Time’s running out: Oakes Fegley and Robert Hogan co-star in director Joel Grey’s staging of ‘On Borrowed Time,’ now in its final weekend at Two River Theater. Below, spraypaint specialist Demer judges taking the Jersey Shore Aerosol Art Battle Against Hunger, at Colorest.
Friday, October 11:
RED BANK: Take a late afternoon/ early evening tea break and head upstairs to 135 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, where internationally exhibited multimedia artist (and Red Bank Community Church co-pastor) Gerda Liebmann presents a special opening event at Gallery 135, the must-see space located inside the second-story loft shared by the RBCC. An eclectic array of works in multiple media on the theme of one of the world’s favorite beverages, “Fifty Shades of Tea” spotlights the artistry of Debbie Jencsik, Ellen Martin, Wesley Sumrall, Linnea Tober — and Liebmann, who explains that “the concept of this exhibit is to have the visual reality of art and the multi-sensory reality of tea complement each other to create a truly immersive esthetic experience.” Also offered at the free 6 pm opening event will be a tasting of special-teas from Tea4U of The White House in Oakhurst. Additional exhibit hours will be offered on Saturday (3-5 pm) and Sunday (1-3 pm); call (732)687-3580 for more info.
RED BANK: It’s the final weekend of performances for “On Borrowed Time” at Two River Theater. Broadway legend Joel Grey — who appeared in Paul Osborn’s play as a child back in 1941 — directs this “Americana fantasy that filters big themes of death, devotion and stubborn determination through a Depression-era small town sensibility (and a vague unease over the gathering storm clouds of the Second World War).” Veteran stage-screen character ace Robert Hogan is a refreshingly tart and salty “Gramps” who tragic circumstance has charged with the care of his young grandson, Pud (the impressive young actor Oakes Fegley). Showtimes at 8 pm Friday and Saturday, and 3 pm Saturday and Sunday; take it here for tickets.
Tea and Tilling: Gerda Liebmann’s encaustic painting “A Cup of Matcha” is among the tea-themed works on display this weekend at Gallery 135’s “Fifty Shades of Tea” group show event…while Pat Meko’s “A Gardener Once Lived Here” appears in her garden-themed solo exhibit at Middletown Library.
Saturday, October 12:
MIDDLETOWN: It’s not so much an art walk as an art foliage tour…and the leaves are very much in evidence beginning at 2 pm, with artist Pat Meko’s solo display at Middletown Township Public Library. The Belford-based avid gardener and self-described “Sunday painter” — a member of the Art Alliance in Red Bank, The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury and The Atlantic Highlands Art Council — will be on hand to introduce the display of garden scenes and naturescapes, on display during regular library hours in the Community Room through October.
RED BANK: Forget the studio exec’s cut AND the director’s cut: when boyband juggernaut One Direction is involved, it’s the fans who have final say — and when the feature-length “doc concert” One Direction: This Is Us screens at the Count Basie Theatre, it’ll be the Extended Fan Cut that plays for two bargain-priced showings, at 4 pm and 7 pm. The film directed by Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me”) offers “a captivating and intimate all-access look at life on the road for the global music phenomenon. Woven with stunning live concert footage, this inspiring feature film tells the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis’ meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famed O2 Arena. Hear it from the boys themselves and see through their own eyes what it’s really like to be One Direction.” Then look here for tickets ($8) to either of the two screenings.
NAVESINK: When Middletown Township decommissioned its branch library locations earlier this year, the historic Navesink Library at 149 Monmouth Avenue ended its long run of public service — but soldiered on as the headquarters of the community theater troupe Monmouth Players, whose positively mind-boggling 60th year of continuous operation enters a “Season of Simon” with a new production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Producers Lori and Paul Renick — actors, directors, and artists of the hammer and nails — have invested tons of energy into the ongoing renovation of the 19th century structure, with the result that the local landmark has rebranded itself here in the autumn of 2013 as the nonprofit-administered Navesink Arts Center — an all-new venue for coffeehouse events, readings, children’s theater, and, of course, the Players. Doc Simon’s 1983 autobiographical comedy-drama introduces the playwright’s surrogate Eugene Jerome, who yearns to escape his frantic home life in a crowded, Depression-era Brooklyn apartment — and it’ll be followed on the 2013-2014 Players schedule by Simon’s “Biloxi Blues,” “Broadway Bound,” and “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.” Saturday’s 8:15 pm opening of “Brighton Beach” comes equipped with the famous spread of home-baked desserts, and continues with nighttime performances on October 13, 18, 19, 25 and 26 (plus 2 pm matinees on October 6, 13 and 20). Take it here to reserve tickets — and watch redbankgreen for an upcoming feature on Monmouth Players and the old library reborn.
Sunday, October 13:
RED BANK: More than a dozen spraycan Cezannes, krylon Kahlos, and rustoleum Rembrandts from all over NJ compete for prizes — and help raise funds for the Foodbank of Monmouth & Ocean — during the 2013 Jersey Shore Aerosol Art Battle Against Hunger, a family-friendly event that runs from 11 am to 5 pm at Colorest Art Supplies on Newman Springs Road. A panel of star spraypaint specialists from the Trenton-based collective Vicious Styles will judge the Black-Book and Aerosol Art contests, while performing live-paint demos and encouraging donations of cash and/or nonperishable food items. Check our feature on the AllGood section of redbankgreen — and take it here for deep detail.
LINCROFT: While preparations proceed apace for the sold-out 50th Anniversary “Circle of Gold” Gala on October 19, the Monmouth Museum continues to mark its precious-metal milestone with the ongoing exhibition Covered In Gold, an October-long installation that showcases an often overlooked aspect of museum masterpieces — the frame; specifically the masterful gold-leaf creations from the artisans of the Society of Gilders. Today at 3 pm, Suzanne Smeaton represents the international nonprofit organization, in a presentation that looks at the creation of one of the most spectacular framing jobs in history — that of Emmanuel Leutze’s epic canvas “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” The exhibit continues through November 10, during regular museum hours.
