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  • British Invasion Part 2: First Wave, 1963-1967

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – December 7 & 14 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    As the Beatles reached their first UK #1 hit with “Please Please Me,” the new music revolution had officially begun. Thus a new generation of artists such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, Hermans Hermits, Petula Clark, and the Rolling Stones joined the Fab Four in changing the charts. By 1964, the British Invasion had reached—and ultimately conquered—the United States.

    This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole will survey some of the major artists of the First Wave period, from 1963-1967. It will cover genres from pop to the beginnings of psychedelia, and will examine other acts such as the Who, Dusty Springfield, the Animals, the Hollies, and many more. In addition, the class will study the impact of the First Wave on the charts and on American pop and rock music. Finally, how did the First Wave set the stage for the psychedelic and hard rock sound of the Second Wave?

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • British Invasion Part 2: First Wave, 1963-1967

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – December 7 & 14 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    As the Beatles reached their first UK #1 hit with “Please Please Me,” the new music revolution had officially begun. Thus a new generation of artists such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, Hermans Hermits, Petula Clark, and the Rolling Stones joined the Fab Four in changing the charts. By 1964, the British Invasion had reached—and ultimately conquered—the United States.

    This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole will survey some of the major artists of the First Wave period, from 1963-1967. It will cover genres from pop to the beginnings of psychedelia, and will examine other acts such as the Who, Dusty Springfield, the Animals, the Hollies, and many more. In addition, the class will study the impact of the First Wave on the charts and on American pop and rock music. Finally, how did the First Wave set the stage for the psychedelic and hard rock sound of the Second Wave?

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Living the Beatles Legend with Mal Evans

    Class Schedule: Tuesday, November 28 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    Join Monmouth University Professor Kenneth Womack for an in-depth look at the life and times of Beatles roadie Mal Evans. For nearly 50 years, his story has been shrouded in mystery, especially his death at the hands of the LA police in January 1976. Professor Womack will reveal the truth about Mal’s remarkable life and untimely loss, while also sharing previously unpublished photos and other anecdotes from his forthcoming book Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans.”

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir

    Class Schedule: Tuesday Oct. 17 & Thursday Oct. 19 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Mike Farragher provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.

    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir

    Class Schedule: Tuesday Oct. 17 & Thursday Oct. 19 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Mike Farragher provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.

    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • British Invasion Part 1: Beginnings and Influences

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – September 19 & 26 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    Before the Beatles kicked off the British Invasion of the US, a musical revolution was underway in the UK. Teens reveled in listening to a specific type of American music: rock and roll from Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and more. Early Motown reached the Merseyside, along with records by little-known (in America) R&B artists. At the same time, James Brown and Ray Charles scored hits both in the US and the UK. However, folk also attracted teens’ attention through a genre called skiffle, a style that would greatly influence budding musicians such as John Lennon and Jimmy Page.

    This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole examines the influences of these genres on what would become the British Invasion, which would ultimately transform music worldwide. The class will survey the artists that would predate the Beatles: Billy Fury, Cliff Richard, the Shadows, Tommy Steele, The Vipers Skiffle Group, and much more. It will reveal just how different the UK and US charts looked prior to the British Invasion, and how these artists and numerous genres contributed to the transformation from 1950s to 1960s sounds.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • British Invasion Part 1: Beginnings and Influences

    Class Schedule: Tuesdays – September 19 & 26 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    Before the Beatles kicked off the British Invasion of the US, a musical revolution was underway in the UK. Teens reveled in listening to a specific type of American music: rock and roll from Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and more. Early Motown reached the Merseyside, along with records by little-known (in America) R&B artists. At the same time, James Brown and Ray Charles scored hits both in the US and the UK. However, folk also attracted teens’ attention through a genre called skiffle, a style that would greatly influence budding musicians such as John Lennon and Jimmy Page.

    This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole examines the influences of these genres on what would become the British Invasion, which would ultimately transform music worldwide. The class will survey the artists that would predate the Beatles: Billy Fury, Cliff Richard, the Shadows, Tommy Steele, The Vipers Skiffle Group, and much more. It will reveal just how different the UK and US charts looked prior to the British Invasion, and how these artists and numerous genres contributed to the transformation from 1950s to 1960s sounds.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • 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.

  • Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea

     

    Join us for a magical evening of music and celebration at the 31st Annual Holiday Concert with Father Alphonse Stevenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea! Experience the joy and spirit of the holiday season as Father Alphonse Stevenson and his 42-piece Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea and talented soloists fill the theater carols and seasonal favorites. This longstanding tradition has delighted audiences for over three decades, and we can’t wait to make this year’s concert even more memorable.

     

  • Willie Nile

    Join us for our Performing Arts season-opening concert with Willie Nile and opening act James Maddock.

    The New York Times called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Uncut Magazine called him “A one-man Clash.” His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by Uncut. Rolling Stone listed The Innocent Ones as one of the “Top Ten Best Under-The-Radar Albums of 2011” and BBC Radio called it “THE rock ‘n’ roll album of the year.” His single from that album, “One Guitar,” was the “Top Pick of the Week” in USA Today.

    Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. His album, American Ride, won “Best Rock Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards. It appeared on dozens of year-end Top Ten lists for 2013 and was voted “Album Of The Year” by Twangville Magazine. Bono called it, “One of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America.”

    Willie has toured across the U.S. with The Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr. As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: “His live performances are legendary.” His 2020 album New York At Night got rave reviews, with The Associated Press calling it: “As sharp and guitar-driven as ever…the fire within Nile, once a peer of The Replacements and The Clash, continues to light a similar torch…anthemic…custom made for these times..” Downbeat Magazine calling it a “sonic love letter to Gotham.” His new studio album The Day The Earth Stood Still features a duet with Steve Earle on the song “Blood On Your Hands.”  The London Times called him “A man who embodies the true spirit of rock n’ roll.” The New Yorker wrote that Willie Nile is “One of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past 30 years.”