In the
Arts

Legendary folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary will grace the stage of the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 8 p.m. April 20. During their career, the trio won five Grammy awards, produced 13 Top-40 hits, of which six were in the Top 10, as well as eight gold and five platinum albums. The trio is well known for continuing a centuries-old tradition of people raising their voices in song for the sake of freedom with songs including "If I Had a Hammer," "Puff (the Magic Dragon)," "Blowin' in the Wind," "The Wedding Song," Leaving on a Jet Plane," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and "500 Miles," to name a few. Most recently their individual and collective efforts have focused on such issues as gun violence against children, the rights and organizing efforts of strawberry pickers in California, homelessness and world hunger. Tickets may be purchased by calling (732) 842-9000 or visiting www.countbasietheatre.org.

Festival in Art, the Laurelton Art Society's annual juried spring show is currently being held at the Brick Cultural Arts Center on Herbertsville Road. The exhibit will run the entire month of April and will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The following enrichment programs will take place during the show: Mary DeGroat, acrylic artist, will paint landscapes from noon to 2 p.m. April 21; Joanne Zezula, artist and past president of the Brick Township Historical Society, will present a slide show, "Women Artists Who Paint the Jersey Shore," April 22, 1-2:30 p.m.; "Plen-Air Artists" will feature a number of artists painting on-site April 28, 1-3 p.m.; and "Working with Garden Flowers" will include demonstrations of ways to enhance homes and backyard gardens by the Brick Garden Club's gardeners April 29, 1-2:30 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to walk around the gardens and grounds of the museum and cultural center and visit with the artists

The music and poems of teenage artists will be presented by the Traveling Poets Society April 22, 3-5 p.m. at Espresso Joe's, 50 West Front St., Keyport. Teen Day will feature Tyler Andrews, Angelyce Gonzalez, Brandon Kleiber, Marie Kline, Nat the Brat, Adriana Sevila and Amanda Smith. An open mic will follow, so audience members are welcome to bring a poem to read or a musical piece to perform. Details: (732) 203-9499.

Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, there's a lot to think about and plenty of laughs in Christopher Durang's "Miss Witherspoon," which opens Friday at the First Avenue Playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. The play runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through April 28, with a Sunday matinee April 22 at 2:30 p.m. The story revolves around Veronica, who finds the world a frightening place. After dying, she encounters a strong-willed spirit guide who is intent on getting her back to Earth so she can learn the lessons her soul is supposed to learn. Tickets $20. Call (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com.

Brookdale Community College's Alumni Association will be accepting submissions for the 21st annual Juried Art Show Friday, May 11, noon to 8 p.m., in the Center for Visual Arts (CVA) lobby at the Lincroft main campus. The Juried Art Show is open to all artists 18 years of age and over. Entries are limited to two per artist, in one category or two. Works accepted for the mixed-media show include: painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, sculpting, ceramics, fiber, jewelry, computer graphics and mixed media. There is a $10 fee for single entries, $15 for two works. D. Dominick Lombardi will judge this year's entries. The show will run May 18 through June 18. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call (732) 224-2705.

The International Center at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft will host the 12th Annual Evening of International Poetry Wednesday, April 25, 7-9 p.m., Warner Student Life Center, Navesink Room I. Hosted by Dr. Elaine H. Olaoye, the poetry and psychology festival will feature students, faculty and members of the community performing poetry in the original language from around the world, and explore the relationship between psychology and poetry.