Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
This was an event we couldn’t resist: Checking out Atlantic City’s premiere craft brewery, The Seed: A Living Beer Project, which last Saturday hosted a terrific event for The Heart of Surfing, a nonprofit organization founded by Bob and Cindy Fertsch, publisher and editor respectively, of Shore Local newsmagazine, which offers free surfing and skateboarding lessons for families with autism or other developmental disabilities.
A full house of friends and craft beer enthusiasts gathered at The Seed’s cool, almost-bohemian location off Baltic Avenue to honor and support Heart of Surfing, with the launch of their IPA brew Heart Swell, which featured the artwork of Jamie Fertsch, the late son of Bob and Cindy Fertsch.
“This is the second year in a row we have brewed Heart Swell, a hazy New England style IPA, for our Heart of Surfing event,” said Sean Towers, who owns The Seed along with Amanda Cardinali.
“Last year, we were unable to can the batch due to scheduling constraints. We have since purchased our own canning line and were excited to get this beer in cans for folks to take home with them.
“When speaking with Cindy (Fertsch) about the (beer’s) label art, she graciously shared a couple of beautiful works of art that Jamie had done and we settled on using an image that he drew of him surfing with his dog,” Towers continued. “It is the perfect label art to help embody not just the beer, but what the entire community surrounding Heart of Surfing is about.”
We have also been hearing about the bi-weekly jam sessions The Seed was hosting, and asked Sean about that.
“Our dear friend CJ Sooy hosts our open jam session twice monthly (on the second and the final Thursday of each month), said Towers.
“Signups begin around 5 p.m. and the open jam begins at 6 p.m. Our friends from Mortal Minds Coffee Roasters also set up shop at each of these sessions.
“These nights have certainly gained popularity and traction, attracting an incredible and diverse mix of insane local talent. It really is an amazing space to come and listen to a wide array of local musicians spanning multiple genres and styles. All are welcome to join and sign up!”
On Saturday, May 10, Grateful Dead tribute Crickets and Cicadas perform at The Seed starting at 3 p.m. (free).
“These shows always pack out and are a great time, and bring such fun vibes to the brewery,” he said.
Also in May, they’ll celebrate the release of their newest batch of Poetry in Motion, where Allison Stella will be leading a spoken word and poetry evening, with music interludes while tasting and releasing Poetry in Motion Blend 4. Folks can stay up to date on brewery happenings by following their social media accounts @theseedbeer.
Tune ups
We’re always interested in new talent; the Lizzie Rose Room in Tuckerton hosts the Kelli Baker Band Friday, May 10. We asked who influenced her strong, soulful vocal style.
“A large part of my singing is influenced by gospel. I grew up singing in the church choir like so many did,” said Baker. “The voice I have now is not the voice I had then, or even five years ago. What comes out of me now is some control from my vocal coach, which allows me to keep my voice, but other than that, it’s raw emotion.”
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
