The “Speaking of Art” series hosted by the Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch will present “Curator and Artist: Wearing Two Hats!” on Friday at 7 p.m. The panel discussion coincides with the new exhibit, “Artists Curating ArtistS: Two very different similar exhibitions.” Curator/artists Chris Chambers and Pamela Marchin and other participants will discuss their dual exhibitions – “Transmutations” and “Plastic Fantastic.” The panel will focus on how an artist’s work can influence their curatorial decisions and, how the shows they curate might influence their artwork.
The Art Society of Monmouth County will present its annual Members Show May 1-25 at the Little Silver Library on Prospect Avenue behind borough hall. The nonjuried show will include works in all media and photography. Library hours are Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. For information, call (732) 747-9649.
Eatontown Playhouse, 37-13 Route 35 north, will hold auditions for three shows: “How to Eat Like a Child,” on May 1, 5-7 p.m.; the children’s May Talent Show, on May 4, 5-7 p.m.; the musical “Chicago,” on May 6, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (732) 670-3652 or visit www.eatontownplayhouse.com.
Brookdale Community College in Lincroft will host the 11th Evening of International Poetry on Wednesday, May 3. The free event will be held in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Experimental Theater from 7-9:30 p.m. Gloria Rovder Healy, Shrewsbury, editor of anthologies of poetry about Monmouth and Ocean County, is being honored for her role as poetry advocate. The poetry performances will feature poems read in Russian, Polish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Bengali with accompanying translations. The event is co-sponsored by the International Center and the Brookdale Positive Psychology Center. For more information, visit http://internationalcenter.brookdalecc.edu or call (723) 224-2799.
Brookdale will also host the May 5-7 Spring Writers Conference during which more than 35 writers will share their expertise with aspiring writers through workshops, panels, craft discussions, readings and book signings by authors, editors and publishers. Specifics are available at the Web site: www.writers-conference.brookdalecc.edu or by contacting Michael Broek at (732) 224-2623 or Suzanne Parker at (732) 224-2650.
Two River Theater Company will present “What The Butler Saw” by British playwright Joe Orton, a hilarious face that pokes fun at sex, authority, family relationships and the world of psychoanalysis. The production runs May 11 through 28 in the 350-seat Rechnitz Theater. Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Ave. in Red Bank. Tickets are $25-$45; $15 student tickets with current ID. For tickets and information, call (732) 345-1400 or visit www.tworivertheater.com.
Fair Haven singer/songwriter John Padovano, the “rainy day hobo,” will perform as The Ironbound Crooner on Thursday, May 11 and May 25, at 7 p.m., at the Berkeley Carteret Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.
For information, visit www.john-padovano.com.
The Monmouth Players will present “Over the River and Through the Woods” through May 13 at 8:15 p.m. at the Navesink Library, corner of Sears and Monmouth avenues in the Navesink section of Middletown. Tickets are $15 and $12 seniors and students. For information, e-mail to [email protected].
Monmouth Chinese Christian Church will host “Performance With Passion,” a concert by the Passaggio Chorale, on Sunday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m. The chorale is a classical youth chorale whose members range in age from 5-17 years old.
The church is located at 189 Holland Road, Middletown. For directions and information, log onto www.mccc.org.
An Evening of improv with Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, stars of the Emmy-nominated “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” will take place on May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre. Tickets for this evening of extraordinary comedy are $65-$25 and can be purchased by calling the box office at (732) 842-9000, or online at www.countbasietheatre.org.