FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2010
February is a short month that’s long on activities
FREEHOLD, NJ – February may be the shortest month of the year, but you wouldn’t know it by the number of events and happenings in Monmouth County.
The county tourism calendar lists more than 40 events, ranging from opera to the circus, live theater to live concerts, belly dancing to photography and, of course, chocolate.
The list is bound to grow as the month draws near. Check for updates on the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com or call 1-800-523-2587.
Many holidays are celebrated in February: George Washington’s birthday, for example, at Allaire State Park is just one week after the park celebrates Valentine’s Day – both celebration events will have an 1830s theme. Ocean Grove and Spring Lake have long weekend celebrations, including Ocean Grove’s Chocolate Lovers’ Weekend. The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, offers The Hot Club of San Francisco’s Valentine Jazz-Up, a blend of Gershwin and gypsy swing reminiscent of 1930s Paris jazz clubs.
Monmouth Museum at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, has an exhibit of sculpture, paintings and drawings by the world-renowned George Segal on display through April 11. The movie “Time Traveler’s Wife” shows at the Monmouth County Library headquarters in Manalapan. The Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center in Middletown has “Sunday Smilers” performances for children and their families.
Hearty outdoor types can bird watch at Sandy Hook or stroll the shops during Asbury Park’s First Saturday festivities and take in the latest art offerings at the city’s many galleries.
Stages will be busy, too. The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank offers Cirque Le Masque: Evolution; the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra; The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; folk singer John Prine; The Pink Floyd Experience; superstar belly dancers, and a tribute to the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival.
Monmouth University offers Verdi; Bizet; a musical tribute to Huckleberry Finn’s adventures; Celtic music by the Irish-American group, Cherish the Ladies, and the eclectic string quartet Brooklyn Rider. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in the Jewish Community Center, Ocean Township, presents a limited run of Man of LaMancha and comic Bobby Collins.
The Spring Lake Theatre Co. has Neil Simon’s romantic comedy “Rumors,” while Red Bank’s Two River Theater Co. features his classic romantic Broadway blockbuster “Barefoot in The Park.” It also presents playwright-performer Carlyle Brown, “The Fula from America,” an exploration of African-American themes. Algonquin Arts Theatre also presents “Hot Peas ‘n’ Butter,” a unique children’s musical group that mixes several musical genres, and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The Monmouth Players perform Andrew Bergman’s “Social Security” at the Navesink Library Theater in Middletown. The New Jersey Repertory Theatre in Long Branch has the world premier of “Exposure Time.”
If you happen to visit and enjoy the chocolate treats at one of the county’s fabulous chocolate shops, you may want to head out to one of the county parks to walk off some calories. With more than 110 miles of trails, traveling through 18 parks, you will have plenty of choices. A complete list of park trails is available at www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Dates, times and other details about these events and activities are available in the county’s tourism Calendar of Events. Remember, it’s updated regularly so check it often at www.visitmonmouth.com.
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