Art & Leisure we got that June is a month long celebration of food, film and fantastic in LBI Region

May 21, 2012 - PRLog -- What makes a place inspirational; is it the air, the water, the landscape or the people who inhabit it? For well over a century the Long Beach Island Region has drawn creative people, with everyone taking their interpretation with them to either share or keep for themselves. If you are seeking local artists they can be found by visiting galleries, taking classes or viewing exhibits. You can also take advantage of premiere art festrivals, performances and special presentations.  Arts abound in every direction of our community; take part in it.

Back for its fourth year and growing strong is the  The LIghthouse International Film Festival June 1-3 offers film enthusiasts a chance to screen award winning films, meet industry leaders and take in after parties. View 2012 Schedule, purchase tickets or passes and find out why this festival is fast becoming a favorite amoung film lovers  Passes can also be purchased at lighthousefilmfestival.org or visitLBIregion.com.
Another four year old crowd pleaser will be held onJune 9- 10  The Jersey Shore Fine Arts Festival, rated top 45th art show in the nation comes back to the Ethel Jacobsen Field in Ship Bottom. This pet friendly, open air event provides art patrons with a chance to view thousands of works of fine art and meet the artist on site. There is no admisson or parking fee for this smoke free festival with hours 10am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Southern Ocean County Chamber is a proud sponsor of the June 9 LBI Fest - featuring fun for the family with plenty of food, games and music from 11am to 6pm  and also a supporter of the June 23-24 The 18th Annual Baymen's Seafood & Music Festival, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM where you can enjoy delicious Jersey Fresh clams, crabs, scallops and shrimp from the finest local seafood purveyors.  Crafters, vendors, music, food, refreshments, family activities, demonstrations, boat rides, boat builders and carvers will be there!  Speak with commercial fishermen to learn about occupations on the bay or take a clam shucking class.  King Neptune and Mermaid contests will be held!  So bring the family and plan to spend the whole day.  One of the "Top 10 NJ ourdoor festivals" by NJ Countryside magazine.  Presented by the Jesey Shore Folklife Center. For another outstanding fresh seafood expereince, check out the June 23 -The Jazzy Scallop Festival presented by Viking Village of Barnegat Light. 3pm to 6pm provides the perfect evening of fine seafood tasting from local resturants and live jazz music.  Festival goers can enjoy a self guided dock tour, extended shopping hours, fresh local seafood and live music throughout the event. Tickets are $25 by advance purchasing them at the Southern Ocean County Chamber Visitor Center in Ship Bottom or any of the Viking Village shops or $30 at the door. June 23 & 24 The Seventh Annual LBI Artists Open Studio Tour  Visit  LBI Artists Studios this Weekend!from 10:00am - 4:00pm This is a unique opportunity to meet your local artists in their studios. Get inspired along with them. All of the artists will be demonstrating their process and have works on display and for sale. and top it off with the June 30,  Red, Wine & Blues Festival  for NJ Wines and live music 3pm to 8pm at Tuckerton Seaport

For live performances happening during Art & Leisure month, check out Surflight Theatre for Andrew Lloyd Weber's All I Ask of You and Annie the Musical for tickets or more info visit www.surflight.org and John Davidson as Man of La Mancha at the new Ocean Professional Theatre www.oceantheatre.org. Also, Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club is back at Surflight this summer and June is loaded with familiar faces such as The Soprano's Vinnie Pastore starring in Shut up, Sit Down and Eat on June 27.

For more information contact the LBI Region DMO/Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce at 609 494 7211 or at visitLBIregion.com