When I turn my colossal head slightly to the left, a fact most people miss because they are either unobservant, or they do not take the time to notice, I see a talented group of folks making endless phone calls from a small production trailer near Liberty Landing Marina.
This hard-working clan, few in number, quietly goes about its business producing corporate events and concerts of epic proportions.
Who are my friends that used my name as theirs? Why, it’s Liberty Event, of course!
Thankfully, dear friends, Liberty Event has added quite a lot of excitement to my twelve-decade existence.
As you might surmise, Miss Liberty enjoys watching all kinds of boat traffic and the sparkling lights of the big city, but it can sometimes get a little repetitive keeping watch over the New York Harbor. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, as Miss Liberty would never leave her appointed post, even if she wanted to.
Yet, since I have nothing but time as I hold my torch to welcome all who enter this historic gateway harbor, let’s look back and reminisce about some things Liberty Event has done to energize my watch and make these shores I stand on, well, teeming…
Little Liberty Event began life in 2001 with the creation of the Liberty Boat Show, and a twinkling in the eye of company founder, Ken Tesler. I guess he figured his office was in Liberty Landing Marina; he liked boats, so why not create a boat show.
The Liberty Boat Show had all kinds of boats. It had beautiful, romantic sailboats that glided by in a whisper, and a bunch of those really loud, go-fast boats. There were 100’s of boats, and something for everyone’s taste.
They even had one with three bedrooms and two baths which I believe is bigger than most New York apartments today.
Eventually, the folks at Liberty Event started to include jazz acts at the boat show to give their guests music entertainment. This experience in concert production as well as in large events in general, was a small glimpse toward a bright future booking larger musical events.
With the boat show’s success, word spread and companies like Fidelity Investments and City of Jersey City approached LEM to produce July 4th concerts inside Liberty State Park and the earliest New Jersey Jazz Festivals.
Soon, a west-coast, event-planning corporation, RA Performance, approached Liberty Event to help organize an exciting conclusion to their Mini-Cooper USA Rally.
Liberty Event created a classic New Jersey Boardwalk right in the middle of downtown Jersey City, and the finale of this exciting day, filled with very cool cars, was a free concert by Willie Nile (a fabulous musician who often plays with Mr. Springsteen) and Everclear.
In 2006, Liberty Event embarked on the momentous goal of bringing the first large-scale, publicly ticketed, rock n roll concert to Liberty State Park since 9/11 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Liberty State Park. This was no small task.
To successfully produce here in my park, you have to be very organized, do your homework, and receive permissions from just about everybody on up to the President of the United States. Well, not that far, but almost.
Being no fools, Liberty Event once again looked to yours truly for inspiration, and LibertyJAM was born.
LibertyJAM featured some of my favorite acts including The Smithereens, The Fab Faux, Patti Smith, George Clinton & P*Funk, and Cheap Trick. It rained a lot that weekend, but the concert went off without a hitch, and this 2005 multi-act rock festival was the pre-cursor to the All Points West Music and Arts Festival that we enjoy today.
A note about LibertyJam: When I heard that Cheap Trick’s manager and agent wanted their band to headline and follow the legendary George Clinton and his Parliament Funkadelic, I was shocked!
How could a classic rock band possibly match the craziness that ensues when George hits the stage, or match the funky grooves and rhythms of Funkadelic?!? If you looked closely that night, I swayed a little further than the 3” I do normally.
Needless to say though, Cheap Trick tore it up and brought the heat, and that crazy Rick Nielsen was sensational on all his wild Hamer guitars.
Did I mention that my one hundred and twenty-two years of modeling paid off? I didn’t? Ohh! Well, the Liberty Event crew has used me on their graphics for almost every thing since they started, but I was especially proud of the stage scrims used for LibertyJam.
Another historic event I witnessed was the Veterans Day Event for the Burn Advocates Network. Talk about an epic production challenge. 50 war veterans, volunteers and supporters pedaled hydro-bikes around little ole me to raise awareness about military burn victims, and the New Jersey Fireboat saluted them, but see for yourself. It was cool, and I was proud to be a part of it. I salute all veterans and soldiers who serve the greatest country in the world.
From my experiences watching and partaking in all the Liberty Event’s productions, I know that they put on a hell of an event. If you ever need a top-notch musical headliner or production support for your next event, Liberty Event is the place to call.
I’ll continue my eternal fist pumping (look really close at a picture of mine, you’ll know what I’m talking about) as I’m surrounded by the 2009 All Points West Festival, featuring Coldplay, Beastie Boys, Tool, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, My Bloody Valentine, MGMT, and so many more.
Also, I'll look for you at the Highline Ballroom presents THE BEACH on Governor’s Island, which kicks off Saturday, July 11th and features Dark Star Orchestra, Keller Williams, and Pete Francis and Barefoot Truth.
My advice to you citified, huddled masses: go to these events!
Take it from someone who knows; there’s seeing a concert and then there’s seeing a concert with the New York City skyline as your backdrop, and yours truly as your musical conductor.
Peace, Love, and Rock n Roll : )
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