In The Arts

The summer will bring hot jazz back to Ocean County College when MidWeek Jazz returns on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, Main Campus, College Drive, Toms River. MidWeek Jazz brings acclaimed artists playing classic jazz to the Jersey Shore.

"Boogie Bob" Seeley makes a rare East Coast visit on June 20. Seeley is acclaimed around the world as the greatest boogie woogie player often traveling to Europe, where he is popular with young people. His concerts are sprinkled with stride, blues and even a bit of ragtime to change the pace.

Robbie Scott's New Deal Orchestra takes the stage July 11. This premier jazz and swing band possesses both tight arrangements and accomplished musicians. The orchestra has played the White House, Tavern on the Green and other New York City nightspots.

Dan Levinson's Palomar Quartet returns on Aug. 22 with a tribute to Benny Goodman and the Swing Era. Clarinetist Dan Levinson captures the Goodman sound and has led sellout tributes in Manhattan and many cities in Europe.

Union Hose Firehouse, 1224 Florence Ave., Union Beach, is seeking volunteers and participants for its

Tickets: $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Details and tickets: (732) 255-0500.

"Draw 4 A Cure" on June 23 from noon-8 p.m., rain or shine.

Artists at the event will create portraits and sketches of attendees in exchange for donations, all of which will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Robert DiLibero Foundation. The event will also feature music by Gruv Gallery, games, guest speakers, belly dancers, tarot readers, henna tattoos, a motorcycle show, and various foods. The goal is to raise $10,000, and if and when the goal is reached, a volunteer will shave his head at the event.

To volunteer or for more information, call (732) 670-1623 or e-mail cjamele@yahoo.com.

People who are discouraged by "do not touch" signs at most museums will have the chance to experience art with their fingertips when The Sculptors Association of New Jersey presents an exhibition of sculpture to touch at The Monmouth Museum June 22- Aug. 19. The museum is located on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. The museum will be reaching out to vision-impaired audiences for whom this art will have a special appeal. Audio descriptive devices will also be available with information about the artwork. A family sculpture workshop June 24 from 2 to 3 p.m. will allow families to create sculpture from household items. The exhibit will also feature a panel discussion with some of the exhibiting artists July 15 at 3 p.m. Admission is $6 per person and free for members and Brookdale students and staff with valid identification. Children under age 2 are free. Details: (732) 747-2266 or www.nomnouthmuseum.org.

Portrait de Femme á la Fraise et au Chapeau by Pablo Picasso

Ocean Galleries, Stone Harbor, will host "Masters of Modern Art" featuring the artwork of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí and Henri Matisse June 29 - July 8. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to collect fine examples of original etchings, lithographs, linocuts and uniques by these ground-breaking artists for prices ranging from $2,900 to $100,000.

Poster for Exhibition "Miro": Louisiana, Humlebaek by Joan Miró

Receptions with the curator will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. June 29, 30, July 5, 6 and 7. Each reception will begin with a curatorial lecture to offer insight on the value and significance of the artwork. Details: (609) 264-8004.

The Festival of Senior Arts, a three-day event in celebration of the spirit and talent of senior artists living in the community, will be held June 27-29 at the Strand Theatre, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 75 senior performers ages 60-93, including a former Mrs. Senior New Jersey, have signed up to perform in the variety show style revue with performances in vocal, drama, comedy, poetry and more. Performances will take place each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the theater's main stage.

The Mitchell Sanborn Gallery will be exhibiting the work of local artists Jamie Facer of Keyport and Christopher Evan Taylor of Lincroft June 30 to July 21. Taylor was born in Texas and lived all over the country before settling in New Jersey. He paints in oils, focusing on the lushness and the magic of nature. Many of his paintings include the image of a young girl lending a mythic, mysterious quality to the landscape. Facer, a photojournalist, moved to Keyport from London in 2005, after a 17-year freelance career following his study at the London College of Printing. The photographs featured represent a 10-year span of documentary work covering a wide range of people and places. There will be a reception for the artists June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. Details: (732) 888 0048 or www.mitchellsanborngallery.com.

Other featured events at the festival will include "Theater Talk" with Jan Topoleski; The Sentimental Journey Orchestra; The Dardanelles; "Meet the Maestro," Anthony La Gruth of the Garden State Philharmonic; a gallery showing of the first-place winners of the Senior Citizens Arts Exhibition; a segment on the benefits of the healing arts on health and wellness featuring holistic health information and special demonstrations on yoga, pilates, tai chi and more; in addition to reflexology and chair massages.

A creative writing workshop titled "Heal Through Words," a program that unlocks a person's creative writing talents for therapeutic benefit, will also be included, as well as a screening of the film "Do Not Go Gently" by Melissa Godoy.

Shuttle service will be available from FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws, in Lakewood. Buses will depart daily 9:30-11:00 a.m. with return trips to the stadium 12:30-3 p.m.

Details: (732) 367-7789, ext. 209.