POP, CLASSICAL AND JUKEBOX CRIMINALS

Sudden pop star Ryan Beatty, seen here in a video shot recently on Broad Street, returns to Red Bank with a show at the Basie tonight. (Click to enlarge)

By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO

Friday, April 12:

MIDDLETOWN: Manga fans mingle at the Middletown Public Library for the bi-monthly Manga Club meeting. The event is free and begins at 3:30 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.

RED BANK: Overnight web celebrity teen sensation Ryan Beatty, whose EP made number one on iTunes – and who made the girls swoon when he popped in recently at Yo Mon yogurt on Water Street  – makes an appearance at the Count Basie Theatre after an opening set by Jackson Harris. Call to reserve VIP Meet and Greet Passes ($65) 732.842.9000, or buy general tickets $15. The concert starts at 7 p.m. 99 Monmouth Street.

RED BANK:  “The Electric Baby” continues production at Two River Theatre through May 5. This adult drama, by award-winning playwright Stefanie Zadravec, follows the lives of three strangers and traces how their paths cross in ways they’d never imagine. Tickets are $24 to $42 and the show begins at 8 p.m. 21 Bridge Avenue.

RED BANK:  Fred Whitehurst of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care gives a presentation titled, “Images of Life: Renewal in Art” at The Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library. Focused around spring, the presentation contains a variety of visuals that center on renewal, an “essential human instinct.” The event is free and starts at 11 a.m.  1001 Route 35 N.

RED BANK:  Mike Komar and Sean Cahill invite you to a night of their art, music by The Jukebox Criminals and friends at Jamian’s. “This is going to be a deeply intimate and sexually majestic night…” they promise. “Come let us show you how HI FIVES are born.” The event is free and starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 13:

RED BANK:  The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jacques Lacombe, will perform at Count Basie Theatre. Featuring cellist Jonathan Spitz, the NJSO serves up a program of “Exuberant Tchaikovsky” to showcase the composers Rococo Variations and the Fifth Symphony.  Tickets are $22, $55, and $76. Tickets are not available through Count Basie Theatre; purchase tickets through the NJSO website or by calling 1.800.ALLEGRO. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 99 Monmouth Street.

RUMSON:  First Presbyterian Church in Rumson invites you its two-day “Spring Renewal” event, the overarching theme of which is to promote a green earth, with presentations focusing on “how to” gardening, a documentary titled “Dirt,” and kid-friendly garden projects. The fair begins at 12 p.m. 4 East River Road.

RED BANK: Riverview Medical Center hosts its fifth annual “Riverview Kids Rock” from 12 to 2 p.m. Family members are encouraged to bring their youngsters for a day of an education and fun at the health fair. Play surgeon and slice open some gummy bears, get squeaky clean by washing off some glow-in-the-dark germs, meet staff members from the Pediatric Network’s Pawsitive Action Team and more. Previously featured on the Nickelodeon Noggin’s “Jacks Big Music Show,” Miss Melissa’s Aardvarks will be stopping by for a special live performance.  Riverview Medical Center, East Front Street.

RED BANK: Celebrate spring and National Poetry Month at the River Road Poetry Reading Series:  Words by the Navesink, held at the Red Bank Public Library. The monthly reading will feature readings from special guests, acclaimed poet/professors Laura McCullough and Michael Broek. Stick around afterwards for the open mic session. The event is free and runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. 84 West Front Street.

Sunday, April 14:

MIDDLETOWN:  Gardeners gather at Deep Cut Gardens for a presentation provided by the Backyard Composting Program to learn how to reduce household waste while improving the quality of soil. The event is free, but space is limited and advanced registration is required. Call 732-683-8686 ext. 6721 or download the 2013 Spring Backyard Composting Workshops here.  Earth Machine backyard composting bins will be on sale for $35. The event starts at 10 a.m. 152 Red Hill Road.

MIDDLETOWN:  Holocaust survivor Eva Wiener discusses her real-life experience as a passenger aboard the MS St. Louis, the ship that inspired the book and film “Voyage of the Damned” at the Middletown Main Library.  The event is free and starts at 2 p.m.

RUMSON:  Catch the second day of the “Spring Renewal” fair at the First Presbyterian Church in Rumson. Sunday provides information sessions for a healthy body. Learn about green smoothies, clean seasonal eating, and meditation and yoga. End the day with a delicious (and free) plant-based dinner. The fair begins at 12 p.m. 4 East River Road.

LINCROFT:  Brookdale hosts its 16th annual guitar show. For just $10-15, music maniacs can spend their Sunday roaming around the expo with live music to provide a soundtrack.  Check out the guitars on display, participate in free clinics, technique workshops and panels. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Newman Springs Road.