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  • Joan Osborne + Crash Test Dummies

    Two incredible artists, each performing their own set! Since she broke through over 25 years ago with the multi-platinum Relish and its touchstone mega-smash “One of Us,” Joan Osborne the seven-time Grammy nominee has never played it safe. Osborne has followed her restless musical heart, exploring a diverse range of genres: pop rock, soul, R&B, blues, roots rock, gospel, funk, and country – all of which can be heard on her latest album Trouble and Strife, along with the Western side of C&W and a touch of glam and disco. “For a lot of the record, we were going for a ‘70s AM radio vibe,” says Osborne. As for the lyrics, the songs “are the most political I’ve ever written,” she conveys of her first album of originals since 2014’s confessional Love and Hate. Osborne also produced Trouble and Strife, primarily recorded in her basement studio in Brooklyn and released on the label she founded in 1991, Womanly Hips. 

    In 2018, 25 years after the release of their multi-Grammy nominated hit album “God Shuffled His Feet”, The Crash Test Dummies hit the road for the first 8me in 20 years with an Anniversary Tour that spanned North America. The overwhelming recep8on led to a 30th Anniversary Tour in 2022 for their debut release “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” that touched down in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Canada. And the band is showing no signs of slowing down . . .

    “Touring again was not something we’d planned on, but surprisingly – at least to me – there are lots of people who many years later, s8ll want to come and hear us. The folks that are coming out to see these shows tell us their stories, some of them very funny, some very dark and all very personal. It’s very humbling, being in the confidence of so many people” says lead singer-songwriter Brad Roberts, “and it has inspired us to con8nue to tour and make music.”

    Early 2023 will see the release a new, original Crash Test Dummies single “Sacred Alphabet“ as they again hit the road in North America and Europe.

     

  • Metamorphosis: Portraits of Song

    Experience an extraordinary evening where art and music intertwine in a one-night-only concert featuring the brightest female singer-songwriters of the Jersey Shore, drawing inspiration from the captivating artworks of Nanci France-Vaz. Christine Elise, Pam McCoy, Mary McCrink, Laura Johnson, and Genevieve are among those featured in Vaz’s narrative figure paintings on exhibition this spring in the Pollak Gallery. These talented artists step out of the canvases to perform live in an evening celebrating female artistry and inspiration.

    This concert is in conjunction with the opening reception for the gallery exhibition Metamorphosis: Works by Nanci France-Vaz on April 26 from 6-8 pm. The opening reception is FREE to the public, however tickets are required to attend the concert.

  • The Doo Wop Project’s Christmas Show

    The Doo Wop Project boys will get you into the Holiday Spirit! Hear old school Holiday Classics like The Drifters’ White Christmas, The Temptations’ Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town along with “Doowopified” contemporary hits like This Christmas and Last Christmas. It’s sure to be a jolly good time.

    The Doo Wop Project, the dynamic, rave-reviewed celebration of a beloved music genre stars the 5 engaging, charismatic and dashing Broadway stars from smash hits like JERSEY BOYS, A BRONX TALE, BEAUTIFUL, and MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL with their all-star band.

  • Mary Gauthier w/ special guest Jaimee Harris

    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…”

  • An Evening with Glen Phillips & Shawn Mullins

    Prepare to be swept away by an extraordinary evening of acoustic brilliance featuring two musical legends – Glen Phillips and Shawn Mullins. These artists, each with their unique journey and captivating melodies, are coming together to create a musical experience that will resonate deep within your soul.

    Glen Phillips
    As lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket and a prolific solo artist, Glenn Phillips has left an indelible mark on the world of folk/pop music. His honest, introspective lyrics and soul-stirring melodies have forged a deep connection with fans over the years. After a hiatus with Toad, he ventured into a solo career and a multitude of collaborations with fellow artists, showcasing his musical diversity and depth. With his latest album, “THERE IS SO MUCH HERE,” Glenn delves into the joys and sorrows of everyday life, beautifully accompanied by talented musicians, including Dave Depper (Death Cab For Cutie), Ji Tanzer (Blue Cranes), and John Morgan Askew.

    Shawn Mullins
    Shawn Mullins’ musical odyssey has been nothing short of spectacular. From his humble beginnings in the Atlanta music scene to critical acclaim and Grammy nominations, Mullins has truly made a mark. His No. 1 hit “Lullaby” from the 1998 album “Soul’s Core” is a timeless classic, followed by “Beautiful Wreck” from “9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor.” His songs have been the soundtrack of our lives, featured in the 2000 Summer Olympics and iconic shows like Dawson’s Creek and Scrubs. Shawn Mullins’ versatility also extends to his co-writing of the Zac Brown Band’s chart-topper “Toes.” Today, he’s revisiting his roots with “Soul’s Core Revival,” breathing new life into his music for the 20th anniversary.

  • Special Advance Screening – Miranda’s Victim

    It’s 1963, when Trish, 18, walks home at night from her job at a Phoenix theater. Suddenly, a stranger brandishing a knife ties Trish up and forces her into the back seat of his 1953 Packard. He then takes her to a deserted road and brutally sexually assaults her. Determined to have her assailant jailed, Trish reports the sexual assault to the skeptical police. It’s only after Trish undergoes a polygraph test and an extremely humiliating physical exam, that the detectives discover other women have been similarly attacked.  But no one could know that Trish’s commitment to finding justice would trigger a law that would transform a Nation.

    6:00 pm –  Opening Reception – Great Hall – Additional Ticket Required
    7:45 pm – Introduction and Screening, Miranda’s Victim– Pollak Theatre
    10:15pm – Panel Discussion with Cast Members, Director, Producer and Special Guests

    Filmed at locations throughout Monmouth County, including on the Monmouth University campus.

  • On A Winter’s Night

    Presenting the Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” from veteran singer-songwriters PATTY LARKIN, CLIFF EBERHARDT, JOHN GORKA  and LUCY KAPLANSKY, that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades. In 1994 Christine Lavin gathered them together, along with folk and Americana artists to showcase music of the Winter Season on the now-classic On A Winter’s Night CD, followed by several years of touring collaborations. These artists have released dozens of recordings and toured steadily through the decades, with fond memories of their touring days together. The winter season is again celebrated by these unique and popular performers, back together by popular demand.

    ***It is the artists’ preference that audience members be masked for this show for everyone’s health and safety.***

    PATTY LARKIN
    She redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising lyrics and vocals. Acoustic Guitar Magazine hails her, “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her, “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as, “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter). Recently an Artist-in-Residence at Berklee College of Music – and now on the faculty at Fine Arts Work Center – Larkin reflects, “I have been energized by the poets, writers, and artists I have met while teaching, and find myself on a journey to break down some of the predictable pathways that songs can travel.” Bird in a Cage, her 14th CD now available, puts poems from ten notable poets to song, including US Poet Laureates William Carlos Williams, Stanley Kunitz, Kay Ryan, Robert Pinsky, and Billy Collins, for a new and haunting collection that pulses with the magic of lyricism. Poems are made to be shared aloud, and with Bird, Patty takes up that tradition and sets it aglow.

    CLIFF EBERHARDT
    One of the most original songsmiths currently on tour, Eberhardt is a highly intelligent, articulate artist whose penetrating and profound lyrics are sometimes overshadowed by his extraordinary guitar playing. Upon close listening, the Philadelphia-born singer’s gift for the English language is abundantly clear. The words that tumble from his mouth are framed by a raspy yet deeply elegant voice. Like John Hammond and Richie Havens, Eberhardt continues to carry the torch for traditional and contemporary folk music through his strong live shows. Whether he’s out on tour solo or with a small band, Eberhardt’s guitar playing, singing, and original folk songs and blues make for a compelling, thought-filled, emotional roller coaster of a concert.

    JOHN GORKA
    Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement,” John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 90’s folk scene. Originally from New Jersey, John served an apprenticeship at Godfrey Daniels coffeehouse in Bethlehem, PA, then the Greenwich Village Fast Folk scene. Winning the prestigious New Folk award at the Kerrville Folk Festival, in 1984, he was then signed to Red House Records on which he released his landmark first of 17 recordings, I Know. Boston Globe penned Gorka “for the sophisticated intelligence and the provocative originality of his songs.” Recent accolades include 2016’s Indie Acoustic Project’s Best Singer/Songwriter CD of the Year for Before Beginning (Red House Records). 2018 brought his latest release, and 14th of his career, True In Time (Compass Records). True In Time (Compass Records).

    LUCY KAPLANSKY
    “A truly gifted performer…full of enchanting songs” (New York Times). Blending country, folk and pop styles, Lucy has the unique ability to make every song sound fresh, whether singing her own sweet originals, covering country classics by June Carter Cash and Gram Parsons, or singing pop favorites by Lennon/McCartney and Nick Lowe. Lucy’s iconic voice has been featured in film and on television, including commercials like Chevrolet’s iconic “Heartbeat of America” jingle. A Billboard-charting singer and one of the top-selling artists on Red House Records, she has topped the folk and Americana radio charts and has been featured on shows throughout the world from NPR’s Weekend and Morning Editions to BBC Radio to CBS Sunday Morning. One of the most in-demand harmony singers, Lucy has sung on countless records, performing with Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith, and Shawn Colvin.

  • The Mind and Music of George Gershwin – Live Concert Lecture by Dr. Richard Kogan

    Listening to the deft integration of jazz rhythms and classical music in Rhapsody in Blue or the often-wrenching songs of Porgy and Bess, it’s jarring to think of their composer as a troubled youth, a juvenile delinquent, petty thief and high school dropout who, in a latter era, might have been prescribed a hefty dose of Ritalin or Adderall. But George Gershwin was saved by a school violin recital he’d tried to avoid attending – and it opened a door that allowed him to escape the predictable ignominy of a bad boy on the streets of Brooklyn. He was, then, a person reached – and made better – by music.

    Dr. Richard Kogan joins us to discuss the life, psyche and music of one of America’s greatest composers during an evening that integrates masterful piano playing, humor and insight into the close links between music, healing and genius. Trained in piano at Juilliard and in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kogan is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director of the Human Sexuality Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center and Artistic Director of the Music and Medicine program. He also maintains a private practice in New York City.

  • Paul Mecurio’s Permission to Speak

    Starring EMMY & PEABODY Award winning comedian from “The Late Show w/Stephen Colbert,” “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report,” “Permission to Speak” was met on Broadway with rave reviews and nominated for the prestigious “Most Unique Show” Broadway Alliance Award. In this exciting comedy show with a twist, the audience stars WITH Paul who improvises with audience members – randomly bringing folks on stage and letting them share their often hilarious, jaw-dropping personal stories. Directed by legendary director Frank Oz (Creator and voice of YODA and Co-creator of “The Muppets”). A breath of fresh air, PERMISSION TO SPEAK is first and foremost, funny and entertaining, but also a truly freeing experience that connects people through their amazing shared stories.

     

  • Ballet Hispánico

    Ballet Hispánico is the nation’s renowned Latino dance organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures. For 50 years Ballet Hispánico has been bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through innovative dance performances, transformative dance training, and enduring community engagement experiences. The organization’s founder, National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, sought to give voice to the Hispanic experience and break through stereotypes. Today, Ballet Hispánico is led by Eduardo Vilaro, an acclaimed choreographer and former member of the Company, whose vision of social equity, cultural identity, and quality arts education for all drives its programs.

    The evening’s program will include:

    Club Havana
    Choreographer Pedro Ruiz, a native of Cuba, brings the intoxicating rhythms of conga, rumba, mambo, and cha cha to life in “Club Havana.” Set to a fusion of Cuban, jazz, and big-band swing music, this performance promises to be a silky, sexy joy.

    New Sleep (Duet)
    Choreographed by William Forsythe, “New Sleep (Duet)” offers a unique and inventive dance movement based on balletic axioms. Forsythe’s work reorients ballet as a dynamic 21st-century art form, pushing the boundaries of dance.

    Línea Recta
    From choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa comes “Línea Recta,” a powerful and resonant work that explores the absence of physical partnering in flamenco dance. While maintaining the genre’s hallmark passion, Lopez Ochoa’s piece offers an original and explosive movement language performed to flamenco guitar by Eric Vaarzon Morel.