Grace and the Nocturnals bring a bit of ooh-la-la to the Basie tonight. Bar Bounce bops into Red Bank for Hurricane Sandy relief Saturday. (Click to enlarge)
Friday, February 22
RED BANK: Two River Theater continues its presentation of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running,” with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $24 to $42 and are available online. 21 Bridge Avenue.
RED BANK: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, whose songs have been featured in popular television shows over the years such as GreyÂ’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill, bring their blues, folk, and alternative rock sounds to the Count Basie Theatre at 8 p.m. for a set of tunes off their new album, The Lion The Beast The Beat. Tickets are $29.50, $34.50, and $39.50. 99 Monmouth Street.
RED BANK: Time for more Reckless Steamy Nights at the WomanÂ’s Club of Red Bank, presented by the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation. Contemporary jazz guitarist Andy Rothstein will play from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. with all proceeds of the $10 donations going toward the scholarship programs of the JSJBF and the Woman’s Club. 164 Broad Street.
Saturday, February 23
RED BANK: For a $25 registration fee, Red Bank visitors can enjoy six hours of all the downtown bar scene has to offer. Presented by Red Bank RiverCenter, this first annual Bar Bounce doubles as a fundraiser for communities still suffering through the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Registration is between noon and 2 p.m. at Jamian’s (79 Monmouth Street), Taste (at the Galleria, Bridge Avenue) or the Globe Hotel (20 East Front Street). The fee includes a Bar Bounce T-shirt, mug and access to the participating pubs. Proceeds go to Sea Bright Rising, Hope for Highlands and RebuildRecover. Twelve locations.
MIDDLETOWN: The main library will host poet and Brookdale faculty member Laura McCullough at 2 p.m. as she reads from her most recent volume, Rigger Death & Hoist Another. Free to the public. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: The River Read series, rescheduled from February 9, will host poets Gail Fishman Gerwin and Donna Baier Stein as well as the usual open mic portion in this free monthly event at the public library at 2:30 p.m. 84 West Front Street.
RED BANK: Sonny Kenn returns to the shore for a rock set at the Walt Street Pub at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.
Sunday, February 24
PORT MONMOUTH: Bayshore Waterfront Park hosts this outdoor event at 1 p.m. in which participants can review and re-discover all the creatures and critters that were found during the summer seining programs along Sandy Hook Bay in 2012. 719 Port Monmouth Road.
MIDDLETOWN: The public library hosts native author Julie Milillo in a 2 p.m. reading from her November release Immortal Sin, a compelling story about self-discovery and acceptance, family, strength, love and morals. A discussion and signing session will follow. 55 New Monmouth Road.
RED BANK: Red Bank native Joe Muccioli and the 17-member Red Bank Jazz Orchestra return to Count Basie for the first in a new series of concerts. Trombonist Wycliffe Jordan joins them at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25, $35, and $55. 99 Monmouth Street.
