(MAY 17, 2021 | RED BANK) The Count Basie Center for the Arts today launched its “Back To The Basie” initiative, anticipating increased capacities and a resumption of normal operations following more than a year of shuttered and reduced operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Vaccinations and a year of careful preparation and research have brought us to the precipice of allowing our patrons, students and community back to the Basie,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The last 15 or so months have been a challenge for our nonprofit organization, but with support from the community and an array of performing artists, we’ve been able to squeak by with drive-ins, outdoor concerts and limited-capacity shows onsite.”

“Like Broadway, we’re preparing for full operations come fall. The light at the end of the tunnel is near. We’re excited to get back home and to finally unveil our expanded facility to the entire Basie community.”

Four new shows were announced today for the Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre:

• Comedian Nate Bargatze (Late show on 10/3/21)
• Bianca Del Rio (10/27/21)
• MasterChef Junior Live! (11/15/21)
• The Price Is Right – Live (2/23/22)

Tickets for each of these shows go on sale this Friday, May 21 at 10am. Count Basie Center members get first access to tickets for most shows – visit www.thebasie.org/membership

These shows join an already-stacked lineup at the Basie Center’s historic theater. Tickets for all shows are available here.

• Sept. 11: Comedian Vic Dibitetto
• Sept. 24-26: A Chorus Line (Phoenix Productions)
• Sept. 28: Christopher Cross
• Sept. 29: Masters Of Illusion
• Sept. 20: Tommy Emmanuel, CGP
• Oct. 2: Oh What A Night Of Doo-Wop & Rock n’ Roll
• 10/3: Comedian Nate Bargatze (7PM / 9PM)
• Oct. 5: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
• Oct. 6: Robin Trower
• Oct. 7: Monty Python’s John Cleese
• Oct. 8: David Sedaris
• Oct. 10: David Foster
• Oct. 15: Josh Gates
• Oct. 16: Train (Count Basie Center For The Arts Gala)
• Oct. 17: Pilobolus Dance Theater
• Oct. 19: The Monkees Farewell Tour w/ Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz
• Oct. 22:  Comedian Jay Leno
• Oct. 23: Comedian Vic Dibitetto
• Oct. 24: RAIN, A Tribute to The Beatles
• Oct. 26: Cat & Nat Reunion Tour
• Oct. 29:  Johnny Mathis
• Oct. 30:  Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
• Nov. 12-14: ELF, The Musical (Phoenix Productions)
• Nov. 19: Paul Anka – Anka Sings Sinatra
• Nov. 20: Disney Princess: The Concert (2PM / 7PM)
• Nov. 30: Celtic Thunder Ireland
• Dec. 1: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
• Dec. 2: The Midtown Men: Holiday Hits Live
• Dec. 3: Comedian Howie Mandel
• Dec. 4: Holiday Doo Wop
• Dec. 5: Hot Tuna; Acoustic & Electric
• Dec. 17: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

More shows will be added in the coming weeks for what is anticipated to be the busiest season in Basie Center history – including standing-room and seated performances at The Vogel, the Basie Center’s second performance venue which opened last October.

Tickets to all performances rescheduled during the shutdown will be honored on their new dates. Though all performances are subject to state and federal restrictions, patrons can buy in confidence knowing tickets for shows postponed or canceled for any reason can be exchanged for a Basie Center credit or refund.

Concerts On The Green

In addition to its theatre performance, the Count Basie Center proudly presents its Concerts On The Green series at Suneagles Golf Club in Eatontown. The summer season opened this past weekend with two sold-out shows from Bobby Bandiera, and continues this weekend with two nights of Citizen Cope and comedian Mike Birbiglia on Sunday. Additional Concerts On The Green performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for all Concerts On The Green performances are available here.

• May 21/22: Citizen Cope
• May 23: Comedian Mike Birbiglia (SOLD OUT)
• May 28:  Wynton Marsalis / Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet
• May 29 / 30: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (May 29 SOLD OUT)
• June 2,3,4: Brian Fallon (SOLD OUT)
• June 5 – 5PM/8PM:  Almost Queen (SOLD OUT)
• June 10/11: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers (June 10 SOLD OUT)
• June 12/13: Get The Led Out (June 12 SOLD OUT)
• June 16: Judy Collins
• June 17: CSNSongs: Celebrating The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (SOLD OUT)
• June 18: Dead On Live
• June 19 – 5PM/8PM: Almost Queen (SOLD OUT)
• June 22/23: Indigo Girls (SOLD OUT)
• July 2: Brian Kirk & The Jirks: That 70s Show (SOLD OUT)
• July 8: Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love Concert (SOLD OUT)
• July 9/10: Grace Potter
• July 11/12: Lettuce
• July 16/17: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
• July 18: Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band
• July 20/21: Tedeschi-Trucks: Fireside Live (SOLD OUT)
• July 23/24: Jorma Kaukonen
• July 25: Marc Cohn
• July 29: Dramarama
• July 30:  Dar Williams
• July 31 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Steve Trevino
• Aug 1: Destination Motion, starring the Sensational Soul Cruisers
• Aug 5:  Watkins Family Hour, ft. Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek
• Aug 7 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Iliza Shlesinger: Back In Action Tour
• Aug 11: Tusk: The No. 1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
• Aug 13: Pink Martini (SOLD OUT)
• Aug 14 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Chris Distefano
• Aug 19: Songs In The Attic: The Music of Billy Joel
• Aug 21 – 7PM/9:30PM: Anthony Rodia
• Aug. 25: CSN Songs: Celebrating The Music of Crosby, Stills Nash & Young (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• Aug 26: The Weight Band
• Aug 27: Comedian Tom Papa
• Sept. 10/11: Bobby Bandiera: Mixtape Vol. 1 (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)

In addition, the Count Basie Center is presenting outdoor, onsite performances on the new William James and Catherine Basie Plaza. The Concerts On The Plaza series, presented by Hackensack-Meridian Health, will feature up-and-coming comedians and musicians:

• June 11: Comedian Mike Vecchione
• June 12: Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son (SOLD OUT)
• June 13 – 5PM/8PM: Ace Enders of The Early November (SOLD OUT)
• June 18: Comedian Tammy Pescatelli
• June 26: Latewaves
• July 9: Jared Hart (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• July 10: Well Wisher (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• July 16: Sonic Blume (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• July 23: Hodera (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• July 24 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Shayne Smith

Additional Concerts On The Plaza performances will be announced shortly. Tickets can be found here.

And, of course, socially-distanced, indoor performances continue at The Vogel, the Basie Center’s new performance venue, which opened last October:

• May 20: Chris Pinnella: A Night Of Classics (RE) Imagined
• May 21: Moroccan Sheepherders
• May 22: Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater
• May 23 – 3PM/7PM: Bobfest: Celebrating Bob Dylan’s 80^th with Pat Guadagno and Tired Horses
• June 4 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Dave Attell
• June 5: Bob Burger & The Red Shoes: The Music of Elvis Costello
• June 6: Low Cut Connie (Solo) – 90.5 The Night Listener Appreciation Event
• June 11: Matt O’Ree Band Does Led Zeppelin
• June 12: Almost U2: Achtung baby 30^th Anniversary
• June 18/19/20: Lakehouse Music Academy Big Gig
• June 25 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Dan Soder (SOLD OUT)
• June 26 – 11AM: Draw with Mr. Mike
• June 26 – 8PM: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
• July 7 – 7PM/9:30PM: A Celebration of James Yaylor, Carly Simon and Carole King
• July 9: Comedian Dan Lamorte
• July 10 – 4PM/8PM: Willie Nile
• July 23 / 24: Waiting On Mongo (On sale 10am Friday 10/21)
• July 30: Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience
• Sept. 13/14: Geoff Tate of Queensryche (Sept. 13 SOLD OUT)

Tickets for all performances at The Vogel can be found here.