ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD
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published Atlantic Highlands Herald 6 January 2005

OCEAN GROVE, NJ —In December of 2003, Classical & Flamenco Guitarist David Cohen and the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce started working on what would become known as, The Monmouth & Ocean County Food Bank Benefit Concert, benefitting the non-profit organization.

With the help of Lois Hetfield from the chamber office, Thornley Chapel was secured for the concert that took place January 17, 2004. Thornley Chapel is one of the many historic landmarks in the town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The chapel has a capacity for 85 people with a room off to the side for social functions. The rooms capacity was filled well in advance of the start time. Many of the people who were turned away at the front door came to the back door. They quietly stood outside as David Cohen warmed up. As the performance started the guests standing outside quietly came into the back room and set up chairs where they could hear the music but not see the performance. David was unaware he had two audiences that night until he exited the stage. On the night of January 19, 2004 David Cohen presented an evening of music on the Chinese Pipa, Turkish Oud, 12-String Guitar, as well as on the Classical & Flamenco Guitar. The evenings program consisted of music from Bach to Ancient China , Classical Turkish Music to Traditional Flamenco Guitar and American Blues.The evening garnered 285 pounds of food along with $600 in monetary donations. The community supported this event. The Asbury Park Press along with The Coaster, The Neptune Times, and Lone Keep Internet kept this event posted for many weeks prior to the concert. Local Radio Station 90.5 the Night ran public service announcements for three weeks as well as Brookdale Community College Television running promos for the event. Cravings Bakery in Allenhurst, New Jersey donated desserts for an after concert reception and businesses through out the area displayed signs for the event on counters and in their windows. With the success of this night, the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and David Cohen decided to make this an annual event with David Cohen as the Chairman. January 29, 2005 will be the date of the next Monmouth & Ocean County Food Bank Benefit Concert. This year the concert will be held at the Ocean Grove Youth Temple. The facilities is a newer addition to the landscape of Ocean Grove and holds 600 people.

For this years concert many restaurant, Inns, shops and services in Ocean Grove will take part in what is to become a town event to benefit the Food Bank. The goal is to bring attention to needs of local Food Banks after the holidays. We would like to start an epidemic among communities with this event. It only takes one person to walk in to a community related office and say, " I want to do this......".

For tickets and more information contact: Guitar Point 732-988-4503 or Ocean Grove Area Chamber Of commerce 732-774-1391.