"Come on babe, why don't we paint the town? And all that jazz ... "
No the musical "Chicago" is not coming to the Shore, but the nonprofit groupJazz Arts Project is presenting Jazz Week on the Plaza at Two River Theaterin Red Bank.
For 15 years, Jazz Arts Project held these concerts inside Two River's Marion Huber Theater. This summer, the concerts are taking place outdoors on the newly renovated plaza. The series begins tonight with pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton, a mainstay on the New York jazz scene.
On Friday it's vocalistCharenee Wade, who"evokes a classic jazz sound akin to Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughan," according to a mini biography on the Jazz Arts Project site.
Saturday it's "The two and only” — musicians Aaron Weinstein (called "the 'Groucho'of the violin")and Matt Munisteri, referred to as an "urban banjo warrior."
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Sunday it's musician Warren Vaché, a jazz veteran who has performed and recorded with Benny Goodman andRosemary Clooney.
Shows begin at 7 p.m., and limited tickets are availablefor tables of two ($60) or four ($120).Each evening will run about 75 minutes.
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Bob Polding at the Wonder Bar
What's new with the Bob Polding Band?
Find out at 8 p.m. Saturday as the Polding and crew come through the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. They'll be previewing some new stuff in two sets.
“We’ll be playing a lot of new material from our upcoming 12-song release,” Polding said.
That sounds like a new album. Stop by for Polding's Americana rock and country excursions. If you can't place the name, chances are you've heard them on WFAN.
Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door.
PNC Bank Arts Center concerts:Chicago, Luke Bryan, Lady A coming in July
Musicin Bradley Beach
Jersey jam band Desert Jellies will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday atBradley Beach's Riley Park.The show ispart of the free Saturdays in the Park concert series, which runs through Aug 28.The band's latest album is "Dried Out," which was released in August 2020.
All shows in the concert series are weather permitting. The park is located near the train station. More information, including a complete schedule, is atvisitbradleybeach.com/event-calendar.
Big summer concerts are coming back:See who's playing in New Jersey, NYC and Philadelphia
Did someone say ice cream?
Using recipes from the 19th century, you and your family can help make (and eat!) ice cream in the shade of the ice house at Historic Walnford House, 62 Walnford Road in Upper Freehold.
The fun starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. The eventis part ofMonmouth County Park System's Edible History Series at Historic Walnford.
More information is available by calling 609-259-6275 or by visitingmonmouthcountyparks.com/eventcalendar.aspx.
Theater in Middletown
TheMiddletown Arts Center, in collaboration with Dunbar Repertory Company, willpresent "Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery," which features a young Black girl's coming of age in the 1960s South.
The show is written by Shay Youngblood and directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis Sr.
It features Tracie Ashe (Tinton Falls), Sequoia Tellashia Davis (Ocean Township), Mimi B. Francis (North Brunswick), Natalie Hayes (Long Branch), Brianna Kelly (Matawan), Qualé Lewis (Asbury Park), Cheryl Monden (Lakewood), Lorraine Stone (Eatontown) and DaNeen Wyche (Neptune).
It runs July 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 at the MAC,36 Church St., Middletown. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., with Sunday performances at 4 p.m.
For tickets, $20, visitmiddletownarts.orgor call the MAC Box Office at 732-706-4100.
Dunbar Repertory Company calls itself “Monmouth County’s African American Theater Company” and says it is committed to perpetuating an appreciation of cultural diversity and celebrating African American culture through live, literary readings, main stage theatrical productions, education programs and services.
Vegan eats in Neptune
Michelle Mancuso opened Cats Luck Vegan, 140 Steiner Ave. in Neptune City, two weeks ago and has been busy serving a varied menu of breakfast and lunch items. Everything is vegan, from the buttermilk biscuits with country gravy to the Rueben on rye. For those with a sweet tooth, good news: Mancuso has been baking for yearsand offers hand pies, brownies, cinnamon rolls and more. But act fast, as she bakes in small batches and the goodies often run out.
Raise a can for Icarus Brewing
Icarus Brewing, which has quickly become a powerhouse in the New Jersey craft beer scene in recent years, is celebrating its four-year Canniversary on Saturday at its Lakewood tasting room.
There will be special releases, commemorative merchandise and more from noon to 10 p.m. at Icarus, 1790 Swathmore Ave. Check out our feature on the brewery and its Canniversary for all of the details.
Take a boat tour
Tuckerton Seaport is known as a place to learn about southern Ocean County's maritime history, but it's also a great spot fora boat ride.
The seaport, which sits along Tuckerton Creek, has several choices for those looking to spend time on the water. There are private, 50-minute narratedcreek tours($40 to reserve the entire boat, up to 10 passengers);ferry rides that depart both from the seaport and the Beach Haven public dock on Taylor Avenue on Long Beach Island ($12.50 per person, roundtrip);sunset cruises ($15 per person);and privatecharters aboard a 33-foot sloop, the Whitecap.
Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St., also is home to theBaymen's Museum, a lighthouse, gift shop, boardwalk and nature trail, plus The Union Market, a coffee shop.
More information is at 609-296-8868 ortuckertonseaport.org.
And if you want the weekend to continue ...
Turf Club music
The Turf Club at 1200 Springwood Ave. in Asbury Park is the last of the great Springwood Avenue clubs on the West Side of the city thatstill stands. Lenny Welch, the Broadways, Clarence Clemons before he joined the E Street Band, and more played the spot back in the day.
Now, music returns after decades of silence when the Asbury Park African-American Music Project hosts "Tuesday at the Turf." It's a benefit show as they arerenovating the spot to make it once again a place of music and expression.
Tickets are $10 and the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m.
Alex Biese, Sarah Griesemer, Chris Jordan and Ilana Keller contributed to this story.
