There\u2019s a visit from one of Ireland\u2019s most sublime storytellers. A wildly popular band of cultural ambassadors for the refugee peoples of North Africa. Troupes of travelers who put a Stateside spin on African dance forms and Indian bhangra music \u2014 as well as the next-generation bearers of the greatest pedigrees in modern American music.<\/p>\n
No other arts entity has brought more of the world to the coastal New Jersey community than Monmouth University<\/strong> \u2014 and with the announcement of the 2012-2013 season of live performing arts events, the Center for the Arts<\/strong> at Monmouth continues its commitment to present an award winning, diverse slate of music, dance, drama, film, spoken word, and visual art in one of the region\u2019s most popular destinations.<\/p>\n According to Vaune Peck<\/strong>, coordinator of arts programming for the Center of the Arts at Monmouth, the newly announced schedule boasts \u201cencore engagements by some of the most popular performers ever featured here at Monmouth\u2026people who have really established a special connection with our audience\u2026 along with groundbreaking new artists who will expand your sights and senses.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201csomething old, something new\u201d series also offers hip new amalgams \u201cborrowed\u201d from historically authentic ethnic forms \u2014 in addition to \u201csomething blue\u201d for the burgeoning regional audience of blues fans.<\/p>\n It all takes place on the West Long Branch, New Jersey campus of Monmouth University \u2014 a conveniently located complex offering experiences that range from historic Wilson Hall to the Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC). Primary host venue for the Performing Arts Series will be the stage, screen, and gallery of the modern Pollak Theatre<\/strong> arts center, with select events presented at the nearby Lauren K. Woods Theatre<\/strong> \u2014 scene of the season-opening event featuring Irish singer and songwriter Se\u00e1n Tyrrell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A leading interpreter of traditional Irish words and music, Tyrrell plays an intimate 7:30 p.m. concert on the stage of the recently renovated Woods playhouse on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The Pollak stage gets into the act with the first area concert appearance by Red Baraat<\/strong> (Friday, October 12, 2012 at 8 p.m.), the Brooklyn-based blenders of \u201cBollywood bhangra beats and funky New Orleans brass\u201d who have made instant converts of audiences from coast to coast.<\/p>\n The eclectically acoustic virtuosos of California Guitar Trio<\/strong> join forces with The Montr\u00e9al Guitare Trio<\/strong> for a \u201cphenomensemble\u201d summit that could only be called CGT + MG3<\/strong> (Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 7 p.m.) \u2014 and the multi-generational, Grammy winning musical force that is Tinariwen<\/strong> (Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 8 p.m.) brings the sound and culture of the Sahara\u2019s nomadic Tuareg people to the Jersey Shore for the first time.<\/p>\n Nashville born (but NYC based) next-gen alt-country iconoclast Justin Townes Earle<\/strong> crosses the river to New Jersey to wow audiences with a reverent musical wisdom beyond his years and a guitar\/vocal technique that\u2019s variously characterized as \u201cbluegrass,\u201d \u201cAmericana,\u201d \u201cblues,\u201d \u201cfolk,\u201d and \u201calternative\u201d (Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 7 p.m.); while legendary folk-pop pioneer Peter Yarrow<\/strong> returns to Monmouth University as part of an exciting new trio with daughter Bethany Yarrow<\/strong> and amazing cellist Rufus Cappadocia<\/strong> (Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 7 p.m.).<\/p>\n The inimitable Father Alphonse Stephenson<\/strong> leads the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea<\/strong> in the treasured local institution\u2019s annual holiday concert at Pollak (Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8 p.m.). The 2013 Performing Arts Series at Pollak resumes on Sunday, January 27 with the return of the ever-popular In the Mood<\/strong>, the traveling \u201c1940s Musical Revue\u201d that brings the sounds, steps, and styles of the World War II era back to dynamically energetic life.<\/p>\n Americana aficionados are in for a treat on Saturday, March 23, with a highly anticipated 8 p.m. concert by folk supergroup Red Horse<\/strong> (John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson). Standard-bearer for one of the most awesome legacies in all of music \u2014 and a revered pure-blues performer in his own right \u2014 John Hammond<\/strong> brings his acoustic guitar mastery to the Pollak Theatre stage along with opening act local legend Billy Hector (Friday, April 5, 2013 at 8 p.m.).<\/p>\n The young dancers of DC-based Step Afrika!<\/strong> bring their annual tour of US colleges to Monmouth for the first time (Friday, April 12, 2013 at 8 p.m.) in a program that showcases \u201cstepping,\u201d the whole-body dance tradition developed and perfected a century ago by African American college fraternities and sororities. On April 19, 2013 is another in an eagerly awaited series of solo sets by Roger McGuinn<\/strong>, the Byrds founder and American musical folklorist whose concerts and public-welcome workshops at Monmouth have proven to be a perfect fit of performer, venue, and audience.<\/p>\n As Vaune Peck observes, the Center for the Arts has \u201cfocuses on deepening the interaction between artist and audience through \u2018talkbacks,\u2019 lectures, and workshops for students and the general public. That means a chance to play guitar with a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; to talk acting with a star of Hollywood and Broadway; learn dance fundamentals from a leading choreographer; and enjoy a performer\u2019s work in a way that other venues simply can\u2019t offer.\u201d<\/p>\n