A stand-up paddler and some jet-skiers share our beautiful Navesink River on a relatively cool – mid-70s – and sunny summer day, as seen from a bench outside the Red Bank Public Library Friday afternoon.
The forecast for the weekend includes mostly cloudy skies Saturday and a return of sunshine Sunday, with peak temperatures in the high 80s, according to the National Weather Service. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
Flashing spokes and vivid colors mark the super-competitive Tour de Fair Haven Sunday. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
Saturday, September 14:
RED BANK: Scramble up your Saturday night, bring your Scrabble board (and a dictionary) and compete against other Scrabble scrimmagers at the Red Bank Public Library. The Scrabble tournament runs from 2 to 4 p.m. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: Musician Bob Burger returns to Red Bank for a Saturday night set at the Walt Street Pub. The show begins at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RUMSON: The Snakes slither into Molly Maguire’s Black Point Inn for some seriously venomous Saturday night entertainment. The Irish music begins at 9:30 p.m. 132 East River Road.
The orchestra seats have been covered in plastic at the Count Basie for tonight’s appearance by fruit-smashing comedian Gallagher. Still: pity the housekeeping crew. Troubador Pat Guadagno, below, is at Jamian’s Saturday. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, August 8:
SHREWSBURY: Take a ride over to the Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library as big rigs from Shrewsbury Public Works line up for touch-a-truck. Big Truck Day is both kid and adult friendly, and begins at 11 a.m. 1001 Route 35 North.
SHREWSBURY: The Master Gardeners of Monmouth County demonstrate vermicompost, using worms to make nutrient-rich soil at the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch. The compost demonstration begins at 11 a.m. 1001 Route 35 North.
MIDDLETOWN: The Manga Club gets a special visit from voice actress Michele Knotz voice of May in Pokémon as well as video games, audio books and more at the Middletown Main Library. J*Con: A Manga Club Special Event, features food, games, anime, manga, prizes, cosplay, as well as a Q&A with the manga star. Register in advance online, the event begins at 12:30 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: Dig Into Reading at the craft party hosted at Red Bank Public Library, where kids can create rock paintings and animal fossils. The party lasts from 3 to 4 p.m. 84 West Front Street.
Contractors building a new staircase over the sea wall at the Mad Hatter in Sea Bright, where thousands of revelers are expected for the daylong Dunesday fundraiser. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, July 19:
LINCROFT: Royalty graces Brookdale Community Colleges Lincroft campus as Shakespeares witty early comedy, Loves Labors Lost, comes to the Great Lawn. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets (rain site: Performing Arts Center). The performance begins at 7 p.m. Park in lot 2. Lawn outside PAC building/Newman Springs Road/Route 520.
RED BANK: The versatile five-piece cover band Pez Head visits the Walt Street Pub for an invigorating Friday night set. The show pops at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: Jazz pianist and pocalist Champian Fulton visits the Summer Jazz Café at Two River Theatre, presented by Jazz Arts Project. The series promises a big city club vibe with coffee and refreshments. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $22. 21 Bridge Avenue.
A promo video for ‘Eat! Drink! Italy!,’ Red Bank restaurateur Victor Rallo’s new TV show, which gets a launch at the Basie Saturday night. Below, a rousing night of patriotic songs fills the First Presbyterian Church at Tower Hill Sunday. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, July 5:
RED BANK: The Josh Zuckerman Band stops by the Walt Street Pub for an energetic Friday night set. The show beings at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: Blues rock guitarist Matt ORee and band perform at Jamians Food & Drink. The show begins at 8 p.m. 79 Monmouth Street.
SHREWSBURY: Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library hosts a discussion on Treasures of the Monmouth County Parks, including an update on the status of the park system post-Hurricane Sandy for this edition of First Friday for Seniors. The discussion begins at 11 a.m. 1001 Route 35 North.
The Fab Faux play the Beatles’ ‘White Album’ at the Basie Saturday night. Navesink River Rowing offers free introductions to the sport Sunday. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, June 21:
MIDDLETOWN: Meditate and relax at the Middletown Public Library Falun Dafa cultivation class. Designed to improve mental and physical wellness, Falun Dafa is a traditional Chinese self-cultivation practice that uses a series of exercises, meditation and development of the heart and mind (Xinxing). The class runs from 2 to 4 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan takes the stage of the Count Basie Theatre for another side-splitting stand-up routine. Tickets are $29, $39, $49 and $99. The comedy starts at 8 p.m. 99 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: The Jukebox Criminals steal the show at the Downtown, starting at 10 p.m. 10 West Front Street.
Don’t even bother trying to curb your appetite at Red Bank Riverfest, which runs through Sunday in Marine Park. Details in the poster below. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, May 31:
RED BANK: Come sample the savory and sweet flavors at Riverfest, the annual three-day music and food festival in Marine Park. Stroll the “artisans alley” for handmade items and artwork, cruise the Navesink River, or dance your butt off in front of the waterfront stage to the likes of Brian Kirk & The Jirks, Woodfish, the Moroccan Sheepherders and the Jazz Lobsters. Free entry; no pets allowed.
MIDDLETOWN: The Middletown Arts Center hosts a Luau Party for kids ages 5 and older, offering crafts, limbo contests and games. Pizza and snacks will be provided. The luau runs from 6 to 9 p.m. 36 Church Street.
Images of 20th century Red Bank and other Monmouth County locales are featured in a show of photos from the Dorn’s Collection beginning Saturday at Red Bank Frameworks. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, May 10:
RED BANK: Sandy Hacketts Rat Pack infests Count Basie Theater. Join faux Frank, Sammy and Dino for performances produced by the legendary Buddy Hackett. Tickets are $19.50, $29.50 and $39.50. 99 Monmouth Street.
RUMSON: The third annual Gayla! prom, a fun and safe evening with food and DJ takes place at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. The Rumson Fair Haven Gay-Straight Alliance partners with Make it Better for Youth to provide support kids ages 13-19 in middle, high, or home school. The prom runs from 7 to 10 p.m. tickets are $20; parental permission required. 74 Ridge Road.
RUMSON: The boys from Madison Avenue are back and will perform at Molly Maguires Black Point Inn. The show begins at 9 p.m.132 East River Road.
The Two River Theater has a full weekend in store, with a play opening Saturday and a Kids’ Day Sunday. Below, Geri Grey’s photo, ‘Many Hands,’ from the Sprung! show at Gallery U. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
Friday, April 5:
LINCROFT: Visit Brookdale Community College for the opening reception of Cotillion, the AFA Student Art Show, featuring works by Brookdales second-year fine art students. The reception will take place in the Center for Visual Arts Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. The work will be on display until April 17. 765 Newman Springs Road.
RED BANK: SPRUNG! A group exhibition of contemporary art kicks off opening night at Gallery U. Celebrate and admire the work of more than 18 artists from 6 to 9 p.m. 80 Broad Street.
SHREWSBURY: The Monmouth County Library hosts Delectable Desserts: A First Friday for Seniors Program. Watch the chefs from Atria Tinton Falls demonstrate their culinary skills as they whip up some decadent desserts. Sample the sweets and learn how to make the dishes featured; recipes will be available. Admission is free and the event starts at 11 a.m. 1001 Route 35 North.
Dionne Warwick brings her golden pipes to the Basie Friday night. Below, the works of Bruce Waldman are featured in a printmaking show at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, March 8
RED BANK: Pop legend and five-time Grammy winner Dionne Warwick comes to the Count Basie Theatre for an 8 p.m. benefit concert. Proceeds from the tickets ( $35 to $155) go to the Basie’s Performing Arts Academy, as well as cultural programming and ongoing theater restoration. 99 Monmouth Street.
Saturday, March 9
RED BANK: Bring some heavy gloves and your green thumb to Riverside Gardens Park to help prune the rose bushes that will brighten the park come spring. Warm work clothes are suggested. Register with Robert Hespe via email at hespeb@aol.com. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, March 16. West Front Street.
In this video from last May, Olivia Mullen, then a junior at Red Bank Catholic, gives a taste of the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Competition, which returns to Brookdale Community College Saturday. Below, a Martha Rand portrait from the show opening Friday night at Gallery U. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, March 1
MIDDLETOWN: Girls in grades 5 to 10 are invited to discuss Cynthia Lords Touch Blue with their moms at this free monthly event held at the main library hosts at 2 p.m. for the mother-daughter book club. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at GalleryU for SWART (Social Work Works), a special exhibition of artwork by New Jersey social workers and art therapists. Joann Lense and Martha Rand are among the 17 contributing artists represented in the exhibit, which will remain on display until March 23. 80 Broad Street.
RED BANK: An opening reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at McKay Imaging Gallery for The Silence After, a new exhibit showcasing local scenes of Sandys new landscape by photographer Mike McLaughlin. The exhibit continues through March 14. 12 Monmouth Street.
Thomas Lauderdale, who appears with his band, Pink Martini, at the Count Basie tonight, discusses his music. Below, Owiso Odera and Roslyn Ruff in ‘Two Trains Running,’ at the Two River Theater. (Photo by Michal Daniel. Click to enlarge)
Friday, February 15
RED BANK: Two River Theater continues its presentation of August Wilsons Two Trains Running, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $24 to $42 and are available online. 21 Bridge Avenue.
RED BANK: Pink Martini, “a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure” in the words of bandleader Thomas Lauderdale, sets up its tent at the Count Basie Theatre. Up to a dozen musicians create the Cosmopolitan World Music project, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $75 and are available online. A portion of ticket sales supports breast cancer awareness. 99 Monmouth Street.
Kenny Vance and the Planotones bring their supersmooth doo-wop to the Basie Saturday night. Below, quilts will be on display at the Middletown Township Public Library Saturday. (Photo by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
Friday, February 8
RED BANK: Psychic Lisa Williams will use the Count Basie Theatre stage at 8 p.m. to demonstrate her other-worldly abilities for $35-59 entry tickets. 99 Monmouth Street.
Saturday, February 9
SHREWSBURY: Stop by the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free workshop with materials to create handcrafted valentines for that special someone. 1001 Route 35 North.
LITTLE SILVER: From 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sickles Market will offer a step-by-step tutorial on how to create beautiful floral arrangements, from assembly to aftercare. For $40, each participant will be able to take home their own five-inch glass cube filled with hydrangeas, gerber daisies, rose, and wax flowers. Space is limited and advance registration plus payment is required. 1 Harrison Avenue.
MIDDLETOWN: Rebeccas Reel Quilters, an organization specializing in lessons and workshops for quilting enthusiasts, will be displaying their work at the public library at 1 p.m. Admission is free to those wishing to come and admire. The exhibit will continue during regular library hours through March 1. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: Kids five years old and up are welcome at a free craft party from 2 to 3 p.m. at Red Bank Public Library, where they can create their very own Valentines, including lollipop flowers and heart-shaped suncatchers. Registration is required. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: The Count Basie will host a Valentine concert at 7:30, featuring Kenny Vance and the Planotones, Terry Johnson’s Flamingos, Willie Winfield and the Harptones, Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords, Cleveland Still and the Dubs, Lenny Dell and the Dimensions and The Chantels. Tickets are $40-50. 99 Monmouth Street.
LINCROFT: Brookdales Performing Arts Center will welcome jazz pianist Joe Accurso, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and guitarist Doug Clark at 8 p.m. for a cheap ($15-17 tickets) but jammin good time. Newman Springs Road.
Sunday, February 10
LITTLE SILVER: Sickles Market invites parents and kids to spend some quality time together and decorate one large heart shaped sugar cookie and six cupcakes to take home, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Only kids ages 6 to 12. Space is limited and advance registration plus payment ($25) is required. 1 Harrison Avenue.
RED BANK: Red Bank Regionals THE SOURCE hosts a benefit at Buona Sera for the Andrew Kroon Memorial Scholarship Program for Latino students. The $40 admission includes a fashion show, lunch and coffee bar, plus a 50/50 raffle and raffle basket auction. 50 Maple Avenue.
MIDDLETOWN: The Creative Writing Majors of Red Bank Regional High School’s Performing Arts Academy will put on a free performance at the Main Library at 2 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: The Monmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform at Count Basie at 3 p.m. featuring Haydn, Shostakovich, and Aaron Copland’s ‘An Outdoor Adventure.’ Tickets are $35. 99 Monmouth Street.
LINCROFT: Postponed from last week due to inclement weather, the Chairish the Museum Silent Auction Finale Benefit at the Monmouth Museum features over 50 chairs decorated and designed by local artists, all of which are available for purchase. ‘Libations and light fare’ will be served during the 4 to 6 p.m. event. All proceeds from the $10 tickets benefit the educational programs at the Museum. 765 Newman Springs Road.
RED BANK: First Presbyterian Church will welcome young instrumentalists from Juilliard School and other prestigious academies at 7 p.m. as part of the free Tower Hill Concert Series. 255 Harding Road.
Dance majors in RBR’s Visual and Performing Arts program present ‘A Blast from the Past,’ 23 dances choreographed to the music of the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen, Madonna and more. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, January 18
FAIR HAVEN: Fair Haven’s Raven and the Peach is the setting for a special fundraiser dedicated to the animal adoption charity Project Animal Worldwide (PAW), with light fare, desserts, gift basket auctions, jewelry bar and a tasting presented in the restaurant’s wine cellar from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30, with the wine tasting for an additional $15. Call 732-979-6499 to reserve. 740 River Road.
RED BANK: The Elvii return, for the ninth annual edition of what’s become an unshakably shakin’ Basie tradition, Elvis Birthday Bash. Soaps actor Scot Bruce (as the younger Elvis) and award winning Mike Albert (as the Vegassy jumpsuit Elvis) team up once again for a Count Basie two-fer at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19.50, $29.50, and $39.50. Call 732-842-9000 to reserve. 99 Monmouth Street.
Josh Zuckerman is at Red Bank’s Walt Street Pub tonight. (Click to enlarge)
For the first weekend of 2013, here are some fun ways to keep busy on the Green …
Friday, January 4
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: The Josh Zuckerman Band, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, returns to the Wall Street Pub for a free set of original rockers and favorites at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: World class championship blues guitarist Matt ORee will visit Jamian’s Food & Drink for a free Friday night set starting at 8 p.m. 79 Monmouth Street.
NOTE: The Holiday Express fundraiser at Sickles Market, which was postponed by Hurricane Sandy until tonight, has again been postponed out of respect for the Sickles family, which lost its matriarch, Adelaide Sickles, at age 81 earlier this week. A new date for the event has not yet been announced.
Little Silver residents will once again take on the challenge of rendering their town in Legos Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pardee; click to enlarge)
For the final weekend of the year, some amusements and diversions…
Friday, December 28
RED BANK: Two River Theater hosts a performance of A Wind in the Willows Christmas at 12 p.m. and features Grammy-winning Nashville songsmith (and ex-NFL player) Mike Reid in this new take on the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Mole and company. Adult tickets $50-55, 18 and under $25. Repeat performances Saturday and Sunday, also at 12. 21 Bridge Avenue.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
Michael Davidman, who’s now all of 15 years old, comes to the Monmouth Conservatory of Music on Saturday.
With Christmas little more than a week away, there’s a full weekend of holiday events all around the Green…
Friday, December 14
FAIR HAVEN: The First Floors House Tour, put on by the PTA, is both a fundraiser for the Fair Haven School District, as well as a collection for Hurricane Sandy donations by Sandy Family Match. Eight Haven homes will be open to tours between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and will each feature cuisine samplings from local eateries. Tickets ($50) will be available for purchase at 248 Kemp Avenue and 85 Grange Avenue. No children allowed.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library at 1 p.m. by Amy Richardson. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: Two River Theater hosts a preview performance of A Wind in the Willows Christmas at 7 p.m. and features Grammy-winning Nashville songsmith (and ex-NFL player) Mike Reid in this new take on the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Mole and company. Adult tickets $50-55, 18 and under $25. Repeat performances Saturday at 12 and 7, Sunday at 12. 21 Bridge Avenue.
Heavy-chops bluesman Matt O’Ree plugs in at Jamian’s in Red Bank tonight, and author Karen Schnitzspahn autographs her new book on the history of food at the Shore, below.
Friday, December 7
MIDDLETOWN: Each year, Poricy Park Nature Conservancy hosts a seasonal shop with the help of a volunteer staff. Entering its 25th season, the handcrafted holiday craft shop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 2. Items for sale include all homemade quilts, jewelry, ornaments, jams and jellies and more. Kids can also get their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. 345 Oak Hill Road.
SHREWSBURY: At 11 a.m.m the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County library will host a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observance featuring Tom Minton, who will discuss the activities that took place at Fort Hancock and around the Sandy Hook peninsula during World War II. Free admission. 1001 Rt. 35 North.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library by Amy Richardson at 1 p.m. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
A horse named Prince makes his way down Broad Street during the 2011 holiday season. Horse-powered carriage rides resume on Saturday. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, November 30
MIDDLETOWN: Each year, Poricy Park Nature Conservancy hosts a seasonal shop with the help of a volunteer staff. Entering its 25th season, the handcrafted holiday craft shop runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 2. Items for sale include all homemade quilts, jewelry, ornaments, jams and jellies and more. Kids can also get their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. 345 Oak Hill Road.
RED BANK: Free yoga session at the Red Bank Public Library by Amy Richardson at 1 p.m. No registration required, bring your own mat. 84 West Front Street.
As the wind and snow relented Monday morning, plows, shovels and snowblowers got heavy use in Fair Haven and Rumson.
redbankgreen‘s Dustin Racioppi trudged through the streets to snap shots of residents digging out from the season’s first major storm.
(To enlarge the photo display, start it, then click the embiggen symbol in the lower right corner. To get back to redbankgreen, hit your escape key.)
Among the three vehicles left abandoned on the Red Bank end of the Cooper Bridge were these two, still there at 9:30a Monday. Below, a motorist left a car at West Front Street and Riverside Avenue. (Click to enlarge)
Officials in Red Bank and nearby towns are asking motorists to stay off the streets while plow crews dig out from the blizzard that socked the region with at least two feet of snow Sunday and early Monday.
Abandoned vehicles and pedestrians walking in streets slowed the start of snow removal efforts, Red Bank officials say. Now, cars mired in deep drifts continue to hamper plowing.
“It’s a severe problem,” said Gary Watson, who heads up the borough’s public utilities department.
Numerous cars left stuck at intersections could still be found at daylight Monday, including three caught in deep snow on Bridge Avenue at the foot of the Cooper Bridge.
“We’re working on getting towtrucks out,” police Captain Darren McConnell told redbankgreen. “They’ve become a hinderance to the plows.”