(RED BANK – SEPT. 16) The Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced a set of events scheduled in commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and National Coming Out Day on October 11:

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations:

Free Latin Dance Lesson Nights with Fred Astaire Studios:

Samba Dance Night
Wednesday, Sept. 21 • 6PM • Free

Cha-Cha Dance Night
Wednesday, Sept. 28 • 6PM • Free

The Basie Center is teaming up with Juan Walsh Arguedas & Natalia Semendziayeva from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Red Bank to present two free Latin dance nights at the outdoor William & Catherine Basie Plaza outside the Basie Center lobby. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and the lessons will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.

Free Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Open Class:

On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will present a free open-house class for those interested in joining the weekly Calpulli program at the Basie Center, which allows children, teens, and adults to learn the ins and outs of Mexican musical and dance traditions. Classes are taught in both English and Spanish.

The class will be held for children 11 and under beginning at 1PM; teens at 2PM and adults at 3PM. Open house class will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.

Mariachi Herencia de México w/ special guest Lupita Infante

Tuesday, October 11 • 7PM • The Vogel • TICKETS

Latin GRAMMY-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México, a premiere ensemble dedicated to the preservation and performance of this virtuosic artform, bring the rousing sounds of Mexican music to the Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre. Joined by multi-GRAMMY nominated Lupita Infante, granddaughter of Mexican icon Pedro Infante, Mariachi Herencia de México and Infante celebrate a new generation of mariachi music in #HEREDEROS, a vibrant and colorful celebration of Mexican music and culture.

Commemorating National Coming Out Day

In commemoration of National Coming Out Day on October 11, the Count Basie Center for the Arts is proud to showcase an all-new, fully-restored presentation of the celebrated documentary, Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community at Basie Center Cinemas.

In 1969 the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, leading to three nights of rioting by the city’s LGBT community. With this outpouring of courage and unity the gay liberation movement had begun.

Newly restored for the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Before Stonewall pries open the closet door, setting free the dramatic story of survival, love, persecution and resistance experienced by LGBT Americans since the early 1900’s. Revealing and often humorous, this widely acclaimed film relives the emotionally-charged sparking of today’s gay rights movement, from the events that led to the fevered 1969 riots to many other milestones in the brave fight for acceptance.

Experience the fascinating and unforgettable, decade-by-decade history of homosexuality in America through eye-opening historical footage and amazing interviews with those who lived through an often brutal closeted history.

Narrated by iconic author Rita Mae Brown, the film includes groundbreaking interviews with Ann Bannon, Martin Duberman, Allen Ginsberg, Barbara Gittings, Harry Hay, Mabel Hampton, Dr. Evelyn Hooker, Frank Kameny, Audre Lorde, Richard Bruce Nugent, Jose Sarria and many more.

About the restoration: The original 16mm negative was scanned and digitized at Periscope Films in Los Angeles. The file was then color corrected at Edition Salzgeber in Berlin, and an HD digital file was created. Director Greta Schiller supervised the process and approved the new master.