Ascension beach party hits Asbury Park on Friday

Toto, with thousands of men from around the world and 14 international DJs spinning at 11 parties over three days, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

It’s the Ascension party, which relocates from Mykonos, Greece to Asbury Park, Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6.

“The intention has always been to bring people together, so basically what we do is find a way they can have a fun, enjoyable experience on a weekend, meet some new friends and maybe a boyfriend, who knows” said party founder said Eric von Kuersteiner.

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Von Kuersteiner created Ascension on Fire Island in 2006 and it was staged in Greece over the last two years. As for finding a boyfriend, yeah, that’s happened. 

“Many people who met at Ascension have gotten married,” von Kuersteiner said. “That’s the  type of environment we want to provide.”

Now, in Asbury Park.

“What Asbury Park has going for it is there are plenty of places to stay, there’s a lot of different restaurants, the beach is beautiful and we think the location makes it very accessible to New York City and Philadelphia,” von Kuersteiner said. 

Having the party on Mykonos was a bit restrictive, said DJ Lina Bradford, a vet of the New York City and Fire Island Pines scenes who’s now a regular at The Asbury hotel (located on 5th avenue, two blocks from the beach), where much of the Ascension action will take place.

“You felt on the island like you were stuck there,” said Lina, who has been with Ascension since the early days. “When you weren’t at a party, you didn’t have anything to do.”

Lina gave the good word about Asbury Park, which hosted the similarly-themed multi-venue Sand Blast LGBT party from 2002 to 2013.

“It’s a weekend thing to go to the  beach and listen to music,” Lina said. “For anyone who hasn’t come, it’s an opportunity to get out of town and feel like you’re someplace else.”

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Events include an Ascension Underwear Party at The Asbury hotel’s Asbury Hall  on Friday, Aug. 4; the Ascension “Beach” Party, in Atlantic Park, on Saturday, Aug. 5; and the Ascension Pool Party at The Asbury on Sunday, Aug. 6.  Deejays include Eddie Martinez, Dani Toro,  Hansel,  Paulo, Dan Slater and Lina.

One change to the original schedule is the Saturday Celebration party being moved from Asbury Lanes, adjacent to The Asbury hotel, to the Asbury Hall, which is inside.

The Lanes’ reopening, after renovations, is now scheduled for 2018.

While not affiliated with Ascension,  Paradise nightclub, located inside the Empress Hotel, 101 Asbury Ave., will have the Dip pool party on the afternoon Saturday, Aug. 5.

Ascension, a nonprofit, will donate a portion of the weekend's proceeds to organizations that serve the LGBT community. 

“We try to give back,” von Kuersteiner said. “The friends I have in Asbury Park have done really well there. I always think if it as a place that’s still growing and more and more people  want to be there. It seems like it’s just getting better each year.”

Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com

ASCENSION

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 4 to Sunday, Aug. 6

WHERE: Asbury Hotel and Atlantic Park, Asbury Park

TICKETS: $39 to $249

INFO: ascensionparty.com