'Things are picking up' in Gloucester City with concerts, more
Jim Waters hopes to boost Gloucester City by launching a summer concert series on his beloved hometown's waterfront. "There's also a selfish reason," says the longtime high school teacher and newly minted entertainment impresario.
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Jim Waters hopes to boost Gloucester City by launching a summer concert series on his beloved hometown's waterfront.
"There's also a selfish reason," says the longtime high school teacher and newly minted entertainment impresario.
"I want to hear good music close to my house!"
The free shows at Proprietors Park on the Delaware River are set to debut at 7 p.m. next Tuesday with the quintessential Philly rocker Kenn Kweder. Concerts will continue every other Tuesday through Aug. 23, concluding with Fran Smith Jr. (an original member of the Hooters) and Steve Butler (of Smash Palace).
The venue - a city park with lush greenery, great views, and a pavilion well-suited for use as a stage - is "perfect," says Waters' pal Michael Tearson, the host of the series.
"Hearing music under the stars is one of the joys of summertime," adds Tearson, who has had a long career in Philadelphia radio and also hosts the Camden County concert series in Haddon Heights Park. He's helped connect Waters with musicians as well.
"I wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't" for Tearson, says Waters, 67. "And I've gotten a tremendous amount of cooperation."
Indeed, a local Knights of Columbus member is lending a tent for use backstage, members of city sports and cheerleading programs are set to sell water and soda, and young performers with Gloucester roots are lined up as opening acts.
The Gloucester City Business Association and the Gloucester City Economic Development Corp. are sharing the series' $6,000 total cost. The city is providing police, public works, and other services.
"We're excited about bringing people to our waterfront," says Bob Bevan, an aide to Bill James, the city's mayor.
Says Bob Booth, owner of Gloucester Travel & Cruise and the business association's treasurer, "We have a beautiful, family-friendly waterfront, and we would like people to come enjoy it."
Gloucester has struggled economically for years - proposals to redevelop Freedom Pier have come and gone - but a handy location and relatively inexpensive real estate are sparking fresh interest in the proudly blue-collar, 2.7-square-mile city of about 11,500.
And earlier this year, Gloucester held its first St. Patrick's Day parade.
"Things are picking up, there's an increase in millennials moving in," says business association president Tom Monahan. He opened Max's Seafood Grill 15 years ago, and in March unveiled a steak house called Chubby's a block away.
Other new, revamped, or long-standing restaurants have been invited to promote their businesses at the concerts, Monahan adds.
"People can come to the concerts early, or stay late" for dinner, says Booth. "We want to make this a real enjoyable evening for people."
Gloucester has a decidedly small-town feel; everyone seems to know Waters, and vice versa.
"I'm very lucky," he says. "I just want to bring in people from surrounding towns so they can get a taste of this.
"Some people on the outside have a fear of coming here," he says, noting the city's gritty reputation.
"I want them to say, 'What a nice little place. What a really great spot.'"
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