Quincy Mumford continued his tradition with a Holiday Show at the Stone Pony and now Sammy Boyd Productions & Glen Burtnik bring Mary’s Place back to the Paramount, where it all began.
“We are grateful to our amazing community for their continuous support,” co-founder Maria McKeon said.
