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OCC's Grunin Center Springs into Action with New Season Shows

originally published: 01/11/2024

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College has announced an all new, exciting lineup of shows and special events for spring 2024, jam-packed with music, family fun, and spectacular performances from artists around the world.

This season, the Grunin Center presents performances from CelloGayagaeum, The Princeton Singers, The Doo Wop Project, Time for Three, and The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, as well as an “Ella the Early Years” tribute by chanteuse Amanda King, the 25th anniversary of “Rhythm of the Dance,” and a celebration of the music of the Fab Four in The Weeklings’ “BeatlesBash!”

Families can enjoy the dazzling origin story of the Chinese Lunar New Year in “Red Firecrackers” (January 21); “Buckets N Boards,” a hilarious and high-energy show full of ridiculous songs, tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and a variety of musical talents (February 24); 123 Andrés, the Latin Grammy-winning husband and wife duo known for their interactive shows and songs that blend Spanish and English (March 3); and the return of kindie music phenomenon Twinkle Time (April 3).

The Grunin Center continues its tradition of showcasing extraordinary classical musicians in its “Afternoon Recital” series, featuring performances by Pine Street Winds (January 26), Emiko Edwards (February 16), Nina Siniakova and Arturo Delmoni (March 8), Margarita Rovenskaya (April 5), and Awadagin Pratt (May 17). The popular “Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon” series also returns with Sentimental Journey Big Band on April 28, James Austin, Jr. on May 19, and a tribute to legendary pianist Bill Evans by The Joel Zelnik Trio on June 2. 

The OCC Repertory Theatre Company will present “Rabbit Hole,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, from February 16-25, and Oscar Wilde’s comedic masterpiece “The Importance of Being Earnest” from April 12-21.




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Finally, the OCC Foundation’s Blauvelt Speaker Series returns with thought-provoking conversations with Dr. Jeffrey Morton (Febuary 26), Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter (April 3), poet Reginald Dwayne Betts (April 10) and actor John Leguizamo (April 24).

Tickets for all events are on sale now and can be purchased at grunincenter.org. Order subscriptions for all of your favorite shows for additional savings! Subscriptions can be purchased online, at the Grunin Center Box Office, or by calling 732-255-0500. Group rates and discounts for students and military/veterans are also available for certain shows.

For nearly 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.




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FEATURED EVENTS

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Erth’s

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Kean Stage - Wilkins Theatre
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: community

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Stories

Stories of a Lifetime Workshop for Union County Seniors – UCPAC Legacy Arts Club

Monday, February 03, 2025 @ 12:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: community

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Visiting

Visiting Writers: Akhil Sharma – Visiting Writer

Monday, February 03, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: community

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The

The Drew Forum presents: Al Franken

Monday, February 03, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: community

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Giancarlo

Giancarlo Esposito

Tuesday, February 04, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Kean Stage - North Avenue Academic Building
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: community

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More events

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EVENT PREVIEWS

Dan

Dan Aubrey to give a talk on Joseph Bonaparte at Trenton City Museum

(TRENTON, NJ) -- The life and loves of noted area 19th century beauty Annette Savage will be the topic of a talk Saturday, February 9, 2025 at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. Titled "Le Jeu de l'Amour," the program, led by journalist and writer Dan Aubrey, will explore how Napoleon’s brother and former King of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte, and his American mistress, Annette Savage, found passion and pain in the Trenton and Bordentown region of New Jersey. The event runs from from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.



Monmouth

Monmouth County Park System to Hold Annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon on March 9th

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System will hold its annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon on Sunday, March 9, 2025. This 13.1-mile race takes runners through Lincroft, Holmdel and Colts Neck.



Exploring

Exploring American Literature of the 1800s with Cape May Poet Laureate Sylvia Baer

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May's Poet Laureate Sylvia Baer hosts three 1.5-hour interactive online seminars via Zoom this March that delve into American literature of the Victorian age. "The Concord Gang" on Monday, March 10, 2025 highlights Emerson, Thoreau and Alcott. "The Amherst Gang" on Monday, March 17, 2025 features Emily Dickinson and Helen Hunt Jackson. "The Fear Gang" on Monday, March 24, 2025 delves into Hawthorne, Poe and Melville.



Zuzu

Zuzu African Acrobats to Perform Shows at RVCC Theatre

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will present the crazy contortions and gravity-defying stunts of the Zuzu African Acrobats on Friday, February 21, 2025.



Steampunk

Steampunk Alchemy Fest presents the Clockwork Cupid Burlesque Cabaret

(NEW HOPE, PA) -- Steampunk is coming to New Hope and taking over Dharma Bums Bar with the Clockwork Cupid Burlesque Cabaret presented by Steampunk Alchemy Fest on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. The event features Music by A Halo Called Fred; Burlesque by Holly Ween, Esmerelda May, and Jaeda; Sideshow by Lady Gypsy Professional Monstrosity; and Comedy by John Minus.