Count Basie Center posts holiday box office hours

  Happy Holidays! The Count Basie Center for the Arts has posted its holiday box office hours, for events happening at both The Vogel and the historic Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre: Tuesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – Box office sales for both venues close at 4:00PM Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas day) – Closed Thursday, Dec. […]

48 nominations for Phoenix Productions in annual BroadwayWorld.com NJ Awards

Phoenix Productions basks in recognition with nods for work in RENT, Ragtime, Evil Dead: The Musical, West Side Story and more   (RED BANK – DECEMBER 2) Phoenix Productions, the community theatre of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, has received 48 nominations in BroadwayWorld.com’s annual New Jersey Awards program. “As a community theatre […]

This weekend: ‘The Color Purple’ musical shines onstage at the Basie Center

  RED BANK – Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, is proud to present The Color Purple: The Musical, featuring the company’s first all-Black cast. The production showcases Phoenix’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion through casting and title selections that fulfill a mission to create a […]

2024 Basie Awards

Basie Awards celebrates 20 years, reveals fall productions under evaluation

(RED BANK – NOV 1) The Basie Awards will mark 20 years of celebrating excellence in Monmouth County high school theatre on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. “When we started the Basie Awards in 2005, our hope was that a community of […]

Food Drive to benefit Lunch Break

Basie Center holding food drive for neighbor nonprofit Lunch Break

  (NOV 1 – RED BANK ) The Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced a food and supplies drive to benefit Lunch Break, the celebrated food pantry and life skills organization located in Red Bank. Throughout the month of November, Count Basie Center patrons are encouraged to bring an item from the list […]

NJ Hispanic Film Fest

Count Basie Center for the Arts announces Inaugural New Jersey Hispanic Film Festival

Fest will celebrate Hispanic and Latinx/e culture, storytelling, and artistic expression  RED BANK, NJ –  The Count Basie Center for the Arts is proud to announce the inaugural NJ Hispanic Film Festival, taking place Friday, October 4- Sunday, October 6, 2024, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event will bring together filmmakers, community members, […]

Basie Center receives $35k Bank of America grant for ‘Critical Conversations’ series

  Funding will help with costs associated with producing noted community lecture program  RED BANK, JULY 17, 2024– The Count Basie Center for the Arts, the region’s premier nonprofit center for the performing arts, has received a $35,000 grant from Bank of America.   The grant will support the Count Basie Center’s Critical Conversations series, a […]

IMPACT: Count Basie Center Arts Impact College Scholarship Winners

  (RED BANK – MAY 29) This year’s winners of the annual Count Basie Center Arts Impact scholarship program gathered onsite in Red Bank this week, to both receive their scholarship certificates and also meet some of the generous donors behind the Arts Impact college scholarship program. Twelve Basie Center Arts Impact college scholarships – […]

Winners announced, high school theatre celebrated at the 2024 Basie Awards

New Jersey Lt. Governor Tahesha Way receives Lifetime Achievement Award Basie Center Arts Impact Scholarship Award Winners Also Recognized In Sold-Out, Three-Hour Celebration (RED BANK | MAY 22, 2024) Winners were announced this evening at the 19th annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theatre. This year’s ceremony took place […]

Prima Music Camp

Registration opens for free Louis & Gia Maione Prima Music Camp

(MAY 20, 2024 – RED BANK) In another example of creative partnerships designed to empower students through the performing arts, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation will sponsor a free music camp in collaboration with the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Red Bank’s Jazz Arts Project. Open to Monmouth County students 9-14 years of […]

Nominations: 2024 Basie Awards

Annual ceremony honors excellence in Monmouth County high school theatre; tickets are on sale now for annual awards show May 22 in Red Bank   (RED BANK | APRIL 30, 2023) Nominees have been announced for the 2024 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, taking place on Wednesday, May 22, […]

Sunday: Details announced for Basie Center’s ¡Tardeada de Cinco de Mayo! Dance Party

Annual, culturally authentic Cinco de Mayo celebration to feature live performances, Mexican cuisine and artisans (RED BANK – APRIL 29) The nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced details for this weekend’s ¡Tardeada de Cinco De Mayo! (Cinco de Mayo Dance Party) event, happening this Sunday, May 5th at The Vogel. “For nearly a […]

Count Basie Center Gospel Choir

Count Basie Center Gospel Choir sets next audition dates

(RED BANK | APRIL 1 2024) The Count Basie Center Gospel Choir has announced a fresh audition opportunity for singers of all vocal categories. Choir Director Gwen Moten will conduct auditions on Saturday, April 6 from 10-11AM and Saturday, April 13 from 10-11AM in Studio 201 (formerly Studio 99) onsite at the Basie Center’s Grunin […]

Phoenix Productions 2024-25 Season

Basie Center community theatre company Phoenix Productions announces ’24-25 season

Renowned, award-winning community theatre company at the Count Basie Center focuses on matters of the heart for its 36th season (RED BANK – MARCH 4) West Side Story, RENT, The Color Purple – The Musical, Mary Poppins – The Broadway Musical and Kinky Boots make up community theatre company Phoenix Productions’ 36th season, it was […]

Pearl Jam - Dark Matter

Hear Pearl Jam’s new album ‘Dark Matter’ first at The Vogel

  With a special, one night only global theatrical experience Pearl Jam fans will be among the very first to hear the band’s new record Dark Matter on April 16 in select cinemas around the world with “Dark Matter in The Dark.” Locally, the presentation will be featured at The Vogel, on the campus of […]

2024 Basie Awards

2024 Basie Awards: See which Monmouth County high school productions are in play

Nearly 50 productions – 22 plays and 27 musicals – will contend for nominations in annual celebration of excellence in high school theatre   (RED BANK – MARCH 20) The Basie Awards, the annual celebration of excellence in Monmouth County high school theatre, has revealed 49 productions in contention for trophies at this year’s ceremony, […]

PRETENDERS set to headline the 2024 Count Basie Center Summer Gala

The organization’s biggest annual fundraiser will raise money for student scholarships and programs in support of the nonprofit Basie Center’s mission (RED BANK – MARCH 19) Rock & Roll Hall Of Famers PRETENDERS will headline the 2024 Count Basie Center Summer Gala on Saturday, July 13th at the Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, 99 […]

NJPOL

New Jersey Poetry Out Loud announces 2024 champion

  (RED BANK / MARCH 15, 2024): Lucas Wilson, a senior from Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank, was named State Champion at the 2024 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals, part of the National Poetry Out Loud recitation program. The adjudication took place on March 14th at Count Basie Center for […]

Tony n' Tina's Wedding

National ‘Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding’ tour seeks locals for Basie Center shows

  (MARCH 5, 2023) The folks behind “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” the hilarious, dinner-and-a-show immersive theatre experience, is looking for a few good actors. Local ones. Read on: Open Auditions for Tony N’ Tina’s wedding Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is seeking actors and actresses for major roles in the upcoming Off-Broadway, non-Union production of Tony […]

Official selections announced for the Count Basie Center’s 2024 Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest

  (FEBRUARY 23) Official selections have been announced for this year’s Count Basie Center Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest, the annual competition celebrating New Jersey’s emerging crop of young filmmakers. The onsite Breakthrough Filmmakers fest event takes place on Saturday, March 23 on the Count Basie Center campus, 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank. Both official selections […]

Basie Center Cinemas

Basie Center Cinemas lines up annual free film series honoring Black History Month

Basie Center Cinemas, the Count Basie Center’s independent twin cinema located on White Street in downtown Red Bank, has announced titles for its annual Black History Month Free Film Series. Tickets for all screenings are free, and are available in advance at www.basiecentercinemas.org and the cinema box office. Friday, February 16 | 7PM BARBERSHOP Starring […]

New Jersey Symphony Masterclass

New Jersey Symphony musicians set for cello, violin masterclass

  (JANUARY 21) The Count Basie Center’s Monmouth Conservatory of Music has announced an advanced strings masterclass featuring musicians from the New Jersey Symphony (NJS). The session, open to all interested students, takes place on Saturday, February 24 from 5-6PM and features New Jersey Symphony cellist Frances Rowell and violinist / NJS Associate Concertmaster Brennan […]

The Giving Year

The Giving Year wraps with recognition for Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey

  (RED BANK – January 4, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America (BofA) have announced the final area nonprofit to be recognized during THE GIVING YEAR, the yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community. Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (https://caregivervolunteers.org) will receive […]

Energy

Count Basie Center elects three new community leaders to its Board of Trustees

(RED BANK – December 11, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts, the state’s leading nonprofit performing arts center, is excited to announce the appointment of Delisha J. Grant of Little Ferry, Steven M. Kaiman of Fair Haven, and Dr. Perry Scaranni, Ed.D of Holmdel to its Board of Trustees. “Dr. Scaranni, Ms. Grant […]

Phoenix Productions nabs 28 Broadwayworld.com Awards Nominations

  The Count Basie Center’s community theatre company gets nods for The Music Man, In The Heights, Evil Dead: The Musical, Once On This Island and Guys And Dolls (RED BANK – DECEMBER 7, 2023) Basie Center community theatre company Phoenix Productions, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this season, has even more cheer for after […]

Black Nativity

Langston Hughes’ ‘Black Nativity’ set for Basie Center return Dec. 30

Dunbar Repertory Company presents the renowned Gospel-inspired story of the Nativity; tickets on sale now at theBASIE.org (RED BANK – DECEMBER 7) Black Nativity, author and poet Langston Hughes’ Gospel-inspired interpretation of the Gospel Of Luke and the birth of Jesus Christ, returns to the historic Riker Family Stage at the Count Basie Center on […]

Freehold Area Open Door is November’s beneficiary in ‘The Giving Year’

$1 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD IN NOVEMBER WILL BENEFIT THE FOOD PANTRY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS SERVED WESTERN MONMOUTH COUNTY SINCE 1987   (RED BANK – November 6, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America (BofA) have announced the next area nonprofit to be recognized during THE GIVING […]

Montclair Film Festival at Basie Center Cinemas

Montclair Film Festival to present three new films at Basie Center Cinemas

Two of New Jersey’s leading arts nonprofits join forces to showcase the importance and impact of independent film   (RED BANK – OCTOBER 6, 2023) For the first time ever, the Montclair Film Festival will extend its reach into central New Jersey with the presentation of three new films at Red Bank’s Basie Center Cinemas. […]

Open community dance classes at the Count Basie Center

Count Basie Center, Shore Salsa offering free dance classes

  (RED BANK) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Salsa At The Shore are offering a series of free, weekly dance classes on the William and Catherine Basie Arts Plaza on the campus of Red Bank’s Count Basie Center for the Arts. Classes begin this Thursday, Sept 7 and continue through October 12. […]

The Giving Year

In Review: The Giving Year

The Count Basie Center’s nonprofit recognition initiative with Bank of America has given nearly $100,000 to area nonprofits As the Count Basie Center crawled from the prolonged, pandemic-fueled shutdown, one thing was clear: The community had kept it going. “We did everything to survive,” said Count Basie Center President and CEO, Adam Philipson. “We held […]

The Basie Center's new William ?Count" Basie statue

Basie Center, Red Bank to celebrate William James “Count” Basie’s birthday

Concerts, dedications – even birthday cake – all set to celebrate the jazz legend’s birth August 21 (RED BANK | AUGUST 9, 2023) The “Kid From Red Bank” – global jazz legend and hometown hero William “Count” Basie – will celebrated throughout Red Bank in events surrounding what would have been his 119th birthday on […]

Back to cool: Project Write Now is August’s beneficiary in The Giving Year

$1 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD IN AUGUST WILL BENEFIT THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ORGANIZATION; TICKETS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND BENEFICIARIES (RED BANK – July 26, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America (BofA) have announced the next area nonprofit to be recognized during THE GIVING YEAR, the […]

Samantha Giustiniani

Basie Center taps longtime arts educator as Vice President, Education and Outreach

  (RED BANK | JULY 18, 2023) The nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced the appointment of Samantha Giustiniani to Vice President, Education and Outreach. Giustiniani replaces longtime Count Basie Center education leader Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, who founded the organization’s education department in 1999 before her 2020 retirement. Giustiniani, of Freehold, started […]

Basie Center, Bank of America announce July’s beneficiary in ‘The Giving Year’

$1 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD THIS MONTH WILL BENEFIT THE RED BANK’s RITESH SHAH CHARITABLE PHARMACY; TICKETS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND BENEFICIARIES (RED BANK – July 5, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America (BofA) have announced the seventh of twelve area nonprofits to be recognized during […]

Count Basie Center Juneteenth Celebration

Basie Center sets free community Juneteenth celebration for June 14

(RED BANK – JUNE 6)— The Count Basie Center for the Arts will hold a community Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 14 at The Vogel, located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank. Entry is free with a $10 suggested donation. The community celebration will feature a performance by the Count Basie Center Gospel Choir, […]

Asbury Park’s QSpot named as June’s beneficiary during ‘The Giving Year’

(RED BANK – June 1, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America have announced the sixth of twelve area nonprofits to be recognized during THE GIVING YEAR, the yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community. QSpot (http://www.qspot.org) will receive $1 from every Count […]

Forever For Everyone Endowment

Basie Center Academy opens application for first-ever Charlie Puth Performance Scholarships

  (RED BANK – MAY 30)— As part of its FOREVER FOR EVERYONE endowment campaign, the Count Basie Center has announced the availability of the Charlie Puth Performance Scholarship, named for GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer and former student at the Count Basie Center Academy of the Arts. Beginning today, interested students may apply for a Charlie […]

National Endowment for the Arts

Basie Center to receive $60k grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

(RED BANK)— The Count Basie Center for the Arts has been approved for a $60,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support its mindALIGNED program. mindALIGNED is a collective impact initiative focused on engaging schools and communities in the arts. The Basie Center project, founded in 2016, […]

2023 Basie Awards, presented by Bank of America

Winners announced at 18th annual Basie Awards, presented by Bank of America

Crowd of 1500+ cheers on actors and performances from the past year; annual ceremony honors excellence in Monmouth County high school theatre   (RED BANK | MAY 24, 2023) Winners were announced this evening at the annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theatre. This year’s ceremony, presented by Bank of […]

Winners announced in the 2023 Count Basie Center Teen + College Film Fest

  (RED BANK | MAY 2, 2023) Winners in the statewide 2023 Count Basie Center Teen + College Film Fest were celebrated this past weekend during the festival’s annual screening and networking event in Red Bank. Dozens of films were entered into the competition, which announced its official selections in March and showcased each title […]

2023 Basie Awards, presented by Bank of America

Nominees announced for 2023 Basie Awards, presented by Bank of America

(RED BANK | APRIL 25, 2023) Nominees have been announced for the 2023 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre presented by Bank of America, taking place on Wednesday, May 24, 2022 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Tickets for this year’s presentation are on sale […]

Count Basie Center Gospel Choir sets next audition date

(RED BANK | APRIL 3 2023) The Count Basie Center Gospel Choir has announced a fresh audition opportunity for singers of all vocal categories. Choir Director Gwen Moten will conduct auditions on Saturday, April 15 from 10-11AM in Studio 302-303 onsite at the Basie Center’s Grunin Arts and Education Building, located onsite at 99 Monmouth […]

NJPOL

New Jersey Poetry Out Loud crowns 2023 Champion at the Count Basie Center

  (RED BANK / MARCH 7, 2023): Lydia Smith, a junior from Henry Hudson Regional High School in Highlands, was named State Champion at the 2023 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud State Finals, part of the National Poetry Out Loud recitation program. The competition took place on March 6th at Count Basie Center for the […]

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is March’s beneficiary in The Giving Year

  (RED BANK – March 6, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America have announced the third of twelve area nonprofits to be recognized during THE GIVING YEAR, the yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community. Freehold’s Society for the Prevention of Teen […]

irish American Comedy + Film Fleadh

This weekend: Irish-American Comedy + Film Fleadh set for Basie Center Cinemas

  (RED BANK – MARCH 6) Basie Center Cinemas, the independent movie house located on White Street in downtown Red Bank, will present the Irish-American Comedy + Film Fleadh this Saturday, March 11 at 6:30PM. A partnership with the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival (www.dublininternationalcomedyfilmfest.com), the Fleadh – Irish for ‘Festival’ – will feature short […]

Basie Center community theatre company Phoenix Productions announces 2023-24 season

The celebrated community theatre company, now fully merged with the nonprofit Basie Center, announces five new titles and a celebration of its 35th season   (RED BANK | FEBRUARY 22, 2023) Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, announced its 35th season today, with THE MUSIC MAN, IN […]

Count Basie Center welcomes three new community leaders to its Boards of Trustees

  (RED BANK – February 15, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts, the state’s leading nonprofit performing arts center, is excited to announce the appointment of Puja Choudhry of Old Bridge, Jason Jurgens of Rumson and Nancy Karpf of Fair Haven to its Board of Trustees. “Puja, Jason and Nancy are community-minded professionals […]

Count Basie Center recognizes Black History Month

Count Basie Center recognizes Black History Month

Free film series, Once On This Island + concert performances to run throughout February (RED BANK – JAN 30) The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank will recognize Black History Month with a production of the groundbreaking hit Once On This Island, performances from Incognito vocalist Maysa Leak, musician Trombone Shorty and […]

Horizon Foundation for New Jersey

Basie Center receives $10k grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Grant will fund school programming and general operations (RED BANK – JANUARY 10) – The Count Basie Center for the Arts has received a grant in the amount of $10,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The donation, made through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, will be used to fund general […]

Count Basie Center || Holiday Box Office Hours

The Count Basie Center for the Arts box office has posted its amended holiday schedule: 12/23 – Normal hours (10-6 + operations for A Christmas Carol) 12/24, 25, 26 – Box office closed 12/27 – Normal hours (10-6 + operations for A Christmas Carol) 12/28 – Normal hours (10-6 + operations for Baby Shark Live) […]

Cheers Wine Festival

Cheers! Holiday Wine Festival set for the Basie Center Sunday, Dec. 4

  (RED BANK – November 21, 2022) Six of New Jersey’s finest wineries plus holiday vendors, artisans and entertainers are set for CHEERS!, A Holiday Wine Festival taking place at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Sunday afternoon, December 4. Tickets for the 21+ event, held throughout the Count Basie […]

‘A Christmas Carol’ performances rescheduled for late December

Out of an abundance of caution following several cast cases of COVID-19, Phoenix Productions is rescheduling this weekend’s run of “A Christmas Carol” at the Count Basie Center. Tickets marked for Friday, November 18th at 8PM will be honored on Friday, December 23 at 5pm. Tickets marked for Saturday, November 19 at 3PM will be […]

Count Basie Center welcomes Heather Burke to its Board of Trustees

  (RED BANK – November 4, 2022) The Count Basie Center for the Arts, the state’s leading nonprofit performing arts center, is excited to announce the appointment of philanthropist and Impact 100 Jersey Coast co-founder Heather Burke to its Board of Trustees. “In co-founding Impact 100 Jersey Coast, Heather Burke proved herself to be a […]

Forever For Everyone Endowment

Basie Center announces $20m endowment campaign; Charlie Puth named honorary chair

    ‘FOREVER FOR EVERYONE’ ENDOWMENT TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS IN PERPETUITY AND PROMOTE STRATEGIC GROWTH, DIVERSITY & EQUITY  (RED BANK – OCT 24) The nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced its $20m ‘Forever For Everyone’ endowment campaign. GRAMMY nominated, multi-platinum singer / songwriter / producer Charlie Puth, the onetime student of the […]

Count Basie Center Gospel Choir

Count Basie Center Gospel Choir set to perform at county 9/11 Memorial Sunday

  The Count Basie Center Gospel Choir will join the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and the Monmouth County Park System for a time of reflection and remembrance this Sunday during a memorial to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The ceremony will take place this Sunday, Sept. 11 at 9AM at […]

Basie Academy: International Flair

Summer ’22 at the Basie Center Academy came with international flair

  Mexican and Portuguese students spent part of their summer vacations honing – and discovering – their respective acting bugs (RED BANK) Sunshine, the shore and tourists are practically synonymous. But for three international visitors this summer, it was the stage – and not sand – that filled their vacations with memories to last a […]