As I write this, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are belting out full albums in Madison Square Garden, New York City – The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle on Saturday, and The River on Sunday. Meanwhile, 90 minutes away in his hometown of Freehold, NJ, people are gearing up for the influx of fans and groupies.

Bruce Springsteen

Whenever The Boss is ’Working on a Dream’ in the vicinity, his admirers not only purchase E Street Band & Bruce Springsteen tickets, but also bus tickets for the Jersey Shore.

Being so close calls for a pilgrimage to Springsteen-ville in Freehold and Asbury Park, and a chance to check out all the names and places which appear so frequently in his lyrics.

I was born right here on Randolph St. in Freehold
Here, right behind that big red maple in Freehold
Well, I went to school right here, got laid, and had my first beer in Freehold
Well, my folks both lived and worked right here in Freehold
I remember running up the street past the convent and church here in Freehold
Chased my daddy down in these bars, first fell in love with this guitar here in Freehold  - Freehold lyrics, by Bruce Springsteen

If you happen to be a concert travel addict on one of the buses heading for Springsteen-ville, listed below are all the places connected to The Boss which you shouldn’t miss. Read More »

A painting featured during ArtCrawl Harlem

Soho and Chelsea may grab all the attention when it comes to New York’s art scene but Harlem boasts a vibrant array of galleries and museums, minus the crowds.   Artcrawl Harlem rounds up some of these art discoveries with a three and half- hour trolley tour that supplies historical background and a reception with food and live music at the end of the tour. For its second year, the Artcrawl focuses on East Harlem galleries and Spanish Harlem history.  If you’ve ever tried to explore Manhattan landmarks in an afternoon, you know that New York’s long stretches of streets and sprawling layout don’t make it easy.  Artcrawl Harlem’s trolley tour gives you easy with 30-minute trolley stops at 5-7 galleries and art spaces, giving you time to actually peruse the art without worrying about parking or schedules. Read More »