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Patrons of Watermark who sip libations while taking in the sights and sounds of events at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, located directly across from the upscale waterfront lounge on Ocean Avenue, will have to ante up a cover charge this year — but all for a good cause.

Russell Lewis, Watermark’s co-founder and owner, is using his success to give back to the community by supporting music education at Hope Academy Charter School. Proceeds of a $20 per person cover charge on nights there is an outdoor show at the Stone Pony will be donated to the LakeHouse Academy’s Play it Forward foundation, according to a news release issued ny the LakeHouse Academy. With the costs offset, students at the school who might otherwise miss the opportunity will now be able to learn an instrument.

“Play It Forward” is the academy’s philanthropic program launched last year with the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation to create scholarships for students who are unable to gain access to music education due to financial or other hardship.

With highly experienced and professional musicians and artists, Robert Lamont, the newly appointed Director of Education sees Lakehouse as the center of the Asbury Park arts scene.

“We are committed to building a strong, supportive arts community in the greater Asbury Park area through the promotion of life-long learning, arts advocacy and repertoire-based, ‘Relevant Real-Life Music Education’,” Lamont said. “Russell Lewis is also an artist and a seasoned professional of Broadway and the music industry. We are delighted that he has reached out to us to support Hope Academy students through ‘Play It Forward’.”

Lewis [shown above, wearing white, with current LHMA students and Lakehouse Academy music director Albie Monterrosa, at far left] has been an Asbury Park resident since 2006. Prior to his move, Lewis worked as a live event producer involved in the creation of over 50 theatrical shows, concerts and special events on both American coasts as well as London’s West End.  He has worked closely with top Tony, Helen Hayes, Emmy and Grammy-award winning artists and projects, the release said. 

As a volunteer, Lewis has helped produce multiple fundraising concerts for local and national AIDS organizations which in total have raised over 11 million dollars for research, education and patient care, the release said.

He is also a commissioner on the city’s Environment and Shade Tree Commission, volunteering regularly on beautification and maintenance projects in the city.

Click here for more information about the Play it Forward program. 

Below is the complete list of Stone Pony Summer Stage shows:

• Friday, June 13 — Count Me In Summer Tour featuring Rebelution with Iration, The Green, Stick Figure and DJ Mackle

• Saturday, June 14 — Lynyrd Skynyrd

• Friday, June 27 — Drive By Truckers & The Hold Steady

• Saturday, June 28 — Primus with special guests The Dean Ween Group

• Thursday, July 3, — Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

• Friday, July 18 — 311

• Friday, July 25 — Under the Sun Summer Tour 2014 featuring Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Blues Traveler and Uncle Kracker

• Saturday, July 26 — The Dirty Heads & Pepper

• Sunday, August 3 — Slightly Stoopid with Stephen Marley & G.Love & Special Sauce

• Sunday, August 10 — Umphrey’s McGee

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