Mardi Gras AC, the CRDA Summer Concert Series featuring nine world-class FREE concerts on the Arkansas Avenue Beach and the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza.
 
Encompassing the Atlantic City Salutes America’s Armed Forces Parade, Atlantic City Airshow Rehearsal and Atlantic City Airshow, August 11 through 13th and “AC Retro Weekend” commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles appearance at Convention Hall on August 30, 1964, this series of free concerts will present five classic rock headliners on the beautiful Arkansas Avenue Beach.
 
Following the “Atlantic City Salutes America’s Armed Forces” parade on August 11th, one of the greatest names in the history of Southern Rock, The Charlie Daniels Band will perform at 8 p.m.
 
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12th following rehearsal day on the AC Beach, the big question will be “Who were you in ‘82” as everyone who appeared in the rock ‘n roll classic movie, “Eddie & the Cruisers” is invited to pose for a group picture in front of the stage where the original, double platinum recording artists from that movie, John Cafferty and Beaver Brown will perform  their million selling hits, “Dark Side” “Tender Years” and “Wild Summer Nights,” famous from the scenes filmed at Tony Mart’s in 1982.  Co-starring on that show, Jersey Shore guitar hero, formerly of Southside Johnny’s Asbury Jukes, Billy Walton and his band will perform songs from their acclaimed new CD, “Wish for What you Want.”
 
After the Atlantic City Airshow at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13th, one of the greatest Jersey Boys ever, “Felix Cavaliere and his Rascal’s will perform their immortal rock ‘n roll classics including “Groovin,” “Good Lovin’,” “How Can I be Sure,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning,” “People Got to be Free” and many more.
These shows will be memorable experiences for the entire family!  
 
A commemorative celebration of the Beatles appearance 50 years ago, on August 30, 1964, will take place on Saturday, August 30th, Labor Day Weekend.  The Smithereens, one of the great rock groups of the‘80’s and‘90’s, will perform two shows including their “Meet the Smithereens”  Beatles Tribute and a second show of their own hit songs such as, “A Girl Like You,” “Blood and Roses,” “Blue Period” and much more!
 
On Sunday the 31st, for the first time since their legendary shows at Steel Pier in 1968 and 1971, Atlantic City will see the return, of the original Cowsills who will headline a music festival which will feature a Beatles tribute performed by New York City Doo Wop Legends, The Persuasions, and an entertaining performance of songs played by the Beatles 50 years ago and funky versions of Beatles classics by the Tony Mart All-stars staring Bob Campanell, Dr. Bobby Fingers and Danny Eyer.
 
On four Monday nights, August, 4th, 18th, 25th and September 8th, the Mardi Gras AC concerts move to their familiar site, Kennedy Plaza, where Tony Mart presented Mardi Gras shows in 2010 and 2011.   These four shows will feature New Orleans’ greatest rhythm and blues, roots rock and blues performers including the incredible Louisiana, Texas Boogie Woogie Piano Queen, Marcia Ball, on August 4th and the Boardwalk Guitar Summit staring Louisiana’s Blues Guitar King, Tab Benoit, along with The Billy Walton Band and Delaware’s Slide Guitar Master, Billy Pierce on August 18th.  Royal Southern Brotherhood, starring the Grammy Award winning, fiery prophet of the Neville Brothers, Cyril Neville, the incredibly talented son of Gregg Allman, Devon Allman, on lead guitar and vocals and the dynamite performer, Mike Zito will  appear on August 25.
 
A special September 8th show will feature one the or world’s premiere blues guitarists, singer/songwriter, Coco Montoya, who  actually replaced Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
 
For more information, go to www.doatlanticcity.com and www.Tonymart.com.
 
Bring your festival chairs and your dancing shoes!