Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Following their celebrated recent partnership in Giordano’s Fedora in the 2022–23 Live in HD season, Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to Pollak Theatre on December 13.
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Andrea Chénier
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La Bohème
With its enchanting setting and spellbinding score, the world’s most popular opera is as timeless as it is heartbreaking. Franco Zeffirelli’s picture-perfect production brings 19th century Paris to the Met stage as Puccini’s young friends and lovers navigate the joy and struggle of bohemian life. Soprano Juliana Grigoryan is the feeble seamstress Mimì, opposite tenor Freddie De Tommaso as the ardent poet Rodolfo. Keri-Lynn Wilson conducts the November 8 performance, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to the Pollak Theatre.
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A Night with Monique Marvez
Born and raised in Miami, Monique blends her Cuban-American roots with fearless, insightful comedy that resonates across cultures. Seen on Comedy Central, Showtime, and HBO, she’s also a celebrated writer and radio voice. Her 2024 DryBar special became the channel’s #1 release, amassing over 52 million views and reaching audiences worldwide. With her signature mix of humor and heart, Monique delivers a performance that leaves audiences laughing, thinking, and inspired. 52 million laughs can’t be wrong – see Monique live!
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Valentine’s Day Special
Fever Up’s Candlelight concert series was created with the intention of democratizing access to classical music, and the space and performers are illuminated by thousands of candles to create a truly magical experience.
The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes songs such as Can’t Help Falling in Love, A Thousand Years, Por Una Cabeza, All You Need Is Love, and more!
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Creative Writing (Advanced)
Class Schedule: February 12, 17, and 19 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Creative Writing: Character Development (Advanced)
Whether you are embarking on your memoir or crafting your first work of fiction, the task of the writer is to develop compelling characters that connect with readers. Taking the “me out of memoir” allows you to develop your parents and loved ones as characters. In this three part course, we will utilize description, dialogue, and action to create characters that resonate with readers of any genre. No experience necessary, just a willingness to create characters to jump off the page!
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.
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’60s Girl Groups, Part II
Class Schedule: April 23, 28, & 30, 2026 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
The early 1960s began the girl group renaissance, with prominent Brill Building songwriters and emerging producers such as Phil Spector crafting hits. Motown would further set the template, with Martha and the Vandellas, the Velvettes, and the Marvelettes inspiring even British Invasion groups. Perhaps no one defined the girl group aesthetic like the Supremes, one of the most successful (and influential) acts of the 1960s.
As the next decade loomed, the girl group genre was not as prominent on the charts. Yet the Honey Cone, the Emotions, the Three Degrees, and LaBelle added a thoroughly modern spin on the girl group sound, adding elements of disco and funk. The Pointer Sisters would achieve even greater success in the late 1970s and 1980s, with the 1990s bringing a new wave of groups such as En Vogue, the Spice Girls, and SWV. The trend continues today with an international flair, as the hugely popular K-Pop genre has redrawn the blueprint with artists such as Blackpink and Twice. Part two travels through these eras, exploring why the girl group genre continues to thrive. Multimedia presentations and discussions will help define how girl groups changed music and pop culture.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.
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Pysanky: Learn the Art of Ukrainian Egg Decorating
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+
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’60s Girl Groups, Part I
Class Schedule: January 22, 27, & 29, 2026 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
The 1960s may be remembered for the British Invasion, soul, and the birth of the Beatles and art rock. However, the early-to-mid 1960s is also known for its “girl groups,” trios or quartets singing Brill Building compositions and other pop. Motown also perfected the girl group formula, with the Supremes reigning as one of the most successful and influential acts of the 1960s. Indeed, the girl group tradition continues today with Fifth Harmony, Blackpink, and many others. However, the genre’s roots extend back even further, to the 1960s.
Part one of the “Girl Groups” course will trace the beginnings of these acts, with the 1920s and 1930s producing singers such as the Andrews Sisters and the Boswell Sisters. By the 1950s the McGuire Sisters and the Chordettes picked up the baton, lending a pop sheen to an otherwise jazz-dominated genre. The early 1960s kicked off the genre’s peak, with UK and US acts such as the Vernons Girls, the Shirelles, and the Shangri-Las scoring hits on the charts. Perhaps no one defined the early girl group era like Phil Spector, who produced such groups as the Ronettes and the Crystals. The course will explore these roots and the earliest girl group successes through multimedia presentations and discussion.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.
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Disco Inferno!, Part II
Class Schedule: December 11, 16, & 18, 2025 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
By the late 1970s, disco dominated the airwaves and conquered film, television, advertising, and fashion. Its ubiquity, however, led to an inevitable backlash in the form of Chicago’s infamous “Disco Demolition Night” event at Comiskey Park. Did that signal the end of the genre? Hardly—it merely changed labels, transforming its sound and becoming “House” or “Electronic Dance Music (EDM).” In the present day, artists such as Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, and Sabrina Carpenter have incorporated the sound into their own music.
Part two of Disco Inferno continues the journey through the history of disco, moving from the late 1970s peak into House music and through the present day. How did disco evolve through the 1970s? How did the genre alter music and popular culture? Why has the music endured? All of these questions will be explored through multimedia presentations and class discussions. Students will learn about the peak of disco and its longevity, key artists, and how the genre evolved into House and EDM.
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Art for the Non-Artist
Can’t even draw a stick figure? Struggle with perfectionism?
This isn’t your average art class—it’s a creative empowerment workshop created especially for those who think they can’t draw. You’ll learn to draw with both technical skill and confidence—in just one session. With a single feather as your subject, you’ll learn to slow down and really see—translating its shape and texture into a drawing through focused observation. Each drawing will reflect the individual behind it—created entirely by your own hand, and completed with real technical skill, even if it’s your very first time.Led by Art Coach and Teaching Artist Jenny Santa Maria, this workshop helps you unlearn the myth of “natural talent” and discover the joy of drawing as a skill that can be taught, learned, and enjoyed. Jenny has guided countless anxious, curious, and discouraged individuals to find joy and confidence through creative expression, bringing her workshops to libraries, art centers, and community spaces across New England.
Whether you’re working through limiting beliefs or simply curious about reconnecting with your creativity, this workshop offers a safe, encouraging space to explore art making as a new language—one that can enrich every part of your life.
All materials provided. No experience needed.