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Doo Wop Explosion: A Night of Acappella Harmony

Pollak Theatre

Born on the street corners of urban America, rhythm & blues and doo wop singing reached its peak in the 1950’s, but still has a strong following today. While doo wop singing began as an African American art form, by the late 1950’s it was enjoyed by singers of all races. Doo wop harmony in its purist form is acappella (without instrumentals). We’ve assembled six of the top acappella doo wop vocal groups from NYC to Philadelphia, plus a couple special guests. Choice hails from Jersey City and has been singing for 35 years. Their video recently went viral attracting 6 million views. The Tee-Tones formed on the streets of Brooklyn and fine tuned their harmonies in the tunnels of the NYC subway system. They’ve since appeared on Good Morning America and ABC World News Tonight. The versatile group, Quiet Storm, has developed a huge following in the Philadelphia area. Called “Storm Chasers,” their fans follow them from concert to concert. Frankie and the Fashions are a Philadelphia acappella group whose origins reach back to the 1960’s. They’ve recorded several CD’s and are well known for their popular signature song, “What Do I Have To Do”. The popular Piscataway NJ group, Re-MemberThen, has the distinction of twice winning the acappella showdowns at the Meadowlands. The Vic Donna Group is known for their tight intricate harmonies of obscure R&B and Doo Wop collectors sides and original material. Vic, himself, has been singing since 1956. Over the years, he’s been backed on record by such noted groups as the Fi-Tones, Parakeets, Cadillacs, Sharps, Compliments and Angels. The Vic Donna Group has recently added a couple new singers with a lot of previous experience. As a special guest, we welcome Larry Chance of the Earls. Larry is an internationally known doo wop star who has agreed to sing acappella for us, backed by Re-MemberThen. By way of a big screen video, we’ll have De’Sean Dooley, grandson of the Orioles Sonny Til, singing Orioles songs backed by Quiet Storm.

$25 $35, $45 (Gold Circle seats include meet and greet reception)

Cherish the Ladies

Pollak Theatre

“It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do,” says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene and has since toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, recorded 15 outstanding albums including their latest, “An Irish Homecoming” which was also videotaped for an Emmy winning Public Television Special that is airing across America.

$40; $50

Ethel with Robert Mirabal

Pollak Theatre

Continuing a deeply successful six-year collaboration inspired by ceremonies dedicated to the Sun, ETHEL and Robert Mirabal, Native American musician, instrument builder and three time GRAMMY® Award winner present their next evolution of the cross-cultural concert experience. The inspiration this time is Water as the embodiment of Spirit, and its essential role in Life on Earth. The audience is immersed in a flow of music, narrative, and ritual, that evokes timeless Native American traditions through contemporary musical artistry. As delivered by these master performers, the effect is breathtaking, even ecstatic. To complement the music created by ETHEL and Mirabal exclusively for this program, ETHEL will also perform part of Gabriela Lena Frank’s epic Andean Walkabout and Phil Kline’s gorgeous The River.

“Indefatigable and eclectic” (The New York Times), “vital and brilliant” (The New Yorker), at the heart of ETHEL is a collaborative ethos—a quest for a common creative expression forged in the celebration of community.

A Native American “Renaissance man”—musician, composer, painter, master craftsman, poet, actor, screenwriter, horseman and farmer—Mirabal travels extensively throughout the world, offering “exquisitely nuanced flute playing” (The New York Times) and creating music that honors the spirits of the earth.

$28; $38; $50 (Gold Circle)

Songwriters By The Sea

Lauren K. Woods Theatre

Distinguished NJ Songwriters Joe Rapolla and Joe D’Urso are back this year hosting the celebrated Songwriters by the Sea series at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre. What once started in a small coffee shop as an area for local songwriters has now grown into a series that features some of the top songwriters in the country.
This year, the show features a twist of rock music and country music. The rock music is courtesy of Eric Bazilian, founding member of the rock band Hooters. Bazilian is also known internationally for his efforts as a Grammy nominated songwriter, as well as being an arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.
Singing-songwriting duo Williams Honor will bring a bit of the country to Woods Theatre. The duo have exploded in Asbury Park’s music scene, and features producer and multi-instrumentalist Gordon Brown and performer powerhouse Reagan Richards. The two previously have worked and toured with many national acts before coming together to form the Jersey Shore’s first ever country duo. They’re about to release their first single to country radio “Send It To Me” from their debut album. Opening the show will be Monmouth University students Daniel Amato and Brittany Cannarozzi. There will be a pre-show hospitality reception at 7:00pm and post show reception (included with ticket price)!

$30

Laurence Juber

The Great Hall Auditorium

Fusing folk, jazz, pop and classical styles, Two-time GRAMMY winner Laurence Juber creates a multifaceted performance that belies the use of only one instrument. Lead guitarist for Paul McCartney’s Wings, Juber is a world-class guitar virtuoso solo artist, composer and arranger. Laurence Juber has released 18 critically acclaimed solo albums, including Guitarist and PCH. His solo CD, Pop Goes Guitar, includes the arrangement of Stand By Me that was heard nationally in the ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ commercial. His last release, Wooden Horses, showcases LJ’s compositions for solo guitar, and his latest CD is LJ Plays The Beatles Vol.2, a follow-up to Vol 1 which is one of Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s’ all-time Top Ten acoustic albums. Juber is featured on the CD Poppin’ Guitars, a tribute to the music of the Sherman Brothers, and can be seen in the documentary film, The Brothers, about those celebrated Disney composers. Performance will be followed by a followed by Q&A from Monmouth’s Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Kenneth Womack.

$28; $35 (Gold Circle)

Borealis Wind Quintet and The Monmouth Winds

Pollak Theatre

The Borealis Wind Quintet, like the Spectacular Aurora Borealis, displays a brilliant array of sparkling color and magic in the music they perform. Nominated for a Grammy in 2006, they are without question the major wind quintet of our time. Their warm yet commanding stage presence, combined with great music, always captivates the audience. Engaging and delightful, the Borealis brings a fresh sound and an exciting program to each performance. They are recognized for their fundamental contributions to the wind quintet literature with their many commissions, recordings, and editions of rare and traditional music.

$22; $32; $42 Student TIckets half price ($11 or $16)

The Addams Family: The Musical

Lauren K. Woods Theatre

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love. By Boom Roasted Productions. Tickets available at the Central Box Office at the MAC. CASH ONLY.

$5

Intro to Celtic Music Workshop with Switchback

Pollak Theatre

Attendees are presented with traditional pieces of Irish music, folklore and dance. Following the historic time-line of Irish emigration to the United States, participants are made aware of the evolution of Irish music, once immigrants reached America. They will listen to the transformation of Irish music into today’s western, jazz and bluegrass. The resurgence of Irish music, dance and culture are also examined. Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack of Switchback have been playing their brand of eclectic Celtic and Americana music at sold-out concert halls, performing arts centers and festivals for over 20 years. Featuring a mix of Irish music and original songs, their concerts have been described as “breathtaking scenery for your ears.” With a mix of mandolin, guitar, and bass their harmonies have won comparisons to the Louvin Brothers, the Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkel. Held in conjunction with the concert featuring Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill with Switchback on April 22 at 8 PM in Pollak Theatre

CANCELLED: An American Celebration of Grandmother Earth

Pollak Theatre

Traditional Native American storytelling is deeply rooted in the earth – honoring all life, especially the plants and animals we depend on. Years upon years of a kinship with the land, life, water and sky has lead to intimate connections to the earth and a relationship of give and take with the natural world. Kevin Locke, visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute, storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator leads an ensemble of multi-talented performers in an uplifting evening of storytelling interwoven with traditional Native American music and dramatic dance elements. Featuring music from Locke’s 2009 Nammy (Annual Native American Music Awards) award-winning album “Earth Gift” this world-premiere event will empower and energize us all to become stewards of our surroundings, preserving our world for posterity and encourage us to live together as part of the Universal heartbeat.

$35; $45

“Rockin’ through the Decades” with Taylor Hope and Friends

Pollak Theatre

Take a musical journey through the decades with Taylor Hope, a prominent electric violinist in the New Jersey music scene and student at Monmouth University. Along with well-known musicians such as Glen Burtnik, Joe Bellia, Joe LaFragola, and others to be announced, Taylor will lead the audience from the groovy vibes of the 1960’s to the cutting edge styles of today. So come out to Pollak Theatre for an unforgettable night of rock and roll with Taylor and her friends.

$20; $30; $35 (Gold Circle)