“The Immigrant” by Mark Harelik is a heartfelt, funny play that brings a fresh perspective to the age-old story of immigration and assimilation. The biographical tale of the author’s grandfather, a Russian Jew, who arrived in Galveston Tex., at the turn of the century, spans 30 years of the family’s history. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, and 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16 and 23 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County — Loft Performance Center at 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold. Tickets: $25, $22 JHM members and seniors. For reservations or information, call 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org.
The Art Society of Monmouth County meets Nov. 19, at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. Everyone interested in art is welcome. A social half-hour begins at 10:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m., Middletown artist Mary Ann Russo will demonstrate her original handcarved stamps, collographic plates and silk screens in converting plain unprinted cotton cloth into richly printed fabric with a unique layered look that resembles mixed-media collage. For directions to the Nov. 19 meeting, call the cultural center at 732-229- 4527 or visit www.surfmen.com.
Playwright and performance artist Stephanie Satie brings her play, “Coming to America – Transformations,” to the Middletown Arts Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. This moving one-woman show takes the audience on a journey into the lives of nine fascinating women who are of varying ages, religions and countries of origin. Satie moves from character to character seamlessly with spot-on accents, physical demeanors and appropriate musical accompaniment. MAC is located at 36 Church St. in Middletown. Tickets are $25 at the box office, 732-706-4100, and at the door. There is free parking across the street in the train station parking lot and in the lot adjacent to the arts center. Information is available at www.middletownarts.org.
The Monmouth Conservatory of Music in Red Bank will present faculty member Dr. Augustus Arnone in a solo concert of music for piano at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. The program will include “Gaspard de la Nuit” by Maurice Ravel, as well as works by Debussy, Bach, and premier works by two contemporary composers. The concert is recommended for children (over age 4) through adults, and is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required for the concert, which will take place at the conservatory, 50 White St., Red Bank, in the Trinity Church auditorium. For information, contact 732-741-8880 or visit www.monmouthconservatory. org.
“All That Jazz,” a concert featuring the contemporary jazz sounds of the Dan Wilensky Trio and the traditional New Orleans sound of Bob Paddack’s New Orleans Jazz Band will be held 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Central Baptist Church, Third and East Highland Avenue, Atlantic Highlands. The concert is sponsored by The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council. Tickets are $15, and $5 for children age 12 and younger and can be purchased at the door, ordered from the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, PO Box 236, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 07716. For more information, call Laura at 732-687-3571 or Kathleen at 732- 337-7549.
The New Jersey Comedy Festival will take place 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.
The fun-filled night of comedy will feature performances by students from Monmouth, Brookdale, Georgian Court, Ocean County College and Burlington County College, some making their standup debut. Master of Ceremonies TJ Del Reno from Comedy Central will appear with celebrity judges. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, a complete schedule and list of colleges competing, visit www.newjerseycomedyfestival.com.
Dr. Lewis Preschel and Arthur Frank announce the formation of a new advanced writers group that will meet monthly beginning Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Colts Neck. The group will read and analyze the works of leading authors of modern fiction. This new group would be of interest to authors who have produced at least one manuscript of at least 70,000 words of current fiction in any genre. All candidates should be working toward a publishing contract in 2009. Interested parties can contact the Web site at monmouthwriters. com or call 732-890-3581 for further information.
Compiled by Gloria Stravelli Designed by Eileen Russell Gerber