Exploring Artist Charles Fazzino at Ocean Galleries, Dinner at Blue Pig Tavern and Congress Hall for MDW

Photos, story by Lou Perri

Explore NJ traveled to South Jersey on Sunday, May 30th, to visit two Memorial Day weekend events.

In Stone Harbor, N.J. on the way to Cape May, Explore NJ hit Ocean Galleries, which welcomed world-renowned 3-D artist Charles Fazzino for his first time exhibition in the seashore town over Memorial Day weekend. Considered the most popular 3-D artist in the world today and a pop culture historian, Fazzino brought his latest collection of 3-D limited edition fine art silkscreen serigraphs, including many New York and other regionally-themed pieces. Charles Fazzino: The Master of 3D Pop Art opened to the public on Friday, May 27, through Monday, May 30, with all artwork on display available for acquisition.

A. Quinn, of Cape May, and her grandson, Caden, examine a painting on exhibit.

Barbara and Les Zwain, of Manchester, N. J., visited Stone Harbor to see the exhibit. — Barbara and Les Zwain, of Manchester, N.J., visited Stone Harbor to see the exhibit.

Barbarad Zwain, Harriet Reisberg, and Susan Hepper, all from Manchester, motored to see the exhibit. — Barbarad Zwain, Harriet Reisberg and Susan Hepper, all from Manchester, motored to see the exhibit.

Come Fly wth Me, Come Fly Away is the title of this $5,000 work.

Night or Day - Feel the Rhythm of Mural costs $17,500. — Night or Day – Feel the Rhythm of Mural costs $17,500.

Yje artist poses with the gallery owner for ExploreNJ. — The artist poses with the gallery owner for Explore NJ.

The gallery display window offers promotion of the exhibit.

This painting is titled Hot Town, Summer in the City.

After its visit to Stone Harbor, Explore NJ traveled to Cape May and America’s Oldest Seaside Resort, Congress Hall, which is celebrating its 200th birthday this year. The iconic landmark kicked off its Bicentennial Celebration Summer on Sunday, May 29 with a performance by the Bay Atlantic Symphony on the grand lawn at 7 p.m. Following the performance, Curtis Bashaw, Managing Partner of Congress Hall, was joined in the Ballroom by distinguished guests and visitors, including former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman, to sing a round of Happy Birthday to the Big House by the Sea. Guests also were invited to enjoy a piece of cake and a complimentary glass of champagne.

The cellists of the Bay Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

Cathy Dougherty and her granddaughter, Moira, dressed for the holiday.

Sections of theCogress Hall were rebirbished. Here an entertainer plays for guests in the lower tavern. — Sections of the Congress Hall were refurbished. Here an entertainer plays for guests in the lower tavern.

Luke Henry and Ava Natalie pose for ExploreNJ. — Luke Henry and Ava Natalie pose for Explore NJ.

Christina and Frank also enjoyed the concert.

This New York family also came for the concert.

Marianne and Daniel Giovanetto, of New York, also enjoyed the conv=cert. — Marianne and Daniel Giovanetto, of New York, also enjoyed the concert.

The daughter of a cellist in the orchestra, who also would like to become a cellist.

Peter Cox, and Heather and Roger Furbin.

Former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman is seen with Roger and Heather Furbin. He is a councilman in cape May. — Former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman is seen with Roger and Heather Furbin. He is a councilman in Cape May.

New Jersey former Governor Christie Todd Whitman sits with Curtis Bashaw, managing partner of Congress Hall, lleft, and the mayor of Cape May.

Prior to covering the Bicentennial concert, Explore NJ’s old guy ventured into the hall, which was recently renovated and guests were allowed to tour the building, to enjoy dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall. From an extensive menu, he decided on the crab cake entree, lifting a Jack Daniels as he ate a Caesars Salad, choice green Romaine lettuce leaves in a delicate dressing with cubes of toasted bread and slivers of Parmesan. The drink was a nice size, and this old guy sipped as he finished the salad. The crab cake dinner came with a medley of carrots and squash slices in a tasty broth. The cakes-rather three-inch balls of crab – came with a scoop of mashed potatoes. The crab balls were an excellent choice, small chumps of crab meddled with fine pieces of crab meat. Ordering a Miller Lite, this old guy enjoyed one of the two crab balls and chose to take part of the meal home for another night. (The old guy does that often enough). The dinner costs around $55 with $32 going for the crab balls, and around $8 for the salad. A pleasant surprise was the cost of the Jack Daniels, about $8 and the Miller Lite was $6. Service was exceptional.