Ocean City Weekly
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Crabbing Around
Miss Crustacean redux
By Steve Angelucci
THE CRUSTY OLD QUEEN IS back again. Not only will the Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant celebrate
its 30th anniversary on Wednesday, it will do it for the second time. Yet, isn't one 30th anniversary of this yearly spectacle enough? Why should Ocean City again endure the 30th, rather than experience the 31st anniversary of this pageant?
"For two reasons," explains Mark Soifer, the city's public relations director and founder of the event. "We had a great time last year, the cake was delicious. And we want to be the first major pageant to celebrate a 30th anniversary twice."
Thus, pageant officials will research the Guinness Book of World Records to see if there is a category for recurring anniversaries or celebrations. "If not, we suggest that they start one," Soifer says. "Who knows, we may decide to celebrate our 30th birthday over and over again ... maybe 30 times."
This year's second 30th Anniversary Pageant will be will be held at a new location. At the 6th Street Beach spectators can get a better look at the crabs competing for the title and those engaged in crab races after the pageant.
Featured guest is Jerome P. Lukas, the cartoonist and illustrator who designed the first Hermit Crab T-shirt in Ocean City 30 (or is it 31?) years ago. Lucas has created an original T-shirt for the second 30th anniversary celebration.
Other special guests include Elvis performer, Ted Prior, fresh from his performance on the Island Grill, the first place winning lead boat in Night in Venice. Prior will entertain crabs and humans alike with the song "You Ain't Nothin' But a Hermit Crab." Others attending this extravaganza include Suzanne Muldowney, as Shelley the Mermaid, Little Miss Ocean City, Shelby Clark, Miss Ocean City, Bethe Cocozza, and two 30th anniversary cakes.
According to Soifer, the Miss Crustacean Pageant has been a question on Jeopardy, named one of the nation's ten most unusual contests by U.S. News and World Report, and has been featured on London TV, and in the London Sunday Times and the Wall Street Journal. Perhaps Microsoft Network's News of the Weird is next.
This Pageant is not without prizes. While no scholarships are available, the winner will receive the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup, a loving cup with a cucumber stuck in the middle. The trophy provides the queen with a year's supply of food. The victorious hermit crab crawls along a flower-laden runway, while the audience sings "Here it Comes, Miss Crustacean." Previous titleholders include Crab Salad, Crab McMuffin, Crabunzel, Crabahontis and Phantom of the Opera Crab --and who could forget the exotic Crabopatra?
Hermit Crab Races follow the pageant with about 150 crabs traversing an 8-foot plywood oval. The legendary Hermie set the record 25 years ago in 6.3 seconds. While Hermie is long-gone, his feats inspire all observers who have nothing better to do on their vacations.
The Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and Hermit Crab Races take place on Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 1pm on the 6th Street Beach in Ocean City. Call 525-9300.
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Ocean City Events
Compiled by Steve Angelucci
646-4848, ext. 37 / e-mail: listings@acweekly.com
TO SUNDAY 8/08
13 Annual RNS Show House at the Shore
15 S. Cornwall Ave., Ventnor. 487-1190 or 927-4924. 10am-5pm (to 8pm on Wed. & Thur). $20. See cover story.
THURSDAY 7/29
Alligator Zydeco Band
Beach between Newport & New Haven aves., Ventnor. 823-7900. 7:30pm. Free.
Lecture
CARING, Inc.,407 W. Deliah Rd., Pleasantville. 487-7050. Identity Theft--It Could Happen to You! (Part One). 10:30am. Free.
Farmers Market
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 N., Cape May Court House. 465-5271. 10am-3pm. Featuring singer Dominick Gaetano from noon-2pm. Free.
Farmers Market/Concert
Center City Park, North Carolina Ave. & Bacharach Blvd., AC.. 11am-4pm. Donny Vosburgh & The Mission.
Noon-2pm. Free.
Eugene Maslov Trio
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. 441-9064. Plus, Denise King. Chicken Bone Beach Concert. 7-10pm. Free.
Atlantic Pops Community Band
Amphitheatre, Tony Canale Park, Dogwood Ave., EHT. 926-4028. Bring lawn chair, blanket. 7pm.
Peter Murphy
Jewish Community Center, 501 N, Jerome Ave., Margate. 822-1167. Poet and educator speaks at the Rethinking Prejudice, Power & Privilege lecture series. 7pm. $7/6/5/4.
Family Night Dance Party
Promenade and JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City. 263-8687. 7:30pm.
Joey Dee and the Starliters
Amphitheater, 2nd & Ocean aves., N. Wildwood. 1-800-882-7787. 8pm. Free.
Stephanie Corby
Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor. 369-1211. Singer-songwriter. 8pm. $12/10 ($5 discount under 12).
THURSDAY 7/29 TO SATURDAY 7/31
Oklahoma
PAC, Bayberry Rd., Cape May Court House. 463-1924. Presented by Seven Mile Island Stars. 7:30pm. $10.
FRIDAY 7/30
Old Yeller
AC Free Public Library, 1 N. Tenn. Ave., AC. 345-2269. Film at 2pm. Free.
Author Appearance
Lucy the Elephant, 9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate. 823-6473. Carolyn Yoder, author of Buildings In Disguise, appears. 3-7pm.
Pete Chavez Collective
Beach, NJ & Bay ave., Somers Pt. 7pm. Jazz. Free.
Riders in the Sky
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. Stockton Goes to the Beach concert. 7pm. Free.
An Evening Concert of Praise
United Methodist Church, 7117 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor. 822-0127. Featuring Christian rockers AIM FC. 7:30pm.
Garden State Songwriters Songshare
Borders, 2200 Wrangleboro Rd., Mays Landing. 407-1960. Open mic. One lucky performeer will receive two all-festival passes to the Mountain Stage NewSong Festival. 8-10pm. Free.
Movie (TBA)
Beach between Newport & New Haven aves., Ventnor. 823-7900. Dusk. Free.
SATURDAY 7/31
Seining
Gazebo, South End of Lagoon Blvd., Brigantine. 266-0538. 8:30am. Free.
McHugh & Company
30th St. Beach, Avalon. 967-3936. Beach concert. Noon to 3pm. Free.
King Brothers
The Village Green, Rt. 9, Smithville. 748-6160. Irish music. 4:30pm. Free.
Bob Ferris Band
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Rt. 9, Cape May. 898-2300, ext. 0. 6:30pm. Free.
Special Event
Kennedy Plaza, AC Boardwalk. 7pm.
Vanessa Potena
Dante Hall 14 N. Mississippi Ave., AC. 344-8877. Italian arias and opera favorites. 7:30pm. $20.
Al Raymond Orchestra
Amphitheater, 2nd & Ocean aves., N. Wildwood. 1-800-882-7787. 8pm. Free.
Club "J" Jazz Joint
Congregation Beth Judah, 700 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ventnor. 822-7116. Saxophonist Paul Shaprio performs his hybrid jazz sound in a nightclub atmosphere. Cash bar. 9:30-11pm. $20/15.
SATURDAY 7/31 TO SUNDAY 8/01
AC 150 Birthday Celebration
AC Outlets, The Walk, Michigan Ave., AC. www.acoutlets.com. Sat.: Signing of AC birthday card, 11am. Jim Craine & Steel Pier Remembered Big Band, noon. Strolling entertainment. Sun.: Chris Columbo Jazz Festival, noon to 6pm.
SUNDAY 8/01
RCM Band
Heritage Park, Absecon. 641-0663. Doo-wop, soul & rock 'n' roll. 7pm.
Fiddler on the Roof
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. Movie begins at dusk. Free.
MONDAY 8/02
Lecture
AC Free Public Library, 1 N. Tenn. Ave., AC. 345-2269. OASIS presents Shore Memorial Hospital Wellness Programs. 10:30am.
Jewish Family Service House Tour
Various area homes. 822-1108. "Most Spectacular Homes on the Beach and the Bay!'' 11am-4pm. $40.
Talent Show
Kennedy Plaza, AC Boardwalk. 7pm. Free.
Danny Eyer
Promenade & JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City. 263-8687. Dance music. 7:30pm. Free.
TUESDAY 8/03
Innovative Party Planning and Design
St. James Memorial Hall, 11 S. Newport Ave.,Ventnor. 487-1190. Speaker: Carol Powers Gordon. 11am. A RNS Show House ticket includes all lectures.
AC Storyteller Series
Brighton Park, Indiana Ave. & Boardwalk, AC. 5:30pm: Jazz Trio. 6:30pm: Fashion show. Free.
National Night Out
Dealy Field, Sea Isle City. 263-4311. 6:30pm.
Incubator for Talented Youth
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. 7pm. Free.
Jack Melton
Birch Grove Park, Burton Ave., Northfield. 641-3778. Concert at 7:30pm. Free.
WEDNESDAY 8/04
Nature Walk
EHC Campground, Phila. Ave., Egg Harbor City. 645-5960. Topic: Snakes. 10am. Free.
Vintage Costume Jewelry
St. James Memorial Hall, 11 S. Newport Ave.,Ventnor. 487-1190. Speakers: Kay and Judie Simkins. 11am. A RNS Show House ticket includes all lectures.
Israeli Ethnic Dancers
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. 7pm. Free.
Dr. Salaam T. Alobeidy
Jewish Community Center, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate. 348-3401. Iraqi-born physican speaks. 7pm. $12.
Brown Street Chowder Society
26th St. Gazebo, Brigantine. 266-3323. Bluegrass concert. 7pm. Free.
Wakkii Hawaiian Review
Promenade & JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City. 263-8687. 7:30pm. Free.
PAC All Star Big Band
PAC, Bayberry Dr., Cape May Court House. 463-1924. 8pm. $5.
Ballroom Dance
Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 157 Shore Rd., Somers Point. 8-10pm (lessons, 8:30-9:30pm). $6 donation.
THURSDAY 8/05
Farmers Market
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Route 9 N., Cape May Court House. 465-5271. 10am-3pm. Featuring Geno White (blues and jazz) from noon-2pm. Free.
Farmers Market/Concert
Center City Park, North Carolina Ave. & Bacharach Blvd., AC.. 11am-4pm. Concert from noon-2pm. Free.
The Shakes
Amphitheatre, Tony Canale Park, Dogwood Ave., EHT. 926-4028. Classic rock. Bring lawn chair, blanket. 7pm.
Tzofim Friendship Caravan
Jewish Community Center, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate. 822-1167, ext. 38. Songs and dances in Hebrew and English. 7pm. Free.
Orrin Evans Quartet
Kennedy Plaza, Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., AC. 441-9064. Plus, the Students. Chicken Bone Beach Concert. 7-10pm. Free.
Bob, Tom & Brother Joe
Beach between Newport & New Haven aves., Ventnor. 823-7900. Classic rock concert. 7:30pm. Free.
Family Night Dance Party
Promenade and JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City. 263-8687. 7:30pm.
Ronnie I Doo Wop revue
Amphitheater, 2nd & Ocean aves., N. Wildwood. 1-800-882-7787. 8pm. Free.
Anne Heaton
Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor. 369-1211. Singer-songwriter. 8pm. $12/10 ($5 discount under 12).
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OCEAN CITY
SUNDAYS TO 8/29
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
OC Rep. Theatre, Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave. 399-0965. 6pm. Free.
TUESDAYS TO 8/24
Family Film Night
Cornerstone Ministries, 810 Asbury Ave. 398-4662. The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. 7:15pm. $4 per person or $15 max per family.
TUESDAYS TO 8/31
Funtastic Tuesday
Downtown Asbury Ave. Festival-like atmosphere. 10am-1pm.
WEDS. TO 8/25
Evenings on Asbury Ave.
Asbury Ave. from 6th-9th streets. 398-4662. Shopping and festivities.
WEDS. TO 9/1
Farmers Market
Tabernacle, 6th & Asbury. 399-1412. Farmers & crafters. 8am-1pm. Free.
THURSDAYS TO 8/26
Chocolate Cake
O.C. Rep. Theatre, Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave. 399-0965. 1pm. $5.
Inn to Inn & Historic Tour
Trolley, 7th St. & Central. 2pm. $12.
THURSDAYS TO 9/02
Market Days
Downtown Asbury Ave. 10am-1pm.
Family Night
Throughout Boardwalk. 8-10pm.
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS TO 8/28
Agnes of God
OC Rep. Theatre, Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave. 399-0965. 8pm. Suggested donation, $10.
THURSDAY 7/29
Lecture
Museum, 1735 Simpson Ave. Conservation and Restoration Workshop by Yvonne Skaggs. 7-9pm. Free.
FRIDAY 7/30
Greaseband
Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 525-9248. 7:30-11pm. $15/7.
SATURDAY 7/31
Heart Ball
Yacht Club. Bay & Battersea Ave. 653-3800. Black-tie charitable gala featuring Punchline orchestra. 7pm: silent auction, 8pm: dinner, 9:30pm: live auction. $100.
SUNDAY 8/01
Anne Moses Band
Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave., 399-1915. Contemporary Christian music. Classical soloists and pop-country style sounds. 7:30pm. Free.
Rising Stars of Tomorrow
Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 525-9248. Youthful talent from the tri-state area. 8pm. $15/10.
MONDAY 8/02
Little Feat
Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 525-9248. 8pm. $25.
TUESDAY 8/03
Sunset Series
Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave. 525-9244. Living Fossil, Horseshoe Crab lecture by Tony Totah. 7pm. Free, but donations accepted.
Broadway Showstoppers!
Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 344-8877. Ellen Bullinger and Tom Baust singing Sondheim, Strouse, Hamlisch and more. 8pm. $20/12.
WEDNESDAY 8/04
30th Anniversary of Miss Crustacean
6th Street Beach. 525-9300. Second 30th anniversary pagaent (there was one last year). Features illustrator Jerome P. Lucas and Elvis performer Ted Prior. 1pm. Free.
Night at the Cabaret
Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. 344-8877. Ellen Bullinger and Tom Baust. 8pm. $15/10.
THURSDAY 8/05
Summer Natives Night
Museum, 1735 Simpson Ave. Topic: Transportation in OC. 7-9pm. Free.
OCEAN CITY EXHIBITS
Accent Gallery
956 Asbury Ave. 398-3577.
OC Arts Center
1735 Simpson Ave. 399-7628.
Aug 4-30: Pastels by Wanda Kline.
OC Fine Arts League
943 Asbury Ave. 814-0308.
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