Special Events
Nature Lecture Series: Skates and Rays of the Jersey Shore
Nov. 21, 7-8 p.m.
Come to the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth, for this talk by a Park System Naturalist and learn about some of the rays and skates, which are related to sharks, that may be encountered along the shore. The threats facing them and what we can do to help save skates and rays will be discussed.
Free.
732-787-3033, ext. 2#; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
ComedySportz Jersey Shore
Family-friendly improv played as a sport. ComedySportz matches are fast-paced, funny, driven by audience suggestions, and improvised on the spot.
Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Jersey Shore Arts Center
66 South Main St., Herbst Theater, Ocean Grove
Reserved tickets: $15 Adults, $9 Children under 12 and Seniors 65+ when purchased online at www.shorethingtheater.com/shows
Admission at the door: first come/first served, $20 Adults, $12 Children and Seniors.
732-508-0807; www.shorethingtheater.com/shows
The Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market
Sundays through Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Galleria Red Bank Parking Lot
2 Bridge Avenue
(Corner of West Front Street & Bridge Avenue)
www.redbank.org
Free movie screening of National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation”
Nov. 29
Paramount Theatre
1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park
apboardwalk.com
The Asbury Park Boardwalk’s 12th annual
Christmas Tree Lighting celebration
Nov. 30: A Grand Tree Lighting Event: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting takes place at 6:45 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend and Small Business Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Convention Hall)
The Wizards of Winter Holiday Rock Event – 10th Anniversary Tour: Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:30 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Dec. 1:
Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend (continues): 11a.m.-6 p.m. (Convention Hall)
Photos with Santa: Beginning Dec. 1 and continuing each Sunday through Dec. 22, from noon-3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Dec. 6:
The Del McCoury Band: The most awarded band in the history of bluegrass: Doors open at 7 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Dec: 8:
Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
Jody Joseph Student Christmas recital: Noon-5 p.m. (The Stone Pony)
Dec. 13:
Free Movie Screening of “A Christmas Story”: Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
Dec. 14:
Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
The Pop Break’s Sixth Annual Christmas Party: Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m.
Dec. 15:
Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
Beach Music Studios Student Recital (The Stone Pony)
Dec. 16:
3rd Avenue Pavilion’s Annual Holiday Bazaar:
5 p.m.-9 p.m.
apboardwalk.com
Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Winter Festival Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 1
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Edgar School, 49 Brunswick Ave., Metuchen. The lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on the plaza in downtown Metuchen.
www.metuchenchamberexchange.com
The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission in collaboration with the Monroe Township Public Library Presents: Boheme Opera, NJ Lecture Performance Series
Lecture by Jerry Kalstein
Dec. 11 at 1 p.m.
Monroe Township Public Library
4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township
Free Admission
An Evening with Big Brother 21’s Tommy and Christie
Event Experience, Meet and Greet, Q&A
Dec. 27 at 8 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
Tickets: $20-$100
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
On Stage
The East Brunswick High School Fall Drama Production of “Hysterical Truths the Short Plays of David Ives”
Featuring eight short comics ranging from a group of monkeys attempting to write Shakespeare, to a bad date with infinite resets.
Joseph Sweeney Auditorium, East Brunswick High School
Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 24 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $14, Students/Seniors $8
Reserved seating tickets in advance at EBHSDRAMA.org
Bye Bye Birdie
through Nov. 24
Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. New performance added Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m.
Playhouse 22
721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $22 adults, $20 seniors and students
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.org
Love In Hate Nation
Through Dec. 1
Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
My Life on a Diet
Through Dec. 15
The Arthur Laurents Theater at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org
A Christmas Carol
The Musical
Dec. 5-Dec. 15
The Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theater – New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Tickets: $25-$65
732-545-8100; www.crossroadstheatrecompany.com
A Year with Frog and Toad
A musical written by brothers Robert and Willie Reale, based on the Frog and Toad children’s stories written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Bernice Garfield-Szita, while Mafalda Cavanaugh will serve as Assistant Director.
Dec. 6-15. Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Center Playhouse, 35 South St., downtown Freehold
Tickets for most productions are priced at $26-28
732-462-9093; www.centerplayers.org
A Christmas Carol
A family classic returns for its 23rd year featuring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Marley, and a team of spirits that will warm your heart for Christmas.
Dec. 13-22
Playhouse 22
721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $15
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.org
Music
Sounds of Chamber Music
A diverse selection of Mason Gross chamber ensembles performing a variety of styles and composers.
Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
Richard H. Shindell Choral Hall
85 George St., New Brunswick
Free
732-445-4636; www.masongross.rutgers.edu
Happy Holidays Concert: Tim McLoone & The Shirleys with the Atlantic Coast Band
Dec. 8. 2-4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Monmouth County Library, Headquarters
125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan
Free program
732-431-7220; www.monmouthcountylib.org
Rutgers Percussion Ensemble
Bernard Hoffer’s The River: A Symphony for Saxophone Quartet and Large Percussion Ensemble.
Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
Nicholas Music Center
85 George St., New Brunswick
Rutgers University, Douglass Campus
Tickets: Public $15; Seniors, Rutgers Alumni & Employees $10; Students $5
732-445-4636; www.masongross.rutgers.edu
Felix Mendelssohn and his Circle
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County presents pianist Alan Mallach in a Two-Part Talk/Concert Program
Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. (pre-concert talk) and 2 p.m. (concert)
The Jewish Heritage Museum
310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
Admission: $12 members, $15 non-members
Paid reservations are recommended
732-252-6990; www.jhmomc.org
Christmas Past with The Shrewsbury Chorale
Conducted by new Music Director, Joshua Anand Slater, with organ accompaniment by Fiona Smith Sutherland, and vocal soloists.
Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
St. George’s by the River Church, 7 Lincoln Ave., Rumson
$20 (General Admission), $17 (Senior/Student), and $8 (Child under 12). Tickets at the door are $25, $20, and $10.
732-747-1362; www.shrewsburychorale.org
The Holiday Express benefit concerts
The Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank
Dec. 16 and Dec. 17
Tickets: $125, $75, $60, $50 and $25 and may be purchased at www.countbasietheatre.org
More information about Holiday Express is available at
www.holidayexpress.org
Out of Darkness into Light
Voices Chorale NJ performs a concert of inspiring choral music
Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
Pennington Presbyterian Church
13 Main St., Pennington
Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church
33 Mercer St., Princeton
Tickets at www.voiceschoralenj.org
For Kids
The Nutcracker
The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre
Plays through the holidays
The perennial favorite done as a puppet show with Clara and all her adventures as the Nutcracker Prince comes to life
General Public Performances are on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
All seating is $10
First Avenue Playhouse
123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands
732 291-1216; www.papermoonpuppettheatre.com
Kids! Holmdel Public Library Children’s Storytimes
Nov. 21
Bouncing Bunnies and Curious Cubs Storytime – Ages 18-36 months (with parent/caregiver) from 10-10:30 a.m.
Creativity Corner – Storytime and Art – Ages 3-5 years from 11-11:30 a.m. or 2-2:30 p.m.
Holmdel Public Library, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Suite 2110, Bell Works Complex, Holmdel
732-946-4118; www.monmouthcountylib.org
Kids! Pinecone Turkey Craft
Nov. 27, 4-4:30 p.m.
Get into the spirit of the season by listening to some Thanksgiving stories. Come put together a turkey with a pine cone, colorful feathers, and construction paper.
Registration required
Monmouth County Library
1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck
732-431-5656; monmouthcountylib.org
Comedy
Free Comedy Night
comedian Mike Bonner is the host
Nov. 22, starts at 8 p.m.
reservations recommended
Station Bar & Grill Restaurant
2625 Route 130 South, Cranbury
609-655-5550; stationbarandgrill.com
Please call or check the website for the venue to determine if the event is taking place or has been rescheduled.