The Toronto Film Festival has announced some more films, several of which will be on my “must see” list when I attend the fest which runs from Sept. 4-13.
In the Midnight Madness category, my favorite guilty pleasure, Jean-Claude Van Damme, a.k.a. “the Muscles From Brussels,” stars as himself in JCVD, a tale about an action film star caught in the middle of a real life heist. What will JCVD do when the bullets are real?
As a fan of Aussie cinema, I can’t wait to see Not Quite Hollywood. (Pictured is a scene from Max Max included in the film.) A documentary on Australian genre cinema of the ’70s and ’80s. The film features Jamie Lee Curtis, Dennis Hopper, Stacy Keach, Quentin Tarantino and other celebrities sharing their love and memories of an unjustly forgotten cinematic era.

The Burrowers is a western with a horror flick twist that begins with a Searchers-like tale about a family that’s been abducted. While the searchers assume they are looking for Indians as the kidnappers, that is not the case.
The documentary genre continues to flourish. Toronto has 26 on tap to date. Several will be on my movie list including the kung fu masters of The Real Shaolin and LeBron James's high school basketball team in More Than a Game. The American sexual revolution is covered in the flick American Swing. Visit the festival site for more info.
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Left: DSO rhythm guitarist Rob Eaton

On Wednesday night, July 30, Dark Star Orchestra (DSO), a talented band from Chicago that recreates Grateful Dead concerts with Martha Stewart-like meticulousness, visited Showboat’s House of Blues in Atlantic City for the first time since May 2006. DSO formed in 1997 and has played over 1,500 gigs around the country and in Europe, announcing the date, city and concert venue they replicated at the end of each show. They arrange the stage in a mirror image of how the Dead had it, and seek out equipment appropriate for whatever their prototype's era was at that time. Like the Grateful Dead throughout its history (1965-95), DSO tries to never duplicate the same set list twice. A capacity HOB crowd witnessed DSO reenact with its own element of improvisation the Dead's April 4, 1988 concert at the Hartford, Conn., Civic Center. Three of the first four songs in the set were first sung by the Dead's Bob Weir, including "Promised Land," "Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Little Red Rooster." His DSO counterpart, rhythm guitarist Rob Eaton, bears a striking physical similarity to Weir in both voice and appearance. Lead guitarist John Kadlecik looks nothing like the late Jerry Garcia, but his virtuosity with a guitar is comparable and his voice is eerily similar. The three-hour show (with a half-hour break) included one of the first songs the Dead ever performed, "Cold Rain and Snow," as well as two Bob Dylan numbers, "Memphis Blues" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." Rob Barraco, a former member of the Zen Tricksters (a band that now includes ex-Dead vocalist Donna Godchaux) and Phil and Friends (fronted by ex-Dead bassist Phil Lesh) showed some incredible expertise on the keys throughout the evening. A rather surreal side to DSO, besides the fact that they were established in the city where Garcia played his last show in 1995, is that one of its founding members, keyboardist Scott Larned, passed away suddenly in April 2005 while on tour. An element that permeates the Grateful Dead's mystique is that the band lost four keyboardists to sudden, untimely demises throughout its 30-year history.

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According to the FAA, a plane has crashed in Minnesota this morning killing seven passengers. It is believed the plane was en route from Atlantic City. According to a KARE-11 report out of the Twin Cities, "Early indications are that the victims are two pilots and five passengers."
The report goes on to say that the plane was a Hawker 800 series, "filled with customers for a company called Viracon out of Owatonna."

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I’ve been laying low on the political front, taking off until the conventions, but this AP story got my attention. Our two presidential candidates will become comic book crusaders October 8. It was announced that Barack Obama and John McCain will be immortalized in comic book biographies, released by IDW Publishing. On October 8, the books will be released in comic book shops and go on sale online and for reading on cell phones.
According to special projects editor Scott Dunbier, “I think comic books really do have the great potential to inform and teach and do more than just standard superhero comics." In other words, perfect for voters who find reading the morning newspaper too much of a strain. Go here for the full story.

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Tickets for the recently announced Oct. 11 Lindsey Buckingham concert at the Trump Taj Mahal's Xanadu Theatre go on sale Friday, Aug. 1 at noon. Those who purchase tickets online ($48.50 & $38.50) are entitled to receive a free copy of Buckingham's new album Gift of Screws for each pair of tickets ordered. Visit Buckingham's official Web site for more information.

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Caesars will celebrate secret agent Bond, James Bond, with a 007 Dinner Double Feature on Thursday, Aug. 14. The evening’s events include a 007 Theme Dinner at Phillip’s Seafood in the Pier Shops at Caesars, followed by screenings of the films Goldfinger at 7pm, and Casino Royale at 10pm in the Circus Maximus Theater.
It’s a great double bill since these are two of the best flicks in the series. In my AC Weekly review of Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale (2006) I noted that, “In over 40 years of Bond movies, the style has often been reshaped to fit the times. As promised, Casino Royale returns to the Bond we remember from the Ian Fleming novels and the early Sean Connery era, someone who shoots first and asks questions later. There is no gadget master and no ridiculous stunts from moving planes.”

By teaming this great return of the franchise to the fabulous early roots of the series and the first Bond to win our hearts, Sean Connery, Caesars has stirred up plenty of interest from this film critic.
The dinner at Phillip’s and the double feature is $40. The 007 dinner includes a James Bond menu and theme martinis, with a choice of Phillip’s Chopped Salad or King Crab Cake with martini marinated shrimp for starters. Entrée options are Grilled Flat Iron Steak with jumbo crab and vodka-flavored butter or Peppercorn Mahi Mahi pan roasted and served over sautéed spinach and shoe string potatoes. The dessert is sweetened Phyllo pastry with Kahlúa mousse and fresh berries. Seating is available from 5–9pm and reservations need to be made by calling 348-2273. Admission to both James Bond movies is included in this package. If you just want the see the flicks, the cost is $5. In addition, free roulette and blackjack lessons will be offered where you can learn to play like Bond himself.

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An episode of Animal Cops has broken out in A.C. A dog was thrown from the overpass near the A.C. Expressway earlier this week. Local animal activists are offering a $2,500 reward to help smoke out the killer of "Angel," a Boston terrier puppy thrown to its death. The dog died from massive head injuries. A driver heard a thump on his car and stopped to investigate, finding the dog. It is bad enough to see how animals are abused on the numerous episodes of Animal Cops on Animal Planet, but to have such a vicious act take place in our neighborhood is horrifying. Several animal-rights organizations have banded together to pool their reward money. A private citizen put up $1,000 with additional funds coming in from New Jersey Aid for Animals, the Animal Law Coalition and Pawtographs of Cherry Hill. Read the full story here. If you know something about this vicious act, call the local S.P.C.A.

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I was delighted when I saw the cover of Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer and saw my Atlantic City High School classmate, Jane Golden, on the cover. She was profiled as part of a series called “Defining Lives,” portraits of people who “distinguish our region, for the nation and the world. I won’t go into all the details (you can read the story here) but Jane Golden is an artist who specializes in murals. For the past 25 years, Golden has been in charge of a program called Mural Arts, an art program for inner-city kids. Golden helps organize local kids who paint murals in the city. Golden, who grew up in Margate, did a local mural that is unfortunately, no longer around. When the Frank Theatres has a movie theater in Somers Point, she did a movie themed mural. Pictured is a section of that work. Go here for a video of Jane.

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The inaugural Cherri Kravitz Scholarship Foundation’s Memorial event celebrated Cherri’s life tonight at Maynard s Café in Margate. From Left, Rich Maffei, Zach Kravitz, (grandpa) Pinky Kravitz, Olivia Kravitz, Rebecca Kravitz, Morgan Maffei, DJ Sparkles and Katrina Kravitz drew the winning numbers for the door prize and auction winners.
Pinky and Janet Kravitz joined by their children, Jeff and Julianne from California and Greg & Jamie who live in this area and their children joined with local leaders, and friends of Cherri who was a teacher in the Atlantic City Public Schools, most recently at the Richmond Avenue Elementary School.
The celebration was held to raise funds to carry on Cherri’s goal of aiding Atlantic City High School graduates and a Richmond Avenue Elementary School graduate to continue their education.
(Photo by Lew Steiner)

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Although it's subject to change, the schedule for the Atlantic City Airshow, to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 10:30am-3pm, has been released. The full schedule appears on our A.C. Visitor's Guide

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority has provided the following information:

"The Atlantic City Airshow is free to the public. However, for those looking for a front row seat, Flight Line Club tickets are available for purchase. Tickets cost $20 per person and feature premium
seating for the best view of the airshow. Food and beverages can be purchased a la carte. Beach chairs and umbrellas are not permitted.

Flight Line Club tickets are available at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800-736-1420 or online. Tickets are based on a first come first served basis. The Flight Line Club is located on the beach to the south of Florida Avenue.

Presented by Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder Over The Boardwalk” is a community partnership between the Greater Atlantic City Chamber; the 177th Fighter Wing of the N.J. Air National Guard; South Jersey Transportation Authority; FAA William J. Hughes Tech Center; The Atlantic City International Airport; David Schultz Airshows, LLC; the City of Atlantic City; and the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
For more information, visit www.atlanticcityairshow.com."

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The Borgata just keeps upping the ante when it comes to the A.C. casino scene. Following on the heels of their opening of The Water Club, Michael Schulson’s Izakaya, defined in the press materials as “a modern Japanese pub,” has opened at the B. At the press night, joined by my sister-in-law Jan, a big fan of Japanese cuisine and a Borgata employee, I indulged in the classic “small plate” fare that the Izakaya features. As you walk around and enjoy the Japanese artwork and the high ceilings that categorize the space, you can watch the chefs work in the two food spaces. There is the grill station where the Robatayaki skewers are prepared, and the cold station where the sushi chefs present their craft creating rolls and sashimi. There is also a bar where the mixologists pour the premium sake and other cocktails.
The highlight of the culinary efforts for me was the yellowtail tuna sashimi. The fish was fresh and flavorful, melting like butter on your tongue. And by dipping the morsel in the soy reduction dipping sauce, you also experienced a nice touch of spice. Another favorite was one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, spicy tuna artfully arranged on a rice cracker for a lovely contrast in textures. The tuna shares the cracker with jalapeño. The rolls were all outstanding, especially the eel, king crab, yellowtail and lobster. On the cooked side of the room, the chicken skewers were delicious and the Kobe beef was incredibly tender. Spears of asparagus were enhanced by the smoky flavor of the grill.
My sister-in-law declared the sake she sampled wonderful, and is looking forward to returning to Izakaya for any evening out. The prices, incidentally, are more reasonable than you’d expect in an elegant casino restaurant, Go here for more info, including the menu.

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According to JP at the National Lampoon blog The ZAZ Report, I am now a Web-lebrity.
I’ve become infamous on the Rotten Tomatoes movie Web site for being one of the few critics who didn’t like Iron Man. I’m used to people being annoyed at my negative reviews of a favorite film, but the Iron Man review really stirred up the fan boys. One guy actually said he was going to kill me and my family. Well, as it turned out, all this negativity has fueled my 15 minutes of fame. JP interviewed me and the story is posted on the ZAZ Report. You can read it here.
In my defense, it’s only a movie review. You might like the next one I write. I will continue to say what I think about a movie and not worry if I agree with the rest of the critics or not. If I did care about fitting in, I wouldn’t be much of a critic. By the way, I did love the brilliant Dark Knight, so I guess I’m safe from the comic book mob this week.

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When the pitching rotation was announced for the current Phillies-Mets series, I was nervous. The new guy from Oakland, Joe Blanton, opening against Johan Santana, followed by Brett “We hope his head is on straight now” Myers vs. John Maine, and old (and we do mean old) reliable Jamie Moyer vs. Oliver Perez.
Game one featured an exciting, wonderful finish for the 8-6 Phils win, but didn’t exactly make this Phillies fan confident about the new guy, who sure looked like Adam Easton all too often. Of course it was great seeing the Phils hitters taking advantage of the weakened Mets bullpen for a sizzling six-run ninth inning. Daily News scribe Sam Donnellon did a great story on the two teams you can read here.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for tonight, hoping that the Brett Myers who was a solid starting pitcher returns from the minors tonight, and not the disgruntled wannabe reliever.
The adventure at Shea continues.

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The Downbeach Film Festival has announced that New Jersey-bred filmmaker Kevin Smith will be honored August 9 at a retrospective during the inaugural DBFF taking place Aug. 8–10. Smith will speak about his career and hold a Q&A with the audience. It won’t be the first time he has done a Q&A in our area. He appeared at Stockton College in April of 2006 for “An Evening With Kevin Smith.” I interviewed him for that appearance. You can check it out here.
The festival kicks off August 8 with films shown at the Margate Performing Arts Center. Also scheduled to appear at the festival is filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. He will be bringing the film Explicit Ills, which he produced, starring Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) and Lou Taylor Pucci. For all the details, including ticket prices and the film schedule go to the festival Web site.

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I can’t believe that the Toronto Film Festival is just around the corner. I’ll be attending for the 21st time this September, and am looking forward to another marathon ten days of moviegoing from Sept. 4–13. It will be interesting to see how the TIFF tops having George Clooney and Brad Pitt at the festival last year. As usual there will be 300 films from around the globe on tap.
The first flicks have been announced for the festival, the most fan-friendly major festival in the world. Jonathan Demme is bringing his latest to Toronto, Rachel Getting Married, starring Anne Hathaway and Debra Winger. Richard Eyre’s The Other Man, features a smashing cast including Liam Neeson, Antonio Banderas and Laura Linney. Actor-director Ed Harris is bringing his western Appaloosa to the fest. He also wrote and stars in the film, with Vigo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger and Jeremy Irons.
For information on purchasing tickets and packages for Toronto, check out their Web site here. Pictured is Anne Hathaway.

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Like the opening of the Borgata five years ago July 4, it was a historic day today in Atlantic City as the new Chelsea hotel opened off the Boardwalk on Chelsea Avenue. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this morning to usher in the non-gaming facility, which is a gorgeous, retro-minded update on the building that hearkens back to the feel of Atlantic City’s glory resort days — with an eye on the future.
Said Curtis Bashaw (pictured) at the well-attended ceremony: “There are characteristics and personalities to old buildings … buildings have a soul.”
The Chelsea certainly has a history and soul of its own and it is apparent that Bashaw, who is the co-managing partner of Cape Advisors, the developers of the boutique hotel, took a lot of time to carefully extract ghosts and relics of the past from building that once housed the Holiday Inn and Howard Johnson, and was formerly the original Hotel Chelsea, built in the 1890s.
35,000 sq. ft. of roofing was replaced at the building. 700 people worked on the construction, which included the installation of 10,000 sq. ft. of metal soffit, copings, roofing, wall panels and expansion joints.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony included appearances and speeches by several key figures from the project, state and city including Bashaw (“We’re excited to re-open this hotel … I truly believe that Atlantic City is at a crossroads”) and restaurateur Stephen Starr (“I fell in love with this idea … I used to come to [the former] Teplitzky’s. I remember it well.”) Starr will have two restaurants (Chelsea Prime and Teplitzky’s) open at the Chelsea in early August. Gov. Jon Corzine said: “We love [the 500 new jobs!]. This is really a class act.”
The Chelsea and the Borgata’s new Water Club are the first new non-gaming, boutique-style hotels to open in Atlantic City in a long time. While both have one eye looking back on the rich resort-town history of Atlantic City — that, says Bashaw is something the city should embrace now instead of leaving it behind — both properties’ developers have their other eyes looking out into the city’s seemingly bright future.
The vision, said Corzine, is to turn Atlantic City back into a “family resort,” where there other things for visitors to do than gamble.
The Chelsea, added the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority executive director Jeff Vasser, “sets a new standard for hotels in Atlantic City.”
The grand opening celebration included a street fair, featuring cotton candy, hot dogs, stilt-walkers, hot dogs and music provided by the classy Carl Granieri Orchestra.
Chelsea’s “Luxe” rooms are currently opened; Chelsea Prime, the 5th Floor (pool, lounge and more) and Teplitzky’s deli will be open in early August; the “Lite” rooms will be ready by mid-August; the venue’s "Crystal Ballroom" will be open in mid-September and the hotel’s “Sea Spa” is expected to be open in mid-October.
(Photo Lew Steiner)

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Bob Kephart will be tossed on the coals — metaphorically of course — when the founder, owner and producer of Atlantic City’s Comedy Stop Café & Cabaret at the Tropicana Quarter is roasted on Thursday, July 24, 10pm, at the venue.
The event is being hosted by comedian Butch Bradley, an Atlantic City native and long time performer at the Stop.
Says Bradley, “Atlantic City's most successful comedy venue, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this summer and how could we not take an opportunity to roast the man who made it all happen.” Bradley, who is the official Master of Ceremonies for the Comedy Stop’s Silver Anniversary Celebration, is currently putting the final details together for this event which he promises is an evening you don’t want to miss. “I have a wild and hilarious line up consisting of comedians, media personalities and a few outrageous surprises,” says Bradley. “It is going to be an evening that makes comedy history here in Atlantic City.”
The roasting line-up includes comedians Brian McFadden, Mike Donovan, Deena Blizzard, Manny Oliveria, Al Ducharme, local media personalities, Chuck Darrow, AC Weekly’s publisher, Lew Steiner, Scott Cronick and Tropicana Casino and Resort President, Mark Giannantonio. Go to the Comedy Stop Web site here.

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Thanks to a tip from our contributor Bill Gelman, it looks as though a huge fight is for October featuring Bernard Hopkins vs. reigning middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik. The bout is slated to be at Boardwalk Hall on Oct. 18.

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This Friday, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine will sign a bill separating the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). He will do this at noon in front of Boardwalk Hall. The bill will also transfer ownership of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall to the ACCVA. This is a divorce everybody wants.
As Pinky Kravitz noted in his ACW column of May 8:

“The two entities were joined together when Atlantic City decided that it needed a new convention center and needed the NJSEA to set up the financial aspects of the deal. As such, the NJSEA became the overseer of all the activities of the ACCVA. The latter has paid the NJSEA $300,000 a year for the oversight. It is now more than 10 years later and the ACCVA has proved that it can operate without any oversight and is making sufficient funds to take care of its financial obligations."

The legislation will enable the ACCVA to more directly control operating finances and marketing initiatives by allowing the ACCVA to report directly to the Governor’s Authorities Unit, instead of to the NJSEA.

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In today's Philadelphia Inquirer, Ed Snider announced that this will be the last season of the Spectrum, the sports and entertainment complex that was once home to the Flyers and the Sixers.
The building is coming down to make way for a new retail-and-entertainment complex. The end of the Spectrum will be another fond farewell celebration for a building that holds many sports and concert memories for millions. However, there is an intriguing Atlantic City angle to this story. The Flyers minor league club, the Philadelphia Phantoms, will be homeless as the end of next season. The article noted that according to Peter Luukko, president and CEO of Comcast-Spectacor, the Phantoms might need a temporary home base in another town, possibly Atlantic City or Allentown. Read the story here. As local hockey fans know, the hockey rink at Boardwalk Hall has been mostly dormant since the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies left town after the 2005 season for Stockton, Cal.
According to Jeffrey Vassar, the executive director of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors’ Authority, he had preliminary talks with Comcast-Spectacor months ago, before it was decided that the Spectrum would come down. Says Vassar, “Now that the roadblock is down, we anticipate taking the conversation to the next level.” When it is suggested that the players might prefer A.C. to Allentown, Vassar said, “If that’s true, I hope the players talk to management.”

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If you guessed the band that wrote the theme songs for the various CSI TV programs you would be right. The Who will be back in town at the Borgata on Friday, Oct. 31. It is the band's third gig in our region in the last two years. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am. Also recently announced was a John Mayer concert Aug. 24 at the Borgata. Over at Boardwalk Hall, Jesse McCartney and Jordin Sparks will headline in the Ballroom Aug. 22. Tickets go on sale this Friday. The New Kids on the Block have added a second Borgata show Nov. 7; their Sept. 27 performance is sold-out. Also on the Nov. 7 show is Natasha Bedingfield, who is also making her second stop at the Borgata. Go here for ticket info for the Borgata, and here for Boardwalk Hall. Pictured are Pete and Roger, our cover boys for the Nov. 23, 2006 issue.

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Tropicana Casino and Resort Sr. VP of Operations, Al Maiorani (left) presented a $10,000 check to kick off the Salvation Army 5K run and 1-mile walk this Sunday to Major Kathleen Calvo, Rosalia Valenti Marino, Chair, Salvation Army Board and Board Member Everly Zarus and Major Joaquin Calvo, Tama Hughes, Tropicana’s Vice President Corporate Counsel, Dept. and some of the children the Salvation Army helps. (Photo by Lew Steiner)

Folks can become a Santa this July and give a local child the gift of a summer camp experience by participating in the Salvation Army’s annual ‘Christmas in July’ 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk on Sunday, July 20.
This year’s event is presented by Tropicana Casino Resort and will take place at the Atlantic City Garden Pier (Boardwalk and New Jersey Ave.). Registration starts at 7am, with the accurately measured and timed 5K Run starting at 8am and a family-friendly 1-Mile Walk starting at 8:30am.
The donation to participate is $25 and $10 for Children under 12. A free one-day pass to the Steel Pier ($35 value) will be given to a child (under 14) registrant when accompanied by an adult registration.
Enjoy DJ entertainment, refreshments and a mid summer appearance of Santa Claus. A souvenir T-shirt will be provided for all pre-registrants and post-registrants as available. There will be an awards ceremony immediately after the race. Gift certificate awards will be given to the top finishers as well as the top three males and females in ten year age groups. There will also be awards for the top pledge collector and the top pledge ‘Team’.

To receive registration and pledge forms e-mail rosaliavalenti@aol.com or call Rosalia Valenti Marino at 927-3966. Registration can also be done online at www.active.com.
The Salvation Army is pleased to have the Tropicana Casino and Resort as its 2008 Title Sponsor. Tropicana’s sponsorship will enable many local children to have a memorable summer camping experience at the Salvation Army’s Atlantic City Summer Day Camp Program and overnight camping experience at Camp Tecumseh in Pittstown, NJ. “It is wonderful to see the Tropicana step up to the plate and give our local children a gift of Summer Camping. It will be an experience they will never forget. Our goal is to provide a productive and fun summer for 150 children. We can do this only with the help of our summer ‘Santas’- our 5K runners, walkers and sponsors” remarked Rosalia Valenti Marino, Salvation Army Board Chair.
Join the Tropicana and increase the number of children that will have a memorable summer by becoming a sponsor or a participant. Call Major Kathleen Calvo at (609) 344-0660 ext. 103 for details.
If you would prefer to send a donation, please send it to: July Run, The Salvation Army, 22 South Texas Avenue, Atlantic City, N.J. 08401.
The Salvation Army Summer Day Camp program is located at 22 S. Texas Avenue in Atlantic City. The overnight camp is at Camp Tecumseh, located on 400 beautiful acres of rolling hills in rural Hunterdon County in Pittstown, N.J. The camps’ mission is to create an experience and an environment that promotes spiritual, physical, emotional and social growth for children. A camping experience includes swimming, nature hikes, arts & crafts, dance, basketball, soccer, clubs and much more!
Remember, the run takes place this Sunday, July 20 to share a healthy and fun morning on the Boardwalk to support the important work of The Salvation Army in Atlantic City.

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See my blog below for details of the War at the Shore victory for Vai Sikahema, but here are some screen shots from the NBC Channel 10 video you can see here.
It was a strong right followed by a left that sent Jose Canseco down for the count at 1:37 of the first round. You don't mess with the Tongan Terror.

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This past Saturday, I took advantage of the abundance of activity options available and put together one heck of a day. It began with blueberry picking in Woodbine at 8:30am. Not too many berries were available, but enough for my breakfast. Next it was a drive to North Wildwood; by getting up early I avoided the traffic and made good time on Route 9 and the Parkway to get into town at 9:30am as they were setting up for the Anglesea Blues Festival and BBQ Competition. I found a great parking spot (getting there early makes all the difference) and headed for the beach.

The beach in North Wildwood is not as huge as Wildwood proper, and I enjoyed several hours of sunbathing, walking and boogie-boarding in the great waves created by Hurricane Bertha. Then it was time for a delicious chocolate chip water ice and a bracing walk to the blues festival, to enjoy the music of Chili Stu (pictured) and enjoy some of the numerous BBQ options available. These included some terrific pork skewers, and from Rib-Bins, a few “bones” and the pork and beef chopped meat platter with coleslaw and baked beans.
I returned home in time for a movie break, the silly but enjoyable kids’ adventure Journey to the Center of the Earth, then dinner before heading out to the War at the Shore at Bernie Robbins Stadium.
We all know what happened there. Vai Sikahema took out the much taller (6’4”-5’9”) and heavier (250-205) Jose Canseco. Jose didn’t train and it showed. Sikahema’s boxing experience and intensity were way too much for the bad boy of baseball. Jose made all his best moves before the fight, with his ridiculous posturing and faux tough guy attitude. Twenty seconds into the fight and Jose made Vai look like Mike Tyson in his glory years, tearing into a terrified opponent. The Tongan Terror lived up to his pre-fight bravado, and his pose was way cooler, too, a bunch of relatives and friends (including former Eagle Reno Mahe) in full Tongan warpaint chanting and whooping it up pre- and post-fight. Classy Vai gave his $5,000 winnings to the family of Stephen Liczbinski, the Philadelphia policeman killed in the line of duty in May. Go here to see the video on Channel 10's Web site.
Now that is what I call a fun day and night in my South Jersey stomping grounds.

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You can’t beat a combination of tasty barbecue and great blues music. For both, head to Wildwood this weekend for the 10th Annual Anglesea Blues Festival, July 11-13, and the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship.
The three-day open-air festival, staged at 2nd and Olde New Jersey Ave. in North Wildwood, features a fabulous lineup of bands, along with a championship barbecue competition, live cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, cooking classes and food galore. Plus there is an antique car show and a juried craft show adding to the festivities. Festival hours are 5–11pm, Friday, July 11; 10–10, Saturday, July 12 and 10am–6pm, Sunday, July 13.
Bands performing free concerts on the festival’s main stage this year begin with BlueBone on Friday from 5-7pm. Linwood’s Patrick Droney, 15, a blues guitarist who has opened for B.B. King at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, performs from 7:30–10:30pm. For the complete musical line-up, go here.
The festival’s barbecue championship competition is sanctioned and officiated by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the world’s largest association of barbecue enthusiasts. More than $8,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The judging takes place at noon on Sunday. A special barbecue cooking class also will be offered at 12:30pm on Saturday and Sunday by national competitive barbecue authority, Ed Roith. Advance registration for the class and a nominal fee are required. Not only is this a great time, but proceeds from the Anglesea Blues Festival and New Jersey State Barbecue Championship benefit the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company, which has served the community since 1897.

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Mike Peters, leader of the Alarm, phoned AC Weekly to let us know that tonight's Rockin the Colonies concert, which was to include the Alarm, the Fixx and the English Beat at the House of Blues at Showboat in Atlantic City, has, unfortunately, been canceled. HOWEVER, the Alarm will still be in Atlantic City — and will play at the IRISH PUB!!
According to Peters, the band will play around 8:30pm.
And here's an update with video:

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Sunset Cinema, the incredibly cool moviegoing experience that allows you to watch a first run flick on the Wildwood beach, returns this weekend. Now through Labor Day weekend, you can pack a picnic dinner (no glass permitted), bring your beach chairs and check out the movies. The opening weekend features are Journey to the Center of the Earth at 8:35pm and Hellboy II at 10:15pm. Located on the beach next to the Wildwood Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, tickets are available at the Convention box office and are $9 adults, kids and seniors, $6; 609-770-2570. Separate admission for each feature. Rain checks are given for inclement weather and are good anytime. Sunset Cinema has chairs for rent and a full concession stand. The sound system is fabulous considering the open air setting, and the blow-up movie screen allows for a picture that’s nearly indoor quality. What an indoor theater can’t top is the sound of the waves, and the sound of the kids screaming in the distance as the rollercoaster hits the high point. Watching the moon rise behind the movie screen is pretty cool as well.

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As the AP reports today, the developers of the planned Revel casino, currently under construction next to Showboat, are asking Atlantic City for some financial assistance.
"The City Council is scheduled to introduce an ordinance Wednesday night that would allow it to issue $56 million worth of bonds to provide money for Revel to redesign and widen access roads to the project," the article states.

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Is it all just hype? Will the Jose Canseco-Vai Sikahema celebrity boxing match be just that, another publicity stunt or will it turn into a real battle?
Well, I’m going to be at Bernie Robbins Stadium this Saturday to see for myself. Both men are doing some serious training. This won’t be Sikahema's first bout. Years ago, long before his football career, he was a Golden Gloves pugilist. He’s also participated in celebrity boxing matches before. Canseco did not pick an easy mark.
Canseco is also training seriously; his financial woes have been well documented so anything he can do to get his name in lights. By the way this won’t be Jose’s first trip to Bernie Robbins Stadium. Back when he was trying to keep his baseball career alive, he played for the Newark Bears one season and visited the AC Surf stadium, then known as the Sandcastle, several times. Check out AC Weekly’s preview of the bout by Bill Gelman here. Tickets will be available at the stadium on fight night
I’m picking Vai in a second round knockdown.

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I’ve never liked the “sleaze” element when it comes to male revue shows. That’s why the award-winning Aussie show Thunder From Down Under over at Trump Marina is such a welcome, guilt-free opportunity to enjoy the male form in motion. These Aussie hunks create an entertaining evening of well-toned masculinity on parade, enhanced by impressive dancing skills. It’s bawdy and a bit naughty but without a bit of raunch.
The show is presented Wednesday to Saturday at 10pm, and Sunday at 9pm in the Shell Showroom (No shows this Friday and Saturday, July 11-12). A long-standing hit in Las Vegas, we first had an opportunity to “Feel The Thunder” several years back when the show was presented at Resorts. Now the boys from Oz are shakin’ their booties at the Marina.

These guys are cool enough to work with a woman who brought a giant pink penis balloon up on stage with her. Leigh came over to me and said I appeared to be ready for a wild night drinking bottled water (Oh, Leigh darling, I was working, believe it or not).
Yes, the guys strip to the “almost” full monty. They offer a little cheek action in the course of the show, but what makes the show entertaining is the fact that these guys can really dance. Leigh is one of the two gents who do some classic break dancing moves with some head spinning action. They also have fun with the image of strippers by doing a tribute to the Village People dancing to "Y.M.C.A."
The country portion of the show included the Big and Rich song “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy.” The show also features some Motown tunes and “Greased Lightning.” To check out the guys visit the Thunder web site. For tickets go here
(Pictured are Leigh (top), Sammy (at right) and Dave M.)

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When "Weird Al" Yankovic arrives in Atlantic City on July 9 to perform at the House of Blues, fans of the rock parodist will be on hand to film part of a video documentary to help put the singer into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Operated solely by fans, the Cleveland-based Make the Rock Hall "Weird" campaign will be interviewing fellow fans near the venue's entrance and asking them to make on-camera pleas to the Hall of Fame Foundation in New York to urge them to induct the Grammy-winning comedian and singer best known for making fun of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Nirvana, and countless others. Fans will also be needed to tape similar interviews before other concerts on Yankovic's North American summer tour. Interested fans are encouraged to visit the campaign's web site to volunteer.

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