Asbury Park Spring Disco & Night Market

The Asbury Park Spring Disco & Night Market event made its debut on April 12^th in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall to a sold-out crowd of partygoers.  Perla Nieves, Events & Marketing Coordinator, describes the event as a “vibrant 21-and-over night market with one of a kind street foods, libations, unique shopping, photo moments, and fun activities.”   The $25.00 ticket covered entry to the event and six hours of dance music.  The line-up of DJs included DJ Foggy Notion, DJ Atom Worth and DJ Tyler Valentine.   

By 8pm, the expansive floor space of the Grand Arcade transformed into a gigantic dance floor. With 685 partygoers jamming and disco-ing to 70’s disco, hip hop, and top 40 hits.  Cheryl Johanson and Shelley Hamilton of Manasquan said they came to the event to re-connect with their childhood friends.  “We grew up together,” said Shelley, “All our family parties were disco. When we were teenagers, we went to the Roller Dome in Seagirt, so this is fun nostalgia for us.”   Cheryl agreed. “When I got the email from Talulas, I was like – yes, it’s disco night.”

Event highlights included a Food Bazaar featuring 6 pop-up vendors offering a variety of international street foods, such as Cuban sandwiches by Cubita Truck, pizzaninis by Talula’s, corn arepas by Mozzarepas and charcuterie by Let’s Brie Friends.  Pop-up bars, the Oyster Bar and the Seahorse were also open for dinner and drinks. On the dance floor, friends Melissa Grossman and Rosie O’Brien enjoyed watching people of all ages dancing.  Rosie said, “I think we had the opportunity to hang out and dance. I saw older people do the Hustle. It’s cool.”  Melissa added, “I follow the DJ’s that are playing and I come to all the bazaars.  I live in Asbury Park; we have a great time.” 

In addition to dining and dancing, a variety of activities provided disco-ers with face painting, fairy hair extensions, paint on glitter decorations, photo activation, cornhole, jewelry bar fun, and chain stitching by Erica.  Embroidery Artist, Erica Mansfield, spent the evening demonstrating her technique of customizing hats, shirts and clothing with stitching designs. 

Erica said, “I work on a 1930’s chain stitch machine.  It’s closer to hand stitching embroidery than digital methods.” Erica uses a hand crank located under the machine to create shapes and words to personalize clients’ clothing. “I’ve been doing this for nine years. I work with J Crew and others to embroider on-site in stores.”

Jenny Vickers Chyb, Founder of Asbury Park Bazaar, believes the Spring Disco and Night Market to be the one party no one should miss.  Certainly, it is an immersive celebration of music and art, diversity and dining, in an historic waterfront location. 

Disco & Market Photo Gallery