A cavalcade of Holiday favorites featuring the Monmouth University Chamber Orchestra, The Jazz Hawks, The Concert Choir, the Chamber Choir, soloists, and a special appearance by the Colts Neck Reformed Church Exultation Ringers, all in the magisterial setting of Wilson Hall.
‘It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do,’ says The Boston Globe of Cherish The Ladies, Grammy Award nominated Irish-American supergroup that formed in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Celtic music scene. Celebrating their 35th anniversary, Cherish The Ladies has shared timeless Irish traditions and good cheer with audiences worldwide. They’ve brought their signature blend of virtuosic instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, and stunning step dancing to the White House, the Olympics, and to PBS with their television special, An Irish Homecoming, which recently received an Emmy Award. The Washington Post praises the ‘astonishing array of virtuosity’ that Cherish The Ladies bring to the stage on a regular basis. Their new album, Heart of the Home, embraces the gift of music passed down from generations. ‘It was the greatest gift they could give us,’ says bandleader Joanie Madden. ‘We’re carrying on the music of our fathers.’ As their reputation and admiration from both fans and critics alike continues to grow, Cherish The Ladies blazes forward into another decade of music making.
Special guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw will be joining Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros of The Smithereens. Known for their catchy 1960s-influenced power pop that inspired countless alternative rockers, The Smithereens gained popularity with “11” the album that spawned college campus favorites “A Girl Like You”, “Blood and Roses” & “Blue Period”. In April of 2011 Smithereens released “2011” their first album of new material in 12 years. Produced by Don Dixon (who helmed “Especially For You”, the group’s breakout debut), the seminal New Jersey rockers picked up right where they left off: with irresistibly catchy hooks and rapturously fuzzed-out guitars. Now they’re back on the road with their catalog of classic hits as well as new favorites. Following the sad passing of lead vocalist Pat DiNizio in 2017, original members Jim Babjak (guitar & vocals), Dennis Diken (drums & percussion) and Mike Mesaros on bass guitar carry on the Smithereens legacy.
Singer-songwriter Colin Hay is most beloved for his intimate, confessional live shows but most widely known for being an influential and celebrated frontman of Men at Work, responsible for penning several pop hits of the early ’80s including (The Land) Down Under and Who Can it Be Now. After Men At Work, Hay embarked on a solo career, debuting in 1987 with Looking For Jack and continued to release critically acclaimed solo material throughout the 2000’s, Hay contributed I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You to the soundtrack of Garden State and has had roles in other cult movies and television shows. In 2017, Hay recorded and released his 13th solo album, Fierce Mercy.
Max Hatt / Edda Glass’s award-winning original music and unique interpretations of American and Brazilian standards have “an incomparable spook” (Nashville Scene) and “a unique sound” (NPR). Telling stories of little people on great plains, the duo evokes a world that stretches from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the prairies of the American west, leaving audiences with a feeling both light and deep. As heard on NPR Mountain Stage, NYC’s Lincoln Center, DC’s Kennedy Center, and Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival.
This semester, Blue Hawk Records will be hosting their first ever virtual release show on the Blue Hawk Records Instagram page. “Sweet 16” on May 6 at 8pm. Artists on “Sweet 16” include Monmouth students, Shadiyah, featuring Gabriel Garza, Nicole Totland, Bruce Davis, featuring Janae, Mikey Sanchez, Drew Fournier, and Monmouth alumni, Anya Schildge Angeloni ‘12M, along with an ensemble of accompanying student musicians and producers.
Monmouth University Center for the Arts is proud to present the premiere of a Virtual Living Room Concert Series – Stay Safe, Stay at Home featuring some of your favorite singers, songwriters and musicians from the Jersey Shore and beyond! The concert will premiere on the Center for the Arts YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/n2m9mKRFiqk on May 8, 2020 at 8 PM with a live chat from some of the artists and will be available to stream on the channel anytime afterward. This living room concert features: Steve Forbert, Pat Guadagno, Jessie Wagner, Marc Ribler, Harry Filkin, Carl Gentry Bobby Bandiera, Lowell “Banana” Levinger, Sara Devine, Eddie “Kingfish” Manion, Franke Previte & Lisa Sherman.
Monmouth University Center for the Arts is proud to present the second installment of our Virtual Living Room Concert Series – Stay Safe, Stay at Home featuring some of your favorite singers, songwriters and musicians from the Jersey Shore and beyond! The concert will premiere on the Center for the Arts YouTube channel on June 12, 2020 at 8 PM with a live chat from some of the artists and will be available to stream on the channel anytime afterward.
This living room concert features: Roger McGuinn, Remember Jones, Zack Sandler, Richie Furay, Joel Krauss, Ross Owen, David DeRosa, Mary McCrink, Pam McCoy, Andy McDonough, Tommy LaBella and Amy Phillips.
The Monmouth University Music and Arts Festival will provide Monmouth County communities, along with the students, faculty, and staff at Monmouth University, with the opportunity to enjoy a top-flight music and arts event each summer. Every year, we welcome thousands of tourists and other visitors to the area, and we’re delighted to afford families with cultural opportunities to supplement their days at our lovely beaches. This year, of course, we are presenting the Music and Arts Festival virtually. With the help of cutting-edge contemporary technology, our performers are delighted to afford our community with a great boon during these challenging times.
Join us for a special virtual concert with Mr. Ray! Positive, inspiring songs & interactive performances with a message of kindness, respect & social/emotional awareness for children Pre-K to 3rd grade.
