WEEKENDER: CHANCES ARE, CATS WILL FLY

At the Basie Saturday afternoon: dogs and cats rescued from shelters and given a new, ahem, leash on life as circus performers. Matt O’Ree, below, brings his guitar chops to Jamian’s tonight.  (Click to enlarge)

Friday, May 3:

RED BANK: The high-energy Marty and the Martians make their debut in a series of Friday night appearances at the Walt Street Pub, playing an upbeat set including hits by Neon Trees, U2, Foo Fighters and more. The show begins at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.

RUMSON:  Join the electro-acoustic/pop/rock singer Brian Bisbee at Molly Maguire’s Black Point Inn, 132 East River Road, at 9 p.m.

RED BANK:  The Shore’s own world-class championship blues guitarist, Matt O’Ree visits Jamian’s Food & Drink for several Friday night sets. The show is free and begins at 8 p.m. 79 Monmouth Street.

RED BANK: “The Electric Baby” continues its run at Two River Theater.  The drama follows three pairs – a middle-aged couple, a hopelessly devoted lover and the apple of her eye, and a Romanian mother and Nigerian father caring for their child – who discover the ways in which their lives are connected. The play, by Stefanie Zadravec, runs through May 5. Tickets are $24-$42 and the show begins at 8 p.m. 21 Bridge Avenue.

RED BANK:  Take a 2.5 Minute Ride to Two River Theater to see a funny and moving autobiographical story focused on the relationship between author and storyteller Lisa Kron and her Holocaust survivor father.  Tickets are $24 to $42.  The one-woman show begins at 8 p.m. 21 Bridge Ave.

RED BANK: The Sylvia Browne event scheduled for tonight at the Count Basie Theatre has been postponed due to an unforeseen illness and rescheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. Issued tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date. For more information,  call the box office at 732-842-9000.

MIDDLETOWN:  The Director’s Choice book club is set to discuss Pete Hamill’s “Forever” at The Middletown Public Library. The discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. Coffee is served prior to the discussion. 55 New Monmouth Road.

Saturday, May 4:

RUMSON:  Spruce up your garden with perennials, hearty annuals and vegetables or search for the perfect Mother’s Day presents at the Rumson Garden Club plant sale behind Borough Hall. Proceeds will help fund Sea Bright dunes replenishment and a Sea Bright beautification project, as well as other civics projects and speaker programs. The plant sale runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. East River Road.

SHREWSBURY:  Calling all motorcyclists, club members and recreation bikers to the Blessing of the Bikes Community Unity Festival at Pilgrim Baptist in Red Bank. Kick off the festival with the 11 a.m. blessing and enjoy the day with live entertainment, health screenings, community resource services, speakers, motorcycle exhibits, vendor market, food, games, free drawings and activities. Proceeds from the event go to The Center at Asbury Park and Lunch Break of Red Bank. Cyclists register at 11 a.m. (the festival runs until 5 p.m.), 172 Shrewsbury Ave.

FAIR HAVEN:  Local author Justin Drazin visits River Road Books for a reading and signing of “Albert and the Amazing Pillow Monsters,” the first in his trilogy of children’s books.  The reading begins at 2 p.m. 759 River Road.

RED BANK Count Basie welcomes Moscow Circus star and champion juggler Gregory Popovich for Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, a family friendly circus-like event. Joining Popovich are his furry and friendly co-stars, a group of equally talented cats and dogs that were all previously rescued from shelters. Tickets are $19.50 and $24.50 and the show begins at 1 p.m.

RED BANK:  Come to the opening reception to celebrate the debut of “Surface Beauty” and “Children’s Art” at The Art Alliance of Monmouth County, featuring judge and special monthly window artist Despina Statelova. The exhibit runs through May 25. 33 Monmouth Street.

LINCROFT:  The students of Brookdale’s dance program are ready to dazzle audiences with their modern, jazz and contemporary dances in their biannual recital. This event is free and runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Newman Springs Road.

Sunday, May 5:

LINCROFT:  The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County hosts its May speaker, education coordinator Sarah Miele, in a discussion of “Our Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles.”  The discussion includes a segment on the differences between marine mammals and fish, which types of marine mammals and sea turtles can be found on the Jersey Shore and the dangers that they face while they are here, and how the regional Marine Mammal Stranding Center helps them. Bagels and coffee will be served in the community room prior to the discussion.  The session runs from 9 to 10 p.m. 1475 West Front Street.

LOCATIONS VARY: Enrich yourself in some history and roam select vintage sites in Middletown, Rumson, and Shrewsbury when they open their doors to the public for the fifth annual Weekend in Old Monmouth event. Detailed tour books and maps are available at each participating location. The tours run from 12 to 5 p.m.

MIDDLETOWN:  Spend some quality mother daughter time at the Middletown Main Library for the monthly mother/daughter book club. Girls’ grades 5 to 10 and their moms/guardians gather to discuss “Peak” by Roland Smith. The event begins at 2 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.

MIDDLETOWN:  Middletown native Nancy Scharff visits her hometown for “an appealing mix of contemporary and Broadway showtune-style music.”  Support the community singer/songwriter/musician and get the chance to see her in a more intimate setting when she visits the Middletown Main Library.  The event begins at 2 p.m. 55 New Monmouth Road.

RED BANK:  Travel back in time to 1955 when Johnny Mathis takes the stage at Count Basie Theatre.  With many romantic ballads and hit classics like “Wonderful, Wonderful,” and “Chances Are,” it might be hard not to get nostalgic. Tickets are $55, $75, $95, and $135. The show begins at 8 p.m.

LINCROFT:  The music majors of the Brookdale Concordia Chorale team up with the Concordia Youth Chorale join together to sing their rendition of “The Peacemakers” vocal composition by Karl Jenkin’s.  Inspired to spread a message of peace after the tragedy in Boston, as well as other looming trends of violence, the Chorale seeks to spread a positive, peaceful message. This specific work of Jenkins weaves together words and messages of iconic figures such as Gandhi, Martian Luther King, and Mother Theresa. The concert is free and begins at 7 p.m. Newman Springs Road.