Events

Wit
2024-02-29 20:00 - 22:00, 2024-03-01 20:00 - 22:00, 2024-03-02 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-02 20:00 - 22:00, 2024-03-03 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Lauren K. Woods Theatre
BY MARGARET EDSON
Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
THE STORY: Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to the study of Donne: aggressively probing, intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience. (source: Dramatists Play Service)
Winner of the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play.
In her extraordinary first play, Margaret Edson has created a work that is as intellectually challenging as it is emotionally immediate.
“[A] brutally human and beautifully layered new play…you feel both enlightened and, in a strange way, enormously comforted.” —The New York Times.
“A dazzling and humane new play that you will remember till your dying day.” —New York Magazine.

Empower, Educate, Embrace: Confronting Book Banning in Social Work
2024-03-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Zoom (Online)
The Social Work Society is proud to sponsor the 18th annual Teach-In, “Empower, Educate, Embrace: Confronting Book Banning in Social Work.” This three-hour event includes three panels discussing the topic of book banning: Panel #1 looks at the impact on libraries; Panel #2 looks at the impact on education and offers an historical perspective; and Panel #3 features social work students who will discuss how book banning impacts the field of social work.

Ebony Night: A Night at the Oscars
2024-03-02 19:30 - 22:30 | The Great Hall
Join us for a night of celebrating Black Excellence. This formal event will celebrate the accomplishments of the Black Student Union and honor students, staff and alumni for their contributions and support this academic year.
Ticket will include admission to the event and buffet style meal. Dress to Impress!

Cancelled - A Weekend with Pablo Picasso
2024-03-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
Please note this event has been cancelled. All ticket holders will be refunded. If you have any questions regarding your refund please call the box office at 732.263.6889.
An L.A. Theatre Works’ production
Written and performed by Herbert Sigüenza
“Defiantly quirky…funny, mysterious & uplifting! There’s undeniable power in the presence of this creative genius, as embodied so convincingly by Sigüenza.” — The San Diego Union-Tribune
In this one-man tour-de-force based on Pablo Picasso’s writings, writer/performer Herbert Sigüenza becomes the legendary artist, inviting the audience into Picasso’s private studio at the height of his celebrity. The story is an intimate portrait of Picasso’s thinking and artistic process as he creates six new works for a demanding high-profile buyer over the course of a single weekend.
L.A. Theatre Works’ production features large scale video projections of the art being created, historic images and text, and direct audience engagement from Picasso/Sigüenza completely immersing audiences in a full audio-visual experience of Picasso’s life and art.

Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black
2024-03-05 19:30 - 21:00 | The Great Hall Auditorium/Virtual, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07720, 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 Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black
This event is offered BOTH in person and via Zoom. Join us in person at the Great Hall Auditorium 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.

Youth Unstoppable
2024-03-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
Directed by Slater Jewell-Kemker
Canada, 2018
Youth Unstoppable: My Decade in the Youth Climate Movement (formerly An Inconvenient Youth) captures the vibrant untold story of the global youth climate movement. Decisions made today are shaping the world they will live in, and they are no longer willing to sit idly as the planet is degraded for the short term gain of the older generations. Director Slater Jewell-Kemker has been interviewing celebrities and politicians about the environment since the age of ten, now she is telling the stories of these remarkable young people on the front lines of climate change. The feature documentary also gives life to a thriving online community, already forming, that will continue as a youth focused environmental social network. This is the story of the youth of today fighting for their planet, their future.
There will be a post screening Q&A hosted by Professor Marina Vujnovic with special guest speaker Prof. Catherine Duckett.
For more information on climate change see: Climate Crisis Teach-In 2024 | School of Science | Monmouth University: https://www.monmouth.edu/school-of-science/climate-crisis-teach-in-2024/

Women in Music 2024
2024-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Lauren K. Woods Theatre
Join Blue Hawk Records at the 2nd annual Women in Music industry event for a discussion about navigating through the industry with some of the most successful women in the field, in celebration of women’s history month. We have four amazing panelists joining us from some of the best-known companies in the music industry such as Atlantic Records, Roc Nation, Primary Wave, and SiriusXm and Pandora.

Verdi’s La Forza del Destino
2024-03-09 12:00 - 17:00 | Pollak Theatre
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen, following a string of recent Met triumphs, in her role debut as the noble Leonora. Director Mariusz Treliński delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world. The cast also features tenor Brian Jagde as Don Alvaro, baritone Igor Golovatenko as Don Carlo, mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi as Preziosilla, bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone, and bass Soloman Howard as both Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano.

Julia Baird’s Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon
2024-03-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack. This month’s novel is Julia Baird’s Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon. The honest and revealing story of John Lennon’s childhood by his sister Julia. Poignant, raw and beautifully written, Baird casts John Lennon’s life in a new light and reveals the source of his emotional fragility and musical genius. It’s also one family’s extraordinary and powerful story of how it dealt with fame and tragedy beyond all imagining.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

Educators’ Career Day
2024-03-13 09:00 - 12:00 | The Great Hall Auditorium
Each March, the Educators’ Career Day is sponsored by Career Development. This annual event brings local school districts and educational institutions to campus for the purpose of meeting with students and alumni to discuss career opportunities.
Attendance is open to all Monmouth undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni.

Writing Memoir (Advanced)
2024-03-19 19:30 - 21:00, 2024-03-26 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Tuesdays – March 19 and 26 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
This two-session virtual course taught by Mike Farragher (88), author of 4 books. The course builds on the wildly popular Intro to Memoir Writing workshops with an emphasis on character development, dialogue, and scene setting that will make any story a page turner. Practical lessons are interspersed with writing prompts to get the creativity going during this 2 week course. No prior writing experience needed and all levels welcome!
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Bill Rosenblatt and Howie Singer
2024-03-19 19:30 - 21:00 | LakeHouse Recording Studio, 619 Lake Ave, Asbury Park, NJ, 07712, United States
Join authors Bill Rosenblatt and Howie Singer as they discuss their new book Key Changes, which explores the top ten musical advances that have disrupted the music industry. A book-signing will follow their author Q&A with hosts Ken Womack and Joe Rapolla.

Monmouth University Giving Days
2024-03-20 00:00 - 2024-03-21 23:59
You’re invited to Go All In for Monmouth!
We’re encouraging everyone to save the dates to Go All In for Monmouth on March 20–21, 2024. Join us in celebrating student achievements and ensuring ongoing access to a Monmouth education for current and future Hawks. Gifts of any size will make a significant impact and will count towards our success. Your gift can be designated to scholarships, a favorite academic program, Division I sport, or a club or organization that means the most to you.
On March 20 and 21, we invite all Monmouth University alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends to Go All In and make a gift through this site. You can play a crucial role in making Monmouth University Giving Days 2024 a success!
Let’s Go All In for Monmouth—your support matters!

SOLD OUT - Learn the Art of Ukrainian Egg Decorating
2024-03-21 19:00 - 21:30 | Pollak Gallery
Come celebrate the spring at Monmouth University with this unique opportunity to learn the seasonal ancient art known as Pysanky. Pysanky, also known as Ukrainian eggs, is an ancient folk tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years. This meditative and communal experience is unlike any other art process and for many this workshop marks the beginning of a spring time family tradition that can be passed on and enjoyed for years to come. This tutorial will cover the history and traditions surrounding Pysanky, a demonstration, and independent practice session. The instructor will provide a variety of eggs, dyes, and tools. Participants will turn real eggs into works of art using a wax resist method similar to batik. A great deal of patience and concentration is required to complete a single egg, but it is very rewarding to reveal your hard work when the wax layers are taken off. In-person attendance will be extremely limited.
No prerequisite skills are required. Please bring a container or old egg carton to take home your creation. ages 18+

Vanya
2024-03-21 19:30 - 22:30 | Pollak Theatre
adapted by Simon Stephens, after Anton Chekhov
directed by Sam Yates
designed by Rosanna Vize
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions.
Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.

Employee Talent Showcase
2024-03-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Pollak Gallery
Join us for an evening filled with creativity and inspiration. Discover the remarkable talents of your coworkers, from musicians and painters to photographers, knitters, and beyond. Be amazed as you witness the diverse array of skills and passions that exist within our community.
Highlights of the Event:
Concert:
Enjoy performances by your talented colleagues at 6:00 PM in the Pollak Theatre. Lu-Ann Russell will be our “STAR Emcee” for the evening, guiding you through an unforgettable showcase of talent.
Art Exhibition:
Explore the creativity on display in the Pollak Gallery from March 14 to March 22. Marvel at the stunning artworks created by your fellow employees and gain a deeper appreciation for their skills.
Crafts & Artisan Works:
Witness the craftsmanship of your coworkers as their creations are showcased throughout the day on March 22 starting at 2pm. From intricate designs to handmade treasures, there’s something for everyone to admire.
Enjoy light refreshments before the concert.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO ALL! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent within our community. Come join us for an evening of creativity, camaraderie, and inspiration.

Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette
2024-03-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Pollak Theatre
Two singers at the height of their powers—soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Benjamin Bernheim—come together as the star crossed lovers in Gounod’s Shakespeare adaptation, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct one of the repertoire’s most romantic scores. Bartlett Sher’s staging also features baritone Will Liverman and tenor Frederick Ballentine as the archrivals Mercutio and Tybalt, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as the mischievous pageboy Stéphano, and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent.

Metamorphosis: Works by Nanci France-Vaz
2024-03-25 08:00 - 2024-05-02 17:00 | Pollak Gallery
Metamorphosis: Life is all about transitions from one time in life to another. Artists of any art from have dreams of becoming a master in their genre, successful in their career, and recognized to the masses. The models in the paintings are artists in music, art, and performing art based on a moment in their life or a narrative Nanci has created from film, literature or poetry. Figurative storytelling is infused with light, patterns, and human presence to that have visual impact and make the viewers ponder over the meaning and left to their interpretations. France-Vaz is known for her Imaginative Portraits that render allegorical symbols combined with story and imagination. Most of the work is of female artists that never give up hope or their dreams of becoming a reality.
Artist Demo: March 9 from 3-6
There will be a live demo of The Imaginative Portrait with Pam McCoy. Click here to RSVP to the FREE DEMO

Artist Reception: April 26 from 6 -8 PM
This exhibition is in conjunction with the concert Metamorphosis: Portraits of Song on April 26 at 8 pm. The opening reception is FREE to the public, however tickets are required to attend the concert.
Bio:
Nanci France-Vaz is a modern renaissance artist that uses allegorical symbolism to create visual stories on canvas. France-Vaz draws inspiration from the Pre-Raphaelite and Naturalist periods of art, poetry, and classic literature, and film. She combines her strong foundation in life painting with imaginative backgrounds fusing classical with contemporary realism.
The artist was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the UWS in Manhattan in 2002 to study portrait and figurative art. She was the recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship Award and earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 3D Computer Animation for Film and Special Effects.
France-Vaz has exhibited at the Dacia Gallery NYC, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Modern European Art for ModPortrait and first round of Figurativas, Abend Gallery, Principle Gallery, Lovetts Gallery, Eisele Gallery, Butler Insitute of Fine Art, National Arts Club NYC, and Salmagundi Club NYC. She has had 3 solo shows. Her solo exhibit at DaciaGallery, NYC will be in October 2023 dates TBA.
Nanci France-Vaz has won of many notable awards nationally. She is the recipient of the ARC Salon Purchase Award in Imaginative Realism for the 16th Annual ARC Salon, Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Honorable Mention, Best in Show Wausau Museum, 2nd Place Southwest Art Artistic Excellence, Len G Everett Memorial Award, Joseph Hartley Memorial Award, John Collins Award, Colonel George J Morales Award, PSOA 3rd Place , ARC Salon, International Artists People & Figures 2021, and Best in Show Portrait Award, Petite Gallery.
The concepts of her works are based on a moment in time, classical literature, film, and poetry, introducing a modern subject or twist to her story. Her intent is to combine hope, spiritual beliefs, and the human condition. Most of her models are professional musicians, artists, actors, and dancers. The spiritual, the mystical, and the mythical have underlying tones and meanings left for the beholder to ponder and engage psychologically. Having studied film and Stanislavski Method Acting allows for a spiritual connection to her subjects expressing emotion and mood. Her study of lighting and movement, through acting, dance, and theater is the catalyst for creating a still image from a cinematic process. France-Vaz’s patterns of life express a life experience or moment of thought in time.
France-Vaz has been published in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, ModPortrait 2020/2021, American Art Collector, Southwest Art Magazine, , ARC Salon, International Artists, Realism Today, and Leonardo Guide Artelibre 2021,
Her paintings and commissions hang in private collections.

The Immortals: The Wonder of The Museo Egizio
2024-03-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Pollak Theatre
This documentary is a journey among the most beautiful archaeological finds Egypt has left us.
Kha, architect and builder of tombs for the pharaohs, must undertake the journey to the Underworld. Telling us the story of his voyage is Jeremy Irons, in the guise of a narrator. His words take us inside the secret world of Egyptian mythology, religion and funerary culture, interweaving the story with the history of the oldest museum in the world, the Museo Egizio in Turin, founded in 1824 and will soon be celebrating its 200th anniversary. In fact, the Kha’s own Tomb is to be found in Turin along with the most complete and most valuable private collection of grave goods outside of Egypt.
A journey along the Nile , among the most beautiful archaeological finds Egypt has left us, the magnificent monuments of Giza, Luxor, Karnak, to the Valley of the Kings and the workers’ village of Deir el-Medina, the story told by Irons follows the tracks of Italian explorers and archaeologists – their itineraries also leading to the exhibition halls of the Cairo Museum, the Ägyptischen Museum in Berlin, the British Museum in London and the Louvre in Paris.
From Ramesses II in Turin, to the treasure of Tutankhamun in Cairo, the bust of Nefertiti in Berlin, the Red Scribe in the Louvre, and the Rosetta Stone in London.
Featuring: Jeremy Irons
Estimated runtime: 86 minutes

"Lunch and Learn" with Kerstin Japak ’14
2024-03-26 12:00 | Virtual (Zoom)
Career Advice You Wish You Got Sooner
Hear from alumna Kerstin Japak ’14 as she shares her career journey, success strategies, and the advice she “wishes she got sooner.” As an HR professional at Johnson & Johnson, Kerstin will share her insight and expertise, as well as a look into her role in recruitment for Global Corporate Affairs and how she got there. Whether you are about to graduate or are looking to take your career to the next level, this session is for you!
Kerstin Japak graduated from Monmouth University in 2014 with a degree in Psychology. After graduating, she worked in the brain injury and mental health field before embarking on a career pivot to HR with CentraState Healthcare System in 2018. Despite changing functions, she’s been working in healthcare now in some capacity for more than 11 years. Kerstin found her “home” in HR at Johnson & Johnson, where she is currently employed. At J&J, Kerstin supports recruitment for their Global Corporate Affairs function and is currently on a grow assignment within HR Digital Transformation.

Social Work Career Day
2024-03-28 09:00 - 14:30 | Anacon Hall A and B
Note: Registration is required for this event.

Register for Social Work Career Day

Attention all aspiring helpers! Join us for our Social Work Career Day event where you’ll gain valuable insights into the rewarding field of social work. Don’t miss our enlightening career panel designed to give you a firsthand look into the world of social work. Mark your calendars and come explore your passion for making a difference! Student are welcome to come for any part of the day.

Be Advised: Students receive six field hours for attending the whole day

Schedule
8:30 a.m.
Registration

9 a.m.

Why Words Matter

Growing Together as Allies will lead this conversation on why the words we choose in social work count.

Why Americans Doubt Climate Science
2024-03-28 16:30 - 18:00 | Edison Atrium – Room 201
A presentation by Peter Jacques, Ph.D.
In 2023, fifteen percent of surveyed Americans did not think climate change was happening, and 28 percent responded that warming was not caused by human activities. 22 percent were doubtful or dismissive of climate change. Why is this when over, according to a 2021 survey of climate experts found that 98.7 percent of them said the climate is warming and humans are driving this global environmental change? Between confirmed climate experts who published 20 or more peer reviewed papers on climate change between 2015 and 2019, there was 100 percent agreement that the Earth is warming mostly because of human activity.
At least part of this disconnect is because there has been a US-centered counter-movement organized to cast doubt on climate change science and climate scientists. This effort is organized by policy elites in conservative think tanks who have guided some of our narratives and these narratives have turned an elite-led counter-movement to one that is populist. This discussion will attend to the social science surrounding this climate change counter-movement (CCCM).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Research: How to Navigate with Generative AI
2024-03-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Virtual (Zoom)
The School of Education Instructional Technology Committee is happy to invite you to a webinar about using artificial intelligence tools for research and academic writing. All are welcome to attend. Presented by Ai Kamei, KC Lubniewski, and Serbay Zambak.

Identify ways to use AI effectively for academic research and academic writing
Explore tools to save time research planning, designing, and writing
Discuss pitfalls of using AI for academic research

Join the Zoom Meeting (March 28, 5:30 p.m.)
For any questions, contact Serbay Zambal at vzambak@monmouth.edu

Mary Gauthier w/ special guest Jaimee Harris
2024-03-30 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
About Mary Gauthier
As she has so eloquently accomplished over the past 25 years, acclaimed singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier has used her art once again to traverse the uncharted waters of the past few years. “I’m the kind of songwriter who writes what I see in the world right now,” she affirms. Thankfully, amid dark storms of pandemic loss, she found and followed the beacon of new love: Her gift to us, the powerful Dark Enough to See the Stars, collects ten sparkling jewels of Gauthier songcraft reflecting both love and loss.
Her eleventh album, Dark Enough to See the Stars, follows the profound antidote to trauma, Rifles & Rosary Beads, her 2018 collaborative work with wounded Iraq war veterans. It garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album, as well as a nomination for Album of the Year by the Americana Music Association. Publication of her first book, the illuminating Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, in 2021, brought her more praise. Brandi Carlile has said, “Mary’s songwriting speaks to the tender aspects of our humanness. We need her voice in times like these more than we ever have.” The Associated Press called Gauthier “one of the best songwriters of her generation.”
Gauthier’s early work, which began at 35, reflected her newfound sobriety, delving into events from a troubled life, which persisted after she became a renowned chef in Boston. Dark Enough to See the Stars returns Gauthier to the scintillating confessional mode on such albums as her breakthrough release, 2005’s Mercy Now, as well as such ear worms as the hook-laden “Drag Queens in Limousines.” In addition to crafting instantly memorable songs, Gauthier has never shied away from difficult self-exploration, as with 2010’s The Foundling, on which she explored the repercussions of her adoption from a New Orleans orphanage and subsequent search for her birth mother.

Gauthier’s partner, Jaimee Harris, who sings harmony throughout the album, co-wrote the paean to one of Gauthier’s favorite cities. “I have a long history with Amsterdam,” Gauthier recounts. “My first record deal was on a Dutch label, and I tour there regularly, and much of Mercy Now was written at my favorite hotel there.” A canceled flight to Denmark landed Gauthier and Harris in Amsterdam for an unexpected three days during the pandemic. “To return to that hotel and be able to share that with the person I love and show her the city…,” Gauthier pauses. “It’s complicated – because all around the edges was the pandemic. But you’ve got to express your joy – a joy that’s not free from pain. There’s grief all around us, but there’s this ability to still love and still be aware that the sky is beautiful and the hand that I’m holding is filled with love…”

Jacob Landau: The Frances Cycle
2024-04-01 00:00 - 2024-04-07 23:59 | Guggenheim Memorial Library, Room 101, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, United States
Monmouth University Galleries opens an art exhibition that features the important series of drawings: The Frances Cycle, created by the American artist, humanist, and teacher Jacob Landau.
Reception: Monday, April 1, 2024, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Born in Philadelphia in 1917, Landau launched his career as an illustrator, winning national prizes at age 16 and a scholarship to the Philadelphia College of Art. He went on to have over sixty one-person shows, featuring a wide range of drawings and paintings. The recipient of numerous awards, including Guggenheim and National Arts Council grants, many of his works are featured in permanent collections, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. A master teacher, he retired as professor emeritus at New York’s Pratt Institute. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts by Monmouth University.
The exhibition features the important series of drawings, The Frances Cycle, in dedication to his wife that died from Alzheimer’s disease. In 1999, Landau finished a limited-edition book, The Frances Cycle: Some Motions of the Earth. He used his own art and the poetry of, former President of the Jacob Landau Institute, and writer/poet, David Herrstrom, to give voice to the words his wife spoke as she dealt with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. The completes series (14), and books, are all from Monmouth University’s extensive collection of Jacob Landau’s work, comprising over 300 prints, drawings, and paintings. The collection was gifted to Monmouth University in 2008 by the Jacob Landau Institute of Roosevelt, NJ.
