Billy Piscopo rehearses “La Vie Boheme” in the Phoenix Productions staging of RENT, opening this weekend at the Count Basie Theatre. (Photos courtesy of Phoenix Productions)
By TOM CHESEK
It’s a show that’s described by the director as iconic and beloved; one whose “fierce honesty” and “lack of artifice” has made it a genuine favorite of a [...]
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- 09.03 - 21st annual Filmmakers Symposium It's the Fall Session of the special sneak preview screening event series organized by Chuck Rose, and available by subscription only at the AMC Loews Monmouth Mall multiplex for 12 weeks beginning September 21. Some bonafide special guest stars are promised in person, along with an advance look at dozens of new and forthcoming major studio releases (along with the best of the big festivals). Visit www.PrivateScreenings.org for a complete list of films and info on subscribing, or call 1.800.531.9416. Discounted registrations available through September 3.
- 09.03 - End of Summer Party on Sandy Hook On September 10, the Sandy Hook Foundation presents its annual fond farewell to the season of summer concerts and activities on the Hook, with some of the area's finest restaurants and caterers doing their thing they do so well, plus live music and auction items offered by a selection of local merchants. Proceeds support restoration, maintenance and education projects of the National Park Service. Party entrance is at the North Beach Pavilion near the Fort Hancock area; RSVP online.
- 09.03 - First Friday for Seniors The Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch hosts Maura Attardi in a free presentation for seniors on LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME. Coffee and light refreshments served.
- 09.03 - 3rd Annual Holiday Express Sunset Clambake On September 19, the non—profit powerhouse of seasonal cheer and positive energy holds their annual fundraiser, with Tim McLoone and the band on hand as both guests of honor AND in—house entertainment, with a splendid buffet and open bar, gift auctions and more. Admission (200 dollars per guest) benefits the ongoing good works of the Holiday Express organization, and attendees are urged to register online or call 732.544.8010 by September 10.
- 09.03 - Brett & Bill In Concert As part of the Mayor's Chill Out Jazz Series at the Asbury Park Transportation Center, longtime AP residents and internationally renowned singers (they're also the hardworking guys who run the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Mansaquan) BRETT COLBY ad BILL WHITFIELD perform a FREE evening of jazz, pop and Broadway standards — with beverage sales going to benefit the Arts Coalition of Asbury Park (ArtsCAP).
- 09.03 - Fair Haven Fireman's Fair The Big One! A touchstone of local life and an event whose joyous good times are nearly tempered by the melancholy that signals the onset of another school year. All the standbys are back for this 51st year at the River Road firehouse: the Ferris wheel and firetruck rides; the 'Out Back' snack bar and out—front kiddie rides; the Super 50/50 and the seafood kitchen. In fact, we'd suggest you start lining up right about now!
- 09.03 - Red Bank Walking Lantern Ghost Tours Jersey Shore Ghost Tours invades Red Bank once again, with guided nocturnal tours of the borough's most historical haunts, every Friday night through Halloween. Tours and ticket sales meet at 8pm in front of The Dublin House; reservations recommended at 732.500.6262.
- 09.03 - OLD MONEY First Avenue Playhouse presents a comedy about elderly counterfeiters, clueless kinfolk, hapless mobsters and a scheming girl scout. It's served up with coffee and dessert; visit the website for details on available dinner/show packages.
- 09.04 - Jody Joseph: One Legend, One Diva, One Woman On September 25, the First Lady of Shore barband rock pays tribute to Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks — with a portion of proceeds donated to the nonprofit Mary's Place by the Sea.
- 09.04 - SEVERE CLEAR On September 11, the Count Basie Theatre honors the memory of Lincroft's Beth A. Quigley and the other victims of the 9/11 attacks, with a special screening of the documentary SEVERE CLEAR, directed by Colts Neck filmmaker (and Iraq War vet) Michael Scotti. The director joins the Quigley family in person at this event, a benefit for the nonprofit organization ReserveAid. Doors open 7pm for a one hour cash bar; tickets (50 to 100 dollars) available from the Basie box office and additional info at www.reserveaid.org.
- 09.04 - Buc Backer Bash at RBR On October 30, Red Bank Regional High School presents a Booster Club fundraiser, with music, games and prizes inside the gymnasium and all proceeds dedicated to the RBRHS sports teams. More info and reservations (25 bucs; adults only) at bucbackerbash@aol.com.
- 09.04 - SkimBash 2010 Competition On September 11 and 12, skimboarding pros and enthusiasts from all over the USA converge on Sea Bright for the annual competition, sponsored by The Mad Hatter and Skim City and hosted this year on the municipal beach behind Borough Hall and awarding trophies in categories ranging from 5—8 year olds to grownup professionals. $$25 event registration (75 for pros) gets entrants an event t—shirt, lunch and other giveaways. There's live music too, and the Sunday finals are open to spectators free of charge!
- 09.04 - Touch a Truck at RBMC TICKETS ON SALE NOW for September 25. It's a chance for kids to climb aboard a firetruck, sit atop a bulldozer and, yes, touch a truck — and it's presented 'rain or shine' as a fundraiser by Monmouth Day Care Center from 10am to 2pm in the parking lot of Red Bank Middle School. There's also face painting, a 50/50 raffle, food vendors and more; tickets (10 dollars per family; kids must be accompanied by adult) can be purchased in advance by calling 732.741.4313.
- 09.04 - Paddle the Navesink Day On September 18, Navesink River Rowing presents a 'community wide celebration of the river;' a chance to walk or row the Red Bank riverfront and check out the all that the borough has to offer in recreational activities along the Nav. Included are free kayaking lessons and demos from Jersey Paddler, tennis on the clay courts at Marine Park, sailboat rides and food from Monmouth Boat Club, tours of the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat Club, plus seining, fishpainting, canoeing and a tour of the oysterboat Adam Hyler. All activities are free and it all starts at Maple Cove (foot of Maple Avenue off West Front Street). Call 732.241.9532 or 732.693.3067 for more info.
- 09.04 - Fair Haven Fireman's Fair The Big One! A touchstone of local life and an event whose joyous good times are nearly tempered by the melancholy that signals the onset of another school year. All the standbys are back for this 51st year at the River Road firehouse: the Ferris wheel and firetruck rides; the 'Out Back' snack bar and out—front kiddie rides; the Super 50/50 and the seafood kitchen. In fact, we'd suggest you start lining up right about now!
- 09.04 - OLD MONEY First Avenue Playhouse presents a comedy about elderly counterfeiters, clueless kinfolk, hapless mobsters and a scheming girl scout. It's served up with coffee and dessert; visit the website for details on available dinner/show packages.
- 09.05 - Twin Lights Bike Tour On September 26, the Highlands Business Partnership and Bike New York host the 9th annual biking event through some of the state's best seashore and countryside scenery. Online registration available at www.bikenewyork.org. Registration/check—in at Huddy Park, Highlands, at 7am.
- 09.05 - Tour de Fair Haven On September 19, the Borough of Fair Haven and the FH Business Association team up with USA Cycling Federation to host the annual biking event (a 3.1 mile closed course along the Navesink) that commences from the Fair Haven Firehouse at 7am — with kids' races and family activities following at 1pm. It's a benefit for the Joan Dancy & PALS (People with ALS) Foundation, and more info can be had at 732.449.2254.
- 09.05 - Red Bank Farmers Market Fresh, locally grown produce from some of New Jerseys finest farmers, plus equally homegrown crafts, at this Sunday morning staple running May through the middle of November in the Galleria parking lot.
- 09.05 - Reach Up at United Methodist Church United Methodist Church of Red Bank introduces a 'casual, informal,new kind of worship experience,' one in which 'you don’t have to be Methodist. You don’t even have to be Christian. Just have a desire to explore your own spiritual being.' It's come as you are, with no reservation needed.
- 09.05 - The Highlands Community Singers The summer season of free concerts at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor Gazebo concludes with this traditional homegrown offering at 7pm.
- 09.05 - Open Mic with Rob Dye and Mike Ghegan A tradition around Red Bank for years, the Sunday night event is THE place to find musicians congregating, hanging out, trying new ideas, cutting up on some classics and generally enjoying one of the MUST events for Jersey Shore music fans.
- 09.06 - Lunch Break 2010 Fall Gala On October 4, the Red Bank based nonprofit presents A NIGHT OF SONGS & TASTES OF OLD ITALY, hosted by Rumson resident and Hollywood actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan and featuring Italian songs by Tony winning actor John Leone. There's also a smorgasbord of samplings from top area restaurants and caterers, silent auctions and more. It happens at Two River Theater; contact info@lunchbreak.org for additional details, or call Toni at 732.747.8577.
- 09.06 - Philosophy as a Way of Life On September 13, the NJ Branch of the School of Practical Philosophy presents a lecture by Russell Bosworth, based on Pierre Hadot's book about how the study of the great philosophers can lead to life of happiness and greater awareness. It's hosted at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Middletown; visit philosophyworks.org/events for more info.
- 09.06 - Side by Side: Images by Vicki Culver and Norma Kay Little Silver's Boro Hall is the setting for an exhibit of handcrafted photo collages by Vicki Culver and digital art photography by Norma Kay; on view through September 30 during regular hours.
