Documentary exploring Asbury Park’s unique culture airs tomorrow
Sunset over Cookman Avenue in downtown Asbury Park in late November. (Photo: Blur Revision Media Design)
A documentary that explores the past, present, and future of one of the country’s most iconic shore communities airs tomorrow on NJTV.
“Here’s The Story: Season’s Greetings from Asbury Park,” the newest installment of Driving Jersey, an Emmy nominated series approaching its fifth season, includes the reflections and predictions of those who “live, lived, work, create, and haunt” the city by the sea, says series creator and producer Steve Rogers.
“This is a particularly special film for us,” he says. “We’ve been at work on it for over a year, so we’ve been living with it, existing in it for awhile, so it feels great to finally be able to show our experiences and tell the stories, which are all rich in interesting ways, many dealing with adversity and redemption.”
The film, which explores both the east and west portions of the city, contains interviews with a wide range of Asbury personalities, including art and music impresario Jenn Hampton, muralist Porkchop, restaurateur/activist Marilyn Schlossbach, musicians Paul Eichlin and Nick Nasty, and director/producer Mark Fleming.
“There’s something for everybody in this episode, which is what we always go for, but being given a full year to produce this and a full hour to tell the story has really allowed us to produce a rich, diverse portrait of this complex shore town,” Rogers says.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive film about Asbury.”
“Here’s The Story: Season’s Greetings from Asbury Park” premiers Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. on NJTV. The film will also be available on PBS stations in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. Check your local listings.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
