AC Mike’s Weekend Picks: Your August 28–30 Guide to AC & the Jersey Shore

Hey Folks,

Here we go again. We’ve reached the final weekend of August, and if you’re already talking about putting summer in the rearview mirror, I’m going to ask you to hold off for a few more days. Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30 gives us one of the most interesting weekends of the summer around Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore. We’ve got Wu-Tang Clan, Demi Lovato, RÜFÜS DU SOL on the Atlantic City beach, Air Supply, Squeeze, Alabama, free music in Somers Point and Cape May, a Dead tribute at Anchor Rock Club, a Greek festival in Wildwood and plenty more. In other words, August isn’t exactly sneaking quietly out the back door.

I went through the latest calendars from Shore Local, Visit Atlantic City and the official venue and Shore-town schedules, and there really is something for just about everybody this weekend. Here are the ones that caught my eye.

RÜFÜS DU SOL Takes Over the Atlantic City Beach

This is probably the event that will change the feel of Atlantic City the most this weekend. Grammy-winning electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL brings its massive Inhale / Exhale tour to the Atlantic City Beach on Saturday, August 29, with special guest Ben Böhmer. The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and there is just something different about a major concert happening right there on the sand with the Boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop. The group has been playing major venues around the country, and now Atlantic City gets its turn. You can get the official event information through Visit Atlantic City and check tickets through Ticketmaster. If you’re coming into town for this one, give yourself some extra time. A big beach show means plenty of people moving around the Boardwalk Saturday night.

Friday Night in AC Is Absolutely Loaded

If Saturday belongs to the beach concert, Friday might win the award for the toughest decision of the weekend. Wu-Tang Clan brings Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at 8 p.m., with tickets listed from $129. That’s hip-hop history walking onto an Atlantic City stage. Meanwhile, Demi Lovato takes over Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort at 9 p.m.. Two completely different audiences, two major shows and two venues separated by a short walk on the Boardwalk. That’s Atlantic City.

And we’re not done. Over at Borgata, rising country performer Cooper Alan plays The Music Box at 7:30 p.m., while Squeeze brings its Tried, Tested and Trixies tour with special guests Adam Ant and Leon Tilbrook to the Borgata Event Center at 8 p.m. Harrah’s gets into the act at 9 p.m. with Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience. So if somebody tells you there’s nothing happening in Atlantic City on Friday night, I’m not sure we’re looking at the same Atlantic City.

Hard Rock Has More Than Wu-Tang This Weekend

I always tell people to look beyond the headliner because some of the fun in these resorts happens before and after the ticketed show. Hard Rock Atlantic City has live music going throughout the weekend. Friday’s Lobby Bar schedule includes Who Brought The Dog, DJ Mike Lowry and Steal The Sky. Saturday brings DJ Kfry, Grooveheart and The Benjamins, along with the Ginger Coyle Trio at Council Oak Lounge and Journey Blue Heaven Trio at The Terrace. Then Sunday has Gilligan and Out of Spite at the Lobby Bar plus Camille K at Council Oak Lounge. That’s one of the things I like about an AC weekend: you can come for the big show and accidentally discover another band on your way through the building.

Air Supply Brings 50 Years of Hits to Hard Rock

Saturday night gives the beach-concert crowd some serious competition. Air Supply brings the A Matter of Time Tour to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at 8 p.m., with tickets listed from $59. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock have been doing this for 50 years, and you already know the songs. “All Out of Love,” “Lost in Love,” “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” — this is one of those shows where half the room is probably singing before the performers even point the microphone toward the audience.

A Quick Heads-Up for Collective Soul Fans

I want to flag an important schedule change because this is exactly why I double-check the official venue pages before sending you these weekend updates. Collective Soul’s Saturday, August 29 show at Ocean Casino Resort has been postponed because of an illness in the band. Ocean says a new date will be announced and previously purchased tickets will be honored; refunds are available through the original point of purchase. If you had tickets, check the latest update directly from Ocean Casino Resort before making your plans.

Don’t Forget Anchor Rock Club

You know I’m going to keep reminding you that Atlantic City entertainment doesn’t begin and end inside a casino. Saturday night, Jawn of the Dead comes to Anchor Rock Club on New York Avenue at 8 p.m.. They’re a Philadelphia-based Grateful Dead tribute band, and an intimate room like Anchor is exactly where that kind of music can be a lot of fun. I like seeing a weekend where we can have a huge electronic show on the beach, Air Supply at Hard Rock and a Dead tribute playing a local independent club a few blocks away. That mix is part of what makes Atlantic City interesting.

Sports Cards, Pokémon & Collectibles Take Over Hard Rock

Here’s something completely different. The Shore Sports and TCG Expo runs Saturday and Sunday in the Seminole Ballroom at Hard Rock Atlantic City, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with tickets listed from $10. If you collect sports cards, trading cards or memorabilia — or you have a kid who suddenly knows more about Pokémon cards than you ever intended to learn — this could be a good daytime stop before the concerts get rolling.

Deep Blue Something — Free on the Beach in Somers Point

This one jumped out at me because it’s exactly the kind of Shore event people can miss when they only look at the casino schedules. Deep Blue Something, the band behind “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” plays the Somers Point Beach Concert Series Friday at 7 p.m. at William Morrow Beach, with Slow Hands performing a tribute to Eric Clapton. And yes, it’s free. A nationally known ’90s band playing outdoors by the bay on a Friday night is a pretty good reminder that some of the best things to do in Atlantic City and the surrounding area don’t require an arena ticket. Check the schedule at the Somers Point Beach Concert Series.

A Night Market Under the Moon in Mays Landing

If your taste runs toward something a little more unusual, Lunar Faire comes to the Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds in Mays Landing Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. This traveling night market mixes artists, vendors, music and performances, with this weekend’s lineup including a Rocky Horror cabaret and live mural painting. It’s quirky, creative and definitely not your standard Saturday-night outing. Find current admission and event information through Lunar Faire.

Sea Isle Gives You Shopping by Day and Carole King by Night

Sea Isle has a nice Saturday combination. The city’s Sidewalk Sale runs Saturday and Sunday with participating businesses offering specials during normal store hours, so this is a good excuse to support some local merchants while you’re down there. Then Saturday night, Now and Forever, starring Alice Leon, celebrates the music of Carole King at Excursion Park from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. as part of the free Concert Under the Stars series. Bring a chair or blanket and settle in. The complete information for both events is on the official Sea Isle City Tourism calendar.

Wildwood Goes Greek — Plus Fireworks and Collectibles

If you’re heading farther south, Wildwood has enough going on to build an entire weekend around. OPA Greek Fest runs Friday through Sunday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in North Wildwood, with authentic Greek food, live music, a DJ, folk dancing and a Greek market. Admission is free, with festival hours from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. You can get the details through the official Wildwoods event page. Friday night also brings the weekly 10 p.m. Boardwalk fireworks, while the Wildwoods Convention Center hosts a Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show all weekend featuring more than 200 tables and free admission. Details for that show are available through Wildwoods Tourism.

Cape May Keeps It Simple: Free Music in Rotary Park

Not everything needs to be a giant production. Cape May’s free Music in the Park series continues all weekend at Rotary Park. The RPG Project performs Friday, Max Davey takes the stage Saturday and Charlie Zahm and Friends perform Sunday. Sometimes after a day walking Cape May, sitting outside and listening to some music is exactly what you need. You can see the official summer lineup through the City of Cape May.

Ocean City Gives You an Easy Friday Morning

If your weekend starts early, Ocean City has two free Friday-morning options. Beach Exercise runs from 8 to 9 a.m. at the 6th Street beach volleyball courts, while the Walking Club meets outside the Music Pier at 8 a.m. for a Boardwalk walk. Nothing complicated here — get outside, move around, grab some breakfast afterward and enjoy Ocean City before the Boardwalk really fills up. Check the official Ocean City events calendar for details.

Sunday Night Belongs to Alabama

If you still have some gas left in the tank Sunday night, country legends Alabama close out the weekend at the Borgata Event Center at 8 p.m. We’re talking about a band that has sold tens of millions of records and helped shape the sound of modern country music. That’s a strong Sunday-night finale, especially for anybody who remembers just how enormous Alabama was — and how many songs you suddenly realize you know once they start playing.

Or Make Sunday Afternoon Yacht Rock

Maybe 8 p.m. Sunday is later than you want to commit to. I understand. Boat House Row: A Yacht Rock Experience plays Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort at 4 p.m. Sunday. Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Toto — you know the drill. It’s smooth, it’s nostalgic and it’s probably the most relaxed way on this list to finish an August weekend.

What’s Coming Up This Weekend

Friday, August 28: Cooper Alan — 7:30 p.m. • Borgata Music Box • Event & Ticket Info
Friday, August 28: Deep Blue Something — 7 p.m. • William Morrow Beach, Somers Point • Concert Info
Friday, August 28: Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber — 8 p.m. • Hard Rock Live • Tickets & Details
Friday, August 28: Squeeze with Adam Ant & Leon Tilbrook — 8 p.m. • Borgata Event Center • Tickets & Details
Friday, August 28: Demi Lovato — 9 p.m. • Ovation Hall • Event Info
Friday-Sunday, August 28-30: OPA Greek Fest — North Wildwood • Festival Details
Friday-Sunday, August 28-30: Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show — Wildwoods Convention Center • Show Info
Saturday, August 29: Shore Sports and TCG Expo — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. • Hard Rock Atlantic City • Event Info
Saturday, August 29: Lunar Faire — 5-10 p.m. • Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds • Event Info
Saturday, August 29: RÜFÜS DU SOL — 7:30 p.m. • Atlantic City Beach • Tickets
Saturday, August 29: Now and Forever — Carole King Tribute — 7:30 p.m. • Excursion Park, Sea Isle City • Event Details
Saturday, August 29: Air Supply — 8 p.m. • Hard Rock Live • Tickets & Details
Saturday, August 29: Jawn of the Dead — 8 p.m. • Anchor Rock Club • Event Info
Sunday, August 30: Boat House Row — 4 p.m. • Ovation Hall • Tickets & Details
Sunday, August 30: Alabama — 8 p.m. • Borgata Event Center • Tickets & Details

Don’t Write Off Summer Yet

Folks, weekends like this are why I keep telling people to look at the whole South Jersey map. You can see Wu-Tang Clan or Demi Lovato Friday night, hear a national act for free on the beach in Somers Point, catch RÜFÜS DU SOL with your feet practically in the Atlantic Ocean Saturday, walk into Anchor Rock Club for some Grateful Dead music, eat your way through a Greek festival in North Wildwood, listen to free music in Cape May and finish Sunday with yacht rock or Alabama.

And remember, you don’t have to do everything on these lists. I couldn’t do everything on these lists. Pick something you haven’t done before. Walk a different part of the Boardwalk. Stop into a local place you normally drive past. Catch a local band before the headliner. Spend a few bucks with a Shore business. That’s how we keep this whole thing moving.

There are still summer nights left on the calendar. Let’s use them.

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