Shake Rhythm & Roll at historic Asbury Park

The Shake Rhythm n' Roll Music and Dance Festival is a five-day festival that aims to recreate and celebrate the early roots of Rock n' Roll with the music and dancing that captures a remarkable time in American creativity and lifestyle. Featuring 10 bands, 20 dance instructors, and numerous performers, the festival takes place in historic Asbury Park, as part of the city's 2011 Musical Heritage Celebration.



Saturday August 13th at 7:30pm is the main event of the festival, The Shake Rhythm & Roll Showdown - Dance Party and Show at CONVENTION HALL. The headliner is the world famous Stray Cat Lee Rocker. The second featured band is Bill Haley Jr. performing the music made famous by his father's band, Bill Haley and The Comets. Opening up the evening is Matthew Piazzi & The Debonairs.

Other bands performing throughout the festival include Big Joe & The Dynaflows, Ron Sunshine, The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., Lapis Luna, Boilermakers Jazz Band, Tiki Daddy, Rave On (The Music of Buddy Holly), and Gas House Gorillas. Other live performances include burlesque super-star Angie Pontani and the World Famous Pontani Sisters. For a complete schedule of bands and performances, please visit www.shakerhythmroll.com


Matthew Piazzi

A prominent feature of the festival is the five-day dance camp where guests can learn the dances that were a major part of American lifestyle from the 1930's to the 1950's. The 20 dance instructors come from all over the US, and are also winners of virtually every major dance competition in their respective styles.

The host hotel, and location of the dance camp, will be the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel located right off the beach. During the weekend, there will be additional special events including a display of classic cars, evening and late-night dance parties, internationally acclaimed DJs, late night burlesque shows, an old fashioned bathing suit beauty competition and even a classic muscle competition.