Events

Brute Force
2024-12-02 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Lauren K Woods Theatre, 398 Cedar Ave, Long Branch, NJ, United States
Born in 1940, Monmouth University alumnus Stephen Friedland performs under the name Brute Force. A lifelong singer-songwriter, Friedland began his musical journey a songwriter for Bright Tunes Productions at the behest of doo-wop group The Tokens, who had scored a hit with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Friedland joined the band as their keyboard player. For Bright Tunes, Friedland composed the Chiffons’ 1965 hit “Nobody Knows What’s Goin’ On (in My Mind But Me).” He also composed hit songs for Del Shannon, Peggy March, and The Cyrkle.

In 1968, The Beatles famously invited musicians around the world to submit their work for consideration for release by Apple Records. Friedland answered the call with his original composition “The King of Fuh,” which has emerged as one of the most notorious songs in annals of Apple Records history. Against all odds, John Lennon and George Harrison opted to release the song, which tells the tongue-in-cheek story about a monarch toiling in the land of Fuh. Under Harrison’s supervision, the song was overdubbed with a string arrangement composed by John Barham. Given the song’s irreverent nature, EMI (Apple’s parent company) refused to distribute the single, of which only 1,000 copies were pressed. In 2010, more than four decades after its original rejection by EMI, “The King of Fuh” was released by Apple Records on the Come and Get It compilation. Friedland is currently developing a play titled Color Talk for production.

Perugino: Eternal Renaissance
2024-12-02 19:30 - 21:00 | Pollak Theatre
Perugino: Eternal Renaissance is a journey to discover Perugino, one of the most revered artists of the 15th Century and to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of his death.
Journey through Italy to discover his great masterpieces, from the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel to the two rooms entirely dedicated to him in the National Gallery of Umbria. Spectators will be led on a guided discovery of the artist’s harmonious work: a perfect balance between man and nature, realism and idealism, as seen in paintings such as “The Delivery of the Keys” in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, “Lamentation over the Dead Christ” in the Galleria Palatina in Florence, the “Pietà” and “Agony in the Garden” in the Uffizi Gallery.

Queen, A Night at the Opera
2024-12-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Woods Theatre/Virtual, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, United States
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Queen, A Night at the Opera.
This event is offered BOTH in person and via Zoom. Join us in person at the WOODS THEATRE on the Campus of Monmouth University or join us via zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Bring in Da Funk, Part II
2024-12-05 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-12-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Thursdays – December 5 & 12 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Parliament/Funkadelic’s George Clinton declared “we want the funk,” and by the mid-70s the genre was in full swing. On the R&B and pop charts as well as on the dance floor, funk had officially taken over. This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole covers the peak of the genre, its eventual decline in popularity, and its continuing influence. Artists examined include the Ohio Players, Stevie Wonder, Average White Band, Kool and the Gang, Earth, Wind, and Fire, the Commodores, Cameo, Slave, Zapp and Roger, and many more. In addition, subgenres including go go, punk funk (coined by Rick James), funk rock, and Bay Area funk will be covered. The course includes multimedia presentations and class discussions.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea
2024-12-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Pollak Theatre
Embrace the joy and warmth of the season at the annual holiday concert with Father Alphonse Stevenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea! This cherished tradition brings a 42-piece orchestra and exceptional soloists to Pollak Theatre with beloved carols and festive melodies. Be part of this heartwarming celebration and let the spirit of the season come alive through the power of music.
New this year — Please note the 7 PM start time!
Limited tickets remain! Once the event is SOLD OUT please call the box office to be added to the waitlist, in case last minute tickets become available.

Percival Everett, James
2024-12-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack. This month’s novel is Percival Everett’s James.
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR FOR 2024 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

Adult Education Series: Christmas Time Is Hear Again
2024-12-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Thursday, December 19 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
From 1963 to 1969, the Beatles sent Christmas messages on flexidiscs to their US and UK fan clubs. In 1970, a compilation of these messages was sent out, and they were re-released as a collector’s set in 2017. Join SCOTT FREIMAN and KEN WOMACK for a one-session virtual course to explore this unique aspect of the Beatles’ history.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.
