By Sara Winick
Whether you’re looking to hear some live music, get out of the August heat and drop by some new art exhibits, enjoy a theatrical summer performance, or take in something else entirely, there are cultural events for everyone to enjoy this month in Monmouth County and plenty of ways to start wrapping up your summer.
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Performances
A Tailor Near Me: Join the New Jersey Repertory Company as they bring Michael Tucker's A Tailor Near Me to the stage this summer (Long Branch, through August 27).
Crossing Borders: Celebrate new plays by Latine theater artists with Two River Theater in their annual Crossing Borders celebration (Red Bank, August 3 - August 6).
Into the Woods: The Brothers Grimm are hitting the Premier Theatre Company stage for this production of Into the Woods (Rumson, August 4 - August 13).
Freaky Friday: Based on the novel and Disney films, Stagecoach Productions is bringing Freaky Friday to the Millstone Township Performing Arts Center (Millstone, August 4 - August 5).
Summer Dance Jam Workshop: Join In Good Company Dance for their Summer Dance Jam Workshop designed for everybody at every dance level (Long Branch, August 5 - August 6).
Dealing, The Musical: From the team that brought you the award-winning Off-Broadway production “Camp, A New Musical” comes their brand-new show, “Dealing, The Musical" at the Middletown Arts Center (Middletown, August 11 - August 13).
A Black and White Cookie: Set in 2022 New York City and coming to the Center Players Theater, A Black and White Cookie follows the unlikely friendship between Harold Wilson and Albie Sands (Freehold, August 11 - August 27).
Avenue Q: Join Algonquin Arts Theatre for their production of the Tony Award-winning musical following recent college graduate Princeton as he moves into a shabby New York apartment on Avenue Q (Manasquan, August 12 - August 20).
Broadway at the Barn: Santino Fontana: Don't miss Tony award-winning actor Santino Fontana's Holmdel debut at the Duncan Smith Theatre for one night only (Holmdel, August 19).
Asbury Park Dance Festival: Returning to the House of Independents, the Asbury Park Dance Festival features world-renowned dancers for one night only in support of Arts Ed NJ (Asbury Park, August 26).
Concerts
Live Music Happy Hour: Enjoy live music each Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7 PM with the Asbury Park Music Foundation and Swim Crush's new series Live Music Happy Hour (Asbury Park, Tuesdays and Thursdays).
Westside Jazz Concerts: Hear live music from top-quality musicians in Johnny Jazz Park this summer with the Westside Jazz Concerts series (Red Bank, August 6 - August 20).
Summer Sing: Missa Pastiche: Join the Shrewsbury Chorale at Tower Hill Church for a selection of movements from different Mass settings and composers (Red Bank, August 10).
Tiny Porch Concert Series Kick-Off: Celebrate Count Basie with the T. Thomas Fortune Center and Jazz Arts Project in the Johnny Jazz Pocket Park (Red Bank, August 19th).
African Diaspora Arts Festival: Enjoy food, music, community, and more at the fifth annual African Diaspora Arts Festival (Freehold, August 19).
Lillias White in Concert: Hear Tony and Emmy Award winner Lillias White in concert for one afternoon only (Count Basie Center for the Arts/The Vogel, August 20).
Rock the Yacht: Join Algonquin Arts Theatre as John Rogers presents "Rock the Yacht" with all the elements that evoke a relaxing bay cruise on the Algonquin Stage (Manasquan, August 26).
Kevin Spyker & Friends: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon with this live performance at Belmar Arts Center (Belmar, August 26).
Art Exhibitions
Exhibiting Members Show All Media, No Theme: Come see this Guild of Creative Art exhibit demonstrating the work of exhibiting members and small treasures (Shrewsbury, August 5).
A Woman's Impression: art629 Gallery presents "A Woman's Impression," featuring paintings by American impressionist Elaine Sgambati (Asbury Park, through August).
North Hall Gallery: Join the Manasquan River Group of Artists at the North Hall Gallery exhibit this August (Point Pleasant Beach, through August 27).
Summer Show and Sale and Member Potluck Luncheon: Join the Art Society of Monmouth County for this summer art show and sale (Red Bank, August 7 - August 25).
Apparitions: A Paul Hansen/Michael Indorato Collaboration: Enjoy Oyster Point's new exhibition and cocktail reception at 6-8 PM (Red Bank, August 11).
Material Matters: Join Belmar Arts in welcoming their new exhibition "Material Matters" (Belmar, August 14 - September 23).
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