Documentary photographer Marc Steiner, Union Beach, and the Rev. George Kavukatt, a Catholic priest who works with impoverished tribal people in India, at a reception for “Deenbandhu: Relative of the Poor.” Steiner’s photos documenting Kavukatt’s work were on exhibit at McKay Imaging Studio and Gallery in Red Bank June 21 and 22. The images can be viewed at www.marcsteiner.com. The Village at Chapel Hill, Middletown, a luxury townhome development, will host a “Home of the Arts” weekend event, Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22, noon to 5 p.m. Monmouth County artists, ranging from painters and sculptors to glass blowers and jewelry makers are invited to display and sell their work in one of two model townhomes. Space is free and available on a first come, first served basis. Display tables and wall space will be provided. Artists must be present at the event site on both dates to show and sell their work. To register and reserve space, contact Maria Coyle at (609) 397-4242, ext. 122, by today.
The Core of Fire Dance Company & Friends will present “Let It Shine: An Evening of Music, Dance & Story” Friday at 7 p.m. at Stella Maris Retreat Center, 981 Ocean Ave., Elberon. The event will include performances by actress/storyteller Lorraine Stone, singer Rosemary Conte, dancer Marcia Freeman, and dance troupe The Belly Stars. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Core of Fire is an interfaith, intergenerational dance ministry. Plans call for an innovative women’s health center at the Shore that will integrate the arts and spirituality. For more information, call Conte at (732) 583-4959 or Dr. Carol Penn (732) 345-0167.
A family barn dance will be held at the Croydon Hall Senior Center , 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo off Route 36, Friday, 7:30-10 p.m. Couples and singles welcome. Donation $3, children under 18 admitted free but must be accompanied by a parent. No dance experience is needed as the caller will teach all you need to know. The event is sponsored by the Middletown Ramblers Square Dance Club. For information and directions, call Betty at (732) 291-1188 or visit www.middletownramblers.org.
The Joyful Noise Cafe Jazz Series will present Raymond Paul & the Jazz Experts Friday at 8 p.m. Paul is a member of the International Jazz band European Tour. The group also includes percussionist Roger Mancuso and Howard Hellman of the Ultimate Jazz Pianists. The cafe is located at 1400 Asbury Ave. in Asbury Park. For information, call (732) 774-5006.
Sickles Market, One Harrison Ave. in Little Silver, will present its 8th Annual Blues Festival Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The free, fun-filled event for the whole family features attractions ranging from American Blues music to blueberry pie eating contests. There will be face painting, corn grilling and tasting; Bee Lady Mary Kosenski; Blues music with Holly Baines; and children’s and employee pie eating contests. Sickles Market, winner of 2007 Outstanding Retailer Award from National Association for Specialty Food Trade, is a third generation family-owned market. Visit www.sicklesmarket.com
Monday Night Movies at the JCC will screen “Meet the Fockers” Monday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the Jewish Community Center, Deal Park. This hilarious sequel features a cast including Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand. Tickets are $5. The JCC is located at 100 Grant Ave.
There is still time to register for the Monmouth Conservatory of Music Summer Music Discovery Camp Week, beginning July 16 at 1 p.m. Age-appropriate summer music exploration for children ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 12 at all levels of musical experience. For more information, contact the conservatory, 50 White St., Red Bank, by calling (732) 741-8880 or e-mail to: [email protected].
Monmouth Players will hold auditions for their October production of Levinson and Link’s “Guilty Conscience” July 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at the Navesink Library Theater at the corner of Sears and Monmouth Avenues in the Navesink section of Middletown. Needed are two woman between the ages of 25 and 50 and two men between the ages of 35 and 60. All roles are open. For more information, call Lori at (732) 291-9211 or visit www.monmouthplayers.org.
If it’s the last Friday of the month, it must be “Reckless Steamy Nights,” a jazz series presented at the Red Bank Woman’s Club by the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. Friday’s program is “Chelsea Palermo Sings Songs of the Divas” 8- 11 p.m. at the women’s club, 164 Broad St. Admission: $10. BYOB; light snacks provided. Proceeds benefit the JSJBF scholarship funds and the women’s club.
Craig Ferguson will appear at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., in Red Bank Wednesday, July 18, at 8 p.m. Host of the “Late, Late Show,” Ferguson enters the world of late night comedy following a career in film, television and the stage. Tickets: $100 – $28 through the box office at (732) 842-9000, www.countbasietheatre.org or 99 Monmouth St.
“Get Rid of Grandma,” a comedy by Dennis Driskill will be presented by Soar Productions Fridays, July 20, 27 and Aug. 3 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays July 21, 28 and Aug. 4 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, July 22, 29 at 2 p.m. Grandma overhears her son talking about “getting rid of the old girl” and thinks that her family is plotting to bump her off. Tickets $18, seniors and students $15. For reservations, call (732) 471-8268. Performances are at 1110 Union Ave. at the Union Beach Fire House.