Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery (ARV) has really become quite the destination for music in Salem County. I will be totally transparent here and disclose that I currently run the open mic held there every Thursday, so I am probably biased in some way.
Thursday Nights Open Mic
Now, there is a very good reason that I got involved with the open mic at ARV: I believe in the magic of it. I started going as a member of the audience, like ten years ago. I’m a groupie. Always have been and always will be. So, there are plenty of musicians there to fawn over. Big ones, little ones, tall ones and short ones. I love me some musicians, and this is the place to meet them. And the quality! I am always blown away by the performances that happen in this space. Bone fide players come from all parts to share their sound with you while you’re just wining and dining in the courtyard blissed out on a Thursday night. The players stay and listen to everyone else, ready with words of praise when each set is over. The community that developed here is what makes me believe in the magic of it.
Big Responsibility
Listen, I only recently stepped into this gig, so I can’t take credit for creating any of that atmosphere. The owners of ARV take a lot of stock in the idea that “Everything Matters“. Great wine, food, staff, and atmosphere, including the music, are all curated to ensure that every experience at ARV is cherished memory. Co-owner Scott Donnini is a musician himself, so of course he has a great sound system installed and relies on professional sound engineers like Larry Kulp of Woodstown Music (my predecessor and mentor) to create the winning atmosphere that keeps the talent coming back. I take my new job as Larry’s protégée very seriously. ARV’s open mic is my third space. These are my people. I want to make them sound good. If I mux it up, I’ll be blowing up my own spot.
Best Acts in Town
I bet Scott feels a similar kind of way when he books live music, because he picks good acts. This month’s schedule contains just a few of the regional and touring top-performers that regularly play LIVE! From the Vineyard Stage on Saturday nights. These guys and gals play places like Farm Truck Brewing, the Fallser Club, 118 North, and other exotic locations that most of us far South Jersey residents have only heard about in legends. I’m not sure how Scott keeps up with the music scene so well with all that he has going on, but he does a really good job booking spectacular acts.
LIVE! From the Vineyard Stage at ARV for May 2026
Bonus Live Music Wed Apr 29
Also, Chris Farrell will be playing on Wednesday, April 29, as a part of a ticketed Barrel Tasting event from 6-8 pm!
More details can be found on their website: Auburn Road – What’s Happening. I’ll see you there any given Thursday.
Tootles! ~Sara