Tag Archives: things to do in Monmouth County

Soaring Vocals Lift the Spirit

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The Monmouth Civic Chorus

When thinking about writing a blog for the arts in Monmouth County and trying to spin the focus on the music scene –the directions which one could turn are seemingly endless. But with the Holidays approaching it seems only natural and right to go for a more “traditional” approach.

Choral music finds its origins in traditional music and has been around since the 2nd century BC! During the Renaissance, sacred choral music was the principle type of formally notated music in Western Europe and perhaps the most notable in all of history is Handel’s “Messiah.” The Monmouth Civic Chorus has its own rich history and has been bringing outstanding music to audiences around the globe since 1949. They’ve performed in venues from Carnegie Hall to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and many impressive spots between, and are considered “among the very best in the entire Northeast” (Asbury Park Press) and were the 2008 winner of the Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award which is given to only one chorus in North America per year.

This year the chorus appointed a new Artistic Director, Dr. Ryan Brandau who received his B.A. in music, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Musical Arts degrees from the Yale School of Music (not too shabby, eh?). This year the series features, you guessed it: Handel’s “Messiah” at the Count Basie in Red Bank, Sunday December 2nd at 4 pm. Tickets range from $5 to $45, and subscriptions are available as well as group rates.

Like to sing? Experienced singers are invited to audition for the award-winning Monmouth Civic Chorus by appointment, and are encouraged to attend a rehearsal at the Red Bank Charter School (where auditions are also held). And there’s more after the Holidays too! The Chorus will return to the Count Basie Theater in March honoring the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s iconic speech and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with, “I Have a Dream.” The music will range from African-American spirituals and Civil War songs to a choral arrangement of Irish rockers U2’s tribute: MLK. The season closes in May with Durufle’s “Requiem.”

For more information you can visit www.monmouthcivicchorus.org or call 732-933-9333. Be sure to get your tickets well in advance (I already have mine).

 

Carl Chesna
Monmouth Arts Music Blogger 

It’s a Brand-New Season at Algonquin Arts Theatre

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Summer may be fading away but the arts are in full bloom this fall in Monmouth County!

This issue we’re focusing on the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, whose mission is “to provide cultural enrichment and arts education.” They strive to provide outstanding entertainment at affordable prices and have done just that since their inception in 1991. Thanks to Algonquin Arts, residents of both Monmouth & Ocean Counties (and folks who happened to be visiting our fair land)
have had the opportunity to experience a multitude of renowned professional & touring theatre companies. Artists like The Moscow Classical Ballet, The Actor’s Studio of New York, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company are just a few of those who have appeared –as well as G. Love, Rich Little, Ben Vereen, Jimmy Heath and coming in January, Sally Struthers! In addition, each year brings engaging educational programs and artist-led workshops to over 15,000 kids from about 230 area schools. Kids can also audition to be a “Rising Star,” a program that gives young classical musicians an opportunity to perform and receive feedback from judges and a guest mentor. Then there’s also their Performing Arts Academy, Summer Stage and ShoreDance –after-school programs, classes and camps offering a plethora of learning activities! Upcoming events at Algonquin Arts are unique and plentiful. They include:

Shows:
The Shore Repertory Theatre Company’s: GYPSY October 12 – 21

Asbury Shorts New York: World’s Best Short Films November 3

Father Alphonse Stephenson conducts: Cole Porter & Friends November 4

 

Classes:
Algonquin Glee Singers – September 17 – December 3

Learn To Ace an Audition – September 17 – December 3

Theatrical Makeup Workshop – September 17 – December 3

Creative Dramatics – September 18 – December 4

Acting for Young Actors – September 18 – December 4

TV & Film from A to Z – September 18 – December 4

Musical Theatre – September 20 – December 6

Also, they’re auditioning NOW for Scrooge The Musical, there’s open call for entries for “Kidz Filmz,” and it’s open enrollment for Fall 2012 at the Algonquin Arts Theatre Performing Arts Academy. So you can either enjoy the arts this Fall at Algonquin, or be a part of it yourself! For more info, check out the
website at www.algonquinarts.org.

 

Carl Chesna
Monmouth Arts Music Blogger 

HEADS! Up Red Bank, It’s a Public Art Exhibit

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If you’ve been out and about in Red Bank lately, you  have probably noticed some new faces around town… literally! If, like me, you’d like to see how many you can find… just know that you should be on the lookout for 50 large-scale paintings (4′ x 8′) by Romanian artist Dumitru Gorzo… part of a large public art exhibit, HEADS!, that opened on August 19th and will be hanging around until mid-October.

This show is exhibited by the New Jersey Museum of Contemporary Art (NJMoCA) and curated  by the art critic, independent curator, art historian, and president of the International Association of Art Critics, Marek Bartelik. It is sponsored by the Romanian Cultural Institute of New York and SLAG gallery (in Brooklyn),  which focuses on presenting contemporary works by Eastern European artists.

Installation (photo by NJMoCA)

 SLAG Gallery  has this to say of Gorzo:
“What unites these works is Gorzo’s unique utilization of materials, including a formula of clay and glue on paper and canvas. Surfaces become of extreme importance, in particular paper, as its’ properties possess a vulnerability, or permeability of sorts, that allows the surface to vibrate with feeling. Given the earthen qualities of these materials, it is no surprise that the artist often drew with mud as a child and found the Romanian landscape as an early inspiration, further pointing to his works’ direct connection to his homeland. Watercolor also abounds in the suite of paintings on paper, and is often seen combined with clay. The intensity of pigment attained through watercolor, coupled with the tactility of clay, coalesce in a way that could be seen as bringing sculpture to paper. “ 

Click here to Listen to the interview on "Art on Air"

Exhibit docent Edy Ottensen had this to say
of her experience:
“It is my humble opinion that NJMoCA is the most significant thing to happen to New Jersey since “the Jersey Shore”  and this event should certainly put Red Bank on the art world map…I ended my second tour as the sun was setting and the sky was casting a pinkish glow on Red Bank Library Wall and Gorzo’s wonderful representation of Humanity! It looked glorious!”

NJMoCA Education Director Laura Petrovich Cheny stands by one of Gorzo's "HEADS!" (photo from Laura's blog

In a July interview with Will Corwin of Art on AIR, Art International Radio, NJMoCA founder Robin Parness discusses plans to house a future museum in a permanent location, but notes that it will likely keep its “nomadic” exhibits as well, with site-specific installation deisgned to get contemporary art out to the public (so that it might be less intimidating, which can be the case for contemporary art in general). Because New Jersey does not have one defining city (though it does have many great, exciting cities, I must add), Parness considers the museum to be of the entire state. It is unique in that it’s exhibits are free for public enjoyment and education. For HEADS!, NJMoCa has a special educational component, with curriculum created by NJMoCa’s education director, Laura Petrovich Cheney (who, by the way, also has a great blog entry on this topic). A tour plan and art lessons so that teachers can bring their students and get the most out of this exhibit.

About the Artist

Dumitru Gorzo with one of his HEADS! pieces (photo from NJMoCA)

Born in 1975, Gorzo is from the small village of Leud in Romania. “When he moved New York City in 2008, Dumitru Gorzo was regarded as one of the foremost, and most controversial artists in his field. The National Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest reserved an entire floor for his works, which were selling very well, and every exhibition became the talk of the town” (this from Radio Romania International). He has exhibited around Europe, but the HEADS! exhibit marks his first in the U.S. museum exhibition.

 

Tammy Laverty
New Media Manager
Monmouth Arts 

Inspired by Historic Monmouth County

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A working grist mill at the Historic Walnford

With so many options for entertainment in Monmouth County, it can be puzzling to settle on exactly what one should do with their precious moments of spare time. There’s also the predicament of deciding what to do if you happen to get a day off. Many of us have our “go-to” haunts and have a bucket-list of others that we want to try, but most of those involved closed doors and stage lights. What we sometimes forget is that our County is chock-full of outdoor activities and adventures, both educational and entertaining, that can be enjoyed day and night! Monmouth County’s federally recognized Parks Dept. is an excellent place to start.

This cow thinks you should stop by Historic Long Street Farm

They offer programs and classes that are either free or very affordable and you can register right online! Other places of interest that you can visit this spring are our vineyards which offer tours, tastings, demonstrations, and music. Check out Four JG’s Orchards and Vineyards in Colts Neck, and the Cream Ridge Winery in (you guessed it) Cream Ridge. If you’re a history buff like me, take a visit to the Longstreet Farm in Holmdel –a living history farm that recreates agricultural life of the 1890s. Longstreet Farm is an example of a typical farm created by Dutch settlers in New Jersey, where interpreters dress in period costume and perform year round farming and domestic actives. Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold is a 36-acre village that began with a gristmill in 1736 and by 1872 had its own post office (now Jersey’s oldest continuously running post office). These might not seem like your
Inside the Cream Ridge Winery
Inside the Cream Ridge Winery

typical examples of “entertainment,” but Monmouth County goes way beyond typical in what it has to offer. Winter’s gone. Go out and get some fresh air!

View a photo montage of Long Street Farm by photographer Matt Denton.

Carl Chesna