The Arts and Community Center Show Descriptions

Show Descriptions

Due to our ongoing renovation please note the alternate locations of all shows.

MidWeek Jazz

MidWeek Jazz brings acclaimed artists playing classical jazz and swing to the Mancini Hall at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library. (101 Washington Street ) Low prices, easy parking and a single 90 minute set on a weeknight make this popular music accessible to all.
**Special Discount Price for Arts and Community Center Family members

All shows are at 8:00 p.m.

$15.00 At the Door

$13.00 Advance

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Wednesday Feb 10-

THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS!

Marty Grosz on the Guitar

Acoustic guitarist and raconteur, Marty Grosz, is popular with fans for his interesting choices of material and the delightful and enlightening stories he tells between tunes. An evening with Marty Grosz alone would be worthwhile but for this return engagement, he brings two other noted musicians: trumpet star Jon-Erik Kellso and reed virtuoso Dan Block. Any one of them could be the leader! Warm jazz, played with zest and a twinkle of humor, for all our discerning fans.

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Wednesday March 17-8:00 p.m.

Bix Blast with Dan Levinson & Co.

This year's Big Bix Blast will be the largest and greatest ever, with BOTH Randy Sandke and Jon-Erik Kellso playing cornets, plus clarinetist Dan Levinson, multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson, pianist Mark Shane, and serveral other well-known stars. Tributes to jazz icon, Bix Beiderbecke, the legendary "young man with a horn," are among the most popular themes of this series, and this expanded group will likely fill the room!

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Wednesday April 14-8:00 p.m.

Atlantic City Jazz Band

The complete Atlantic City Jazz Band, all seven pieces, will visit MidWeek Jazz for the first time, but they're not strangers to the region. They've played for the Cape May and Tri-State Jazz Societies, plus other groups that know their early jazz. You'll hear the music of Gershwin, Berlin, Arlen Mercer and many more from their extensive repertoire, in styles that recall Louis, Bix, Jelly Roll and the Duke! This band loves the music they play and it shows.

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Wednesday May 12-8:00 p.m.

Vocalist Nancy Nelson with Pianist, Keith Ingram

Vocalist, Nancy Nelson has been thrilling audiences in the northern part of the state for years. Earlier in her career, she was given recognition by Playboy's Jazz and Pop Poll, as well as Downbeat's Critic's Poll. "She is a remarkable singer," writes Dan Morgenstern "who takes her cues...from the great classic song stylists of jazz." Grammy nominee, Keith Ingram, accompanies her on piano, contributing his own original arrangements and an occasional thrilling solo.

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Wednesday June 16-8:00 p.m.

Bucky's Back!

Jazz legend, Bucky Pizzarelli, has brought his seven string guitar magic to Mancini Hall before, filling the room every time. He'll be with voilin virtuoso, Aaron Weinstein, ("The rebirth of hot jazz violin" says Nat Hentoff) and veteran bassist, Jerry Bruno, so there won't be a dull moment. Bucky's career spans jazz history, performing and recording with a veritable Who's Who of jazz and swing music.

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Ocean County College Theatre Company

Directed By Arthur Waldman

Written & Originally Directed by Ted Swindley Based on A True Story

Performance Site: Manchester Twp. High School, 101 S. Colonial Dr. Lakehurst

April 8- 7:30 p.m

April 9, 10, 16, & 17-8:00 p.m.

April 11 & 18-2:00 p.m.

Always...Patsy Cline

Always...Patsy Cline is one of America's best-loved musicals based on the life of the greatest female country superstar and her most devoted fan, Louise Seger. The show combines humor, sadness and reality with Seger supplying the narrative while Cline floats in and out of the set singing tunes that made her famous: "Anytime," "Walkin' After Midnight," "She's Got You," "Sweet Dreams," and "Crazy".

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Ocean County College Concert Band

Directed by Anthony Tafrow

Performance Site: Toms River High School North, Old Freehold Road

Sunday May 16-2:00 p.m.

Winds Of Spring--Marches & Overtures

Winds of Spring--Marches & Overtures, features musical selections that will be both exciting and fun to listen to. With dramatic concert overtures, such as Giovanni's Overture in Bb and Jubilance, rousing marches from the Americas and Europe, and selections from Broadway musicals, familiar to all, there will surely be something for everyone. Come and join the Concert Band as it salutes the Winds of Spring.

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The Community Chorus of Ocean County College

Directed by Carolyn Moore

Performance Site: Toms River High School North, Old Freehold Road

Saturday Apr 24-2:00 p.m.

The Great American Songbook

The Community Chorus of Ocean County College presents a musical review of The Great American Songbook. This dazzling parade of hits includes music from the 1920's through the 1960's, a long era considered by many to be the Golden Age of popular American song. Songwriters such as Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin and others contributed to this musical treasure trove. Singing stars such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald popularized it. Today, many of these songs have become American classics. Come and enjoy the ballads, beguines, and blues numbers as we turn the pages of The Great American Songbook together.