The marriage of music and film returns to Asbury Park with a slew of screenings and live performances
ASBURY PARK -- Long before the Asbury Park beachfront's revitalization, Danny Clinch roamed the deserted boardwalk.
The rock photographer known for his portraits of Springsteen and Bob Dylan would bring bands there for shoots, all the while admiring the vintage architecture and patina of the grand arcade and casino buildings.
"There's so much history here, for music and film -- there were all sorts of film screenings and premieres in its heyday -- it's awesome that we can stir something back up with this resurgence of Asbury," says the Toms River native and co-chair of the upcoming Asbury Park Music in Film Festival.
The fest will consume several venues in the city this weekend with rock, blues and jazz-related films, a list of live performances, and of course, plenty of amateur films submitted to be judged by Clinch -- who recently appeared on "60 Minutes" for his own work -- and a panel that includes industry veterans from Sony, CBS and Legacy Recordings.
MORE: See Asbury Park's summer concert lineup
The weekend, which celebrates the marriage of song and lens, will be highlighted by a New Jersey premiere of the new Miles Davis biopic "Miles Ahead," starring Oscar winner Don Cheadle.
Here are Clinch's must-attend events from the dozens set to illuminate one of New Jersey's hottest arts hubs Friday through Sunday.
'Miles Ahead' screening, with Don Cheadle Q+A
Acclaimed "Hotel Rwanda" and "Crash" star Don Cheadle portrays jazz legend Miles Davis in "Miles Ahead," a poignant biographical feature that marks the actor's directorial film debut. After closing the New York Film Festival in October -- and garnering rave reviews -- Cheadle's project will be screened at the Paramount Theatre, followed by a question-and-answer session with Cheadle himself. Vincent Wilburn Jr. (nephew of Davis) and jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold will also perform. Friday at 7 p.m.; Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave.; Tickets are $35, available here.
'Made in Asbury Park' workshop
"People are making records in Asbury again," Clinch says. It's only appropriate that Wonder Bar hosts a discussion with recording artists, record producers, record label owners, recording studio owners, and Grammy winners who choose to create at the shore. John Leidersdorff, owner of Asbury's Lakehouse Studios -- where even pop superstar Lorde stopped by to record in 2014 -- will lead the panel. Saturday at 2:30 p.m.; Wonder Bar, Fifth and Ocean Avenues; Tickets are $10, available here.
Jon Leidersdorff, owner of Lakehouse Recording Studio in Asbury Park, will lead the Made in Asbury Park workshop at Wonder Bar this weekend. (Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger) A rare peek into the Bob Dylan archives
New Cookman Avenue venue House of Independents welcomes a dive into the extensive Bob Dylan archives with a screening of rarely-seen or never-before-seen performance videos. Clips span back to a black-and-white performance of "Girl From The North Country," taken from an unaired Canadian TV show "Quest." The event is curated by Grammy Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli and Clinch. Sunday at 1 p.m.; House of Independents, 572 Cookman Ave.; Tickets are $25, available here.
Take a peek inside the Bob Dylan archives at House of Independents this weekend. (FRED TANNEAU/AFP/GettyImages) Preservation Hall Jazz Band rocks The Stone Pony
"The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a spiritual experience," Clinch assures. His own Tangiers Blues Band will join the longstanding New Orleans outfit in a Stone Pony performance Sunday. The band, which features members ages 28 to 84, was the subject of Clinch's powerful documentary "Live at Preservation Hall: Louisiana Fairytale," and is set to bring its French Quarter style to the shore. "You'll be shaking your butt because you have no other choice," Clinch says. Local songstress Nicole Atkins will also perform. Sunday at 7:30 p.m.; The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave.; Tickets are $25, available here.
Grateful Dead events
Any Deadhead with a free weekend will find solace in Asbury Park, as several Grateful Dead-centric events are slated. "Growing Up Dead," a panel discussion with Justin Kreutzmann (Son of Dead drummer Bob Kreutzmann) and NHL hockey player Jim Dowd kicks off at noon Saturday, at Art 629 Gallery on Cookman Avenue ($10 entry). Following is a screening of Jerry Garcia-starring "Grateful Dawg" at Paramount Theatre at 2:30 p.m. and live show from The Glimmer Grass Band, performing Grateful Dead songs bluegrass style. Tickets are $25, available here.
Any Deadhead with a free weekend will find solace in Asbury Park, especially at the "Grateful Dawg" screening at Paramount Theatre. (Baron Wolman) Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.