For Immediate Release:

January 27, 2012

Short month, long list of events

It’s a great month for chocolate lovers, with Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. But, first you may want to head to Ocean Grove on Feb. 11 for the annual Chocolate Lovers Weekend that features a walking tour of its famous inns and the Hunt For Hearts. Or, how about an early celebration with “Valentine’s Doo Wop” at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Feb. 11.

Presidents’ Day weekend provides another reason to get out and about at Historic Allaire Village in Allaire State Park, Wall Township, Feb. 19, and you can follow that up with “George and Martha Tea” at Poricy Park’s Murray farmhouse on Feb. 26.

You can also celebrate the Tibetan New Year (Losar) with the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council at the Paper Moon Puppet Theatre in Atlantic Highlands on Feb. 24.

There are many more events and places that make Monmouth County a place to enjoy year round. For the most complete list of things to do, places to see and music to hear, log on to the Monmouth County tourism Calendar of Events at www.visitmonmouth.com. It’s updated daily, so check in often. You can also call 800-523-2587 and request that a packet of tourism information to be mailed to you. Or visit the county tourism office at 1 E. Main St., Freehold, to browse the extensive selection of literature.

Indoor and out, there are plenty of things to do this month from live theater to bird watching and art exhibits to walking tours.

Here’s a sampler of Monmouth County’s February events:

• The 33rd Annual Juried Art Exhibitions features fine art in a wide range of media by artists from the Tri-State and East Coast. It’s through Feb. 26 at the Monmouth Museum on the campus of Brookdale Community College, 665 Newman Springs Rd. in Lincroft.
• “Chairish: The Museum Exhibition,” displays one-of-a-kind chairs decorated by local artists and artisans that will be sold during a silent auction. The show, which ends Feb. 10, is also at the Monmouth Museum.
• Beginning Feb. 12, Monmouth Museum debuts works by artists with disabilities, “Arts Access Exhibition: Pure Expression.” The works were created at the Mattheny Center in Peapack.

• August Wilson, considered one of the American theater’s finest writers, chronicles the African-American experience in “Jitney,” his first play, which is set in 1977 Pittsburgh, in a makeshift storefront depot for gypsy cab drivers. It’s staged at the Two River Theatre, Red Bank, through Feb. 19.
• The comedy “Mornings At Seven” by Harold Clurman begins a five-performance run on Feb. 3 at Wesley Hall in Freehold’s Andrews Methodist Church.
• Television personality Wanda Sykes appears at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, Feb. 9.
• “Cherish The Ladies: An Irish Homecoming” blends instrumental and vocal talent at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, Feb. 10.
• The Monmouth Symphony Orchestra plays at the Count Basie Feb. 12.
• “Foreigner Acoustique: The Classics Unplugged” brings the legendary rock band to the Count Basie Theatre on Feb. 15 for an acoustic set.
• A string band with twists, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, appear at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, Feb. 17.
• “Blast!” is a raucous drum and dance festival at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, on Feb. 17.
• The Spring Lake Theatre Co. mounts the classic melodrama, “Dirty Work at The Crossroads,” for four nights beginning Feb. 17.
• Cajun and zydeco lovers hear two of the genre’s best, Beau Soliel and Marsha Ball, perform “A Mardi Gras Celebration” at the Count Basie Feb. 18.

Nature lovers can learn how birds survive winter at Poricy Park, Middletown, Feb. 12. “The Great Backyard Bird Count” is there on Feb. 19. There are two winter bird-watching programs at Sandy Hook, Feb. 11 and Feb. 25.

Find all the details and more things to do by logging on to www.visitmonmouth.com and clicking the Tourism tab.

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