Free Stuff and Elvis.. Can it get any better than this?

Can’t believe it’s Free!  Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank is offering a free viewing of “Desperately Seeking Susan” starring Madonna on Tuesday January 10, 2011 at 7pm.  Get out those leg warmers, wigwam socks and fluorescent clothes and celebrate a brief trip into the eighties.  Score those free tickets at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247232

Stepping further back in time – January 20^th at 8pm Count Basie Theatre will present The Elvis Birthday Bash.  This popular event is back for its 8^th year.  Tickets start at $19.50 and can be purchased online, at the box office or over the phone.  Slip on a pair of your favorite blue suede shoes and celebrate the memorizing career of “The King”.  Visit http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247064 to reserve your seats.

Count Basie Theatre is only 3 miles away from us at the Comfort Inn Middletown.  Reserve a room for the nights of January 10^th or 20^th and enjoy a discount at our fine hotel by mentioning rate code LCBTH.  Our friendly staff can be reached at 732-671-3400.

The free fun continues at Count Basie Theatre on February 14^th at 7pm with a viewing of “Garden State” starring Zach Braff.  This comedy-drama was filmed over 25 days with New Jersey being the primary filming location.  It made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004.  Tickets can be found at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247235

NJ Marathon Weekend & Other Jersey Shore Events

It’s been one crazy week, I apologize for the lack of posts this week.  Guilt is the main reason I’m sitting at my lap top while the Mets are playing and the NFL Draft is on TV but I digress. The weather report is looking pretty darn excellent for both Saturday and Sunday and that alone would make for a great weekend at the Jersey Shore. The bonus is there’s a bunch of fun events going on so there’s even more of a reason to plan a weekend getaway.  Here’s the scoop:

The annual New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon will take place in Long Branch, NJ this weekend. For full details on the events surrounding Marathon weekend, visit the New Jersey Marathon website.

The New Jersey Marathon Festival has something for everyone, with a Marathon, Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, and Saturday Kids and Family Events, plus world-class courses designed for speed, great area restaurants and attractions, and amazing oceanfront scenery.

Friday and Saturday will feature and Health and Fitness Expo at Monmouth Park. The running related expo will be free, and open to the public, as well as to all participants in The New Jersey Marathon Festival.  Last-minute race applications will be accepted during the expo (no registration on race day). The prices are as follows: Full Marathon: $135.00 and Half Marathon: $115.00. The Expo Hours: 1:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday (4/29), and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday (4/30).

There will be a special New Jersey Marathon Train from NYC Penn Station to Long Branch to ease your travel worries and traffic. Click here for the race day schedule.

Not into running for hours? No worries, there’s plenty more to do like see a show or dine in some really great restaurants.

Saturday April 30th 11:00am  to 5:00pm is Taste of Asbury Park. Over 16 Asbury Park Restaurants will be participating. It will be an event to appeal to everyone with children’s face painting, stilt walker, games, craft vendors and local artists. Rock on with three bands playing  jazz, classic rock and reggae. Discover what Asbury Park restaurant have to offer with food for $3 or $5 from every participating restaurant. Beer, wine and other beverages will be available as well. This year a VIP wine tasting tent  has been added.  Entrance to the event is only $5. Click here for complete information on Taste of Asbury Park.

Brian Regan will be treating audiences to two shows Saturday evening, April 30th at Count Basie Theatre. Show times are 7:00pm and 9:30pm. From Count Basie Theatre website on Brian Regan’s comedic style:

His observational humor about everyday events like shipping a package, visiting the optometrist, little league baseball, spelling bees and science projects are relatively “clean” and profanity-free, and resonate with a fan base ranging from young taste makers to middle-aged adults.

Middletown Arts Center will host “An Evening With Billy Van Zandt” at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 30th to benefit Middletown Township Cultural & Arts Council. Enjoy an exciting evening with actor/writer/producer Billy Van Zandt as he provides an inside look at his life and career. The evening will be moderated by actor Jeff Babey. Ticket price is $100. Purchase tickets early for preferred seating. Event is followed by a wine and cheese reception in the MAC gallery. Tickets are available online here.

Saturday is the start of the week-long “Paint The Town Pink” in Red Bank to raise awareness for breast cancer. Red Bank turns into Pink Bank for this annual event sponsored by Riverview Medical Center. Pink (Monmouth) Beach and Pink (Fair) Haven will also host events in their respective towns. There are a number of events occurring throughout the 3 towns from April 30 to May 7, 2011. Visit pinkbank.org for a full listing of events, details and to donate.

**Update 4/29*** I forgot about Red Bank’s the first Only One Red Bank Home Event. Like a Home Improvement Show, this event spotlights design, appliance, furniture and other businesses in Red Bank’s wonderful business district to help you plan your Spring cleaning and home improvement projects. Consult with design professionals and specialty merchants to bring your home improvement dreams to life! And… Visit 10 businesses to be entered to win a $500 Red Bank Gift Card, great prize packages and more!. So, enjoy your Saturday shopping and planning while indulging in special treatment of entertainment and refreshments at our great participating businesses, and fulfill your home improvement dreams! Then, stop for dinner at one of Red Bank’s great restaurants!

We hope to see you in our neck of the woods shore this weekend.  There’s a lot of fun things to do and see.  If you can’t make it this weekend, watch for next weeks post on: More Pink Bank, the start of Atlantic Highlands Farmers Market (a sure sign of warmer weather), First Saturday in Asbury Park, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony and Taste of Sea Bright. Whatever you do, have a fabulous and relaxing weekend.

What’s Up This Week

The weather is supposed to take a turn for the “much better” this week.  It’s the time of year where temperatures in the 50′s sound like balmy flip-flop weather.  That means there’s no excuses for remaining holed up at home. There’s a little something for everyone. A very busy week ahead at the Count Basie Theatre not to mention our Twitter friend Craig Mahoney’s event Sunday. Read on!

Wednesday, February 16th Darius Rucker the voice behind Hootie and the Blowfish takes the stage at the Count Basie Theatre. Local talent COREY WAGAR is the opening act. Corey will be accompanied on stage by Gordon Brown. Born and raised in Colts Neck, NJ, Corey Wagar fell in love with country music in the 3rd grade when her Uncle Paul had the Dixie Chicks recording “FLY” on repeat in his truck for an entire summer. This show is sold out, but if you’re coming to town, be sure to stay with us.

Hot Tuna Blues starring Hot Tuna, Charlie Musselwhite and Jim Lauderdale will be at Count Basie Theatre Thursday, February 18th at 8:00pm:

An all-star evening of electric and acoustic blues takes the Basie stage when the founding members of Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen (guitar) and Jack Casady (bass), are joined by a drummer, Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica), Jim Lauderdale (guitar) and Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin). Friends since high school, Jorma and Jack earned commercial success as members of Jefferson Airplane, and have recorded and toured as Hot Tuna for forty years.

Bill Burr brings the funny to the stage at Count Basie on Friday, February 18th at 8:00pm:

Having first gained notoriety for his recurring role on the second season of “Chappelle’s Show,” Burr developed a comedic style of uninformed logic that has made him a regular on the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”

The Pink Floyd Experience will perform the “Animals” album live Saturday, February 19th at Count Basie Theatre at 8:00pm. Who knows, you might even see a flying pig?!

Without question, Pink Floyd remains one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Their record-breaking status is legendary. Now, get ready for THE PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE as they present Animals live in its entirety! With a spectacular light & video show, full quadraphonic sound and six outstanding musicians bringing you the most authentic Floyd experience possible.

For tickets to any of the available Count Basie Theatre shows listed above, visit their on-line ticket center or the box office at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ. Click on the on-line ticket center link for all ticket information.

Searching for Seals Saturday, February 19th 2:00pm  to 3:30pm. Meet at Sandy Hook Visitor Center and hike out to the bay side with a park ranger to see seals during their annual migration. Learn about other marine mammals that use the Hook’s waters during different times of the year. To make sure seals are not scared or traumatized, humans should stay at least 100 feet away from them. Bring binoculars! I’m bummed I’m going to miss this, I really want to see a seal out at the hook. One of my first posts on this blog was about the seals at Sandy Hook and in the New York Harbor. You can read it here.

Sunday, Sunday, February 20th our friend and Twitterati Craig Mahoney will be displaying his comedic and emcee talents at Jack’s Goal Line Stand in Long Branch. Join him and his cast of characters for an evening of laughs and Craft Brewed Comedy.  Beach Haus has taken care of the promotions and giveaways. All it takes is $7 at the door and if you’re in the back room there’s a one drink minimum. If I make it back from vacation in one piece I’ll be there, come enjoy a birthday drink with me! You can go “like” Craig Mahoney on Facebook by clicking on the picture below and follow him on Twitter @CraigMahoney

Have a great week everyone!  If I missed anything, leave it in the comments below.

**Top photo credit sz-wholesale.com

Things To Do This Week January 17-23

It’s been awhile since I wrote an events post.  Must have gotten all wrapped up in the holidays and the snowstorms or something. There’s some fun stuff going on this week. Two shows at the Basie, one with an Elvis Costume Contest (!),  Sandy Hook exploration and some birding. Read on!

Skinny Girl Night Out – A Conversation with Bethenny Frankel of the Real Housewives of New York City takes place at 8:00pm on January 20^th at Count Basie Theatre.

Grab the girls and throw on your best pumps for a hilarious and unpredictable evening with Bethenny Frankel of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City”. This “Skinny Girl” television personality, best-selling author, and “Health Foodie” is always sassy and fabulous. Listen to Bethenny dish about her life, her work, and her passion for living healthy and living well.  – Count Basie Theatre Website

Elvis Birthday Bash returns on January 21^st at Count Basie Theatre and starts at 8:00pm. Show stars Scot Bruce and Mike Albert. The annual Elvis Costume Contest will be before the show. (How unbelievably awesome is that?!) Details on the contest are available at the Box Office. I might be sent into uncontrollable fits of laughter if I dressed up as Elvis. I emailed Izzy Sackowitz, the Director of Operations to see if he has the 411. I’ll update this post when I find out. *Update* Word from Izzy is that the contest is ridiculously funny.  There will be someone to greet the contestants when they arrive for the show.

Back for the 7th consecutive year, The Elvis Birthday Bash is a night of big fun! Actor and musician Scot Bruce starts the evening with his 50’s era Elvis show. Scot has a recurring role on “Days of Our Lives,” has appeared on the E! Channel’s “True Hollywood Story,” and in three stage productions of “Idols of the King,” and in music videos by Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill and Tasmin Archer. Mike Albert, “The World’s Finest Elvis Impressionist,” plays the second half of the evening. 1st Prize Winner in the 1991 Elvis Impersonator Contest in Hawaii, and the 1996 Images of Elvis Contest in Elvis’ own hometown, Memphis, Mike presents a sincere, respectful portrayal of “The King” that has earned endorsements by Elvis Presley’s own musicians and back-up singers. He regularly performs with the Jordanaires, Elvis’ own backing vocalists, and has appeared on “A Current Affair.”

On Saturday, January 22 there will be two events at Sandy Hook. Starting at 2:00pm a Holly Forest Walk.  Take a winter walk through the 64-acre evergreen holly forest with a park ranger. Meet at Sandy Hook Visitor Center. Tour will conclude around 3:30pm. Then at 4:00pm a Winter Twilight Exploration meet at Sandy Hook Visitor Center and bring your own flashlight to explore one of the Hook’s trails or beaches from dusk to dark. Ends around 5:50pm.

January 23, 2011 the Sandy Hook Birding Program will meet at 8:45am at Big Brook Preserve with Monmouth County Parks’ own Andrew Spears. Bring lunch, weather-appropriate gear, binoculars, and scopes. Pre-registration is always recommended. Event takes place at Bayonet Farm 41 Middletown Rd, Holmdel.

*Photo Credit http://www.villaerba.it/CalendarioEventi_en.html