In The Arts

Roditi

The "Jazz Alive - Asbury Park" series will conclude at the Asbury Park Jazz Festival June 30 at 2 p.m. in Sunset Park, with a special performance by the internationally famous Brazilian trumpet master Claudio Roditi and his quintet.

The Jazz Alive - Asbury Park series is a collaboration of the Jazz Arts Project, the Black Box Theatre of Asbury Park, and the Monmouth County Arts Council. This performance is free and open to the public.

The Brazilian born composer/arranger and trumpet artist has 14 critically acclaimed albums, a Grammy nomination, and a busy international touring schedule. Roditi integrates post-bop elements and Brazilian rhythmic concepts in his performances. He has played with a host of jazz greats, including Herbie Mann and Tito Puente, and was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra in addition to The Jazz Masters, a Gillespie tribute group. His solo work "Symphonic Bossa Nova" with Ettore Stratta and the Royal Philharmonic earned Roditi a Grammy nomination in 1995.

The Newark Black Film Festival, in conjunction with the Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC), will present a free cinema series in Asbury Park June 29, July 13, 20, 27 and Aug. 3 at the Baronet Theater, 205 Fourth Ave., Asbury Park. The festival incorporates films about or made by African-Americans and brings well-known speakers and filmmakers to the community. In addition to free films geared toward adults, the festival will also present a free series for children. This year's festival includes films such as "Revolution '67," which depicts the "untold" story of the riots that erupted in Newark, in 1967, "James Brown - The Man the Music and the Message," "Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed," "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," and "Tsotsi" The children's film screenings include films that explore love, humanity and friendship, and include a collection of animated African and African-American Folktales. Youth screening programs with film-related, hands-on workshops will be presented. Camps are invited to contact MCAC for reservations. Details: (732) 212-1890 or www.monmouthartscouncil.org.

Other performers at the Asbury Park Jazz Festival will include Stanley Jordan, Ken Novaro, Nelson Rangell and Phillipe Saisse.

Jazz Arts Project, a nonprofit, tax-exempt arts organization and a member of the Monmouth County Arts Council, is planning a repeat of last summer's popular "Summer Jazz Café." This year the six weekend series will take place at the River's Edge Café in Red Bank at 35 S. Broad St. beginning June 29. Details: www.jazzartsproject.org or www.monmouthartscouncil.org.

Poetry Without Borders will showcase five poets and spoken word artists in a special performance at the Center Playhouse on Kruise Night, June 28 from 7-9 p.m. at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., downtown Freehold.

Among those sharing their works will be local high school teachers Michele Kallman and Bridget-Gage Dixon. Also featured will be Poetry Without Borders' fan favorites LeDerick Horne, Elijah Pringle III and Justin Woo.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact McCallum at rene@CreativePRpro.biz or call (732) 431-4648.

"Jazz Women of Note," a lecture series that takes place at the Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, will host a performance by jazz vocalist Lauren Hooker June 29 at 8 p.m. She has been featured in many major venues in the New York metropolitan area, including Sweetwaters, the West End Café, 55 Bar, and Trumpets and Dewars. Her show, "Jazz Expressions," a multimedia experience combining original music, dance, poetry and photography, was premiered in 1997 at New York's Puffin Cultural Forum. She has appeared on a variety of television shows and has performed or recorded with many noted musicians. The concert is free, but reservations are necessary. Call (732) 634-0413.

"Love of Winter," an exhibit by Robert D'Imperio, will be held 2-4 p.m. July 1-31 at the Lakewood library, 301 Lexington Ave. An artist's reception will be held July 6. All are welcome. Details: (732) 363-1435.

D'Imperio, an impressionist, attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and studied fine art, advertising design, public relations and graphics. His "One Man Show" has been on display at several area galleries.

Works of art from The Monmouth County Annual Senior Citizen Art Show will be on exhibit at the headquarters location of the Monmouth County Library, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, July 5-July 31.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Monmouth County Office on Aging, and the Monmouth County Library. It may be viewed during regular library hours, which are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There is no charge. Details: (732) 431-7220 or www.monmouthcountylib.org.

Bayonet Farm, 41 Middletown Road, Holmdel, will hold an outdoor concert June 30 at 5 p.m. (rain date July 1).

Featured will be No Outlet and The Birdhouse Party Crashers, and Pat Guadagno. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket, and food and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted. Admission is $5 per car.

For more information, e-mail care4bayonetfarm@aol.com.