Labor Day Weekend in AC 2019

Atlantic County Magazine, (Print Date 8/30/19)

I am sitting here at my desk (in the frozen tundra we call an office), my breath causing fog clouds before me, swaddled in my “Jon Snow” coatigan, shivering uncontrollably, feeling the icicles forming on my cheeks as my tears of agonizing pain freeze instantly in time forever, willing my fingers to not snap off from frostbite as I stroke each key on this keyboard, wondering where on this planet the summer went. Seriously, where is it? Is it hiding under a rock? Has it mentally just… like… checked out because it can’t even? Sadly, I can’t see it, my eyeballs have completely frozen over. We blinked and it’s the last week of August. How did this happen? I am one giant guffaw away from going rogue and buying a pumpkin spice latte and slapping Summer in the face for abandoning me. And trust me that’s a huge thing for me considering I hate pumpkin spice on a visceral level.

 As summer ends, (and “women’s winter”… Google it, it’s a real thing… and it’s God-awful… thankfully comes to a close), we gear up for one of ((super deep male movie trailer voice-over)) The Most Epic of Labor Day Weekends ((the word “ends” echoing through the caverns)). Pretty much every venue in this City has some impressive over the top event happening over the weekend (and some places are having more than one event!). Alas, I am only permitted “x” amount of space here on this little humble blurb. So I’ll stick to some highlights… 

My shopaholic senses tingle and my wallet quivers in fear as I announce Tanger Outlets Atlantic City will certainly not disappoint. They will be hosting a Block Party all weekend, t/rting on Friday, August 30th and ending Monday, September 2nd, from 12 to 4 pm. Sport related events galore will occur for the whole family, with prize wheels and photo booths (oh my!) and a DJ will be spinning his awesome music stylings while shoppers check out some pretty amazing sales and deals. For anyone with kiddies, this is a fantastic last minute back-to-school-shopping opportunity. Check it out! You may see me there. I’ll be the one attached like a window cling to the Michael Kors venue, and who the fire department will most likely be prying from with the Jaws of Life. 

The Pool at Harrah’s is kicking off the weekend by hosting a free pool party Friday night, hosted by TV personality, Johnny Bananas (if you didn’t even giggle on the slightest scale something is wrong with you), featuring DJ Hollywood! It’s free which means your experience will be 10 times greater than it would be if you paid the full admission price. It’s the exact same principle as free food tasting way better. Because… science. And they’re not stopping with Mr. Bananas, no sir, they’re partying all weekend long with Jesse McCartney on Saturday night and DJ Camilo with DJ Lobo on Sunday! If you’re interested in attending any of the events at the Pool just make sure you go to their website or Eventbrite and add your names to the guest list to reap all the guest list benefits. Buy tickets now!

 New York magician, Matt Roberts, comes to Atlantic City this weekend with his extremely impressive tricks (that one can only conclude is forged by black magic), at the Boardwalk Showroom at Claridge Hotel. Seriously he gives Merlin a run for his money. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased at Eventbrite. It’s definitely an entertaining escape for a couple hours so if you have the time, go check it out. Buy tickets now!

And while we’re on the (non-nightclub) entertainment train, Atlantic City Comedy Club will be hosting a special Labor Day event. Laugh until your sides pang with Frank Liotta this Sunday, September 1st, at 7:00 pm, back by popular demand by the way. Frank Liotti’s unique stream of consciousness delivery has won him praise in prestigious comedy clubs and festivals all around the country. And also, in case you didn’t catch on, “by demand” is code for tickets are going fast, so go to atlanticcitycomedyclub.com and get tickets as soon as you can.

DJs assemble! Hopping back on the nightclub train, Cuba Libre Nights and Chelsea Beach Bar have teamed up to create the ultimate club party experience, with all the DJs in all the land, with New York City and New Jersey’s hottest radio DJs Pereira, Nyse, Anthony Rey, and Flipstar, and featuring Cuba Libre’s own resident spinning bad boys, Bebo, Sammy and Frankie. Start off during the day with the Beach Party at Chelsea Beach Bar with awesome food and drink specials, hookah and crazy deals on bottle service (from 2 to 9 pm) then skip over (or sashay, whatever works for you, I’m more of a “grapevine leading into a box step my way all over the place” kind of girl, but… to each their own) to Cuba Libre in the Quarter for a Masquerade-themed bash at 11 pm. And you didn’t hear it from me but… a little birdie mentioned (Ok it’s me, alright? I’m the birdie! I work here! I say it! I’m the birdie!) there may or may not be some guest performances and Samba Novo dancers, but since you didn’t hear it from me… Combo passes are $40 and include admission to both venues. For more information, call or text (347) 985-4412. Click here for your tickets!

I haven’t even gotten to my recommended FIOOTW (food-inhaling opportunity of the week). If you’re taking advantage of the Tanger Outlet festivities, stop by the city’s very own brew pub, Tun Tavern and Brewery! Aside from their impressive list of craft beers on tap, their menu is fantastic. They have something that pleases every palate, and everything they make is carefully executed, from their expansive selection of starters and wings, to their signature dishes like locally-harvested scallops, hand-cut tender steaks, and their mouth-watering comfort food sandwiches, there is an option per tutti (for everyone)! Go to their website and check out their calendar of events, they’re always cooking up some kind of very cool promotion, or hosting some kind of festival or do-good-benefit to raise funds for a noble organization, or offering some kind of entertainment. Needless to say, I’m a big fat fan of the place.

Like I said, there are so many places to go to this weekend. In hindsight, I realize I basically listed what was on my agenda. It’s a good thing I didn’t share with you my other list, because I really don’t think you need to know I ran out of dish soap, almond milk, Cliff Bars, yogurt and toilet paper. But! Pressing forward… Aside from the eagerness to escape the confines of this frigid office on Friday, I am filled with a mix of complete joy for the holiday weekend (primarily because I have off on Monday and I am a creature of comfort after all and that does not exclude the happiness that stirs in me to have an extra day filled to the brim with sitting in my own unwashed-ness, watching Netflix for 8 hours, and ingesting a copious amounts of gluten-riddled things) and utter sadness that this is the end of a ridiculously quick season. And with summer ending brings the army of lady Han Solo impersonators (Google that as well) and I…I just don’t know if I’m ready for that. Again, I welcome my Uggs with open arms, but… The thought of it all scares me. The fear… it… consumes me… in an awesome wave. I want this season to last just a smidge longer. So I will savor this weekend as much as I can and milk it for every drop of sunshine, humidity, calories and frizzy hair I can get. Remember, folks, be safe and make good choices!