Air Force Rythm in Blue Ensemble Performs March 25

Free tickets are available at the Information desk, 2nd floor of City Hall facing the main entrance. Tickets may also be purchased in advance at the adjacent Community Services Office for the Mr. Mature America Pageant on March 22 at the Music Pier for $10. City Hall hours are 9:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, call 609-525-9300.

The Air Force Ensemble features 17 professional musicians whose commitment to excellence has earned world- wide acclaim and military distinction. The Band delivers a wide array of jazz and fusion from big band swing to cutting edge contemporary music.

Activated in 1941, the Ensemble has a rich history of inspiring public patriotism and highlighting all of the U.S. military branches. The band travels throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region presenting over 300 events annually for the general public and in support of Air Force morale and protocol events. The band remains a leader in communicating Air Force core values and preserving and enriching America’s military and musical heritage into the 21st Century. 

To sum it up, you will really enjoy this free concert. Learn more about the ensemble at www.HeritageofAmericalBand.af.mil .

MR. MATURE AMERICA PAGEANT UPDATE: Two Legends will meet. Dick Sheeran, legendary Philadelphia TV anchor, will join the Pageant to assist emcee Maribeth Neal. Sheeran will also present the pageant’s major honor, its Inspiration Award, to Pinky Kravitz, legendary Atlantic City radio host for over half a century.

Kravitz, a member of the New Jersey Radio Hall of Fame, has helped raise funds for many humanitarian causes and has been honored many, many times by various organizations. There will be a full report of his accomplishments in the Pageant’s Program Book. 

We cannot think of a more appropriate person than media personality Dick Sheeran, to present the award. You will meet both these men on March 22 when the first Mr. Mature America Pageant is held at the Music Pier, starting at 7 p.m.  The pageant honors the accomplishments, talents and relevance of men 60 and over. It is the only event of its kind in the United States.

The Bubba Mac Blues Band will entertain from 6:30 p.m. to pageant start at 7 p.m. All band members are over 60. A talented group of mature ladies will entertain during pageant intervals. Tickets are $10 with proceeds benefitting the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Community Food Cupboard and Philippine reconstruction efforts. Advance $10 tickets may be purchased by phone or at City Hall. Tickets will also be available at the door.

JAZZ SERIES: The Somers Point Jazz Society will present “The Art Of Improvisation,” a three part educational series at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. The sessions are set for March 23 and 30, and April 6 from 2 p.m.-3:15 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room, N110. Admission is free.

Part 1 of the series on March 23 will introduce the Concept of Improvisation, which is a form of spontaneous musical composition, created and performed by jazz musicians. During this first of three parts, Dr. Michael Pedicin and Chris Simonini, piano, Lee Smith, piano and Vick Stevens on drums will discuss, present, demonstrate and perform how this is accomplished.

Musical samples and educational material will be presented to an audience of both non-musicians and musicians in simplistic terms that all can understand. Jazz will be played. 

* On March 15, the Ocean City High School Surf Team is holding a scholarship fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ocean City Yacht Club. There will be a buffet plus beverages with music by The SSPs. Donation is $40, and $20 for children 12 and under.

Please purchase tickets in advance at OC Surf Café, Heritage, 7th St. Surf Shop or Surfers Supplies. The Ocean City Surf Team is recognized as one of the best in the nation and deserves local support. 

* The Spring Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts is set for the Music Pier. Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5 and 6. This event features some of the finest artisans on the East Coast exhibiting and selling a variety of one of a kind crafts. The show is produced by Joanne and Norman Schaut who have raised thousands of dollars for local charities with the proceeds. There is free parking at nearby City lots.  A $3 contribution benefits these charities. For information, call 1-800-822-4112.

* On April 12, the 29th annual Doo Dah Parade starts at noon and goes from 6th to 12th Streets on Asbury Avenue, and then to the Boardwalk ending at the Music Pier. Following the Parade the annual PieAsco will be held during which folks sit in grandstands and smoosh each other with shaving cream pies, the kind Soupy Sales used during his syndicated TV shows years go.

Trudy Sales, Soupy’s widow, starts the event by plastering Mr. Pie in the Face, Neil Regina. 

The Parade features a 500 basset hound waddle, humorous brigades and individuals, bands, impersonators of legendary comedians and many costumed characters.

Doo Dah offers a weekend of events including the entertaining Basset Hound Olympics at the Tabernacle grounds on April 11 at noon, for free. Dr. Joel Goodman will present a free program on Humor at 2 p.m. Friday at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Avenue. 

Grand Marshal of the Parade will be Peter Funt of Candid Camera, who will do a retrospective of the popular TV program at the Music Pier, 7 p.m. Friday. 

Following the parade on Saturday, there will be a tribute to Abbott and Costello featuring Abbott and Costello impersonators and a movie. This will be held at the Ocean City Library starting at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.

To register for the parade or for more information, call 609-525-9300; after hours, call 609-364-4010 or email msoifer@hotmail.com.

DATE CHANGE: Due to snow damage to the Ocean City Repertory Theater, singer-song writer Eddie Shiffler has postponed his concert until May 9 at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets will be $10 at the door. The concert will feature Shiffler’s new band, Green Language, along with local favorites, The Rivals and the Outlips.

In the meantime, Shiffler will host two lectures at the Ocean City Free Public Library:  “The Brief History of Money, Part 2” on March 19; and “The Ancient Mysteries” on March 26. Both begin at 7 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room, N110. Call 347-813-5090 for information.