Kevin Smith: New Jersey Hot Spots

As I stated in my previous blog, I had the pleasure of visiting the Garden State (good movie) this past weekend, and in doing so, I was able to visit a few of the coolest places in town...the famous Kevin Smith spots.

Now, if you're not familiar with who Kevin Smith is...look it up online right now and then go immediately to Blockbuster or your DVD rental venue of choice, and begin watching all of his works. For those of you in the know, this should be quite a treat, I know it was for me.

We first stopped off at Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash.

35 Broad St
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 758-0508

This is just the coolest store I have been in. If you're a fan, you'll know what I mean. Memorabilia EVERYWHERE. There were statues, posters, videos, comic books, movie props, etc. Below are just a few of the pictures I snapped:






After the store, we crossed the street to Jack's Music Store, the CD and record shop found in the movie 'Chasing Amy.' It's a great store to go in on Broad St even if you aren't familiar with Kevin Smith or his movies. If you are, these next shots will please you.



Right next door to Jack's is the doorway found in 'Chasing Amy' where Ben Affleck and Jason Lee sat. I managed to snapshot myself there as well!


And finally, what New Jersey trip wouldn't be complete without the Quick Stop?

58 Leonard Ave
Leonardo, NJ 07737
(732) 291-9635

That's right, I even got to go inside and buy something. It is exactly the same...only not in black and white.



So if you get a chance to go to New Jersey, make sure you stop off on Broad St for Kevin Smith's store and the music shop across the street, and do not leave before entering the Quick Stop. I had a blast and you will too.

SIDE NOTE: The diner from 'Chasing Amy,' up the road from the Quick Stop, has been remodeled and looks nothing like it did in the movie. But I hear the food is nice...

All Points West Music & Art Festival

I had the privelage of attending this year's All Points West Music & Art Festival in Jersey City, NJ at the Liberty State Park and let me just say...wow. This was, by far, the most amazing concert I have been to in years. Never, have I ever, experienced an event so alive and so fierce. Not just a concert but a complete overload on the senses, all of them.

I only attended one day, the festival itself stretched out over a period of three days, July 31st - August 2nd. I chose August 1st as that was the day TOOL was headlining. Before I get to just how amazing they were, I want to stress how completely phenomenal the entire day was. First, we got there and walked through the entire field, there were a total of three main stages for all of the bands to play and play they did. Non-stop action is really the only way to describe what took place on those stages.

We had VIP tickets and were able to bypass the annoying "Beer Gardens" in which you purchase your beer in a tent that you cannot leave until you have finished said beer. There was also an air conditioned tent with big screen TVs, video games, catered food, and plenty of comfortable seating for us. I felt spoiled and before I move on I have to thank my boyfriend who made the entire weekend (trip into NYC, site seeing Kevin Smith spots in NJ, and Festival) possible.

As if that weren't enough, VIP also came with seating in bleachers so you did not have to pack yourself into the crowd like sardines, which, for me, is very beneficial as I am short and would have not been able to see the stage for trying...this is what the crowd looked like once TOOL made their way to stage:





TOOL was amazing, to say the very least. They rocked the entire crowd and gave everyone their money's worth. Just to see TOOL is a treat in itself but at a festival like this? Hands down, best concert I have attended.

Will I do it next year? One can only hope!