About Cupcakefest

Cupcakefest is an all-day concert and festival presented by Sweet Avenue and Planet Verge. Cupcakefest will feature seven bands performing at the Lincoln Park Band Shell (176 Park Ave) in Rutherford, NJ. In addition to the great local music, Cupcakefest also includes tons of awesome crafters and vendors, yummy cupcakes, raffles, and a cupcake eating contest to cap off the day.

This year, Cupcakefest will benefit the John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals in Bloomfield, New Jersey. All proceeds from raffles will be donated to the Shelter, and because the event is free to the public, attendees are encouraged to bring a monetary or pet food/supply donation for the Shelter. Donations are always needed and appreciated.

To view the Shelter's wishlist, please click here.

If you're not able to attend Cupcakefest, checks for the Bloomfield Animal Shelter can be made payable and sent to:

NTNN Animal Support Fund
1360 Clifton Ave. #321
Clifton, NJ 07012

All donations to the NTNN Animal Support Fund go directly to the medical care for the Bloomfield Shelter's animals.

The Bands

The main attraction at Cupcakefest is the amazing lineup of fantastic local bands performing all day long at the Lincoln Park Band Shell. This year we've got a killer lineup, with a returning favorite, and a bunch of exciting new faces.

The Nico Blues

The Nico Blues are an alternative rock band from New Jersey. The band has just released their debut album on their own Tiny Giant Records imprint titled "Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements". This album was recorded, produced, and mixed by the band in their home studio. The Nico Blues are influenced by rock, folk, and punk bands from the 1950's to 2010. All of their music can be downloaded off of their website TheNicoBlues.com. The band has been compared to everyone from Pavement to the Grateful Dead.

The Front Bottoms

The Front Bottoms are an indie/acoustic/pop/rock band from New Jersey. Their music is available at: http://thefrontbottoms.bandcamp.com. And you can also check out their Facebook page for more info.

Those Mockingbirds

Contrary to how most bands describe themselves, Those Mockingbirds like to keep the self accolades to a minimum and let the music do the talking. Of course, there are some basic facts that would be irresponsible to not share, like that the band resides in the state of New Jersey, that they released their debut EP No Symmetry in 2010 and topped Amazon's Movers and Shakers chart. They once kidnapped the Numa Numa guy and held him for ransom. They are a rock band consisting of all kinds of sounds like drums, guitars, more guitars, keyboards and violin. Now, about the music; at times dirty and heavy, or ambient and unresolved, it's music that is appropriate to work up a sweat to in a dirty basement. It strives to portray raw emotion, both musically and lyrically, relying only on their musical instincts. This is their third year at Cupcakefest, having melted faces in the previous two years. Download their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" by clicking here.

Bern & The Brights

Bern & The Brights are known for their evocative and energetic live show. With radiant chemistry and strong musicianship, they create an infectious, positive emotionality that takes over and transforms any room. Their fan base, playfully referred to as The Light Brigade, is ever-growing and spans a broad range of people who connect with the band's organic and romantic sound. Their sound has been described as "effortless genre-bending," and they have been compared to stalwart artists such as R.E.M., Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Buckley, and Coldplay. Check out their website, and their Facebook page for more!

Fairmont

Fairmont's 2005 album "Hell Is Other People" garnered them the most popularity; it was in regular rotation on several college radio stations and received the occasional spin on huge commercial stations like Q104.3 in New York and even a live set on G Rock 106.3 in New Jersey. Some people in the press wrote about Fairmont like they were some new pantheon of indie rock gods. The band was flattered and made these quotes readily accessible. Check out their website and Facebook page.

Monday Night Bear Claw

Monday Night Bear Claw describe themselves as "Crunk/J-Pop" and claim to have been formed at Jose Tejas. Find out more about them at their Facebook page.

Gary Bender

Gary Bender is a singer/songwriter hailing from northern NJ. Mixing his love for pop music, heartfelt lyrics and a knack for melodies, Gary hopes to continue to take his music to the masses. His music has been featured in many areas of media, including appearances on MTV's "Exposed," Radio and countless live acoustic performances. Including opening for acts such as Ryan Cabrera, The Spill Canvas, and many more. He is currently in the studio finishing up his new record with Producer Rob Freeman (Hit The Lights, Cobra Starship, Hidden in Plain View, The Pilot.) His debut solo record "The Show Never Ends" is available now! See his Facebook page for more!

Brian LaPierre

This will be Brian's fourth year playing Cupcakefest, making him the longest-running act in our history! He'll be kicking off this year's festivities with a pre-show performance starting at 12:30pm, so get there early. And bring Hot Pockets. Brian LOVES Hot Pockets. And he still doesn't have a website.

The Sponsors

The Vendors

Become A Sponsor/Vendor

Cupcakefest is awesome and getting bigger and better every year! What better way to promote yourself as a crafter or a local business than to become a vendor or a sponsor at Cupcakefest! You'll get a huge audience of amazing, generous Cupcakefest-goers from all walks of life. Click to view our Vendor/Sponsor Information PDF. We are still accepting new vendors and sponsors, but act quickly because space is filling up fast!

Directions

Cupcakefest is held at the Lincoln Park Bandshell, located at 176 Park Ave in Rutherford, NJ — Right across the street from Sweet Avenue! Rutherford is easily accesible from Rt. 3, Rt. 17, the Garden State Parkway, and the NJ Turnpike.

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About Sweet Avenue

Sweet Avenue Bake Shop is a gourmet vegan cupcakery located in Rutherford, NJ. All cupcakes are 100% dairy and egg-free, cholesterol-free, and delicious. Sweet Avenue is dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of cupcakes! Visit SweetAvenueBakeShop.com, Facebook.com/sweetave, and Twitter.com/sweet_avenue.

About Planet Verge

Planet Verge is an all-female run media network. In 2001, Planet Verge launched as a music 'zine in New Jersey. Today, Planet Verge takes on a farther-reaching form as a music and indie lifestyle Web site and Internet TV show (Planet Verge TV). Planet Verge reports on "what's hot" and "what's important" on the scene from our latest music and beauty obsessions to causes close to our hearts. Visit PlanetVerge.com, Facebook.com/PlanetVerge, and Twitter.com/PlanetVerge.

About The Shelter

The John A Bukowski Shelter for Animals is located in Bloomfield, NJ. Managed by the township of Bloomfield, the shelter's animal control serves the towns of Bloomfield and Caldwell. It has been in existence for 40+ years. The shelter is an extremely low-kill shelter. The majority of the animals are adopted into permanent homes or transferred to rescues or sanctuaries to live out their lives. No animals were put down in 2009, amazing for a municipal shelter and a testament to the dedication of the volunteers. In 2010 only two dogs were put down, both for serious health reasons. Visit Facebook.com/stbbs, Twitter.com/SaveTheShelter, and Petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html.

The Shelter's Wishlist:

• Fancy Feast canned cat food
• Friskies canned cat food
• 9 Lives Pate canned cat food
• Canned kitten food
• Any brand of dry cat food
• Cat treats: Temptations, Friskies Party Mix, etc.
• Cat toys
• Cat litter
• Pedigree canned dog food
• Pedigree dry dog food
• Dog treats: Beggin' Strips, Alpo Chew-Ezz, Carvers, Milk Bones, etc.
• Shop Rite, Petco, Walmart and Home Depot gift cards (for supplies and shelter repairs)

Cupcake Eating Contest!