ASBURY PARK- It’s just over four months since The House of Independents blazed a new trail as the city’s downtown entertainment space and since the November 25th opening, the talent has been as eclectic as the space itself – a true nod to the art, culture, music, and established quality venues along the waterfront and on legendary Saint Main Street in Asbury Park. Ever since Murphy’s Law frontman Jimmy Gestapo christened the stage with a beer and Fishbone’s energetic soulful punk/Ska blend packed the house, the team behind The House has continued to fill a niche unsurpassed (today) by any in the downtown. Spoken word artist Henry Rollins sold out before the venue opened, and John Waters brought his one-man show A John Waters Christmas: Holier and Dirtier to stage. Russian punk performance artists Pussy Riot panel discussion on their activism and global Civil Rights fight was led by Hedwig’s own John Cameron Mitchell while Amy Poehler’s collaborative comedy troupe- the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) and MiniKiss performers -- offered one-of-a-kind showcases through Marketing, Branding, Public Relations, and Artist Booking by WORKHOUSE
“The minute we walked in, we we’re taken back by the setup of the club,” Minkiss’ Louis Fatale said in a written statement. “We play at venues throughout the States and honestly aid not expect such a beautiful set up. The stage was a perfect size and was set up for any band to kick ass!! As a band manager, and being in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, I give this place 5 stars!! Rock on our new friends!!”
Founder Morgan Sackman said +65,000 people have passed through our doors to attend close to 70 performances featured since November’s end. “These first 4 months have been a whirlwind of continuously changing energy, community spirit, and sensational showmanship,” Sackman said. “Our initial intention was simply to provide downtown with a wide variety of entertainment. However to see and hear the public’s response to our programming and adaptability has been indescribable.”
If you’ve ever had the chance to meet him, you’ll know that WORKHOUSE, CEO and House of Independents Executive Director & Partner Adam Nelson's kinetic energy is the very definition of what House represents. Here’s what he wrote when I asked him for retrospective comments on the space: "This isn't a halfway house. It¹s a house on fire. From the first spark, House has concentrated on breaking revolutionary new ground. We do not want to be the best venue in Asbury Park. That¹s not our desire. We want to be the best artistic sandbox in America. Period. These House parties of ours are defined by desire, they are fueled by thoughtful theatrics, stocked with local and legendary voices who resonate with creativity that is simple, imaginative, and fresh. Our stage holds the very heritage of Asbury Park within it's hardwood. It burns with artistic expression, crackles with an authentic, off-center spirit. With each engagement we burn down the house and it's a kind of celebration that sings.”
I really couldn’t edit a bit of that out.
So as the spring truly breaks, I asked the team behind the curtain ‘What’s next?” “Our plan is not to slow down. We are just getting started making history at the House.” In terms of what showcases are in line for the summer season – there’s a throwback to the 80s and 90s beloved performers as well as more of the off-the-beaten-path lineup.
“In relation to booking, I want to fill the air with the unexpected,” Nelson said. “The House of Independents has renaissanced Asbury’s downtown Arts District through a wellspring of concrete, gay, and established culture.”
Performances Nelson has programmed include John Waters, Henry Rollins, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Fishbone, Pussy Riot with John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig), the New Wave Knight Series including A Flock of Seagulls, Howard Jones, Book of Love, Missing Persons, Bow Wow Wow, China Crisis, and Trans X. Also, Harlem Gospel Choir Brunch, Mini Kiss, Molly RIngwald, Puddles Pity Party, Marshall Crenshaw, Rakim, Sugarhill Gang & Grandmaster's Furious 5 Reunion Tour, Murphy's Law, The Dictators, Colin Hay, The Lone Bellows, NJ Golden Gloves, Coney Island Sideshow Circus, A Christmas Carol, Upright Citizens Brigade, Comedy Sportz, comedians Suzanne Westenhoefer & Robert Kelly (“Louie"), Asbury Park Music in Film Festival, Please Kill Me 20th Anniversary with Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain, Talk About Rock & Roll with legendary photographer Bob Gruen & Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith), shock Illusionist Dan Sperry, Emily Kinney (Walking Dead), Junk Dance, The Light of Day Foundation Concerts with Dramarama, Jill Hennessy, Willie Nile, The Billy Walton Band, Steve Forbert, Gas House Gorillas, Le Scandal Cabaret, The Amazing Kreskin, gay programing including The Pyrate Ball with legendary DJ Johnny Dynell performing with Jackie 60 stars from NYC, DJ Princess Superstar all for the 25th anniversary of NJ Pride this June, graphic illustrator event Carousel, Gideon Luke & The People, Remember Jones, Offseason Poetry, American Poetry Theater, The Pietasters, and Where's the Band, to name just a few.
Really I could go on but you get the gist.
Although a nod to the Hot fudge Sunday Dance party, there's the lesbian dance party Crushed Ice, yoga, and giving Kennedy Park’s Outdoor Farmer’s Market Asbury Fresh a home during the winter months. Bringing our brand of Mexican style theatrical wrestling and partnering with the House of Independents was an easy decision for Superkick Lucha Libre producer Steven Ship said. “They are quickly becoming the place for live entertainment in the area.” Ship said. “We are very excited to bring Superkick to House of Independents in Asbury Park. The area has a great history with Pro Wrestling and has fans there who are very passionate.” Visit http://www.houseofindependents.com
Asbury Park's HOUSE OF INDEPENDENTS located at 572 Cookman Avenue has become downtown’s premiere live entertainment venue through an eclectic mix of theatre, dance, film, comedy, oddities, late night fare, and, of course, the music that has placed Asbury on the global radar. Located in the heart of downtown, House has made a home for emerging and established culture renaissancing Cookman's Arts District through a wellspring of gay, concrete and established culture.
HOUSE OF INDEPENDENTS design elements brings the past into beautiful harmony with modern touches, encased in the look and feel of a warehouse artist loft. The exterior marquee and blade sign refreshes traditional theatre and melds it with modern stainless steel and LED backlighting. Custom hurricane glass doors flank an ipe wood exterior making the building come alive along the streetscape. Once inside, stone grey tiles lead to the full bar, faced by ipe wood, encased by a polished concrete bar topped with art deco inlays. The main event floor is a sea of swirling greys highlighted by poured concrete and 10 coats of layered epoxy. The main restrooms are accented by timeless subway tiling, polished concrete counters, and lighting fixtures inspired by Edison's carbon filament design. The overall space is bordered by exposed brick walls, black steel pipes and railings, and a hexagon steel mesh that mirrors the House of Independents iconic logo.
House features a 20 foot full bar with six local craft beers on tap, along with two tap wines. The spirit center includes a full array of bottled beer, wine and spirits, along with local mixologist specialties. There is a secondary beer and wine bar also located in the lower level lounge. A fantastically stocked concession stand including a variety of soft drinks, candy, and fresh popcorn is open nightly and catering options through exclusive deals with local chefs and leading restaurants is also available.
With an adaptable main event space, it is the only venue with such allowances in Asbury Park. With a traditional seated setup the venue includes a fronted stage that expands up to 31’ wide by 24’ deep, enough to host 204 premium stadium-style seats. With a stage that measures 3 feet in height, it can be easily adapted to a smaller footprint in order to accommodate generous floor level seating, raising attendance up to 275. A malleable event space, the main stage can be cleared wall to wall through a state-of-the-art retractable telescopic seating set up that contracts into a 4 foot wall allowing access to 2500sf open floor space for anything your imagination might create raising the general capacity to 500. Below are House of Independents capacities for traditional setups and standard ticketed events.
The House is fully equipped with a professional audio system capable of accommodating any type of event. The JBL VerTec line array system is designed to the specifics of the venue. Digital audio consoles bring the latest in sound reinforcement technology. The House equipment also includes a full complement of microphones, monitors, cabling and a top tier wireless microphone system. For touring artists, there is 100-amp cam loc disconnect. The House lighting rig is a full range, cutting edge LED system designed to handle any variety of theatrical, concert, and event needs. It includes, wall washes, concert rigs, and moving heads throughout the space, networked to a single control console. The lighting rig is accessible via a House owned Genie GR-20 vertical man- lift.
SACKMAN ENTERPRISES When Sackman Enterprises was founded by Alan Sackman over 30 years ago, they focused mainly on the restoration of historic brownstones in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Since then, Sackman Enterprises has expanded their reach throughout Manhattan and beyond, to Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Now run by Carter Sackman, Sr., Sackman Enterprises prides itself on being a family-run business, and, while the company has experienced vast growth over the years, its focus remains on maintaining and restoring the cultural and historical integrity of their properties and surrounding communities. By placing an emphasis on supporting local businesses, people, history, and culture, Sackman Enterprises revitalizes properties and develops them into integral parts of the community. Using this business model for over three decades and two generations, Sackman Enterprises has made a name for itself as a continuously expanding business built, not only on know-how and profit margins, but on trust and integrity. Now, House of Independents rises, a gift to Asbury Park, as part of the next phase of downtown development under the firm belief that the arts grow the community. For more visit http://sackman.com
HOUSE OF INDEPENDENTS design elements brings the past into beautiful harmony with modern touches, encased in the look and feel of a warehouse artist loft. The exterior marquee and blade sign refreshes traditional theatre and melds it with modern stainless steel and LED backlighting. Custom hurricane glass doors flank an ipe wood exterior making the building come alive along the streetscape. Once inside, stone grey tiles lead to the full bar, faced by ipe wood, encased by a polished concrete bar topped with art deco inlays. The main event floor is a sea of swirling greys highlighted by poured concrete and 10 coats of layered epoxy. The main restrooms are accented by timeless subway tiling, polished concrete counters, and lighting fixtures inspired by Edison's carbon filament design. The overall space is bordered by exposed brick walls, black steel pipes and railings, and a hexagon steel mesh that mirrors the House of Independents iconic logo.
House features a 20 foot full bar with six local craft beers on tap, along with two tap wines. The spirit center includes a full array of bottled beer, wine and spirits, along with local mixologist specialties. There is a secondary beer and wine bar also located in the lower level lounge. A fantastically stocked concession stand including a variety of soft drinks, candy, and fresh popcorn is open nightly and catering options through exclusive deals with local chefs and leading restaurants is also available.
With an adaptable main event space, it is the only venue with such allowances in Asbury Park. With a traditional seated setup the venue includes a fronted stage that expands up to 31’ wide by 24’ deep, enough to host 204 premium stadium-style seats. With a stage that measures 3 feet in height, it can be easily adapted to a smaller footprint in order to accommodate generous floor level seating, raising attendance up to 275. A malleable event space, the main stage can be cleared wall to wall through a state-of-the-art retractable telescopic seating set up that contracts into a 4 foot wall allowing access to 2500sf open floor space for anything your imagination might create raising the general capacity to 500. Below are House of Independents capacities for traditional setups and standard ticketed events.
The House is fully equipped with a professional audio system capable of accommodating any type of event. The JBL VerTec line array system is designed to the specifics of the venue. Digital audio consoles bring the latest in sound reinforcement technology. The House equipment also includes a full complement of microphones, monitors, cabling and a top tier wireless microphone system. For touring artists, there is 100-amp cam loc disconnect. The House lighting rig is a full range, cutting edge LED system designed to handle any variety of theatrical, concert, and event needs. It includes, wall washes, concert rigs, and moving heads throughout the space, networked to a single control console. The lighting rig is accessible via a House owned Genie GR-20 vertical man- lift.
SACKMAN ENTERPRISES When Sackman Enterprises was founded by Alan Sackman over 30 years ago, they focused mainly on the restoration of historic brownstones in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Since then, Sackman Enterprises has expanded their reach throughout Manhattan and beyond, to Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Now run by Carter Sackman, Sr., Sackman Enterprises prides itself on being a family-run business, and, while the company has experienced vast growth over the years, its focus remains on maintaining and restoring the cultural and historical integrity of their properties and surrounding communities. By placing an emphasis on supporting local businesses, people, history, and culture, Sackman Enterprises revitalizes properties and develops them into integral parts of the community. Using this business model for over three decades and two generations, Sackman Enterprises has made a name for itself as a continuously expanding business built, not only on know-how and profit margins, but on trust and integrity. Now, House of Independents rises, a gift to Asbury Park, as part of the next phase of downtown development under the firm belief that the arts grow the community. For more visit http://sackman.com
"As the Mayor for the City of Asbury Park, I am writing this reference letter on behalf of Adam Nelson. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Nelson since 2015 when I appointed him to serve on the Business Advisory Council. Mr. Nelson has demonstrated his commitment to Asbury Park with his work with House of Independents and the Boardwalk. Through his dedication and commitment, he was able to turn the Boardwalk into the success it is today. His focus on finding the best solutions has helped make the Asbury Park Boardwalk the attraction place of New Jersey. The hundreds and thousands of people that visit our city annually are due to individuals like Mr. Nelson who has given his time unselfishly. A list of his achievements follows: Served as the first-ever appointed Director of Communications for the Asbury Park Boardwalk, achieved substantial international earned media coverage for both the City of Asbury Park and the waterfront including procurement of the “Coolest Small Town in America” award, initiated and oversaw free Wi-Fi along the Boardwalk, initiated and oversaw free Surf and Boardwalk cameras, increased Asbury Park Boardwalk social media presence, subscribers and followers by 150%, conceived and created the Upperdeck Shuffleboard Club, conceived and created the Asbury Athletic Club, conceived and created Roller Hall, roller skating within historic Convention Hall, conceived and created Gift, a Wooden Walls gift shop, oversaw a successful rebranding of the Asbury Park Boardwalk, his personal photography and videography including celebrity interviews, concerts and creative captures were instrumental to Madison Marquette’s waterfront marketing and often utilized by mainstream media, appointed by myself to serve on the Business Advisory Council, serves as Vice Chair of APTV. As you can see, Mr. Nelson’s work ethic and performance speaks volumes here in Asbury Park. If you should need additional information please feel free to contact me"- John Moor, Mayor, City of Asbury Park
