‘Return to Asbury’ Weekend to Be Held Aug. 2-4

It’s a kef kind of summer.

A year ago, when a group of friends sat down to plan a party, little did they know that they would strike the hearts of many and attract people to the small beach town of Asbury Park. With the original intention of holding a party for 100 people, the event quickly grew into a weekend attended by close to 600 people who came not just form the immediate Tri-State area but from Toronto, Miami, Houston, and Fresno! People of all ages mingled at events on the beach and boardwalk, played tavloo for hours, and, most importantly, danced all evening until the hotel told us it was time to go home.

Because last summer was an overwhelming success, the event committee has grown in capacity.

This event kicked off a resurgence of interest in kef music as demonstrated by the Memorial Day Kef in Providence, R.I., followed by a more intimate event in Waterviliet, N.Y. Regardless of size or location, the return of these events demonstrates that interest in live Armenian music continues and that despite the incredible amount of effort to organize them, it is important that they continue.

To those newly acquainted with the event, Return to Asbury is a beach weekend in New Jersey where the headline event is a night of Armenian kef music at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. The Michael Gostanian Ensemble and Artsakh Band are currently scheduled to perform. Proceeds from the event are donated to Camp Haiastan, Camp Nubar, and St. Vartan Camp. All of the musicians are alumni of one of these camps. This event is sponsored by the New York ASA and supported by the ACYOA Philadelphia, AGBU YP Philadelphia, AGLA NY, Armenian Network of New York and D.C., AYF, Fund for Armenian Relief, Knights of Vartan, and SOAR organizations. The event serves as a forum for the next generation of Armenian musicians to perform.

“When I first envisioned this event, little could I have imagined from how far people would travel, the diversity of their ages, the competitiveness that they would bring to a tavloo tournament, or the overall spirit that they would bring back to Asbury,” said the organizer, Robin Barone, whose aunt and uncle have been loyal summer residents of Asbury for over 40 years. “I grew up with these special stories of magical encounters, and for at least one weekend I am able to do this for my friends and family.”

Asbury Park is located on the New Jersey coastline just south of the immediate New York metropolitan area. Asbury is home to the Stone Pony where Bruce Springsteen was discovered; was the site of various scenes from the “Sopranos” in recent years; and following World War II until the early 1970’s was a town of Armenians by the shore. In the past few years, changes in the local government has led to the successful redevelopment of the boardwalk and surrounding residential areas. For years the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel served as the location for many Armenian affairs sponsored by the supporting organizations. It was only fitting once the hotel was complete that the event be held there.

Because last summer was an overwhelming success, the event committee has grown in capacity. This year, in addition to the evening social activities, there will be a “day at the Seventh Avenue beach” complete with a lineup of appropriate summer activities for children and young adults, and an “open jam” session for younger musicians on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3, at the hotel’s poolside. The hotel is happy to welcome us back providing more hotel rooms at a lower event rate until July 17.

Once again, the event is focused on encouraging people to attend whatever part of the weekend they can by keeping the admission price as low as possible. “I am very fortunate for the contributions of the supporting organization, past and current committee members, as well over a dozen individuals in the Armenian community who selflessly contributed their time and talent to help bring my vision to life.”

Tickets are only available online at the rate of $65 until July 17; thereafter, they increase to $85.

For more information, visit www.facebeook.com/returntoasbury or www.returntoasbury2013.eventbrite.com. If you have an Asbury story to share, send it to us at returntoasbury@gmail.com.

See you at the beach!