ARTS & CULTURE IN MONMOUTH COUNTY
From music and dance to live theater, you’ll find you don’t have to travel to the city for quality performance, arts and culture abound in Monmouth County.
Although located just a short distance from NYC’s vast cultural offerings, Monmouth County boasts its own thriving arts and culture scene that offers a diverse range of venues and performance options.
Live Performance
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, named after the Red Bank-native and legendary jazz musician, hosts a wide variety of events, including theatrical shows, concerts featuring nationally known acts, and renowned stand-up comics. One of the highlights of the venue is its phenomenal acoustics, making it a must-visit for any music lover. The center also recently introduced The Vogel, a blackbox space that offers a nightclub vibe and features live music performances, adding to the dynamic offerings of the venue. Another local music hotspot is the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel which offers top tier musical touring acts in its outdoor amphitheater.
Two River Theater is a Tony award-winning regional theater featuring new work and revivals.
Theater
For theater enthusiasts, Two River Theater in Red Bank has gained a reputation for its exceptional work, producing a variety of plays and musicals each season, ranging from classic works to cutting-edge contemporary pieces. Known for its innovative productions and commitment to developing new work and talented actors, Two River Theater has seen its productions move on to both Broadway and Off-Broadway houses in New York City, making it a significant player in the regional theater scene.
Also worth checking out is NJ Repertory in Long Branch whose mission is to develop new plays by both emerging and established playwrights. For those who appreciate dance, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal is the home to the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater, Monmouth County’s only professional ballet company. It’s also a great place to catch some phenomenal music concerts and local theater productions, offering a diverse array of performances for the community to enjoy.
Touring Acts & Broadcasts
Another fine venue is Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts which hosts touring artists of all disciplines as well as HD broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera and Britain’s National Theatre.
Community Theater
While professional arts are well represented in Monmouth County, the arts and culture scene is not limited to just established venues, but also includes a thriving community theater scene. The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, Spring Lake Theater and the Phoenix Productions in Red Bank are three well-known community theaters in the area, among many others who produce high-quality shows throughout the year, featuring local talent and contributing to the vibrant arts scene in the county.
Arts Councils
Of course, the culture of the community is important in making the arts a priority in Monmouth County, and organizations such as the Monmouth County Arts Council play a crucial role.
The Arts Council provides resources and funding to local artists and arts organizations, and also hosts events throughout the year, including art exhibits and educational workshops, creating opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts to connect and thrive in the community. In addition, many local municipalities have their own arts councils to promote the performing and fine arts within their communities. For a list of our favorite performance spaces and organizations, big and small, visit our website.
GOING PUBLIC
From the murals of Shepard Fairey and Mike “Pork Chop” La Vallee in Asbury Park to the stunning marble towers of Highlands’ Memoria Project, Monmouth County abounds in public art.
Check out some of our faves.
PAINT ME A PICTURE
Fine artists can be found in galleries and museums in Red Bank and Asbury Park, Manasquan and more. You can find out a list of venues for painting, sculpture, drawings and more.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
From Springsteen and Bon Jovi to Charlie Puth and Queen Latifah, many famous artists have called Monmouth County home. Find our list here.
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https://thebasie.org/ https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEAIIA/pnc-bank-arts-center-events??utm_source=GMBlisting&utm_medium=organic https://tworivertheater.org/ http://www.njrep.org/ https://www.axelrodartscenter.com/ https://www.monmouth.edu/mca/ https://www.algonquinarts.org/ https://www.springlaketheatre.com/ https://www.phoenixredbank.com/ https://www.monmoutharts.org/