Down the Shore: Summer Kickoff!

Summer may not officially start for almost a month, but we all know better. Memorial Day weekend means another season of fun and relaxation in the sun is here; what better way to spend it than down the shore? 

Check out some of the shore region's best bets this weekend:       

EVENTS

will kick off the summer season in Point Pleasant Beach with featuring Adam Lambert, Train and the Bobby Lynch Cover Band, hosted by Scott & Todd from the 95.5 FM WPLJ morning show. The concert, from 6 to 10 a.m., will be held inside Jenk's Pavillion. If you don't get inside, don't worry: you can listen from the beach!

Famed Asbury Park rock club The Stone Pony will by Monmouth County-based band the Parlor Mob Friday; Collective Soul on Saturday; and Grateful Dead-based tribute band Splintered Sunlight Sunday. Call 732-502-0600 or visit www.stoneponyonline.com for tickets and information.

The kicks off with a performance at 7 p.m. by Denis Coughlin, performing acoustic rock and blues. The show will take place at Pyanoe Plaza, 9th and Main Street.

The Lakewood Blueclaws, a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate, will kick off summer with , with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. each night at FirstEnergy Park.

The  will rock Saturday night when the  plays tribute to progressive rock icons Chicago with an 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $20. It's part of series of live Saturday concerts recalling those “Wild Summer Nights” of Tony Mart, the legendary Somers Point nightclub that closed 30 years ago.

Can't miss the Mets-Phillies rivalry game but don't want to stay inside on Memorial Day? Atlantic City has the answer. Baseball fans can on a large movie screen. The fun begins at noon on the beach off Arkansas Avenue.

 is set for noon Sunday at Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; for more information call 609-399-2018 or visit www.hsocnj.org.

Captain Hook's, 1320 Boulevard, Seaside Heights:Dubbed an "adult playground," Captain Hooks features foosball, shuffleboard, pinball, pool, air hockey darts and more. And oh yeah: alcohol. The party goes to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday and shuts down at 3 a.m. Sunday. Call 732-830-0006 for more information.

Brickhouse Bar & Grill, 979 Cedarbridge Ave., Brick: The Kootz will play the Brick Township restaurant at 9:30 p.m. Friday; the Phil Engel Band performs at 10 p.m. Saturday. Call 732-279-3743  for more information.

: Enjoy an evening while looking out at the ocean at Point Beach's expansive Martell's Tiki Bar. This weekend, New Power Soul plays at 9 p.m. Friday; Big Bang Baby at 9 p.m. Saturday; Johnny Drama at 9 p.m. Sunday; and Don't Call Me Francis at 7 p.m. Monday. Call 732-892-0131 for more information.

: Bar A will kick off the season with Summer Jam this Sunday, featuring nine bands, five DJ's, a free barbecue and giveaways. The fun starts at 2 p.m., with free admission until 4 p.m. Call 732-681-7422 or visit www.bar-a.com. 

Joe Pop's, 2002 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom: Joe Pop's, one of Long Beach Island's most popular nightspots, will welcome Screaming Broccoli Friday, The Benjamins Saturday and The Nerds Sunday. Call 609-494-0558 for information or visit www.joepops.com/index.htm.

: Point Beach's ever-popular nightspot features well-known cover bands the Nerds Saturday night and The Benjamins Sunday night. Cover charges vary; call 732-899-0569 for more information or visit www.jenksclub.com.