By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD – Downtown Freehold, the nonprofit organization that promotes Freehold Borough’s downtown district and presents concerts, shows and other activities, has a full slate of events planned for 2017 and the one that may be the most unique is scheduled for Feb. 25.
On that evening at the Freehold Art Gallery, 7A W. Main St. (above CVS pharmacy), an auction of items owned by the late Clarence “The Big Man” Clemons will take place.
Clemons was Bruce Springsteen’s saxophone playing sidekick for decades in the E Street Band. Clemons died at the age of 69 in June 2011.
Items to be auctioned off include pictures, artwork, posters, clothing and other personal items that had been owned by Clemons, according to information provided by representatives of Downtown Freehold.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required to attend the event and may be made by sending an email to [email protected], by phone at 908-614-6195 or at the gallery box office.
The week before the auction of Clarence Clemons’ memorabilia, the Nick Clemons Band, a group led by Clarence’s eldest son, will perform at the Freehold Art Gallery on Feb. 17. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Email [email protected], call 908-614-6195 or stop by the art gallery box office for tickets.
On Feb. 10, musician Lisa Bouchelle will perform at the Freehold Art Gallery. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Email [email protected], call 908-614-6195 or stop by the art gallery box office for tickets.
The art gallery will feature the work of Phyllis Antonini, Toni Field, Kae Lugo and Elizabeth Zigray as part of an exhibit titled “Memories and More” that will run through March 26. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery is open from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
St. Peter’s Church, 33 Throckmorton St., will host a performance of the American Boychoir as part of the Downtown Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for individuals age 18 and younger.
Center Playhouse, 35 South St., will host to a production of Neil Simon’s “The Dinner Party” on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Feb. 10 to March 5. The Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 8 p.m. and the Sunday performances will begin at 2 p.m.
Admission for “The Dinner Party” is $27 for adults and $23 for students and individuals age 60 and older. Tickets may be purchased online at centerplayers.tix.com or by phone at 732-462-9093.
“We are very excited that community members in downtown Freehold provide so many cultural and artistic events,” said Jeffrey Friedman, the business advocate for Downtown Freehold. “We are very proud of the work Center Players and St. Peter’s provides our community.
“It is great that we are getting such high quality performances at the gallery, thanks to the help of Poshe Social Events, and the show featuring Clarence Clemons’ memorabilia, which we hope will gather people from across the state,” said Friedman, who is also the director of the Freehold Art Gallery.