Tonight the full schedule of shows begins at The Music Man in Lavallette (www.njmusicman.com). It’s a small town ice cream parlor with musical performances, and it adds a sweet finish to a day at the beach.

You get a huge ice cream sundae, and you’ll be entertained by a group of college-age kids who scoop, squirt, serve, sing and dance until your dish is scraped clean and your kids are completely mesmerized.

The wet walnuts, home-made fudge, and boat of whipped cream blanket your ice cream and make you forget the crowds, the traffic, and your diet.

You may also be called on to participate; you’ll have to twist if someone orders the Chubby Checker (waffle, three scoops vanilla, mountain of whipped cream).

We caught a special performance on Father’s Day. The small but appreciative crowd got a ninety minute vaudeville act with a cast of eight up-and-coming singer/dancers who clearly see the Music Man as a great launching pad for their next gig off-off-Broadway. They sang (Broadway tunes, pop and kid-friendly favorites), danced, and poked fun at the audience and each other with a chorus line that wove between tables in the restaurant.

The Music Man is another good reason to book a trip to the Jersey Shore. Where else does an order of ice cream get you a ticket to a show? Bring the kids and your appetite, and prepare for a caloric cabaret, down the Shore.