Brick, NJ – Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis, the Brick Township Council and the Brick Recreation Department have announced that the 2008 Cultural Arts Series will feature musical entertainment, drama and visual arts programs to be held at various locations throughout the town, including the Cultural Arts Center on Herberstville Road, Civic Plaza on Chambers Bridge Road, Bayside Park on Route 35 and the new amphitheatre at Drum Point Park, Drum Point Road. 

The season will kick off with an open poetry reading featuring local authors on Tuesday, March 18 at the Cultural Arts Center.  All are welcome to attend and pre-registration is not needed.  The remainder of the shows at this location are: Saturday, April 19, Guild Theatreworks presents An Evening of Classic Comedy; Thursday, May 22, The Everald Williams Jazz Trio; Wednesday, June 18, Mark Muller in Al Jolson: A One Man Show;  Wednesday, July 23, River City Strings; Wednesday, August 13, Guild Theatreworks presents the Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Wednesday, September 17, Jennifer Mylod’s Celtic Band with special guest Robert Koerner (concert starts at 6:30 pm); Wednesday, October 15, folk guitarist Larry Fix;  Wednesday, November 12, Local Commotion Theatre Company presents Shaping a Life:  Eleanor Roosevelt, the Early Years; Wednesday, December 3, Guild Theatreworks presents Beau Geste;  and Wednesday, December 10, Guild Theatreworks presents A Holiday Showcase.  All shows begin at 7 pm unless otherwise indicated.  Advanced reservations are required as seating is limited in this location.

The Bayside Park summer events begin on Tuesday, June 17 with Poetry in the Park, an evening of open poetry reading by local authors at 5:30 pm.  All are welcome.  On Wednesday, July 30 there will be a concert by the River City String Quartet and on Wednesday, August 6, Jennifer Mylod’s Celtic Band will perform.  Both concerts begin at 7 pm and reservations are not required.  Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. 

For the first time the Township will be offering cultural programs at the new amphitheatre at Drum Point Park, Drum Point Road (adjacent to the school).  Wednesday, June 25, will feature a concert by the Everald Williams Jazz Trio and on Wednesday, July 9, renown country artists Jim Murphy and the Pine Barons will perform.  Both concerts begin at 7 pm.  On Tuesday, July 18 at 5:30 pm there will be Poetry in the Park, an open reading with local authors.  All are welcome to attend.  Reservations are not required.

To date, two events are scheduled for Civic Plaza, Chambers Bridge Road with more to come.  On Wednesday, May 14, Jim Murphy and the Pine Barons will entertain with a unique blend of traditional and country music.  On Thursday September 18, Guild Theatreworks will present the classic Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Both shows begin at 7 pm.  Advanced reservations are required.

Poets, actors and writers are invited to participate in on-going activities at the Cultural Arts Center, Herbertsville Road.  The Writer’s Block meets the first and third Mondays of each month and acting and playwriting workshops will be held on the 4^th Friday of the month.  The Brick Garden Club also meets at the Cultural Arts Center on the 2^nd Monday of the month. 

Two special events are also scheduled for the Arts Center.  The Laurelton Art Society will host their annual Spring Exhibit every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 3 pm, with special guest artists and enrichment programs.  Saturday, April 26 the Garden Club and the Brick Historical Society join in to provide a Spring Festival Country Fair from 10 am – 4 pm (rain date Sunday, April 27).  On Tuesday, July 18, the Brick Township Garden Club will hold their annual Garden Tour.  Visit a delightful assortment of gardens in Brick, then enjoy tea at the Cultural Arts Center along with an art show and a plant sale.  Donation $15 to the Garden Club is requested.  For tickets and information call The Brick Historical Society at 732-785-2500. 

The Brick Township 2008 Cultural Arts Series is made possible, in part, by a grant administered by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.  All events are free unless otherwise indicated.  For reservations or additional information, please call the Brick Township Cultural Events Hotline at 732-262-1006. 

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