Monmouth University’s Summer Music and Arts festival is now in it’s third season – and it’s first as in-person event – is taking place on Saturday, July 9th in the theaters and galleries across campus. With family-friendly programming, student performances, a visual arts exhibit, and an eclectic evening concert – there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.
Festival Schedule:
Peter and the Wolf by the Garden State Philharmonic
Woods Theatre|3:00PM
Tickets $20, Children are FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
(on sale June 1 at 10AM)
The festival will open with a family-friendly performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s famous story Peter and the Wolf by the Garden State Philharmonic. In this production, children are invited to participate by filling coloring books on stage for story time with the Garden State Philharmonic.
Blue Hawk House Band
Woods Theatre|4:00
Tickets: $20, Children are FREE (must be accompanied by paying adult)
(on sale June 1 at 10AM)
Following the Garden State Philarmonic, Monmouth University’s very own Blue Hawk House Band, who has been entertaining folks virtually throughout the pandemic monthly during Tuesday Night Record Club, will make their live debut. These talented students put their very own spin on rock and pop classics.
Poetry, Jazz, and “Harp” Beats
Pollak Theatre|7:00PM
Tickets: $38-$50
Finally, the festival will conclude with a capstone evening of Poetry, Jazz and “Harp” Beats featuring – Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise’s hip-hop poetry with bluesy beats supported by the harp, New Jersey native and former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky’s “PoemJazz” with a reading and performance of poems in concert with a variety of jazz improvisations. Also featured on the evening’s bill are the Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet playing original compositions that are deeply rooted in Ogunbiyi’s Nigeria roots, yet highly informed by his years of studying Jazz; and an opening set by Gregory Schwartz, former recipient of the Poet Laureate of Asbury Park award.
Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul
Pollak and Ice House Galleries
10:00AM-4:00PM
Free and open to the public
Throughout the day, participants are invited to view the iconic photographs of Larry Hulst in the exhibition Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul on display in Pollak and Ice House Galleries. From Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie and Lauryn Hill the exhibit brings together over 70 images of legendary musicians and singers across three genres showcasing a unique visual anthology of rock, blues, and soul music from 1970-1999. The exhibition will run through July 15.
The Monmouth University Music & Arts Festival is designed to provide Monmouth County communities and beyond, along with the students, faculty, and staff at Monmouth University, with the opportunity to enjoy a top-flight music and arts event each summer.