The Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center will officially open on Saturday, December 4th, when the New Jersey Hall of Fame member The Smithereens will perform in Carteret, New Jersey. This is also known as the return of the band.

Joining the band will be guest singers Robin Wilson (Gin Band) and Marshall Crenshaw. This marks the first time that the two will share vocal responsibilities with the band during the entire performance. Governor Phil Murphy will cut the ribbon earlier in the day to officially start the celebration.

Last Saturday night, I was fortunate to have the first comedy show there, when Suzy Yengo, President and CEO of Catch a Rising Star, brought the first comedy special to a crowded house with the theme of bad boys in Jersey. ," Mike Marino.

Yan Ge told me, "We like this venue and are discussing bringing in more talents there."

The Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center is located on the site of the former Ritz Theatre. The venue itself is a multi-level, flexible space, with a main floor concert/comedy/entertainment space with theater seating, a low-level comedy/jazz club with piano lounge, and a rooftop lounge.

How was the Carteret Performing Arts and Event Center formed? Daniel J. Reiman, Mayor of Carteret Borough, told me via email:

"For many years, there has been a shared vision of creating a vibrant city center and an inclusive arts district as a destination for performing arts, educational activities, live entertainment and community participation. The strategy is to design and build a one-of-a-kind The venue can be transformed from a seat concert hall into an indoor sports arena, a culinary arts festival center, and so on."

Mayor Lehman said that this is not easy:

“The process of getting here is not without challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have never forgotten the finish line. Today, I can proudly say that the Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center has now been completed and will be completed in 2021. The public is welcome."

"This will be a defining moment for Carteret Borough, because we have a place in New Jersey's highly sought-after downtown; local businesses and tourists are bustling, creating jobs and promoting local economic development. The Arts District has proven itself to be The catalyst attracts tourists and businesses, and we are no exception, with Carteret PAC as the cornerstone."

Mayor Reiman said when talking about how the Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center will maintain its own development:

"Carteret PAC will sustain itself partly through careful and consistent planning, membership activities, grant funding, and most importantly through our naming and corporate partnership opportunities. These opportunities provide companies and individuals with the opportunity to become part of the cultural renaissance until Now these are the economic gaps in eastern Middlesex County and this area of ​​New Jersey."

"Carteret PAC is a multi-level, flexible space venue with a low-level comedy/jazz club with a piano lounge; a main level concert/comedy and entertainment space with luxurious theater-style seating that can be easily disassembled to accommodate various A variety of events such as exhibitions, weddings, dinners, etc. The upper level VIP seats include VIP box suites, private VIP spaces, and a spacious lobby on the second floor with a baby grand piano. The rooftop lounge is decorated with high-end furniture, fire pits, heaters and a bar. It has its own stage and private cabin-style seating for you to dine and watch the sunset."

"I hope we can add your name to the list of more and more partners who join us on our journey to become the premier destination for travel, work, life and prosperity in Central New Jersey."

The vaccine policy follows national guidelines.

As for places to park and eat, Mayor Ryman said;

"There is ample street parking, and a parking lot is being built across the street. There are several local restaurants. We will have our own restaurant in PAC soon."

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of Steve Trevelis, the host of the New Jersey 101.5 talk show. Any opinions expressed are Steve's own. Steve Trevelise is at 101.5, New Jersey from 7pm to 11pm, Monday to Thursday. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.